Read the text below and write one word/phrase from the list in each gap.

accounted for the aim as a consequence due to means

meant resulted so as the effect the result

English-language TV programmes in my country

Introduction
(1) ________ of this report is to comment on the popularity of imported English-language television
programmes in my country, to explain how they are affecting local culture and to recommend changes
that could be made in the way these programmes are shown.

Popularity of imported programmes

Approximately fifty percent of the programmes shown on TV in this country have been made in an
English-speaking country and were originally in English. The popularity of these programmes can be
(2) ________ by their larger budgets, which (3) ________they are generally more spectacular than locally
made programmes and may include internationally famous stars in their casts. On most channels,
viewers can choose which language they wish to watch the programme in, with (4) ________ that
people with a good command of English tend to watch programmes in their original versions.

Effects on local culture

The popularity of English-language programmes has (5) ________ that it is hard for local programme-
makers to compete, given their limited budgets. (6) ________, local culture has been heavily influenced
by American values of consumerism. Moreover, exposure to mistranslations of English-language films
has (7) ________ in words in our languages being used with new or wrong meanings. However, a
positive effect has been that people have become more open and ready to change (8) ________the fact
that they see other ways of living and thinking.

Recommended changes
I would recommend the government to subsidise national television companies (9) _______ to
encourage them to make more quality programmes. This would have (10) ________ of reducing our
reliance on imported programmes while at the same time promoting local values and culture.

Work in pairs. Read the report again and answer these questions.
1. How is the layout of a report different from other types of writing?
2. Has the writer included all the points in the writing task? Where are they dealt with in the report?
how popular these programmes are and why.
the effect they are having on local culture.
any changes you would recommend.
3. Is the style appropriate for the target readers?

Work in pairs. Read the following writing task and:

1 underline the points you must deal with / 2 identify who will read the report / 3 decide what style you will need to use
4 decide what title to give your report and what sections and section headings you will need.

A leading educational publisher is interested in language learning in different countries. You have
been asked to write a report on foreign language learning in your country. In your report you should
deal with
the languages people learn, who learns them and where they learn them.
recommendations for improving language-learning in your country.
Write your report. (220 260 words)

IMPORTANT!!
Give your report a title.
Organise it in sections with section headings including an Introduction and Recommendations.
Outline the purpose of the report.
Avoid just repeating the words in the question.
Use vocabulary and collocations appropriate to formal writing.
Explain the reasons for recommendations you make and the consequences of problems you mention.
Complete the blanks with one word (connectors).
a) There are a number of reasons ___________ we make such a recommendation.
b) That was the main reason ___________his behaviour.
c) Oxbridge, ___________the contrary, is an ugly city.
d) Oxbridge is, ___________contrast, an ugly city.
e) ___________comparison ___________Camford, it has little to recommend it.
f) ___________ contrast ___________Camford, it has little to recommend it.
g) According ___________ historians, the town was founded in the 10th century.
h) ___________ our opinion, Camford is a good choice.
i) Camford is, ___________ the point of view of young people, an exciting place to be.

Explain the difference between these pairs or groups of sentences.

1 a) Firstly, I was impressed by the quality of the service provided. 4 a) On the other hand, its spaciousness is very attractive
b) At first I was impressed by the quality of the service provided. b) On the contrary, its spaciousness is very attractive.

2 a) Lastly, it has a swimming pool and other spots facilities. 5 a) Moreover, it is within easy reach of the capital.
b) At last, it has a swimming pool and other sports facilities. b) However, it is within easy reach of the capital.
c) At least it has a swimming pool and other sports facilities. c) Therefore, it is within easy reach of the capital.

3 a) From the supplier's point of view, the location is inconvenient. 6 a) As far as we are concerned, the hotel would satisfy our
b) In the supplier's opinion, the location is inconvenient. requirements.
b) What concerns us is whether the hotel would satisfy our
requirements.

Look at each of the pairs of texts below and decide which presents its ideas more effectively. Why?
1 a) The project was a great success. All the participants enjoyed it. It supplied some income for the
company. It also provided a useful service for the community. It led to some good publicity for our
organisation too.
b) The project was a great success. Not only did all the participants enjoy it but it also provided a
useful service for the community. As far as our company is concerned, it both supplied some income and led
to some good publicity as well.

2 a) There were, however, one or two minor problems. Just over half of the participants expressed some
dissatisfaction with the catering; the meals were too small and lacked variety. As many as sixty-five per cent
of participants were unhappy with the accommodation provided, the main complaint being that they did not
like having to share a room with two or three other people. We would strongly recommend that improvements
be made with regard to both catering and accommodation in future years.

b) There were, however, one or two minor problems. Many of the participants expressed some
dissatisfaction with the catering and even more of them were unhappy with the accommodation provided. We
would strongly recommend that improvements be made with regard to both these areas in future years.

3 a) Most of the participants were good at the tasks they had to do. Some were particularly good at
dealing with people while others were better at administrative or technical tasks. It would be good if, in
future, we could carry out some kind of pre-project assessment so that we get a good idea in advance of
where individuals' strengths lie. This would help us to get the best use from the time available.
b) Most of the participants were good at the tasks they were required to do. Some were particularly
skilled at dealing with people while others excelled at administrative or technical tasks. It would be
advantageous if, in future, we could carry out some kind of pre-project assessment so that we are aware in
advance of where individuals' strengths lie. This would help us to make the most effective use of the time
available.