Write a reply to Mr Bramble making the following points:

Writing Tests These tests can be used to assess different aspects of writing performance. The first test assesses cohesion. The accuracy tests 2 and 3 check use of particular word classes such as conjunctions or prepositions. Students having difficulties with, for example, articles, should look at the relevant unit in Part 3. Test 4 is a comparison. They can be used in the classroom or for self- assessment. WRITING TEST 1 Cohesion The parts of sentences below make two paragraphs that compare speaking with writing. Some parts are already numbered. Fill in the remaining numbers. Use internal clues and punctuation to help you find the correct order. SPEAKING AND WRITING 1 When we speak, it is normally to one or … to study our listeners’ faces for expressions that tell … for example agreement, or amusement. … they often find the situation stressful. 3 As we speak, we are able … For most people, speaking feels like a natural activity, … a small number of people, who are often well known to us. … If their expressions show incomprehension … us their reaction to what we are saying; … though if they have to make a formal speech … we will probably restate what we are saying. … Writers cannot check if the readers understand, or are interested … to avoid the dangers of being misunderstood by readers, … who cannot look puzzled to 1 Writing, however, is much more like speaking to … Unless we are writing a letter to a friend … This is the reason why writing is more difficult than … make the writer explain what he means again. … in what they are writing. … we have no way of knowing who may read our words. … It also explains why writing must be as clear and simple as possible, … speaking, and often uses a more formal style. … an unknown audience. WRITING TEST 2 Accuracy Read the text for gist and then complete it by writing one word in each gap. Most overseas students who come to study a . . . . . . . . . . . English-speaking countries find that their first b . . . . . . . . . . . is listening. Understanding c . . . . . . . . . . . many forms of spoken English is more d . . . . . . . . . . . than they expected. e . . . . . . . . . . . , after a month f . . . . . . . . . . . two, the majority find that their listening g . . . . . . . . . . . , and their next concern is speaking. This skill is more difficult to practise, so improvement h . . . . . . . . . . . to be slower. But i . . . . . . . . . . . three or four months most students find that j . . . . . . . . . . . can function quite k . . . . . . . . . . . in terms of shopping and travelling. A l . . . . . . . . . . . area of difficulty is writing, which is possibly the m . . . . . . . . . . . difficult skill to master, n . . . . . . . . . . . it is more impersonal than oral aural skills and depends o . . . . . . . . . . . the student learning a complex series of conventions. This explains p ………. many students find it q . . . . . . . . . . . to attend r . . . . . . . . . . . intensive course in academic English s . . . . . . . . . . . they begin t . . . . . . . . . . . university studies. WRITING TEST 3 Accuracy Read the text for gist and then complete it by writing one word in each gap. All students need a . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . to live, so finding a suitable place is likely to be a priority when they arrive to start a new course. Apart b . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . the minority c . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . live with their parents, there are only two d . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . of accommodation which are generally affordable. e . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . all universities provide f . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . of residence, which can help new students g . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . friends and develop a social life. They can be a h . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . choice, usually being close to other university facilities, i . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . some may find that they are noisy, expensive and have j . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . small rooms. The alternative is to rent k . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . house or flat from a private landlord with a group of other students. l . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . kind of shared accommodation m . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . offer greater independence and privacy, and can n . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . be more economical. However, it does