En qu consiste la prueba de expresin escrita del nivel B2 de la EOI?
Esta seccin del examen consta de dos tareas (task). La task 1 o tarea corta suele ser una
carta o email (100-120 palabras), el tiempo estimado de ejecucin es de 20 minutos; y la task
2 o tarea larga suele ser un article (artculo) o un essay (ensayo o redaccin) (200-220
palabras), cuyo tiempo estimado para completarla es de 60 minutos. En total, se dispone
de 80 minutos.
Puede haber variantes en las distintas EOIs pero, por lo general, se hace despus del reading
(60 minutos) y el listening (40 minutos). Es decir, que los 80 minutos pueden parecer mucho
pero lo cierto es que despus de casi una hora y tres cuartos de concentracin para completar
el reading y el listening, se suele estar bastante agotado para el writing y a la mayora le
suele faltar tiempo. Pero con un buen mtodo y entrenamiento, se puede conseguir realizar un
escrito digno en el tiempo asignado.
Qu dice el Marco Comn Europeo de Referencia para las Lenguas?
ADVANCED LEVEL
THE ADVANCED LEVEL corresponds to B2 of the Common European Framework of Reference
for Languages: Learning, Teaching, Assessment (CEFR) and is defined within the CEFR as
"Limited Operational Proficiency" (in contrast to the next level, C1, which is defined as
"Effective Operational Proficiency.")...
Written Expression
To write clear, precise, detailed, coherent and cohesive texts on a variety of subjects with
both grammatical accuracy and using a range of vocabulary.
To synthesize and evaluate information taken from various sources, narrate events, describe,
argue, compare and conclude according to type of text and communicative situation.
Qu tipos de textos se escriben en este nivel segn el MCER?
Formal and informal texts of a social type: congratulations, invitations, confirmations,
excuses, giving thanks, requests, apologies, greetings, introductions, condolences.
Letters and messages of a personal nature (MSMs, emails, faxes, chats) exchanging
information, interests, needs, experiences, opinions, comments, reactions and feelings.
Formal letters of a personal, professional or academic nature (post, email, fax) to request or
convey information, ask for help or for a service, explain a problem, complain or to give
thanks.
Messages in chat rooms/virtual forums on familiar topics.
Discursive and opinion texts on familiar topics.
Reports (presentation of a situation, the advantages and disadvantages of an option).
Texts relating real or imaginary experiences, events, stories, facts.
Descriptions of people, objects, activities, processes, services and places.
Descriptions of plans and projects.
Biographies.
Summaries.
Book presentations.
Recipes.
Instructions.
Job Applications.
Advertisements.
Curriculum vitae.
Cmo escribir un ensayo argumentativo (essay)
Tips
1 En este tipo de composicin se trata de exponer argumentos a favor o en contra de
una idea u opinin, intentar resolver un problema, sugerir soluciones alternativas a un
problema o presentar dos posturas de un tema controvertido. Sea cual sea la tarea
asignada, lee atentamente el enunciado y asegrate de que entiendes bien lo que se pide.
2 Antes de planificar tu texto, decide qu punto de vista vas a defender. Piensa en
las ideas que vas a expresar. Prepara el vocabulario especfico que vas a utilizar y sinnimos.
3 Planifica la redaccin cuidadosamente atendiendo a una estructura que deber
tener:
a. Introduccin: Un prrafo ( 3 oraciones) donde se explicar la situacin, problema o un
adelanto de la postura personal que se vaya a argumentar. No empieces tu essay con
frmulas de tipo I'm going to write about this or that topic. Pincha aqu para ver cmo
escribir una introduccin.
b. Desarrollo: Dos o tres prrafos ( de 5 a 7 oraciones en cada uno). Se expondrn los
argumentos a favor o en contra que refuercen tu postura, aadiendo ejemplos.
c. Conclusin: Un prrafo (dos o tres oraciones) servir para resumir tu opinin, ideas
principales previamente desarrolladas, interpretacin de los hechos o expresar qu ocurrir en
el futuro si la situacin abordada persiste o cambia. Nunca aadas una nueva informacin en
este apartado porque se te haya ocurrido al final. Aunque en la conclusin se resumen
ideas, NO repetir vocabulario ya utilizado antes, utiliza sinnimos. La repeticin es penalizada
por los examinadores, ya que demuestra un limitado vocabulario.
> Haz un esquema-borrador con las ideas que incluirs en cada una de las tres partes.
Finalmente, empieza a redactar sin olvidar utilizar conectores para introducir ideas o
argumentos.
4 Aunque se exprese una opinin personal, evita el abuso de I en la medida de lo
posible.
5 ste es probablemente el tipo de texto ms difcil de elaborar, por eso es
necesario estudiar bien el tema y reflexionar previamente para presentar las ideas y
argumentos de una forma lgica y coherente.
EXAMPLE:
Traffic (1)
Although Abu Dhabi is one of the most modern cities in the world, it is facing a problem of
traffic congestion. Many residents spend hours stuck in traffic in the city every day. This is a
complex problem with many serious effects.
There are many reasons why we suffer traffic jams every day. One of these is the rapid growth
of the population. As a result of this, the number of cars is increasing annually. A further point
is thatthere are more women drivers and younger drivers today than in the past. The increase
in the number of trucks and commercial vehicles also causes traffic congestion. These vehicles
move very slowly, sometimes stopping to unload goods, and blocking traffic. Road works
are another major problem that can lead to streets being very crowded.
Traffic congestion has many effects. One of the most important is parking problems. People
find it difficult to park their cars especially in the city center. Long delays in getting to and from
work are another result, leading to less productivity from employees. There are also
more accidents, because people become frustrated or angry due to the traffic jams. Pollution
in the city center worsens as a result of car emissions, and the city becomes a less attractive
place to live. Shops are forced to close in the city center and have to relocate to malls or to the
outskirts of the city, where parking is available.
In conclusion, although Abu Dhabi has good roads and modern infrastructure, it is suffering
from traffic problems. There is no simple solution to this problem because it has many causes,
but the effects are damaging both the city and the people who live there.
Formal letter
Cmo escribir una carta formal
Tips
1. Utiliza el formato (layout) para cartas formales y observa las normas de colocacin
de direcciones (addresses), saludos (salutations), fecha (date), frmulas de despedida
(complimentary close).
2. Existen diferencias de formato entre el ingls britnico y el ingls americano.
Consltalas aqu.
3. Omite direcciones si el enunciado del ejercicio as lo indica. Sin embargo, si no
aparece esa instruccin expresa, s deberan incluirse con el fin de que el
examinador compruebe que conoces las normas de presentacin.
4. Utiliza las expresiones formales adecuadas a cada tipo de carta formal (enquiry,
apology, complaint, invitation...). Si haces los ejercicios propuestos, vers algunas
sugerencias. Echa tambin un vistazo a esta lista de expresiones de cartas
formales: Commonly used expressions for business writing.
5. Evita los phrasal verbs y las contracciones, ms propios del lenguaje informal. Por
ejemplo, si en la carta se solicita informacin, no escribas: "I'm writing to ask
for...", sino "I am writing to enquire about..."
6. Organiza el contenido de la carta de la siguiente manera:
a) Primer prrafo (First paragraph):
El primer prrafo es breve y en l se expresa el motivo de la carta.
b) Prrafo o prrafos centrales (Middle paragraphs):
En stos se desarrolla el contenido principal de la carta.
c) Prrafo final (Last paragraph):
En el prrafo final se expresa qu accin esperas del destinatario. Por ejemplo, si se
trata de una queja, sera en este prrafo donde solicitaras una compensacin.
Rules for Writing Formal Letters in English
In English there are a number of conventions that should be used when formatting a formal or
business letter. Furthermore, you try to write as simply and as clearly as possible, and not to
make the letter longer than necessary. Remember not to use informal language like
contractions.
Addresses:
1) Your Address
The return address should be written in the top right-hand corner of the letter.
2) The Address of the person you are writing to
The inside address should be written on the left, starting below your address.
Date:
Different people put the date on different sides of the page. You can write this on the right or
the left on the line after the address you are writing to. Write the month as a word.
Salutation or greeting:
1) Dear Sir or Madam,
If you do not know the name of the person you are writing to, use this. It is always advisable to
try to find out a name.
2) Dear Mr Jenkins,
If you know the name, use the title (Mr, Mrs, Miss or Ms, Dr, etc.) and the surname only. If you
are writing to a woman and do not know if she uses Mrs or Miss, you can use Ms, which is for
married and single women.
Ending a letter:
1) Yours faithfully
If you do not know the name of the person, end the letter this way.
2) Yours sincerely
If you know the name of the person, end the letter this way.
3) Your signature
Sign your name, then print it underneath the signature. If you think the person you are writing
to might not know whether you are male of female, put you title in brackets after your name.
