ALTHOUGH/IN SPITE OF/DESPITE

Here you can check the following link to practice using although, in spite of or despite.
Although/in spite of/despite

TOOLS FOR WRITING AN OPINION ESSAY

 In the following link you will find a summary about how to write a good opinion essay. You can use it for your next class task
OPINION ESSAY

WRITING PRACTICE 1º BACHILLERATO

Here you are a document to prepare a part of the writing. Hope you find it useful
enlace de writing

MAKING PHYSICAL DESCRIPTIONS: GUIDE

Here you are a guide to make a physical description
https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/1tMHDfdX1vuloT1ycf8mOsga-PWgMJH_op2wFyyhU02A/edit?usp=sharing
https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/1e3bJoiqvPjlbNSIvKPlzJujduCABD2Ziu0OdY3FbaV4/edit?usp=sharing

2º BACHILLERATO; GIVING OPINION

USEFUL EXPRESSIONS TO EXPRESS YOUR OPINION

In my opinion, ...                                    In my eyes, ...

To my mind, ...                                      As far as I am concerned, ...                   Speaking personally, ...

From my point of view, ...                        As for me / As to me, ...

My view / opinion / belief / impression / conviction is that ...                                   I hold the view that ...

I would say that ...                                 It seems to me that ...                            I am of the opinion that ...

My impression is that ...                         I am under the impression that ...            It is my impression that ...

I have the feeling that ...                          My own feeling on the subject is that ...

I have no doubt that ...                            I am sure / I am certain that ...                

I think / consider / find / feel / believe / suppose / presume / assume that ...

I hold the opinion that ...                         (I form / adopt an opinion.)                      I dare say that ...

I guess that ...                                       I bet that ....                                          I gather that ...

It goes without saying that ...                  

USEFUL WORDS TO EXPRESS YOUR AGREEMENT

I agree with you / him ...                         I share your view.                                   I think so.                                     

I really think so.
(The author / the narrator / the protagonist / etc.) is  right 
He is quite right / absolutely right            He may be right.
I have no objection.                                I approve of it.                                        I have come to the same conclusion               I hold the same opinion.              We are of one mind / of the same mind on that question. 
I am at one with him on that point.           It is true.                                               That is right.

That's just it !                                         Fair enough !                                         Quite so !
Just so !                                                Yes of  course !

USEFUL WORDS TO EXPRESS YOUR DISAGREEMENT

I don't agree.                                          I disagree.                                             I don't think so.

You are / he is wrong.                            I think otherwise.                               I don't think that's quite right.
I don't agree with you/him.                      I don't agree with what you say.               I am afraid that is not quite true.

I take a different view.                             I don't share his/her/your view.                 This argument does not hold water.
Not at all !                                             Nonsense !                                            Rubbish !

He's off his head !

2º BACHILLERATO: LINKING WORDS

Listing	Giving examples	Generalising
first, second, third	for example	in general
first, furthermore, finally	for instance	generally
to begin, to conclude	as follows:	on the whole
next	that is	as a rule
Reinforcement	in this case	for the most part
also	namely	in most cases
furthermore	in other words	usually
moreover	Result/consequence	Highlighting
what is more	so	in particular
in addition	therefore	particularly
besides	as a result/consequence	especially
above all	accordingly	mainly
as well (as)	consequently	Reformulation
in the same way	because of this/that	in other words
not only ... but also	thus	rather
Similarity	hence	to put it more simply
equally	for this/that reason	Expressing an alternative
likewise	so that	alternatively
similarly	in that case	rather
correspondingly	under these circumstances	on the other hand
in the same way	Deduction	the alternative is
Transition to new point	then	another possibility would be
now,	in other words	Contrast
as far as x is concerned	in that case	instead
with regard/reference to	otherwise	conversely
as for ...	this implies that ...	on the contrary
it follows that	if so/not	in contrast
turning to	Stating the obvious	in comparison
Summary	obviously	Concession (sth unexpected)
in conclusion	clearly	however
to conclude	naturally	even though
in brief	of course	however much
to summarise	as can be expected	nevertheless
overall	surely	still
therefore	after all	yet

WRITING A REVIEW ON A FILM

WHAT FILM DO YOU RECOMMEND ME?

Last weekend I went to the theatre to watch a movie. I saw a musical and it was amazing. The title of the film is "The Miserables"; it is a film based on a novel by Victor Hugo.

The film is set in France in the nineteenth century.There are two leading characters in the film: Jan Valjean; his role is played by the actor Hugh Jackman and Javert, his role is played by Rusell Crowe and there is also a female character, Fantine; her role is played by supporting actress Anne Hathaway.

The plot of the film is about an ex- convict (Valjean) who is hunted by a police officer (Javert) after he breaks parole; this convict agrees to get in charge of Fantine's daughter and this will change his life.

This film has received a lot of awards in the last year and it has 8 Oscar nominations; including best film and leading actor (Jackman).

I highly recommend the film because the story is very moving and although the actors are not proffesional singers they sing beautifully; I really enjoyed it.

DESCRIBING AN ANIMAL

     MY FAVOURITE ANIMAL  

My favourite wild animal is the lion. Probably because lions are strong and fierce people have always known them as the kings of the jungle.

Lions are mammals; one of the big four cats of the family of the felidae.Lions typically inhabit savanna and grassland in Sub-saharan Africa and Asia. They often live in groups called “Prides”.

Lions are carnivore. They are great hunters as they have great physical skills and in addition they have sharp paws and fangs. Lioness are the hunters of the pride because they are stronger and more agressive by nature. When they have targeted the prey they usually rush the prey and leap on it, killing the animal with strangulation.Preys consist mainly of mammals like zebras, buffalos, deer,gazelles.

                       Lioness hunting

Lions do not have fur but lions are different from lionesses because they have very long and wavy hair around their heads. Lions have a long tail ending in a hairy tuft. Lions usually communicate using a “roar”. They can roar to advertise of an animal’spresence. Did you know that the lion’s roar is the loudest of any of the cats?. Do you know the name of the baby lion? Baby lions are called “cubs”.

        Cubs

What about you? What is your favourite animal?

MY STUDENTS' CONTRIBUTIONS

DESCRIBING A CLOSE FRIEND

My close friend is Ana.

Ana has been my close friend from this summer. I first met her on a summer camp in La Herradura. The first days we began to meet gradually and we started talking. We have been friends since then

Ana is a sixteen years old, like me. She is a little short and slim too. My friend has straight and dark hair. Usually, she wears sport  clothes because she likes tracksuits and trainers and she spends a lot of time playing football because she is in a women's football team in her village. She loves football.

Ana is very loving, sensible and confident. But what I like about her is that she is very cheerful. She always has a smile on her face. I love her smile.

I´m glad to have Ana as my friend, because  I love her like a sister so I am sure we will be great friends.

MARÍA JESÚS SÁNCHEZ 1º BACH B

MY STUDENTS' CONTRIBUTIONS

I WAS SLEEPING WHEN SUDDENLY I HEARD A NOISE DONWSTAIRS........

When I was sleeping I heard a noise downstairs Suddenly. It was two o'clock at noon and everyone was asleep.

I got up and went downstairs. I was nervous, confused, sleepy and afraid.

I thought the noise was coming from the kitchen and went there. I turned on the light, it was very dark.

I heard noises coming from under the table. I didn't know whether to look or not under the table, thinking what I could find.

It was my sister! She was eating biscuits and reading one of her favourite books with a flashlight.

She got scared when she saw me, I laughed and I went away to sleep again.

CRISTINA PÉREZ 4º ESO B

I was sleeping when I suddenly heard a noise downstairs .I got up and I went downstairs quietly .I switched on the lights and I looked around but I didn’ t see anything. Suddenly I heard another noise behind me.I was terribly frightened to turn around so I called my mum , but she didn’t hear me because she was sleeping .The noise came from the kitchen and it was really dark , but I was brave and I decided to go there .I was coming to the kitchen when I saw two red eyes , looking at me inside the kitchen ! I was shocked ! When I switched on the lights , I saw my cat jumping on the table ! He was very hungry .Finally , I got relaxed because I thought that it was a thief so I was glad/relieved and I went to bed .

MARÍA ELENA MONTES 4º ESO B

I was sleeping when I suddenly heard a noise downstairs.

I decided to get up and walk down. I was walking down the stairs when I saw something.

I was scared, so I called my father. He was sleeping with my mother when I woke them up. 

Then, my father told me to wait with my mother in their bedroom.

He got down and he could see a thief. The thief was taking dad’s wallet.

When the thief saw dad, he escaped through  the window. Quickly, dad called the police and reported them the robbery.

Finally, the police found the thief and my father got his wallet back

Now my parents have put alarms in the house.

MARÍA ROMERA 4º ESO B

I was sleeping when I suddenly heard a noise downstairs. I got dressed, put on my shoes and decided to go down to know what was happeningdown. I thought it would be Luna, my dog, but I found it in her bed. I panicked. Slowly, I started to go down the stairs and the noises were louder, things on the floor, fingerprints and even doors closing. It was four in the morning and I knew my sister was out, but did not believe it was her. As I walked down the stairs I started to be more frightened, because I knew what I could find. And....! Buuuh! It was my sister who was in the kitchen eating, did not think anyone had realized she had entered, but discovered. When she saw me she got scared  and I started laughing too. Hearing my parents laughing, declined to be passing ... is  what had happened and started laughing.

CRISTINA MONTES 4º ESO B

When I was sleeping suddenly I heard a noise downstairs, I got up and I went downstairs. Although I was afraid, I walked in the darkness and I didn´t turn on the lights. When I was in the dining room and I found two people stealing things.
Slowly, I went to my bedroom and I took my mobile phone. While I was calling the police, I heard that they were going upstairs. So, I escaped through the window and I went directly to my neighbour’s house. Finally, the police arrived and they arrested the thieves.

ALBERTO CORTINA 4º ESO B

DESCRIBING PEOPLE

Describing a close friend

Jacques has been my close friend for two years. I first met him on a school exchange trip to Calais, France. I asked him the way to the library and we started talking. We've been friends ever since.

Jacques is quite good-looking. He's tall and slim, with olive skin and curly dark hair. Like many French people, he has a great sense of style, so he always looks well-dressed even in casual clothes.
Jacques is very outgoing. He is always friendly and loves to have fun. He's got a fantastic sense of humour and he always makes me laugh. However, he can be a bit immature at times. For example, when he doesn't get what he wants, he acts childishly and stamps his feet.
Jacques is very keen on water sports. He likes sailing and he spends a lot of time on his boat. He enjoys scuba diving, too, and loves exploring life under sea.
All in all, I'm glad to have Hacques as my friend. It's a pleasure to be with him and I really enhoy his company. I'm sure we'll always be close friends.

** When you describe someone's physical appearance you start with the general features (i.e. height, biuld, age) and move on to the more specific ones, such as hair, eyes, nose etc. You can also add a description of the clothes the person likes to wear. e.g. Laura is a tall, slim woman in her early twenties. She has got red hair, green eyes and freckles. She usually wears smart suits.

** When you describe someone's personal qualities you should support your description with examples and/or justifications. e.g. Wayne is very shy. For example, he finds it difficult to make new friends. You can also describe someone's personality through their mannerisms by:

a) referring to the way they speak e.g. He speaks in a soft voice as if he were whispering.

b) describing the gestures they use e.g. She constantly uses her hands when she speaks.

c) mentioning a particular habit they have. e.g. Jason always bites his nails when he is nervous.

Note: When you mention someone's negative qualities you should use mild language (seems to, can be rather, etc). For example, instead of saying Paul is lazy, it is better to say Paul can be lazy at times.

Useful IELTS Phrases

Here are some useful phrases from the sample which you can use to answer the same question.

I spend a lot of time with….

I have known him/her since…

We (only) see each other during/at…because…

When we are together we always…

We also both enjoy + noun/verb+ing.

We normally hang out at the…

We’re both big film buffs (you like films).

I really like spending time with…

He’s/She’s such a nice person and very friendly.

I always have a good time when we are together.

STUDENTS' WRITINGS

This is Melendi, a famous Spanish singer. His real name is Ramon Melendi Espina de Macias. He is 33 years old. His birthday is on 21st March.

His dad and mother are Spanish, but they live in Asturias.

His hair  is straight and black,  his eyes  are brown and he is tall.

Melendi is currently working on a musical program

His favourite color is red.

Melendi can play the guitar.

María Rubiño (4º E.S.O. Diversificación

                                                DESCRIBING SOMEONE

Ricardo Izecson dos santos Leite is thirty years old. He is from Brazil so he is Brazillian.

He is young He is very rich. He is a very good footballplayer.

He is well-built. He is a fat. His hair is short and his eyes are brown.

His  skin is dark.

He is a football player at Real Madrid football club

Augusto Ferres (4º E.S.O. Diversificación)













Selena gomez is nineteen years old .Her birthday is  22th july  1992. She is from New York, so she is American.She is young.She is beautiful.She is well_built, she is not fat . Her hair is long, way and brown her eyes are brown.Her skin is not dark, it is white, she is very pale. Selena is an actress and she is also a singer and a model.Her hobbies are: music, movies and fashion.

Ibtissam Zammon (4º E.S.O diversificación)

STUDENTS' WRITINGS

                                        WHAT DO YOU DO FOR FUN?

When I have free time, I like to dedicate to my hobbies because I enjoy myself  and it´s fun.
For example, one of my main hobbies is surfing  the Internet. I love computers. I use  the computer every day because I send my teacher a lot of proyects by e-mail and when I have time I like writing in my personal blog. I sometimes update my blog every week. I also spend time looking/checking my social network as Twitter or Tuenti.

Other of my main hobbies is my friends. I love hanging out with my friends, but now I don´t meet them much because I can´t. From Monday until Friday I study. At the weekend if I don´t have to study for an examination on Monday, I can go for a coffee with my best friends.

In addition, I like to take a cup of chocolate while I see/watch a good film in the sofa because occasionally I need a bit of  tranquility and relaxation.

María Jesús Sánchez (1º Bachillerato B)

I´m very interested in sport.I love watching  it but I am not crazy about playing it.I  especially like  riding horses and volleyball.I often play volleyball with my friends at school.At  the weekend I really enjoy riding horses in Salobreña . I also like watching football on  TV with my family.We never go to matches.I think all sports are really exciting!
My other interests are music and writing.Writing is very different from sport,but I like it too.I have a blog and sometimes I update it when I have free time.Last year I wrote a lot of stories for school contests.This year I haven´t much time for doing it so I prefer reading books.
I´ve a lot of different interests. But my favourite hobby is riding horses because I like animals and especially I love horses.

Georgiana Damian (1º Bachillerato B)

My main interest is  the gym/gymnastics/sport.I like training and watching other gymnasts/sportspeople/athletes, especially my coach, because I can learn observing. I  go to the gym every day/ Monday to Friday except at weekends. I also like playing/to play soccer with my friends on the football field.

But the most exciting sport  for me is the crossfit. it combines strength, endurance, agility,flexibility , speed, coordination, power and accuracy.  it is like fitness training with high intensity . This is the sport I practice

My other interests is  action and comedy films . Every week , I watch a action film or a comedy . The last comedy movie I haveseen is "Un desmadre de padre".

Other interest is playing poker with my friends sometimes.

Usama Mailoudi (1º Bachillerato B)

4º ESO DIVERSIFICACIÓN: MAKING DESCRIPTIONS

WHAT DOES HE/SHE LOOK LIKE?

Robert Pattinson is twenty six years old. He is from London, so he is English. He is young. He is handsome. He is not very tall, he is medium-height. He is well-built.He is not fat.His hair is short, wavy and brown. His eyes are green. His skin is not dark, it is white, he is very pale. Robert is an actor and he is also a singer and a model. His hobbies are: music,movies and fashion.

And now it's your turn. Can you make a description of Kristen Stewart?