In the past two weeks, we have seen a couple of ways of writing advice. You can use those structures regularly if you need to. You need to write advice in a way that readers will appreciate. If your advice is too simple, it will be of no use. But if it's too complex, your readers will be confused. This week, we will consider how you can include lots of questions into one single piece. Using this method, you will not answer specific questions one by one but write some general advice that provides answers to many of the more common problems. Homework Is it useful or is it a curse? Homework seems to be always with us. It is a constant in an ever-changing world. Homework is a subject that can stir powerful emotions. Some students appreciate the opportunity to expand their knowledge. Others get stressed and lose sleep if they find it too difficult or cannot finish assignments on time. Of course, many factors are out of your control. It is the teacher who decides the content as well as the amount of homework you receive. You must remember that whatever your opinion, teachers have your best interests at heart. They have an investment in your success. So the first thing to do is to discuss with your teacher any issues you have. Most teachers will listen. If they can, they will often adapt the work they ask you to do at home to maximise its value to you. Remember that teachers were students themselves when they were younger. But if that does not work, there are several things you can do. First of all, make a plan. This will help you to spread your workload. Many students delay starting work until it is too late. This leads to frustration. Secondly, try to find a quiet place to work. Noise can be distracting. If your home is too noisy, you could go to a public library. The advantage of this is that you can use more books to help you. Thirdly, find another person to help you. This might be a brother or sister or mother and father at home. It might even be a friend or a classmate. Talking to someone else and asking their opinion can be a great help. Finally, pay attention in class. The reason why many people have difficulty at home is because they have not listened to the teacher in school. If you follow this advice, homework will not disappear. But hopefully it will be less of a problem! Glossary constant (n) - stable; not changing to stir (v) - to arouse; to create to adapt (v) - to adjust frustration (n) - irritation; dissatisfaction advantage (n) - benefit; gain Comprehension 1. What seems to be always with us? 2. Who has an investment in your success? 3. What helps to spread your workload? 4. Where can you do your homework if your home is noisy? 5. Why do many people have difficulty with their homework at home? Writing style Sometimes you want to write your points as a list. This can work quite well as long as you do not do this too often. Decide which word goes in the spaces in the short piece below. secondly, firstly, finally, thirdly I have a system I use to do my homework. (6) ____________ I put all my books neatly on the table. (7) ______________ I get a glass of water from the kitchen because work makes me thirsty. (8) __________ I make sure my door is shut to keep out the noise. (9) _____________ I open my books and begin work. Homework is a chore but my system helps me. Crossword When you do homework, you need lots of equipment. Look at the words below and write the correct answer in the crossword. pen, pencil, ruler, eraser, calculator, scissors 1. You draw with this. 2. This uses ink to write with. 3. An electronic device to help with mathematics. 4. Use these to cut paper. 5. You can get rid of mistakes with this. 6. A measuring device that can also draw a straight line. Answers: 1. homework; 2. your teacher; 3. a plan; 4. the public library; 5. because they didn't listen to the teacher; 6. Firstly; 7. Secondly; 8. Thirdly; 9. Finally Crossword: 1. pencil; 2. pen; 3. calculator; 4. scissors; 5. eraser; 6. ruler
