Unit 11 Writing a report

UNIT 11: LESSON TO
LEARN

PAGE 144-145

WRITING: A REPORT
FORM 3

SMK WIRA PENRISSEN, SAMARAHAN

LEARNING FOCUS

Remembering common errors
• It’s a good idea to keep a list of common errors that you make in English.
• Think about words, collocations and expressions which are different in English to your language and

note them down in your list, e.g.

both and either to talk about two people or things – positive meaning.
both + plural noun, I like both my teachers.
both + two singular nouns I like Mrs Brown and Mr White.
both + plural noun noun Both of my teachers are great.
either + singular noun We could have either Mrs Brown or Mr White today.
either of + plural noun Either of our teachers could come today.

Neither – negative meaning
Neither + singular noun, Neither Mrs Brown nor Mr White can teach today.
Neither of + plural noun Neither of the teachers can teach today.

Neither ….nor/either... Or to compare two people or things …etc.

A. Circle the correct words.

1. We can spend the break neither/either in the playground or in the common room.
2. Neither / Neither of the teachers were worried about the student’s performance.
3. You can do both / both of woodwork and design at our school.
4. It was suggested that either drama nor / or dance should be offered next time.
5. Both students /student have been given a laptop.
6. Neither / Nor the principal nor the teachers feel action should be taken.

B. Underline the key words and phrases in
the writing task below and then answer
the questions in your notebook.

1. What will you write?
2. What are school facilities?
3. How many facilities will you discuss?
4. What two things must your report include?

C. Read the model report and complete
it with both, either or neither.

Introduction

This report presents the findings of a survey on the facilities at Torrington High School. It
also suggests some improvements to the facilities.

The library

Most students think the library is (1)…….. big enough nor well equipped. As a result, it is
not as useful as it should be. A different location for the library could be (2) ……. The old
science lab or the common room as (3) ……. of these are much bigger than the library.
Students also suggested we have more computers put in so students can do research on the
Internet there.

Classrooms

In general, most students believe the classrooms are good. They particularly like
the interactive whiteboards as they make lessons more interesting. However,
students complained about the temperature during winter. The students felt the
classrooms should have (4) ……… central heating or air conditioning.

Conclusion

To sum up, the main recommendations are to (5) ……. Move the library and to
improve equipment in it, as well as to provide a better heating system.

D. Read the model repor t again and tick
( ) the things the writer has done.

1 given a short explanation 4 used a heading for each
of the survey paragraph

2 written about two facilities 5 forgotten to make
suggestions
3 only included negative
points 6 used informal language

E. Complete the plan for the model
report with these sentences

a Discuss the first facility and make a suggestion for Paragraph 1
improvement Paragraph 2
Paragraph 3
b Discuss the second facility and make a suggestion for Paragraph 4
improvement

c Bring the report to an end by summing up suggestion for
improvement

d State the reason for writing the report

F. L o o k a t th e u s e f u l ex p r e s s io n s a n d
choose the correct answers

1 Each classroom would benefit from ……….. whiteboards.

A common B interactive C after-school
C purpose
2 The ………. of this report is to present the findings of a survey. C labs
C canteen
A recommendation B writing C put
C playground
3 Some school ……, such as the theatre, need to be improved.

A facilities B activities

4 The cookery class could move to the school ….

A toilets B science lab

5 The report will …….. recommendations for improvements.

A make B do

6 Either the gym or the ……. Is the best location for sports teams to practise.

A canteen B library

Useful Expressions

Introducing reports After-school activities

The aim/purpose of this report is to… arts and crafts
This is a report on… choir practice
This report will present the findings of … cooking
Closing reports music and drama
To sum up, the main recommendations / suggestions are … sports teams
In conclusion, …

School facilities & equipment

canteen interactive whiteboard
classrooms library
common room playground
computer room science labs
theatre toilets
gym

G. Read the exam close-up and complete the exam

task below. Exam Close-up

• Remember to review your writing to make sure you have answered the exam

question fully.

• It’s a good idea to also check your writing carefully and make sure you haven’t
made any simple spelling mistakes or language errors.

• Thinking about your common errors list will help you correct your writing.

Exam Task

You recently carried out a student survey on the after-school activities at your
school as part of a social studies project. Write a report summarizing opinions on
two activities mentioned in the survey and suggest how these activities could be
improved (100-120 words)