Reflections 4

To write a process essay you have to use the present passive. Usually is/are with the past participle.
With some verbs the simple past & past participle are the same, but with other verbs there are differences, e.g. go, went & gone.


The process essays are similar to the procedure.
• We use same linking words in both essays e.g. first, second, next etc.
• The essay structure is the same in both essays, introduction (25 – 30 words), the body (about100 words) and the conclusion (25 – 30 words).

To write compare & contrast essays you should have.
1. A brief introduction about the two things you are going to compare and contrast (in 3 to 4 sentences).
2. In the second paragraph you have to write at least 3 similarities of these two things.
3. In the third paragraph you have to write at least 3 differences about them.
4. In the last paragraph which is the conclusion you have to write which one you prefer and why.

The UAE & Brunei

Many people like to visit the UAE and Brunei because they are beautiful countries. Now I am going to compare and contrast the two countries.

Firstly, I’m going to write about the similarities. Both are Islamic countries and both have hereditary monarchies. In addition to that, both countries are very rich because of large-scale natural resources of oil and gas. Furthermore, both countries have national airlines, modern airports and well-developed infrastructures.

However, there are a number of differences. The first and most obvious is the geographical location. The UAE is in the Middle East whereas Brunei is a tropical country in the Far East. Another difference is the climate. The UAE has winter and summer, but in Brunei the weather is largely the same all year round. It also rains a lot more in Brunei and, as a result, the tradition is to build houses on stilts. Another difference is the currency, as dirhams are in the UAE and ringgits in Brunei. Furthermore, people drive on the right in the UAE but on the left in Brunei. Secondary education is single-sex in the UAE but co-educational in Brunei. A final difference is dress; people in Brunei do not wear dishdashas or ubayas.

Although there are many differences between UAE and Brunei they are beautiful countries. At the end I will say that I liked Brunei from what I have read about it especially the jungle and the weather there so I can't wait to go there and discover this beautiful country by myself.

253 words

How olive oil is made

producing olive oil is a fairly long and difficult process but if you follow these steps you should end up with good quality oil.

First, between September and December, the olives are harvested by hand or with sticks and rakes. Then they are collected on nets beneath the trees. After that, leaves and small stones are removed and the olives are run through a washer to remove any impurities before crushing. Then, within 24-36 hours of picking, the olives are crushed by granite millstones. The olive paste obtained is layered on mats which are put under pressure from a screw or hydraulic press. The liquid produced is collected and put through a centrifugal separator to separate the water and impurities from the oil. Finally, after centrifugation, the oil is obtained.

Superior olive oil is amber in colors and opaque. The less acidic the oil, the better the quality can get.
153 words

Reflection 3

When teaching process essays, I point out that very often the task, in the assignment or progress test, will specify the use of the passive. Basically, process essays involve the present passive, usually is/are with the past participle.

It's important to point out that with some verbs the simple past & past participle are the same, but with other verbs there are 2 separate forms, e.g. go, went & gone..

The essay structure is similar to procedure, i.e. intro (c. 25-30 words); main paragraph (c. 100 words); conclusion (c. 25-30 words). Total: 150-160 words.

The same linking words can be used: first, secondly, next, after that, finally.

UAE & Brazil soccer

Compare and contrast the overall play of Brazil’s national football team with that of the UAE. Say which of these teams you would rather watch and give reasons.

Most countries in the world have a football team, and Brazil and the UAE are no exceptions. I will describe the similarities and differences between the two teams, and say which one I would prefer to watch.

Like Brazil, the UAE is a member of FIFA which is an international body for regulating football. This means that both teams have eleven players, and substitutes are allowed. Both teams play to a system that has been agreed with the coaches beforehand. Brazil and the UAE defend when necessary but prefer to attack.

However, there are many differences in the style of play. Brazil plays at a higher level than the UAE and has won the World Cup. The former are fitter and faster than the latter and can adopt their style of play easily. This is because the Brazilian players have experience with teams all over the world while the UAE players usually play for local teams.

Although the UAE is my country and I always cheer for the football team I prefer to watch Brazil. There are many reasons for my opinion, the most important reason is that the Brazilian players are skillful and professional and they seem happy when they play. Another reason is that they play easily without any complication.

246 words

Reflection 2

I learnt how to write narrative essays:

1- We use the past continuous to describe something happened while we were doing something else in the past, like: I was fixing me car when something broke …

2- We use the simple past for the main form and sentence , like I heard, we saw, they told us, they knew us…

3- Sometimes we use the past perfect to describe two actions which happened in the past, e.g. when I arrived at my house my parents were already gone