Troubles to sort out

Troubles to sort out

All of us have troubles in our lives, but there are always friends or experienced people who can give us their opinion or pieces of advice that will help us to make good decisions to solve a dilemma.

Imagine you are Patrick Phillips, an expert psychologist and professor, who receives lots of people’s letters asking for his help.

Writing exercise

Read the following problems different people have and give some pieces of advice.

  • Situation 1

    Situation 1 (Example)

    I think I’m bad at English, when it’s time to speak I feel my pronunciation is not good at all. Other times I have the idea in my mind, but I don’t know how to put it into words.

    What advice can you give me to improve my spoken English?

    NOTE:

    Use the phrases from the box to complete each advice.

    Use should / shouldn’t where necessary.

    it’s a good idea to / read comics / use your smartphone / finally / be shy / worry about grammar or structure / listen to your / favorite songs watch films or TV series

    First, you shouldn’t be shy, the more you practice the more confident you will become. Don’t be afraid to make mistakes! Second, you should use your smartphone to record yourself speaking and listen back to check your performance. Also, it’s a good idea to ask a teacher for his opinion. Third, you should listen to your favorite songs and sing them, this is an excellent option to practice your pronunciation. Fourth, you should watch films or TV series and put the English subtitles and act it out, listen and read at the same time, you shouldn’t worry about grammar or structure, just concentrate on imitating the pronunciation. I think you can make notes of new vocabulary and use these words in meaningful sentences for your own life. Finally, you should read comics or children’s books because their language is easier.

  • Situation 2

    Situation 2

    In two weeks, my friend is going to have a party, he is celebrating his birthday. I would like to go, but my mom says I don’t have her permission because school exams are coming, and she says I must study hard. He is my best friend and I think he would be angry at me if I miss it out.

    What should I do to convince my mom?

    NOTE:

    Use the phrases from the box to complete each advice.

    Use should / shouldn’t where necessary.

    make sure that you and your mom / talk to your mom / disappoint your mom / negotiate with your mom / explain that you appreciate your friend / make a schedule

    First, you to let her know that you understand that exams and friends are both important. Second, you by promising you will make time to study for the exams if you get her permission. Also, from my point of view you and stick to it to achieve your goal. Remember, you ! Third, you and express the value he has for you. Finally, you are in a good mood when it’s time to talk. We don’t want it to end in an argument.

    First, you should talk to your mom to let her know that you understand that exams and friends are both important. Second, you should negotiate with your mom by promising you will make time to study for the exams if you get her permission. Also, from my point of view should make a schedule and stick to it to achieve your goal. Remember, you shouldn’t disappoint your mom! Third, you should explain that you appreciate your friend and express the value he has for you. Finally, you should make sure that you and your mom are in a good mood when it’s time to talk. We don’t want it to end in an argument.
  • Situation 3

    Situation 3

    I’ve just moved to a different neighborhood, so I’m enrolled at a new school, and I don’t know anybody.

    What do you suggest to make friends in class?

    NOTE:

    Use the phrases from the box to complete each advice.

    Use should / shouldn’t where necessary.

    it’s a good idea to / smile to feel better finally / be yourself in my opinion you ask open questions / look around second

    First, you should know there’s nothing to fear! you and more confident, you shouldn’t overreact or seem arrogant. Third, you and identify the friendliest face. should take the initiative to say “Hi”, make a compliment or say something fun to break the ice. Fourth, you to get to know others better, if you have things in common there’s a high probability of being great friends. , you without trying to please others, you shouldn’t change who you are just to fit in.

    First, you should know there’s nothing to fear! Second, you should smile to feel better and more confident, you shouldn’t overreact or seem arrogant. Third, you should look around and identify the friendliest face. In my opinion you should take the initiative to say “Hi”, it’s a good idea to make a compliment or say something fun to break the ice. Fourth, you should ask open questions to get to know others better, if you have things in common there’s a high probability of being great friends. Finally, you should be yourself without trying to please others, you shouldn’t change who you are just to fit in.
  • Situation 4

    Situation 4

    In my Math class there is a cute girl who I’m really into. We don’t personally know each other because I’m too shy to speak to her.

    Help me! What should I do to talk to her?

    NOTE:

    Use the phrases from the box to complete each advice.

    Use should / shouldn’t where necessary.

    worry / finally / be rude / ask her directly / I think you / be stressed / talk about your hobbies / fourth / in my opinion you should / pay attention to her personality

    First, you and try to infer the things she likes, so that you can have an excuse to talk to her. Second, if you don’t have a clue, you about what she enjoys doing. start a conversation by asking her about her favorite music or artists. Third, you , you may discover you both have common interests. , should ask her if you can study together, but if she says no, you about it. You rude or agressive, she may think you are bothering her. , you , I’m sure you will be friends very soon and maybe more than that.

    First, you should pay attention to her personality and try to infer the things she likes, so that you can have an excuse to talk to her. Second, if you don’t have a clue, you should ask her directly about what she enjoys doing. In my opinion you should start a conversation by asking her about her favorite music or artists. Third, you should talk about your hobbies, you may discover you both have common interests. Fourth, I think you should ask her if you can study together, but if she says no, you shouldn’t worry about it. You shouldn’t be rude or aggressive, she may think you are bothering her. Finally, you shouldn’t be stressed, I’m sure you will be friends very soon and maybe more than that.
  • Situation 5

    Situation 5

    I have an old fashioned smartphone; it doesn’t have many functions and the camera is not good at all. Sometimes, I’m ashamed because my friends have a better one. I would like to buy an iPhone, but I don’t have enough money to afford it.

    What do you think that I should do?

    Do you feel ready to give advice by yourself? Try to do it! Read the problem and complete the letter with your own ideas and suggestions.

    Note: Don’t forget to use: should / shouldn’t

    First, you shouldn’t about your belongings! Second, an iPhone is too expensive, so you . Also, it’s a good idea to . Third, you . Fourth, I think you they may give you some money in return for doing some household chores. Finally, if you don’t have enough capital, you , but you .

    First, you shouldn’t be ashamed about your belongings! Second, an iPhone is too expensive, so you should consider other smartphones and brands. Also, it’s a good idea to compare prices and features of three or four options. Third, you should check the budget or savings you have. Fourth, I think you should ask your parents for help, they may give you some money in return for doing some household chores. Finally, if you don’t have enough capital, you should consider having a part-time job to get extra money, but you shouldn’t neglect your studies.
Self-evaluation

Look at the following chart and tick the things you did in this writing section to evaluate your own work.

In my writing… Yes, I did it! Oops! No, I didn’t do it!
1. I gave some suggestions by using: should, shouldn’t.
2. I used different phrases to express my opinion: It’s a good idea to… I think you can…
3. I sequenced my suggestions by using: First, second, third, fourth, finally, etc.
4. I connected my ideas by using linking words: and, but, or, also.
5. I wrote 90-140 words per piece of advice or suggestion.
  • Check your answers…
  • 4-5 ticks: Excellent! You have included important elements to make a well-structured writing.
  • 2-3 ticks: Nice, but you must organize your ideas better to improve your writing skills.
  • 1 tick: Oops, you should practice harder, you may start by working with simple sentences and little by little adding more elements.