1 Read the rubric below and
underline the key words, then answer the questions.
Your local library publishes a monthly newsletter, and has asked library members for articles entitled "My Favourite Fictional Character". Write an article for the newsletter, about a character torn a book you have read. Describe his/her appearance and personality, and include your feelings and comments about the character. (120 -180 words)
1 What type of composition is this? A a book review
B a descriptive article
2 Who will read your article? A journalists
B library members
3 Who should you not describe, and why? A a character from a comic strip
B the star of your favourite TV series
C a famous person you admire
D a character in a book you have read
4 Which specific topics must you includein your composition? Put a tick (/).
.... appearance & personality .... critics' comments about the book .... feelings/comments about character .... other books by the same author
5 Which points will you include in theintroduction? Put a tick (/).
.... the character's name
.... the title of the book & author's name
.... description of other characters you
like in the same book .... why you decided to read the book .... background information (e.g. where/
who the character is, etc)
2 a) Read the article and label the
paragraphs with these headings.
• writer's feelings • appearance • general information •personality
b) Fill in the gaps with linking words/phrases from the list, as in the example.
while - Firstly - also - because - In conclusion - For example
c) Which of these writing techniques are used in the introduction and conclusion?
• addressing the reader directly • asking a rhetorical question
• using direct speech
d) Which character in the pictures (A-C) does the article describe? Which words/phrases make you think so?
3 Read the article again and answer the questions.
4 Fill in the blanks with the correct word from the list, then make sentences using the completed phrases.
5 a) Fill in the blanks with words from th list.
confident, going, headed, minded, hearted, temperec
thinkinn willed
b) Fill in the gaps in the sentences with completed adjectives from the list above.
1 Obelix is quite , and he
gets very angry when people call him fat.
2 Professor Brainard is terribly
For example, he forgets to go to his own wedding -three times!
3 Jane Eyre is a very young woman
who is determined to marry the man she loves.
4 Hercules Poirrot is a person
who believes himself to be a brilliant detective.
5 Indiana Jones is very , so he
acts sensibly and doesn't panic in difficult situations.
6 Cruella De Vii is so that she
plans to kill adorable Dalmatian puppies just to make a fur coat!
7 Crocodile Dundee is very ,
so he doesn't easily get annoyed or upset.
8 James Bond is a secret agent
who makes brilliant plans in a matter of seconds to save himself from danger.
6 Fill in the blanks with adjectives from the list.
jealous, punctual, honest, protective, intelligent, naughty
1 Oliver Twist is a(n) little boy who
hates stealing and doesn't like telling lies.
2 Sherlock Holmes is extremely
As a result, he is able to solve the mystery of even the most puzzling crime.
3 Snow White's stepmother is of
her because Snow White is younger and more beautiful than she is.
4 Mulder is quite of his partner
Scully and takes care of her on dangerous missions.
5 Huckleberry Finn is very For
instance, he never does what he is told and is always getting into trouble.
6 Phileas Fogg likes to be For
example, he eats his breakfast at the same time every morning and he is never late for an appointment.
7 Read the extracts (1-3) and match them to
the topic sentences (A-C).
A Snow White's beauty affects everyone who meets her.
B Phileas Fogg is a more complicated character than he initially appears to be.
C Don Quixote is a character we can both sympathise with and laugh at.
8 A description of a fictional character may be found in various sorts of writing. Read the extracts and say which is from:
1 a letter to a friend or relative
2 an article describing your favourite character
3 a review of a film you have seen recently
9 Read the rubric and underline the key words, then read the topic sentences A-E and the article which follows. Match the topic sentences to the gaps in the article. One of the sentences does not fit.
Your teacher has asked you to mite an article about a comic strip figure you consider unique. Write your article, describing his/her appearance and personality, as well as your feelings/ comments about the character.
10 Read the article again and answer the questions.
A Asterix also has rather an unusual personality for a Gaul.
B In appearance, Asterix is certainly quite distinctive.
C In conclusion, it is his combination of bravery and humour which make him such a unique character.
D One of my favourite comic strip figures is Asterix the Gaul.
E What Asterix enjoys most in life is fighting against the Romans.
1 When and where is the comic strip set?
2 What is unusual about the village where Asterix lives?
3 What is unusual about Asterix's appearance?
4 According to the writer, what three personal qualities does Asterix have?
5 What is the result of each of these qualities?
6 According to the writer, what makes Asterix unique?
7 What is the main topic of each paragraph?
8 What tenses are used throughout the article?
11 Read the text about a character from a TV series and correct the mistakes underlined.
I2 Read the rubric and underline the key words, then answer the questions.
A TV guide has asked readers to submit articles about popular screen characters. Write an article about your favourite character torn a Sim or TV series, describing his/her appearance and personality, and including your feelings/comments about the character. (100 -150 words)
1 What type of composition is this?
2 Who will read your article?
3 Which style should you use for this reader? A very formal, factual, impersonal
B semi-formal, descriptive, personal
4 What are the specific topics you ...
Latimer