4.2.1 Strong openings Lesson Content Q&A 4.2.1 Strong openings 1 / 20 Which opening best demonstrates a strong first paragraph for an informative article about healthy eating? Most people know that healthy food is important, but far fewer realise how much it can improve energy, concentration and mood. Food is an important part of life. There are many types of meals people can eat. Healthy eating is something that affects everyone. A strong first paragraph should introduce the topic clearly and show why it matters. 2 / 20 Which opening is strongest for a speech about volunteering? Have you ever wondered how one hour of your time could improve someone else's life? Volunteering exists in many communities. There are lots of people who help others. This speech is about helping. A speech opening should capture attention and make the speaker's purpose clear quickly. 3 / 20 Which opening is best for a blog post giving advice on exam preparation? Start revising with short daily sessions, because steady practice is more effective than last minute cramming. Exams can be stressful for students. Many learners study in different ways. Revision is something all students should do. The best opening in an advice post should be clear, useful and immediate. 4 / 20 Which opening would most likely interest a reader immediately in a newspaper article about sleep? You might think losing an hour of sleep is harmless, but it can affect memory, mood and concentration the next day. Sleep is important for everyone. People need rest after a busy day. There are many reasons why sleep matters. A good opening should connect with the reader's experience and introduce the issue sharply. 5 / 20 Which opening best uses a direct and clear argument? School trips should not be cut because they offer valuable learning that classrooms cannot always provide. School trips are enjoyed by many students. There are different kinds of school activities. Many teachers think trips are useful. An argument should be stated early so the reader immediately understands the writer's position. 6 / 20 Which opening is weakest because it delays the main point? In today's fast moving world, there are many factors that affect how people live their lives. Many people now work from home and this has changed family routines. This essay argues that homework should be limited because it can damage wellbeing. The way people live has changed over time. Openings that take too long to reach the issue can lose the reader's attention. 7 / 20 Which opening is strongest for a magazine feature on part time jobs for teenagers? Most teenagers know that part time jobs can be tiring, but far fewer realise how much they can teach about responsibility. Teenagers sometimes work after school. Part time jobs are common in many countries. There are many reasons why young people work. A strong feature opening should hook the reader and hint at the article's focus right away. 8 / 20 Which opening most effectively establishes advice immediately? If you want better grades, start revising a little every day instead of leaving everything until the last minute. Students often struggle with revision. There are many ways to improve study habits. Exams can be stressful for many learners. Advice texts should begin with the main recommendation so the reader knows what to do. 9 / 20 Which opening would be least suitable for an exam article about climate change? Climate change is already affecting our lives, and we must act now to reduce the damage. The weather is changing in some parts of the world. This article explains why climate change should concern everyone. There are many things happening in the natural world. A weak opening is often too general and fails to identify the topic quickly. 10 / 20 Which opening most clearly begins by directly engaging the audience? Would you trust a stranger with your personal data? People often worry about privacy online. Privacy is an important issue for everyone. Many websites collect information. Questions are an effective way to address the reader and create instant interest. 11 / 20 Which opening is best for a review that should make its point clear immediately? This film wastes its excellent cast with a slow plot and weak dialogue. Films can be exciting or boring. Many people enjoy watching movies at the weekend. There are lots of new films available. Reviews should quickly give the reader a clear sense of the writer's opinion. 12 / 20 Which opening avoids a slow and over-general beginning? Too many young drivers are still using their phones at the wheel, and that habit can be deadly. Driving is an important skill for many people. Cars are a big part of modern life. There are many road safety issues in the world. Effective openings should not waste time with broad statements before reaching the main point. 13 / 20 Which opening is most engaging for a leaflet about staying safe online? If you share personal details online carelessly, you could be putting your safety at risk. Internet safety is a topic that matters. There are different websites that people use. Online life is now very common. A strong opening should speak directly to the reader and make the advice relevant immediately. 14 / 20 Which opening is strongest for an opinion article about school starting times? Many people have opinions about schools. Early mornings are part of life. School should start later because teenagers learn better when they are well rested. School routines are important. The opening should clearly present the writer's viewpoint and the issue being discussed. 15 / 20 Which opening best suits a persuasive speech about recycling? Imagine how much waste we throw away every week and ask yourself whether it has to be this way. Recycling has become more common in many places. This speech will talk about rubbish and the environment. People have different views about recycling. A persuasive opening should address the audience and set out the issue immediately. 16 / 20 Which opening is most likely to be considered vague and ineffective? There are many things in the world that affect young people today. Mobile phones can damage sleep if they are used late at night. Should teenagers be allowed phones in school? Many students now use phones every day. Weak openings are often general and fail to state the issue clearly. 17 / 20 Which opening uses the structure most people know ___ but far fewer realise ___ most effectively? Most people know that exercise is healthy, but far fewer realise that short walks can improve concentration. Exercise is important for everyone and helps the body. Many people know exercise is good, and some people also know it can be fun. Exercise has many benefits for health and happiness. This structure creates curiosity by contrasting a familiar idea with a less known fact. 18 / 20 Which opening makes the purpose of the writing clearest from the first paragraph? This article argues that school uniform should be compulsory because it promotes equality and reduces distractions. School uniform has existed for a long time. Some people like uniform while others do not. There are many rules in schools. The purpose should be obvious straight away so the reader knows what the piece will argue or explain. 19 / 20 Which opening best directly engages the audience? This essay will explore the issue of homework. People in general often think about school work. Have you ever spent hours revising and still felt unprepared? There are many opinions about education. Direct address helps the writer connect with the reader and create immediate interest. 20 / 20 Which opening is strongest for an article about the dangers of screen addiction? Most people know screens are part of daily life, but far fewer realise how quickly they can control our attention. Screens have become popular in recent years and there are many reasons for this. Technology is an important part of modern life. In this article I will discuss screens. A strong opening should engage the audience immediately and make the issue clear from the start. Your score isThe average score is 0% Show more Please login to ask a question Previous Lesson Next Lesson 1 Foundation retrieval skills ***** 1.1 Precise retrieval for short-answer questions ***** 1.1 Precise retrieval for short-answer questions 1.1.1 Locating the exact answer 1.1.1 Locating the exact answer 1.1.1 Locating the exact answer (Out) 1.1.1 Locating the exact answer (Out) 1.1.2 Lifting carefully 1.1.2 Lifting carefully 1.1.2 Lifting carefully (Out) 1.1.2 Lifting carefully (Out) 1.1.3 Avoiding weak retrieval habits 1.1.3 Avoiding weak retrieval habits 1.1.3 Avoiding weak retrieval habits (out) 1.1.3 Avoiding weak retrieval habits (out) 2. Single-text analysis skills ***** 2.1 Building an analytical paragraph ***** 2.1 Building an analytical paragraph 2.1.1 Paragraph argument 2.1.1 Paragraph argument 2.1.1 Paragraph argument (out) 2.1.1 Paragraph argument (out) 2.1.2 Selecting evidence 2.1.2 Selecting evidence 2.1.2 Selecting evidence (out) 2.1.2 Selecting evidence (out) 2.1.3 Explaining word choice 2.1.3 Explaining word choice 2.1.3 Explaining word choice (out) 2.1.3 Explaining word choice (out) 2.1.4 Developing deeper interpretation 2.1.4 Developing deeper interpretation 2.1.4 Developing deeper interpretation (out) 2.1.4 Developing deeper interpretation (out) ***** 2.2 Language methods ***** 2.2 Language methods 2.2.1 Vocabulary and connotation 2.2.1 Vocabulary and connotation 2.2.1 Vocabulary and connotation (out) 2.2.1 Vocabulary and connotation (out) 2.2.2 Imagery and figurative language 2.2.2 Imagery and figurative language 2.2.2 Imagery and figurative language (done) 2.2.2 Imagery and figurative language (done) 2.2.3 Tone and voice 2.2.3 Tone and voice 2.2.3 Tone and voice (out) 2.2.3 Tone and voice (out) ***** 2.3 Structure methods ***** 2.3 Structure methods 2.3.1 Openings and introductions 2.3.1 Openings and introductions 2.3.1 Openings and introductions (out) 2.3.1 Openings and introductions (out) 2.3.2 Shifts and development 2.3.2 Shifts and development 2.3.2 Shifts and development (out) 2.3.2 Shifts and development (out) 2.3.3 Sentence structure and repetition 2.3.3 Sentence structure and repetition 2.3.3 Sentence structure and repetition (out) 2.3.3 Sentence structure and repetition (out) ***** 2.4 Overall effect and zoom-out sentences ***** 2.4 Overall effect and zoom-out sentences 2.4.1 Connecting to theme and message 2.4.1 Connecting to theme and message 2.4.1 Connecting to theme and message (out) 2.4.1 Connecting to theme and message (out) 2.4.2 Avoiding capped analysis 2.4.2 Avoiding capped analysis 2.4.2 Avoiding capped analysis (out) 2.4.2 Avoiding capped analysis (out) 3 Comparison skills ***** 3.1 Understanding comparison ***** 3.1 Understanding comparison 3.1.1 Comparison mindset 3.1.1 Comparison mindset 3.1.1 Comparison mindset (out) 3.1.1 Comparison mindset (out) 3.1.2 Comparison openings 3.1.2 Comparison openings 3.1.2 Comparison openings (out) 3.1.2 Comparison openings (out) 3.1.3 Balanced coverage 3.1.3 Balanced coverage 3.1.3 Balanced coverage (out) 3.1.3 Balanced coverage (out) ***** 3.2 Comparative paragraph structure ***** 3.2 Comparative paragraph structure 3.2.1 Text One evidence and analysis 3.2.1 Text One evidence and analysis 3.2.1 Text One evidence and analysis (out) 3.2.1 Text One evidence and analysis (out) 3.2.2 Transition to Text Two 3.2.2 Transition to Text Two 3.2.2 Transition to Text Two (out) 3.2.2 Transition to Text Two (out) 3.2.3 Text Two analysis 3.2.3 Text Two analysis 3.2.3 Text Two analysis (out) 3.2.3 Text Two analysis (out) 3.2.4 Comparative zoom-out 3.2.4 Comparative zoom-out 3.2.4 Comparative zoom-out (out) 3.2.4 Comparative zoom-out (out) ***** 3.3 Common comparison mistakes ***** 3.3 Common comparison mistakes 3.3.1 Avoiding separate essays 3.3.1 Avoiding separate essays 3.3.1 Avoiding separate essays (out) 3.3.1 Avoiding separate essays (out) 3.3.2 Avoiding vague comparison 3.3.2 Avoiding vague comparison 3.3.2 Avoiding vague comparison (out) 3.3.2 Avoiding vague comparison (out) 4 Transactional writing skills ***** 4.1 Purpose, audience and form ***** 4.1 Purpose, audience and form 4.1.1 Understanding the task 4.1.1 Understanding the task 4.1.1 Understanding the task (out) 4.1.1 Understanding the task (out) 4.1.2 Controlling tone and register 4.1.2 Controlling tone and register 4.1.2 Controlling tone and register (out) 4.1.2 Controlling tone and register (out) 4.1.3 Using source ideas 4.1.3 Using source ideas 4.1.3 Using source ideas (out) 4.1.3 Using source ideas (out) ***** 4.2 Transactional paragraph development ***** 4.2 Transactional paragraph development 4.2.1 Strong openings 4.2.1 Strong openings 4.2.1 Strong openings (out) 4.2.1 Strong openings (out) 4.2.2 Main benefit paragraph 4.2.2 Main benefit paragraph 4.2.2 Main benefit paragraph (out) 4.2.2 Main benefit paragraph (out) 4.2.3 Second benefit paragraph 4.2.3 Second benefit paragraph 4.2.3 Second benefit paragraph (out) 4.2.3 Second benefit paragraph (out) 4.2.4 Challenges and counterarguments 4.2.4 Challenges and counterarguments 4.2.4 Challenges and counterarguments (out) 4.2.4 Challenges and counterarguments (out) 4.2.5 Conclusions 4.2.5 Conclusions 4.2.5 Conclusions (out) 4.2.5 Conclusions (out) ***** 4.3 Rhetorical and stylistic control ***** 4.3 Rhetorical and stylistic control 4.3.1 Persuasive phrases 4.3.1 Persuasive phrases 4.3.1 Persuasive phrases (out) 4.3.1 Persuasive phrases (out) 4.3.2 Sentence variety 4.3.2 Sentence variety 4.3.2 Sentence variety (out) 4.3.2 Sentence variety (out) 4.3.3 Connectives and cohesion 4.3.3 Connectives and cohesion 4.3.3 Connectives and cohesion (out) 4.3.3 Connectives and cohesion (out) 5 Creative, narrative and descriptive writing skills ***** 5.1 Narrative writing ***** 5.1 Narrative writing 5.1.1 Narrative planning 5.1.1 Narrative planning 5.1.1 Narrative planning (out) 5.1.1 Narrative planning (out) 5.1.2 Openings and hooks 5.1.2 Openings and hooks 5.1.2 Openings and hooks (out) 5.1.2 Openings and hooks (out) 5.1.3 Building tension 5.1.3 Building tension 5.1.3 Building tension (out) 5.1.3 Building tension (out) 5.1.4 Endings 5.1.4 Endings 5.1.4 Endings (out) 5.1.4 Endings (out) ***** 5.2 Descriptive writing ***** 5.2 Descriptive writing 5.2.1 Choosing a focus 5.2.1 Choosing a focus 5.2.1 Choosing a focus (out) 5.2.1 Choosing a focus (out) 5.2.2 Sensory detail 5.2.2 Sensory detail 5.2.2 Sensory detail (out) 5.2.2 Sensory detail (out) 5.2.3 Structural movement in description 5.2.3 Structural movement in description 5.2.3 Structural movement in description (out) 5.2.3 Structural movement in description (out) ***** 5.3 Discursive writing ***** 5.3 Discursive writing 5.3.1 Building a balanced discussion 5.3.1 Building a balanced discussion 5.3.1 Building a balanced discussion (out) 5.3.1 Building a balanced discussion (out) 5.3.2 Argument development 5.3.2 Argument development 5.3.2 Argument development (out) 5.3.2 Argument development (out) 6 Exam performance and answer improvement ***** 6.1 Planning and timing ***** 6.1 Planning and timing 6.1.1 Reading questions carefully 6.1.1 Reading questions carefully 6.1.1 Reading questions carefully (out) 6.1.1 Reading questions carefully (out) 6.1.2 Planning longer answers 6.1.2 Planning longer answers 6.1.2 Planning longer answers (out) 6.1.2 Planning longer answers (out) ***** 6.2 Upgrading responses ***** 6.2 Upgrading responses 6.2.1 Upgrading analysis 6.2.1 Upgrading analysis 6.2.1 Upgrading analysis (out) 6.2.1 Upgrading analysis (out) 6.2.2 Upgrading comparison 6.2.2 Upgrading comparison 6.2.2 Upgrading comparison (out) 6.2.2 Upgrading comparison (out) 6.2.3 Upgrading writing 6.2.3 Upgrading writing 6.2.3 Upgrading writing (out) 6.2.3 Upgrading writing (out)