Joy English · Level B2 · Articlesjoy-english.com
An article for a website
Name:Date:
Write an engaging article for a website: catch the reader's attention, develop your ideas in clear paragraphs and finish memorably.
Why everyone should learn to fix things
When was the last time you repaired something instead of throwing it away? If you are like most people, you probably can't remember. Yet learning a few simple repair skills could save you money, reduce waste and even make you happier.
Consider the obvious benefit first: money. A loose chair leg, a broken zip or a dripping tap can often be fixed in minutes with basic tools and a short online tutorial. Calling a professional or buying a replacement, on the other hand, can be surprisingly expensive.
Then there is the environment. Every item we repair is one less item thrown away, and one less new product that has to be manufactured and transported. Small repairs, multiplied across millions of households, really do add up.
But perhaps the greatest reward is personal. There is a special kind of satisfaction in bringing a broken object back to life with your own hands. Many people who join community repair cafés say they enjoy the sense of achievement as much as the savings.
So next time something breaks, don't reach straight for your wallet. Reach for a screwdriver instead. You might be surprised at what you can do.
Engaging the reader
Choose the best option for an article.
- Which is the most engaging title for an article about walking to work?
- Which is the most effective opening sentence for an article about sleep?
- Which is the most memorable ending for an article about trying new hobbies?
- ___ it or not, octopuses have three hearts.
- First, there is the money you save. ___ there is the time.
- Which sentence speaks directly to the reader?
- The old bicycle was covered in ___ dust.
Article, essay or report?
Read each sentence. Choose the type of text it most probably comes from.
- Recommendations: It is recommended that the café should extend its opening hours.
- Ever tried cooking without a recipe? Trust me, it's more fun than it sounds!
- On the one hand, uniforms reduce pressure to wear expensive clothes. On the other hand, they limit self-expression.
- The aim of this document is to summarise the results of the staff survey.
- So, what are you waiting for? Grab your trainers and get outside!
- In conclusion, while technology has clear advantages, its drawbacks cannot be ignored.
Writing task
You see this announcement on a website for young people: 'Articles wanted: The skill everyone should learn. Tell us about a practical skill you think everyone should have, explain why it is useful and persuade our readers to try it.' Write your article.
180–260 words
Check your writing
- My article has a short, eye-catching title.
- The opening grabs the reader's attention with a question, a surprising fact or direct address.
- Each paragraph develops one main idea.
- I used lively, precise vocabulary and spoke directly to the reader.
- I gave reasons and examples to persuade the reader.
- My ending is memorable, for example a question or a call to action.
Answer key
Engaging the reader
- b) The secret to a happier commute? Your own two feetIt is short, creates curiosity and gives a hint of the topic.
- a) Have you ever wondered why you feel so tired on Monday mornings?A question that connects to the reader's own experience draws them in.
- b) So why not pick up a paintbrush this weekend? You have nothing to lose.It speaks directly to the reader and encourages them to act.
- a) BelieveBelieve it or not is a fixed phrase used to introduce a surprising fact.
- b) ThenThen there is ... signposts the next point in a lively way.
- a) Imagine you could speak five languages fluently.Imagine you ... addresses the reader as you and invites them into the topic.
- b) thickThick goes naturally with dust (and with snow or fog). Many is for countable nouns, and big does not go with dust.
Article, essay or report?
- c) ReportA heading and It is recommended that ... are typical of a report.
- a) ArticleThe question, the contractions and the chatty, direct style are typical of an article.
- b) EssayPresenting both sides with On the one hand and On the other hand is typical of a for-and-against essay.
- c) ReportStating the aim and referring to survey results is typical of a report introduction.
- a) ArticleA direct call to action with an exclamation mark is a typical article ending.
- b) EssayA formal, balanced conclusion like this is typical of an essay.
Model answer
Cooking from scratch: the skill that feeds your future
Imagine opening your fridge, seeing a few random ingredients and turning them into a delicious dinner in twenty minutes. Sounds like magic? It isn't. It's simply the result of knowing how to cook, and it is a skill anyone can learn.
Let's start with your health. When you cook for yourself, you decide exactly what goes into your food: how much salt, how much sugar and how many vegetables. Ready meals and takeaways, however convenient, rarely give you that control.
Then there's your wallet. A bag of rice, a few onions and some lentils cost very little, yet they can feed a family for days. Once you know a handful of basic recipes, you'll be amazed at how much you save each month.
Finally, cooking brings people together. Sharing a meal you have made yourself is one of the simplest ways to show friends and family that you care, and it often leads to the best conversations.
So, why not start this weekend? Choose one easy recipe, invite a friend to help and see what happens. Your future self will thank you.