Report on the progress of a project - Exam preparation CAE (C1) OVERSEAS AID INTRODUCTION The aim of this report is to evaluate the progress of the project that we have been developing abroad for the last 4 months, check the initial objectives and the problems I have had to face during the time given. MAIN AIMS The main aim of the project was to support the national humanitarian entities that are working on field at Congo. Additionally, we wanted to gather second-hand clothes to donate there and, lastly, establish relationship with the local Government in order to encourage it to take political decisions to improve the living standard. CHALLENGES FACED Whereas supporting the entities and send material aid have been easy tasks to complete, relations with the Government have shown enormous difficulties. I tried to make contact with the Mayor of the city were we operate and he tried to persuade me to cease our interventions in the area. COPING WITH CHALLENGES Tackling the mentioned challenge was an experience that offered me the opportunity to get insight into the point of view of the institutions. Not only was I speaking with him but also with some collaborators and their speeches inspired me. I explained the pros and cons of our activities and how it would impact on their activities so that we would be able to cooperate rather than compete. Finally, we signed an agreement that was beneficial for every side. CONCLUSION To sum up, our activity in Congo is running correctly and we should continue working hard on it because we are being able to handle any problem that is arising. If we continued our work there, the lives of local communities would be importantly improved.

WHICH STRATEGIES FOR REDUCING WASTE SHOULD SCHOOLS ADOPT? - Exam Preparation CAE (C1) ESSAY (220-260 words) According to popular belief reducing waste in schools is an issue that must be addressed as soon as possible. Youngest generations must have the opportunity of learning how to cope with the present and the future of energy at school and the best measures to achieve it have to be discussed. Firstly, a huge group of people defend the use of technology to be more efficient in the use of energy at educational centers. Had new technologies been used from a few decades ago, we would not have some of the current problems regarding global warming. Take the example of light bulbs: at present, those more efficient are installed in most of the centers in order to save money and energy. They automatically turn on when somebody is in an aisle and turn off when it is empty. Nevertheless, the implementation of these changes in the facilities is not affordable for every institution since it depends on the inversion of a great amount of money. Secondly, the defenders of recycling claim for the introduction of good habits. For instance, organizing monthly sessions where children are working with used materials such as old newspapers, magazines, boxes, etc. This way, they will broaden their creativity and understand the multiple uses of many fabrics. In my personal opinion, recycling is the best way to address the issue of reducing waste because it is cheaper and easier to apply by children not only at school but also at home. Furthermore, they can be more conscious about what they already have.

Essay about the importance of stories for young children - EXAM PREPARATION CAE (C1) It is the great importance of stories for young children’s development that has been highlighted for many years. They are a great source of entertainment for them and a vehicle to transfer knowledge about the culture where they are growing up. Stories have always been a way to entertain the youngest generations all over the world. If we ask to anyone from any country, they will answer us that their ancestors read them many fables and stories when they were younger, and most of them are popular knowledge. Furthermore, they offer a way to share valuable time with our loved ones, as well as to learn to read and keep attention on a task. On the other hand, stories are important in society because they are a way to learn social values from an early age. However, some of them have slightly evolved throughout history, according to changes on the way of life and the beliefs of the population. Had it not been for these changes, we would keep some old-fashioned roles that nowadays seem unimaginable. In my personal opinion, the values transferred by stories is the most important point to take into consideration when talking about the impact of them in young children. Not only are stories important to get a general idea about the culture, but they are also part of the shared knowledge, and they have resulted in many expressions that cannot be understood unless we know the origin.