C1–C2 Idioms & Phrasal Verbs — Writing Lab

Instructions :
Topics Click a topic to reveal its activities.

Topic 1: Corporate Scandal Exposure

Investigative reporting, whistleblowers, and corporate accountability.
Use: bring to light cover up sweep under the rug come forward back up play down
Pre-writing (5 points)
A) Match Column A → Column B (type A, B, or C)
  • 1. Bring to light
  • 2. Cover up
  • 3. Sweep under the rug
  • A. Try to conceal mistakes or problems
  • B. Hide or ignore something
  • C. Reveal something previously hidden
B) Vocabulary Booster (2 quick checks)
1) Idioms and many phrasal verbs are usually…



2) Which sentence sounds more academic and precise?



Writing task (15 points)
Write ONE piece (120–160 words) about a corporate scandal. Choose your format: (A) short news article, (B) advisory note to a whistleblower, or (C) internal update. Use at least 2 idioms + 2 phrasal verbs from the lexicon.

Writing Rubric (15 points)

Criteria
0
1
2
3
Coverage (idioms + phrasal verbs)
Accuracy (form & meaning)
Cohesion (linking & paragraphing)
Register (tone & style)
Development (depth & examples)
Writing score: 0 / 15

Topic 2: Negotiation & Power Dynamics

Strategies and language for high-stakes deals and compromise.
Use: drive a hard bargain meet halfway call the shots back down walk away iron out
Pre-writing (5 points)
A) Match Column A → Column B (type A, B, or C)
  • 1. Drive a hard bargain
  • 2. Meet halfway
  • 3. Call the shots
  • A. Reach a compromise
  • B. Be in control / make decisions
  • C. Negotiate aggressively
B) Vocabulary Booster (2 quick checks)
1) Idioms and many phrasal verbs are usually…



2) Which sentence sounds more academic and precise?



Writing task (15 points)
Write ONE response (110–150 words): explain how a deal was reached (or failed). Use at least 2 idioms and 2 phrasal verbs naturally.

Writing Rubric (15 points)

Criteria
0
1
2
3
Coverage (idioms + phrasal verbs)
Accuracy (form & meaning)
Cohesion (linking & paragraphing)
Register (tone & style)
Development (depth & examples)
Writing score: 0 / 15

Topic 3: Conflict, Emotion, and Disclosure

Short scene writing: tension, anger, and what’s left unsaid.
Use: break the ice hit the roof leave someone in the dark clear the air bring up storm out
Pre-writing (5 points)
A) Match Column A → Column B (type A, B, or C)
  • 1. Break the ice
  • 2. Hit the roof
  • 3. Leave someone in the dark
  • A. Become extremely angry
  • B. Not tell someone important information
  • C. Make people relaxed
B) Vocabulary Booster (2 quick checks)
1) Idioms and many phrasal verbs are usually…



2) Which sentence sounds more academic and precise?



Writing task (15 points)
Write ONE mini-scene (110–150 words). Include dialogue (at least 2 short lines). Use 2 idioms + 2 phrasal verbs. Aim for natural register.

Writing Rubric (15 points)

Criteria
0
1
2
3
Coverage (idioms + phrasal verbs)
Accuracy (form & meaning)
Cohesion (linking & paragraphing)
Register (tone & style)
Development (depth & examples)
Writing score: 0 / 15

Topic 4: Tech Launch & Rollout Strategy

Assessing claims of innovation and managing launch risk.
Use: break new ground take off roll out ahead of the curve push the envelope iron out
Pre-writing (5 points)
A) Match Column A → Column B (type A, B, or C)
  • 1. Break new ground
  • 2. Take off
  • 3. Roll out
  • A. Become very successful quickly
  • B. Launch or introduce (a product)
  • C. Do something innovative for the first time
B) Vocabulary Booster (2 quick checks)
1) Idioms and many phrasal verbs are usually…



2) Which sentence sounds more academic and precise?



Writing task (15 points)
Write ONE product/launch text (120–170 words): press release, review, or internal memo. Use 2 idioms + 2 phrasal verbs.

Writing Rubric (15 points)

Criteria
0
1
2
3
Coverage (idioms + phrasal verbs)
Accuracy (form & meaning)
Cohesion (linking & paragraphing)
Register (tone & style)
Development (depth & examples)
Writing score: 0 / 15

Topic 5: Crisis Management

Emergency communications: triage and recovery language.
Use: pull the plug turn the tide weather the storm step in carry out follow up
Pre-writing (5 points)
A) Match Column A → Column B (type A, B, or C)
  • 1. Pull the plug
  • 2. Turn the tide
  • 3. Weather the storm
  • A. Reverse a negative trend
  • B. Survive a difficult period
  • C. Stop something abruptly
B) Vocabulary Booster (2 quick checks)
1) Idioms and many phrasal verbs are usually…



2) Which sentence sounds more academic and precise?



Writing task (15 points)
Write ONE crisis update (120–160 words) for the public or staff. Use 2 idioms + 2 phrasal verbs. Keep tone calm and accountable.

Writing Rubric (15 points)

Criteria
0
1
2
3
Coverage (idioms + phrasal verbs)
Accuracy (form & meaning)
Cohesion (linking & paragraphing)
Register (tone & style)
Development (depth & examples)
Writing score: 0 / 15

Topic 6: Business Trends & Market Volatility

Market updates, growth cycles, and deals that fail.
Use: level off take off fall through ramp up take its toll a storm in a teacup
Pre-writing (5 points)
A) Match Column A → Column B (type A, B, or C)
  • 1. Level off
  • 2. Take off
  • 3. Fall through
  • A. Rise rapidly / succeed
  • B. Fail to happen
  • C. Stabilise
B) Vocabulary Booster (2 quick checks)
1) Idioms and many phrasal verbs are usually…



2) Which sentence sounds more academic and precise?



Writing task (15 points)
Write ONE market update (120–160 words). Use 2 idioms + 2 phrasal verbs. Include one contrast (however/whereas).

Writing Rubric (15 points)

Criteria
0
1
2
3
Coverage (idioms + phrasal verbs)
Accuracy (form & meaning)
Cohesion (linking & paragraphing)
Register (tone & style)
Development (depth & examples)
Writing score: 0 / 15

Topic 7: Social Issues & Underreported Problems

Editorial writing on issues often ignored or hidden.
Use: hit home boil over shed light on sweep under the rug call for crack down
Pre-writing (5 points)
A) Match Column A → Column B (type A, B, or C)
  • 1. Hit home
  • 2. Boil over
  • 3. Shed light on
  • A. Become uncontrollable
  • B. Reveal or explain clearly
  • C. Feel personally affected
B) Vocabulary Booster (2 quick checks)
1) Idioms and many phrasal verbs are usually…



2) Which sentence sounds more academic and precise?



Writing task (15 points)
Write ONE editorial (130–180 words). Use 2 idioms + 2 phrasal verbs. Maintain formal register.

Writing Rubric (15 points)

Criteria
0
1
2
3
Coverage (idioms + phrasal verbs)
Accuracy (form & meaning)
Cohesion (linking & paragraphing)
Register (tone & style)
Development (depth & examples)
Writing score: 0 / 15

Topic 8: Journalism & Evidence

Investigative openings and supporting claims responsibly.
Use: dig into piece together back up bring to light play down put on the spot
Pre-writing (5 points)
A) Match Column A → Column B (type A, B, or C)
  • 1. Dig into
  • 2. Piece together
  • 3. Back up
  • A. Reconstruct information
  • B. Support with evidence
  • C. Investigate deeply
B) Vocabulary Booster (2 quick checks)
1) Idioms and many phrasal verbs are usually…



2) Which sentence sounds more academic and precise?



Writing task (15 points)
Write ONE investigative opening (110–150 words). Use 2 idioms + 2 phrasal verbs. Include one cautious hedge (appears to / suggests / may).

Writing Rubric (15 points)

Criteria
0
1
2
3
Coverage (idioms + phrasal verbs)
Accuracy (form & meaning)
Cohesion (linking & paragraphing)
Register (tone & style)
Development (depth & examples)
Writing score: 0 / 15

Topic 9: Interview & Self-Presentation

Profiles and reflective writing after a candid interview.
Use: open up come across as look back on break the ice bring out sum up
Pre-writing (5 points)
A) Match Column A → Column B (type A, B, or C)
  • 1. Open up
  • 2. Come across as
  • 3. Look back on
  • A. Seem or appear to be
  • B. Reflect on the past
  • C. Share personal thoughts / be candid
B) Vocabulary Booster (2 quick checks)
1) Idioms and many phrasal verbs are usually…



2) Which sentence sounds more academic and precise?



Writing task (15 points)
Write ONE profile paragraph (110–150 words). Use 2 idioms + 2 phrasal verbs. Keep tone reflective.

Writing Rubric (15 points)

Criteria
0
1
2
3
Coverage (idioms + phrasal verbs)
Accuracy (form & meaning)
Cohesion (linking & paragraphing)
Register (tone & style)
Development (depth & examples)
Writing score: 0 / 15

Topic 10: Space Mission Report

Mission logs, problem solving, and public communication.
Use: blast off touch down carry out pull a rabbit out of a hat by the skin of one's teeth iron out
Pre-writing (5 points)
A) Match Column A → Column B (type A, B, or C)
  • 1. Blast off
  • 2. Touch down
  • 3. Carry out
  • A. Land
  • B. Execute or perform a task
  • C. Launch into space
B) Vocabulary Booster (2 quick checks)
1) Idioms and many phrasal verbs are usually…



2) Which sentence sounds more academic and precise?



Writing task (15 points)
Write ONE mission update (120–160 words) for the public. Use 2 idioms + 2 phrasal verbs. Aim for precision and clarity.

Writing Rubric (15 points)

Criteria
0
1
2
3
Coverage (idioms + phrasal verbs)
Accuracy (form & meaning)
Cohesion (linking & paragraphing)
Register (tone & style)
Development (depth & examples)
Writing score: 0 / 15