Proposal: Bringing an Empty Building Back to Life
Write a proposal for the town council on how to use an empty building in the centre, persuading them your idea serves the whole community.
- Time
- 45 min
- Length
- 220-260 words
Writadia · C1 · Proposals
NameClassDate
The situation
The town council owns an empty two-storey building in the centre, formerly a post office. It is inviting proposals from residents. The council has said that the winning proposal must benefit different age groups, be financially realistic and be ready within a year.
Your task
Write a proposal. Describe your idea for the building, explain how it would meet each of the council's three criteria and anticipate one possible objection.
Writing toolkit
Open these only when you need them. Try the first draft on your own.
Plan it in steps
- Title and a short introduction stating your proposal.
- A section describing how the space would be used (floor by floor works well).
- Sections addressing each criterion: age groups, finance, timing.
- One paragraph dealing with a likely objection.
- A persuasive conclusion.
Useful phrases
Introducing
Describing
Meeting criteria
Anticipating objections
Concluding
Tap a phrase to add it to your text. Gaps (…) are selected so you can type over them.
Vocabulary
- house
- provide space forThe ground floor would house a café.
- running costs
- money needed to keep something workingRent from the café covers running costs.
- alteration
- a small changeOnly minor alterations are needed.
- footfall
- the number of people who go into a placeThe market increased footfall in the centre.
- viable
- able to work successfullyThe plan is financially viable.
Model answer (245 words)
Read it after you’ve written your own version. Notice the highlighted parts. The numbers explain why they work.
Proposal: The Old Post Office as a Shared Town Space
Introduction This proposal outlines a plan to turn the former post office into a shared space combining a library corner, a café and rooms for community groups.1
How the space would be used The ground floor would house a small café run by a local social enterprise, alongside shelves of donated books that anyone could borrow. The upper floor could be divided into two rooms available to book for homework clubs, language exchanges, craft groups and meetings.
Benefits for all ages Crucially, the space would appeal to residents of every generation: students looking for a quiet place to study after school, parents with young children during the day, and older people, many of whom have told us they have nowhere to meet since the post office closed.2
Funding and timing In terms of funding, the café's rent would cover most running costs, and room bookings would be charged at a low hourly rate. Since the building requires only minor alterations, such as repainting and new lighting, it could realistically open within nine months.
A possible objection It could be argued that the town already has a library. However, the existing library is on the edge of town and closes at five; this space would be central and open in the evenings.3
Conclusion For a modest initial investment, the council would gain a lively, self-financing space that brings people and footfall back to the town centre.
- One-sentence summary of the idea.
- Directly addresses criterion one.
- Anticipating and answering an objection.
Teacher notes
Criteria mapping: students write the three criteria at the top of their page and tick them as they plan. Examiners look for complete task coverage.
Exam link: C1 Advanced Part 2 proposal (220–260 words).
Extra challenge
Write a 50-word summary of your proposal for the council's website.
Lesson plan
- 5 minWarm-up
Show the situation on the classroom screen and ask: “What would you write in this situation?” Take two or three quick answers.
- 10 minWord pool
Open “Word pool” on the classroom screen. Students make one sentence each with: house, running costs, alteration, footfall, viable.
- 12 minModel text
Reveal the model sentence by sentence in “Model text” mode. At each sentence ask: “What job does this sentence do?” Write these phrases on the board: “This proposal outlines a plan to transform ... into ...”, “The ground floor would house ...”, “The upper floor could be divided into ...”.
- 38 minWriting
Start the timer. Students write their own text; anyone stuck can use the plan in the toolkit. (220-260 words)
- 10 minPeer review
Students swap texts and fill in the peer-review sheet.
- 5 minWrap-up
Set the extra challenge as homework.
The task’s own teacher notes give extra ideas for the warm-up and focus.
Assessment rubric
| Criterion | 4 · Excellent | 3 · Good | 2 · Developing | 1 · Beginning | Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Task and content | In-depth, persuasive, fully suited to the reader. | Strong; one idea could go further. | Adequate but surface-level. | Below the task. | |
| Organisation and coherence | Seamless flow; elegant, unobtrusive transitions. | Clear structure; transitions sometimes mechanical. | Structure present but uneven. | Weak organisation. | |
| Vocabulary and style | Precise, natural collocations; consistent style. | Wide range; a few unnatural phrases. | Memorised phrases and repetition. | Style does not fit the task. | |
| Grammar and accuracy | Complex structures, flexible and accurate. | Minor, occasional slips. | Errors in complex structures. | Errors strain the reader. | |
| Total | / 16 | ||||
Each criterion scores 1–4 (total 16). Use the task checklist below to tick what the student actually did.
Task checklist
- I addressed all three criteria clearly.
- I anticipated and answered an objection.
- I used headings and a persuasive, formal style.
Teacher comment
Peer-review sheet
Students swap texts and give each other feedback with this sheet.
Before you finish
Before you finish
- I addressed all three criteria clearly.
- I anticipated and answered an objection.
- I used headings and a persuasive, formal style.
Writadia · C1 · Proposals
Assessment rubric: Proposal: Bringing an Empty Building Back to Life
| Criterion | 4 · Excellent | 3 · Good | 2 · Developing | 1 · Beginning | Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Task and content | In-depth, persuasive, fully suited to the reader. | Strong; one idea could go further. | Adequate but surface-level. | Below the task. | |
| Organisation and coherence | Seamless flow; elegant, unobtrusive transitions. | Clear structure; transitions sometimes mechanical. | Structure present but uneven. | Weak organisation. | |
| Vocabulary and style | Precise, natural collocations; consistent style. | Wide range; a few unnatural phrases. | Memorised phrases and repetition. | Style does not fit the task. | |
| Grammar and accuracy | Complex structures, flexible and accurate. | Minor, occasional slips. | Errors in complex structures. | Errors strain the reader. | |
| Total | / 16 | ||||
Each criterion scores 1–4 (total 16). Use the task checklist below to tick what the student actually did.
Task checklist
- I addressed all three criteria clearly.
- I anticipated and answered an objection.
- I used headings and a persuasive, formal style.
Teacher comment
Writadia · C1 · Proposals
Peer-review sheet: Proposal: Bringing an Empty Building Back to Life
WriterReviewer
Read your partner’s text carefully. Be kind and specific: say why, not just “good”.
Task checklist
| Yes | Partly | No | |
|---|---|---|---|
| I addressed all three criteria clearly. | |||
| I anticipated and answered an objection. | |||
| I used headings and a persuasive, formal style. |
Questions
- Is the main point clear in the first paragraph? Write it in one sentence.
- Which sentence is the most convincing? Why?
- Is there any repetition or memorised phrasing? Underline it.
- Does the style suit the reader and purpose?
Two stars and a wish
★ Something I liked
★ Another thing I liked
→ One suggestion
Writadia · C1 · Proposals
Lesson plan: Proposal: Bringing an Empty Building Back to Life
- 5 minWarm-up
Show the situation on the classroom screen and ask: “What would you write in this situation?” Take two or three quick answers.
- 10 minWord pool
Open “Word pool” on the classroom screen. Students make one sentence each with: house, running costs, alteration, footfall, viable.
- 12 minModel text
Reveal the model sentence by sentence in “Model text” mode. At each sentence ask: “What job does this sentence do?” Write these phrases on the board: “This proposal outlines a plan to transform ... into ...”, “The ground floor would house ...”, “The upper floor could be divided into ...”.
- 38 minWriting
Start the timer. Students write their own text; anyone stuck can use the plan in the toolkit. (220-260 words)
- 10 minPeer review
Students swap texts and fill in the peer-review sheet.
- 5 minWrap-up
Set the extra challenge as homework.
The task’s own teacher notes give extra ideas for the warm-up and focus.
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