By the end of this exercise, you can combine two short sentences into one using a participle clause (-ing or -ed) to make your persuasive writing more sophisticated.
Free Year 10 English practice: a persuasive text on lowering the voting age and the FSJ, plus participle constructions (-ing/-ed clauses) for varied writing, Gymnasium B2/C1.
Read the text carefully, then answer the questions below. Some ask about content, others ask about how a sentence is built.
Having followed the news closely for the past two years, I am convinced that sixteen-year-olds deserve the right to vote. Politicians constantly debate climate change, education reform and the cost of living — decisions that will shape our future far more than theirs. Yet we are told to wait until we turn eighteen before our opinion counts.
Frustrated by constantly being told we are too young to understand politics, I would argue that many teenagers actually know more about current affairs than adults assume. We study these topics at school, discuss them online, and some of us even complete a Freiwilliges Soziales Jahr (FSJ), working alongside adults in hospitals, schools or care homes. Faced with real responsibility in these roles, we prove every day that we can make sound judgements.
Critics argue that teenagers are too easily influenced to vote responsibly. Looking at recent surveys, though, researchers found that sixteen-year-olds show political knowledge similar to first-time voters aged eighteen. Lowering the voting age would not lower the quality of democracy — it would simply include the people whose future is most at stake.
Given the chance, I believe most young people would vote thoughtfully, not carelessly. Trusted with school councils, part-time jobs and even FSJ placements, we are already trusted with plenty. Why not with a ballot paper too?
1 What does the writer say politicians constantly debate?
2 What does the writer say many teenagers already do that shows real responsibility?
3 What did researchers find when they looked at recent surveys?
4 What is the writer’s final argument for lowering the voting age?
5 “Frustrated by constantly being told we are too young to understand politics…” — this opening clause is formed with a
6 “Having followed the news closely for the past two years…” — this opening clause is formed with a
Two short sentences can often be joined into one, more sophisticated sentence by turning the first into a participle clause. Choose the version that is correctly formed.
1 Original: The students finished the debate. They felt more confident about voting.
, the students felt more confident about voting.
2 Original: Marie works at a care home for her FSJ. She listens to residents’ life stories every day.
, Marie listens to residents’ life stories every day.
3 Original: Teenagers are frustrated by strict curfews. They often feel unheard by their parents.
, teenagers often feel unheard by their parents.
4 Original: Sixteen-year-olds follow political news closely. They often know more than adults expect.
, sixteen-year-olds often know more than adults expect.
5 Original: The government ignored young voters for years. Now it faces growing criticism.
, the government now faces growing criticism.
6 Original: The teenager felt trusted with real responsibility during her FSJ. She grew more confident every week.
, she grew more confident every week.
Choose the participle form that fits each sentence. One or two questions review an earlier unit — watch out for them!
1 about the FSJ programme, Tom decided to apply immediately.
2 The speech, by a former FSJ volunteer, convinced many students to get involved.
3 that her vote might make a difference, Anna researched every candidate carefully.
4 Many teenagers feel when adults dismiss their opinions on politics.
5 every argument daily, the debate team felt ready for the final round.
6 The results, by independent researchers, showed that sixteen-year-olds vote just as responsibly as adults.
7 Review — FSJ volunteers, often work in hospitals or care homes, gain valuable life experience.
8 Review — The care home Marie works is close to her school.
Your parents currently expect you home by 9 p.m. on weekends. Write a short letter to them (6–8 sentences, about 60–100 words) arguing for a later curfew — for example 10 or 10:30 p.m. Use at least two participle clauses (e.g. Having proven…, Trusted with…, Feeling…, Given…).
Review your answers below, then send them to your teacher.
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