Test 1A: Writing

Write an article for a teen magazine about a celebrity who inspires you. (100-120 words). It
could be an actor, singer, football player, etc that you admire. Include:

who the celebrity that inspires you is

what he/she looks like
why he/she inspires you
what job they are famous for
what their character is like

One of my favourite actors is George Clooney. He is tall with dark hair and lovely brown
eyes. In fact, he is very good-looking. But he is also a very nice person and cares about other
people. He has strong opinions, too, and he isnt afraid to say what he thinks.
George first became famous in the TV series ER as Dr Ross. While he was still in the series,
he started making lots of films as well. His films are great and last year he won an Oscar. He
doesnt just star in films, though. He makes them, too!
All in all, he inspires me because he has many talents and he works hard.
Test 1B: Writing
I. A teen magazine is running a competition about adults who inspire us. Write an article
about an adult family member you admire. (100-120 words) It could be a parent, an aunt, an
older cousin, etc. Include:
who the person you admire is
what kind of person he or she is
what he or she does for a living
what you admire about him or her
The person I admire the most is my grandmother. Her name is Tina and she is 87 years old.
She is a very kind person and she is very active for her age.
She used to be the manager of a caf but now she has lots of hobbies. She is very good at
sewing and makes clothes for all the family. Of course, she is a great cook, too. She makes her
own bread and fantastic cakes. She is also good at making things with wood. She made me a
table for my bedroom.
In conclusion, I really admire her because she is always active. She is never lazy and she is
good at whatever she tries to do.
Test 2A: Writing
Your school newspaper is running a short story competition about experiences. Write a short
story entitled It was the worst day of my life. (120-180 words) Include:
where you were
who you were with
what happened
how you felt
It was the worst day of my life
It was a sunny morning and I was looking forward to seeing my friends at school. So after
breakfast I ran out the door to catch the bus.

As soon as I got on the bus I realised I had left my maths homework on the table. I was
horrified because Miss Brady is the strictest teacher in school. When I told her what had
happened she said I had to stay in class during the break to do my homework. I was all alone
with nobody to talk to for the whole break.
I felt really miserable all day because I didnt get to see my friends at all.
Test 2B: Writing
J. Your school magazine is running a short story competition. Write a short story entitled A
strange holiday. (120-180 words) Include:

where you were

who you were with
what happened
how you felt

My friend Elle and I were on holiday at a great beach resort in Spain. It was our first night at
the hotel and we were too excited to sleep.
Suddenly, the fire alarm started ringing. We were absolutely terrified and ran outside. There
was a big fire in the kitchen and the hotel was full of smoke. Luckily, the fire brigade put the fire
out quickly but our hotel room really smelled of smoke. So we decided to sleep on the beach.
We liked the beach so much that we didnt sleep in our room at all on holiday. It was great
fun.
Test 3A:Writing
You are looking for a job. Look at the advertisement from a local newspaper last week and
write a letter of application. (120-150 words) Include:
reason for writing
Personal information
Information on personal qualities /work experience
Closing remarks
Summer Camp Coach Wanted
Working hours: 9 am - 2 pm (daily, except on weekends)
Job description: training basketball and football teams in preparation for State Camp Championship
Work experience: at least 1 year of prior experience with children aged 7 to 14
Qualifications: not necessary
Qualities: fit, responsible, energetic
Suggested answer
Dear Sir/Madam,
I would like to apply for the job of summer camp coach as advertised in the local newspaper last
week.
I am 19 years old and a student at Regents University, pursuing a degree in Sports Education.
I am captain of the football team and I play basketball as well. I am fluent in English.
For the past two years, I have been working part-time as an assistant coach at the local sports
centre. I have been helping to train children between the ages of seven to sixteen in football,
basketball and hockey.

As I play a lot of sport, I am very fit and energetic. Also, I enjoy working with children and
like the responsibility.
I am available for an interview at any time and can begin working from the 1st of June.
Thank you for considering my application.
Yours faithfully,
Simon Evans
Test 3B:Writing
J. You are looking for a job. Look at the advertisement from a local newspaper last week and
write a letter of application. (120-150 words) Include:
reason for writing
Personal information
Information on personal qualities /work experience
Closing remarks
Summer Shop Assistant Wanted
Working hours: 11 am - 6 pm every day, except Sundays
Job description: serving customers in a busy souvenir shop in a popular tourist location
Work experience: at least 1 year of prior experience working in a shop
Qualifications: not necessary
Qualities: polite, patient, hardworking
Suggested answer
Dear Sir/Madam,
I would like to apply for the job of summer camp assistant as advertised in the local
newspaper last week.
I am 18 years old and I am a student at Lowis University. I am studying Economics and I am
president of the Students Union. I am also fluent in French and Italian.
For the past year, I have been working part-time as a sales assistant in a jewellery shop.
Before that, I also used to work weekends in a supermarket.
I am always very polite to customers and am hardworking. I get on well with people and am
very patient.
I am available for an interview at any time and can begin work at the end of May. Thank you
for considering my application.
Yours faithfully,
Susan Moran
Test 4A: Writing
Your friend, William, is struggling with his school work. Read the rubric and write an e-mail
giving him advice. (60-100 words) Include:
greetings and opening remarks advice to improve performance at school closing remarks
This is part of an e-mail you received:
Theres too much homework to do at my new school. Ive also missed the first semester and its hard
for me to cope with the workload. I just dont know what to do. Can you help?
William

Suggested answer
To:
William
From: Tina
Subject:Homework advice
Hi William,
How are you? You said youre having some problems keeping up with your homework so I
think Ive got some tips that might help.
First of all, the best thing to do is to organise your time. I think it would be a good idea to do
your homework as soon as you get home from school. And why dont you make a list of what
you have to do for each subject? I promise you it will make things much easier! Of course, you
need to have some time to relax, too, but make sure youve done all your work before you go
out to play football!
Well, give my ideas a try and see how it goes. Im sure you wont regret it.
Thats all for now. I hope things get better soon.
Tina
Test 4B: Writing
Your friend, Paula, is having some problems with her parents. Read the rubric and write an e-mail
giving her advice. (60-100 words) Include:
greetings and opening remarks advice to improve her relationship with her parents closing
remarks
This is part of an e-mail you received:
Ever since I got bad marks in my exams, Mum and Dad have become really strict. They wont let me
go out at weekends or let friends come around to the house. I just dont know what to do. Can you
help?
Suggested answer
To:
Paula
From: Leslie
Subject:Problem with parents
Hi Paula,
How are you? Im sorry to hear youre having a difficult time with your parents. Well, I have
a few ideas that might help the situation.
Firstly, I really think you should try not to argue with them. Im sure they only want whats
best for you. Why dont you try talking to them calmly? Also, it would be a good idea if you tell
them that youre upset about the exam results, too. You should explain to them that you really
will try harder but that you need time to see your friends and relax. How about making a plan
together for when you study at home and when you can go out? Im sure they will agree.
Well, give it a try and let me know how things work out. Good luck!
Leslie
Test 5A: Writing
Your English pen-friend has asked you about shopping in your city. Write a letter telling
her/him about a recent shopping trip you went on with someone. (100-120 words) Include:

greeting and opening remarks

where you went and with whom
what you did and bought
closing remarks

Suggested answer
Dear Rachel,
How are you? Im writing to thank you for your letter and to tell you about my shopping trip
last Saturday.
My friend Kirsty and I went to the shopping mall in the city centre. Its a huge, modern
building and its got loads of great shops in it. You can buy DVDs and books and fashionable
clothes there.
First, we went to buy a birthday present for my sister. We got her a lovely silver ring. Shell
love it. Then we went to buy some new clothes for her party next week. I got a red, polka-dot
dress and Kirsty bought a denim skirt and a black, silk top. Well look fantastic!
Thats all for now. Write back soon.
Love,
Tania
Test 5B: Writing
You recently went on a shopping trip. Write a letter to your pen friend describing your day out.
(100-120 words) Include:

greeting and opening remarks

where you went and with whom
what you did and bought
closing remarks

Suggested answer
Dear Jack,
How are you? Im writing to thank you for your letter and to tell you about my shopping trip
last Friday.
My friend Steve and I went to the new department store in the centre. It has different shops
on every floor. Its great for computer games and sports equipment and cool clothes, too.
First I got some great PlayStation games and Steve needed some football boots. Then we
bought some new clothes for the school disco. I got some black jeans and a red, checked shirt.
Steve bought some purple trousers and a plain, white top. Well be the coolest guys at the disco!
Thats all for now. Write back soon.
Bye,
Gerry

Test 6A
A friend of yours invited you on a beach holiday which you enjoyed very much. Write an e-mail
to him/her. (80-100 words) In your e-mail you should:
thank him/her for the holiday

 say what you liked best

suggest another holiday that you could go on together in the future
Suggested answer
Hi Danny,
Just wanted to say thanks so much for inviting me on the beach holiday. I had the best time
ever!
I especially enjoyed all the water sports we did. Id never done any before so it was a lot of
fun. Im really going to miss hanging out on the beach all day and Ill never forget what a
wonderful time we had.
Hey, how about going on a camping and hiking holiday with me next summer? Let me know
what you think.
Greg
Test 6B
Your cousin invited you to go on a skiing holiday with him/her which you enjoyed very much.
Write an e-mail to him/her. (80-100 words) In your e-mail you should:
thank him/her for the holiday
say what you liked best
suggest another holiday that you could go on together in the future
Suggested answer
Hi Jill,
I cant thank you enough for taking me with you on the skiing holiday. I wouldnt have
missed it for the world!
It was fantastic learning how to ski and it was the most exciting thing Ive ever done. I was a
bit scared going up in the chair-lift at first but the view was spectacular. And it was great going
back to the hotel for hot chocolate after skiing all day, too. It was a holiday to remember!
Do you fancy coming with me on a horse-riding holiday this summer? Let me know.
Lots of love,
Sharon
Test 7A
Complete the following for and against essay about the pros and cons of sending e-mails. (80100 words) Use the notes below to help you.

Suggested answer
When people communicate with each other, they usually want to do it in a quick and
efficient way. For this reason, many believe that sending an e-mail is the best solution. However,
is sending an e-mail the best way of communicating?
Without a doubt, there are many advantages to sending e-mails. Firstly, e-mails are much faster
than sending letters or even a fax. You know that as soon as you have typed and sent the e-mail, it
arrives almost instantly, so you can reply right away. Its like having a conversation. Also, sending
an e-mail is environmentally friendly. Since it doesnt use any paper, it never creates rubbish or
waste.
On the other hand, there are some arguments against sending e-mails. For example, you can
easily send it to the wrong person. Moreover, many people can send you junk mail, which can
often have viruses that can damage computers.
All in all, even though sending e-mails is certainly a quick and efficient way of communicating,
not everyone likes using a computer. Many people prefer writing letters and believe that it is still the
best way to communicate.
Test 7B
Complete the following for and against essay about the pros and cons of using the Internet in the
classroom. (80-100 words) Use the notes below to help you.

Suggested answer
Without a doubt, the Internet offers many advantages to both students and teachers. For this
reason, many people believe that using the Internet in the classroom is very positive. However,
does using the Internet in the classroom have any disadvantages?
Without question, there are many advantages to using the Internet in the classroom. To begin
with, the Internet can be very educational. You can find a lot of useful information that can help

you with your homework. In addition, it can be entertaining. There are many sites that make
learning fun by offering different kinds of online games, such as grammar or maths games.
On the other hand, there are some arguments against using the Internet in the classroom. One
disadvantage is that it is related to health problems. Sitting in front of the computer can strain
your eyes. Furthermore, some sites are quite dangerous as they are too violent or unsuitable for
children.
All in all, although there are a few disadvantages to using the Internet in the classroom, I
would argue that there are more advantages overall. It is extremely convenient and a very useful
source of information.
Test 8A
Write a story entitled An Experience to Remember for your school magazine about a
frightening encounter. (120-180 words) Include:
background information (setting and characters)
what happened and why it frightened you
how you responded and felt
Suggested answer
It was a dark, foggy night as I walked along the port to get to my granddads fishing boat. I
could hear the water gently hitting the sides of the boats but I couldnt see much because of the
thick fog.
Suddenly, I felt very chilly and I looked ahead of me. Through the fog I could see a man
waving his arms wildly. Then I realised I was really close to the waters edge and that if Id
taken another step I would have fallen into the freezing, black water. I was horrified. When I
looked up again the man had disappeared.
I told my granddad what had happened when I got to his boat. He told me that the ghost of
Captain Jack always appears when a sailor is in danger and that hed saved my life. I was really
shocked but very grateful, too.
Test 8B
Write a story entitled An Unforgettable Experience for your school magazine about an event that
scared you. (120-180 words) Include:
background information (setting and characters)
what happened and why it frightened you
how you responded and felt
Suggested answer
It was a dark, foggy night as I walked along the port to get to my granddads fishing boat. I
could hear the water gently hitting the sides of the boats but I couldnt see much because of the
thick fog.
Suddenly, I felt very chilly and I looked ahead of me. Through the fog I could see a man
waving his arms wildly. Then I realised I was really close to the waters edge and that if Id
taken another step I would have fallen into the freezing, black water. I was horrified. When I
looked up again the man had disappeared.
I told my granddad what had happened when I got to his boat. He told me that the ghost of
Captain Jack always appears when a sailor is in danger and that hed saved my life. I was really
shocked but very grateful, too.