Lincoln PD Workshop PET Writing Handout

Lincoln College Professional Development
Workshop Presentation Materials
Workshop title:
PET Writing Skills
Facilitator: Dagmara Pluta
2015 Lincoln College International LLC, All

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Company Registration: 1010428922
Registered Office: 10,Al Aflaj, 16827, Saudi
Arabia
Email: info@lincolnksa.com
Preliminary English Exam: WRITING
PART ONE
TASK: complete FIVE sentences, all sharing a common theme
or topic. There is an example, showing exactly what the task involves.
For each question, candidates are given a complete sentence,
together with a gapped sentence below it. Candidates should write
between ONE AND THREE WORDS to fill this gap. THE SECOND
SENTENCE, WHEN COMPLETE, MUST MEAN THE SAME AS THE
FIRST SENTENCE. (see example attached)
FOCUS: grammatical precision
There may be more than one correct answer in some cases.
Contractions (mustnt, isnt etc.) count as 2 words apart from cannot
which is spelled as one word
1 MARK
IS GIVE WHEN:
0 MARK
IS GIVEN WHEN:

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Only between ONE and THREE
words have been used.
Spelling is impeccable.
More than THREE words are used

even if the answer is
grammatically and logically
correct and even if it includes the
correct answer. (There is always a
way to use three words only)
If a word is misspelled
TOTAL SCORE FOR PART 1:
5 MARKS
WRITING PART TWO
TASK: SHORT COMMUNICATIVE MESSAGE of between 35 and

45 WORDS. The message is in the form of a postcard, note,
email etc. They are told who they are writing to and why, and
MUST INCLUDE THREE CONTENT POINTS, which are laid out
with bullets in the question.

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FOCUS: communication and its clarity and not the language.

Assessment: communicating the content points of the
message and relating them to the context. Although
learners are not penalised for using
inappropriate style/register, their writing will be more
acceptable if is appropriate as it shows learners understand
the relationship between the writer and the person the
message is for.
Length: Too short most likely missing at least one content point
(20-25 words band 2, 10-19 words band 1, below 10
words band 0)
Too long may lack clarity and contain irrelevant information
TOTAL SCORE FOR PART 2:
5 MARKS
Based on the MARK SCHEME for Part 2

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WRITING PART THREE

TASK: longer piece of continuous writing:
AN INFORMAL
LETTER or A STORY
ABOUT 100 WORDS.
Letter: Candidates must keep to the topic or they will lose marks.
Story: the answer must be recognisably linked in content to the
question and candidates should pay particular attention to any names
or pronouns given in the title or sentence.
FOCUS: content, communicative achievement, organization,
language
ASSESSMENT: They are assessed on their ability to use a range of
language. Coherent organisation, spelling and punctuation are
also assessed. Candidates could gain top marks by including a
range of tenses, appropriate expressions and different vocabulary,
even if their answer is not flawless. Non-impeding errors, whether
in spelling, grammar or punctuation, will not necessarily affect
a candidates mark, whereas errors which interfere with
communication or cause a breakdown in communication are
treated more seriously.
ASSESSMENT CRITERIA - KEY QUESTIONS
Content
Communicative
achievement
Organization
Language
Is all content relevant to the task?

Is the target reader fully informed?
Does the writer use the conventions of the task in generally
appropriate ways?
Does the writer communicate straightforward ideas?
Is the text connected and coherent (clear and logical)?
Does the writer use basic linking words and a limited number of
cohesive devices?
Does the writer use everyday vocabulary generally appropriately?
Does the writer use simple grammatical forms with a good degree of
control?
How far can meaning be determined despite errors?

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TOTAL SCORE FOR PART 3: 15 MARKS (calculated out of 20 marks given

according to assessment scale)
Based on the ASSESSMENT SCALE Part 3

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Key points and TIPS for Students and for

Teachers
PART ONE
Perfect spelling is essential.
Make sure the second sentence, once you have filled in the gaps, means
the same as the first sentence
Do not write more than three words. If you do, you may lose marks.
PART TWO
Practice writing within the word length
Have students compare their answers and redraft their own work as
a result of analysis
Teach students functional language required for this part
E.g. making suggestions, giving an explanation, making an apology,
reminding/inviting somebody, making a recommendation
PART THREE
Encourage students to choose the task which best suits their

interests during the exam. In class challenge them.
Practice letter writing to pen-friends, e-pals and stories on a
regular basis
Practice the structure and organization of letters and stories
Practice using useful phrases
Read simplified stories with you students to give them ideas for
how to start, develop and end a story.
Give students a checklist of what needs to be included to develop
a habit of self-check (See TIP for PET book!)

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DOS and DONTS

DOS
Keep a vocabulary notebook to write down new words and make notes
about how to use each word.
Read the instructions and study any examples carefully.
Check your answers and make sure that you have written them in the
correct place on the answer sheet.
Make sure that your handwriting is clear and easy to read.
Read each text carefully before you try to answer the questions.
Use a pencil, not a pen, on the answer sheet.
DONT
X Dont write a full rough copy for Writing Parts 2 and 3. Just write quick
notes to plan your answer.
X Dont worry too much about making grammar mistakes in Writing Parts
2 and 3. Communicating is the important thing.
Will I be penalised if I write more than 100 words in Writing Part
3?
You are advised to write about 100 words, as instructed. Although you
wont be penalised for writing more, you may have included information
that is not relevant, which could have a negative effect on the reader,
and you could lose marks for this. If you write less than 100 words, your
score could be affected because you may not have used an adequate
range of language and/or provided all the information required.
Can I use a pre-learned answer in Writing Part 3?
No. You must write either a letter to a friend or a story which is a
response to the instructions and information given. You also need to

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make sure that your response is either clearly a letter or clearly a story,
depending on which question you choose to answer.

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Lincoln College Professional Development

Workshop Presentation Materials

PET Writing Skills

Facilitator: Dagmara Pluta

2015 Lincoln College International LLC, All

Preliminary English Exam: WRITING

2015 Lincoln College International LLC, All

Only between ONE and THREE

words have been used.

More than THREE words are used

TOTAL SCORE FOR PART 1:

WRITING PART TWO

TASK: SHORT COMMUNICATIVE MESSAGE of between 35 and

2015 Lincoln College International LLC, All

FOCUS: communication and its clarity and not the language.

TOTAL SCORE FOR PART 2:

Based on the MARK SCHEME for Part 2

2015 Lincoln College International LLC, All

2015 Lincoln College International LLC, All

WRITING PART THREE

Is all content relevant to the task?

2015 Lincoln College International LLC, All

TOTAL SCORE FOR PART 3: 15 MARKS (calculated out of 20 marks given

2015 Lincoln College International LLC, All

Key points and TIPS for Students and for

Encourage students to choose the task which best suits their

2015 Lincoln College International LLC, All

2015 Lincoln College International LLC, All

DOS and DONTS

2015 Lincoln College International LLC, All

2015 Lincoln College International LLC, All

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