Professional Documents
Culture Documents
Contents
Checklist of key points for writing
Model answers, with hints and useful phrases
Semr-formal letter/email
Story
Letter/email to a friend
Report
Article
Letter of application
Essay
Review
Semi-formal letter
Story
Letter to a friend
Essay
Report
Article
Review
p.206
1)
28 and 140.)
p. 206
p. 208
p.209
p.210
p.211
p.212
p.213
p.214
p.215
p.216
p.217
p.218
p.219
p.220
p.221
p.222
p.223
p.224
Checklist
Answering the question
Task
Have you
.
.
Accuracy
Are there any mistakes in grammar, vocabulary,
spelling or punctuation?
Range
Have you used
.
.
.
Style
ls your language appropriate for the type of
writing? (Remember to think about who you are
writing for.)
ls your answer interesting for the reader, and
would it have a positive effect?
All rooms
bathrooms,
river.-
View not
river - only
car park
remember!-
\t:ti:t;",
.
.
Model answer
don't need to
put an address for a
letter in either Part
or ParI2.
You
Dear Sir,
DO begin by saying
why you are writinq.
DON'T begin by saying
who you are.
DO list your
complaints clearly,
using linking words to
connect your actual
complaint with the
details.
DO make a clear
connection between
your letter and the task
input. DON'T repeat the
exact words in the task
input.
it
separate line.
soon.
Yours faithfully,
Ursine Schmidt
lf you're writing an
email, you can use
'Best wishes'.
(149 words)
Useful language
Complaining
.
.
.
.
Requesting information
.
.
.
.
Story
Useful language
(he phoned).
We
Task
dangerous the
situation was).
While ( was waiting for my friends, I saw someone go into the house
opposite).
out).
Model answer
DO use phrases to show
when things happened in
your story (e.9. lt was the
last football game of the
season. When the second
half started ...)
DO try to have
dramatic end.
roared.
(179 words)
ffi
of the story.
Letter/email to a friend
Useful language
16 and 1 64.)
Task
You have received a letter from your pen friend
inviting you for a visit in July. Write a letter to your
pen friend, accepting the invitation, suggesting
something you would like to do and asking what
you should bring with you.
o
.
.
.
.
o
Many thanks for your letter (- it was really nice to hear from you again)
I thought I'd better write (and give you some more details about ...)
lt's been such a long time since we wrote to each other.
How are you and your familyT
How are things with you?
How was (your holiday)?
lntroducing the topic
. I know you're longing to hear all about (my holiday).
o You remember I told you in my last letter (that I was going to ...)
Ending the letter or email
. once again, (thanks very much for all your help).
. Give my lovelregards to (your family).
. Piease write/drop me a |ine soon.
. I look forward to (meeting up again soon).
Model
DO invent a name.
Don't write
Thank.s
loc
lefre( - it uras
t to hear from
I havent Dritten foc aEzs, buf I've
tTooc
I'm soKtS
been reatlj bus3 preparing for mj exams. It's
good neurs thaf 3ou've passed 3o0r driving tast.
3otr.
DO mention a letter or
email you have received
from the person you
are writing to, or refer
to a shared experience.
Congratulations!
DO think of some
specific details to
include in each
paragraph - this will
make your letter or
email more interesting.
staj Dith
I knor,,.l
DO use an appropriate
phrase to end your
letter or email, e.g.
Love,
faithfully.
lo
ThanLg again
for fhe
invitation.
Best
Atl
the begt,
Icene
(169 words)
Report
Useful language
Task
lntroduction
. The aim of this report is to ...
. This report is intended to ...
Reporting results
.
.
Presenting a list
.
.
following
reasons:
1
2
...
...
Making recommendations
. I would therefore recommend (that we expand the
library/ installing a new coffee machine).
seem that (banning mobile phones)
. lt would
Model answer
Use
DON'T begin and end your
report wrth Dear Sir/Madam.
like a letter.
information.
lntroduction
The aim of this report is to compare the advantages of
additional computers and of improving the library, and
to suggest which of these would be best. I interviewed
a number of students to find out their views.
DO include two or
three points under each
heading.
DO use numbering or
bullet points to
hiqhliqht main points.
.
.
practising writing
using the lnternet
o playing games.
However, other students said that they preferred to use
their own computers at home.
DO use a range of
specific vocabulary or
set phrases e.g. Some
thought this was a
good idea.../other
students said they
preferred ..., bur
DON'T use lots of
adjectives and dramatic
language as you do in
a story. A report gives
factual information.
chairs there.
2 They feel that up-to-date dictionaries and reference
books are needed.
3 They want to be able to read modern books written
for young people.
Recommendations
Both ideas have benefits, but the majority of students
felt that improving the library would be more useful.
I would therefore recommend this.
DO express opinions
impersonally. DON'T
express recommendations
(179 words)
ffi#
Article
Useful language
(For work on articles, see pages 52, 102 and 126.)
Task
.
.
.
.
o On top ofthat,
for artic.les
magazine is looking
worl.d'
the
about celebrations around
.
Heyl
imPortant in your
a celebration that is
Write us an article about
it-itpott'nt and describing
country, explaining *hy
vou wirl
what peopre do. rrvour
in a citY of Your choice'
tht;il;;tion
?,tifiI-i,f:l.gj['rffi::'"''
ilfi;tk".d
...
important).
,f seems to me that (people are much more aware
importance of a good diet nowadays).
of the
Model answer
DO think of an
interesting title,
DON'T start and finish
your article in the
same way as a letter.
Olinda's carnival
DO try to involve
your readers, e.g.
by using a question.
(179 words)
DO use informal
language to involve the
reader.
Letter of application
(For work on writing applications, see page 140.)
Useful language
.
.
Task
You see this advertisement in a local English
language newspaper.
of English to
We are looking for students
the
a week helPing in
,o"Ji*o,no*i"g'
Goocl
about your
Write to us, giving information
you
level of engtistr' and explaining. Yhy
job'
would be suitable for the
One
that
is
.
.
.
.
the month).
of the job).
can he contacted (on 0849 58 48 43) at any time.
I can be contacted (at the above address).
I look forward to hearing from you soon.
oI
.
.
Model answer
Dear Sir/Madam,
DO organise your
application so that you
mention each of the areas
in the advertisement.
formal letters.
ffi
6aurie.\\a Danie.\s
Gabriella Daniels
(183 words)
DON'T forget to
mention why you
Essay
Useful language
Some people claim that (your teenage years are the best
years of your life).
Task
You have been doing a class project on technology.
Your teacher has asked you to write an essay giving
Finally, it is important
to
120-180 words.)
To sum
...
Model answer
DO state the topic in
DO use linking
expressions to
introduce points.
DON'T forget to
express your opinion
in the conclusion.
DO include supporting
detail for the points in
each paragraph.
2,'
ffiH
Review
Useful language
Task
lntroduction
.
.
on films today'
We need a young person's perspective
saw' Include
Write us a.evie* of the last film you
any special
and
characters
information on the story'
would
you
whether
features of the film, and say
will
review
best
people' The
recommend the film to other
of the magazine'
be published in next month's edition
.
.
.
.
.
.
on (a book) ...
including ...
The main theme of the film is
..
lt's set in . ..
The story is based
Model answer
The last film I saw was not new, in fact it was The Lord
of the Rings.
DO say what it is
about, but not in too
much detail.
DO try
to use a range ol
interesting vocabulary,
important or memorable
characters, but don't
DO remember to link
ideas clearly, and to link
paragraphs together.
DO remember
to mention
DO remember to give
your opinion clearly, as
this is the purpose of a
revieW but not until the
end.
Set book
Task
the story.
Relationships: include information about
who likes/dislikes who, and the things that
affect thei r relationsh ips.
Places: include quick descriptions of the most
important places.
Your own reactions: write down your
feelings about the book, with some reasons
for your opinion.
3 Make a list of the kind of questions you
might be asked to write about, and
discuss
.
.
a book to
.
.
a series of
articles on interesting characters in fiction, and has asked readers
to send in their suggestions. Write an article on the character
you found most interesting in the book you have read, saying
who the character is and why you think they are so interesting.
to
DO focus on
what you
It seems strange to experience a story through the eyes
have been
'Rebecca',
of a nameless person - but this is the case in
asked to do.
by Daphne du Maurier. Rebecca is the name of the first
DON'T just
tell the story
wife of Maxim de Winter. She dies before the story
of the book.
begins, and the novel is narrated by Maxim's second wife,
whose name we never learn, but who is to me the most
interesting character in the book. As we read, we learn of
her feelings for Maxim, and of what she discovers about
his past life and the wife she has replaced.
DO make links
between
paragraphs clear.
DO describe a
characteristic and
then say why you
like it so much.
All in all, her lack of an identity makes her all the more
memorable - and perhaps that is why I find her so
fascinating.
Useful language
o The
Time sequencers
before, after, after a while, eventually, late4 then, finally,
as soon as, at first, at last, when, while
I immediately phoned the police. While I was waiting for
them to arrive, I watched the house.
At first, no one got out of the car, but after a while
the driver's door opened.
And then lfinally found what lwas looking for.
Listing points
first, firstly, first of all, to begin with, secondly, thirdly,
finally
Our holiday was spoiled, firstly because the hotel was
uncomfortable and secondly because the weather was
bad.
not only ... (but also) ..., what's more, on top of that, to
make matters worse, in fact, as a matter of fact
The hotel was miles from the beach. On top of that, the
view from our bedroom window was terrible.
Not only was the hotel miles from the beach, but the
view from our bedroom window was terrible too!
ln fact, everyone is different when it comes to personal
taste.
Giving examples
for example, for instance, such as
I like pop groups such as The Backstreet Boys.
My town has a lot of things for young people to do. For
example, there are three cinemas.
Reasons, causes and results
as a result, because, because
Contrast
1 but
But links two contrasting ideas. lt is not normally used
at the beginning of the sentence.
Many people argue that TV is bad for you, but I
disagree with this.
however
However can come at the beginning or end of a
sentence. lt must be separated off by commas.
The advert claimed that there were huge discounts for
students. However, the discount was only 5ok.
however.
although, even though, though
my mother.
While is also used in the same way as although.
While computers are important, we shouldn't let
them rule our lives.
is
Sample answers
Sample answer
1)
Task
You recently entered a competition
for learners of
English, and have just received a letter
from the
organisers of the competition. you
have made some
notes on the letter.
Mrs Tl,ova7son,
Thank yatr very vrnuch {ar the letter. a ava vev.y
Tleased ihai I've wan the 7v'ze. a would like ta
Dear
f.
colc,emirvg
Direct flight?
TII
wole
this
paint?
aboul a
Thornpson
Jacky Thompson
Competition Manager
l\e o77o*unity ia
addresses.
lef
vrne
aad
Youvs sincerelp
week?
Comments
This is rather long, but there is no
irrelevant
Yours sincerely
Jacky
You
waurld
Lennari lAosev
go
ta
Band
Story
Task
Your teacher has asked you to write a short story for the schools English
language magazine. Your story must begin with the following words:
Sample answers
to do
It uras ncrr ea53, bur Carol trnea sYe krad dith
river'
bi3
it. In front of l'rer lle-(e Lod3 this
and thi5
Datef that r,a5 ronning vecr3 fas'f'
56
geo3raphV
As
-Lhe
w&s c/ose
dtdn'l
how lo cal/.
connunica-fed w,fh llal;an people
with body laryuage natrV t;nes,
She d,dn,f q,ve
/<now
3he fr;ec/
up.
to
l{
I nisied you//"
1oy
Comments
A This answers the question and gives some detail,
and there is a clear beginning, middle and end. There
is some good accurate use
Band 4
re
is
Band 4 (low)
\\i'itillg
rct'crcncc (l)aper 2)
Letter to a friend
Task
Dear Di.go,
,u,""
lo
aYe
ir'l"rt
ot ld'^v vtall
vaode
decis\on.
a good
where yat't
so(Ae Tlaces
all, 1 worald like to vecommend .y.o\^
"e rtriss such as-seniosa island' for'r can have different
sha,rldn'i
like hav'n9^sunbathivrg' 1
rciiviiies llreve' For "'o-Ptt, i{ you wa'rld
',s +h; besi *'lit" +o relax' Dorn'i lovgel J?'bt'"g'
orld'
i.r.tt
ili.l;*"
It's grte
+f^i* ll"a Park is aEo.od 7lrce to visii'
are
L Lo"tst lo sa'1 thai'iowever i{ you really
avo+trd'
*i."it+,tl ir visiting there 1 "*la showl^^
e4'1ay ihe tt^"rr:Tl N"
i{'y*
seco'rdly, ii's
-r.ihe b"t;;:;;itt" L cw' aiv,,"ne ihe shoTTing table
i" 'ury' There{are,
#[;t';'
haw lnteresting on big sale
lov ,1a.1 will be ,"n' ,i,:it" i' tf^"* yot'r
don'i
swiv'rwearr
borina 1 l,ave lo
in here!
;;;;;
think your
suitcale lov
1{
yo''^r
need
bv\v9.1/ sreclll
'b.,Pjj*
i;i',
lo
lo
solve
Best wishes,
for
your
in
can
Yuka
Cavel
Comments
for
2t$H.{+,&ifsi
Essay
Task
You have had a class discussion on what people do in
their free time. Your teacher has now asked you to
write an essay, giving your opinions on the following
statement:
Shopping has little value as
Write your essay.
a leisure
activity.
Sample answers
A
friends.
the one hand, I
meefing
On
that
think-
i.5
true thaf
1o ao
rhe3 Dant, and rten ir is an
e3cdpe
from doing fhings the3 should
do. f mean
people go shopping instead
of do aocV_.
y:y
[?.n: i"#;:r
d':cuss
of if
a.5
chance
_.Llpff: l-"
eve(3 da,3 problems
- for
example,
to
*^"
if
lleics. ff can
make
In
i:?:"[il ";:rX
=""
1ob and lifesnlle.
it's tcur
u,r p"op"'#l*ll?hi.'.ln
means that sknpping (,ill be
priceless fo(
conclusion,
*ft.
thihR so?
varue,
t*
some.
Comments
These answers are both Band 4, for different reasons.
A This has clear organisation. with paragraphs giving
points for and against the statement. However,
first sentence just repeats the task. There are
good expressions (e.9. if we ask ... the answers
almost always'shopping') but also some grammatical
mistakes (e.g.go shopping sometime instead of
see). There is quite a good range of
vocabulary, but the style is too informal in places
Don't you think so?).lt has a posrtive effect on the
the
some
are
to
topic-related
(e.g.
reader.
mffi;
Report
Task
The owner of the school where you study English has decided to make
some changes to the school classrooms. He has asked for ideas from
students about what should be done to make the classrooms better places
to study in. Write a report making suggestions for how the classrooms
could be improved.
Sample answer
Tdroducliot
ltnis reporl is lo suVVesl wt*al we qeed
otrr scl*ool.
B^cKqro4'^d
lo
wnKe
it
ideas.
sllualiot
Mir,sideavoodsch"ooI.classrooy'"sis|v,^||heyaIIt,,"ave
aII ltne eauipneql sludeqls niql*f qeed slarliqq trow lt*e esse"+tfia!
lni.nVs !.i!."'c,rair, blac0boards, #to,rn,^V wiIh acLssories !-iQe teLevisioryts.
Suq,aeslio'rrs
iwprwe
tlte
+?ersoryra!- ooiryrioryr
Ttt co+clusio+t, lhe cha+tce
disfa.otce,
iry,\acf il ist'| ,
befwee+, ltavi'tw
vert6
Vood
a'vtd
schoo!.
a+d
tot
Comments
This report makes some relevant points, but the style is more suitable for a
composition than a report. lt would be much better in bullet points.
It is not easy to identify the main suggestions because of problems with sentence
linking and punctualion. My idea of ... isto startwith whatwe haveis good. The
problem is the sentence is too long and needs splitting up, e.g. My idea of improving
the classrooms is to start with what we have. Then we can see ... . There are some
problems with passive forms (e.9. what it's need instead of what rs needed) but also
some good expressions (e.9. to start with what we have; we must try to find the
balance between). The student has a good range of vocabulary although this is not
always appropriately used (e.9. massive, cosy) and there are some spelling mistakes
(e.9. repared, liberrary). lt has a satisfactory effect on the reader.
Band 3
Article
Task
You have seen this advertisement in
a magazine for young people.
Sample answer
ao.ao.."t'ooto"'ootttt:
ao
z. I'd
ao
love to have
''
'
:
I w.it" an article about something :
saYing :
I uou would like to have' have
it ;
to
like
would
;hY
:
You
woulo
:
I and what difference-.ltlife'
to Your
*utte
:
i
:
article
i- ,n, writer of the best
'*rU
comPuter'
i.
,in o tiP-nP
:
::
!.aa.'oor..t'oo"o'o""'
i":;:""^'"J:
fo do
Above aJ/, I
1y;*',',t
=nl/ of
ol
t-;L;;;l,lqh,on"v,
fh;rys wh;cl t wanf
want
o"cautJ"tt' ,:t^'X 1?-:,tu1' ;n olher
coonfr;eo,
,i'
;; ;;,:
,'Hff, l!"d;,;,.c
19tr;i;"",
-/he {ee o{
aboul
"1^327
.j,1"i1lr',r"'r-r"li?.i"fL
on// ConcenfrAfe on efudl'ng
at io'3 as I do
nv besf.
second/l, , ,*,o-:l:
{or ny pa.ren,fs t/fioqh-tl")
l1,,e,ecare a /ove/y
:o-uu,
4;oyn,1
t3^j:^n1
al at/, t fhtnk' ii""
""rfrot
\,.--r,,c. zeryices ;e^so hard to
con_t,;nue al
,
-,t"iil,i", t hope
,leurs
iI;[ ft":;,:,r:n:" fhen
re/ax and ep,1oy
/,1.e
lheir
:rry"r,;r:y
then'
Comments
This answer gives relevant information and answers the question. There is qurte a good
range of structures and vocabulary but these are not always used very accurately (e.g. lf
I am a rich person, I will spend them on not only for me instead of lf I were rich, I
wouldn't just spend the money on myselfl.lt is also difficult to understand exactly what
she wants to say about her parents in the line Although they didn't say to me at all, I
think .... The paragraphs are well planned but there are mistakes with linking words
(e.9. On the other hand instead of, e.g. As well as that) and with punctuation. There is
a mixture of informal language (e.9. Of course nofl)and formal language (e.9.
Therefore).lt has a satisfactory effect on the reader.
Band 3
Review
Task
Reviews needed!
of your
on films today' Write us a review
We need a young person's perspective
features
the story, characters and any.special
favorite film. Include information on
people'
you would recommend the film to other
Thebestreviewwillbepublishedinnextmonth'seditionofthemagazine.
Write your review.
in lfalS'
fo tell 3oo abotrt a movie ced\\ Cng-o3*'d
Muccino
&abciele
b5
'L'Uttimo bacio' (:-It'e Last Kiso) d\(ected
in 2001.
game ttme in dhich
lt is <-+ in an Ifalian citS in tte
i5 faLe a
dclo(3 Pb3, in lac+, s\p- dl(ecld's Po(Po3e
us aboul
fett
rnovie
The
plausibte p,J*" ol g'opd-'s life'
'+)e
b3 trc
dor(ied
cft=j3 of tu.ro difFsrent gsr\eration5
thei( resPor\5ibilif5'
di+ticuttS o+ grot^) uP and faLe
I
r.oanf
onJtgorekBrvl,.ttr.(ed(e-thicrSSearsotdPeoPteDk|o
pe'opta
are frigkrtened
of gfoding old'
ghorr a didesPread
I thinL llv- s+orLj is raall3 toPical and
reallS
is
Sood' tte
sifuation, l+e acic'.-'performarrce
a g(eaf fitm I
i5
Af*rotrgfr
diatq3ue5 ace +dl'r and accufate
this is
brrl
mu5f admit thaf it i5 a bK foo 5ktoufed'
Mecirro's st5te.
A good 3+o(5,
'L'Ut-rimo
Eie
l.l
,s
the
l'l's
surpr;sihghy'
htlve seen
{ocus on cherac-ler,s
l{,lou {al/
,:n
love
:;i:,:;"';t*:i::;:;'
Comments
A This review is a bit long, has some style problems
B This is a bit long, but is organised and easy to
and is not always easy to follow. On the one hand /
follow. The style and paragraphing are both generally
On the other hand does not link well Io two different
appropriate, and the writer has given her opinion.
generations. There is a good range of vocabulary
There is some interesting vocabulary although some
(plausible picture, taking responsibility, widespread
words are misused, e.g. precept. The sentences are
situation) but some words are misused, e.g. too
simple, but there is a range of structures including
present perfect and modals. Mistakes do not usually
shouted. There are basic Arammatical mistakes,
e.g. -ing form after prepositions (difficulty of grow
impede communication. The review generally has a
up). The review only has a satisfactory effect on the
satisfactory effect on the reader.
reader.
Band 3
Band 3