Writing Test tasks: Task types I (letters)

Essentials for good answers

1. Answer the question
2. Plan
3. Use paragraphs
4. Revise your work

Make sure you answer the question exactly and no more.

It is essential to plan your writing. This should take at least 10 minutes to plan for each question.
In a relatively short piece of writing you will need 4 or 5 paragraphs. The first paragraph will be your introduction. Paragraphs 2, 3 and perhaps 4, will contain the body of your answer, and the last paragraph your concluding comments.

Allow at least 5 minutes for each question to check your answer. Look out for silly mistakes with tenses, word order, spellings etc.

Advice
 - read instructions carefully
 - choose the one you like best
If you choose letter
 - plan your letter
 - write about the topic and nothing else
 - answer all the questions asked by your friend

 Always
 - plan
 - use separate paragraphs
 - read through to correct grammar or spelling mistakes
 - write approximately the number of words asked for, or nearly 100, but not many more

Useful phrases for letters
Informal Letters - Greetings:

 - Dear Jim
 - Hello Jim
 - Hi Jim
Introductory sentences for letters:
 - How's it going?
 - How are you?
 - How are things with you?
 - How are things?
 - Thank you for your letter
 - It was good to receive your letter
An informal letter referring to good news:
 - Glad to hear about
 - I'm really glad to hear about
 - I'm very happy to hear about
 - I was very happy to read about
 - Great news about your
An informal letter referring to bad news:
 - I'm sorry to hear about
 - I'm very sorry to hear about
 - Sorry to read about
Goodbye sentences for letters:
 - Well, time to go
 - Well, it's time to go
 - Well, got to go
 - Write soon
 - Make sure you write soon
 - Love
 - Lots of love
 - All my love
 - Will write again soon

Sample Questions – writing letters

Here are some samples od tasks on writing letters.
1. You have joined a social site on the internet. Write a description of yourself to put on your page.
Remember to include:
 - your personal details, for example, name and age
 - what you do or study
 - things you like doing
You can write up to 140 words.

2. You receive a letter from your penfriend, Susan. Part of it says:
Tell me all about the job you did during the school holidays.
Tell her about the following:
 - where the job was
 - what kind of work you did
 - your workmates
 -what you thought of it
 - something unexpected that happened
 - what you did
Write your letter in up to 130 words.

3. This is part of a letter you receive from an English penfriend.
I wanted to buy some shoes this afternoon but I had to go shopping for food in the supermarket instead., which I detest. Do you like shopping? Are there any good shops near you?
Write a letter answering your penfriend’s questions.
Write up to 130 words.