Writing Test tasks: Task types II (stories)

See Task Types I for general advice



If you choose story
 - use title or first sentence to guide you
 - ask yourself questions Who…? Where…? When…? Why…?How did I/he/they feel? What happened in the end?
 - plan your story before you write

Writing stories – useful phrases
Time phrases:
 - It all began
 - Shortly afterwards
 - Meanwhile
 - Not long afterwards
 - Some time later
 - Later that day
 - A little later
 - Finally
 - In the end
 - Eventually
 
Phrases for dramatic effect:
 - Suddenly
 - All of a sudden
 - Without warning
 - Just at that moment
 - Quite unexpectedly
 
Direct speech:
 - “…..”, said Fred
 - “…..”, shouted Fred
 - “…..”, screamed Fred
 - “…..”, whispered Fred
 - “…..”, announced Fred.
 - ”…..”, thought Fred
 - “…..”, cried Fred
 - “…..”, promised Fred

Concluding stories:
 - When it was all over
 - In the end
 - After everything that had happened
 
Sample Questions – writing stories
 
1. Your English teacher has asked you to write a story with the title:
A day in the city.
Write your story in about 100 words
 
2. Your teacher has asked you to write a story beginning with this sentence.
When the taxi arrived Susan was ready, dressed in her very best clothes.
Write your story in about 100 words.
 
3. Your teacher has asked you to write a story beginning with this sentence.
It was 5 in the morning and there was a knock at the door.
Write your story in about 100 words.