Writing Test tasks: Task types V (essays)

Introduction and tips (Writing essays)

- ANSWER THE QUESTION
- PLAN your essay
- REVISE your essay to correct mistakes.
- 4 or 5 PARAGRAPHS, with Introduction and Conclusion
- The first paragraph should be a general introduction to the subject
- Develop your arguments in the middle paragraphs
- Give reasons to support your argument
- Use a variety of discussive words and phrases
- Give examples where possible
- Use formal language
- Don't use contractions (we're, I've etc.)
- Sum up your argument in the final paragraph
- The final paragraph is the best place to express your opinion clearly.

Useful Phrases (Writing articles)
Presenting two advantages or disadvantages together:
- not only … but … also
- not only … but also

Presenting two opposing views:
- on the one hand, on the other hand

Expressing Contrast:

- nevertheless
- even so
- even though
- however
- in spite of
- despite
- but
- although

Expressing results:
- because of this
- therefore
- thus
- as a result
- for this reason
- consequently

Giving examples:
- such as
- like
- for example
- for instance

Expressing the opinion of someone else:

- some people say
- some people say that
- many people say
- many people say that
- people often say
- it is said
- it is said that
- according to

An example of an essay:
http://www.flo-joe.co.uk/fce/students/writing/makeover/makeover9.htm
http://www.buowl.boun.edu.tr/teachers/sample%20student%20essays/sample%20student%20essays.htm

Writing Test tasks: Task types IV (reviews)

Introduction and tips (Writing reviews)

 - ANSWER THE QUESTION
 - PLAN your review.
 - Make sure you have at least 4 paragraphs.
 - Choose an appropriate title.
 - The introduction will talk about what's being reviewed.
 - Use a relaxed, friendly, chatty style.
 - You can use contractions such as I'm, I've etc..
 - Use a new paragraph for each point you want to make.
 - Give your opinion.
 - In the concluding paragraph give your opinion.

Useful phrases (Writing reviews)

What I liked

 - What I liked most was …..
 - The thing I liked most was ….
  - I was pleasantly surprised by …..
 - ….. would appeal to …..
 - If you get a chance to ….

What I disliked - What I disliked most was …..
 - I was disappointed by ……
 - I was disappointed with …..
 - I was very disappointed by …..
 - I was very disappointed with ….

Reviews of books: - main character
 - is set in
 - comedy
 - science fiction
 - thriller
 - romance
 - comedy:
 - author
 - written by
 - chapter
 - factual
 - fiction
 - unbelievable

Introduction and tips (Writing reviews)

Reviews of films, tv programmes, plays:
 - lead role
 - star role
 - star
 - star actor
 - star actress
 - starring
 - secondary role
 - He plays a …….
 - She plays a …….
 - written by ….
 - is set in …..
 - based on a true story …..
 - believable
 - true to life
 - not very believable
 - far-fetched
 - comedy
 - romance
 - science fiction
 - ending

Reviews of hotels, restaurants, etc:
 - location
 - service
 - setting
 - attractive setting
 - disappointing setting
 - owned by
 - run by
 - head chef (restaurant)
 - waiters (restaurant)
 - staff …….
 - staff at reception …….(hotel)
 - hotel facilities ….
 - reasonable prices …..
 - good value for money …..
 - excellent value for money …..
 - expensive
 - a bit expensive
 - overpriced
 - not worth the money
 - poor value for money
 - always fully booked
 - book in advance

Task: Write a review for a film you have seen recently, an art exhbition, a theatre play  on DVD or at the cinema. The best reviews will go in the school magazine. Review the book giving your opinion and saying whether or not you would recommend it.

Write your review in 120-180 words in an appropriate style.

Writing Test tasks: Task types III (articles)

An article for a magazine

Tips for articles:

• ANSWER THE QUESTION
• PLAN your article.
• Give your article a title.
• Make sure you have at least 4 paragraphs.
• Ask rhetorical questions to get your readers' attention. Eg. What would the world be like without oil? What will life be like in 20 years time?
• Speak directly to your readers. Eg. Let's just imagine some of the possibilities.
• Give examples where appropriate.
• Use humour where appropriate
• Give a conclusion and summary in the last paragraph.
• Finally, give your opinion where appropriate.
• REVISE your article to correct mistakes.

Useful phrases for ESL Article Writing

Rhetorical phrases:

• Have you ever ........?
• What do you think about ........?
• Are you one of those people who thinks that ......?
• Are you one of those people who .......?
• What would life be like if ......?
• Will the future bring us ..... ?

Introducing your first point:

• Firstly
• In the first place
• First of all
• The first thing to consider is
• One thing to consider is
• To begin with

Introducing more points:

• Secondly
• Another consideration
• Yet another consideration
• Another thing to consider is
• Added to that
• Apart from that
• In addition to this

Introducing your final points:

• In conclusion
• To conclude
• To sum up
• So

Introducing your opinion:

• I think
• In my opinion
• Personally I believe that
• In my view
• If you ask me
• To my mind
• My personal opinion is

Use of English (Grammar and Vocabulary exercises)

Improve your grammar and vocabulary skills with these exercises. There are both multiple-choice and gap-fill exercises in this section  http://speakspeak.com/english-grammar-exercises/intermediate 

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.

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.

Writing Test tasks: Linking words (II)

Here is a list of some of the most common linking words: