WRITING Preparing, planning and checking >» Preparing for the Writing Paper ‘One of the best ways to improve your writing skills is to read as widely as possible. This will help you to expand ‘your range of vocabulary and grammatical structures. ‘You also need to study the basic text types which you may be asked to produce in the exam, and have a good understanding of their basic features: layout, organisation, style and register level of formality). You should also practise completing writing tasks in the time allowed in ‘the exam. Remember the criteria the examiners will use in awarding marks: ‘@ Has the candidate achieved the purpose stated in the instructions? '# Does the text have a positive general effect on the target reader? ‘@ Does the text cover all the content points? '@ Is the text well organised and are ideas linked appropriately? '@ Has language been used accurately? ‘¢ Does the text show a good range of vocabulary and ‘grammatical structures? ‘Is the register appropriate for the task? ‘@ Is the layout appropriate? If possible, ask an experienced teacher to provide feedback con pieces of writing you produce when you are practising ‘or the exam. This will help you to learn what kind of mistakes you frequently make so that you can avoid them, For example, if you often make mistakes with a certain tense, you can ask your teacher to explain it to you again, ‘of you can use a good grammar guide to help you. its also a good idea to make a list of expressions that you can include in your exam text, such as the useful phrases you ‘ind with the model answers in this section. >» Planning your answer ‘The most useful lesson to learn about writing is the importance of planning what to write before you actually start writing, In the exam you will only have time to write your text once, s0 yau should make time to write a plan before you begin writing. This will help you to write your exam text more easily. Always read the question carefully and make sure you understand the following: © Who are you wi students)? ‘@ What are the points you must include in your answer? jing for (a friend, a teacher, other Exam Essentials © Does the text type (an email, an article, a report, a review) have any particular layout requirements? ‘© Do you have the necessary vocabulary to answer the question on the topic? When you are sure you understand what you have to do to answer the exam task, prepare a plan of what you are going to write. It doesn’t matter if you change your plan, or crass things out - nobody will read it. But it has to show clearly the different sections of your writing and which points you must include in which section (ie. in the introduction, main body, and conclusion). When {you look at the plen carefully, you might want to change it; for example, one point might be better in a different paragraph, of you might realise you will be repeating yourself. When you are satisfied with your plan, you will find it much quicker to write your text, Give yourself five minutes to make your plan before you start writing. >» Question 5, the set text task (FIRST FOR SCHOOLS only) you choose to write about one of the set texts, remember that the question may ask for an essay, article, email or letter, You may be asked to write about the characters, relationships or themes in the book. Make sure you know the story well, as you will need to support your, views with examples from the book. When answering the question, think carefully about the target reader, and plan your answer accordingly. Remember: Do NOT answer the set text question if you have not read the book. >» Checking Most people make more mistakes than usual when they. are writing under exam conditions, Always give yourself at least five minutes at the end to read through your work. First, check that you have answered the question correctly and that you have included all the information that was required. Second, check for mistakes in grammar, spelling, punctuation, etc. You should have enough writing experience by now to know where you often make mistakes - spelling certain words, for example, or using & particular type of punctuation. Hf you need to change something in your text, make the correction carefully and make sure itis still easy for the examiner to read your work. If you need to cross out something you have written, just put one line through the word or words. cambridge English: First Writing bank 183MSL ta 4 Essay >> Exam task ~ Part 1 You must answer this question. Write your answer in 140-190 words in an appropriate style. In your English class you have been talking about the internet. Now, your English teacher has asked you to write an essay. Write an essay using all the notes and give reasons for your point of view. Useful phrases Introducing the topic To begin with ... The first point | would like to make As some of us know, / As we all know, Most people believe . Expressing opinions It seems / appears to me that ... | agree / disagree with am in favour of {1am against ... For me, the most important ... is Discussing pros and cons On the one hand, ... /On the other hand... However, .. Nevertheless, . There are many arguments against /in favour of 484 Cambridge Enotisi: First Witting bank Do you think the internet has a negative effect on Notes Write about: people's lives? 1. communicating with friends 2. news and current affairs 3. Giving examples For example / instance, One example of ... is such as ... Conclusion To sum up, | believe there are advantages In conclusion, (On balance, .. (your own idea) >» Approach Make sure your writing is well organised and clearly paragraphed, starting with an introduction and. ending with a conclusion summaris your opinion. » You need to write about the two elements in the notes, as well 2s ‘adding an idea of your own. This: third idea must be different from the other two, and cannot simply be your conclusion at the end of the essay. Think about what your owe idea will be before you start writing. Read the question carefully and a brief plan so you know what to include in each paragraph. > The register should be neutral or semi-formal, and even if you have strong opinions on the topic, you should try to express them in an objective way and look at both sid of the argument.“Model answer You can present the disadvantages of tho statement or situation in {2 separate paragraph, ‘Sum up the main points and say whether there are more advantages than advantages. Show clearly whether you agree, disagree or partly agrae with the statement, One way of writing this kind of essay is to present the advantages of the staternent or situation in one paragraph. Use the two points in the notes and add one of ‘your own (here, the third point is about using the internet to help with homework! ‘The use of the internet is now widespread tris par of ‘most peopl’ ves, and some believe that its overall effects are harmful to society, ‘Aswe llknow, the internet makes it eagy to keep “touch with friends or family, for example by using social networking sites. You can also find out about ever ‘the wider world almost 3 coon as they have happened. Moreover, students use the internet to find useful Information for homework and college projects, Onthe other hand, there are disadvantages too. For ‘example, people can spend so much ine chatting to ‘ends on their computers that they rarely meet them Use linking words or ‘expressions to list the face-to-face. Furthermore, the nows that people eon Pears ‘he internet isnot alays accurate. Accuracy can leo for disadvantages) in bea problem for students using the internet for thelr ‘your paragraph, homework unless itis froma reliable website, t may be Incomect. ‘Onbalance| think there are more advantages than disadvantages to using the internet, As long a people are careful and do not automaticaly beeve everything ‘they see on It, then the Intemet can be a postive part of ‘the ves. Cambridge English: First Writing bank 185)Mths >> Exam task Part 2 You have received this email from your English-speaking friend, Adam. Useful phrases From: Adam ‘Subject: Exchange programme I've been offered the ‘opportunity to come to your town on an exchange student programme. How easy is itto find accommodation? What is ‘the transport like? And what is like in your area? Do you think I should take up the offer? Write soon! Adam Introduction Conclusion ‘Thanks for your message /email. Well, that’s all for now. Sorry | haven't written before. hope this is helpful. 'm really glad / sorry / pleased Do keep in touch. to hear... Write soon. Look after yourself. Body of email Give my love / regards to In my view / opinion, It would be a good idea to .. You should / shouldn't... Don’t forget to ... HI were you, | would /I'd .. Write your email. >» Model answer Inthe introduction treet your friend ‘The exam quastion requires you to {ive information ‘about your area and adviee about the exchange programme. Dear Adam, | was really pleased to get your emall ast week and to hear that youmight be coming on anexchange programme. ‘Sorry | havent: written back before naw, but Ive been very busy working n my parents’ shop. Inyouremailyou asked me about accommodation. There ks student residence not far from our apartment: can find cout if youcauld get aroom there, and how muchitwillcost, The bus service here is very efficient and reliable. The college Ie within walking distance from tse tour contre, and would tate you about 20 minutes to walk there. | think the exchange programme is awonderful opportunity foryoutospend time anay fromNew York Lifehere very relaxing, the pace of fe is slow, ana the people are fiend Hlwere you, woulant think twice! im realy ooking forward to seeing you here and showing ‘you around my Favourte places. Do write and tell me what you decide Look after yourself, Mike 186 cambridge Enolish First Wetting bank Divide your ‘email into short paragraphs, Make sure each paragraph ison a different topic. Finish your email in an informal way. Send greetings and ask the reader to write back.Mths Review >> Exam task - Part 2 Useful phrases You see this announcement in your collage English-language Adjectives Film-related vocabulary magazine, 19, amusing, gripping, _The story is set absorbing, excellent, ‘The main characters . Everyone has outstanding, hilarious, Itis produced / directed by .. a favourite film. fascinating The performance is. What makes a certain film The pace is slow / fast. ‘mean so much to us? aero ‘The message conveyed is extremely, incredibly, The special effects are . [Link] willy, terribly, amazingly, ‘low-budget film, scrip, favourite film, and tell us why surprisingly, particularly audiences, blockbuster you like it so much. If we publish your review, you will win free film tickets for ‘two people. Write your review. >> Model answer A review is a piece cof writing whore you are asked to give your opinion about Film review Titanic an ant’ moras, Make the lm or play you have My favounte fm is Tan, a wonderful story with introduction watched. increde special effects. Tarlo not only a commercial inte na A sivng details ucess but als a good fm ie deals} ele ay Sore this fm ari young woman on the lourious Titanic the language should oe ieters eae ie Mia ep eereee arei recto astrugging artist and they fall helplessly in ‘ora megerine, the lov. When the ship sinks, he saves her fe but rwns. language ean be quite The young woman never forgetshim or stops loving his ‘informal memory. The to main characters are fascinating and ‘they have a wonderful on-screen chemistry. ee oo eet sagt ‘The fis very realtc and the scons when the ship ts ier ieee tnd comnanton the Sng ae ovine raat Yo cafes the pa of eae main charactors the eo rying to et aay, an hs part othe fn Said epenting simp ispartalarygripng Ahoigh the fm sucasols adjectives ke good ot portly based on fe amating pec effects and action bad. Use adjectives ike dequencea the director ale focuses on how charactors fascinating ring fr dramatioto describe act n the ers, which makes it an emotional fim to Sai or thiiee: watch List the things that you liked most about ‘The sinking of the Titanle may be one ofthe most i the film. important lessens for humanity. The great ship was ‘thought to be uneinkabe, People thought they had “The conclusion should ‘conquered nature, ts maiden voyage proved how wrong summariso what you they were have said in the roviow fr focus on the main message ofthe film, cambridge English: First Writing bank 187Mita 4 article >> Exam task - Part 2 You have seen this announcement in an English-language magazine. Useful phrases Ordering language We want your articles! Giving gifts What's the most thoughtful gift you've ever received? Why do you think giving gifts is important? Do you think the best gifts are the most expensive ones? Well publish the best articles in our magazine next month, First of all, ... Secondly, / Next, Another point is, Finally Involving the reader that Have you ever ..? Can you imagine ‘What would you do if...? Write your article. >» Model answer An article is 2 piece of ‘writing on a particular topic for a newspaper, magazine, newsletter, website or other publication, Use neutral language for your article (not 100 formal or informe. You can address the reader personally by using 'you" Conclude your article ‘with a summary of what you have said, and giva your opinion if appropriate. Have you ever received a really thoughtful gift? The best. ‘if Ive over bean given was a picture from my ten-year-old rece, which she had drawn for my birthday Ie wasn an expensive af, bit it was one of the most thoughtful lve ‘ver received. The picture was decorated with hand-drawn images ofthe things llove best: Rowers, ice cream and birds Fersonally | thinkit's Important to ave gifts to show you care about the people in your Ife. The picture my niece made was sonice because demonstrated that che understands the things that make mebhappy. As far a9 Tim concered, you don't have to spend a fortune ona ait ‘something home-made and personalis ust as ively to receive as a dlamond rin ora fast car. And you don't need ‘towalt fora special occasion such asa birthday: you can ‘lve gifts any day ofthe year to show someone you ove them. Remember it ien'éhow much you spend on agit that matters, Bt the thought you put into aving something _you tink the other person wil enjoy. 488 Cambricige Enolish First Writing bank Giving your opinion Itseems to me that In my opinion To my mind ... As far as I'm concerned (Personally), | think / believe ‘and introduction, for example, asks ‘question to attract the reader's attention. ‘An article expresses your personal point of View and it does nor eed to be objective,eae Useful phrases Your local tourist office is preparing a brochure for Introduction Conclusion tourists. Write a report This report is intended /designed _In conclusion, . suggesting a local tradition sa In my view, / opinion, ... that you think should be ‘The purpose of this report is to included in the brochure. The Include details about the tradition, such as what it ‘means to local people, and ‘what people do to celebrate the tradition. Write your report. of this report is to ... Making suggestions / recommendations I would recommend suggest that ... >> Model answer ‘The purpose of this report to suggest a tration which could be included in the brochure which might be of terest ‘to visitors to cur region | would recommend including the You can use ‘radon of Bonfire Night inthe UK paragraph headings, ‘numbering or bullet What ie Bonfire Night? ‘points to organise the information in a Bonfire Night is British colebration which takes place clear wey. ‘on 5th November each year. Originally, the tradition celebrated a hitarical event, although nowadays It is a social accasion Bonfire Night i celebrated in the autumn, when it goes dark early in the evening. Fireworks are lit and big fires fare made. In many towns, publ: rework displays are ‘onganised, and bonfire partes are held in people's gardens, Spscialfoodia eaten too, such as toffee apples or jacket. potatoes, Whar doas Bonfire Night mean to people? Bonfire Night celebrations tring friends and familes gether order to share a night of fun and a sense of community, In the conclusion Conclusion You shoul give your I concsion | suggest that the brochure for tourete nit ane Ses thouLalse cud photographs rating to Pore Nig. a mnmy wow the cal tation mertioned tis report wording ofits xa oud appeal tovtors meson State the aim of the report in the introduction, The language should be formal and impersonal (2.9. passive forms) Don’t write ‘your name at the end of the report. Cambridge Enolish: First Writing bank 189Mts 6 Letter of application (for FIRST candidates only) ut2 Useful phrases You see this advertisement in >> Exam task your college English-language Introduction Conclusion magazine. Ihave seen your advertisement | would welcome the 5 in our local newspaper. ‘opportunity to ‘Summer jobs! lam writing in connection with ook forward to hearing from Could you be 2 guide for the job vacancy you have you / to your reply. visitors to your area? advertised . am writing about Ecce ore pevifor pat am writing to apply for . job ‘guiding English-speaking visitors. Body of letter, ‘You must be available to work aneeeareeond ae fevenings\sad we xe bas I have a good command of .. Write your letter of application Ihave a good knowledge of to the manager of Ihave worked .. Visitors Unlimited, Mr Sadler. | would be suitable for the job .. Write your letter of application. >> Model answer {In a formal letter start | with Dear Mr/ Mes... [—— Pear MrSadler. =| Tate | am writing in conection wth the Job vacancy you have | oduton advertised fora gude or veltos tots ren viele Give] | am 19 years old and have just frished my first year at ee information | riers studying Economica | woud be aval to work aboutyoursal | from thebagiwing of une unl che end of Pugustncucing [Express the ity are |“ Greings arcwestende led n London for ayear when was \_| Information in the porting to younger, an | am Fusnt in English. | am an outgoing person exam question aah ng with a good sense of humour, and | am confident | would get het saemghesanrd job. | ‘words. Don't copy “onwith vsitors to this region. sirectly from the ‘Make sure I have travelled extensively in this part of the country, and = ‘you include all | am familiar with several places that would be of interest ey ‘to vistora For example. the Fok Museum nthe corer of lath acer ‘town has fascinating exhibitions, the cathedral is popular aueston with > Exam task — Part 2 You have seen this announcement in an international English-language magazine for teenagers. Stories wanted We are looking for stories for our magazine for teenagers. Your story ‘must bogin with this sentence: There was no moon that night, and we were nat expecting a storm. Your story must inclu + a boat + a mobile phone. Write your story. >» Model answer ‘The exam question ‘asks you to us the sentence at the beginning of the story. Don't change what the sentence says oF change its position. Try to use vocabulary imaginatively (similes, ‘metaphors, vivid descriptions of people and things) Bring the story toa ‘conclusion. | Useful phrases Setting the scene ‘There were three of us My family had rented a cottage It was a cold winter night ... had never been to . Sequencing events ‘At the beginning ... ‘As soon as First. Thon... Afterwards ... Finally In the end ... There was ra moon that night, and we were not expecting ‘a storm, There were three of usin the boat: my uncle, my aunt and myself, et nervous and excited. had never ben sang before When we left the harbour, the wind began to got ‘stronger. The beat was jumping up and cow ke a dog paling at alead. Then the rain started, and could hardly ‘ee the lights of the houses n the harbour: The boat struggled against the howling wind, and | was absolutely petrified Suddenly there was a terrible crash! We had hit some rocks, and for amieute | thought the boat was going to sink. The storm was getting worse and the rain was coming down n torrents, Then | realised that the boat had gat stuck betnean the rocks. Luckily, Uncle Jos haa his mabe phone, and he called for help. But nthe end was nearly an hour before the coastquards coud rescue us.1 Was so glad to be on dry land agent Reaction to events was petrified Iwas numb with fear Iwas shocked ... | stood there speechless Iwas so embarrassed .. Begin the story in an interesting way. Set the scene: explain Who the narrator is, say when and where the story takes place, Describe the events and people's feelings and | reactions to them. Present the main ‘events of the story in chronological order. Use narrative tenses (past simple, past continuous, past perfect, ete) and linking words (when, by the time, within seconde, ot.) to sequence events. Cambridge English: First Writing bank 191