Tips for writing
Transcript of Tips for writing
TIPS FOR
WRITING
PET CAMBRIDGE EXAM
What’s in writing?
• Part 1 : 5 pairs of sentences linked by a theme or topic. The
second sentence has a gap you must fill using up to 3 words. The
second sentence must mean exactly the same as the first.
1 mark for each correct answer: 5
• Part 2: 1 short message such as an email or a note to a friend (
35-45 words). You are told which 3 things to write about.
Total number of marks: 5
• Part 3: 1 question from a chocie of a letter to a friend or a story (
approximately 100 words)
Total number of marks: 15
ABOUT 40 MINUTES
by Eva Hugas
• In part 1 you are given marks for accuracy-you must write the correct answer.
• In part 2 you are given marks for successfully communicating a message-you must cover all three points.
• In part 3 you are given marks for:
Range of grammar accuracy
Range of vocabulary register
Organisation of ideas spelling and punctuation
by Eva Hugas
Part 1: sentence transformation
TIP! Make sure that the second sentence, once you have filled
in the gaps, means the same as the first sentence.
DO NOT WRITE MORE THAN 3 WORDS! If you do, you may lose
marks.
Examples:
1. The concert tickets were cheaper than Maria expected. The
concert tickets were not as expensive as Maria expected.
2. Toby’s house is near the park. Toby’s house is not far from
the park. NEAR= NOT FAR FROM
3. Our football coach told us to train harder. We were told to
train harder by our football coach.
OUR COACH TOLD US= WE WERE TOLD BY OUR COACH
1. It isn’t necessary to bring mobiles on the camping trip. You
don’t need to bring mobiles on the camping trip.
IT ISN’T NECESSARY= YOU DON’T NEED TO
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Part 1: sentence transformation Examples:
1. Alex had not been camping before. This was the first time
Alex had been camping.
2. The pool is only a five-minute walk from Peter’s house. It
takes Peter five minutes to walk to the pool.
3. Sara won a singing competition at the age of eight. Sara won
a singing competition when she was eight years old.
CONTRACTIONS COUNT AS TWO
WORDS, APART FROM ‘CAN’T’
WHICH CAN BE WRITTEN AS ONE
WORD ‘CANNOT’.
by Eva Hugas
Part 2: guided writing
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Some examples
Make a suggestion: Why don’t we?
Let’s…
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Give an explanation: I can’t
because I have to…
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I can’t come because
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Make an apology: I’m really
sorry but…
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Remind somebody: Don’t forget
to…/ You must remember to…
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Invite somebody: Would you like
to…?
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Fancy…?
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Make a recommendation:
I think it’s a good idea to…
I thing the best thing is to…
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An example
A news sport centre has opened near
your home and you would like to go
there tomorrow.
Write an email to your English friend
Chris. In your email you should:
• ask her to come to the sports
centre with you
• explain why you want to go there
• suggest somewhere you can meet
Write 35-45 words on your answer
sheet.
by Eva Hugas
Writing: Part 3. Letter. TIP. Check your letter when you have finished, using a checklist like the one below.
CHECKLIST
Have you written about the topic indicated in the question?
Have you made any mistales in spelling or grammar?
Have you used a range of vocabulary?
Have you written the right number of words?
Have you written in paragraphs?
Have you linked the points clearly?
Have you started and ended your letter in a suitable way?
Have you used language that is suitable for an informal letter?
Layout
• Put your address, but not your name,
at the top right of the page.
• Write the date under the address
• Write your greeting on the left-hand
side
• Leave a line between paragraphs.
• Write a short closing.
• Don’t forget to sign your name at the
bottom.
by Eva Hugas
Style
Useful language Greeting: Dear…
Closing: Love from…/Best wishes/ Write soon
Thanking: Thanks for your letter. /It was good hearing
from you.
Apologizing: I’m sorry I haven’t written
Asking: How are you? What are you doing?
Replying: You asked about…
Giving personal information: I’m fine/ I’m studying a lot…
Sending wishes: I hope your family are well /Give a hug to
your brother…
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address
date
Greeting
question
Thanking
replying
Informal
and
colloquial
contraction
Sending
wishes and
closing
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Writing Part 3: story TIP! : You can make your
story more interesting by
using descriptive
language such as
adjectives and adverbs.
Example:
Your English teacher has
asked you to write a story.
This is the title for your
story:
A day out
Read the example: the
adjectives and adverbs in
the story are highlighted.
They help to make the
story more interesting. by Eva Hugas
REFERENCES
University of Cambridge The Official Top Tip For Pet
Informal letter:
http://ies-santabrigida-
english.wikispaces.com/2nd_Bachillerato_Informal_letter
http://www.slideshare.net/aponce4/informal-letter-14534565
by Eva Hugas