WRITING HANDOUT

Đã : QK 
Đã + xác định thời gian cụ thể ( last Sunday, 2 years ago, When/While) :
QKĐ 
Đã ( không xác định thời gian cụ thể) 
I had lunch 2 mins ago. 
HAVE/ HAS + DONE S.TH 
I have ( already) had lunch.
I have ( just) had lunch . 
since: kể từ khi / for : được bao lâu rồi 
I have known my g.f since I was in my first year at University. 
= I have known her for 3 years. 
= I first met her 3 years ago. = the first time I met her was 3 years ago. 
This is the first time I have met such a bad girl. (this is the first time I have
done s.th) 
= I have never met such a bad girl before.  (I have never done s.th) 

I. Sentence transformation. 
Directions: Rewrite the following sentences so that their meaning stays the same, using the
words given.   
Example: 
0. No one in my family is allowed to smoke. allowed
Smoking …….is not allowed…. in my family. 

1. I have never attended a photography course before. first

This is. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ….I have attend a photography course.
2. It is 5 weeks since he last took a photograph. not
He . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  photograph for 5 weeks.
3. My father's been a member of a tennis club for two years. became
My father . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  of a tennis club two years ago.
4. This is the first time I have had such a delicious meal . never
I . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . such a delicious meal before. 
5.  I haven’t seen him for 8 days. time
 The last . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .him  was 8 days ago. 
6.  I last had my hair cut when I left her. since
 I haven’t had my hair cut . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  her.
7.  This is the first time he has been abroad. before
 He hasn’t . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  
8.  It is a long time since we last met. for
 We haven’t met . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . time
9. The last time she cooked for me was 5 months ago. cooked
 She  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . for me for 5 months. 
10. It started raining two days ago.  for
 It . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ……. two days.

II. Paragraph writing 

Your English teacher has asked you to write a paragraph about your favourite TV
programme.  
In your paragraph, you should mention: 
- what kind of TV program it is (e.g. comedy, romantic etc.);
- what the TV program is about.
- and explain why this TV program makes such a strong impression on you.
Write your paragraph in about 80-100 words.

III. Letter writing 

Read this part of a letter you receive from your English-speaking friend Diana.
‘I just got your Christmas gift. It is adorable! I love it really much!  Have you got my gift?’ 
Write a letter to your friend Diana to thank her for her Christmas gift. In your letter, you should: 
 Thank her for the gift
 Tell her how you like the gift
 And say what you would do with the gift
Write your letter in about 100-120 words.