Test

1 Training Writing Part 2 (email)

In Part 2 (questions 2–4) you choose one writing task. The possible tasks are: email or letter, article, report and
review. The email task is practised on page 42 in Test 1, the letter on page 87 in Test 2, the article on page 46 in
Test 1 and page 93 in Test 2, the report on page 49 in Test 1, and the review on page 90 in Test 2.

Task information
• The email task often tests your ability to write to
an English-speaking friend or colleague.
• You are asked to respond to a situation described
in the question. In your email of 140–190 words
you must include all the information asked for.
• You have about 40 minutes for this task, including
time at the end to check your work.
• You have to organise your text into paragraphs,
with a suitable beginning and ending.
• You must use an appropriate style and tone,
depending on who your text is for.
• You need to write grammatically correct sentences
with correct punctuation and spelling, and use a
good range of language.

Useful language: formal and informal expressions

1 Decide whether A or B is more common in formal or informal writing.

1 A full forms: does not formal
B contracted forms: doesn’t informal
2 A phrasal verbs: put off
B single-word verbs: postpone
3 A use of exclamation marks: I couldn’t believe it!
B no exclamation marks: I could not believe it.
4 A common words: enough
B less common words: sufficient
5 A long words: frequently
B short words: often
6 A active verb forms: I took
B passive verb forms: I was taken
7 A full forms of words: approximately
B abbreviations: approx.
8 A textbook expressions: a limited quantity
B conversational expressions: a bit
9 A friendly, personal tone: Please try to …
B distant, impersonal tone: It would be advisable to …
10 A complete sentences: There was no sound.
B incomplete sentences: Not a sound.

38 Test 1 Training Writing Part 2

2 Decide whether each of these expressions is formal or informal and whether it
usually goes at the beginning or the end of a letter.
Example: Don’t forget to write soon. informal/end

Don’t forget to write soon. Yours sincerely, Hi Susana

Well, that’s all for now. Best wishes, I apologise for the delay in replying.
It was great to get your email. Dear Sir/Madam, Give my love to everyone.
I have received your letter dated June 5. Lots of love, I look forward to hearing from you.
Thanks (very much) for your letter. Dear Stefan, Sorry to be so slow getting back to you.
This is just a quick note to say …

3 Match the headings with groups of expressions 1–6. In each group there is one
expression that is too formal for writing to a friend. Which is it?
Requesting information Advising Expressing enthusiasm
Changing the subject Apologising Expressing surprise
1 Apologising
Sorry about forgetting to tell you.
Please forgive me for making that mistake.
I would like to apologise for arriving so late.
It was silly of me to suggest that.
2
Can you give me an idea when it’ll finish?
I would be grateful if you could tell me the cost.
I’d like to know if you’ve got a spare ticket.
Could you let me know what time you’ll be here?
3
My advice to you is to consider it most carefully.
It’d be a good idea to try again.
I really think you should go somewhere else.
If I were you, I’d tell her now.
4
That reminds me, it’s her birthday next week.
By the way, what’s his name?
With reference to the accommodation, there are certain changes …
Anyway, how’s life in general?
5
Believe it or not, I’ve just won the lottery!
Funnily enough, we were both at the same primary school.
I was most surprised to discover that the price has risen.
You’ll never believe this, but she’s his cousin!
6
It’s a really exciting place to go with friends!
I think it’s great that everyone will be there!
I’m delighted to hear you won a prize!
I am extremely enthusiastic about learning Chinese.

Writing Part 2 Test 1 Training 39

4 Read this text written by a First candidate to a penfriend. It is well organised and there are no serious
mistakes, but some of the expressions are too formal. Replace 1–8 with expressions from Exercise 2
and Exercise 3 on page 39.

Dear Emma,

(1) I am writing to you in reply to your letter. I’m very happy that you and your parents will stay in my
country for a month.

(2) I believe it is a good idea that you will come to visit my city. I’m
sure you will enjoy the holiday because (3) it is an extremely
interesting place to visit.

(4) In my opinion, I suggest that you go and hear music in one of

the main squares in the city centre. I’m sure you will enjoy it.
Moreover, there are a lot of cultural places to visit and history
museums too.

(5) Next, I believe it would be better to come in the first part of the month, because that is when there are
fewer tourists and fewer people visiting the monuments and the museums.

(6) To sum up, (7) I will be pleased to receive another letter from you soon, Emma.

(8) Yours sincerely,

Carlos

Understanding instructions
1 Look at these exam instructions.
1 Who has written to you?
2 What is the situation?
3 What questions does the writer ask you?

You have received this email from your English-speaking classmate Sam.

From: Sam

Subject: party plans

I’m pleased to say that all our classmates are able to come to the party we’re organising for the
end of the course. There are just a few more things I’d like to ask you. Should we hire a band for
the occasion? Shall we order some food from a local restaurant? How about making it a fancy
dress party?

Speak to you soon.

All the best,

Sam

Write your email in 140–180 words.

40 Test 1 Training Writing Part 2

2 Read this text written by a strong First student and answer the questions.
1 Is Anika’s text well organized into paragraphs?
2 Does she answer all of Sam’s questions? In which paragraphs?
3 Does she use the correct style and tone throughout?
4 How does she begin and end her email?
5 What reason for writing does she give?
6 How does she respond to the information Sam gives her?
7 How does she encourage Sam to write back?
8 Which linking expressions does she use for ordering points?
9 What kinds of informal language does she use?

Dear Sam,
I’m writing to answer your letter asking for my opinion on the end-of-course party preparations.
First of all, I’d like you to know how happy I am that everyone can come. We will be all together and I’m sure
we’ll have a wonderful time.
As far as food is concerned, I think it’d be better to ask everyone to bring some food so that we can save
money. It would also be cheaper for us not to hire a band to play music at the party. We could sing on our
own and have more fun.
In addition, your idea about a fancy dress party is fantastic! We could also indicate the theme of the
party so that we could all be dressed up in the same kinds of costume.
I hope this has helped. I’m sure the party will be a great success.
Looking forward to hearing from you.
Very best wishes,
Anika

Writing Part 2 Test 1 Training 41

 Test 1 Exam practice Reading and of English
Writing Part 2 (email) (1 hour) Part 1

Action plan
instructions
1 Read the title, and any
and if there textlook
is one, that at
is the 5 you
Noteknow
downaresome words or phrases for each
incorrect.
included– in
picture the tell
these question.
you the topic of the text. paragraph, including
6 Check that the word you expressions from
choose for thegap
each
Who do
2 Read theyou have
whole to before
text write to?
youWhy?
start Which
answering Useful language
makes sense. on pages 38–39, but don’t try
points
the must you include? Decide whether to use
questions. to write a complete draft.
7 Check that the answer you choose fits the
formalyou
3 When or informal language.
answer each question, look at both 6 sentence
Write your text. Keep to the topic and to your
grammatically.
3 what
Think comes
about before
the topicandand your
what reader,
comes andthe
after note plan.
8 When you have finished, read through the
down
gap. ideas. How many paragraphs will you 7 whole
Use a wide range
text to makeof sure
vocabulary and
it makes grammar,
sense.
need?of a word you might expect to fill the gap
4 Think and make sure your handwriting is easy to read.
4 before
Make alooking
plan and atput
theyour best ideas under
options. 8 Check your completed text. Have you made any
short paragraph headings.
5 Consider each of the options, Doeliminating
they cover all the
those careless mistakes? Is it at least 140 words? If
points in the question? not, you will lose marks.

1 Look at the exam task below.

1 Is Jamie’s message written in a formal or an informal style?
2 What does he tell you about his sister and her friends?
3 What four things does he ask you?

You have received this email from your English-speaking friend Jamie. Tip! Use your own words instead
of expressions taken from the
question, e.g. if it says What’s
your opinion?, write my own
From: Jamie feeling is … or I’d say … .
Subject: day trips
Tip! If you make any mistakes,
My sister and her friends are planning to spend next week in your area,
cross them out and write the
and during their stay they would like to travel around a little. corrections. It doesn’t matter if
you make a lot of corrections, as
Could you suggest somewhere interesting they could go for a day trip? long as they are easy to read.
What would be the best means of transport from your town? What time
should they set off in the morning and when should they begin the return
Tip! You may lose marks if you use
journey? the same expression all the
time, e.g. instead of repeating I
Thanks, want to, say I’d like to, what I’d
enjoy is or it’d be good to ….
Jamie

Write your email in 140–190 words.

2 Follow the exam instructions and write your email. Remember to check
your work for mistakes when you finish.

42 Test 1 Exam practice Writing Part 2