External Independent Testing

1. External Independent Testing Writing

2. Assessment Criteria 14 points a) Content (Coverage of the required points) 6 b) Organisation and cohesion 4 c) Vocabulary 2 d) Grammar 2

3. Exam task You have got a letter from your friend who has recently celebrated his/her birthday. He/she writes that he/she is very disappointed with his/her parents because they gave him/her a new mobile phone instead of an iPod as a birthday present. Write a letter to your friend in which you give your opinion about a perfect birthday present describe the best present you have ever been given tell him/her how you usually choose presents for family and friends. Write a letter of at least 100 words. Do not write your own name, any addresses or other personal information. Start your letter in an appropriate way.

4. Dear Brittany, I’m very glad that I received your letter and I’m so happy that you shared with me with your emotions after your birtday. I think that a mobile phone is a great present, so don’t be upset, because you’re lucky. I hope your new mobile has a lot of different functions and we can communicate by via the Internet. You know, I think that it doesn’t matter what present you receive, how much it costs, because for me it is important when this present is honest and is given with love. So, for me every present is perfect. I received a lot of different presents in my life and each of them is very important for me. But the best present I’ve ever been given is a camera. Usually, when I choose a present for a person, I pay attention this persons tastes, hobbies and interests. It helps me to choose a present, which this person will like. Next time you should tell your parents what you want for birthday. It’ll be easier for them and you will definitely be happy. I’m waiting for your answer. Best wishes, Maria.

5. Vocabulary • You get more marks for using a good range of vocabulary.   • Don’t repeat the same words. Use synonyms or antonyms. • Use adverbs and adjectives to make your writing more interesting. • Think about the style of what you are writing and how formal or informal it is. Choose your vocabulary carefully depending on who the reader is.

6. Word count • Don’t spend a long time counting words. It’s more important to spend time thinking about what you are writing and reviewing your writing.  • Practice writing at home so you know more or less how much of your writing on a page is 50 words, 100 words or 150 words.  • If you want to count the words, count how many words in a normal line and multiple by the number of lines.

7. Spelling and punctuation • Always check spelling. Does a word look strange? Practice other spellings on your note paper and see if another word looks correct.  • Always check punctuation. Remember when to use CAPITAL letters in English.   • If you have included direct speech have you used “speech marks”?  • Have you used question marks with questions? • Have you finished sentences with full stops?

8. Informal letter • Greeting (Dear …, ) • Introduction • Main body • Closing remarks • Ending

9. Dear [First name], • Paragraph 1 (Introductory paragraph) – Opening remarks, reason for writing • Paragraph 2 - Bullet point 1 and supporting details  • Paragraph 3 - Bullet point 2 and supporting details  • Paragraph 4 - Bullet point 3 and supporting details  • Looking forward to hearing from you soon.  • All the best  • [First name]

10. Opening Remarks • How are you? I hope you are in the pink of health. • Thank you for your interesting letter. • I received your letter yesterday/a few days ago. • What a surprise! It’s really good to hear from you. • How is everyone in the family? Well, I hope. • I am really glad to hear from you. • How are you? I am sorry I couldn’t write earlier. • This letter will probably come as a surprise to you.

11. Giving information • I would like to inform you that I have just been offered a scholarship. • Didn’t you hear the good news? I got the Best Student Award for my exam result. • You are not going to believe what I am going to tell you. I have just been informed that I won the first prize in a slogan-writing contest. • I had a most terrifying experience last Monday while I was on my way to school. • I am sure that you’d be glad to know that I have passed my exam. • Did you know that Jasin Supermarket is having a sale?

12. Giving advice • If you ask me, I will advise you to accept the offer. • I really think you should give up your part-time job and concentrate on your studies. • If I were you, I would discuss the matter with my parents first, before making a decision. • I suppose you should think carefully before you decide what to do. • Apply for the scholarship, there is no harm in trying.

13. Closing remarks • That’s all my news for now. Write back soon… • Well, I’d better go and do some work! • Please, write me soon and tell me all your news. • Well, that’s all my news. I’d better end now, because…

14. Ending • Lots of love • Hope to hear from you soon • Give my best wishes to your parents • Looking forward to your letter • Best wishes to… • I would be glad to hear from you soon • Keep in touch • Love / Regards • Yours

15. Complete the following letter by filling in the spaces with adjectives. Describe either a very enjoyable holiday OR a terrible holiday. This is just a quick note to tell you how the holiday is going. We're staying in a ___ ___ hotel in a ___ ___ part of town, so you can imagine how we feel. As you know, this is a ____ ___ city, and the people are very ___ and ____. We have had some ____ weather since we got here, so we are feeling very____. We have seen some of the ___ sights and a few museums, and we thought they were very ___.

16. Yesterday we decided to go for a swim, and we went to a beach where the water was ___ and ___. Last night we had a ___ meal in a ___ ___ ___ restaurant. It was quite an experience. We were served by a ___ ___ ___ waiter, and the food and the service were ___. When the bill came, we could hardly believe it, as it was so ___. Anyway, I'd better stop and catch the post, but I'll write again soon. Lots of love, Marianne

17. Rewrite the letter below, using the words in brackets to help you. Dear Rachel, 1. Just thought I’d write you a few lines. I’d like to say how much I enjoyed staying with you in London last weekend. (to) 2. It was great to go to so many interesting places. It was great to do so many interesting things, too. (and) 3. I’d love to come and stay with you in London again sometime. Is that all right with you? (if)

18. 4. Chris got a bit of a shock. I told Chris that I’d spent over 150 quid in two days. I shouldn’t think Chris will want me to come and stay with you in London too often! (when, so) 5. Chris said he liked the yellow dress. You persuaded me to buy the yellow dress in that old beautiful little shop in Covent Garden. Chris said that he didn’t understand why I wanted another dress! (which, but) There’s such a lovely atmosphere in Covent Garden, isn’t there?

19. 6. I especially enjoyed sitting outside that cafe. We had those enormous cream cakes. We also listened to that man playing the saxophone. (where, and) 7. That man reminded me of Robert De Niro in New York, New York. We saw New York, New York together. We were at university. (which, when) 8. I’ll have to come up to London again soon. We can go and see another play together at the theatre. (so)

20. 9. The Gambler was the first play I’ve been to for over five years. That’s a long time, isn’t it? (which) 10. I thought The Gambler was extremely funny. I also thought the four actors in The Gambler were all superb. (and that) Anyway, thanks again for a marvellous weekend. 11.Let’s try and write to each other more often from now on. Then we won’t lose touch again. (so) All my love,  Sarah

21. We are working on a topic sentenceWrite the most suitable topic sentence for the paragraph below _________________________________________ Firstly, dogs become your friends and provide friendship for many years. When you feel unhappy, your dog remains by your side silently comforting you. When you are happy and excited, your dog shares your joy by hopping around you. They share our lives in a way that most other animals can’t. Secondly, dogs can make good guards. They protect you and your family from a dangerous situation. Finally, they can sense danger. For example, they can feel earthquakes before they happen and warn you with barking. For this reasons, if you are thinking of buying a pet why not dogs?

22. We are working on conclusionWrite the most suitable concluding sentence for the paragraph below There are many advantages of a good dictionary. Firstly, it will teach you how to pronounce new words correctly. It will also show you the correct spelling of these words. Another good side of using a dictionary is that it gives the grammatical information about each word-whether it is a noun or an adjective, for example ,or how the past tense of a verb is spelled. But the biggest advantage is that it helps you to understand a word in all its meanings by giving you clear definitions and useful examples._______________________________

23. Choose correct linking words/phrases Report on Madeira In addition to this / To begin with you need to get there. Madeira is a tiny little island in the Atlantic far from anywhere. There are daily flights from London which take three and a half hours. Moreover / Nevertheless, as Madeira is a Portuguese island there are also regular flights from Lisbon.

24. With regard to / For example where to stay, there is a wide range of hotels and guest houses available. For those who like luxury, there is the world famous Reids Hotel, which has been in in the hospitality business since 1891. Despite the fact / On the other hand, if your taste or budget is more modest, there are lots of small family-run establishments where rooms are available for as little as thirty euros per day.

25. Once you have arrived and got yourself settled, there is plenty to do. Apart from that / For example, in Funchal, the capital, there are the wonderful sixteenth-century Cathedral gardens and the big open-air market to explore. However / Therefore, should you prefer to be more active, you can go big-game fishing or take one of the many breathtaking walks, which are suggested by the local tourist authority. Finally / To sum up, Madeira has a lot to offer. In conclusion / In my opinion, it is an ideal holiday destination.

26. Below is the main part of the letter. Complete the blanks using linking words/phrases. Note that more than one answer may be correct in some cases. ___ (1), I would like to know how far the location of the event is, and how long it will take to get there. ___ (2), I would like to know about transport. Could you tell me how much the bus fare is? ___ (3), I would be interested in finding out what time the buses leave. ___ (4), in your commercial you do not mention lunch arrangements. I would therefore like to know if I need to bring my own lunch or whether other arrangements have been made.

27. Add the appropriate transition signals from the list to the following paragraphs, and capitalize and punctuate them correctly.

28. The sentences in the letter below are in the wrong order. Put them in the correct order (1-13) and decide where the letter should be divided into paragraphs. Dear Paul A. Now, as for the flat itself, I’ve made up the bed for you in the spare room so you won’t need to bring a sleeping-bag. B. She’ll be working nights at the hospital next week so you’ll have to pick them up by seven at the latest, which is when she sets off for work. C. This is just a short note to let you know what arrangements I’ve made for you to stay in the flat next week.

29. D. The first is to water all the plants at least once while you are there, preferably towards the end of the week. E. Incidentally, you’ll find the central heating controls in the same cupboard, on the right-hand wall next to the hot water tank. F. By the way, I wonder if you could remember to do a couple of things for me during your stay?

30. G. You can’t miss it. It’s the enormous building on your right as you walk up the hill from the tube station. H. Well, I think that’s about everything. I. If you find you are not warm enough at night, there are some extra blankets in the airing cupboard in the bathroom. J. If, for any reason, you get there after that time, she’ll leave them with the receptionist at the hospital.

31. K. Have a good week in London and thanks again for “flatsitting ”! L. And the other is to make sure that you close all the windows and double-lock the door when you go out. M. I’ve arranged to leave the keys with the girl in the flat upstairs, Diane, who works at the Royal Free Hospital. With love from Jane

32. You have received a letter from your pen-friend in which he/she writes that he/she has been playing basketball for years. Now he/she has decided to start judo. Write him/her a letter in which you explain • whether you support his/her decision to take up one more kind of sport and why • what kinds of sport are popular with your friends • whether you do any sports or watch sports competitions on TV. Write a letter of at least 100 words. Do not write any personal information (e.g. names, dates, addresses, etc). Start your letter in an appropriate way.

33. Good luck!