PAPER 2 - WRITING: A LETTER

In Paper 2, Writing, you have to answer two questions. For the Part 1 question there is no choice: everyone must write the same kind of letter. (For your second question, in Part 2, you have a choice of topics which we will analyze in future lessons.)

Your letter should be 120 to 180 words long, and you shouldn't spend more than 45 minutes doing Part 1. You have 1 1/2 hours for the whole paper.

INSTRUCTIONS

Look at the instructions carefully. They will tell you:

What you must read before you start to write.

Who you should write to (for example, a friend or someone you know well, or the director of a company, a newspaper editor or some other stranger).

Your reason for writing the letter (for example, to give information, to make a request or a complaint, to apologise).

READING

There will be some short texts to read (for example, an advertisement, letter, newspaper report, handwritten notes) and perhaps a photo or illustration to look at.

You should study these carefully to find the information you need to write your letter.

WRITING

Look at the instructions carefully. They will tell you:

Follow the instructions exactly.

Think about who you are writing to and how he or she will feel about your letter.

Organise your ideas carefully.

Make sure your reason for writing is clear.

Include all the necessary information from the reading texts, but use your own words as far as possible.

Check that your grammar, spelling and punctuation are correct.

EXAMPLE QUESTION: A NEWSPAPER REPORT

The newspaper report on the next page is about someone who used to be a student at the place where you are studying now. You would like more information about this person and her adventure to put in your class magazine.

Read the report and the notes underneath it, and then write to Eugenia Marcos Fernandez. Give your feelings about her adventure, and, using the notes, ask her for more information and tell her why you want it.

Write a letter of between 120-180 words in an appropriate style. Do not write any addresses.

BEFORE YOU WRITE

Think about all this:

What is your relationship with the person you are going to write to?

Remember to organise your ideas before you start to write. Here is a suggested paragraph plan:

PARAGRAPH 1: Your reason for writing (including your feelings about the adventure).

PARAGRAPH 2: Request for details about her Andalusian adventure.

PARAGRAPH 3: Request for information about Eugenia's life.

PARAGRAPH 4: Brief summary of your request. Your best wishes for her recovery.

AFTER YOU WRITE

Check that your letter ...

has followed the instructions exactly.

will have a positive effect on Eugenia Marcos Fernandez.

begins and ends in a suitable way.

uses correct grammar, spelling and punctuation.