IESOL B2: Letters/Emails

FORMAL vs INFORMAL LETTERS/EMAILS

LanguageCert IESOL B2 Writing exam

Index

General info

LanguageCert IESOL B2Writing task: Formal vs Informal letters/ emails

Formal structure

Useful language

Informal structure

Useful language

Writing Part 2

+ info

You must answer one of the three options.

Text types: article, email, story and review.

TASK INSTRUCTIONS

You’re writing to someone you don’t know or don’t know well.

You want to learn a language. There is a teacher near to where you live. Write a letter to the teacher. In the letter:• say how you came to know about him/her • explain why you want to learn • ask what help they can offer

Example

Write at least 150 words.

USEFUL LANGUAGE

Adjectives

Adverbs

Verb tenses

Use PAST SIMPLE verbs for the main events:I went to a restaurant.I found a letter.Use PAST CONTINUOUS verbs for longer actions and descriptions:I was waiting for the bus.The sun was shining.Use PAST PERFECT verbs for earlier actions:Unfortunately, I had forgotten my purse.

feelings: determined enthusiasitc nervous puzzled relieved

places: busy crowded picturesque stunning peaceful

weather: bitter damp frosty misty stormy

angrily fiercely gently luckily sadly fortunately

after as soon as at first

by the time eventually in the end

meanwhile suddenly just then

Time expressions

PURPOSE

LANGUAGE & STYLE

The main purpose is to engage the interest of the reader and entertain. Effective answers have a clear storyline, successfully uses the prompts provided and demonstrates a goode grasp of narrative tenses.

• Use informal language. Include idioms and phrasal verbs.
• Use adjectives, adverbs and action verbs.
• Use narrative tenses and combine direct and indirect speech.

PLAN BEFORE WRITING

WHO? WHERE? WHAT? WHEN? WHY?

Who is/are the protagonist(s)? Are there any “incidental” characters?

One location? Multiple locations? What are they like?

What happened? How did it happen?

Order of events. Which past tenses do you need to use?

Give reasons for the character’s actions.

STRUCTURE

1. Title
2. Introduction: Grab the reader’s attention and set the scene. Begin with the prompt sentence.
3. Action: Develop the story. Describe the events in a clear pot.
4. Resolution: Explain how things end.

REMEMBER!

Start with the sentence given.

Include the two points.

Use a range of tenses.

Write 140-190 words.

SAMPLE ANSWER

I was expecting to have a quiet day, but it turned out to be just the opposite. It was Saturday morning and I was reading sleepily when the te phone rang. "Come quickly, Sam, I need your help!" It was my best friend George, so I couldn't refuse. "Where are you?" I asked. "I'm home, watching the house opposite through my binoculars. Come quickly, through the garden!" I rushed round. George told me there was a robbery going on. A large van had driven up and the TV and all the computers were being removed. "But, George, there's a much simple explanation," I said impatiently. "They must be moving house." "Don't be silly! You know Simon's in our class. He would have said something if his family had been moving!" I realised he was right. So we phoned the police, who arrived very rapidly. Simon's parents were so relieved and happy that we had stopped the burglary that they took us out for a pizza that night. And by Monday we were famous, because our picture appeared in the paper under the heading "Local heroes!".

Story.doc

How we became local heroes

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TITLE

INTRO

ACTION

RESOLUTION

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