Cambridge English: First

Writing Task (go to Checklist)

Writing Paper Part 2. Task Type: Informal Email

Question
You have received the following email from your English penfriend:

Write your email to your penfriend (around 140-190 words)

What you need to do to pass
Read our checklist first to understand what the examiner is looking for in a good answer.

Ideas for writing
Ask yourself the following questions to help you get started:

• First, you have to decide how you want to spend your 6 months in the UK. Make a list of points. (You can use your imagination here!) Example
  1. doing volunteer work for a charity for two months.
  2. doing paid work for three months.
  3. one month's travelling at the end of my stay.
• Next to each point, make a list of the things that your penfriend can do to help you:
  1. send a list of charities that are looking for volunteers, especially working with children
  2. look in the local paper to see which companies want part-time staff; advise on how to write a CV in English
  3. send tourist information brochures and/or list of useful websites on the best tourist attractions
  
• Think about the tone of your email. Your friend will be going to a lot of trouble for you so the following expressions will be useful in phrasing your requests:
  "I was wondering if you wouldn't mind..."
  "I know it's a lot to ask but could you..."
  "If I could trouble you for one more favour..."
• Think about how you can thank your friend at the end of your email for all his/her help.

Drafting and proofreading your work

You should look at your first draft of the task and decide:

• Have you given your penfriend enough information?
• Is the email organised in a clear and logical way?
• Is the language accurate with a good range of structures?
• Will your penfriend still be willing to help you after reading your email?
• Is the style OK?

If the answer is 'no' to any of these questions then you will need to do some more drafting!