Flo-Joe for Cambridge English Exams

Cambridge English: First

Check out students' answers to Flo-Joe's FCE Writing tasks with a teacher's feedback

Writing Class: Informal Email/Letter


Task Type: Informal Email/Letter

Question
You have received the following email from your English-speaking friend.

.............Thanks for inviting me to stay with you when I visit your country next month. I'm not sure how to get to your apartment from the airport. Could you write back giving me some basic instructions? What would be the best method of transport for me? I'd prefer one that isn't too expensive! Just one other thing - what will the weather be like when I get there? (Just so I'll know what clothes to pack!) .........

Write your informal email/letter of reply to your friend (around 140-190 words).

Makeover: Aysen

Read Aysen's answer to this question below. Try correcting the piece of writing yourself first: use the marking codes to think about what might be wrong (or what's good) about the piece of work. Then when you're ready, click the green buttons in the text for our feedback.

Hie S Jenny,

I got your email this morning and I am looking forward to have WF you here soon. About your questions how to get from the airport to our apartment, well it won't be difficult. PE When you arrive in Stockholm, take the bus to "KISTA" to the end station. I will call to - the airport to get your estimated to - time and will wait there at the end station for you, OK? R

About WW weather, well it is quite nice weather - here for September but you should never trust the swedish C weather P it can turn very quickly so take T/WW with you warm clothes WO

And finally the money problem PE . Try to not think about it P you will not spend money here when you are visiting me. You will be my guest, remember that!

As I said before I am looking forward to see WF you.

/\

Feedback

Content
A good attempt. You have answered the question appropriately, explained how to get to your apartment, mentioned the weather and suggested what clothing to bring. A full answer.

Communicative Achievement
You have written the email in a friendly tone using a question and exclamations ('OK?', 'remember that!') to engage the reader. You could consider using contractions such as 'I'm' instead of 'I am', or 'I'll' instead of 'I will' as this helps to create a more informal style. The reader would be fully informed.

Organisation
The article is clearly organised with clear paragraphs. Good use of discourse markers such as 'it' and 'there' to refer to earlier nouns and one or two well-chosen linking words. Note my alternatives regarding your use of 'about' to introduce another point.

Language
In general a well-written email which is clear and easy to follow. Note my suggestions for some alternative words and expressions for you to consider.

Well done!

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Marking Code

/\ Word(s) missing

- Omit word

C Capitalization

Gd Good

O Organisation

P Punctuation

PE Poorly expressed

R Register/Formality

SS Sentence Structure

S Spelling

T Tip

WF Wrong form

WO Word order

WT Wrong tense

WW Wrong word