TIPS FOR

WRITING

PET CAMBRIDGE EXAM

What’s in writing?

• Part 1 : 5 pairs of sentences linked by a theme or topic. The

second sentence has a gap you must fill using up to 3 words. The

second sentence must mean exactly the same as the first.

1 mark for each correct answer: 5

• Part 2: 1 short message such as an email or a note to a friend (

35-45 words). You are told which 3 things to write about.

Total number of marks: 5

• Part 3: 1 question from a chocie of a letter to a friend or a story (

approximately 100 words)

Total number of marks: 15

ABOUT 40 MINUTES

by Eva Hugas

• In part 1 you are given marks for accuracy-you must write the correct answer.

• In part 2 you are given marks for successfully communicating a message-you must cover all three points.

• In part 3 you are given marks for:

Range of grammar accuracy

Range of vocabulary register

Organisation of ideas spelling and punctuation

by Eva Hugas

Part 1: sentence transformation

TIP! Make sure that the second sentence, once you have filled

in the gaps, means the same as the first sentence.

DO NOT WRITE MORE THAN 3 WORDS! If you do, you may lose

marks.

Examples:

1. The concert tickets were cheaper than Maria expected. The

concert tickets were not as expensive as Maria expected.

2. Toby’s house is near the park. Toby’s house is not far from

the park. NEAR= NOT FAR FROM

3. Our football coach told us to train harder. We were told to

train harder by our football coach.

OUR COACH TOLD US= WE WERE TOLD BY OUR COACH

1. It isn’t necessary to bring mobiles on the camping trip. You

don’t need to bring mobiles on the camping trip.

IT ISN’T NECESSARY= YOU DON’T NEED TO

by Eva Hugas

Part 1: sentence transformation Examples:

1. Alex had not been camping before. This was the first time

Alex had been camping.

2. The pool is only a five-minute walk from Peter’s house. It

takes Peter five minutes to walk to the pool.

3. Sara won a singing competition at the age of eight. Sara won

a singing competition when she was eight years old.

CONTRACTIONS COUNT AS TWO

WORDS, APART FROM ‘CAN’T’

WHICH CAN BE WRITTEN AS ONE

WORD ‘CANNOT’.

by Eva Hugas

Part 2: guided writing

by Eva Hugas

Some examples

Make a suggestion: Why don’t we?

Let’s…

by Eva Hugas

by Eva Hugas

Give an explanation: I can’t

because I have to…

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I can’t come because

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Make an apology: I’m really

sorry but…

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Remind somebody: Don’t forget

to…/ You must remember to…

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by Eva Hugas

Invite somebody: Would you like

to…?

by Eva Hugas

Fancy…?

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Make a recommendation:

I think it’s a good idea to…

I thing the best thing is to…

by Eva Hugas

An example

A news sport centre has opened near

your home and you would like to go

there tomorrow.

Write an email to your English friend

Chris. In your email you should:

• ask her to come to the sports

centre with you

• explain why you want to go there

• suggest somewhere you can meet

Write 35-45 words on your answer

sheet.

by Eva Hugas

Writing: Part 3. Letter. TIP. Check your letter when you have finished, using a checklist like the one below.

CHECKLIST

Have you written about the topic indicated in the question?

Have you made any mistales in spelling or grammar?

Have you used a range of vocabulary?

Have you written the right number of words?

Have you written in paragraphs?

Have you linked the points clearly?

Have you started and ended your letter in a suitable way?

Have you used language that is suitable for an informal letter?

Layout

• Put your address, but not your name,

at the top right of the page.

• Write the date under the address

• Write your greeting on the left-hand

side

• Leave a line between paragraphs.

• Write a short closing.

• Don’t forget to sign your name at the

bottom.

by Eva Hugas

Style

Useful language Greeting: Dear…

Closing: Love from…/Best wishes/ Write soon

Thanking: Thanks for your letter. /It was good hearing

from you.

Apologizing: I’m sorry I haven’t written

Asking: How are you? What are you doing?

Replying: You asked about…

Giving personal information: I’m fine/ I’m studying a lot…

Sending wishes: I hope your family are well /Give a hug to

your brother…

by Eva Hugas

address

date

Greeting

question

Thanking

replying

Informal

and

colloquial

contraction

Sending

wishes and

closing

by Eva Hugas

Writing Part 3: story TIP! : You can make your

story more interesting by

using descriptive

language such as

adjectives and adverbs.

Example:

Your English teacher has

asked you to write a story.

This is the title for your

story:

A day out

Read the example: the

adjectives and adverbs in

the story are highlighted.

They help to make the

story more interesting. by Eva Hugas

REFERENCES

University of Cambridge The Official Top Tip For Pet

Informal letter:

http://ies-santabrigida-

english.wikispaces.com/2nd_Bachillerato_Informal_letter

http://www.slideshare.net/aponce4/informal-letter-14534565

by Eva Hugas