TIPS FOR PET WRITING

Presenter: Nguyen Ngoc Bao Address: Military Science Academy Email: bao.etc@gmail.com

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Outline
Whats in Writing (Parts 1-2)?

Writing: Part 1 sentence transformation

Writing: Part 2 extended writing (letter) Writing: Part 2 extended writing (story) General tips for Writing

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Whats in Writing (Parts 1-2)?

Part 1 sentence transformation
o 5 pairs of sentences linked by theme or topic. The second sentence has a gap which you must fill using words of phrases. The second sentence must mean exactly the same as the first. o 2 marks for each correct answer

Part 2 extended writing

o 1 question from a choice of a letter to a friend or a story (approximately 100 - 120 words) o Total number of marks = 20

Total writing mark = 30 Time allowance:

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Whats in Writing (Parts 1-2)?

In Part 1 you are given marks for accuracy - you must write the correct answer. In Part 2 you are given marks for: o range of grammar o range of vocabulary o organisation of ideas o accuracy o register o spelling and punctuation.

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Writing: Part 1 sentence transformation

TIP: Make sure that the second sentence, once you have filled in the gap, means the same as the first sentence. EXAMPLES: Here are some examples (with answers) of Part 1 Writing questions. 1. The concert tickets were cheaper than Maria expected. The concert tickets were not The concert tickets were not as ...expensive as... Maria expected. Explanation: cheaper than = not as expensive as 2. Tobys house is near the park. Toby's house is not Toby's house is not ...far from... the park. Explanation: near = not far from
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Writing: Part 1 sentence transformation

3. Our football coach told us to train harder.
We were....................................................................... We were... told to train harder by our football coach Explanation: our coach told us = we were told by our coach 4. It isnt necessary to bring mobiles on the camping trip.

You dont .
You dont need to bring mobiles on the camping trip. Explanation: it isnt necessary = you dont need to

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Writing: Part 1 sentence transformation

TIP: Make sure that you have written complete sentences. If you do not, you may lose marks. EXAMPLES: Here are some examples (with answers) of Part 1 Writing questions.
1. Alex had not been camping before. This was . This was. the first time Alex had been camping. This was first time that Alex had been camping. Explanation: It is impossible to write the sentence without the. 2. The pool is only a five-minute walk from Peters house. It takes Peter five minutes It takes Peter five minutes to walk to the pool. It takes Peter five minutes to go to the pool. It takes Peter five minutes to go on foot to the pool. Explanation: The options mean the same but to go on foot
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Writing: Part 1 sentence transformation

Example 1:
Our trip to the new shopping centre was enjoyable. We enjoyed our trip to the new shopping centre. 1 The new shopping centre has been open for a week. The new shopping centre..................................................................................... 2 We spent half an hour driving to the centre. It took us half an hour.......................................................................................... 3 The car park had five lifts. There were five lifts.............................................................................................. 4 The first shop was so big that we got lost in it. We got lost in the first shop................................................................................. 5 It was 4.30 p.m. when we left the centre. We didnt leave the centre...................................................................................
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Writing: Part 1 sentence transformation

Example 1: Our trip to the new shopping centre was enjoyable. We enjoyed our trip to the new shopping centre. 1 The new shopping centre has been open for a week. The new shopping centre (was) opened a week ago. 2 We spent half an hour driving to the centre. It took us half an hour to drive to the centre. 3 The car park had five lifts. There were five lifts in / inside the car park. 4 The first shop was so big that we got lost in it. We got lost in the first shop because it was so big. 5 It was 4.30 p.m. when we left the centre. We didnt leave the centre until 4.30 p.m.
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Writing: Part 1 sentence transformation

Example 2: Our trip to the new shopping centre was enjoyable. We enjoyed our trip to the new shopping centre. 1. So far, I havent taken many photographs with it. So far, Ive only taken a....................................................................................... 2. My uncle asked me if I would show him my photographs. My uncle said, Please would.............................................................................. 3. He suggested trying a different film. He said, Why....................................................................................................... 4. It would be good if I went on a photography course. I really ought........................................................................................................ 5. My uncle is finding out how much a two-week course costs. My uncle is finding out the..................................................................................
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Writing: Part 1 sentence transformation

Example 2: Our trip to the new shopping centre was enjoyable. We enjoyed our trip to the new shopping centre. 1. So far, I havent taken many photographs with it. So far, Ive only taken a few / couple of photographs with it. 2. My uncle asked me if I would show him my photographs. My uncle said, Please would you show me your photographs? 3. He suggested trying a different film. He said, Why dont you try a different film? 4. It would be good if I went on a photography course. I really ought to go on a photography course. 5. My uncle is finding out how much a two-week course costs. My uncle is finding out the price of / cost of a two-week course.
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Writing: Part 1 sentence transformation

Example 3: Our trip to the new shopping centre was enjoyable. We enjoyed our trip to the new shopping centre. 1. My friend Martina asked me if I wanted to join her band. Martina asked me Would you .. 2. Martinas band started playing concerts two years ago. Martinas band .......................................................................... 3. Her new band is better than her old one. Her old band was not ....................................................................................................... 4. Martinas band has six people in it. There ................................................................................................................................... 5. The tickets for their concerts are free. You dont ..................................................................................................................
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Writing: Part 1 sentence transformation

Example 3: Our trip to the new shopping centre was enjoyable. We enjoyed our trip to the new shopping centre. 1. My friend Martina asked me if I wanted to join her band. Martina asked me Would you like to / care to join my band? 2. Martinas band started playing concerts two years ago. Martinas band has played in concerts for two years. 3. Her new band is better than her old one. Her old band was as / so good as her new one. 4. Martinas band has six people in it. There are 6 / six (people I members I players / musicians) in Martinas band. 5. The tickets for their concerts are free. You dont need / have to pay anything to get into their concerts.
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Writing: Part 1 sentence transformation

Example 4: Our trip to the new shopping centre was enjoyable. We enjoyed our trip to the new shopping centre. 1. Madonna was the eldest of eight children. Madonna had seven.............................................................................................................. 2. She moved to New York in order to find singing work. She moved to New York....................................................................................................... 3. It didnt take her long to become famous. She........................................................................................................................................... 4. She has had a long and successful career in singing. She has been a successful.................................................................................................... 5. Madonna is possibly the most famous woman in the world. Madonna is possibly............................................................................................................
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Writing: Part 1 sentence transformation

Example 4: Our trip to the new shopping centre was enjoyable. We enjoyed our trip to the new shopping centre. 1. Madonna was the eldest of eight children. Madonna had seven younger brothers and sisters. 2. She moved to New York in order to find singing work. She moved to New York because / as / since she wanted to find singing work. 3. It didnt take her long to become famous. She became famous very quickly. 4. She has had a long and successful career in singing. She has been a successful singer for a long time. 5. Madonna is possibly the most famous woman in the world. Madonna is possibly (much) more famous / well-known than any other woman in the world.
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Writing: Part 1 sentence transformation

Example 5: Our trip to the new shopping centre was enjoyable. We enjoyed our trip to the new shopping centre. 1 My friend told me she always went there, so I started going too. My friend said, I always.. 2 It has been there for four years. It has been there................................................................................................................. 3 It stays open until seven oclock. It........................................................................................................................................... 4 I have my hair cut there every six weeks The hairdresser................................................................................................................... 5 Mens haircuts are cheaper than womens haircuts. Mens haircuts are ............................................................................... .
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Writing: Part 1 sentence transformation

Example 5: Our trip to the new shopping centre was enjoyable. We enjoyed our trip to the new shopping centre. 1 My friend told me she always went there, so I started going too. My friend said, I always go there, so I started going too. 2 It has been there for four years. It has been there since four years ago. 3 It stays open until seven oclock. It doesnt close until seven oclock. 4 I have my hair cut there every six weeks The hairdresser cuts my hair every six weeks. 5 Mens haircuts are cheaper than womens haircuts. Mens haircuts are less expensive than womens haircuts.
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Writing: Part 2 extended writing

TIP: Check your letter when you have finished, using a checklist like the one below. Checklist: 1. Have you written about the topic indicated in the question? 2. Have you made any mistakes in spelling or grammar? 3. Have you used a range of vocabulary? 4. Have you written the right number of words? 5. Have you written in paragraphs? 6. Have you linked the points clearly? 7. Have you started and ended your letter in a suitable way? 8. Have you used language that is suitable for an informal letter?
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Writing: Part 2 extended writing (letter)

Exam Advice: 1. Correct punctuation is important in your writing. Understanding punctuation also helps you when you read. 2. You lose marks if you write under 100 words. 3. In Writing Part 2, it is important to answer the question and to give extra information to make your answer interesting. 4. Do think about the words you will use. 5. Do try to make your story interesting by using different kinds of words. 6. Remember to join some of your sentences to make your writing more interesting.

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Writing: Part 2 extended writing (story)

Exam Advice: 1. Correct punctuation is important in your writing. Understanding punctuation also helps you when you read. 2. You lose marks if you write under 100 words. 3. In Writing Part 2, it is important to answer the question and to give extra information to make your answer interesting. 4. Make sure your story has a good beginning and ending. 5. Use adjectives to make your writing more interesting. 6. Dont tell a story which doesnt fit the sentence you are given. 7. Dont plan to write a story which needs words you dont know. 8. Do think about the words you will use. 9. Do try to make your story interesting by using different kinds of words. 10. Remember to join some of your sentences to make your writing more interesting.
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Writing: Part 2 extended writing

Example: o This is part of a letter you receive from an English penfriend. I have always wanted to know mover about your favourite sport. Tell me all about it. Why do yow like it? o Now you are writing a letter to tell your friend about your favourite sport.. o Write your letter in about 100 - 120 words.

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Writing: Part 2 extended writing

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Writing: Part 2 extended writing

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Writing: Part 2 extended writing

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Writing: Part 2 extended writing

Examiners comments:
The first writing: This is an inadequate attempt, with limited language and inadequate range. The erratic punctuation adds to the incoherence, for example in this sport there are abilities; strong; team play; ... The numerous errors sometimes impede, for example I want to answer at yours asking and considerable effort is required from the reader. The second writing: This is a very good attempt, showing confident and ambitions language, for example My favourite sport has always been swimming. It is very well organised, with a wide range of structures and vocabulary, for example it is one of the few sports where you cant win if you dont practice a lot. The few minor errors in spelling do not detract from the high degree of accuracy.

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Any Questions?

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