Error Checklist for First

Error Checklist for FCE Writing:

Compiled in S6 on Monday 19 Dec

Some examples of things you might be able to see before you hand in your work to the teacher:

Contractions in formal English? Exclamation marks in formal English. Eliminate them.

Check double consonants.

Much and many on countable/uncountable nouns.

Avoid direct questions in formal letters.

Word order in non-questions.
Example

Fred asked what time it was
vs
Fred asked what time was it.

Confused plurals
Examples

Life >>>> lives.
person >>> people
child >>> children

Prepositions
Does it sound or look good to you?

Repitition
Have you avoided the same word in adjacent sentences?

Describe differently
Synonym if you can
Use pronouns

Word Order
Put your adverbs in the right places - usually at the end.

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Error Checklist for FCE

Error Checklist for FCE Writing:


Compiled in S6 on Monday 19 Dec


Some examples of things you might be able to see before you hand in your work to the teacher:


Contractions in formal English? Exclamation marks in formal English. Eliminate them.


Check double consonants.


Much and many on countable/uncountable nouns.


Avoid direct questions in formal letters.


Word order in non-questions.
Example

Fred asked what time it was
vs
Fred asked what time was it.

Confused plurals
Examples

Life >>>> lives.
person >>> people
child >>> children

Prepositions
Does it sound or look good to you?


Repitition
Have you avoided the same word in adjacent sentences?

Describe differently
Synonym if you can
Use pronouns

Word Order
Put your adverbs in the right places - usually at the end.

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Cita de padres en el portal

Cita en el portal (tutoria padres-profesores)

Book a teachers appointment on the portal

1. Enter the portal:

https://spainportal.britishcouncil.org

2. Click on         TEACHERS MEETING

3. Click on your son/daughters name

4. select a time for appointment

Sentence Transformations...

Sentence Transformation Advice

Some basic things to think about in part 4 of FCE and part 5 of CAE. Questions and comments (and additions) welcome!



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Levels 6 and 8 Advice: Transformations

Sentence Transformation Advice

Some basic things to think about in part 4 of FCE and part 5 of CAE. Questions and comments (and additions) welcome!



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Report Shopping List

What to include in your report.

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Report Shopping List - Whiteboard grab

Compiled last night in A8, this list is also useful for FCE students. Ask questions by clickin on this post if you wish and add a comment.

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Article Shopping List

Things to Include in your Article

• vocabulary connected to the topic
• grammar to do the action in the question ("give advice" >>> should, if I were you, etc.)
• stay within 10% of the word limit
• write sufficient clear paragrpahs
• connect your sentences
• try to be interesting
• show some personality
• don't forget a title

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Article Shopping List (FCE)

Things to Include in your Article

 

• vocabulary connected to the topic
• grammar to do the action in the question ("give advice" >>> should, if I were you, etc.)
• stay within 10% of the word limit
• write sufficient clear paragrpahs
• connect your sentences
• try to be interesting
• show some personality
• don't forget a title

 

 

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First Writing Part 1. Two Samples.

Two First Formal Letters.

Take a look at these two letters answering the same Part 1 question. Decide which you think is better and why. You'll find corrections underneath. 

Letter 1

Dear Sir or Madam,

 

I am writing to apply to the [m1] Adrenalin Adventure whichü I have seen the advertisement in a magazine. I am thinking in[m2]  the possibility of surfing or horse-riding. Could it be possible?

 We are a group of seven[m3] . We would like to know ifü |+| is possible to sleep in single rooms, just becauseü |+| is not very confortable[m4]  to share the room with other people. Could you search if there are places avaliable on 12-13 august[m5] ?

I would be grateful if you could tell me ifü the prize [m6] includes meals and hire of equipment[m7] ? We are also worried about the lower age limit since I have a friend who is only 17. Could he come?

 
I look forward to hearing from you[m8]  ü.
 
Yours faithfully,

Elizabeth Mark.

You need to add a bit more interest in the language to convince that it deserves the higher mark.

Letter 2

Dear sir/ madam

I am writing to enquire about the üadvertisement I have seen in a magazine. I was consideringü some options to spend an amusing weekend  with my friends and I think the Adrenalin Adventure is the best one.

With regards to our permanence[m9] there I was wondering if you have single rooms instead of the wooden lodges[m10]  .

Moreoverü we are interested in surfing and mountain-biking since the weather is suposed to be nice those days. Could you clarify if the price includes meals and neccesary equipment such as waterproof swimsuits, surfboards, bicycles, tyres among othersü.

There are seven of usüand we would like to go on 12-13 August. I would be grateful if you could confirm there will be places availableü.

According to the age there [m11] is no problem except for one person. Would be accepted not to be grown up?

It would be appreciated [m12] if you could address these queries as soon as  possible to[m13]  reachü a final decition[m14] . Thank you a lot for your time. I am looking forward to hearing from youüagain[m15] .

Yours faithfully.

Alan Partridge.

Good work!

---

 [m1]I think you’re enquiring for a trip, not applyiong for a job

 [m2]$

 [m3]There are..

 [m4]$

 [m5]%

 [m6]$

 [m7]Such as….?

 [m8]And hope you can answer….

 [m9]Good try, but not really english

 [m10]A because  might be good here

 [m11]Regarding not according I think

 [m12]I would appreciate it would be better

 [m13]So we can

 [m14]$

 [m15]$

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FCE Writing Part 1. Two Samples.

Two FCE Formal Letters.

Take a look at these two letters answering the same Part 1 question. Decide which you think is better and why. You'll find corrections underneath. We'll give an opinion next week.

Letter 1

Dear Sir or Madam,

 

I am writing to apply to the [m1] Adrenalin Adventure whichü I have seen the advertisement in a magazine. I am thinking in[m2]  the possibility of surfing or horse-riding. Could it be possible?

 We are a group of seven[m3] . We would like to know ifü |+| is possible to sleep in single rooms, just becauseü |+| is not very confortable[m4]  to share the room with other people. Could you search if there are places avaliable on 12-13 august[m5] ?

I would be grateful if you could tell me ifü the prize [m6] includes meals and hire of equipment[m7] ? We are also worried about the lower age limit since I have a friend who is only 17. Could he come?

 
I look forward to hearing from you[m8]  ü.
 
Yours faithfully,

Elizabeth Mark.

You need to add a bit more interest in the language to convince that it deserves the higher mark.

Letter 2

Dear sir/ madam

I am writing to enquire about the üadvertisement I have seen in a magazine. I was consideringü some options to spend an amusing weekend  with my friends and I think the Adrenalin Adventure is the best one.

With regards to our permanence[m9] there I was wondering if you have single rooms instead of the wooden lodges[m10]  .

Moreoverü we are interested in surfing and mountain-biking since the weather is suposed to be nice those days. Could you clarify if the price includes meals and neccesary equipment such as waterproof swimsuits, surfboards, bicycles, tyres among othersü.

There are seven of usüand we would like to go on 12-13 August. I would be grateful if you could confirm there will be places availableü.

According to the age there [m11] is no problem except for one person. Would be accepted not to be grown up?

It would be appreciated [m12] if you could address these queries as soon as  possible to[m13]  reachü a final decition[m14] . Thank you a lot for your time. I am looking forward to hearing from youüagain[m15] .

Yours faithfully.

Alan Partridge.

Good work!

---

 [m1]I think you’re enquiring for a trip, not applyiong for a job

 [m2]$

 [m3]There are..

 [m4]$

 [m5]%

 [m6]$

 [m7]Such as….?

 [m8]And hope you can answer….

 [m9]Good try, but not really english

 [m10]A because  might be good here

 [m11]Regarding not according I think

 [m12]I would appreciate it would be better

 [m13]So we can

 [m14]$

 [m15]$

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Formal English - 10 points to correct and think about

Extracts from formal writing homework - comments follow below. Note that all of them contain good along with things to work on. Add comments or ask questions as you wish. (To add comments you need to click on the title and open this post in a new window)

1. We would regret having to take this matter further.[m1]

2. some points which I think are not true[m2] in your article

3. I would like to draw up your attentionü [to…..] [m3] in order to voiceü my disappointment with the article publishedü in the local newspaper recently

4. must disagree[m4] whith your version of events

5. I would like that your article[m5] had included

Dear Sir,

6. My name is Joseph Martin Smith[m6] and I am a member of the

7. We honestly believe you did not attend to the event and we regret to inform you in case you do not amend your article we shall contact our lawyers.[m7]

8. If you want[m8] we are going to be very proud to share with you these information

9. that is not true[m9]

10. it was really disappointingü the way you critic[m10] our event

---

[m1]!

[m2]Much too strong

[m3]You need an object.

[m4]OK; as longas you want to sound angry

[m5]==

[m6]Please Ask.

[m7]I think the newspaper is more justified to call their lawyers!

[m8]INF

[m9]Not very friendly!

[m10]WO/G – a shame as that’s a very nice first para-

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