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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FCE Weekly Activity 2.6: Application Letters

Go to the Prospects UK website for some very useful language to give your application impact. Add all the good stuff to your list and be sure to use this page when doing any formal writing homeowrk in the future.

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Writing Activity 2.4: Mock Exam Preparation

Use the labels on the right if you need help answering these questions.

Can you list the types of part 2 questions for the exam you've practised up to now?
Can you explain in two or three sentences what is typical of each type of question?

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FCE and CAE Weekly Writing Activity 2.1

Go here and go to your level page for this week's task which is a download connected to writing articles.

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FCE and CAE Weekly Writing Task 3.1

Reviewing Formal vs. Informal Language

Reports, proposals, letters and Emails - all of them need some level of formal English at times. Try the exercises in this page of the Flo Joe website for some practice of vocabulary and structures.

Come back to us with doubts and questions.

FCE Weekly Writing Activity 1.6

Story writing in 180 word is a challenge. Amongst other things, you need to think about

1. - Am I writing first or third person? (It may depend on the question).
2. - Should I use a formal or informal tone?
3. - What kind of linking words do I need?
4. - Which vocabulary is the target?
5. - Which grammar is the target?
6. - Which vocabulary will impress?

Here's one:

	"I had never felt so nervous before in my life...!" Write your story (around 120-180 words).

What do think would be the answers to 1-6 above?

Here are our answers to the points above - (roll over to see them)

1. First person
2. Probably informal - it sounds like an anecdote.
3. As a result, lots of informal linking - avoid long ones like furthermore/nevertheless
4. Past tenses (note the option to go into reported speech and third conditional or wish)
5. words connected to nervous
6. Phrasal Verbs, as always

For ideas and inspiration you could do worse than take a look at some minisagas. Visit the British Council's mini-saga website. Mini - sagas - stories - central - British Council - LearnEnglish.

FCE Weekly Activity 1.5 - Feedback

Vocabulary

1. Dissatisfied, dissatisfaction

2. In view of all this

3. matter

4. Please do not hesitate to contact me if you

5. require

6. As far as experience is concerned,

7. I am sorry to tell you that I will not be able to

Formal phrases & word order includes:

we were shocked/ disappointed to find that ...............

As if that wasn't enough, we then found that ............

we feel we deserve

I hope this matter will receive your immediate attention.

You also ought to ...........

It would be an excellent idea to .............

It would be a mistake to .............

I need some further information.

I would also like to know ....................

I am 26 years old and at the moment I am studying

Having studied English for over seven years I am a fluent speaker of the language.

I feel I would be suitable for this job because ............

FCE Weekly Writing Activity 1.5

Formal Letters and Emails

All Level 6 students have a formal letter homework coming soon (S6 it's due this week coming!).

Go here for a good collection of language. Use it to answer the questions below - you can post your answers here via Comment, or ask us questions if you have doubts or other suggestions.

So, on the page above, can you find, in order:

1. As many variations as possible on the word satisfy.
   
2. A phrase for as a result
3. A word for topic
4. A phrase inviting someone to contact you
5. A formal verb for ask
6. An alternative to regarding
7. A very impressive substitute for I can't

And, as a more difficult challenge, can you find any word order that is formal? This is pretty tricky but there are examples there. Feedback next week.

FCE and CAE Weekly Writing Activity 1.4

Feedback from recent homework from S6 and A8

Things to take care of informal letters. Think about why. Explanations next week.

1. First sentences should - what?
2. Three dots at the end of a sentence - good or bad?
3. What are some of the magic words for making your paragraphs flow?
4. Imperatives. "Answer me, then we can organise our trip." Informal?
5. Abbreviations "BTW" and emoticons ";-)" Appropriate?
6. Final sentences should - what?
7. What's white space for?
8. "Look(ing) forward to +?"
9. "Kisses"
10. Make a list of items to check in your final 5 or ten minutes.

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FCE Weekly Writing Activity 1.3

Some interactive linking words practice for FCE here.

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FCE Weekly Writing Activity 1.1

Take a look at the revised writing instructions for the two exams. You need a pdf reader like adobe acrobat to open this file.

You’ll find FCE here http://www.cambridgeesol.org/assets/pdf/resources/teacher/fce_hb_dec08.pdf . Go to page 21 to read about the task types. You need a pdf reader like adobe acrobat to open this file.

After reading it, can you post some ideas and tell us

What makes a good informal letter?

that can help other students.

Post your replies (and any questions) by clicking on comments below. Please include your first name and class (“Pedro, A6”), for example.