General Training Writing
Task 1: Tips for the Writing Test
In Part 1 of the General Training Writing test you are presented with a situation and you have to write a letter asking for information or explaining the situation.
Read these tips to help you answer question 1.
You have a new job and can no longer attend your regular English class.
Write a letter to the English school. In your letter:
- describe the situation
- explain the problem
- say what you would like to happen now that you cannot attend the lesson.
How would you answer this question? What are the key points to cover?
More Task 1 tips - formal and informal writing
In Task 1 you will be asked to write a letter. Depending on who you are writing to, you need to decide whether to write in a more formal or a more informal style.
Most everyday written communication in English uses a semi-formal style, where the tone is quite friendly, but some more formal expressions are used. However, we use a more formal style when we’re writing for professional reasons or to people we don’t know. We use an informal style with people we know well, for example, family members, relatives, friends or colleagues.
There are a number of differences between formal and informal English. For example, sentences are generally longer and more complex in formal writing. Language is often more impersonal, sometimes using passive voice. Vocabulary is often different too, with more words of Latin or French origin and fewer phrasal verbs. We don’t use contractions in formal writing, whereas in informal writing, we use them all the time. Here are some features of both styles of writing:
FormalInformal Dear Sir or MadamDear Mala / Hi MalabeginningI am writing with regard to…I’m writing about…purposeI would like to invite you…Why don’t you come to …invitingI would like to request…Do you have…?requestingPlease deliver the parcel to…It would be great if you could send it to…instructionI would like to suggest that…I think you should…suggestingI am / we are / did notI’m / we’re / didn’tcontractionsTherefore / HoweverSo / AnywaylinkingI look forward to hearing from you.Hope to hear from you soon!closingYours faithfullyBest wishes / See you soonendingAlways begin by deciding who you are writing to. Should it be a formal or informal style? Never mix the two styles.
Tips for the Writing test - Task 2
In Task 2 you will be asked to write an essay in response to a point of view, argument or problem. You can use a fairly personal (informal) style. The question may ask you to say why you agree or disagree with the statement in the question or ask you to outline the advantages or disadvantages to a general statement.
It’s best to approach this task with a method to ensure you answer the question correctly, structure it appropriately and have enough time to write well.
Here are some tips to approach the task:
Planning and Organising
Write letters:
An informal email: - a look at the conventions and language in informal correspondence.
A more formal email - a look at the structure and language of more formal correspondence.
Writing a formal letter: - an introduction to writing formal letters. There are exercises in other skills as well: Listening, Speaking, Grammar and Vocabulary
Formal expressions - a series of exercises to practise creating formal sentences and FCE practice tests
Advanced formal and informal language - a focus on vocabulary and grammar differences.
A for and against essay
Practise planning your essays with the
Essay Map
Persuasion Map
Compare & Contrast Map
Britain's fastest growing language-Emoji
Linking words: A list of cohesion and exercises
In Part 1 of the General Training Writing test you are presented with a situation and you have to write a letter asking for information or explaining the situation.
Read these tips to help you answer question 1.
- Make sure you answer the question completely.
In the question there will be keywords like ‘explain’, ‘suggest’, ‘say’ ‘describe’. Make sure you do everything the question asks you to do.
You have a new job and can no longer attend your regular English class.
Write a letter to the English school. In your letter:
- describe the situation
- explain the problem
- say what you would like to happen now that you cannot attend the lesson.
How would you answer this question? What are the key points to cover?
More Task 1 tips - formal and informal writing
In Task 1 you will be asked to write a letter. Depending on who you are writing to, you need to decide whether to write in a more formal or a more informal style.
Most everyday written communication in English uses a semi-formal style, where the tone is quite friendly, but some more formal expressions are used. However, we use a more formal style when we’re writing for professional reasons or to people we don’t know. We use an informal style with people we know well, for example, family members, relatives, friends or colleagues.
There are a number of differences between formal and informal English. For example, sentences are generally longer and more complex in formal writing. Language is often more impersonal, sometimes using passive voice. Vocabulary is often different too, with more words of Latin or French origin and fewer phrasal verbs. We don’t use contractions in formal writing, whereas in informal writing, we use them all the time. Here are some features of both styles of writing:
FormalInformal Dear Sir or MadamDear Mala / Hi MalabeginningI am writing with regard to…I’m writing about…purposeI would like to invite you…Why don’t you come to …invitingI would like to request…Do you have…?requestingPlease deliver the parcel to…It would be great if you could send it to…instructionI would like to suggest that…I think you should…suggestingI am / we are / did notI’m / we’re / didn’tcontractionsTherefore / HoweverSo / AnywaylinkingI look forward to hearing from you.Hope to hear from you soon!closingYours faithfullyBest wishes / See you soonendingAlways begin by deciding who you are writing to. Should it be a formal or informal style? Never mix the two styles.
Tips for the Writing test - Task 2
In Task 2 you will be asked to write an essay in response to a point of view, argument or problem. You can use a fairly personal (informal) style. The question may ask you to say why you agree or disagree with the statement in the question or ask you to outline the advantages or disadvantages to a general statement.
It’s best to approach this task with a method to ensure you answer the question correctly, structure it appropriately and have enough time to write well.
Here are some tips to approach the task:
Planning and Organising
- Read the question carefully and underline the key words
- Decide what structure to use. Most Task 2 questions will ask you to discuss or analyse an issue in terms of advantages/disadvantages and/or take a position by agreeing or disagreeing. This means you can almost always use a four paragraph structure, for example:
- Advantages/disadvantages question
- Introduction: paraphrase the question and give a general answer
that will summarise your opinion
- Main paragraph 1: what are the advantages
- Main paragraph 2: what are the disadvantages
- Conclusion: paraphrase your argument and highlight or restate your personal opinion or position on the issue. - Agree / disagree question
- Introduction: paraphrase the question and give a general answer
that will summarise your opinion
- Main paragraph 1: I agree/disagree because … + supporting reasons
- Main paragraph 2: Another reason I agree / disagree is …
- Conclusion: paraphrase your argument and sum up.
- Spend some time thinking of good vocabulary related to your topic. Note it down.
- Start each paragraph with a topic sentence i.e. the general topic of the paragraph.
- Develop your ideas in each paragraph by giving reasons for your answer and include examples from your own knowledge or experience.
- Keep your examples fairly short. Don’t go into too much detail; make sure you stay on topic.
- Try using linking words like ‘firstly, secondly, finally’ to connect your ideas within each of your main paragraphs. This will help your writing to flow.
Write letters:
An informal email: - a look at the conventions and language in informal correspondence.
A more formal email - a look at the structure and language of more formal correspondence.
Writing a formal letter: - an introduction to writing formal letters. There are exercises in other skills as well: Listening, Speaking, Grammar and Vocabulary
Formal expressions - a series of exercises to practise creating formal sentences and FCE practice tests
Advanced formal and informal language - a focus on vocabulary and grammar differences.
A for and against essay
Practise planning your essays with the
Essay Map
Persuasion Map
Compare & Contrast Map
Britain's fastest growing language-Emoji
Linking words: A list of cohesion and exercises