WRITING

COMPONENT

WRITING

INSTRUCTIONS
The writing test is built around a series of interrelated activities. Typical activities include joining
a club or applying for a visa.
There are four parts, which range from very basic form-filling to quite complex e-mail messages.
Make sure you fully understand the questions. Plan what you are going to write and then edit
your writing before clicking to the next question.
The most common mistakes are the following:

Not answering the questions (going off-topic). Read the question and understand what
you are required to do.
Writing too much but with poor grammar, spelling and punctuation.
Keep to the word count and focus on accuracy.
Not using a variety of sentence structures.
Not writing in sentences or paragraphs.
Not capitalising months, cities, countries and names.
Using SMS spelling.

The total time allowed for the writing test is 50 minutes.

TEST DESIGN

DESCRIPTION

Part 1

Word-level writing

Complete a form with individual words

Part 2

Short text writing

Form-filling in the form of sentences

Part 3

3 written parts of text,

which all require
responses

A social network-type interaction with 3 questions

Part 4

Formal and informal

text writing

Task 1: Write an informal email to a friend

Task 2: Write a formal email

WRITING SET 1
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Part 1
Personal Details Record Form
You are applying to pursue your studies at a university. Fill in the following details and submit to
your university. Please ensure all information is completed in full. You have 3 minutes to
complete this form.
Personal Details
Title (delete as appropriate): Miss
Surname: Zainal Abidin

First Name: Nuramalina

Maiden Name (if applicable):

Date of Birth: 14 March 1993
Home Address: No 84, Jln Mentimun, Tmn Seri Ahmad Perang Kota Tinggi Johor
Street: Jln Mentimun
Postcode: 81900

City: Kota Tinggi

Home Telephone: 07 8837518

Mobile: 0177283559

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Part 2
You are a new member of the neighbourhood watch. Fill in the form. Write in complete
sentences. Your text should be 20 to 30 words in length. You have 7 minutes.
Provide the days and times you are available to do your neighbourhood watch and the
reasons.

On Friday, at 7.00 am.

Because that is the only day that I am free and able to do my neighbourhood watch on Friday
morning. Other than that, I decide to do it in the morning because I am a morning person and
I

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Part 3
You are a new member of a reading club. You are communicating with the librarian in your
town library in a chat room. Use complete sentences when you write. Use 30 40 words per
answer. You have 10 minutes to complete all 3 answers.
Librarian : Hello, I see that you are a new member of our reading club. What are your
reasons for joining this reading club? (Maximum 40 words, 3 minutes)
Hello, because reading is my passion. My day would suck if I do not read any books in one
day.

POST
Librarian : Thats good to hear. What types of books do you like reading and why?
(Maximum 40 words, 3 minutes)
I love thriller and mysterious. I dont know why I just love it. I love how the author generates
idea to write those kind of genre.

POST
Librarian : The club is planning to make some books available online based on the types
of books our members enjoy reading. What do you think of this idea?
(Maximum 40 words, 3 minutes)

I think that is a good idea. Because sometimes people are busy with their jobs and dont have
time to go to the library. So if we are able to make it available online, they can read it when
they are free at night.

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POST
Part 4 - Task 1
Last week you received an email from your local council:
Dear Residents,
To improve the telephone network, we will be installing a new telecommunication tower on
Monday next week. It will take approximately 8 hours to install. For this reason, all telephone
and internet services will be disrupted from 8.00 a.m. till 5.00 p.m. on Monday. We apologise
for this inconvenience, and hope it will bring better service.
Thank you.
The Local Council.

However, the installation took two days (Monday and Tuesday) and since then, the service has
worsened significantly.
Write an email to a friend, in 50 words, expressing your feelings about this situation and
suggest possible alternatives. You have 10 minutes.
(Use friendly, informal English with standard spelling and punctuation.)

Yo, Ody.
Do you know that there was the installation of the new telecommunication tower? At first, the
local council said that all the telephone and internet services will be disrupted on Monday
only. But the installation took two day! Do you remember, I told you before that I cannot
survive without internet connection? You know what? I did it! I can survive without that and
now I found new hobby which is reading. Reading is fun! You should try it.

NEXT
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Part 4 - Task 2
Also, write an email, in 120 to 150 words, to the council explaining your feelings about
the situation and suggest possible alternatives. You have 20 minutes.
(Use formal English and remember to use appropriate salutations and closing.)
Dear Sir.
My name is Nuramalina Zainal, representing the neighbourhood of Taman Internet would like
to convey our disappointment during the installation of the new telecommunication tower in
our neighbourhood. At first, you told us that the installation will cause all telephone and
internet services will be disrupted only for one day but the installation delayed and it took two
days! We had to go out of the neighbourhood to make emergency calls. And you said that the
installation will make the services become better. Today is the twentieth day after the
installation. All the services are not getting better but have worsened significantly.
We suggest that, the installation can be done during the night only so that the services can be
use during day time. Besides that, I hope the council can identify first the effectiveness the
telecommunication tower before installed it.

Hope to see your improvement soon.

Thank you,
Nuramalina Zainal Abidin

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WRITING SET 2
Part 1
Fill in the form. You have 3 minutes.

MEMBERSHIP FOR THE ENGLISH LANGUAGE SOCIETY

Full Name:

Nuramalina Zainal Abidin

Date of Birth:

14 March 1993

Home Address: No 84, Jln Mentimun, Taman Seri Ahmad Perang,

81900 Kota Tinggi Johor

Mobile Number: 017-7283559

Course: Arabic Language
Semester:

One

Email Address: amalina.amz@gmail.com

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Part 2
You are the President of the Environmental Club. Fill in the form. Write in complete sentences.
Your text should be 20 to 30 words in length. You have 7 minutes.

ENVIRONMENTAL CLUB
Please write here about your suggested activities for the Club.

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Part 3
You are a new member of the Travel Club. You are communicating in the chat room with the
club president. Use complete sentences when you write. Your text should be 30 40 words in
length. You have 10 minutes to complete all 3 answers.
Club President : Hello, I see that you are a new member of our Travel Club. What are
your reasons for joining this club? (Maximum 40 words, 3 minutes)

POST
Club President: Thats interesting. Can I please know where you would like to travel to
and why? (Maximum 40 words, 3 minutes)

POST
Club President: The club is preparing a webpage on places our members would like to
visit. Can you please give us your views on this idea? (Maximum 40 words, 3 minutes)

POST
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Part 4 - Task 1
Last week you received an email from Concorde Condominium Management:
Dear Residents,
To improve the cleanliness of the condominium premises, a new team of cleaners will carry
out general cleaning next Saturday. To enable them to do their work efficiently, we kindly
request all residents to park their vehicles outside the premises from 8.00 a.m. till 5.00 p.m.
We apologise for the inconvenience caused. We look forward to your kind co-operation for a
better and cleaner environment.
Thank you.
The Concorde Condominium Management.

However, the general cleaning took two days (Saturday and Sunday), and due to this delay your
car was badly damaged by vandals.
Write an email to a friend, in 50 words, expressing your feelings about this situation and
suggest possible alternatives. You have 10 minutes.
Use friendly, informal English with standard spelling and punctuation.

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Part 4 - Task 2
Also write an email, in 120 to 150 words, to the council explaining your feelings about the
situation and suggest possible alternatives. You have 20 minutes.
Use formal English and remember to appropriate salutations and closing.

WRITING SET 3
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Part 1
You are planning a trip to Bali through a travel agent. Fill in the form. You have 3 minutes.

Full Name:
Home Address:

House No. & Street:

City/Town:
Postcode:

State:

First Language:
1.

2.

3.

Interests (List 3):

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Part 2
You are a new member of a fitness club. Fill in the form. Write in complete sentences. Your text
should be 20 to 30 words in length. You have 7 minutes.

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FITNESS CLUB
Write reasons why you are interested in the fitness club.

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Part 3
You have contacted a friend from another campus in your chat room. Your friend wants to know
what your life is like in your new campus. Talk to him/her using sentences. Your text should be
30 40 words in length. You have 10 minutes to complete all 3 answers.
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Friend : Hello. How have you been? How is life in your new campus? What problems do
you have? (Maximum 40 words, 3 minutes)

POST
Friend : How do you handle your problems? (Maximum 40 words, 3 minutes)

POST
Friend : I am planning to set up a WhatsApp group with our friends so that we can share
ideas. What do you think are the pros and cons of setting up our WhatsApp
group? (Maximum 40 words, 3 minutes)

POST
Part 4 - Task 1
You are a member of your Teacher Support Organisation (TS0). You received the following
email:
Dear TSO member,
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We wish to refer to our meeting last month where we decided to carry out some social
activities. Due to financial constraints of our organisation, we have to postpone our activities.
We hope to resume our activities when our financial situation improves.
Thank you.
Head of TSO

Write an email to another TSO member, in 50 words, expressing your feelings about this
situation and suggest possible alternatives. You have 10 minutes.
Use friendly, informal English with standard spelling and punctuation.

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Part 4 - Task 2
Also write an email, in 120 to 150 words, to the Head of TSO explaining your feelings
about the situation and suggest possible alternatives. You have 20 minutes.
Use formal English and remember to use appropriate salutations and closing.

WRITING SET 4
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Part 1
Personal Details Record Form
You are applying to be a member of a computer club. Fill in the following registration form.
Please ensure all information is completed in full. You have 3 minutes to complete this form.
Personal Details
Full Name:
Date of Birth (dd/mm/yy):
Home Address:
Street:
Postcode:

City:

Home Telephone:

Mobile:

Email Address:
What software programmes
are you familiar with?

1.
2.
3.

How much time do you spend in a day surfing the internet?

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Part 2
You are a new member of a computer club. Fill in the form. Write in complete sentences. Your
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text should be 20 to 30 words in length. You have 7 minutes.

COMPUTER CLUB

Please tell us about the days and times you can come for the computer lessons and the
programmes you would like to learn.

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Part 3
You are a member of a computer club. You are talking to Patricia in the club chat room. Talk to
Patricia using complete sentences. Your text should be 30 40 words in length. You have 10
minutes to complete all 3 answers.
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Patricia : Hello, I hear you are a new member of our computer club. I became a member
after I read their advertisement in a brochure. I would like to know why you
joined the computer club? (Maximum 40 words, 3 minutes)
You:

POST
Patricia : How do you feel about the computer club? (Maximum 40 words, 3 minutes)
You:

POST
Patricia: What do you think about the training provided in the computer club? (Maximum
40 words, 3 minutes)
You:

POST

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Part 4 - Task 1
You are a member of a computer club. On your last visit to the club you saw the notice below:
NOTICE
Dear Members,
Please be informed that from next month the membership fees of the computer club will go up
by 30%. Also note that we are starting renovation of the computer lab. As such, computer
lessons for the next month will be held in the old computer lab next to the store, every
Monday from 7.30 p.m. to 8.30 p.m.
Thank you.
Management

Write an email to a friend. Write your feelings about the notice and suggest possible
alternatives. Write about 50 words. You have 10 minutes.
Use friendly, informal English with standard spelling and punctuation.

NEXT
Part 4 - Task 2
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Now, write an email to the management, explaining your feelings about the notice and
suggest possible alternatives. Write 120 to 150 words. You have 20 minutes.
Use formal English and remember to use appropriate salutations and closing.

ANSWER KEY: WRITING

Part 1
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Uses capital letters for proper nouns

No spelling errors

Answers all questions accurately

Fills in all information correctly

Part 2
The weighting for this task is even, so the maximum mark available is 5.
5

Likely to be above A2 level

4 (A2.2)

Clearly defined sentences, all on-topic. Mostly accurate grammar with few
serious errors of vocabulary usage (appropriateness and spelling). The text
organization is completely appropriate. Attempts at textual cohesion and
accurate punctuation.

3 (A2.1)

There are some serious issues with grammar and vocabulary usage. However,
the meaning is still clear. Text is written in complete sentences, organized
appropriately for the text form and mostly accurate punctuation.

2 (A1.2)

Numerous serious errors of grammar and vocabulary usage, which make the
text sometimes difficult to follow. A series of phrases, not sentences. Poor
punctuation.

1 (A1.1)

There is too little language or the usage is so poor that the text is almost
impossible to follow. There is no clear structure.

Little or no meaningful language or the work is off-topic.

Keeps to the word count (20-30 words).

Clear sentences.
Answers are on-topic. Replies fully to the input.
Accurate grammar, spelling and punctuation. It is acceptable to have grammar and
spelling errors and still score 5/5 if the errors are not serious (i.e. the writing can be
understood and the errors are not basic)

Part 3
5

Likely to be above the B1 level

4 (B1.2)

Replies fully to each piece of input. The grammar is appropriate to be one and
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is mostly accurate, while there is a good range of vocabulary on general topics.
Some errors, but these do not impede communication. Cohesive and coherent
text using an appropriate range of linguistic devices. Few, if any, punctuation or
spelling errors.
3 (B1.1)

Replies well to at least two of the input text. An adequate range of grammar
used with no major errors which impact on understanding. There is good
control of elementary vocabulary, though evidence of some major errors when
expressing unfamiliar or complex topics. Cohesive and coherent text using an
adequate range of linguistic devices. Spelling and/or punctuation errors do not
impede communication.

2 (A2.2)

Replies to at least two of the input text. Many errors, which make the text
sometimes difficult to follow. Narrow lexical repertoire with frequent errors
making the message difficult to follow. Some effort to use connecting devices
though not always consistent. Errors, including punctuation and spelling, make
the text difficult to follow.

1 (A2.1)

Does not reply to more than one input. There is little language with such poor
control as to make the text almost impossible to follow without considerable
effort. Very basic everyday vocabulary. Lacks cohesion and/or uses linguistic
devices inappropriately. Spelling and punctuation errors make the text almost
impossible to follow.

Little or no meaningful language or the work is off-topic.

Keeps to the word count (30-40 words for each answer).

Replies fully to each piece of input.

Sentences follow on from one another in a coherent manner.

Uses a range of grammar and vocabulary.

Accurate grammar, spelling and punctuation. It is acceptable to have errors but the
writing must be understood.

Part 4
5

Likely to be above the B2 level

4 (B2.2)

Task fulfilled in terms of appropriateness of register (i.e. two distinct registers

used in the different messages written). Evidence of a clear, assured and
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precise use of a broad range of grammatical forms. A good command of a
broad lexicon. Good use of idiomatic expression and no impeding errors of
grammar or lexis. Few if any errors of cohesion or coherence.
3 (B2.1)

Task partially fulfilled in terms of appropriateness of register (i.e. fully

appropriate register used in one of the two different messages written). An
adequate range of grammatical forms used, with no impeding errors. A good
range of lexis with a high level of accuracy. Errors do not affect the message.
Cohesive and coherent text using an adequate range of linguistic devices.
Spelling and/or punctuation errors evident but these do not affect the message.

2 (B1.2)

Task not fulfilled in terms of appropriateness of register (i.e. appropriate register

not used in either of the two different messages written). A relatively narrow
range of grammatical forms used, with some impeding errors. The lexical range
is adequate for the description of situation relating to him/herself. Some errors
which tend to make understanding difficult. Attempts to use linguistic devices
are not always consistent. Errors, including punctuation and spelling, can make
understanding difficult.

1 (B1.1)

Task not fulfilled in terms of appropriateness of register (i.e. more evidence of

awareness of register). A limited range of grammatical forms and vocabulary
used and not always with sufficient accuracy. Errors may make the text difficult
to follow. Lack systematic cohesion and/or uses linguistic devices
inappropriately. Spelling and punctuation errors can make understanding
difficult.

Clearly below B level or work is off-topic.

Understand the difference in writing to a friend as opposed to writing to an authority. The

first text is casual and the second text is formal.

Answers the input in a coherent manner. The text makes sense.

Writing is clear, assured and precise using a range of cohesive devices to make the
writing flow.

Grammar and vocabulary is broad and accurate.

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