Linking Words
Complete: I enjoy travelling by train ___ it is relaxing. Give a linker of reason.
because / as / since. Example: I enjoy travelling by train because it is relaxing.
Begin an informal email to your friend Alex. Give a suitable greeting.
Hi Alex, OR Dear Alex,
You are replying to a friend’s invitation. Write a suitable first sentence.
Example: Thanks for inviting me to spend the weekend with you. Accept a natural opening that refers to the invitation.
What TWO things should a short essay introduction normally do?
Introduce or paraphrase the topic and establish the essay’s focus. For an opinion essay, make your position clear where the task calls for it.
Give ONE formal phrase for introducing an example in an essay.
For example, / For instance, Example: For example, cheaper tickets could encourage more people to use buses.
Complete: The ticket was expensive. ___, the journey was comfortable. Give a linker of contrast.
However / Nevertheless. Use a full stop before the linker and a comma after it.
Begin a formal letter when you do not know the recipient’s name.
Dear Sir or Madam,
You want information about an English course. Start a formal email and state your purpose.
Example: I am writing to enquire about your summer English course. Accept a clear, polite enquiry.
Improve this introduction: Transport is very important. I will write about transport. Topic: Should city centres be car-free?
Example: Making city centres car-free could reduce pollution and improve safety. However, it may also make access more difficult for some residents. Accept a focused introduction that addresses the actual question.
Expand this point with a reason: Public transport should be cheaper.
Example: Public transport should be cheaper because lower fares would make daily travel more affordable for students. Accept a clear reason that explains the point.
Correct: Although the bus was late, but we arrived on time.
Although the bus was late, we arrived on time. OR The bus was late, but we arrived on time. Do not use although and but together here.
Match a formal sign-off to Dear Ms Taylor.
Yours sincerely, followed by your name. A named recipient takes Yours sincerely in traditional British letter style.
You are applying for a summer volunteer position. Write your opening sentence.
Example: I am writing to apply for the volunteer position advertised on your website. State what you are applying for; refer to the advert if appropriate.
Write a two-sentence introduction: Should students use public transport to get to school? Include your opinion.
Example: The way students travel to school affects both traffic and the environment. In my view, public transport should be encouraged because it can reduce congestion and pollution. Accept a relevant introduction and clear position.
Add an explanation AND a specific example: Cycling benefits the environment.
Example: Cycling produces no exhaust fumes, so it can reduce air pollution. For instance, replacing short car journeys with bike rides would lower emissions in busy town centres. Accept relevant explanation and example.
Join using DESPITE: It was raining. We continued our walk.
Despite the rain, we continued our walk. OR Despite the fact that it was raining, we continued our walk. Despite + noun / -ing; despite the fact that + clause.
Give the matching formal sign-off for Dear Sir or Madam, then give one informal sign-off.
Formal: Yours faithfully, Informal: Best wishes, / All the best, / Take care,
You bought headphones that stopped working. Write a formal complaint opening with a clear reason.
Example: I am writing to complain about the headphones I purchased from your website, as they stopped working after two days. Accept a clear purpose, product and problem.
Find TWO problems: This essay will discuss everything about travelling. In conclusion, trains are best.
The scope is vague and too broad: everything about travelling. In conclusion signals an ending and is misplaced in the introduction. Replace both with a focused opening relevant to the task.
Improve this complaint request: Give my money back now! Also replace I look forward to hear from you.
I would appreciate a full refund. I look forward to hearing from you. Accept another polite, clear request. After look forward to, use a noun or -ing form.
Rewrite with a result linker and correct punctuation: The train was cancelled we had to take a bus.
The train was cancelled. Therefore, we had to take a bus. Also accept: As a result / Consequently. The cancellation causes the need to take a bus.
Improve this ending in a formal request: Write back soon! Cheers, Kat.
I look forward to hearing from you. Yours faithfully, Kat [surname]. Use Yours sincerely if the opening names the recipient. Accept another polite closing and correctly matched sign-off.
Make this formal and grammatically correct: I want to know where does the course take place and how much does it cost.
Could you please tell me where the course takes place and how much it costs? Indirect questions use statement word order: the course takes; it costs.
Write a 2–3 sentence introduction: Is travelling abroad the best way to learn about other cultures? Give a clear position without using nowadays.
Example: Travelling abroad allows people to experience unfamiliar customs directly. Although books and films can also teach us a great deal, I believe that first-hand experience offers a deeper understanding of other cultures. Accept a focused introduction, clear position and appropriate register.
Give FOUR final checks before handing in an exam letter or essay.
Any four: answer every task point; follow the required word count; use appropriate register; organise paragraphs; develop ideas; check verb forms and word order; check spelling and punctuation; check greeting/sign-off where needed. Follow the exact instructions on the exam paper.