>Demo version 2009. Section 4 (Letter)
USE English. Demo version 2009. Section 4 (Letter)
Here you can find a demo version of 2009. Section 4 (Letter).
For answers to tasks C1, C2, use the Answer Form 2.
For tasks C1 and C2, please pay special attention to the fact that your answers will only be scored against the entries made on Answer Sheet 2. Any draft entries will not be considered by the assessor.
When filling out the Answer Form 2, you first indicate the number of the task C1, C2, and then write your answer.
If one side of the blank is not enough, you can use the other side of the blank.
C1. You have 20 minutes to do this task.
You have received a letter from your English-speaking pen-friend Tom who writes:
… In Great Britain most young people want to become independent from their parents as soon as possible. Couldyou tell me what you and your friends think about not relying on your parents? Are you ready to leave your familyimmediately after you finish school? Is it easy to rent a houseor an apartment for students in Russia?
As for the latest news, I have just returned from a trip toScotland…
Write a letter to Tom.
In your letter
? answer his questions
? ask 3 questions about his trip to Scotland
Write 100-140 words.
Remember the rules of letter writing.
C2. You have 40 minutes to do this task.
Comment on the following statement.
Our grandparents say their way of life was much more secure. However, young people have many more life opportunities nowadays.
What is your opinion? Which way of life do you find more satisfying?
Write 200-250 words.
Use the following plan:
Make an introduction (state the problem)
express your personal opinion and give reasons for it
- give arguments for the other point of view and explain why you don't agree with it
- draw a conclusion
Section 4 Writing Assignments .
OGE 9 Class .
1. You have 30 minutes to do this task.
…We've moved house and now I have to go to a new school. It's a pity I liked my old school and I had a lot of friends there. Now I feel a bit lonely but I hope to find some friends here too….
…What do you like most about your school? Have you got a lot of friends at school? What do you usually do with your school friends in your free time? …
2. You have 30 minutes to do this task.
You have received a letter from your English-speaking pen friend, Ben.
…I am so fond of Japanese cartoons, that I’ve decided to learn Japanese. Mum says it's hard, but I think it's worth it. Besides, their writing is cool! …
…What languages do you learn at school? What other language would you like to learn, why? What do you think about my choice of Japanese?…
Write him a letter and answer his 3 questions.
Write 100–120 words. Remember the rules of letter writing.
3. You have 30 minutes to do this task.
You have received a letter from your English-speaking pen friend, Ben.
…I am a bit sad because I have just quarrelled with my mum. I didn’t want to wash the dishes and make my bed because there was an interesting film on TV…
…Do you think children should help their parents with the housework, why or why not? What do you do about the house? What do you usually do in your free time? …
Write him a letter and answer his 3 questions.
Write 100–120 words. Remember the rules of letter writing.
4. You have 30 minutes to do this task.
You have received a letter from your English-speaking pen friend, Ben.
…My cat is getting old. But he's still able to jump on the fridge and he likes to watch Mum making dinner for him. And he is so cool: big, white and furry! He is such fun! I can't understand people who prefer to live without pets…
…Why don’t some people want to have any pets? Do you approve of keeping exotic pets like spiders or snakes, why? What pets are popular in your country? …
Write him a letter and answer his 3 questions.
Write 100–120 words. Remember the rules of letter writing.
5. You have 30 minutes to do this task.
You have received a letter from your English-speaking pen friend, Ben.
…Sometimes I hate our school radio because they talk about things everyone knows. And news should be fresh! One day I will be a reporter and will show them how to make really good news…
…How do you get to know what's happening in the world? What are you going to be? Do you think English will be necessary for your future career, why? …
Write him a letter and answer his 3 questions.
Write 100–120 words. Remember the rules of letter writing.
6. You have 30 minutes to do this task.
You have received a letter from your English-speaking pen friend, Ben.
… I can’t imagine my life without my computer and the Internet! Now I can write all my stories and immediately send them to my friends to read...
…What do you use your computer for? How much time do you spend working on your computer? What else do you do in your free time? …
Write him a letter and answer his 3 questions.
Write 100–120 words. Remember the rules of letter writing.
7. You have 30 minutes to do this task.
You have received a letter from your English-speaking pen friend, Ben.
…and then she gave me a present: two tickets to the theatre. It was a great performance and the actors were wonderful. I am not a theater goer but even I was impressed. …
…Do you think it’s exciting to be a famous actor, why? When did you last see a theatrical performance? What do you like to do in your free time? …
Write him a letter and answer his 3 questions.
Write 100–120 words. Remember the rules of letter writing.
8. You have 30 minutes to do this task.
…Oh, my friend is so charming! Everybody in the class is ready to help her. But, you know, I sometimes think she’s just using people to get what she wants…
…What kind of person is your best friend? When and where did you meet? How do you spend time together?…
Write 100–120 words. Remember the rules of letter writing.
9. You have 30 minutes to do this task.
You have received a letter from your English-speaking pen friend, Ben.
…What an awful task – to read boring books all summer! And the list is so long! I like reading but the books I like are usually not my school’s choice…
…How long is your school's list of books? What kind of books do you like to read? Do you think an electronic book is a good choice when you’re traveling in the summer, why? …
Write him a letter and answer his 3 questions.
Write 100–120 words. Remember the rules of letter writing.
10. You have 30 minutes to do this task.
You have received a letter from your English-speaking pen friend, Ben.
…Yesterday was a special day – we had the Earth Hour. My town (and lots of towns around) went dark for one hour. It's one of the ideas of an ecological group called the Green Movement. We switched off the lights to draw people’s attention to the poor ecological situation on the planet…
…Do people have the Earth Hour in your country? What can people do to save energy in their everyday life? Do you approve of the Green Movement, why? …
Write him a letter and answer his 3 questions.
Write 100–120 words. Remember the rules of letter writing.
11. You have 30 minutes to do this task.
You have received a letter from your English-speaking pen friend, Ben.
…. My older brother has decided to collect mugs, imagine that. He has already got eight mugs from different places he has visited. It's a nice collection but it takes up so much room …
…Why do people collect things? What do you collect or what would you like to collect? What other hobbies are popular with teenagers in your country? …
Write him a letter and answer his 3 questions.
Write 100–120 words. Remember the rules of letter writing.
12. You have 30 minutes to do this task.
You have received a letter from your English-speaking pen friend, Ben.
… I’m having a very busy time now as I have to get ready for my exams. As far as I know, all students in Russia have to take school exams too…
…When are you going to have your exams? What exams have you chosen and why? What are your plans for the summer holidays? …
Write him a letter and answer his 3 questions.
Write 100–120 words. Remember the rules of letter writing.
13. You have 30 minutes to do this task.
You have received a letter from your English-speaking pen friend, Ben.
… Today is Sunday, but I feel bored and unhappy. It’s already been raining hard for two days and there’s nothing to do at home…
…What is your favorite season and why? What do you do when the weather is rainy? How do you usually spend your weekends? …
Write him a letter and answer his 3 questions.
Write 100–120 words. Remember the rules of letter writing.
14. You have 30 minutes to do this task.
You have received a letter from your English-speaking pen friend, Ann.
…My friend has decided to become a model and has just gone on a diet. I told her that it could be dangerous but she wouldn't listen. Besides, she is a vegetarian, so there are not many products she can let herself eat now…
…Why do people become vegetarians? What do you do to keep fit? What food do you try to avoid? …
Write her a letter and answer her 3 questions.
Write 100–120 words. Remember the rules of letter writing.
15 You have 30 minutes to do this task.
You have received a letter from your English-speaking pen friend, Ben.
I've just joined our school Drama club. We give performances in English and French. Our parents and classmates think that our performances are very good. After all, school is not only about learning...
…What do you like most about your school? What school clubs do you have? Have you joined any of your school clubs, why? …
Write him a letter and answer his 3 questions.
Write 100–120 words. Remember the rules of letter writing.
16 You have 30 minutes to do this task.
You have received a letter from your English-speaking pen friend, Ben.
…Yesterday I did a test to see which job is the best for me. According to the results I should become a doctor. But it is absolutely impossible because I am afraid of blood…
…What future career would you like to have, why? Do your parents agree with your choice? In what way will English be useful for your career? …
Write him a letter and answer his 3 questions.
Write 100–120 words. Remember the rules of letter writing.
17 You have 30 minutes to do this task.
You have received a letter from your English-speaking pen friend, Ben.
What a journey! We went by car to Brighton and spent a couple of days at the seaside. I wish we could go there again! ...
…Why is travel so popular? Where would you like to go? How do you prefer to travel and why? …
Write him a letter and answer his 3 questions.
Write 100–120 words. Remember the rules of letter writing.
18. You have 30 minutes to do this task.
You have received a letter from your English-speaking pen friend, Ben.
… My mum always says, “There’s no bad weather, there’re bad clothes!” That's why she keeps telling me to put on warm clothes even in spring. …
…Do you agree with the English proverb about bad weather and bad clothes, why? What clothes do you prefer to wear out of school? What are your favorite colors for clothes? …
Write him a letter and answer his 3 questions.
Write 100–120 words. Remember the rules of letter writing.
19. You have 30 minutes to do this task.
You have received a letter from your English-speaking pen friend, Ben.
…Yesterday our teacher asked us to stay after classes. A basketball star came to us to talk about sport in everyday life. The way he spoke about being a teenager was funny. He said he didn't like getting up early!…
…When do you get up in the morning? What do you do to keep fit? Would you like to go in for sports professionally, why? …
Write him a letter and answer his 3 questions.
Write 100–120 words. Remember the rules of letter writing.
20 You have 30 minutes to do this task.
You have received a letter from your English-speaking pen friend, Ben.
…I've just been to the zoo. What lovely animals are there! Bears, tigers and even sharks! When I look at them in the zoo I can hardly imagine that they could be dangerous or eat other animals…
… Which do you think is better for animals – to live in the zoo or in the wild, why? What animals are common in your region? Have you ever seen any animal in the wild? …
Write him a letter and answer his 3 questions.
Write 100–120 words. Remember the rules of letter writing.
21. You have30 minutes to do this task.
pen friend,Ben.
One of my friends gets ill very often. The doctor says that it's because he lives in a big city with a poor environment...
…What ecological problems are the most serious in your country? What can teenagers do to make their hometown cleaner? Would you like to live in a big city or in the country, why? …
3 questions.
Write100 – 120
22. You have 30 minutes to do this task.
You have received a letter from your English-speaking pen friend, Ben.
My friend was very impressed by the Moscow Kremlin. He said that Russian architecture is fascinating. I "d like to go to Russia for my holidays, too...
…How do you usually spend your holidays? What is the best season for traveling in Russia, why? What tourist attractions would you recommend seeing in your country? …
Write him a letter and answer his3 questions.
Write 100 – 120 words. Remember the rules of letter writing.
23. You have30 minutes to do this task.
You have received a letter from your English-speakingpen friend,Ann.
… My older brother has got a new hobby– he has become a mountain biker. I know that mountain biking is a dangerous kind of sport and I worry about him. I would like him to spend more time at home. I wish he had chosen a safer entertainment…
…What indoor sports are most popular with teenagers in your country? Why do teenagers often do extreme sports? What kind of sport is your favourite? …
3 questions.
Write100 – 120 words. Remember the rules of letter writing.
24. You have30 minutes to do this task.
You have received a letter from your English-speakingpen friend,Ben.
… Last year I started learning English. It's a very difficult language but I'm trying my best. I'd like to come toRussiaone day to practice it. …
…Which season would you recommend for the trip? What places are worth seeing inRussia? What country would you like to visit, why? …
Write him a letter and answer his3 questions.
Write100 – 120 words. Remember the rules of letter writing.
25. You have30 minutes to do this task.
You have received a letter from your English-speakingpen friend,Ben.
…My granny is such a kind person. She always brings us presents for everything we celebrate. And I love all her presents! For example, at Christmas she gave me the coolest computer game, it was something I had been dreaming of …
…What holidays do you celebrate with your family? What is your favorite holiday and why? What is the best present you've ever received? …
Write him a letter and answer his3 questions.
Write100 – 120 words. Remember the rules of letter writing.
26. You have30 minutes to do this task.
You have received a letter from your English-speakingpen friend,Ben.
… I am very busy now preparing for my exams, but yesterday I went to the cinema with my friends. We saw a new film about Sherlock Holmes. You've probably seen it, too. …
…What kinds of films do you like? Where do you prefer watching films– in the cinema or at home and why? What would you make a film about if you had a chance?…
Write him a letter and answer his3 questions.
Write100 – 120 words. Remember the rules of letter writing.
27. You have30 minutes to do this task.
You have received a letter from your English-speakingpen friend,Ben.
….I have decided to take up collecting stamps as my new hobby. My uncle is a traveler and often brings me stamps from different countries….
…What hobbies are popular with Russian teenagers? What hobby would you like to take up, why? What do you usually do in your free time? …
Write him a letter and answer his3 questions.
Write100 – 120 words. Remember the rules of letter writing.
28. You have30 minutes to do this task.
You have received a letter from your English-speakingpen friend,Ben.
…I've just been toAustralia. I saw kangaroos and koalas! I even learned surfing at one of the Australian beaches! That was unbelievable! I definitely want to go there again!
…Where did you spend your last summer? What did you like most about it? Which country would you like to visit one day, why? …
Write him a letter and answer his3 questions.
Write100 – 120 words. Remember the rules of letter writing.
29. You have30 minutes to do this task.
You have received a letter from your English-speakingpen friend,Ben.
I've just returned from China. They were celebrating the Chinese New Year there. Lots of people were dressed like dragons...
…What are the most popular holidays in Russia? What is your favorite holiday and why? How do you celebrate it? …
Write him a letter and answer his3 questions.
Write100 – 120 words. Remember the rules of letter writing.
30. You have30 minutes to do this task.
You have received a letter from your English-speakingpen friend,Ben.
I saved some of my pocket money and have bought a new computer game. I'm glad that I didn't have to ask my parents to buy it for me. It would be great to find a job next summer….
…How do you get your pocket money? What do Russian teenagers usually buy with their pocket money? Would you like to get a summer job or not, why? …
Write him a letter and answer his3 questions.
Write100 – 120 words. Remember the rules of letter writing.
31. You have30 minutes to do this task.
You have received a letter from your English-speakingpen friend,Ben.
…As you know, I am a tennis club member. I go there regularly, but my best friend doesn’t want to do any sport…
…Should people do sports, why? What sports do you like? What do you do in your PE lessons?
Write him a letter and answer his3 questions.
Write100 – 120 words. Remember the rules of letter writing.
32. You have30 minutes to do this task.
You have received a letter from your English-speakingpen friend,Ann.
.. I joined the ballet school when I was five. I love dancing and I want to become a dance teacher in the future. So I'm going to take classes at the Ballet Dance Academy one day…
What subjects are you good at? What do you like to do in your free time? What job would you like to do in the future, and why? ...
Write her a letter and answer her3 questions.
Write100 – 120 words. Remember the rules of letter writing.
33. You have30 minutes to do this task.
You have received a letter from your English-speakingpen friend,Jim.
I have decided to do sport regularly. My friends have given me different advice on how to start but I can't choose which sport to play. There are so many opportunities…
…What sport do you do regularly? What sports facilities can you use in your school? Does the career of a professional sportsperson attract you or not, why?…
Write him a letter and answer his3 questions.
Write100 – 120 words. Remember the rules of letter writing.
34. You have30 minutes to do this task.
You have received a letter from your English-speakingpen friend,Jim.
… I have caught a bad cold. Most people hate being ill. But I sometimes like it. It gives me some time for my hobby ...
… How often do you miss school because of health problems? How can you entertain yourself when you are ill and have to stay indoors? What do you do to stay healthy?...
Write him a letter and answer his3 questions.
Write100 – 120 words. Remember the rules of letter writing.
35. You have30 minutes to do this task.
You have received a letter from your English-speakingpen friend,Ann.
… I am doing a project about the life of modern teenagers in different countries. Will you help me and answer some questions …
…What time do you usually come back from school? What do you like to do in your free time? How many foreign languages would you like to speak, and why? ...
Write her a letter and answer her3 questions.
Write100 – 120 words. Remember the rules of letter writing.
36. You have30 minutes to do this task.
You have received a letter from your English-speakingpen friend,Ann.
. .. Next year at school I have to choose a second foreign language to learn. The problem is that I cannot make a choice about what language to take. …
…When did you start learning English? What do you do to improve your English? What foreign language besides English would you like to learn, and why? …
Write her a letter and answer her3 questions.
Write100 – 120 words. Remember the rules of letter writing.
37. You have30 minutes to do this task.
You have received a letter from your English-speakingpen friend,Jim.
…Next month I have to choose my subjects for the next year. I want to continue learning languages. I also need to improve my academic results in general. ...
… How many lessons do you usually have a day? What foreign languages can you learn at school? What subject do you find the most important for your future career, why? ...
Write him a letter and answer his3 questions.
Write100 – 120 words. Remember the rules of letter writing.
38. You have30 minutes to do this task.
You have received a letter from your English-speakingpen friend,Ann.
… We have a special tradition in our family. The last weekend of every month sister we cook and have a meal together: my parents, my Jenny and me. This week it is pumpkin soup and ginger biscuits….
… How do you spend time together as a family? When do you give each other presents? What do you do to help your parents about the house?…
Write her a letter and answer his3 questions.
Write100 – 120 words. Remember the rules of letter writing.
39. You have30 minutes to do this task.
You have received a letter from your English-speakingpen friend,Ann.
… Our teacher has announced that a Theater Group is starting next month. I'm going to join the club and see if I enjoy being on stage. Some friends say I have some ability but I’m not sure about that …
What do you do after your classes? What club in your school is the most interesting, why do you think so? How long does it take you to do your homework?...
Write her a letter and answer her3 questions.
Write100 – 120 words. Remember the rules of letter writing.
40 You have30 minutes to do this task.
You have received a letter from your English-speakingpen friend,Jim.
… December 31 stI usually write my New Year resolutions. Unfortunately I don't usually keep them. But this year I decided to be persistent: to make a resolution and keep it…
Do you make New Year resolutions or not, and why? What new hobby or new sport would you like to try? What do you usually do in your free time? ….
Write him a letter and answer his3 questions.
Write100 – 120 words. Remember the rules of letter writing.
41 you have30 minutes to do this task.
You have received a letter from your English-speakingpen friend,Ann.
… After taking my school exams, I want to study English literature at university. Some people say that it is boring and it takes too much time, but I really like it...
…How many exams are you going to take this year? How do you prepare for your English exam? Do you like to take exams or not, why?...
Write her a letter and answer her3 questions.
Write100 – 120 words. Remember the rules of letter writing.
4230 minutes to do this task.
You have received a letter from your English-speakingpen friend, Lily.
You've probably seen the photos which I took on my holiday. During the rainy days we are having now they bring back good memories! The summer, the countryside, the mountains, the time when I could ride my bicycle all day long! ...
Where did you spend your last summer holidays? What did you do during your holidays? What holidays do you like more (summer or winter holidays) and why?...
Write her a letter and answer her3 questions.
Write100 – 120 words. Remember the rules of letter writing.
4330 minutes to do this task.
You have received a letter from your English-speakingpenfriend, Harry.
It may sound unusual, but my friend likes reading very much. He reads not only popular books but classics as well. As for me, I read only books from the school list…
What books do you like to read? Do you prefer e-books or paper books and why? What hobbies apart from reading are popular with your friends?...
Write him a letter and answer his3 questions.
Write100 – 120 words. Remember the rules of letter writing.
44. You have30 minutes to do this task.
You have received a letter from your English-speakingpen friend Sophie.
... You know, I love history so much that maybe I'll become a historian in the future. I think it is very interesting and important to know and understand your past. …
What school subjects do you find the most important? Is there any school subject that you’d like to study more and why? What career would you like to choose in the future?...
Write her a letter and answer her3 questions.
Write100 – 120 words. Remember the rules of letter writing.
45. You have30 minutes to do this task.
You have received a letter from your English-speakingpen friend, Alice.
… My parents say that I watch TV too much. And they are not always happy with the programs I watch. I understand that often watching TV is a waste of time but I can't live without TV anyway. ...
…How much do you watch TV? What do you prefer: watching TV or browsing the Internet, why? What else do you do in your free time?...
Write her a letter and answer her3 questions.
Write100 – 120 words. Remember the rules of letter writing.
46. You have30 minutes to do this task.
You have received a letter from your English-speakingpen friend, Alice.
…Time has come to choose a profession for the future. I’m still thinking about it but I really don’t know what career to choose…
…What would you like to be in the future? Will you use English for your future job? What do your parents advise you to be? …
Write her a letter and answer her3 questions.
Write100 – 120 words. Remember the rules of letter writing.
47. You have30 minutes to do this task.
You have received a letter from your English-speakingpenfriend, Andrew.
My parents want me to do music. It's not what I really want to do but I have no choice. I've promised my parents to take at least 20 lessons. It means I won't have any free time for about three months! Awful, isn't it?...
…What do you do in your free time? What kind of music do you like? What musical instrument would you like to play, if any?...
Write him a letter and answer his3 questions.
Write100 – 120 words. Remember the rules of letter writing.
48. You have30 minutes to do this task.
You have received a letter from your English-speakingpenfriend, Andrew.
…You’ll never believe it but I tried to run a marathon last Saturday. It was awful and in half an hour I was out of the race. So, now I realize how weak and unfit my body is. It's probably because I watch sports on TV much more often than do them...
….What do you do to keep fit? What sports facilities do you have in your school? What kind of sport do you find ideal for young people? Why…
Write him a letter and answer his3 questions.
Write100 – 120 words. Remember the rules of letter writing.
49. You have30 minutes to do this task.
You have received a letter from your English-speakingpen friend, Emma.
…My mum still can't download new music into her mobile phone. She says when she was young, there were no mobile phones at all. I just can't imagine that!…
What do you use your mobile phone for? Can you do without your mobile phone and why? What other gadgets do you find the most important for you?...
Write her a letter and answer her3 questions.
Write100 – 120 words. Remember the rules of letter writing.
50 You have30 minutes to do this task.
You have received a letter from your English-speakingpen friend Paul.
… Yesterday we had a class where we discussed different ecological problems. Our teacher suggested opening an eco-club, where we can do something useful for the environment ...
…What ecological problem do you consider the most serious? What can young people do to protect the environment? Do you think ecological problems should be discussed at school, and why?...
Write him a letter and answer his3 questions.
Write100 – 120 words. Remember the rules of letter writing.
51 you have30 minutes to do this task.
You have received a letter from your English-speakingpenfriend, Harry.
….Frankly, I don’t understand why some people like classical music. I adore rock and usually listen to it on my way home from school. If my favorite band comes to our town, I'll definitely go to their concert...
….What kind of music do you like? Do you think it is necessary to have music lessons at school, why? What musical instrument would you like to play?...
Write him a letter and answer his3 questions.
Write100 – 120 words. Remember the rules of letter writing.
52. You have30 minutes to do this task.
You have received a letter from your English-speakingpen friend, Emma.
… I've just returned from our local museum. I have seen lots of curious things and I have learned some new information about our town. I was surprised that a visit to a museum could be so enjoyable...
Do you find visiting museums interesting and why? What museum would you like to set up, if any? What do you enjoy doing in your free time?...
Write her a letter and answer her3 questions.
Write100 – 120 words. Remember the rules of letter writing.
53. You have30 minutes to do this task.
You have received a letter from your English-speakingpen friend, Lily.
Yesterday we celebrated Thanksgiving. This is one of our favorite family holidays when we all get together. And my mother makes a wonderful pumpkin pie!…
What holiday do you like most and why? How do you celebrate your birthday? What present would you like to get for your next birthday? ...
Write her a letter and answer her3 questions.
Write100 – 120 words. Remember the rules of letter writing.
54. You have 30 minutes to do this task.
You have received a letter from your English-speaking pen friend, Emily.
… We are having a Math test tomorrow. It makes me feel scared! I would rather have three language tests instead of one Maths test. I really find learning foreign languages interesting and not difficult at all. ...
…What subject is the most difficult for you? What do you do to improve your English? What language apart from English would you like to learn and why?...
Write her a letter and answer her3 questions.
Write 100 – 120 words. Remember the rules of letter writing.
55 You have30 minutes to do this task.
You have received a letter from your English-speakingpen friend, Ma X .
… I've just watched a TV series about robots, their past and future. Robots are so cool! If only they could do my homework…
What jobs would you like a robot to do at your home? What else can robots be used for? Do you find science fiction films interesting or not, and why?....
Write him a letter and answer his3 questions.
Write100 – 120 words. Remember the rules of letter writing.
56 You have30 minutes to do this task.
You have received a letter from your English-speakingpenfriend, Harry.
… The end of the school year is usually a very stressful time for me. We have to take lots of tests and exams. The only thing that makes me happy is that the holidays are coming. ...
…What exams are you taking this year? How do you prepare for your English exam? What are your plans for the coming summer holidays?...
Write him a letter and answer his3 questions.
Write100 – 120 words. Remember the rules of letter writing.
57 You have30 minutes to do this task.
You have received a letter from your English-speakingpenfriend, Andrew.
… I had to change school because we had moved to a new house. My new school is right next to it. It is very convenient but everything is so strange here: new rules, a new uniform, new people. I haven't made any friends yet ...
…How long does it take you to get to your school? What clothes do you wear to school? How do you spend time with your school friends? …
Write him a letter and answer his3 questions.
Write100 – 120 words. Remember the rules of letter writing.
You have30 minutes to do this task.
You have received a letter from your English-speakingpen friend, Emily.
… Last month I was late for my classes several times. Though I wasn't late on purpose and it wasn't actually my fault, I was punished. ...
…Do any students in your class sometimes come too late to school? What are their usual reasons for coming late? Is there any punishment for late comers at your school and what is it?...
Write her a letter and answer her3 questions.
Write100 – 120 words. Remember the rules of letter writing.
5930 minutes to do this task.
You have received a letter from your English-speakingpen friend Sam.
I've just changed school. I'm fond of Mathematics and it's the major subject in my new school. The only thing I don't like here is too much homework! ...
…What is your favorite subject? How long does it take you to do your homework? What do you do in your free time?...
Write him a letter and answer his3 questions.
Write100 – 120 words. Remember the rules of letter writing.
In the light of the requirements of the GIA for ninth-graders and the Unified State Examination for school graduates, teaching and mastering writing skills has become very relevant. Teachers and high school students pay special attention to developing the skills of writing personal letters and essays in English, because it is these types of written work that are laid down in the KIMs of the GIA and the Unified State Examination. This page is designed to help you successfully complete these types of assignments.
So, how to properly format and write a letter in English in order to type the largest number points when passing the GIA and the Unified State Examination?
1. You need to know the rules for the design and structure of letters of a personal nature.
2. It is necessary to know the criteria and schemes for evaluating writing, prescribed in the materials for the exam.
3. It is necessary to have a basic vocabulary. To write a letter you do not need to know English perfectly, moreover, a letter can be written even if you have a limited vocabulary.
1. Rules for the design and structure of a personal letter
1. Your address and date are written in the upper right corner of the letter.
house number / apartment number, street name
city, index
For example:
145/4 Esenin Street
Cheboksary 428000
There is an abbreviated version of the address and date that is also correct. Only the name of the city and country can be included in the address, and the date can consist of only digits:
2. Introduction-greeting.
This part usually consists of 3.4 sentences. First, you write an appeal to the person to whom you must address the letter based on the task. For example: Dear Mike,. Please note that a comma is placed after the appeal and the next sentence (that is, in fact, the first sentence of the letter) is written from the red line. But what to write in a greeting? In a greeting, you can thank for the letter, write that you are very happy to receive news from your friend, explain why you have not written for a long time, etc. Roughly it should look like this:
Thanks for your letter, it was nice to hear from you. Sorry I didn't answer for a long time. I was very busy with my schoolwork.
3. The main part.
This part usually consists of two paragraphs. The first one contains answers to a friend's questions. In the second paragraph, it is your turn to ask questions to the interlocutor, this is said in the assignment. It is usually stipulated how many questions should be asked.
4. Final part. Parting.
Here you can logically complete your letter, wish good luck and say goodbye. It is usually said that it is time for you to go somewhere. It looks something like this: Oh, I have to go now. Mum wants me to do some shopping for her.
On the next line, don't forget to say goodbye to your imaginary friend. The closing sentence of the letter should look something like this:
Hope to hear from you soon
Please note that there is no dot after the name!
Diagram of the structure of a letter of a personal nature:
Criteria and schemes for evaluating a letter
To begin with, before performing any task from the exam, you need to carefully read the task for it.
The task looks like this:
Task C1. You have received a letter from your English-speaking pen-friend Tom who writes:
Write a letter to Tom.
In your letter
answer his questions
ask 3 questions about his trip to Scotland
Write 100 - 140 words.
Remember the rules of letter writing.
a) we read the task itself (highlighted in bold), important things are stipulated in it: 1. the number of words that we must comply with, 100-140 words, as we see. 2. what we should do: read an excerpt from the letter and write a response in which we must answer the questions asked of us and ask 3 of our own.
c) taking into account the requirements for the structure and content of the letter, we write the answer
Criteria for assessing the performance of task C1 (maximum 6 points)
Additional grading scheme for task C1 "Personal letter"
How to write a letter if my vocabulary is small?
The answer is simple - use a ready-made template! It can and should be learned by heart. The template usually already contains 60-70 words, that is, it remains only to add it based on the task and using only 40-50 words. Not so difficult task, is not it?
Template example:
145/4 Esenin Street
Cheboksary 428200
Dear(name),
Thanks for your letter, it was nice to hear from you. I "m sorry I couldn't reply straightaway. I was busy with my schoolwork.
You asked me about(we write about the topic that the person who wrote us the letter is interested in). Well, (answer his questions).
By the way(we ask three of our questions in separate sentences)
Oh, I have to go now. I promised my Mum to clean the bathroom. Looking forward to hearing from you soon.
That's actually the whole secret. Please note that the resulting template contains 67 words, and we only have to add 40-60 words.
Sample completed task C1:
You have received a letter from your English-speaking pen-friend Tom who writes:
In Great Britain, most young people want to become independent from their parents as soon as possible. Could you tell me what you and your friends think about not relying on your parents? Are you ready to leave your family immediately after you finish school? Is it easy to rent a house or an apartment for students in Russia?
As for the latest news, I have just returned from a trip to Scotland...
Write a letter to Tom.
answer his questions
ask 3 questions about his trip to Scotland
Write 100 - 140 words.
Remember the rules of letter writing.
145/4 Esenin Street
Cheboksary 428000
I "m sorry I couldn't reply straightaway. I was busy with my schoolwork.
I "m only 16 and I can" t help relying on my parents now, but most of my friends and I dream to be independent. As soon as I leave school, I "ll go to university. If I find a part-time job, I" m ready to leave my family and start living on my own. Of course, it "s hard financially to rent a house or an apartment in Russia, especially if you are a student and don" t have much money, but I "m prepared for this.
Well, I "m happy to hear you" ve finally fulfilled your dream - a trip to Scotland! How long were you there? What places did you visit? Did you try on a kilt?
Oh, I have to go now. Mum wants me to do some shopping for her.
Hope to hear from you soon
Educational videos. USE in English. Personal letter. Rules of the game.
2 (120). - 30 .
Multiple matching
T(true) / F(false) or
Multiple choice (A,B,C)
T / F / NS statements
Multiple choice (A,B,C,D)
Choose the correct answer (A,B,C)
Put the verbs in brackets into the correct form (open the brackets)
WB Grammar Bank .73
You have received an email from your friend. Write him an email and answer his questions.
Starlight 6, Writing Bank 1
You have received an email from your English pen friend, Mark.
(I like my house but my neighborhood is very noisy. What is your house like? What is it close to? Do you like your neighborhood?)
Write 100-120 words.
Write him an email and answer his 3 questions.
Write 100-120 words.
TASK 1. You need to read the text aloud. You have 2 minutes to read the text silently, and then be ready to read it aloud. Remember that you will not have more than 2 minutes for reading aloud.
When you see a snowy owl, it's clear how the bird probably got its name: they're snow-white. These large owls mainly live in the Arctic in open, treeless areas called tundra. Most owls sleep during the day and hunt at night, but the snowy owl is active during the day, especially in the summertime. Lemmingssmall mouselike creatures make up the main part of the snowy owls" diet, but they also hunt for rabbits, birds, and fish.Snowy owls have excellent eyesight and hearing.Female snowy owls lay from 3 to 11 eggs at a time, in a nest built on the ground. The female snowy owl sits on her eggs until they hatch. The male feeds her while she keeps their eggs warm and safe. By the time they"re about a month and a half old, the young owls can fly well, but their parents take care of them for another ten weeks or more
TASK 2. Study the advertisement.
Finding a holiday to keep all of the family happy is quite a challenge!
Your family would like to go on an activity holiday in the UK. Youd like to get more information. In 2 minutes you are to ask five direct questions to find out about the following:
2) types of activities
4) duration of the holiday
Remember that you have 25 seconds to ask each question.
TASK 3. You are going to give a talk about the Internet. You will have to start in 2 minutes and speak for not more than 2 minutes (10-12 sentences).
Remember to say:
why Internet activities are so popular;
how the Internet can help students in their studies;
whether the Internet can be dangerous, why.
You have to talk continuously. The examiner will listen until you have finished. Then she/he will ask you a question.
132 , 120 , .. , .
3 () - 8 (7+1) .
Work (jobs and careers, qualities needed, applying for a job, student jobs, summer jobs, voluntary work).
Hobbies (leisure activities, reading, music, unusual hobbies).
Cultural activities and experiences (performances, music, types of art, types of reading material).
Sports (adventure sports, camping, extreme activities, equipment).
Travel experiences (transport, types of holidays, places in a city, tourist attractions, types of accommodation, outdoor leisure activities).
The Internet (websites, social networks).
The Weather / The Environment (weather conditions, natural disasters, climate change, environmental problems).
Health (health problems, illnesses, remedies, teenage problems).
Cultural traditions and customs (holidays and celebrations, food and drinks, social etiquette, culture shock).
Great people (a celebrity, an inventor, a sportsman, a famous person, a person you admire).
Friends and Family members (appearance and character, stages in life, life experiences, life changes).
One of the tasks in the exam in English is writing a personal letter in response to a letter from an "English-speaking pen-friend". Writing a letter in a foreign language is a simple task that must be completed as quickly as possible in order to leave time for other tasks. So, consider the uniform rules for writing a personal letter.This manual is relevant for USE, but it can also be used OGE taking into account the fact that:
● at the Unified State Examination they are asked to ask 3 questions, but not at the Unified State Examination;
● the volume of writing for the USE is 100-140 words, and for the USE 100-120.
In the upper right corner enter the address in the following order:
house number, street name
city
country
It is allowed to indicate the address in a short form, for example:
Moscow
Russia
Under the address skipping a line, you must write the date of the letter:
June 4th, 2019
June 4, 2019
or less formally:
04/06/19
The letter begins with an informal address. If the name of your interlocutor is not indicated in the task, it should be invented:
Dear Tim,
Dear Rebecca,
A comma must be placed after the appeal!
Divide the text of the letter into several logical paragraphs, each of which start with a red line.
1. In the first paragraph, you should thank your friend for his letter:
Thanks (a lot) for your (last) letter.
Your last letter was a real surprise.
I was glad to get your letter.
It was great to hear from you! / It was great to hear that… / I was happy to hear…
You can also apologize for not writing earlier:
Sorry I haven’t been written for so long but …/ Sorry I haven’t been in touch for so long.
I"m sorry I haven"t answered earlier but I was really busy with my school.
and / or mention any fact from the received letter:
I'm glad you passed your History test!
Sounds like you had a great time in London!
Great news about your…!
2. The body of the letter (2-3 paragraphs). In it, you must disclose all the aspects indicated in the assignment. Don't forget to ask the necessary questions.
The letter is supposed to be written in an informal style, so you can use informal linking words such as well, by the way, anyway, so, colloquial expressions like Guess what? Or Wish me luck! as well as exclamation marks.
3. The last paragraph should explain why you are ending the letter:
Well, I'd better go now as I have to do my homework.
Anyway, I have to go now because my Mum asked me to help her with the washing up.
I've got to go now! It's time for my favorite TV show.
and mention further contacts:
Write (back) soon!
Take care and keep in touch!
Drop me a letter when you can.
Hope to hear from you soon.
I can't wait to hear from you!
At the end of the letter on a separate line the final cliche phrase is indicated, which depends on the proximity of the author and the addressee. It is always followed by a comma! Below are the possible options from the least formal (1) to the more formal (7):
1) Love,
2) Lots of love,
3) All my love,
4) All the best,
5) Best wishes,
6) With best wishes,
7) Yours,
On the next line, under the final phrase, the author's name is indicated (without a surname!). For example:
Andy or Kate
Thus, a letter to a friend looks like this:
So, here are some successful examples of completing an assignment in English. For convenience, we will not include the address and date on the right.
You have received a letter from your English-speaking pen-friend Mary who writes
... It was great to hear that you went to Italy during your spring holidays. I have always wanted to visit this wonderful country. Did you enjoy your journey? What places of interest did you visit? What are you most impressed with? Did you like your hotel?
As for me, I am awfully tired because we've got too many tests at school. Can't wait for the summer break...
Write a letter to Mary.
In your letter
tell her about your journey to Italy
ask 3 questions about her plans for the summer
Dear Mary,
Thanks a lot for your letter. I hope you passed all your tests!
First of all, let me tell you about my one-week package holiday to Rome. Everything was OK, but we didn't like our hotel. It was too noisy and the food was awful. We even had a stomachache and consulted a doctor. However, all the excursions were extremely interesting. We visited the Vatican and were impressed by the famous St. Peter's Cathedral. I also enjoyed the Colosseum and other sights of Rome. All in all, we enjoyed our holiday.
And what about you? What are your plans for the summer? Will you come to visit us? Russia is a unique country and I'll show you lots of interesting things. If you make up your mind, let me know what cities you would like to visit.
Hope to hear from you soon.
lots of love,
Lucy
...Do you often have arguments with your parents? I do. My mother thinks that I spend too much time hanging around with my friends. Do you often meet your friends?
What do you usually do together? And what do you do when you disagree with your parents about how you spend your free time?
Write back soon.
love,
Ann
Write back to Ann.
In your letter
answer her questions
ask 3 questions about her relations with her younger sister
Dear Ann,
Thanks for your letter. I'm glad you passed your History test!
I'm sorry you don't get on well with your parents. As for me, I have practically no problems with mine, although we do quarrel sometimes because I spend too much time playing computer games. In this case I try to talk to them and find the way out. Unfortunately, I can meet my friends only at weekends and we usually play football together. It's our favorite game.
And how do you get on with your sister? Do you play together? Do you help her with her homework? I wish I had a sister or a brother!
Anyway, keep smiling whatever happens! I'd better go now as I've got loads of homework to do (as always).
Write back soon!
lots of love,
Kate
You have received a letter from your English-speaking pen-friend who writes
...We moved to a new house a few weeks ago and I changed school. At first I was a bit afraid but I made new friends sooner than I expected. The teachers are nice and everything seems to be working out well. And what about you? Have you made any friends in your new school? Do you enjoy studying there? Have you got any new subjects this year?
I've got to go now! It's time for my music lesson. Drop me a line when you can.
lots of love,
Emily
Write a letter to Emily.
In your letter
answer her questions and tell her about your new school
ask 3 questions about her preferences in music
Dear Emily,
Thank you for your letter. It was great to hear about your new house!
As for my new school, it's very big! It has three computer rooms and wonderful sports facilities. Actually, it seems a nice place and I enjoy studying there. The kids in my class are very friendly. I've already made some new friends and we often meet after classes. I've got only one new subject this year. It's Economics and I'm beginning to think that it's not difficult, after all!
By the way, what music styles do you enjoy? Have you got any favorite bands? Would you like to go to their concert? As for me, I prefer Radiohead. They are cool!
I'd better go now. Mum wants me to help with the housework. Take care and stay in touch!
lots of love,
Ann
This is part of a letter from Harry, your English pen-friend.
...I'm fine but I've got a very busy week ahead. I'm a member of the school team and we are preparing for an important match in the National Championship. Are you fond of football? Do you watch football matches on TV? What other sports do you enjoy?
Well, I'd better go now. I've got to do some more training - I don't want to lose this match.
Take care and write back soon.
Write back to Harry.
In your letter
answer his questions
ask 3 questions about his preparation for the match
Dear Harry,
Hi! How's it going? Thanks for your last letter. I'm glad you are in your school football team now!
In your letter you asked me about football. Well, I'm really fond of it. It's a great game and I'm always happy when my team wins. But I don't watch football matches on TV because it's rather boring. I prefer playing to watching as it's more exciting. I'm also keen on roller-skating. It's fun to take part in street competitions and to perform different tricks.
Anyway, what about your preparation for the National Championship? Do you work hard? How many times a week do you train? Do you get on well with your teammates?
Well, I'd better go now as I have to tidy up my room. Write back soon!
All the best
Ivan
You have received a letter from your English-speaking pen-friend George who writes
...At school we are doing projects on famous singers from different countries. Could you telI me about any famous Russian singer? What is he or she famous for? How long has he/she been singing? Do you enjoy his/her songs? Have you ever been to his/her concerts?
As for my school trip to London last week, it was really wonderful...
Write a letter to George.
In your letter
tell him about the singer you admire most of all
ask 3 questions about his trip to London
Dear George,
Thanks a lot for your letter. Sounds like you had a great time in London! What are you most impressed with? Did you take any pictures? Were you tired?
I'm glad I can help you with your project on famous singers. Well, my favorite singer is Dima Bilan. He made his debut at the festival ‘New Wave’ in 2002 so he has already been singing for 10 years. Now Dima is a famous pop singer known for his songs like ‘Never Let You Go’ and ‘Believe’. I enjoy his songs because of his beautiful voice. Un-fortunately, I've never been to his concerts but I'd love to.
Anyway, let me know if you have any other questions. I'd better go now as I have to take my dog for a walk. Write soon!
yours,
Alex
This is part of a letter from your English-speaking pen-friend.
...So you see that I enjoy films based on true historic facts whereas most of my friends are fond of soap operas. Do you agree that soaps don't show life realistically? What kind of films do you like watching? Do you prefer watching films in the cinema or at home? Why?
We all miss you, too. Everybody sends their love. Can't wait to see you in the summer. Write back soon.
All my love
Tina
Write back to Tina.
In your letter
answer her questions
ask 3 questions about her family
Dear Tina,
Thanks for your letter. I'm glad you liked the postcard I sent you!
In your letter you asked me about my attitude to soaps. Well, I agree that soaps don't show life realistically because their plots are rather unbelievable and all emotions are exaggerated. As for me, I prefer whodunits, which keep me in suspense till the very end. I usually watch films at home but I never miss a chance to go to the cinema with friends. It's much more exciting to watch films together.
I miss you much! Write back soon and tell me all your latest news. How is your sister? Has she passed her driving test? And what about your mother? Has she got over the flu?
I'd better go now as I promised mum to help her with the washing.
love,
Ann
You have received a letter from your English-speaking pen-friend Rob who writes
...and then there's this chess tournament on Saturday. If I win, I'll be the champion of our school. Who knows?
Oh yeah. I wanted to ask you something. We have to write a report on technology for school. Could you tell me a few things about how you use technology in your life? You know, computers, mobiles, TV, that sort of things. Oh, and tell me something about the other members of your family, too, and how they use technology.
Anyway, I was talking to Sam the other day and he says that...
Write back to Rob.
In your letter
answer his questions
ask 3 questions about playing chess
Dear Rob,
It was great to hear from you! I'm glad you managed to talk to Sam. Please give my best regards to him.
You asked me about technology. Well, I've got a new mobile. It's got a camera so I'm taking lots of pictures at the moment. I've also got a computer but I use it mainly for surfing the Net. Of course we've got things like a TV, a DVD player and a music centre. My parents usually watch TV whereas my brother spends hours playing computer games.
Anyway, I'm glad you've made such progress in chess. Is it difficult to learn how to play it? Will I be able to do it on my own? How can I get started?
I've got to go now as I'm helping my Dad in the garage.
All the best
Andrew
This is part of a letter from Jane, your English pen-friend.
...My home town is rather small but I like it. The people here are very friendly and they try and keep our town clean and beautiful. And do you enjoy living in a big city? How do you spend your spare time there?
Anyway, I'm thinking of traveling around Russia next summer. Could you tell me what weather to expect? Should I take warm clothes with me?..
Write a letter to Jane.
In your letter
answer her questions
ask 3 questions about her hometown
Dear Jane,
Thanks for your letter. I'm glad you're going to visit Russia. The weather in summer is usually hot so I don't think you'll need lots of warm clothes. However, you'd better take a jacket as nights can be quite cool.
In your letter you asked me about the life in a big city. As for me, I enjoy living in Moscow as there are lots of parks and cozy cafes, museums and galleries. In the evenings I usually go for a walk with my friends and at the weekend we go to the theater or visit a museum. Have you got any museums in your town? Are they free for students? Are there any sports facilities?
I'd better go now as I've got to do my homework - boring! Can't wait to see you!
lots of love,
Rita
This is part of a letter from your German pen-friend.
...I find it a bit difficult to understand English grammar. What about you? Do you do grammar exercises? Do you think that it's necessary to remember all grammar rules?
Have you got any plans for the summer? I was thinking of going to a language school in the UK to improve my English. It would be a lot more fun if we went together. What do you think?
Anyway, I have to go now as I'm helping my Dad in the shop.
Hope to hear from you soon.
All the best
Kerstin
Write back to Kerstin.
In your letter
answer her questions
ask 3 questions about the trip to the UK
Dear Kerstin,
Thanks for your letter. I'm glad your arm is out of plaster now!
I agree with you that English grammar is rather difficult so I think it’s necessary to learn grammar rules and to do exercises. As for me, I do it on a regular basis.
Going to a language school together is a great idea! We could practice our English and visit lots of places of interest. I'm absolutely free this summer so I can go whenever you like.
Write and tell me what dates suit you best. Which course would you like to do? What level do you think we are? Where would you prefer to stay? Meanwhile, I'll make some enquiries about language schools in the UK. I'll get in touch soon. I hope it all works out!
lots of love,
Helen
This is part of a letter from Adam, your English pen-friend, whom you're going to visit in summer.
...As for me, I'm crazy about skateboarding and I love rock and pop music. I think my favorite band at the moment is Radiohead. Do you know them? What kind of things do you like doing and what music do you enjoy?
Is there anything you particularly want to do while you're here? / guess you'll be busy at the language school during the day, but we can do something in the evenings and at weekends. Also, let me know if there are any kinds of food you don't like...
Write back to Adam.
In your letter
answer his questions
ask 3 questions about his family and the language school
Dear Adam,
Thanks for your letter. It was great to hear from you. I can't wait to meet you and your parents in July!
Well, we've obviously got a lot in common. I'm also crazy about rock music and my favorite band is Radiohead, too! I've never done skateboarding, though, but I'd love to try. I enjoy basketball and I love playing computer games. Do you?
I'm a bit worried about the language school. Is it far from your house? Should I bring any books with me? Will I have to do much homework? If I have, I'm afraid I'll be busy in the evenings. Actually, I wouldn't mind any activity. It will be fun just to be in another country.
Anyway, I know we're going to be really good friends. Please write back soon.
All the best
Sasha
It will be very useful to write a letter template before taking the exams, according to which you will complete the task on the exam.
In our selection of materials, in addition to many useful materials, you can find 31 completed letter, as well as template for writing a letter:
Materials in English (USE)
Materials in English (OGE)
