1 Read the exam task. What information should you include in the email?
Read this email from your English-speaking friend Sam, and the notes you have made.
Hi,
Guess what? Do you remember the sports competition I entered last month? They announced the results yesterday, and I’ve won two tickets to go and watch an international sports event! 1
Would you like to come to the event with me? We can choose to go in July or August. 2
We have to book which sport we want to see in advance. There are football and basketball matches. Which sport do you prefer to watch? 3
They sell lots of souvenirs at the stadium. What do you think we should buy? 4
Bye for now,
Sam
1 Amazing!
2 Yes – tell Sam when you can make it.
3 Tell Sam.
4 Suggest …
Write your email to James, using all the notes
MODEL ANSWER
Hi, Sam, 1
Thanks for your email. That’s amazing news about the competition! Well done! 2
Yes, I love sport, so it would be incredible to go to a big sports event with you. I can go with you in July, but I can’t go in August because I’m on holiday then. 3
I’m a big football fan, so I’d love to see an international football match. It would be brilliant to see some of my favourite heroes in action. 4
Why don’t we buy football shirts as souvenirs? We can wear them at the match! 5
See you soon, 6
Tom
1 Use an informal phrase to start the email.
2 Remember you are replying to Sam’s email.
3 This answers the question about when you can or can’t make it, and gives a reason.
4 This answers the question ‘Which sport do you prefer to watch?’
5 This is a suggestion.
6 Use an informal phrase at the end.
KEY LANGUAGE AND IDEAS FOR EMAILS
Opening an email:
Hi Hi, Tom Hi, there Hello
Closing an email:
Love, See you soon, Take care, Bye
Responding to an email:
Thanks for your email. It’s good to hear from you.
Responding to good news:
That’s amazing news! I’m so happy for you! Wow!
How exciting! Well done!
Responding to bad news:
I’m sorry to hear about …
Making a suggestion:
Why don’t you / we …? You / We could … If I were you, I’d … Make sure you …
Making an offer or promise:
I could … if you like. Would you like me to …? I can … if you want.
Making a request:
Could you …? Can you …? Would you mind … -ing?
Giving good or bad news:
You’ll be pleased to hear that … I’m afraid …
Guess what …? I’m sorry, but …
Linking words and phrases:
and but so because also as well
Informal language:
• contractions: I’m you’re he’s
• informal words and phrases: awesome great keep in touch take care I guess …
• exclamation marks to show emotion: That’s great news! Wow!
2 Match the beginnings and endings of these sentences. Then decide if each sentence is a suggestion (S), an offer (O), a promise (P) or a request (R).
1 Could you
2 If I were you,
3 I can send you
4 Don’t worry, I’ll
A I’d definitely accept the job. ……………….
B some useful addresses if you want. ……………….
C be there to help on the day. ……………….
D let me know what time you’re arriving? ……………….
3 Correct the underlined mistakes in the sentences giving good or bad news. Use the Key language and ideas box to check your answers.
1 I afraid I won’t be able to come to your party.
2 Guess that I’m doing next week?
3 I’m sorry, and Dan won’t be here when you visit.
4 You’ll be pleased hear that I’ve now finished all my exams!
4 Choose the correct linking words in italics.
1 I finish work at six o’clock, because / so I can meet you at 6.30.
2 My sister Martha is also / as well coming home for the holidays.
3 I’m not very good at singing, because / but I still enjoy it.
4 I’m a bit disappointed because / so my exam results weren’t brilliant.
5 I’ll find the document also / and send it to you in an email.
5 Read the exam task. What information must you include in your email?
Read this email from your English-speaking friend Logan, and the notes you have made.
To:
From: Logan
Hi,
The weather forecast looks good next weekend, so my family’s having 1 a barbecue to celebrate the end of the school year. Would you like to come? 2
I’d like to invite everyone in our English class. What kind of food do you think our classmates would like to eat at a barbecue? 3
I’d also like everyone to play some outdoor games after we eat. What game 4 do you think would be best for our classmates?
See you soon,
Logan
1 Great idea!
2 Yes – say which day.
3 Tell Sam.
4 Suggest …
Write your email to Logan, using all the notes.
6 Before you write your reply to Logan, complete the table with ideas.
|
Paragraph 1 (respond to the invitation) |
|
|
Paragraph 2 (suggest some food) |
|
|
Paragraph 3 (explain your idea for a game) |
|
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Useful phrases I can use
|
|
7 Write your email, using your notes from Exercise 6. Write about 100 words.
………………………….……………………………………….……………
………………………….……………………………………….……………
………………………….……………………………………….……………
………………………….……………………………………….……………
………………………….……………………………………….……………
………………………….……………………………………….……………
………………………….……………………………………….……………
………………………….……………………………………….……………
8 Check your email and make changes if necessary.
◻ Have you answered all the questions and included all the necessary information?
◻ Have you used a suitable phrase to open and close your email?
◻ Have you tried to make your writing more interesting by adding details?
◻Have you used informal language?
◻ Have you used linking words and phrases?
◻ Have you counted your words?
Answer
1
You have to respond to the news, say which month you can go, say which sport you would like to see, and suggest something you should buy as a souvenir.
2
1 D R 2 A S 3 B O 4 C P
3
1 I’m afraid I won’t be able to come to your party.
2 Guess what I’m doing next week?
3 I’m sorry, but Dan won’t be here when you visit.
4 You’ll be pleased to hear that I’ve now finished all my exams.
4
1 so 2 also 3 but 4 because 5 and
5
You should respond to the invitation to a barbecue, suggest some ideas for food and suggest what game would be best.
6
Students’ own answers.
7
Sample answer
Hi Logan,
I think a barbecue sounds like a great idea, and I’d love to come! It will be lovely, especially if the weather’s going to be warm and sunny.
Why don’t we have some salads and potatoes to go with the meat? Also, make sure you remember that some people in our class are vegetarians, so you’ll need some special dishes for them.
I agree that games are fun after a barbecue. We could play badminton. It’s a very easy game, so everyone can play.
See you on Saturday!
Eva
(91 words)
8
Students’ own answers.
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