1 Read the exam task. Which is the best way to continue the story (1, 2 or 3)? Why?
• Your English teacher has asked you to write a story.
• Your story must begin with this sentence:
I opened the letter from my cousins in Brazil.
1 I have three cousins who live in Brazil, and I get on very well with them. They are all very keen on football.
2 They said they were coming to visit me, and they were arriving on the 15th – today!
3 I think Brazil is a really interesting country, and I would love to go there one day. There are lots of amazing wild animals there.
MODEL ANSWER
I opened the letter from my cousins in Brazil. They said they were coming to visit me, and they were arriving on the 1 15th – today!
I was really excited. First, I cleaned everything in the flat 2. Then I went to the supermarket to buy food. After that 3, I made a cake to make them feel welcome. By evening, I was completely exhausted 4. I picked up the letter again to check the time of their flight, and that’s when I noticed the date. They were arriving on July 15th, but today was June 15th!
We had a wonderful time together in July, and all laughed about the mistake I had made! 5
1 The first paragraph gives background to the story.
2 The second paragraph gives the main events of the story.
3 Time expressions make the order of events clear.
4 Adjectives and adverbs make the story more interesting.
5 The last paragraph ends the story.
KEY LANGUAGE AND IDEAS FOR STORIES
Use past simple verbs for the main events:
I went to a restaurant. I found a letter.
Use past continuous verbs for longer actions in the past:
I was waiting for the bus. The sun was shining.
Use past perfect verbs for background events:
Unfortunately, I had forgotten my purse.
Time expressions:
First then later the next day finally …
Adjectives to describe people:
friendly kind tall
Adjectives to describe places:
busy quiet modern
Adjectives to describe feelings:
excited angry … delighted
Adverbs to describe how someone does something:
quickly slowly carefully
Adverbs to comment on what happened:
luckily fortunately unfortunately
2 Complete the sentences with the correct form of the verbs in brackets. Use the past simple, past continuous or past perfect.
1 I packed my bags and then ………………… (call) a taxi to take me to the airport.
2 Sara ………………… (wait) for me when I got to the restaurant.
3 I could finally relax because I ………………… (pass) all my exams!
4 I found an old key while I ………………… (walk) along the beach.
5 James was late because he ………………… (forget) to set his alarm.
6 I opened the door and then quickly ………………… (close) it again.
3 Choose the correct time expressions in italics.
I was really scared when my car broke down near the forest. 1 Then / First, I tried starting the car, but that didn’t work. 2 Finally / Then, I tried to call a friend, but I had no signal on my phone. 3 Next / After, I decided to wait for another car so I could ask for help.
4 An hour later / Before an hour, I was still sitting there! Suddenly, I heard the sound of another car.
5 Finally / After, someone came to help me and I got home safely.
4 Complete the sentences with adjectives from the box.
|
curly disappointed entertaining messy smart spicy |
1 The room was …………………. and not very clean.
2 She was wearing a very nice, …………………. jacket and skirt.
3 He cooked some delicious, …………………. food for us.
4 The show was fun and very …………………. .
5 She introduced me to a tall young man with …………………. hair.
6 I was very …………………. when she didn’t call me.
5 Read the exam task. Before you write your story, complete the table with ideas.
• Your English teacher has asked you to write a story.
• Your story must begin with this sentence:
Last week, I went to the zoo.
Paragraph 1 (the background to the story)
Paragraph 2 (the main events)
Paragraph 3 (the ending)
Useful phrases I can use
6 Write your story, using your notes from Exercise 5. Write about 100 words.
………………………….……………………………………….……………
………………………….……………………………………….……………
………………………….……………………………………….……………
………………………….……………………………………….……………
………………………….……………………………………….……………
………………………….……………………………………….……………
………………………….……………………………………….……………
………………………….……………………………………….……………
7 Check your story and make changes if necessary.
◻ Does your story have a clear beginning, middle and ending?
◻ Have you used verbs in the past simple, past continuous and past perfect?
◻ Have you used time expressions to order the events?
◻ Have you used adjectives and adverbs to make your story interesting?
◻ Have you written about 100 words?
Answer
1
B is the best because it talks about what was in the letter, and suggests that something is going to happen in the story.
2
1 called
2 was waiting
3 had passed/’d passed
4 was walking
5 had forgotten/’d forgotten
6 closed
3
1 First 2 Then 3 Next 4 An hour later
5 Finally
4
1 messy 2 smart 3 spicy 4 entertaining
5 curly 6 disappointed
5
Students’ own answers.
6
Sample answer
A day at the zoo.
Last week, I went to the zoo. I was there with some friends, and the sun was shining.
First, we saw some baby elephants. Then we watched some very funny penguins. By midday, we were getting hungry, so we decided to go for lunch. As we were walking towards the café, we suddenly heard people shouting. A tiger had escaped! We immediately ran to the café and shut the door behind us. It was quite scary, but fortunately the tiger was caught quickly and no one was hurt. Finally, the café offered a free meal to everyone, so the day ended very well.
(103 words)
7
Students’ own answers.
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