Wild English · Writing Trainer

Writing 1 · Email to a friend (about 120 words)

Use your own language: don't copy long phrases from the poster. Use the pen name Mari / Mart.

Plan: 1 point = 1 paragraph

Helper phrases

How the email is marked (Harno: organisation, top score)

Greeting on its own line: Hi Alex, / Dear Alex,
Introductory remark: Thank you for your email! / I was happy to hear from you.
Clear paragraphs: one point of the task = one paragraph (2–3 sentences, never just one).
Linking words: and, but, or, since, because, so.
Concluding remark: Let me know what you think! / Hope to hear from you soon. / Can't wait to see you!
Sign-off and name, each on a separate line: Best wishes, → Mari

About 120 words. Fewer than 60 words = 0 points. Long phrases copied from the poster lose vocabulary points.

Write here

0 wordsAim: 110–130 words

20:00

Check before you finish

Show model email (about 120 words)

Hi Alex,

Thanks a lot for sending me the poster! The Halloween party sounds great. I'd like to go to the costume contest most of all, because I love creating costumes and I already have an idea for a funny one.

While I'm in London, why don't we also visit Camden Market? I've heard it has unusual clothes and tasty street food, and I'd like to buy some small presents for my family there.

I have two questions. Do we need to register before the party, or can we just arrive on the day? And what's the weather usually like at the end of October? I'd like to know what to pack.

Can't wait to see you!
Best wishes,
Mari

Writing 2 · Short story (about 100 words)

You are taking part in a story writing competition. Write a short story about the situation in the picture. Your story should be about 100 words long. Start with the words in the box.

Story shape

Tenses: Past Simple (he walked), Past Continuous (he was waiting), Past Perfect (he had never been).

Helper phrases

At first, …Suddenly, …Then / After that, …To his / her surprise, …By the end of the day, …nervous / shyrelievedexcitedwith a big smilemade new friendscouldn't wait to…"Welcome!" she said.

Write here

0 wordsAim: 90–110 words

15:00

Check before you finish

Show model story (about 100 words)

Max stepped off the school bus and shook hands with a smiling woman who was waiting for him. "Welcome to our school, Max! I'm Mrs Green, your teacher," she said. At first, Max felt very nervous because he didn't know anybody. However, in the first lesson a boy called Leo invited him to sit next to him, and they soon started laughing together. At lunch, Max met some more classmates, who asked him about his old school. By the end of the day, he was tired but happy. He thought the school was friendly and the pupils were really kind. He couldn't wait to come back tomorrow.

Writing tips for the digital exam

Every bullet point = marks. Answer all of them, one paragraph each.
Use your own words. Copying from the poster or task loses marks: Spooky Movie Marathon → watching old horror films.
Watch the word counter ("Всего слов"). Stay close to the number in the task.
Plan for 2–3 minutes before you type: key words for each point.
No spellcheck. Leave 2 minutes at the end to reread.
Email: greeting, paragraphs, friendly ending, the pen name from the task.
Story: start with the given words, use past tenses, show feelings, give it an ending.

Common mistakes

I want go → I want to go
Where we will stay? → Where will we stay?
He was very nervous because it's his first day → … because it was his first day
I'm interesting in → I'm interested in