Writing practice Unit 5

An informal email
1 Replace the phrases 1–8 with the more informal alternatives a–h.
Hi Rob,
1 I am happy that you’re coming to Spain! 2 I apologise that I haven’t 3 replied sooner, but I was visiting my grandparents and they
don’t have an internet connection.
Anyway, what can I tell you about Madrid? Well, it’s going to be very hot when you’re here, so make sure you bring your shorts and
swimming things. There’s no beach, but if 4 it is possible, you should spend an afternoon at the water park. It’s so much fun! Of course,
there are lots of other things to do. As you love football, why don’t you go on the tour of Real Madrid’s stadium? 5 In addition, there are
lots of 6 nice places to go shopping. I recommend Gran Via and Preciados. 7 I would like to see you, so what about meeting up with
me and my friends one afternoon? We could look for some presents for your family and then go to the park and relax.
8 Please inform me what you think.
Lorena
a written back c I’m sorry e you have the chance g And
b great d Let me know f It’s fantastic h It’d be lovely

2 Put the words in the correct order to make sentences.

1 Gran Via / street / busy / is / extremely / an / .
2 a lot of / clothes / There / on / street / are / shops / that / .
3 too / are / quite a few / theatres / There / .
4 easily / somewhere / You / there / find / can / eat / to / .
5 the / Finally, / pretty / very / are / buildings / .

Write!
Step 1
Here are three exam questions. Choose one to write. Before you start writing, look at Steps 2–4.
• Write an email to a friend who is coming to visit your town in January for the first time. Tell them what to expect and recommend
places to visit. Invite them to do something with you during their stay.
• You are going on holiday with a friend. You have researched where to go on the internet. Write an email to your friend telling
them about the place and suggest activities you could do.
• Your friend wants to buy some clothes and toiletries for her summer holidays at the beach. Write an email to your friend
suggesting what he/she should buy and where he/she could buy the things you recommend.

Step 2
Write down your ideas. Decide how you are going to organise them into paragraphs.

Step 3
Which of these openings and closings would be most appropriate for your email?
1 a Hi Sarah,
b Hey gorgeous,
c Dear Miss Stephens,
2 a Yours sincerely,
b Hope to hear from you soon,
c Kisses,

Step 4
Write your email. Remember to check for mistakes and capital letters when you have finished.

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