Oxford University Press Headway Plus PREINTERMEDIATE Writing Guide 2011-12
UNIT 11
Writing Task: Write an email to a friend Worksheet 1: PRE-WRITING
Exercise 1: Brainstorming and gathering information
Think about a friend you haven’t seen for a long time. Answer the following questions about your friend:
1. When and where did you last see your friend? ...
2. Why haven’t you seen your friend since then? ...
3. What important things have happened to you since you saw your friend? ...
……….
4. How have you changed since you saw your friend? ...
5. What has happened to other people who you both knew? ...
6. What questions do you have for your friend? ...
Exercise 2: Check your vocabulary Match the words to the verbs.
give advice miss
spend have
keep get
make start
Exercise 3: Extend your vocabulary
Match the expressions and sentences. Underline the verbs from Exercise 2.
Dear …
What a surprise to hear from you … I’m glad you got in touch -
It was lovely to hear your news.
I can’t believe that … Guess what!
Do you remember Salem?
Let’s keep in touch.
Best wishes, …
b_ii __
__
__
__
__
__
__
__
a) He wants to get in touch with you.
b) Ibrahim,
c) … after all these years.
d) I have three children now!
e) So, you’re married now!
f) Give me your phone number in your next email.
g) Obaid
h) I have missed you so much.
i) … you have started a business.
advice time at home friends a family being with you
fit your family time together in touch a family
married in touch your phone number a phone call a child a business
Oxford University Press Headway Plus PREINTERMEDIATE Writing Guide 2011-12
UNIT 11
Worksheet 2: PRACTICE
Exercise 1: Sentence building 1
Use your answers to Exercise 1 / Worksheet 1 to write complete sentences about you and your friend. Use vocabulary from Exercise 2 & 3 / Worksheet 1.
1. ...
2. ...
3. ...
4. ...
5. ...
6. ...
Exercise 2: Linking words: but, although, however, so, because Fill in the blanks with the appropriate linking word:
1. I wanted to write to you before, ____________ (but/so/because) I lost your address.
2. We had children ____________ (although/so/however) we moved to a bigger house.
3. I love my new job ____________ (however/so/because) I meet new people every day.
4. ___________ (Although/However/So) I haven’t seen you for a long time, I often think about you.
5. We are all very well. ____________ (Although/Because/However), my sister was ill last year, but she is better now.
Exercise 3: Using expressions
Complete the sentences for the email to your friend.
1. I can’t believe that ...
2. Guess what! ...
3. Do you remember ...
4. I wanted to write to you before but ...
5. I am really happy to hear from you because ...
Exercise 4: Sentence building 2
Imagine you are writing to your friend. Rewrite the sentences from Exercise 1 / Worksheet 2. Use linking words to write longer sentences and add extra information. Make sure you put the sentences in a good order.
...
...
...
...
...
...
Oxford University Press Headway Plus PREINTERMEDIATE Writing Guide 2011-12
UNIT 11
Worksheet 3: WRITING
Exercise 1: Writing a First Draft
Write an email to a friend. Start with Dear … . Include a topic sentence and use linking words. Write at least 75 words. Finish with a concluding sentence and a phrase such as Best wishes/ Regards/ All the Best.
………..………..
………..………..
………..………..
………..………..
………..………..
………..………..
………..………..
………..………..
………..………..
………..………..
………..………..
………..………..
………..………..
………..………..
Read your paragraph and check:
Topic sentence Vocabulary – verbs Expressions
Linking words: but, although, however, so, because Sentences in a good order
Concluding sentence Spelling (use a dictionary)
Capital letters at the start of sentences Full stops at the end of sentences
Exercise 2: Writing a Final Draft
Make corrections and write out the email again neatly.
