Writing 1

1. Understand the Question Prompt

• Carefully read and underline key points.

• Identify the three bullet points that must be addressed:

1. Describe the event you needed the jacket for.

2. Explain how you damaged the jacket.

3. Say what you’re going to do about the damage.

• Ensure your email is between 120-160 words.

2. Plan Your Email Structure

A well-organized email includes:

A. Salutation (Opening)

• Since you're writing to your cousin, keep it friendly and polite.

• Example: Dear [Cousin’s Name],

I hope you're doing well. I wanted to talk to you about the jacket I borrowed for an event.

B. Paragraph 1 – Describe the Event

• Mention what kind of event you needed the jacket for.

• Be specific (e.g., wedding, birthday party, formal event).

• Example: Last weekend, I attended a formal dinner party, and I wanted to look my best, so I
borrowed your jacket. It was a great evening, and I received many compliments on it!

C. Paragraph 2 – Explain How You Damaged the Jacket

• Be honest and describe the situation clearly.

• Use past tense since the damage already happened.

• Example: Unfortunately, while I was at the event, I accidentally spilled some juice on the sleeve. I
tried to clean it quickly, but it left a stain. Later, I also noticed that a small thread had come loose
near the pocket.

D. Paragraph 3 – Say What You’ll Do About the Damage

• Show responsibility and offer a solution.

• Example: I feel really bad about it, and I want to fix it. I have already taken it to a dry cleaner, and
they assured me they can remove the stain. If necessary, I will also pay for any repairs. Please let me
know if there’s anything else I can do to make it right.
E. Closing Statement

• End on a positive note.

• Example: Again, I’m really sorry for the damage. I’ll make sure the jacket looks as good as new
before returning it. Let me know if you’d like me to do anything else.
Take care,
[Your Name]

3. Use a Friendly, Apologetic Tone

• Since this is an informal email, be friendly and polite.

• Show that you take responsibility and care about fixing the issue.

• Example phrases:

o I’m really sorry about this.

o I didn’t mean to damage it, and I’ll fix it as soon as possible.

o I appreciate your understanding.

4. Use a Variety of Sentence Structures

• Avoid repeating the same words or phrases.

• Use transition words: Unfortunately, Luckily, However, Besides that, In addition.

• Example of variety:

o While I was wearing it, I accidentally spilled juice on the sleeve.

o Later, I also noticed a small loose thread near the pocket.

5. Check Your Grammar & Spelling

• Use past tense when talking about the event and the damage.

• Use present/future tense when discussing how you’ll fix it.

• Common mistakes to avoid:

o Their/There/They’re → I took it to their recommended dry cleaner.

o Your/You’re → Your jacket is really stylish!

o Its/It’s → It’s a small stain, but I want to fix it properly.

6. Time Management
 • 5 minutes → Plan your ideas.

• 10-12 minutes → Write your email.

• 3-5 minutes → Proofread for spelling/grammar mistakes.

7. Scoring Criteria (15 Marks Total)

Content (6 Marks) – Have you covered all bullet points clearly?

Language (9 Marks) – Is your grammar, vocabulary, and spelling correct?

Final Tip

Before submitting, ask yourself: ✔ Did I address all points clearly?

✔ Is my tone friendly and apologetic?
✔ Did I check for grammar mistakes?

By following these steps, you’ll maximize your score in IGCSE ESL Exercise 5!
Writing 2
To achieve the best score in IGCSE ESL 0511 Exercise 5 (email writing), follow these step-by-step guidelines
based on the given prompt:

1. Understand the Question Prompt

• Identify the three bullet points you must address:

1. Give information about the course.

2. Explain why you wanted to do the course.

3. Say how the course could be improved.

• Ensure your email is between 120-160 words.

2. Plan Your Email Structure

A well-organized email includes:

A. Salutation (Opening)

• Since you're writing to a friend, keep it friendly and informal.

• Example:
Dear Alex,
Hope you’re doing great! I just finished an amazing weekend course, and I wanted to tell you all
about it.

B. Paragraph 1 – Give Information About the Course

• Mention the name of the course and what it was about.

• Talk about where it was held, how long it lasted, and who attended.

• Example:
The course was about digital marketing, and it was held at our local community center. It lasted for
two days and was packed with interesting workshops. There were about 20 teenagers, all eager to
learn new skills.

C. Paragraph 2 – Explain Why You Wanted to Do the Course

• Share your personal motivation for joining.

• Did you want to learn something new, improve a skill, or explore a future career?

• Example:
I joined because I’ve always been interested in social media and how online businesses work. I
thought this course would help me understand more about content creation and advertising, and it
really did!
D. Paragraph 3 – Say How the Course Could Be Improved

• Be constructive—suggest 1-2 ways the course could be better.

• Example:
Although the course was great, I think it could be improved by adding more hands-on activities.
Also, the sessions were a bit rushed, so having an extra day would make it even better.

E. Closing Statement

• Wrap up your email in a friendly and engaging way.

• Example:
You should definitely join me next time! I think you’d love it.
Take care,
[Your Name]

3. Use a Friendly, Enthusiastic Tone

• Since this is an informal email, use friendly, natural language.

• Example phrases:

o It was such a great experience!

o I learned so much in just two days.

o You’d really enjoy this course!

4. Use a Variety of Sentence Structures

• Avoid repeating the same words or sentence types.

• Use linking words: Firstly, Besides, However, Overall, In my opinion.

• Example:

o I joined because I’ve always been curious about digital marketing. Besides that, I wanted to
improve my skills in social media management.

5. Check Your Grammar & Spelling

• Use past tense when talking about the course.

• Use present/future tense when suggesting improvements.

• Common mistakes to avoid:

o Their/There/They’re → There were about 20 teenagers in the course.

 o Your/You’re → You’re going to love it if you try it!

6. Time Management

• 5 minutes → Plan your email.

• 10-12 minutes → Write the email.

• 3-5 minutes → Proofread for grammar and spelling mistakes.

7. Scoring Criteria (15 Marks Total)

Content (6 Marks) – Have you covered all bullet points clearly?

Language (9 Marks) – Is your grammar, vocabulary, and spelling correct?

8. Final Check Before Submitting

✔ Did I cover all three bullet points?

✔ Is my email engaging and natural?
✔ Did I check for grammar mistakes?

By following these steps, you’ll maximize your score in IGCSE ESL Exercise 5!