Paper 1 · Reading and Writing · 2 hours · 60 marks
Writing · Exercise 5
Informal email
120–160 words; Content 6 marks + Language 9 marks, total 15 marks.
AI-generated15 marks
Question 16
You recently spent a day volunteering at a community garden with your class. Write an email to an English-speaking friend about the experience.
In your email you should:
explain why you decided to join
describe what you did during the day
say what you would like to do next.
Write about 120 to 160 words. You will receive up to 6 marks for content and up to 9 marks for language.
0 words
Suggested structure: Greeting → reason for joining → two specific tasks and feelings → next steps → ask about your friend → informal closing. Use contractions and a friendly tone, but vary sentence length.
Example response (160 words)
Hi Alex,
I hope you’re doing well. I wanted to tell you about the day our class spent at the community garden. I joined because our science teacher said they needed volunteers, and I was curious about growing vegetables.
We arrived at nine o’clock. First, my friends and I moved some heavy bags of soil and filled a new flower bed. Later, I planted tomato seeds and helped repair a wooden fence. It was harder than I expected, but everyone was friendly. My favourite part was talking to an older volunteer who explained how to look after young plants.
I’m planning to return next month, perhaps with my sister. I’d also like to grow some herbs at home.
Have you ever done any volunteering? Write back soon.
Best wishes,
Jamie
Complete your writing, then select “Run local writing check”. This is not an official mark.