TEENS 5

WRITING an email
Read this email from Anna Jones, the organizer of a photography competition, and
the notes you have made.

 Which questions do you have to answer?

 What do you have to comment on?
 If you need more information, you should…….

New Message

From: Anna Jones Cc Bcc

Subject: Winner of our new photography competition

Hi
Congratulations! You’ve won our photography
competition! Great!

The first prize is a photography holiday. You’ll

spend a week with a professional photographer.
You can go and take photographs in the
mountains or in a big city. Which would you
prefer?
Explain
Two other people can go on the photography
holiday with you. Who would you like to take
Tell
with you?
Anna
If you’d like any more information, please ask!
Ask about…
Best wishes,

Anna Jones

Write your email to Anna using all the notes.

READ THE ANSWER BELOW

 New Message

Hi Anna,

This is about the first note. Winning the competition was a wonderful surprise! I’ve
always wanted to go on a photography holiday.

Thank you for giving me the opportunity to learn from a

professional photographer. Taking good pictures of the
This is about the second natural world is a real challenge, so I’d like to go to the
note and gives reasons for mountains. I live in a big city, so that option is less
the choice.
interesting for me.
This is about the third I’d like my cousin and my mother to come, too, as
note, with reasons.
they’ve always wanted to improve their photography
skills, I’d love to know where we’ll be going and how we
This is about the fourth
will get there.
note.
Thanks again and best wishes,
The email ends in a polite
and friendly way.
Helena

TIPS
Read the email carefully.
Read the notes one by one and for each note, underline the
important words in the email. Underlining the key words will
remind you that you must use all the notes, and which part of
the email the note refers to.
Start with a friendly, informal greeting (Hi Anna,).
Write complete sentences and check that you are using the
correct form of verbs (present, past or future).
Don’t be afraid to use some interesting vocabulary and
expressions you know.
Make sure you write about 100 words. Try not to write fewer
than 90.
Useful language

Starting the email

How are you?
I hope you and your family are well.
It was great to hear from you.
I’m really looking forward to your visit.
I’m excited about our trip too.
…was a wonderful surprise!

Saying thank you

Thank you for giving me the opportunity to….
Thank you so much for….
That’s very kind of you.
Thanks again (for…)

Explaining or giving reasons

Taking good pictures is a real challenge, so…
I live in a city, so…
…as they’ve always wanted to improve their
photography skills.
That would be lovely because I’ve never been
there before.

Making a suggestion
Maybe we can…
We don’t we…?
How about….?
I think it would be a good idea to…
I think we should…
Let’s…

Asking for more information

I’d love to know where we’ll be going first.
I wonder how we will get there.
What clothes should I bring?
Who’s coming with us?
What time do you plan to leave?

Finishing a message
Have a great weekend!
Write soon!
Let me know what you think!
See you next week!
Love,
Best wishes,
Practice Part I: Email
Planning your answer
1 Find and correct twelve mistakes in the
email. Think about grammar, spelling and
using the correct words.
Paragraph I
Start this paragraph with an introductory sentence
(for example, How are you? It was great to hear from
New Message
you). Then include what the first note tells you to
write.
Hi Anna,
Thank you for your email. It was really nice surprice. I Paragraphs 2 – 3 / 4
never expected to winning the competision! These should deal with the other three notes. If you
don’t have much to write for one of the notes, you
Going on a photography holiday is very exciting. I rather can include what you need to write for two of the
go to big city because is more fun and I really like take notes in a single paragraph. Avoid paragraphs of only
photos of people. The mountains could be a bit bored for one sentence.
me. Finishing your email
Don’t forget to add a comment (for example, Thanks
I’d like my cousin and best friend to coming with me as again! See you soon) and a way of saying goodbye) for
they are also very keen with photography. example, Love Best wishes) at the end and put your
name at the bottom.
I just have one question: when is the holiday start?
How to use the written notes
Best wishes, Each note will usually be only one or two words long.
Decide what kind of information you need to include
Jan for each one (for example, a reason, a suggestion,
saying thank you), then think of what you could say.
2 Complete the sentences with the linking
words from the box. Make sure you include as much information as you
can, for example, when you have to explain or give
Because but if so when reasons. A very short answer will not get good marks!
Make sure you deal with all four notes. You will lose
a. I’m a vegetarian, __________I don’t eat beef. marks if you don’t, so tick them off as you write your
b. I’d like to go for a swim__________ you’d email. Check carefully that you have done what each
enjoy that too. of the four notes asks you to.
c. I’ll send you a message__________ I get to
the station.
d. I wrote to my friend __________ she didn’t
reply.
e. I bought this tennis racket __________ it
was quite cheap.

3 Add reasons to complete the sentences.

Use a different reason for each sentence.
a. I can’t go to the cinema this evening
because…
b. I love playing badminton because….
c. I don’t often eat meat because…
d. I see my cousins every week because…
e. I don’t like camping because…
f. I enjoy playing computer games
because…
 Writing Time

TASK 1

Read this email from Mary Pitt, the organizer of a challenges competition for teenagers and the notes
you have made.

New Message

From: Mary Pitt

Subject: Challenges competition

Hi!

Congrats! You’re going to take part in a competition in

which teenagers take up a challenge. Great!

Would you like to describe your personal challenge? I’d

Explain like to hear about it!

What’s the reason for the challenge? Tell Mrs. Pitt

Ask Mrs. Pitt If you'd like more information, please ask!

Reply soon!

Mary Pitt

Write your email to Mrs. Pitt using all the notes. Write your answer in about 100 words.

TIPS:

Think about the personal challenge you’re going to take up. Use ideas from Unit 1.
Use the expressions included in the Writing box, book page 17.
Your email should be informal: use contracted forms ( I’m , I´d, I’ll )
 Writing Time

TASK 2

Read this email from your English teacher, Miss Anderson, and the notes you have made.

New Message

From: Miss Anderson

Subject: Out of the Comfort Zone Project

Dear class,

I’d like you to write about what you understand by

“Comfort Zone” and how to get out of it. Tell

Not really Do you like trying new things? Why? Explain

Tell Miss Anderson Which was your most exciting experience?

We could either share your answers on posters or on our

website. Which do you prefer? Choose

Reply soon!

Miss Anderson

Write your email to Miss Anderson using all your notes. Write your answer in about 100 words.

TIP:
Use your ideas and the vocabulary in your book, page 11, to help you.
 Writing Time

TASK 3

Read this email from Megan Thomson, your science teacher, and the notes you have made.

New Message

From: Megan Thomson

Subject: How to have a green home

Hi!

I’d like to know what your family does to have a green

home. I know you belong to a green family! Tell Ms. Thomson

Explain How do you save water?

Does your neighbourhood have recycling bins? Give details

Would you like to explain to your classmates how they can

Agree start recycling at home?

Reply soon!

Ms Thomson

Write your email to Ms. Thomson using all the notes. Write your answer in about 100 words.

TIPS:
Use vocabulary and word friends included in Unit 2.
Use the agreeing phrases in the Speaking box (page 28)
 Writing Time

TASK 4

Read this email from Paul Jones, a young teacher, and the notes you have made.

New Message

From: Paul Jones

Subject: How to help the environment

Hi!

I’d like to organize an event to help raise awareness of

environmental problems. React

We could either focus on protecting the environment or

recycling. Which would you prefer to do?
Choose
What kind of activities should we do during the event? Suggest

Let me know which would be the best day to hold the

Tell Paul event.

Write back soon!

Paul

Write your email to Mr. Jones using all the notes. Write your answer in about 100 words.
 Writing Time

TASK 5

Read this email from your friend Paul and the notes you have made.

New Message

From: Paul

Subject: summer job

Hi!

I know you had a summer job in a space camp last year.

What was it like? Tell Paul

I’m thinking about working in a space camp next summer.

I could either choose a part-time or a full-time job. What
would you advise me to do?
Answer and give
reasons Kids of all ages attend the space camp. Is it easier to work
with kids or teenagers? Explain

My ambition is to study astronomy and I know your dad is

an astronomer. I’d love to talk to him. I have so many
questions! Invite Paul to
your house
Write back soon!

Paul

TIP:
Start with a friendly, informal greeting.
Use vocabulary and grammar included in Unit 4.
Use all the notes.
 Writing Time

TASK 6

 Warm up
Discuss in pairs:
a- Can you play any sports? Which ones?
b- Do your parents allow you to do extreme sports?
c- Do you like competition?
d- Do you think doing physical activity is good for body and mind? Why?

 Writing Task

Read this email from Mr. Davis, your PE teacher, and the notes you have made.

New Message
From: Mr. Davis

Subject: PE School Project

Dear class,

As part of our PE school project I’d like you to write about

what kind of sports you were able to play as a child and
which you can play now. Tell Mr. Davis

Yes! Say
Have you ever tried an extreme sport? Have you had a
which
bad injury? Describe

Which sports do you think should be compulsory at

Suggest school? Why?

Write back soon!

Mr. Davis

Write your email to Mr. Davis using all your notes. Write your answer in about 100 words.

TIP:
Use the grammar and vocabulary in Units 6 /8 together with your own ideas to write your
email.
Writing Time

TASK 7

 Warm up
Discuss these questions in pairs:
a- Do you like reading books? Why?
b- What kind of books do you often read?
c- Do you read now the same kind of books you used to read a few years ago?
d- Do you prefer reading paper books or e-books? Why?

 Writing Task
Read this email from your Literature teacher, Mrs. Durban, and the notes you have made.

New Message

From: Mrs. Durban

Subject: Books Project

Dear class,

As part of our literature project I’d like you to write about

the kind of books that are popular in your country. Interesting!

Tell Which books did you use to read as a child? What made
them special? Describe

React Would you like to write a book in the future? Why? Tell Mrs. Durban

We’ll share answers next class, so be ready to answer

questions from partners.

Reply soon!

Mrs Durban

Write your email to Mrs. Durban using all your notes. Write your answer in about 100 words.

TIP:
Use the grammar and vocabulary in Unit 8 and your own ideas to write your email.
Writing Time

EXTRA PRACTICE

Read this email from your English teacher, Mr. Fergus, and the notes you have made.

New Message

From: Mr. Fergus

Subject: School Project

Dear class,

I’d like you to write about what you think about

forbidding certain haircuts and looks at school. We’re
going to share your views as part of a school project. Tell

Have you ever felt that you had to change your

Yes! appearance to fit in? Why? Explain

What do you think about having piercings and tattoos? Tell Miss Anderson

We could either share your answers on posters or on our

website. Which do you prefer?
Suggest
Write back soon!

Mr. Fergus

Write your email to Mr. Fergus using all your notes. Write your answer in about 100 words.