SAMPLE COMPOSITIONS

1-An article describing a person

My best friend is Sophie. We first met at a party when we were 12.

Sophie is pretty with a great personality. She is tall with long with long dark hair and blue eyes. She is very lively and loves talking. She is also very patient and always listens to me when I talk about my problems.

Sophie likes writing. Last year, she won first prize in a short story competition. I was not surprised because she is really imaginative.

All in all, I think Sophie is an interesting and exciting person. I´m very happy that she is my best friend!

2-A story

It was a bright sunny day last winter and my friend Bob and I were having a wonderful time on holiday. We were skiing in the French Alps.

Suddenly we heard a terrible sound coming from behind us. We looked around and saw a huge avalanche of snow. It was heading down the mountain towards us. We skied as fast as we could but it hit us quite hard. It wasn´t hurt, but Bob broke his leg. I tried to keep Bob warm and made sure he didn´t move his leg.

We had no choice now but to wait for someone to rescue us. Then I heard a helicopter. I started waving to attract their attention and luckily they saw us and lifted us to safety. We were very happy and relieved.

3-An email from abroad

Hi Jake,

Greetings from Lanzarote! I´m here with my parents on holiday. I´ve never been here before and I love it.

We´ve been to the beach every day. We´ve sunbathed and tried some water sports. The weather is wonderful. Unfortunately, I´ve got a bit sunburnt. We haven´t visited the museums yet, but there´s plenty of time for that.

We´re here for one more week and then we´ll be home.

See you in a few days.

Love,

Karla

4-An essay stating a problem and offering solutions

Towns and cities have a problem with rubbish. There are not enough places to put it. We must do something soon or there will be no clean places left in the cities or in the countryside.

The problem with rubbish is that there is so much of it and we don´t try to make less of it. It can easily make our streets, parks and rivers dirty.

We can start recycling programmes in our neighbourhoods and organize clean-up days. In these ways we can reduce the amount of rubbish.

To conclude, we can all help reduce the amount of rubbish if we try. Then we can enjoy cleaner towns and cities.

5-An email giving advice

Dear Alex,

I´m really sorry that your parents won´t let you go to the concert this weekend. I want to help you.

The best thing you can do is talk to your parents and try and show them you can be responsible. This way, they will feel more relaxed. You can also ask your parents to call my parents. That way, they can ask any questions that they want to.

I really hope this works. Write and let me know what happens.

Yours,

Tom

6-A for-and-against essay

Should teenagers have mobile phones?

Most teens have mobile phones and a lot of them are hooked on them. Is this good or bad?

Mobile phones are certainly very useful. You can keep in touch with friends and family very easily and quickly. Moreover, you can use it in an emergency. Mobile phones have often saved lives.

However, mobile phones can be dangerous. The radiation from them can damage our health if we use them too much. They can also distract teenagers from their homework. Spending time sending messages instead of studying can make teens fall behind in their schoolwork.

All in all, mobile phones are very useful gadgets to have. However, teens should use them sensibly.

7-An email about your favourite TV series

Dear Sally,

My favourite TV series is “Grey´s Anatomy”. It´s on Channel 11 at 7pm every Wednesday evening. It´s a really great series about a group of young doctors and medical students.

The storylines are interesting and the acting is very good. It can be sad one moment and funny the next.

It´s the best hospital drama ever! Do they show it in your country? Well, I have to go now.

Love,

Patricia.