Exam Review Lab 06 —Writing 1 clinic
The Writing Part 1 email · covering all four notes · style · length · timed rewrite · fix-the-answer tasks. Revision only · recycles Modules 01–02 — no new language.
PET parts in this lesson · mixed-skill spiral
Why this lesson now? Exam-focus hour attached to Module 02.
CEFR Pathway · You are here
Exam Boost · Performance Session
A progress checkpoint, not a test.
Recycle this phase's language through challenges, mini-tasks and longer speaking turns. Aim for fluency, not perfection — replay anything, skip nothing.
Get ready · 01
5 minGet talking — no pressure
Do you usually write emails or messages to friends? What's different about them?
Look at a short email from a friend. How many separate questions or requests can you find?
How many words do you think a PET Writing Part 1 answer needs? Guess a number.
Grammar recap · 02
8–10 minFriendly style + simple linkers (Modules 1–2 recycle)
Writing 1 = a friendly email. Start with a greeting, answer every note, and finish with a friendly close.
PET Writing Part 1 is an email to a friend, so it needs friendly, informal English — present simple and continuous for facts and plans, past simple for what already happened, and simple linkers (and, but, because, so) to join ideas. Marks are lost mainly for missing notes, not for grammar mistakes, so this clinic trains note-coverage first.
→ Hi Sam, thanks for your email!
→ I'm going to the party on Saturday.
→ I went to the cinema last weekend, and it was great.
→ I can't come, because I'm working that day.
→ See you soon! Alex
Challenge 1.Hi Jamie, ___ for your message!
Challenge 2.I ___ to the party on Saturday — I'd love to come.
Challenge 3.I ___ your email yesterday.
Challenge 4.I can't help you ___ I'm busy that day.
Challenge 5.___ soon! Alex
Build the sentence → spot the natural chunks → say it aloud → reply like a real conversation.
1.Rebuild the sentence — then say it aloud.
2.Rebuild the sentence — then say it aloud.
3.Rebuild the sentence — then say it aloud.
Quick check 1.Which is the best opening for a Writing Part 1 email?
Quick check 2.Which sentence covers a request AND gives a reason?
Vocabulary recap · 03
5–7 minRecycle your toolkit
to meet and talk after not seeing someone for a while
Who would you like to catch up with soon?
to have a good relationship with someone
Who do you get on with best in your family? Why?
to spend relaxed time together
Where do you usually hang out with friends?
Tap an item on the left, then tap its match on the right.
Activation · Personalise · Recycle
Reactivate Modules 1–2 language out loud — nothing new here, just faster recall.
Ask your partner
- Say where YOU are based in one sentence.
- Who would you like to catch up with soon?
- Who do you get on with best in your family? Why?
"Finish: 'Suddenly, the lights…'"suddenly
Which of these Modules 1–2 phrases do you still forget under exam pressure? Why?
Write 25–35 words about your English progress using BOTH recycled phrases.
Pronunciation polish · 04
3–4 minFriendly tone of voice in openings and closings
Openings and closings rise gently — they should sound warm, not flat.
- • Hi Sam, thanks for your email!
- • That sounds great!
- • I'm really sorry I can't come.
- • See you soon! Alex
Reading challenge · 05
8–10 minPET Reading Part 3 — Why the four notes matter most
Every year, examiners read thousands of Writing Part 1 answers, and the same pattern appears. Some students write beautiful, correct English — but they only answer two or three of the four notes. Their mark is lower than a student who writes simpler English but covers everything.
The reason is simple: Writing Part 1 tests whether you can communicate real information, not whether your grammar is perfect. Each note is worth marks, so missing one note is like leaving a whole question blank in a test.
The safest method is to read the email twice before writing. The first time, just understand it. The second time, underline every question and every request — these are your four notes. Then write one or two sentences for each note, in the same order as the email. On the whole, students who plan for one minute before writing do much better than students who start writing immediately.
Challenge 1.What is the main point of the text?
Challenge 2.What does the text recommend doing before writing?
Challenge 3.What happens if a student misses a note?
Q1.The text says grammar matters more than covering the notes.
Q2.The text recommends underlining questions and requests.
Q3.Planning for one minute before writing usually helps.
WRITING TIP
Answer all four notes. Missing a note loses more marks than a small mistake.
1.What is the main advice?
2.What should students do first?
Writing Part 1: about 80–100 words. Too short or too long both lose marks.
3.What does the sign say about length?
4.What does the teacher want students to check?
TOP TIP
Write one or two sentences per note, in the same order as the email.
5.What order should the reply follow?
Listening challenge · 06
8–10 minPET Listening Part 2 — Two students plan a Writing Part 1 answer (2-min dialogue)
Listening audio
Tap play to listen. Replay as many times as you need.
Show transcript
Nora:I got a practice email for Writing Part 1. It's from a friend called Ben.
Tom:What does he ask?
Nora:First, he asks if I can come to his party on Saturday. Then he asks what I'm going to bring, if I know a good song for the playlist, and if I can arrive early to help.
Tom:So that's four notes. Have you underlined them?
Nora:Yes, I always underline the notes first now, because I forgot one last time and lost marks.
Tom:Good plan. What style are you using?
Nora:Friendly, of course — it's an email to a friend, not a formal letter. I'm starting with 'Hi Ben, thanks for the invitation!' and finishing with 'See you Saturday!'
Tom:That sounds great. Don't forget to check the word count before you finish.
Challenge 1.How many notes does Ben's email contain?
Challenge 2.Why does Nora always underline the notes now?
Challenge 3.What style is Nora using?
Skills challenge · 07
5 minCovering all four content points
Read twice, underline four notes, write one to two sentences per note, in order.
Task
Writing Part 1 is marked mainly on whether all four notes are answered clearly, with appropriate style and length (about 80–100 words). This clinic drills the underline-plan-write method.
Example
Email asks: 'Can you come? What time works? Can you bring music? Where shall we meet?' → four underlined notes → four short answers, in that order.
Writing challenge · 08
5 minShow what you can do
Q1.Type ONE word: 'Thanks ___ your email!'
Q2.Type ONE word: 'I can't come ___ I'm busy that day.'
Q3.Type ONE word: 'See you ___! Alex'
Q4.Type ONE word: 'My email is about 90 words ___.'
PET Writing Part 2 (article, ≈80–100 words, Modules 1–2 language only). Prompt: 'What makes a good email to a friend?' Use present simple, past simple, and at least one linker (and, but, because, so).
Your writing draft
0 words SavedShow model answer & examiner comment
A good email to a friend always starts with a friendly greeting, like 'Hi Sam!' It answers every question the friend asks, because missing a question is confusing for the reader. Last week I got an email from my cousin, and I answered all three of her questions in order. I also used simple, friendly language, not formal words. At the end, I always write a warm close, like 'See you soon!' so the email feels complete.
Examiner comment
| 5 | All content points covered; consistent style; range of structures; minor errors only. |
| 3 | Content mostly covered; mostly suitable style; some range; errors don't stop the reader understanding. |
| 1 | Limited content; intrusive errors; very basic structures; under-length. |
Hi! I'm having a party on Saturday and I'd love you to come. Can you make it? What time is good for you? Could you bring a song for the playlist? And could you arrive a bit early to help me set up? Ben
Your reply must cover:
- Confirm or decline the invitation clearly
- Give a specific time
- Name a specific song
- Give a clear yes/no about arriving early, with a reason
Show model answer
Hi Ben, thanks for the invitation — I'd love to come! I'm free from about six o'clock, so that works well for me. I'll bring 'Sunny Days' for the playlist, because everyone always dances to it. I can also arrive a bit early to help you set up, maybe around five. Let me know if you need me to bring anything else. See you Saturday! Nora
Communication lab · 09
10–15 minTalk it out
PET Speaking Part 4 — In pairs, take 3 minutes total. Question: 'Do you prefer writing emails or sending quick messages?' Use present simple and simple linkers (and, but, because, so).
Useful phrases
- ExaminerDo you often write emails?
- Candidate_______________
- ExaminerWhat makes a good email?
- Candidate_______________
Phase 1 — short factual questions
1.Examiner: "What's your name?"
2.Examiner: "Do you send emails or messages more often?"
Tip: Give an answer plus a reason.
3.Examiner: "What did you write about in your last email or message?"
Tip: Use past simple, then 'because' or 'and'.
4.Examiner: "Do you check your writing before you send it?"
Tip: Say yes/no plus what you check.
Phase 2 — extended question (aim for 3–5 sentences)
Examiner: "Tell me about the last time you wrote an email to a friend."
Tip: Aim for 20–30 seconds. Who? Why? What did you say?
Show model extended answer
Last month I wrote an email to my friend Sam because she was moving to a new city and asked me lots of questions. She wanted to know about the weather, good places to visit, and whether I could come and see her. I answered every question in order, and I finished with a friendly close because I really missed her already.
Candidate A — Writing a postcard
Need help? Show prompts (try describing with no help first)
- • What can you see?
- • Where is the person?
- • What are they doing?
- • Who might they be writing to?
- • Do you ever write postcards or letters?
Candidate B — Typing an email at home
Need help? Show prompts (try describing with no help first)
- • What can you see?
- • What is the person doing?
- • How do they look?
- • What might the email be about?
- • Do you prefer emails or messages?
Useful phrases
- • In the photo I can see…
- • It looks as if…
- • They seem to be…
- • I think they're probably…
- • In the background…
Show model 1-minute description
In the first photo I can see someone sitting at a kitchen table, writing on a postcard. It looks as if they're on holiday, because there's a suitcase in the background. They seem relaxed, and I think they're probably writing to a friend or family member back home.
Optional · Teacher-led
Teacher Activities
Run this clinic hands-on: students should physically underline notes on paper copies. Keep correction focused on note-coverage, not grammar perfection. ~43 min total
Keep it going · 10
Take-homeExtend it at home
Self-study — everything you need is included below. All four skills are covered so you keep the spiral going between lessons; pick the order that suits you.
Underline-plan-write drill — practise the three-step method on a new email.
Your response
0 words SavedMaterials included
Stimulus email
Task
Attempt the task first, then check your answers.
Fix-the-answer task — find and correct the missing note in the sample answer below.
Your response
0 words SavedMaterials included
Original email notes
Sample (broken) answer
Task
Attempt the task first, then check your answers.
Timed rewrite — rewrite your Writing Part 1 answer from this lesson in exactly 12 minutes.
Your response
0 words SavedMaterials included
Task
Attempt the task first, then check your answers.
Listening word-hunt — read the Nora/Tom dialogue aloud twice. Write down every Writing 1 word you hear.
Your response
0 words SavedMaterials included
Dialogue
Attempt the task first, then check your answers.
Wrap-up · 11
2–3 minWhat you can now do
- Writing 1 = an email to a friend, about 80–100 words.
- Read twice, underline the four notes, then plan one sentence per note.
- Answer notes in the same order as the email — don't skip any.
- Use friendly style: warm greeting, simple language, warm close.
- Missing a note loses more marks than a small grammar mistake.
- Always check the word count and re-read for missing notes before finishing.