Module 01 —Emails That Answer Everything
Writing 1 (email reply) · Reading 1 (short messages) · answering all four notes
PET parts in this lesson · mixed-skill spiral
Why this lesson now? Deepens Writing 1 from Lesson 01; recycles short-message reading.
CEFR Pathway · You are here
Get ready · 01
5 minGet talking
A friend asks you four things in one email. What happens to your mark if you answer only three?
Is a 60-word reply safer than a 140-word reply? Why not?
Which sounds right to a friend: 'I am writing to inform you' or 'Thanks for your message'?
Grammar for the Exam · 02
8–10 minMaking suggestions and offers
Why don't we…? / How about + -ing? / Shall I…? / I'd rather + infinitive.
Writing Part 1 notes almost always ask you to suggest, offer or explain. Learn four ready-made structures so you never freeze: 'Why don't we meet at six?', 'How about going by train?', 'Shall I bring something to eat?', 'I'd rather stay in town, if that's OK.' Each one lets you answer a note in a single, accurate sentence — and each one keeps the friendly tone the examiner expects in an email to a friend.
→ Why don't we meet outside the cinema at seven?
→ How about taking the early bus so we have more time?
→ Shall I bring some snacks for the journey?
→ I'd rather go on Saturday, because I work on Sunday.
Question 1.Complete: 'How about ____ the museum first?'
Question 2.Complete: 'Why don't we ____ at the station?'
Question 3.Which offers help?
Question 4.Complete: 'I'd rather ____ early than miss the train.'
Question 5.Which is too formal for an email to a friend?
Quick check 1.Writing Part 1 length:
Quick check 2.How many notes must your reply answer?
Exam Vocabulary · 03
5–7 minWords & phrases to own
a friendly way of accepting an idea
Reply to 'Shall we meet at eight?' using this phrase.
Activation · Personalise · Recycle
Every phrase here is a note-answering tool. Say the sentence you would actually write.
"I'd suggest…"to suggest
Ask your partner
- How do you usually arrange a meeting with friends?
- What do you write when you accept an invitation?
- What do you write when you need to check something first?
Refuse this politely: 'Come to my party on Friday!' Give a reason.
Give your answer + one reason.
Write 30 words offering to help a friend who is moving flat.
Pronunciation for Speaking · 04
3–4 minRising tone of voice in suggestions
Suggestions rise at the end — a flat fall can sound like an order.
- • Why don't we meet at six? ↗
- • How about Saturday instead? ↗
- • Shall I bring something? ↗
- • Is that OK with you? ↗
Reading Skills · 05
8–10 minReading Part 3 — What examiners actually mark in Writing Part 1
Candidates often believe that a longer email scores higher. It doesn't. Writing Part 1 is marked on four things: content, communicative achievement, organisation and language — and the first of these is simply whether you answered all four notes.
Content is the easiest mark to win and the easiest to throw away. Each note beside the email asks for something specific: say yes, explain why, suggest a time, ask a question. If your reply covers three notes beautifully and forgets the fourth, you lose a quarter of the content mark, no matter how good the English is.
Communicative achievement is about tone. The email always comes from a friend, so a formal opening feels wrong. Organisation means a short greeting, a middle in a sensible order, and a short ending. Language means a mix of simple and slightly longer sentences — one 'because' clause and one suggestion structure will do more for you than three difficult words used incorrectly.
The practical advice is unglamorous. Number the four notes, tick them off as you write, and count your words at the end. Around one hundred is right. Candidates who do this small piece of admin routinely score better than candidates who simply write until they run out of ideas.
Question 1.What does the writer say about longer emails?
Question 2.Which mark is 'the easiest to win and the easiest to throw away'?
Question 3.Why is a formal opening a problem?
Question 4.What does the writer prefer to 'three difficult words'?
Question 5.The advice at the end is described as…
Listening Skills · 06
8–10 minListening — a teacher gives feedback on a Part 1 email
Listening audio
Tap play to listen. Replay as many times as you need.
Show transcript
Teacher:So, your email to Sam. The English is good — but let's count the notes together.
Student:There were four: say yes, say when I'm free, suggest what to bring, and ask about the bus.
Teacher:Right. You accepted, you gave your free days, and you suggested bringing a cake. What about the bus?
Student:Oh… I mentioned it, but I didn't actually ask a question.
Teacher:Exactly. 'The bus is fine' is a comment, not a question. One line — 'Which bus should I take?' — and you'd have full content marks.
Student:How long should it be? Mine was one hundred and forty words.
Teacher:A bit long. Around a hundred is the target. Longer usually means more mistakes, not more marks.
Student:And the opening? I wrote 'Dear Sam, I am writing to accept your invitation.'
Teacher:Too formal for a friend. 'Hi Sam, thanks for your message — I'd love to come!' does the same job and sounds natural.
Question 1.Which note did the student fail to answer properly?
Question 2.Why was 'The bus is fine' not enough?
Question 3.How long was the student's email?
Question 4.What does the teacher say about longer emails?
Question 5.What is wrong with 'I am writing to accept your invitation'?
Question 1.Which sentence would have won the missing content mark?
Exam Strategy · 07
5 minWriting Part 1 — the four-note method
One sentence per note, in order. Tick them off. Around 100 words.
Task
Reply to an email from a friend, answering the four notes written beside it. About 100 words.
Example
Note 3 says 'suggest what to bring' → 'Shall I bring some sandwiches for the journey?' — one sentence, note answered, friendly tone.
Writing Task · 08
5 minPut it in writing
Q1.Turn this comment into a question: 'The train is fine.' (you need to know the time)
Q2.Make a friendly opening for an email to your friend Sam.
Reply to Ana's email above in about 100 words, answering all four notes. Then count your words and tick off each note.
Your writing draft
0 words SavedShow model answer & examiner comment
Hi Ana, Thanks for your email — I'd love to come! Saturday is perfect because I have nothing planned. When we arrive, how about renting a boat for an hour? I've never done it and it looks fun. Then we could relax on the grass. Shall I bring a salad and some drinks? I can make enough for everyone. Where exactly should we park — is there a car park by the entrance? See you on Saturday! Tom
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!
Some of us are going to the lake on Saturday and there's space in the car. We're leaving at nine in the morning and coming back after dinner. Are you free? Let me know what you'd like to do when we get there, and tell me if you can bring anything for lunch. Oh — and I don't know the area at all. Any ideas about where we should park?
Ana
Your reply must cover:
- Accept the invitation clearly
- Say one activity you'd like to do at the lake, with a reason
- Offer to bring something for lunch
- Ask a real question about parking
Show model answer
Hi Ana, Thanks for your email — I'd love to come on Saturday! Nine o'clock is fine for me. When we get there, why don't we walk round the lake first? I really enjoy hiking, and the views are usually best in the morning. After that we could swim if the water isn't too cold. Shall I bring some sandwiches and fruit for lunch? I can also bring a big blanket to sit on. One question: is there a free car park near the beach, or do we have to pay? See you on Saturday! Marta
Speaking Task · 09
10–15 minMake it a real conversation
Speaking Part 1 recycle: your teacher asks about how you keep in touch with people. Answer with answer + reason + detail, using the suggestion phrases where they fit.
Optional · Teacher-led
Teacher Activities
Use if the email is finished before time. ~10 min total
Homework · 10
Take-homeTake it 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.
Write a full Writing Part 1 answer (about 100 words) to the email below, answering all four notes.
Your response
0 words SavedMaterials included
The email
The four notes
Attempt the task first, then check your answers.
Reading Part 1 practice: choose A, B or C, then say the purpose of each message in your own words.
Your response
0 words SavedMaterials included
Messages
Attempt the task first, then check your answers.
Listen back to the teacher feedback in class and note the three fixes: missing question, word count, and opening tone. Write one example of each.
Your response
0 words SavedAttempt the task first, then check your answers.
Recap · 11
2–3 minWhat you've learned
- Writing Part 1 content marks come from answering all four notes — one clear sentence each.
- Aim for about 100 words: longer usually means more mistakes, not more marks.
- Keep the tone friendly: 'Hi Sam, thanks for your email' beats 'I am writing to inform you'.
- Suggestion toolkit: Why don't we…? / How about + -ing? / Shall I…? / I'd rather…
- In Reading Part 1, a comment is not a question — check what the message is really doing.