Preparation
1. Complete phrases 1-8 with the words below.
for from of soon things to (x2) wishes
1) Give love ____________ your parents.
2) Thanks ____________ your email.
3) That’s all ____________ me.
4) Best ____________,
5) How are ____________?
6) Lots ____________ love,
7) Say ‘Hi’ ____________ your sister.
8) I hope to see you ____________
Show answers
1) to 2) for 3) from 4) wishes 5) things 6) of 7) to 8) soon
Writing Strategy
There are certain expressions that are used to begin and end an informal email, like Dear ___ and Best wishes ___ But emails usually include a few other ‘social phrases’ near the beginning and end. These make the email sound more natural and friendly.
2. Read the Writing Strategy. Then choose three phrases from exercise 1 to complete the email below. (More than one answer is possible.)
To: james@email.com
Hi James,
1) _____ I hope you and your family are well. What are you doing at the moment? I’m trying to finish homework, but / so it’s taking a long time!
How about meeting in town one day soon? I want to try the new café on Market Street because mum says it’s very good. We can go there after school because / or meet for lunch one Saturday.
I’m going to Ava’s barbecue next Saturday. Are you going too? It’s at her house. I’m helping her with the preparations because / so I’m arriving early. I hope I see you there!
2) _____ I have to get things ready for tomorrow morning. Please write soon!
3) _____
Holly
Show answers
1) How are things? / Thanks for your email.
2) That’s all from me.
3) Best wishes / Give love to your parents. / Say ‘Hi’ to your sister. / Lots of love
3. Circle the correct linking words in the email.
Show answers
but, or, so
4. Complete the sentences with the correct linking words below. Sometimes more than one answer is possible.
and because but or so
1) I’m tired ________ I want to go to bed.
2) I’d like to go out this evening, ________ I can’t.
3) I can speak English ________ mum’s from France.
4) Let’s go to the newsagent’s ________ buy a newspaper.
5) Do you want to eat at home ________ go to a restaurant?
6) name’s Lisa ________ I’m your new penfriend.
Show answers
1) and / so 2) but 3) because 4) and 5) or 6) and
5. Read the task. In what order does Holly cover the three points in exercise 2? Number them 1-3.
Write an email to your friend in which you:
– talk about a future arrangement.
– suggest an activity to do together.
– say what you are doing now.
Show answers
1) say what you are doing now
2) suggest an activity to do together
3) talk about a future arrangement
Writing Guide
6. Plan an email for the task in exercise 5. Make notes about:
1) a future arrangement.
________
________
2) a suggestion for an activity
________
________
3) your current activity
_________
_________
Show answers
your own answers
7. Write an email following your plan from exercise 6. (You can choose a different order for points 1-3). Include phrases from exercise 1.
Extra exercises
Strategy
When we write an email to a friend, we often use informal language, rather than formal language. Informal language includes contractions (I am = I’m), imperatives (Can you tell me ___ = Tell me ___ ) and informal vocabulary (thank you = thanks).
1. Read the Strategy. Then rewrite the sentences using more informal language.
1) Dear Chloe, ______________
2) I hope you are well. ______________
3) That is all from me. ______________
4) Can you call me next week? ______________
5) Goodbye for now. ______________
6) Can you ask your parents? ______________
Show answers
1) Hi / Hello
2) I hope you’re well.
3) That’s all from me.
4) Call me next week.
5) That’s all for now. / That’s all from me.
6) Ask your parents.
2. Write an informal email to a friend. Include the information below.
– Thank your friend for his/her email.
– Mention an event you’re organising at your school.
– Describe the event.
– Invite your friend to the event.
– An appropriate ending.
IELTS Practice Tests Online
