FCE Unit 2 Writing a story

• Engels
• Middelbare school
• vwo
• Leerjaar 2

This one will make you think! Who can be first person to guess what it is?

It's a tea bag in a cup of tea. 

Writing FCE

FCE Writing (1 hour 20 minutes)

The writing paper is divided into two parts, you have to complete one task from each part. Each part carries equal points SO...... You should not spend longer on one than another. 

PART 1  Is compulsory and there is not choice of questions - You have to write an essay. You have to write 140- 190 words

Writing - Part 2

Part 2 has three tasks to choose from which may include:

• a letter or email
• an article
• a report
• a review
• a story

The incident in the photo took place after Tom left the station. What do think happened before and after the scene.

Work in pairs - discuss

Put the steps for telling a good story in the correct order. 

a. Bring events to a conclusion

b. Relate/Describe the climax - the most exciting, dramatic part of the story.

c. Set the scene: introduce the character(s) and the background situation

d. Start building the tension

e. events leading to the end of the story

Plan:

Who is Tom? 

What happened?

Why does he know he has the wrong suitcase? 

What was in it?

What address was on the suitcase?

What was the surprise

It is a good idea to think of the end of the story as you make your plan so that the story is logical. 

Make notes of your ideas and how the story will develop

A good story should include the following: 

A good story should include the following: 

• a paragraph that is interesting so that  you want to read on.
• sentences that are varied in length for interest.
• short sentences for dramatic events
• a wide range of vocabulary, including vivid adjectives and adverbs.
• a wide range of past tenses.
• correct use of paragraphs
• a range of connectors  (see link on next slide)

We will write a story as a formative assignment next week. Exercise 2 page 100

You have seen the competition below in a magazine. You decide to enter. Read the instructions and check who you are writing for, why and what you must write about. 

140-190 words

You have seen the competition below in a magazine. You decide to enter. Read the instructions and check who you are writing for, why and what you must write about. 

140-190 words

Extra help

Story writing: page 100 in Gold Experience and the Writing File on page 170

delicious

disastrous

exhausted

heartbroken

marvellous

sad

bad

nice

good

tired

Adverbs/Adverbial phrases of place and time go at the beginning or the end of a sentence. 

I ran over a cat yesterday

Last year I saved three dogs from a bear.

Adverbs of manner usually go after the verb

The tortoise moved slowly down the beach 

She stroked the tiger carefully

HOMEWORK

READ: page 100

Read page 170

Lesson 2

Last lesson (homework) we looked at page 100 ex 1-3

Today we will finish the story writing exercises and make a plan for use next Tuesday in the Formative Writing Assessment

4. Read the story again

The development of the story is very important. A good story should interest and engage the reader. 

It should have a clear opening and ending. Include some excitement, tension or interest

Answer the questions in exercise 4 in pairs

Answers

1. That was the moment that Nick asked me if I had sent the text.

A good prompt should make you wonder what has happened and what's going to happen next

Ex 4: Answers

2. Tension keeps the reader interested. Without any tension a story could be boring

3. A climax is when a story reaches its most exciting part and you usually find it at the end of a story.

Exercise 5

1. Look at the story in Ex 3  again and make notes. (individually)

2. Now, in pairs, retell the story by only looking at your notes. Check that you have both included the main events.

Ex 6

 Look at the model story in Ex3 while I am reading the exam tip.

•  The information in the second paragraph gives background details, so the tense used is the past perfect at the beginning.

Ex 7 : Tenses

Example: The past continuous - Nick and I were hanging out. (a description of something happening over a period of time in the past.  

8. Adverbs and adjectives 

Do the exercise in pairs - Example: a long, difficult day: a beautiful old house

Ex 9: Read the task and make a plan

Homework: Finish your plan, use the diagram in ex 4 to help you. Think of good phrases to bring your story to life (adjectives and adverbs). 

BRING THE PLAN ON TUESDAY