WRITING A STORY – A1 English Writing Test

1  How do you make new friends? Do you do any of these things? Tell your partner.

2  Read Marta’s story about a new friend. Where did she meet her friend Sara?

A new friend

Last month I started a new school. I didn’t know anyone, but one girl in my new class was very friendly. She was called Sara. She started talking to me at lunchtime. We talked about clothes and music. It was amazing because we both liked the same things. Then I showed her some photos of my family and my pets. She loved the photos of my animals! After that, I invited her to my house and we were soon good friends. I was very happy!

3  Look at the Key Language box. Find words in Marta’s story to complete it.

KEY LANGUAGE FOR A STORY

Past simple verbs

I started a new school., I didn’t know anyone.,

We 1………………… clothes and music.

Was and were

One girl in my new class 2………………… very friendly.,

We 3………………… soon good friends.

Past time expressions

4………………… month, last summer, in the summer holidays

Linking words

and, but, because, I invited her to my house and we were soon good friends., I didn’t know anyone, but one girl was very friendly., It was amazing 5………………… we both liked the same things.

4  Read the rules about and, but and because. Then choose the correct words to complete the sentences.

We use and to link two similar ideas. She was kind and she was very friendly.

We use but to link different ideas: I was tired, but I decided to go to the party.

We use because to give a reason: I liked Tom because he was funny.

1   We talked about football and / but computer games.

2   I liked Harry but / because he was a football fan, like me.

3   There were a lot of people at the party, because / but I didn’t know many of them.

4   I wanted to buy a cup of coffee, but / because I didn’t have any money.

5   She was very friendly but / and we decided to go to the cinema together.

6   We were soon friends because / but we liked the same things.

5  Get ready to write a story about a new friend. Plan your ideas.

When did it happen? ……………………………………………

Where were you? ……………………………………………

Who was the new friend? ……………………………………………

What did you first start talking about? ……………………………………………

Why did you like him/her? ……………………………………………

What happened after that? ……………………………………………

6  Write your story. Use your notes in Exercise 5.

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