223. The Cambridge exam B1 story writing
Write to Mike Bilbrough to ask a question or give an opinion.
To write a successful story for the Cambridge PET exam (Preliminary English Test)
Here is some of the help and advice I talk about in the podcast. I will also read you a model story.You are always given a first sentence, which you must use.
'When Jasmin looked down at the soft ground, she could see quite clearly that the tiger had recently come this way.'
Use of 'when' here. 'When ' is a good word to use in your story as it means you create a complex, 2-part sentence.Setting the scene - where the story is happening etc.
It was foggy in the early morning light, but she clearly noticed that something was moving in the long grass.
Here we can show where the action is happening, and things that can be seen from where we are. Note the use of past continuous.Putting the story into context by saying what happened before.
It had all started when she began hanging out with gamers*. They said she was a ‘natural’. So she had started training. All that time spent in the gym working out to get fit for the most realistic computer game ever.
Notice the use of the past perfect here to talk about what happened before the present moment in the story.Use of linking words.
Despite, however, although, so, because...Back to the present action...
She turned and set off again.
We now use past simple to describe the action in the story.Use of adverbs like, luckily, fortunately, unfortunately, slowly etc.
She fell about ten metres. Luckily, her fall was broken by a branch
Fortunately, she had not reached the bottom,
Although this world was not real, the tears on her cheeks were wet, and the cold morning fog and her fear made her body shake.
(linker 'however' - making the story exciting - what happened next?)
However, what happened next made Jasmin scream. The branch began to break - slowly, at first. You could also finish with a more classical ending than mine
Finally, her friends came to rescue Jasmine and took her out of the virtual world.
At https://www.practisingenglish.com/ I offer learners of intermediate-level English, grammar help and exercises and other English learning pages.
https://www.practisingenglish.com/
My latest novel for learners of B2 English is called The Tudor Conspiracy. You can see it on Amazon here: https://amzn.to/33Axu2N
https://amzn.to/33Axu2N
Be back soon with another podcast!
Mike Bilbrough (Secondary school English teacher and Doctor in English philology)
Practising English
Listening practice for learners of B1 intermediate and B2 upper-intermediate levels of British English. Learn British English by listening to stories. Original and exciting stories written for learners and students of British English. Practise and prepare for Cambridge: B1 PET Preliminary and FCE First Certificate exams. IELTS: level 4, level 5 and level 6. Includes English grammar explanations and practice exercises, examples of vocabulary use, phrasal verbs and collocations help, British English pronunciation practice, advice and help for passing B1 and B2 English examinations: Cambridge, IELTS and Trinity. Start practising and improving your British English listening, vocabulary and speaking levels today!
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