Preparation
1. Complete phrases 1-8 with the words below.
for from of soon things to (x2) wishes
1 Give my 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 ………………………
Answer
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 my 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 my 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 my things ready for tomorrow morning. Please write soon!
3……………………
Holly
Answer
1 How are things? / Thanks for your email.
2 That’s all from me.
3 Best wishes / Give my love to your parents. / Say ‘Hi’ to your sister. / Lots of love
3. Circle the correct linking words in the email.
Answer
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 ……………………. my 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 My name’s Lisa ……………………. I’m your new penfriend.
Answer
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.
Answer
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
…………………………………………
…………………………………………
Answer
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? ………………………………
Answer
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.