TRINITY EXAMINATION

TRINITY EXAMINATION

Controlled written task

What is the controlled written task?

The ISE 0 Controlled Written exam consists of two tasks that have equal weighting. Candidates must complete both tasks. There is no choice given. The time allowed is 45 minutes.

Exam format:

w Task 1 — Reading into writing task: approximately 75 words

w Task 2 — Writing task: approximately 75 words

Sample of task 1

Sample of task 2

WRITING PROCESS …

What type of language do I need to use?

It all depends on the nature of the task, but you should have knowledge about the following:

Present simple tense

Past simple tense of regular and common irregular

Going to future

Nouns ( singular and plural, regular and irregular, countable and uncountable)

Pronouns (including possessives)

Adjectives (including comparatives and superlatives)

Adverbs of manner and frequency

Prepositions of place, movement and time

Imperatives

Demonstratives

Determiners

Can / can´t

There is / are , has / have got/ have you got?


Like + GERUND / INFINITIVE. For example: I like shopping, I like to read books

Formation of questions and the use f question words

IMPORTANT: The type of language and grammar you need to use in the exam greatly depends on the task given.


What topics are the tasks about?

What are the most common text types required for the controlled written tasks?

Organisation and presentation

Present in a postcard format

May include the recipient’s address and the date (not included in word count)

Have a greeting (followed by an optional comma)

The message should be brief and clear

Have a suitable closing

1. Postcard

Postcard

Language

Use the relevant language items of ISE 0 as required e.g. Past simple tense, Going to Future

Accurate spelling, grammar and punctuation is expected

Style and register

Postcards are informal in nature

Keep the sentences short and simple

2. Memos

A memo is a short note normally used within the workplace.


Present in a memo format

Include the names of the writer and receiver of the memo

May include the date (not included in word count)

There is no need for an address

May include a short and clear subject title (not included in word count)

Writers can use bullet points or numbered lists

Have a suitable closing

Memos

Language

Use the relevant language items of ISE 0 as required e.g. Past simple tense, Going to

Future


Style and register

Memos are normally more formal in nature as they are used within the workplace

• The style should be factual

• Keep the sentences short and simple

3. Notes

A note is an informal, short piece of writing.


Present in a note format

Include a greeting and closing

There is no need for the date or an address


Notes

Language

Use the relevant language items of ISE 0 as required e.g. Past simple tense, Going to Future

In real use there may be tolerance of spelling, grammar and punctuation deviations. In

the context of examination submissions however, accurate spelling, grammar and

punctuation is expected

Style and register

A note is informal in nature


4. Informal letters


May (or may not) include the sender's address (not included in word count)

The recipient's address is not necessary and considered inappropriate for this type of Letter

Date optional (not included in word count) positioned above greeting

Include an appropriate greeting e.g. ‘Dear John’ and closing e.g. ‘Best Wishes’

The letter should be well-organised with appropriate use of paragraphs and cohesive devices

Sign off with first name only

Informal letters

Language

Include the relevant language items of the level as required


Punctuation conventions to be observed and consistent, including address, greeting and signing-off e.g. Dear Mary (,) i.e. comma optional but not Dear Mary!

Capitalisation must be observed, as appropriate

Style and register

Informal in nature e.g. contractions, abbreviations, exclamation marks

Style and register should be consistent

5. E-mails


Present in an email format. Ideally, the email should be produced on an email package (with a hardcopy printed for marking by the examiner)

Customised prompts, such as the recipient’s email address and subject line may be included and completed (not included in word count)

Include a suitable greeting and closing


Layout is flexible, but the text should be well-organised with appropriate use of paragraphs and cohesive devices

E-mails Language

Include the relevant language items of the level as required

In real use there is great tolerance of spelling, grammar and punctuation deviations. In

the context of examination submissions however, accurate spelling, grammar and punctuation is expected

Emoticons e.g. 'smilies' and conventional abbreviations e.g. ASAP are acceptable (not included in word count)

Text-messaging conventions are not acceptable, e.g. 'R', 'U’

Style and register

Choose a style and register appropriate for the audience


6. Set of Instructions

Instructions give advice and information about how to do or use something.


Provide a title to help the reader determine what the instructions will help them do e.g. ‘Instructions on how to ...’ (titles are not included in the word count)

Think about the best order for the instructions

Bulleted and numbered lists can be used. A numbered list should be used when the order is important, a bulleted list when the order is not important

The writer may include simple diagrams to support their instructions (however, only written work is assessed)

Set of instructions Language

Use the relevant language items of ISE 0 as required e.g. Present simple tense, Going to future


Start each instruction with an imperative verb form that instructs the reader to do something e.g. ‘Open the door’, ‘Add the butter’

Style and register

Choose a style appropriate for the audience


Use a level of detail that is appropriate to the audience

7. Directions

Directions tell the reader how to get from one place to another or how to find a particular place.


Provide a title or a brief introduction to help the reader determine which place he/she will find e.g. ‘Directions from the train station to my house’ (titles are not included in the word count)

Think about the best order for the directions

A numbered list can be used

The writer may include simple maps to support their directions (however, only written work is assessed)

Directions

Language

Use the relevant language items of ISE 0 as required e.g. Present simple tense, Going to future


Start each direction with an imperative verb form e.g. ‘Turn left at the supermarket’, ‘Continue on this road for five kilometres’

Style and register

Choose a style appropriate for the audience


Use a level of detail that is appropriate to the audience

8. Creative writing

By definition, creative writing requires originality of approach.


Layout is flexible and will vary according to the genre concerned

Include a title where appropriate (not included in word count)

The text should be well-organised with appropriate use of paragraphs and cohesive devices

Creative writing

Language

Use the relevant language of the level as required


A variety of verb tense may be used

Descriptive language should be used to add interest e.g. adjectives and adverbs

Style and register

Style and register will vary according to type of creative writing and the intended reader


9. Descriptive writing

Descriptive writing requires the writer to describe something, especially in a detailed and interesting way.


Include a title where appropriate (not included in word count)

The text should be well-organised with appropriate use of paragraphs and cohesive devices

Descriptive writing

Language

Use the relevant language of the level as required


Descriptive language should be used to add interest e.g. adjectives and adverbs

Style and register

Style and register will vary according to type of descriptive writing and the intended reader


What is the assessment criteria for the controlled written tasks?

How can I achieve the highest mark?

Into practice now …

Go back to the 2 sample tasks. Read them carefully and identify the following in each of them:

A. Text type: (task 1 and task 2)

B. What important organisation features you think you would consider for the tasks: (task 1 and task 2)

C. Specific Grammar and language: (task 1 and task 2)

D. Style and register: (task 1 and task 2)

E. Make a sketch of what your text would look like: (task 1 and task 2)

Documents

TRINITY EXAMINATION