B1 English Writing at B1 Level 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Which sentence correctly uses a time connective?
- After finishing work, I went to the gym. (Correct answer)
- After I finished work, then I went to the gym.
- After finishing work, then went to the gym.
- After to finish work, I went to the gym.
Correct answer: After finishing work, I went to the gym.
'After + gerund (finishing)' followed by a main clause is correct. Using both 'after' and 'then' is redundant. The infinitive 'to finish' after 'after' is incorrect.
Question 2: You are writing to apply for a part-time job. Which closing sentence is most appropriate?
- I look forward to hearing from you. (Correct answer)
- Hope to hear from you soon!
- Let me know what you think.
- Cheers, I hope this is okay.
Correct answer: I look forward to hearing from you.
'I look forward to hearing from you' is the standard formal closing for a job application. The other options are too informal for this context.
Question 3: Which of the following is the correct way to end a formal letter when you began with 'Dear Mr Smith'?
- Yours sincerely (Correct answer)
- Yours faithfully
- Kind regards
- Best wishes
Correct answer: Yours sincerely
When you know the person's name and use it (Dear Mr Smith), you close with 'Yours sincerely'. 'Yours faithfully' is used when you write 'Dear Sir/Madam'.
Question 4: Read the sentence and choose the correct spelling: 'We recieved/received your application last week.'
- Received (Correct answer)
- Recieved
- Recived
- Recieved
Correct answer: Received
The correct spelling is 'received'. The rule 'i before e except after c' applies here: rec-ei-ved (after c, use ei).
Question 5: Which sentence uses paragraphing correctly in a short formal email?
- State your purpose in the first paragraph, give details in the second, and close politely in the third. (Correct answer)
- Write everything in one long paragraph to keep it simple.
- Begin with your conclusion and work backwards to the background.
- Use bullet points throughout instead of paragraphs.
Correct answer: State your purpose in the first paragraph, give details in the second, and close politely in the third.
A well-structured formal email has an opening paragraph for purpose, a middle paragraph for detail, and a closing paragraph. This is the expected B1+ writing structure.
Question 6: Which sentence contains a spelling mistake?
- The goverment announced new regulations yesterday. (Correct answer)
- The government announced new regulations yesterday.
- The government announced new regulations last week.
- The government has announced new regulations.
Correct answer: The goverment announced new regulations yesterday.
'Goverment' is a spelling mistake. The correct spelling is 'government' — it includes a silent 'n' in the middle: gov-ern-ment.
B1 English Writing at B1 Level 2
Which sentence correctly uses a time connective?