PET Writing Skills & Composition 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: You are writing an email to a friend describing a film you recently saw. Which opening sentence is most appropriate?
- Dear Sir/Madam, I am writing to inform you about a film.
- Hi Sarah, I just got back from seeing an amazing film and had to tell you about it! (Correct answer)
- To Whom It May Concern, the film was very good.
- Greetings, I would like to formally describe a cinematic experience.
Correct answer: Hi Sarah, I just got back from seeing an amazing film and had to tell you about it!
An informal, enthusiastic opening suits a personal email to a friend.
Question 2: In a PET writing task, you must use ALL the notes given in the question. Why is this important?
- To make the response longer than required.
- Because the examiner checks that all required information is included. (Correct answer)
- To practice using vocabulary from the notes.
- Because notes always contain the correct grammar to copy.
Correct answer: Because the examiner checks that all required information is included.
Missing required information from the notes results in lost marks for content.
Question 3: Which sentence best uses a discourse marker to contrast two ideas?
- I like coffee and I like tea.
- I like coffee, furthermore, I drink it every day.
- I like coffee; however, I prefer tea in the morning. (Correct answer)
- I like coffee because it tastes good.
Correct answer: I like coffee; however, I prefer tea in the morning.
'However' signals a contrast between liking coffee and preferring tea at a specific time.
Question 4: A PET candidate writes: 'The whether was nice.' What type of error is this?
- Punctuation error
- Grammar error
- Spelling/vocabulary error (wrong homophone) (Correct answer)
- Word order error
Correct answer: Spelling/vocabulary error (wrong homophone)
'Whether' and 'weather' are homophones; using the wrong one is a vocabulary/spelling error.
Question 5: When writing a story for PET, which technique makes the opening most engaging?
- Start with 'Once upon a time' for every story.
- Begin with a dictionary definition of the main theme.
- Open with action, dialogue, or a surprising statement to hook the reader. (Correct answer)
- List all the characters and their ages before the story begins.
Correct answer: Open with action, dialogue, or a surprising statement to hook the reader.
An engaging opener with action or dialogue draws the reader in immediately.
Question 6: You need to write about 100 words for PET Writing Part 2. You write 55 words. What is the likely result?
- Full marks if all required information is included.
- A penalty for being too short, losing marks for content and language. (Correct answer)
- No penalty as long as the handwriting is neat.
- Bonus marks for being concise.
Correct answer: A penalty for being too short, losing marks for content and language.
Responses significantly under the word count typically lack sufficient content and language demonstration.
Question 7: Which sentence is written in the correct passive voice?
- The letter was wrote by Maria.
- The letter was written by Maria. (Correct answer)
- The letter written by Maria was.
- The letter is write by Maria.
Correct answer: The letter was written by Maria.
'Was written' is the correct past passive form using the past participle.
PET Writing Skills & Composition 2
You are writing an email to a friend describing a film you recently saw.
Which opening sentence is most appropriate?