PART 1

SHORT COMMUNICATIVE
MESSAGE

Text type: Email

Audience:
Marks: Family , friends,
20 marks people with
authority

Language:
Word limit: Informal/
about 80 words
Formal

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 WHAT MUST YOU DO TO ANSWER THE QUESTION?

How to answer?
1. Analyse the question
2. Plan your response
3. Organise your content
4. Write your answer
5. Check your answer

1. ANALYSE THE QUESTION

1. Read and understand what is required by the task.

2. Identify the sender – to WHO?
3. Identify the writing task – write an email to give advice / suggestion / opinion
4. Identify the topic – about WHAT?
5. Identify the questions – WHAT to reply? (2 or 3 content points)

2. PLAN YOUR RESPONSE

1. Respond to the question in the correct format.

2. Decide if you need to write in informal or formal style.
3. Give answers for the content points. Brainstorm for point and elaboration.
4. Set the tone of writing (express feeling & emotion – happy, sad excited etc.)

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3. ORGANISE YOUR CONTENT

1. Decide what information should go in the opening paragraph, the body paragraphs and the
closing paragraph.

4. WRITE YOUR ANSWER

1. Insert the sender’s email address. (to WHO?)

2. Include a brief and relevant subject. (about WHAT?)
3. Begin with a salutation.
4. Organise your points into paragraphs.
5. Use cohesive devices to connect ideas / sentences.
6. End with a suitable closing.
7. Sign off with a name.

5. CHECK YOUR ANSWER

1. Check the spelling

2. Check the punctuation
3. Check the grammar
4. Use post-writing check list

Task to fulfil:
1. Reply an email
2. Give advice/suggestions/
opinion/information

105
POST-WRITING CHECKLIST

CONTENT (/) COMMUNICATIVE (/) ORGANISATION (/) LANGUAGE (/)

ACHIEVEMENT
The content of I have used an I have used at I have used
my writing is email format. least ONE simple words relevant
relevant to the connector to to the topic
topic, connect my ideas.
eg. and, or, but,
for
I have answered I have included I have used at I have checked
all the questions additional least ONE cohesive my grammar.
information / device to connect
example to explain my sentences /
my ideas. paragraph.
eg. although,
because,
moreover
I have given a I have used correct I have written in I have checked
reply to the tone (friendly or paragraphs. my spelling and
correct sender formal). punctuation
I have checked my
spelling and
punctuation

OUTLINE

To [email protected] to WHO?
Subject about WHAT?
GREETING

OPENING PARAGRAPH

BODY (WHAT to reply)

Point 1 + elaboration
Point 2 + elaboration
Point 3 + elaboration

CLOSING PARAGRAPH

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 SIGNING OFF

NAME

USEFUL EXPRESSION
PARTS INFORMAL FORMAL
Greeting Dear Upin, Dear Sir/Madam,
Dearest Anna, Dear Mr Lee
Hi Ipin,
Hello Elsa
Opening paragraph It’s great to hear from you. I’m writing this email to …
I’m so pleased to hear that… The reason I am writing this
How nice to get your email. email is to …
Body Point + elaboration Point + elaboration
Closing paragraph I look forward to see you again. I look forward to your reply.
That’s all for now. I would like to thank you in
Get back to me soon. advance for…
Signing off Bye for now, Yours sincerely,
Best wishes, Sincerely,

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 SET A
THEME: PEOPLE & CULTURE

PRACTICE 1
Match the phrase with correct language function.
to give opinion to agree to disagree to reject to invite
to give advice to suggest to clarify to apologise to accept

1. I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to hurt your feelings. _________________________

2. How about if you could buy the tickets online for us? __________________________
3. I believe that your mum is right about being punctual. ___ ______________________
4. You’re absolutely right! __________________________
5. I don’t think so. __________________________
6. We should avoid coffee before going to sleep __________________________
7. We’re going to the mall. Would you like to come along? __________________________
8. What I mean is our parents are happy to see you. __________________________
9. I’d be glad to come to your party. __________________________
10. Sorry, I don’t think I could join your vacation. __________________________

108
Read the email below and the task instructions carefully.
You received an email from your friend, Lisa.
Hi Rose,
It’s Tasha’s 17th birthday next month. Let’s plan a special gathering with Yaya and Isya to
celebrate this special occasion. What should we do for the gathering? When can we hold the
event? What special birthday present should we get for her?
Waiting for your reply,
Bye,
Lisa

Now write an email to your friend in about 80 words.

PRACTICE 2
Complete the table with suitable information from the email above.
No Task Requirements Key words
1 What to write?
2 What is the purpose of writing?
3 What kind of language to be used?
4 Who to send?
5 What about?
6 What to reply? Question 1?
7 What to reply? Question 2?
8 What to reply? Question 3?

PRACTICE 3
Fill in the blanks with suitable information from the email above.
1. Your friend wants to celebrate _______________________________________.
2. She suggests planning a ___________________________________.
3. She is asking for your ideas on ___________________________ for this occasion and
_______________________ to have for this event.
4. She also wants you to suggest what ______________ to get for _______________.

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PRACTICE 4

Choose and tick the information you should include in your email to your friend, Lisa.

No Information Answer
1 have the celebration on Saturday
2 make it a surprise
3 laze at home and watch movies
4 invite all friends
5 a picnic at the beach
6 a new set of make-up kits

PRACTICE 5
Complete the outline of your email with the suitable answer given below.

No Parts Answer
1 Greeting
2 Opening paragraph
3 Body paragraph
Content point 1
Content point 2

Content point 3
4 Closing paragraph
5 Signing off

LIST OF ANSWERS
Bye for now,
suggest how to celebrate
thank writer for the email and agree with the idea
ask for response to suggestions given
Hi Lisa,
suggest a suitable present for Tasha
suggest when to celebrate

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 Now write an email to your friend in about 80 words using the references below.

To
Subject

Hi __________,

Thanks for (1) ______________________________________________________________. Yes, what

a great idea to (2) ____________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________.

Why don’t we have (3) _______________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________________________.
We could celebrate (4) _______________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________.
As for Tasha’s birthday present, we can buy (5) ___________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________.

(6) ________________________________________________________________________________.

Bye for now,

Rose

REFERENCES

1 thank the writer for the email

2 agree with the idea – special celebration
3 What to do? picnic at a beach
4 When to do? on Saturday
5 What to buy? new make-up kit
6 ask for response to the suggestions given
REFERENCES

1 thank the writer for the email

2 agree with the idea – special celebration
3 What to do? picnic at a beach
4 When to do? on Saturday
5 What to buy? new make-up kit
6 ask for response to the suggestions given

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 POST WRITING CHECKLIST

CONTENT (/) COMMUNICATIVE (/) ORGANISATION (/) LANGUAGE (/)

ACHIEVEMENT
The content of I have used an I have used at I have used
my writing is email format. least ONE simple words relevant
relevant to the connector to to the topic
topic, connect my ideas.
eg. and, or, but,
for
I have answered I have included I have used at I have checked
all the questions additional least ONE cohesive my grammar.
information / device to connect
example to explain my sentences /
my ideas. paragraph.
eg. although,
because,
moreover
I have given a I have used correct I have written in I have checked
reply to the tone (friendly or paragraphs. my spelling and
correct sender formal). punctuation
I have checked my
spelling and
punctuation

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 SET B
THEME: HEALTH & ENVIRONMENT

PRACTICE 1
Here are some expressions that can be used to give information. Match the two parts
correctly.

1 Here’s what ___________________________________. your questions,

2 Here’s the _____________________________________. useful information for you.

3 Now, to answer ________________________________. what you need to know.

4 Let me tell you _________________________________. information you asked for.

5 Here’s some ___________________________________. you want to know.

114
Read the email below and the task instructions carefully.

You received an email from your friend, Gopal.

Hi Ying,

Lately, I’ve been finding it difficult to fall asleep at night. Even if I’m sleeping, I would easily wake
up in the middle of night. I would even get up at the slightest of noise. The worse is I find it difficult
to go back to sleep.

As your mum is a doctor, perhaps you can ask her about my problem. Should I be worried about
this? What happens if this problem continues? What should I do to solve my sleeping problem?
Looking forward to your reply.

Regards,
Gopal

Now write an email to your friend, Gopal, in about 80 words.

PRACTICE 2
Complete the table with suitable information from the email above.

No Task Requirements Key words

1 What to write?
2 What is the purpose of writing?
3 What kind of language to be used?
4 Who to send?

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 5 What about?
6 What to reply? Question 1?
7 What to reply? Question 2?
8 What to reply? Question 3?

PRACTICE 3
Fill in the blanks with suitable information from the email above.

1. Gopal has faced problems of falling _______________________________________,

2. He writes the email to Ying because Ying’s ______________________________________. .
3. He is asking Ying to ___________________________________.
4. Gopal is concerned whether he should ____________________________________.
5. He wants to know what happens ___________________________________ and how to
overcome his ______________________________________.

PRACTICE 4

Gopal is having difficulty to fall asleep. Put a tick (/) for activities that can help Gopal
sleep well and put a cross (X) for activities that Gopal should avoid doing before
bedtime.

No Activities Answer
1 Set aside 15 minutes every night to write about your day.
2 Use electronic devices late at night.
3 Avoid taking coffee at night.
4 Exercise regularly during the day.
5 Take long naps during the day.
6 Try drinking some tea.
7 Exercise within one hour before you sleep.
8 Turn off your mobile phone and television.
9. Go to bed at the same time every night.
10 Listen to soft music

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PRACTICE 5

Where would you place the following sentences in your reply? Write the letter A, B or C in the
space given.
A. Opening paragraph B. Body paragraph C. Closing paragraph

Sentences Answer
You need to turn off electronic devices too,
I hope you can sleep well after this.
Try to relax before going to bed.
I’m sorry to hear that you’ve been having difficulties in getting to sleep at night.

SPM MODEL QUESTION

QUESTION 1

You received an email from your friend, Gopal.

Hi Ying,

Lately, I’ve been finding it difficult to fall asleep at night. Even if I’m sleeping, I would easily wake up
in the middle of night. I would even get up at the slightest of noise. The worse is I find it difficult to
go back to sleep.

As your mum is a doctor, perhaps you can ask her about my problem. Should I be worried about this?
What happens if this problem continues? What should I do to solve my sleeping problem?
Looking forward to your reply.

Regards,
Gopal

117
 Now write an email to your friend, Gopal, in about 80 words.

To
Subject

Dear __________,

I’m sorry ___________________________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________. I’ve asked ____________
___________________________________.

Mum asked you not to ________________________________, It will get worse if _______________

____________. If you don’t get enough sleep, ____________________________________________
and _______________________________________________________________________________.
So, why don’t you ___________________________________________________________________.
__________________________________________________________________________________.
You should also _____________________________________________________________________.

I hope you can sleep well after this.

Regards,
Ying

118
 POST WRITING CHECKLIST

CONTENT (/) COMMUNICATIVE (/) ORGANISATION (/) LANGUAGE (/)

ACHIEVEMENT
The content of I have used an I have used at I have used
my writing is email format. least ONE simple words relevant
relevant to the connector to to the topic
topic, connect my ideas.
eg. and, or, but,
for
I have answered I have included I have used at I have checked
all the questions additional least ONE cohesive my grammar.
information / device to connect
example to explain my sentences /
my ideas. paragraph.
eg. although,
because,
moreover
I have given a I have used correct I have written in I have checked
reply to the tone (friendly or paragraphs. my spelling and
correct sender formal). punctuation
I have checked my
spelling and
punctuation

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 SET C
THEME: SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY

PRACTICE 1
Match the question or sentence with the correct response given in the table below.

1. Would you like to join me?

__________________________________________________________________________.

2. So, have you decided what to do while waiting for your results?
___________________________________________________________________________.

3. How are you doing? You must feel great now after the exam.
__________________________________________________________________________.

4. Your brother invited me to his wedding but I couldn’t come.

___________________________________________________________________________.

5. The event took place last Sunday, didn’t it? How did it go?
___________________________________________________________________________.

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6. I have settled down well in Muar although I miss the old neighbourhood.
___________________________________________________________________________.

7. I’d like to give you two tickets for the Johor Symphony Orchestra. Just tell me if you want
the tickets.
___________________________________________________________________________.

8. I know you love the thrills so I thought of taking you skydiving – indoors! Are you game for
it?
___________________________________________________________________________.

9. Would you like to visit me during the school holiday?

___________________________________________________________________________.

10. Let’s plan an event to bid our dear teachers a proper farewell. What shall we do?
___________________________________________________________________________.

RESPONSES

Thanks for inviting me to visit you in Kota Kinabalu. Yes, I would love to come.
Yes, the charity walkathon was last Sunday. It was well-organised and the weather was
perfect.
Yes, I’ve decided to work part time at a boba tea shop near my house.
I was so disappointed that you couldn’t come to my brother’s wedding.
Indoor skydiving sounds thrilling! Of course, I’m game for it.
I’m glad you’re doing well. Everyone here misses you.
I think it’s a wonderful idea to organise an event for our teachers before we leave school.
Let’s have a barbecue dinner.

121
 Thanks a lot for offering the tickets. I’ve always wanted to watch the live orchestra so this
will be a wonderful treat for me.
Thanks for inviting me. I would love to join you for this workshop and contest.
Now that the exam is over, I’m doing fine. I can breathe again!

Read the email below and the task instructions carefully.

You received an email from your classmate, Kamal, who has just been asked to be your partner
for a science project.

Hi Rayqal,

I’m glad that our science teacher selected us as partners for our science project. Let’s do something
about solar system since you love all kinds of planets and stars. I heard that even you have galaxy
wall mural in your bedroom. What should we do and what will we need for the project? Who will do
the presentation?

I’ll be waiting for your reply.

Bye!
Kamal

Write an email to your friend in about 80 words.

122
PRACTICE 2
Complete the table with suitable information from the email above.

No Task Requirements Key words

1 What to write?
2 What is the purpose of writing?
3 What kind of language to be used?
4 Who to send?
5 What about?
6 What to reply? Question 1
7 What to reply? Question 2
8 What to reply? Question 3

PRACTICE 3
Fill in the blanks with suitable information from the email above.
1. Kamal is happy because _____________________________________________.
2. For the project, Kamal suggests to ______________________________________________.
3. He thinks Rayqal will like his idea because Rayqal __________________________________.

PRACTICE 4

Complete the statements based on the above email above.

In the reply, Rayqal should tell Kamal ____________________________________________,

_________________________________________ and _________________________________.

123
PRACTICE 5

Read the notes given to reply the email above. Organise them logically by numbering them in
the notes according to sequence.
Notes Answer

happy - do together 1

volunteer – do presentation

need – polystyrene balls, brush, paint, string, hanger

make a great team

see – Saturday

solar system - brilliant idea

make – three-dimensional model

MODEL SPM QUESTION

QUESTION 1
Read the email below and the task instructions carefully.
You received an email from your classmate, Kamal, who has just been asked to be your partner
for a science project.

Hi Rayqal,

I’m glad that our science teacher selected us as partners for our science project. Let’s do something
about solar system since you love all kinds of planets and stars. I heard that even you have galaxy
wall mural in your bedroom. What should we do and what will we need for the project? Who will do
the presentation?

I’ll be waiting for your reply.

Bye!
Kamal

124
Write an email to your friend in about 80 words.

To
Subject
Dear Kamal,

I’m happy that _____________________________________________________________. I’m sure

we will ___________________________________.

I think your idea ________________________________________________. __________________

_________________________________________________________________________________.
We could make ____________________________________________________. All we need is to
get ______________________________________________________________________________.
Since you’re good with drawing and modelling, I volunteer ________________________________.
Don’t worry, I’m sure __________________________________________________.

See you on Saturday then.

Bye for now,

Rayqal

125
 POST WRITING CHECKLIST

CONTENT (/) COMMUNICATIVE (/) ORGANISATION (/) LANGUAGE (/)

ACHIEVEMENT
The content of I have used an I have used at I have used
my writing is email format. least ONE simple words relevant
relevant to the connector to to the topic
topic, connect my ideas.
eg. and, or, but,
for
I have answered I have included I have used at I have checked
all the questions additional least ONE cohesive my grammar.
information / device to connect
example to explain my sentences /
my ideas. paragraph.
eg. although,
because,
moreover
I have given a I have used correct I have written in I have checked
reply to the tone (friendly or paragraphs. my spelling and
correct sender formal). punctuation
I have checked my
spelling and
punctuation

QUESTION 2
Read the email below and the task instructions carefully.

You received an email from your old friend.

Hi Syukri,
It was good to see you. Since we have a long break, let’s join the Johor Science Fair. I heard that Zul
Ariffin and Nazim will be going too. Where shall we meet and what time should we be there? How
much money should we bring for the fair? We could ask Aeril to join us too!

I’ll be waiting for your reply.

Bye!
Your old friend,
Remy

126
Now write an email to your friend in about 80 words. Write your answer below.

To
Subject

Hi __________,

Yes, it was great to ___________________________. I think it is a marvelous idea to _____________

_____________________________. We _________________________________________________.

Since the registration will begin at _________, ____________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________________

Looking forward to see you,

Bye for now,

Syukri

127
 POST WRITING CHECKLIST

CONTENT (/) COMMUNICATIVE (/) ORGANISATION (/) LANGUAGE (/)

ACHIEVEMENT
The content of I have used an I have used at I have used
my writing is email format. least ONE simple words relevant
relevant to the connector to to the topic
topic, connect my ideas.
eg. and, or, but,
for
I have answered I have included I have used at I have checked
all the questions additional least ONE cohesive my grammar.
information / device to connect
example to explain my sentences /
my ideas. paragraph.
eg. although,
because,
moreover
I have given a I have used correct I have written in I have checked
reply to the tone (friendly or paragraphs. my spelling and
correct sender formal). punctuation
I have checked my
spelling and
punctuation

128