GIÁO TRÌNH WRITING TOEIC

Reason for writing: • I am writing in response to your article/advertisement/letter • I am writing with regard to your article/advertisement/letter • I am writing regarding your article/

GIÁO TRÌNH WRITING

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Page

CHAPTER 1: TIPS AND STRATEGIES

Lesson 1 + 2: Tips and Strategies for questions 1-5 - write a sentence based on a picture 4

Lesson 3 + 4: Tips and Strategies for questions 6-7 - respond to a written request 14Lesson 5 + 6: Tips and Strategies for question 8 – write an opinion essay 23

CHAPTER 2: ACTUAL TESTS

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CHAPTER 1 TIPS AND STRATEGIES

Lesson 1 + 2: Tips and Strategies for questions 1-5 - write a sentence based on a picture Lesson 3 + 4: Tips and Strategies for questions 6-7 - respond to a written request

Lesson 5 + 6: Tips and Strategies for question 8 – write an opinion essay

LESSON 1+2: TIPS AND STRATEGIES FOR QUESTION 1-5 –

WRITE A SENTENCE BASED ON A PICTURE

3

11

LESSON 3+4: TIPS AND STRATEGIES FOR PART II – RESPOND

TO A WRITTEN REQUEST

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Useful Phrases for Writing Formal Letters or Emails

1 Writing formal letters generally.

• Dear Ms Jones etc

Reason for writing:

• I am writing in response to your article/advertisement/letter

• I am writing with regard to your article/advertisement/letter

• I am writing regarding your article/advertisement/letter

Ending the letter:

• I look forward to receiving your reply

• I look forward to your reply

• I look to hearing from you

• I am, yours faithfully (if you don't know the name of the person you are writing to)

• I am, yours sincerely (if you know the name of the person you are writing to)

• Yours faithfully

• Yours sincerely

2 Writing formal letters to complain.

Reason for writing:

• I am writing in order to complain about

• I am writing to complain about

Introducing the complaint:

• Firstly

• In the first place

• First of all

• My first complaint is

• The first problem is

• The first thing I would like to draw your attention to is

• My first concern is

Introducing further complaints:

• Secondly

• In the second place

• Not only but also

• In addition

• In addition to this

• Added to this

• I suggest that you replace the item

• I therefore suggest that I be given a full refund

• I would be grateful if my money was refunded

• I would be grateful if you could give me a full refund

Ending the letter:

• I look forward to hearing from you

• I look forward to receiving a full refund

• I look forward to receiving a replacement

• I look forward to receiving your explanation

3 Writing formal letters to make suggestions.

Reason for writing:

• I am writing to suggest

• I am writing to arrange

• I am writing to offer suggestions

• I am writing make arrangements

Making first suggestion:

• My first suggestion is

• First of all I suggest

• I would like to suggest

Making further suggestions:

• You might choose either or

4 Writing formal letters to request information.

Reason for writing:

• I am writing to receive further information about

• I am writing to enquire about

• I am writing to receive more detailed information about

• I am writing to receive further details about

Requesting first piece of information:

• The first thing I would like to know is

• First of all I would like to know

• I wonder if you would mind telling me first of all ?

Requesting further information:

• Could you also tell me ?

• Could you also inform me ?

• Would you also mind informing me ?

• Would you also mind telling me ?

• Do you know ?

• I would also like to know if

• I would also like to know whether

• I hope you might also let me know about

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Thanking for information:

• I would like to thank you in advance for this information

• Thanking you in advance for this information

• Thanking you in advance

5 Writing formal letters to give information.

Reason for writing:

• I am writing to inform you about

• I am writing to provide you with information about

• I am writing to let you know that

Providing first point:

• The first thing I would like to inform you of is

• The first thing I would like to tell you is

• The first thing I wish to inform you of is

• I would like to begin by informing you

Providing further points:

• I would also like to let you know that

• I would also like to inform you that

• You might also find the following information useful

• It might also be useful for you to know that

• Another piece of information that might be useful

Ending the letter:

• If you require further information, please do not hesitate to as

• If I can be of further assistance, please do not hesitate to ask

• I will willingly provide further information on request

• I am at your disposal should you require further information

• I am at your disposal should you need further assistance

• Please do not hesitate to ask should you require further information

6 Writing formal letters to request permission

Reason for writing:

• I am writing to ask permission to

• I am writing to ask permission for

• I am writing to request permission to

• I am writing to request permission for

• I am writing to ask if I might

Making first request:

• Firstly I wonder if you would

• First of all I wonder whether you would mind

• The first request I would like you to consider is

Making further requests:

• I would be grateful if you would also consider

• I wonder if it might be possible for me to

• I would also like to request permission for

• I would also like to request permission to

Thanking for permission

• Many thanks for kindly considering my requests

• Thank you for considering my requests

Question 6

Question 7

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LESSON 5+6: TIPS AND STRATEGIES FOR QUESTION 8 –

WRITE AN OPINION ESSAY

CHAPTER 2 ACTUAL TESTS

Lesson 7 + 8: Practice test 1

Lesson 9 + 10: Practice test 2

Lesson 11 + 12: Practice test 3

Lesson 13 + 14: Practice test 4

Lesson 15: Practice test 5

LESSON 7+ 8: PRACTICE TEST 1

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Question 1

DIRECTION: Write ONE sentence based on the picture using the TWO words or phrase

under it You may change the forms of the words and you may use them in any order

Bag/hang

Answer

Question 2

Question 5

Drum/Top

Answer

Question 6

DIRECTION: Read the Email Below.

From: Blake Regis, New World Architecture

To: Kevin Shears, Manager, A.A Construction

Subject: Contract Approval

Sent: January 25, 9:30 P.M

Dear Mr Shears,

Attached are the blueprints for the “Westwood Homes” construction site I made a few modifications to the original as suggested by the architects Please review the changes for approval, so we can begin construction If there are any problems, please let me know

Question 7

DIRECTION: Read the Email Below.

From: Mike Hannah, HR Director

To: All staff

Subject: Position opening for Sales Manager

Sent: May23, 6:30 A.M

I would like to announce an opening for the position of Sales Manager We hope to fill this position with an inside hire If you are interested, please submit your resume and a cover letter by June 30 Include pertinent experience and qualifications as well as any other information you may consider applicable to the job

Thank you

Directions: Respond to the e-mail as if you are a job candidate In your e-mail,

describe TWO job qualifications and ask ONE question.

DIRECTION: Read the question below You have 30 minutes to plan, write and revise your

essay Typically and effective response will contain a minimum of 300 words

Do you agree or disagree with the following statement?

Television has broken down communication among family and friends.

Give reasons or examples to support your opinion.

LESSON 9+10: PRACTICE TEST 2

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DIRECTION: Write ONE sentence based on the picture using the TWO words or phrase

under it You may change the forms of the words and you may use them in any order

Question 1

From: Ed Haggarty, Production Supervisor

To: Production Team

Subject: Staff Holiday Schedules

Sent: April 20, 12:34 P.M

As a reminder, requests for paid time- off during the holiday season are due this week Please submit requests by e-mail and include any special circumstances regarding your request as not all requests may be granted E-mails should be submitted to me by Friday

Ed Haggarty

Production Supervior

Directions: Respond to the mail as if you are an employee of Ed Haggarty In your mail, make ONE request for holiday leave and state TWO reasons why you need the time-off.

e-Question 7

DIRECTION: Read the Email Below.

From: Kathy Chase

To: Wes Campbell, Customer Service for Nex Car Sales

Subject: Service complaint

Sent: October 21, 3:22 P.M

Mr Campbell,

I am writing to complain about a bad experience I had at your dealership I was interested in

a particular car model and approached a salesman for more information I spoke with a salesman named Jim, who was very curt about providing information and even appeared to get irritated when I asked him for more details I left your dealership very unhappy and did not get enough information about the car I was interested in In the future, I suggest you train your salesman to be more helpful and approachable to customers This experience has certainly given me a negative opinion of Nex Car Sales

DIRECTION: Read the question below You have 30 minutes to plan, write and revise your

essay Typically and effective response will contain a minimum of 300 words

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Some companies give their employees long vacation instead of raising payment Should employers compensate employees this way?

Why or why not? Give reasons or examples to support your opinion.

LESSON 11+12: PRACTICE TEST 3

DIRECTION: Write ONE sentence based on the picture using the TWO words or phrase

under it You may change the forms of the words and you may use them in any order

Question 1

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Question 5

They/Theater

Answer

Question 6

From: World Explorer Travel Agency

To: Potential traveler

Subject: Australian Express Tour

Sent: August 1, 10:05 A.M

Have you always wanted to see Australia? If so, have we got great deals for you! World Explorer Travel Agency specializes in Australian tour packages from the wilds of the outback to the laid-back atmosphere of Sydney We can arrange flights, hotel

accommodations, local transportation, and special tour packages With local contacts in Australia, World Explorer Travel Agency offers the best deals around Contact us today

at wextravel@alli.net

Directions: Respond to the e-mail as if you are a customer In your e-mail, ask THREE

questions about travel packages

Question 7

DIRECTION: Read the Email Below.

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From: Jennifer Lewis All-Star Rentals

To: Miguel Lopez

Subject: Rental Agreement

Sent: March 26, 11:56 A.M

DIRECTION: Read the question below You have 30 minutes to plan, write and revise your

essay Typically and effective response will contain a minimum of 300 words

Some customers prefer to complain in person while others would rather communicate

DIRECTION: Write ONE sentence based on the picture using the TWO words or phrase

under it You may change the forms of the words and you may use them in any order

Question 1

study / a lot of

Answer

Question 6

Directions: Respond to this email requesting for an extension and give TWO reasons why

you will be unable to comply with the deadline

FROM: Axis Telecommunications

TO: Jon Lucas

SUBJECT: Cellphone Bill

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SENT: January 16, 2007

As per our records, you have an outstanding of $852.65 due last December 25, 2006 Please pay your balance before January 25, 2007 Failure to pay your outstanding balance will force us to discontinue our service

For questions or clarifications, call our customer service hotline at (888) 888-88-88

To : Axis Telecommunications

SUBJECT: Re: Cellphone Bill

Question 7

Directions: Respond to this email as if you are the head of the customer service department

of Bertie’s Supermarket Make a statement of apology and mention TWO actions that you have taken to avoid future accidents in your store

FROM: Jean Heaver

SUBJECT: Complaint

SENT: November 12, 2006

On November 11, 2006, I was shopping for supplies in your store I was browsing through your supermarket aisles when I suddenly tripped due to a missing tile on the floor I have reported this matter to the customer relations officer within the vicinity already

Please inform me of the actions that you have taken to address this problem In addition, make sure that these kinds of accidents do not happen again Remember that customer safety should be of your utmost concern

To : Jean Heaver

SUBJECT: Re: Complaint

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Question 8

DIRECTION: Read the question below You have 30 minutes to plan, write and revise your

essay Typically and effective response will contain a minimum of 300 words

Companies are practicing many ways to increase employee satisfaction For instance, they offer several benefits, like bonuses, free international training programs, housing loans, health insurances and auto loans In your opinion, which of the benefits mentioned above will give employees the utmost satisfaction? Explain your opinion and support it with examples.

Question 1

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DIRECTION: Write ONE sentence based on the picture using the TWO words or phrase

under it You may change the forms of the words and you may use them in any order

Answer

Question 2

Answer

Answer

Question 4

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Question 5

Answer

Question 7

DIRECTION: Read the Email Below.

Question 8

Do you agree or disagree with the following statement?

It is more important to work at a job you enjoy than to make a lot of money? Support your answer with specific reasons and examples.

TÀI LIỆU THAM KHẢO

1 New TOEIC – Writing Coach, San Francisco Education Consulting, 2012

2 Skills for the TOEIC Test Speaking and Writing, Cobuild

3 Tactics for TOEIC Speaking and Writing Tests, NXB Oxford

4 Grant Trew - Tactics for TOEIC – WRITING, Oxford -University Press, 2011

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