Aptis Writing Exam - Analysis, Guidance & Practice

Pro-ELT Upskilling Project
Aptis Writing Exam: Analysis, Guidance

& Practice
Task 1
minutes
3 marks - 3
1a) Task 1 requires you to complete a simple form with your personal details. You should
have no difficulty getting all 3 marks. But the writer of the answer below will not get full
marks. See how many mistakes you can find:
You want to join a library. Fill in the form. You have 3 minutes.
Aptis Library
A. Ibrahim
Full name:
Date of birth:
Day
24
04
Month (write in full)
City / Town / Village:
Malaysia (Asia)
First language:
bahasa melayu
to read
Interests (list 3):
1984
Year
book
and newpapers
atletic
1b) Heres a checklist you can use when completing task 1
Checklist for Task 1
Use capital letters where appropriate.

Write using full words.
Provide the correct information.
Use (verb)+ing when describing interests (e.g. fishing, reading novels, etc.).
Check your spelling carefully when you finish.
1c) Complete the form with your own details. Make sure you dont make the same
mistakes!
Aptis Library
Full name:
Siti Hajar Aishah binti Ramli
Date of birth:
Day
City / Town / Village:
First language:
Interests (list 3):
5
June
Month (write in full)
1988
Year
Kuala Terengganu
Malay
Shopping
Reading
Jason Anderson for The British Council, 2013

The British Council is the United Kingdom's international organisation for cultural relations and education opportunities.
British Council Malaysia is a branch (995232-A) of the British Council, registered as a charity in England and Wales (209131) and Scotland (SC037733)

Watching movies
Task 2
minutes
5 marks - 7
2a) Read the answer below and compare it with the checklist underneath. How many
marks out of 5 do you think the writer will get?
You are a new member of a library. Fill in the form. Write in sentences. Use 20-30 words.
You have 7 minutes.
Aptis Library
Please tell us about what you like to read and when you would like to use the library.
I like to read novels, history books and biographes mainly, but I also enjoy to
read magazines. Id like to use the library in the evenings and on Saturday
mornings.
Use full sentences with capital letters, full stops and other appropriate
punctuation.
Answer both parts of the question.
Stay within the word count (20-30 words).
Check for any grammar errors.
Check your spelling carefully when you finish.
2b) Write your answer to the same question:
You are a new member of a library. Fill in the form. Write in sentences. Use 20-30 words.
You have 7 minutes.
Aptis Library
Please tell us about what you like to read and when you would like to use the library.
I love to read books very much.For me,romance and comedy are very
attract me.Beside book,I enjoy to read entertainment
magazines.Normally,Id like to go to library every weekends with my
friends.
2c) Swap answers with someone else. Check their answer using the checklist and then
provide feedback to each other.


Task 3
10 minutes
7 marks -
Understanding the task

3a) Read the task below and discuss these questions. Guess if youre not sure:
How many answers will you have to write?
Do you have 10 minutes per answer or 10 minutes for all your answers?
Will the computer respond to your answers?
You are a member of a library. You are talking to M. in the online library chat room. Talk to
M. using sentences.
Use 30 to 40 words per answer. You have 10 minutes.
Hi! Ive just joined the library. I joined because I wanted to get some recommendations of
good books to join. Why did you join?
Thats interesting. What are the best things about being a member?
I know what you mean. What do you think about the new reading caf theyve just
opened?
Pos
t
Pos
t
Pos
t
3b) Here are 7 sentences from an example answer. Working in pairs, try to put them in
the right boxes in the right order. Then check that each answer is the right length:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
They can really help you to find something that youll enjoy reading.
Ive only been once, but its really nice.
I joined because my sister was a member and she was always showing me really interesting books.
You can take library books in there and see if you enjoy them before taking them out.
My only criticism is the music they play - it can be quite distracting!
The books are obviously the most important thing, but its also nice being able to consult the
librarians when youre there.


7.
I thought the membership fee would be expensive, so I was really surprised when she said it was
free!

Give yourself about 3 minutes for each reply and keep an eye on the time.
Reply fully to each piece of input.
Check each of your replies for errors of grammar and spelling before you post
them.
Include a nice range of vocabulary, but dont go off topic.
Use a few conjunctions to link your ideas together (but, so, although, etc.).
Keep your replies informal (contractions are OK), but punctuate fully and dont use
text slang (C U l8er, etc.).
3d) Now try chatting to M using your own ideas:
You are a member of a library. You are talking to M. in the online library chat room. Talk to
M. using sentences.
Use 30 to 40 words per answer. You have 10 minutes.
Hi! Ive just joined the library. I joined because I wanted to get some recommendations of
good books to join. Why did you join?
Id like to join the member of a library because I love reading so much.In school,my
friends use to call me book worm.Beside that,I can able to try and read many new books
as well as spend time researching topics with my friends.Library is the perfect place to
work.
Thats interesting. What are the best things about being a member?
Pos
t
For me,a library is the place that open up a door to different ways of thinking and living.If
you be the member of library,you will get the chance to access the books and
accommodations for free.In addition,it help me to do with my research projects or
assignments with my friends.I also can make friend with other members and directly I can
share ideas and thoughts with them.
I know what you mean. What do you think about the new reading caf theyve just
opened?
Pos
t
I think that is the great idea about the new reading cafe theyve just opened.This is
because in the reading cafe,there are many computers that provide internet access for
the students.In this way,they manage to search for the materials and do some research.In
this way,it will expose the students to IT world and computer literacy.
Pos
t

Task 4
minutes
9 marks - 30
4a) Read the exam task and the example answer. How many marks do you think it would
get?
You are a member of a library. You have just received the following email from them.
Dear Library Members,
Due to high membership, two new rules will be introduced from today:
members are only allowed to take out 2 books at a time, instead of 4 books
previously allowed
all members will be charged $5 per day for books that are overdue, increased
from $1
We hope you understand these changes are in the interest of all members. Please feel
free to email us about this: library@aptis_library.com
Write an email to a friend. Write your feelings about the new rules and suggest possible
alternatives. Write about 50 words. You have 10 minutes.
Subject: Library blues!
Hi Susan,
Im really annoyed by the new library rules. 2 books arent enough for fast readers like me, and the $5
overdue fees are ridiculous!
Why dont they charge us to be members? That would keep membership numbers down, wouldnt it? Not
only that, itd give them money to buy more books!
Cheers,
Ali
Also write an email to the library, explaining your feelings about the new rules and
suggesting possible alternatives. Write 120-150 words. You have 20 minutes.
Subject: New Library Regulations
Dear Sir or Madam,
I am writing to express my dissatisfaction with the new library regulations. While I understand that your
library has limited financial resources, the changes you have introduced are, I feel, unwarranted.
Firstly, two books are not sufficient for fast readers like myself. I will now need to make two visits to the
library per week, instead of one. Secondly, the $5 per day overdue penalty seems extremely harsh, and
represents a large increase on the previous penalty.
May I suggest an alternative solution to your problem? If you were to charge a small membership fee, this
would reduce the number of members while also providing a modest income to purchase more books. Id
imagine a fee as small as 20 per annum would suffice.
Thank you for your attention to this matter.
Yours faithfully,


Ali Mohammed
4b) Notice the difference in register between the two emails. The first uses an informal
register, the second uses formal. Working in pairs, find equivalents in the first email to the
underlined expressions / words in the second email.
4c) Notice what does and what doesnt change when we switch between formal and
informal registers. Working in pairs complete the following table.
What changes?
E.g. informal
Formal equivalent
Length of
sentences
Often longer in formal

emails.
Im really annoyed by
I am writing to express my
dissatisfaction with
Spelling
No change (except in text

slang - CU L8er). Use
standard spellings in
Aptis exam.
Vocabulary
choice
Verb tense
choice
Linking
expressions
(conjunctions &
discourse
markers)
Punctuation
Use of
paragraphing
Directness of
criticism
Salutations and
valedictions
(how we open
and close
emails)
4d) Now try doing the exam task yourself, using the blank forms on the next page. When
youve finished, swap answers with another teacher and use the Checklist for Task 4 to
evaluate each others answers.

Complete both parts of the task for both emails (i.e. explain your feelings and
suggest alternatives)
Use Informal and formal registers appropriately
Check each of your replies for impeding errors (i.e. errors that make it difficult to
understand)
Include a good range of vocabulary appropriate to the task
Structure both emails well - include appropriate salutations, paragraphing and a
logical order of ideas


Extension - Skills Audit for Aptis Writing Exam
To perform well in the Aptis writing exam, youll need the following skills. Notice that they
are not all related to English language proficiency. For each one, write a number between
0 and 5. 5 = I can do this well. 0 = I cant do this at all.
____ I can type quickly in English on a computer (over 30 words per minute)
____ I can spell well in English (without spell checker) and punctuate what I type correctly
____ I can proofread my texts for spelling and grammatical errors
____ I know how to write in both formal and informal registers
____ I am aware of the important text genres in the Aptis exam (complaint letter, chat
room post, etc.)
____ I understand what I have to do in all 4 Aptis writing tasks
____ I know how to complete the exam on the Aptis website (Ive practised using the
example test)
How will you improve the skills that you have self-evaluated at 3 or lower? Discuss in
pairs.


You are a member of a library. You have just received the following email from them.
Dear Library Members,
Due to high membership, two new rules will be introduced from today:
members are only allowed to take out 2 books at a time, instead of 4 books
previously allowed
all members will be charged $5 per day for books that are overdue, increased
from $1
We hope you understand these changes are in the interest of all members. Please feel
free to email us about this: library@aptis_library.com
Write an email to a friend. Write your feelings about the new rules and suggest possible
alternatives. Write about 50 words. You have 10 minutes.
Subject:
Hi Sara,
How are you there?Have you heard the news about library members?Its a real shame that theyre only
allowed to borrow only 2 books instead of 4.Its ridiculous ! The charge in increase is also unacceptable as a
loyal library members. Why dont they think about the privilege so that it gives benefits to everyone?
Lots of love,
Aisha
Also write an email to the library, explaining your feelings about the new rules and
suggesting possible alternatives. Write 120-150 words. You have 20 minutes.
Subject:
Dear Sir/Madam,
I am writing this email to express my dissatisfaction with the recent changes of the new rules and also the
fees for those who are late returning the books.As far as I am concerned,it is unacceptable for us as a
member of the library.
Firstly,we can only borrow 2 books rather than 4 books before this.This make me miserable because I
always use many books for my research project.
Secondly, the increase in charge for books that are overdue is very high.I was very disappointed to read
the new notice about this changes.I suggest you look at theL increase in charges so that it is more
reasonable to everyone and the quantity of the books.
I look forward to hearing back from you on if my recommendations are acceptable.If not,I will look for
another library.
Regards,
Siti Hajar Aishah


Key to Selected Questions / Tasks
2a) Despite the two mistakes (biographes - spelling / enjoy to read - verb agreement) the
answer would get the full 5 marks according to the mark scheme, due to the generally
accurate, natural English, good grammar and punctuation and full task completion.
3a) You will have to write 3 answers, with 10 minutes in total for all 3. The computer will
not respond to your comments, but will produce pre-prepared, generic comments. Dont
worry if they dont follow very well after your contributions.
3b) Answer 1: I joined because my sister was a member and she was always showing me
really interesting books. I thought the membership fee would be expensive, so I was really
surprised when she said it was free!
Answer 2: The books are obviously the most important thing, but its also nice being
able to consult the librarians when youre there. They can really help you to find
something that youll enjoy reading.
Answer 3: Ive only been once, but its really nice. You can take library books in there
and see if you enjoy them before taking them out. My only criticism is the music they play
- it can be quite distracting!
4a) It would get full marks - 9/9. Its a model answer.
4c) Suggested answers:
What changes?
Length of
sentences
Spelling
Vocabulary
choice
Verb tense
choice
Linking
expressions
(conjunctions &
discourse
markers)
Punctuation
Use of
paragraphing
Directness of
criticism
Salutations and
valedictions
(how we open
and close
emails)
E.g. informal
Formal equivalent
Often longer in formal emails.
Im really annoyed
by
I am writing to express
my dissatisfaction with
No change (except in text slang - CU L8er).

Use standard spellings in Aptis exam.
Less idiomatic language in formal emails (esp.

fewer phrasal verbs). No slang or local varieties
of English in formal emails (e.g. bucks, mate,
wassap? etc.)
Little change. Both use would for hypothesising
and present simple to describe current state.
Conditionals may become more unreal and
convoluted in formal emails (E.g. If you were
to).
Spoken conjunctions more common in informal
email (and, but, etc.). Discourse marking
adverbials more common in formal emails
(however, nevertheless, therefore, etc.)
rules, keep
numbers down,
ridiculous, buy,
Library Blues!
-
regulations, reduce the

number of members,
harsh, purchase, New
Library Regulations
-
and, not only

that
Secondly, while
Main change is less use of contraction in formal Im really annoyed

emails. Keep all other areas standard (e.g.
capitalisation, full stops and commas, etc.).
Other informal features could include !!! and
CAPITALS TO EXPRESS ANGER. Avoid the last
one in the Aptis exam.
Little change, if any. They should paragraph
both (with vertical spaces, rather than oldfashioned indents).
Arguably more direct in informal email, but this are ridiculous
may be caused by indirect recipient.
I am writing
Obviously changes. See e.g.s. In formal emails,

Kind regards, Best wishes, and Yours truly,
should be fine. The above e.g. goes for the
conservative Dear Sir or Madam -> Yours
faithfully,. Note also full name in formal and
Dear Sir or Madam,

Thank you for your
attention.
Yours faithfully,
Hi Susan,
Cheers, Ali
seems extremely harsh


extra line at end of formal email.
Ali Mohammed


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