Photocopiable tasks
Task 12: Learner texts
Below are two learner texts written in response to the following task:
Write a ietterto a friend explaining that you have recently moved house. Describe your new place, its advantages over your last place, and invite your friend to the party that you will be having to celebrate this event
1 Read the texts and evaluate them according to the following criteria.
• content: does the text cover a sufficient range of points, according to the task instructions?
• organization and cohesion: is the text appropriately organized, laid out, and linked?
• range: is there a range of vocabulary and grammatical structures?
• register: is the style appropriate to the topic, text type, purpose, and intended reader?
• target reader: has the writer kept the reader in mind?; would the text achieve the desired effect on the reader?
• accuracy of language: is the text accurate in its use of vocabulary, grammar, discourse features, etc?
2 1
How do the two texts compare?
Dear Paul,
I'm writting to you for telling that I've recently moved house, now i live in 23 Street Road near the post office, do you know?
I'm very happy because for me this house has been my dream during all my live, the main advantage, it's new
and the other hand, there is a garden where we can play, eat and stay in our free time. For me there are a lot
of advantages than my first house. My neighbours are very kind with me and the area is very quite.
I would like that you'll come to my house next month to celebrate the new house, with my parents and friends,
please come in, I'll wait you. If you couldn't come, tell me, my telephone number is 309524.
I'm looking forward to seeing you next month,
love,
Nuria
Dear Steve,
I'm writting to you as I have just finisiied moving to a new house, it was very taring days. I left my old house because there were some things I didn't like, such as it had quite so little rooms. Not only were there little and dark rooms but there were also little sunlight, it was always in the shade. Moreover, I asked to the owner of the house to paint it, as it was very dirty, but he turned down what I had asked. So I decided to leave the house.
I nave moved to a brand-new building so there are no problems with the painting and other things at all. That house is very comfortable and it also has large windows to pass through the sunlight. By the way, my new neighbours are very nice, they helped me with moving my furniture and all my things. I have moved to an area near lots of parks, it is a beautiful place.
Well, to sum up I'd like you to come to my house-warming party to open that pretty place I've got. So wishing to hear from you soon. Yours sincerely, Pilar
175
© Scott Thombury and Macmillan Publishers Limited, 2005. This page may be photocopied for use in class.