Letter Model Answer (Edexcel IGCSE English Language A): Revision Note
Exam code: 4EA1
Remember, in Section B you will be given a choice of two questions, and each question will give you the option of writing in one of the following forms (genres):
A letter
A leaflet
A review
A speech
A guide
An article
You only complete one task from the choice of two. Remember to put a cross in the box to indicate whether you have chosen Question 6 or Question 7 in your answer booklet. You won’t know which genre will come up in the exam, so it’s a great idea to be prepared for all six types.
The following guide will demonstrate how to answer a Section B task in the format of a letter. The task itself is taken from a past exam paper. It includes:
Question breakdown
Planning your response
Letter model answer with annotations
Question breakdown
The first thing you should do is to read the task carefully and identify the format, audience and purpose of the task. This is sometimes referred to as a GAP analysis or the “3 Ws”:
G | A | P |
|---|---|---|
Genre (format) | Audience | Purpose |
What am I writing? | Who am I writing for? | Why am I writing? |
For example:
For this task, the focus is on communicating ideas about what items could be displayed in the new exhibition. However, which museum you choose and what ideas you put forward are up to you. You could even choose to be writing from the “future”, looking back on the 21st century. Remember, more focused responses gain higher marks. The response should be set out as a formal letter, using organisational features, but you do not have to include postal addresses. There should be clear organisation and structure with an introduction, development of points and a conclusion.
Planning your response
You should spend 5 minutes writing a brief plan before you start writing your response.
For example:
Letter model answer with annotations
Remember, this task is worth 45 marks (up to 27 marks for AO4 and up to 18 marks for AO5).
Your answer might not always satisfy every one of the assessment criteria for a particular level, but examiners apply a best-fit approach to determine the mark which corresponds most closely to the overall quality of the response.
To get the highest mark, you are aiming to meet the Level 5 marking criteria:
AO4 | 23-27 marks |
|
|---|---|---|
AO5 | 16-18 marks |
|
The following model answer is an example of a top-mark response to the above task:
Worked Example
9th April
Dear Sir/Madam,
In a recent mail-out you sent information about an upcoming exhibition entitled "Life in the Twenty-First Century" and invited suggestions and contributions from previous visitors about possible items for inclusion in this display. As a keen supporter of the museum, I welcome the opportunity to put forward some suggestions and why I think these items should be included in the new exhibition.
Firstly, I believe the exhibition should focus on major world events from the 21st century, but from the point of view of people in the UK, for example, the Brexit vote in 2016. While a domestic political event, this was inextricably linked to wider European and global debates around sovereignty, economics, and immigration. The decision for the UK to leave the European Union in 2020 was a momentous geopolitical shift driven by internal pressures that reshaped Britain's place in the world and continues to have a major impact on its economy and society. One suggestion would be for a series of recordings by people who were involved in this decision, from politicians to everyday people. This would provide a balanced view on what was quite a contentious issue, and prompting reflection on how things have changed since the UK left the European Union.
Arguably the biggest global event of the 21st century, however, has been the Coronavirus pandemic, affecting all corners of the world. The exhibition could explore the impact of the pandemic and lockdown on British citizens, again making use of multimedia to show clips from the Government briefings, including Professor Chris Whitty's now infamous "next slide please" phrase. Items such as lateral flow tests, masks and PPE equipment could contrast with the human impact of lockdown, and evidence from the Covid-19 Inquiry. Examples of artwork and photographs taken by ordinary people would also contribute to an overall picture of life during this extraordinary period.
Another interesting addition to the exhibition would be to demonstrate just how quickly technology has changed since the beginning of the 21st century. Smartphones, smartwatches, tablets and the latest VR equipment could be displayed chronologically, along with now obsolete items, highlighting the rapid scale of development in this area. Innovations in medical technology, such as artificial limbs and robotics, could also show the pace of change, with maybe some indication of where this technology is going in the next few years. Young people are especially interested in the latest technology and what might be coming up next, so this would help encourage more people to attend. This part of the exhibition could also be used to showcase new British technology and innovation, and this area could also be a more light-hearted addition, comparing commonplace technology at the start of the 21st century to now. Landlines anyone?
Finally, as life in the 21st century is extremely varied, I believe it would be useful to maintain a focus or common thread throughout whatever is exhibited, which is why I've suggested a UK perspective. I hope my suggestions about world events may be of interest to you, but just as interesting would be a showcase of everyday life and how this has changed in a relatively short amount of time. Whatever you decide, I look forward to visiting.
Yours faithfully,
K.Brown
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