Tutor Module for Key Skills Communications
Level 2 Test
Skill Area 1 – Reading/understanding writing
techniques
Skill Area 1 – Reading/understanding writing techniques ................................................. 1
1.2 Understanding writing techniques ............................................................................... 1
Tone, vocabulary, structure of text.................................................................................... 2
TONE ........................................................................................................................ 2
VOCABULARY .......................................................................................................... 3
Writing styles .................................................................................................................... 4
Informal writing styles ................................................................................................ 4
Formal ....................................................................................................................... 4
Types of documents ......................................................................................................... 6
Letter ............................................................................................................................. 6
Memos .......................................................................................................................... 8
Publicity flyer ............................................................................................................... 10
Report ......................................................................................................................... 11
Newsletter ................................................................................................................... 12
Agenda........................................................................................................................ 14
Email ........................................................................................................................... 15
Advertisement for a jobs, goods or services ............................................................... 15
Invitation to an event ................................................................................................... 16
Table of results for sports activities ............................................................................. 17
Forms to collect information ........................................................................................ 18
Practice Questions ............................................................................................................. 19
Practice question 1 .................................................................................................. 19
Practice question 2 .................................................................................................. 20
Practice question 3 .................................................................................................. 21
Practice question 4 .................................................................................................. 22
Practice question 5 .................................................................................................. 23
Answers to practice questions ............................................................................................ 24
Answers to practice question 1 ................................................................................ 24
Answers to practice question 2 ................................................................................ 24
Answers to practice questions 3 .............................................................................. 25
Answers to practice questions 4 .............................................................................. 25
Answers to practice questions 5 .............................................................................. 26
Websites to help with writing techniques ........................................................................ 27
COMMUNICATION TOOLKIT
SKILL AREA 1.1.2: Understanding writing techniques
BBC Key Skills: http://www.bbc.co.uk/keyskills
© BBC 2004
Skill Area 1 – Reading/understanding writing techniques
1.2 Understanding writing techniques
1.2.1: Recognise the writer’s intentions (e.g. by tone, vocabulary, structure of text).
This category can include items that assess candidates’ ability to;



identify the purpose of a text and infer meaning that is not explicit;
read critically to evaluate information and compare information, ideas and opinions from
different sources;
read and understand technical vocabulary.
1.2.2: (Recognise how other writers) present written information in different forms (e.g.
letters, memos).
This category can include items that assess candidates’ ability to;

use format and structure to organise writing for different purposes.
1.2.3: (Recognise how other writers) structure the material to help readers follow what has
been written and to understand the main points (e.g. use paragraphs, headings and subheadings).
This category can include items that assess candidates’ ability to;

present information and ideas in a logical or persuasive sequence, using paragraphs
where appropriate
1.2.4: (Recognise how other writers) use different styles of writing to suit different purposes
(e.g. persuasive techniques to present arguments, technical vocabulary, supporting
evidence for reports).
This category can include items which assess candidates’ ability to;


use formal and informal language appropriate to purpose and audience;
use different styles of writing for different purposes, e.g. persuasive techniques,
supporting evidence, technical vocabulary.
COMMUNICATION TOOLKIT
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SKILL AREA 1.1.2: Understanding writing techniques
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Tone, vocabulary, structure of text
To be able to read and comprehend the content of a piece of work, the reader must
understand the techniques used by the writer to get the point across. It’s a well-known fact
that one of the hardest things for students studying English as a second language to do, is
to learn the ‘tone’ of words. Young children pick these skills up as part of their own
development. For an older child or adult, the ability to hear the intonation of a second
language is not as sharp as that of a young child.
TONE
There are many words that mean different things, just by the tone in which they are spoken.
Example
Verbal communication of a word such as ‘thanks’ can mean different things depending on
how it is spoken:
‘Thanks’
‘Thanks!’
i.e. thanks for helping me
i.e. a sarcastically said ‘thanks’ actually means the opposite
Dialogue
It’s even harder to get the tone right when the words are written. For experienced readers,
the tone of dialogue in a narrative description helps them to understand the tone of the
words. We almost hear the words in our heads just as we hear them when they are
spoken. In a book, dialogue is generally accompanied by a description of the ‘speaker’s’
mood.
Examples
She smiled. “You know that I’m very grateful for your help.”
“I bet!” he said sarcastically. “You’re never gratefully for anyone’s help.”
A Letter
Tone in a letter might sound angry, if it’s about a complaint. It might sound indignant if the
writer is annoyed. The tone will be different again if the writer is pleased. In the following
examples, the highlighted words will help the reader to understand the tone of the letter.
Complaint
1)
Satisfaction 2)
I am writing to complain about the shoddy treatment I received from
your shop assistant on Saturday, 15 November.
Thank you very much for your excellent assistance and help with the
flower show on Friday.
As can be seen from the examples, the choice of words really makes the tone of the letter
very clear.
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SKILL AREA 1.1.2: Understanding writing techniques
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VOCABULARY
Of course, to help get the tone and meaning across, it is important that the writer has a
good vocabulary. However, studies have shown that most students today only know two
thirds of the words the average student knew 20 years ago. Therefore, if they can’t
understand the meaning of a piece of writing, it will not have achieved its aim.
If the student feels that their vocabulary isn’t as full as it should be, there are ways to help
with this, which you could suggest to them.
1)
2)
3)
4)
5)
6)
7)
8)
9)
10)
Get a dictionary with definitions that are easy to understand.
Get a small thesaurus (a glossary of words with alternatives for you to choose
from). Your computer has a thesaurus (Tools, Language, Thesaurus or Shift
F7, if using Microsoft Word).
Start writing down new words in a notebook (or on a computer) and look up
their meanings in the dictionary or thesaurus. Write down the meanings as
well. Write the words in the left hand column and the meaning in the right.
Pay attention to words around you.
Learn to love words – simple, complex, short or long words.
Play word games and do crossword puzzles.
Read magazines and newspapers – look up unfamiliar words and record in
your notebook or on computer.
Read books - look up unfamiliar words and record them in your notebook or
on your computer.
Practise using words by writing them out in sentences.
Get someone to check your work to ensure that the sentences make sense.
STRUCTURE OF TEXT
The structure or organisation of text is very important if the meaning is to make sense. For
instance, you wouldn’t have the end of a story at the beginning of a book (well, you might
but generally this isn’t so!). You wouldn’t read the answers to a test before you have
completed the questions (or that would be cheating!). This is because things that are
written must have some sort of sequence or chronological (date) order so that the reader
can follow what is happening.
COMMUNICATION TOOLKIT
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SKILL AREA 1.1.2: Understanding writing techniques
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Writing styles
Informal writing styles
You would use this style of writing when writing to friends or close acquaintances. Emails
are often written in an informal style, and they sometimes include the use of email symbols
to signify mood. For instance:
;-)
winking
:-)
smiling
:-(
unhappy
When these are turned on their side, they make more sense.
Informal writing may be punctuated with more explanation marks (!) than formal style.
Formal
Formal writing styles are used for business, important or serious situations. If you don’t
know the person and want to have a record of what you’ve said (a complaint, for instance),
writing to the bank, a reporting on a crime, etc, your style of writing must reflect that this is
more serious than writing to a friend.
There are some rules for formal writing. This is because, if anything goes wrong, the
person receiving the correspondence or reading the notice could have grounds for a legal
claim against you or the organisation you represent. Not so many formal communications
are sent today, as more people use the phone to call customers in a more relaxed way.
Do’s
1. If you are writing a letter or email on behalf of an individual or an organisation, let them
check it before you send it out.
2. Be consistent with layout – use the same font and heading styles throughout the
document.
3. With letters, check the ‘house style’. There may be organisational rules about how
letters are laid out, i.e. always leave 1 inch/2.5cms below the heading before starting,
wider margins than usual, etc.
4. If you are preparing an invoice, check the totals carefully. Add E&OE to the bottom of
an invoice. This means that Errors and Omissions are Excepted, i.e. errors are
‘excused’ and you can send a further invoice or a credit note if a mistake has been
made.
5. Leaflets, flyers, etc. – if you are using information from another source, you must say
where you got this from (Copyright ©) and include website addresses and names.
6. Reports are formal and may be used for future reference so they must be accurate.
Check carefully before submitting them.
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SKILL AREA 1.1.2: Understanding writing techniques
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Don’ts
1. Don’t mix fonts in headings, as it will confuse the reader.
2. Don’t assume that emails won’t be printed and kept for future reference and be held
against you.
3. Don’t lie on leaflets and posters – you will be found out by someone.
4. Don’t make jokey comments on letters or reports.
5. Don’t use slang or abbreviated words for formal correspondence.
6. Don’t fax confidential information or leave private messages on an ansaphone as they
might not get to the person they were intended for.
Example of informal style of writing
Thanks for the email :-). Hope all is well and that you’ll be around next week for the party.
Love Sue
Example of formal style of writing
Dear Miss Jones
Thank you for your letter of 10 January.
I will be happy to visit your company next week on 18 January to discuss our new venture.
I look forward to meeting you.
Yours sincerely
COMMUNICATION TOOLKIT
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SKILL AREA 1.1.2: Understanding writing techniques
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© BBC 2004
Types of documents
Some documents, like emails, are generally familiar to students, who prefer this form of
communication to letters and memos. The following will give guidance on various types of
documents that students may find in the Key Skills test.
Letter
In a letter, generally the first things we see are:
1)
The headed notepaper and details of the company (address, telephone no, etc)
2)
The reference
3)
The date
4)
Salutation (Dear Sir, Madam, etc)
5)
Subject reference (a heading to introduce the subject)
6)
Introductory paragraph (what the letter is about)
7)
Body of the work (more information about the subject)
8)
Closing paragraph (to finish off the letter politely, i.e. “I look forward to hearing from
you”, “Please let me know how to proceed as soon as possible,” etc.)
9)
Complimentary close (ie, Yours faithfully, Yours sincerely, etc.)
10)
Name of company
11)
Space for signature
12)
Name of signatory
13)
Position of signatory
See following page for the general layout of a letter incorporating the above.
COMMUNICATION TOOLKIT
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Example letter
The Labyrinth, Chester
HOLCOMBE, Somerset
Street,
Tel: 01589 554466
Fax: 01589 554466
Ref: LO15/532
Date: 1 April 2004
Mr and Mrs Jones
5 Manor Terrace
The Plains
WATERLOOVILLE
Hampshire
Dear Mr and Mrs Jones
RE: NEW BRICK PAVING
I am pleased to offer you the opportunity to be the proud owner of our new brick
paving in your driveway.
There are many home owners from your area who have opted for this type of
paving. Enclosed is a leaflet (with recommendations) giving you the advantages
of this type of driveway.
Please contact us should you require a FREE OF CHARGE quote.
Yours sincerely
SLOANES AGENCY
Vanessa Stokes
Secretary
encs
COMMUNICATION TOOLKIT
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SKILL AREA 1.1.2: Understanding writing techniques
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Memos
This is a written message sent to someone who works for the same company as the
sender. Therefore, no address is required.
Memos must include:





To:
From:
Date:
Subject:
Paragraphing to tell the recipient what it’s about
COMMUNICATION TOOLKIT
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SKILL AREA 1.1.2: Understanding writing techniques
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© BBC 2004
Invoice
A bill – an itemised statement to show someone how much they owe for something they’ve
bought, or a service that has been provided. They come in a variety of formats, depending
on the organisation.
JOE BLOGGS INC
1 The Rest, Lower Chase Grove
NEW MILTON
Hampshire
GG0 9PP
INVOICE
Sub Contractor
National Training Centre
Cambridge Lane
Shirley
Southampton
SO4 3NN
Date:12 December 2003
Invoice No: SB 2058
Job
Gross Total
Less Tax
Subtotal
Materials
Subtotal
Plus VAT
TOTAL
19-53 Buildings to the right of office block. Allon Plastering
Services c/p Inteserve
£662.00
£115.16
£542.84
£0.00
£542.84
0.00
£542.84
VAT registered – No:235688251
COMMUNICATION TOOLKIT
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© BBC 2004
Invoices must include:





Invoice number
Date
Name and address of person the invoice is to (recipient/buyer)
What has been bought or service rendered (usually split into individual items and their
cost)
Total cost
Invoices may include:






Order number
For the attention of ….
Reference details
VAT
Delivery charge
E&OE (Errors and Omission Excepted – in case there’s an error in calculations)
Publicity flyer
A throwaway advertisement
(usually printed on a page or in
a leaflet) intended for wide
distribution.
Publicity flyers may include:



Eye-catching layout - big
and bold with key words, i.e.
FREE,
BARGAIN,
etc.
larger
than
rest
of
information.
An advert saying when,
where, what is for sale or
what function is being held
A picture or diagram
COMMUNICATION TOOLKIT
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© BBC 2004
Report
A written document describing the findings of some individual or group.
Reports must include:







Title page
Terms of reference (what you have been asked to do, i.e. research a particular subject)
Procedure (how you gathered the information, i.e. interviews, visits, observation, etc.)
Findings (what you have found – simple facts)
Conclusion (statement about your findings – summing up
Recommendations – recommendations for future research or projects
Appendices – more information that could be included in a footnote.
Reports may include

Header or footer with date, and page number
COMMUNICATION TOOLKIT
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© BBC 2004
Newsletter
A report or open letter giving informal news of interest to a special group of people, i.e. staff
within a company.
National Training Centre
Cambridge Lane
Shirley
Fax:
Southampton
S04 3NN
Phone: 01488 335566
01488 335555
Email: td@tdtd.co.uk
Date as postmark
Dear Parent
RE TRAINING DAYS FOR CHILDREN
I am pleased to say that the training days went extremely well, with more children attending than ever. Our
safety record must have contributed to the popularity of all activitities.
Canoeing
Archery
Canoeing was again one of the most popular
events. The fine weather made the
experience uplifting and enjoyable. We will be
purchasing Canadian canoes
For our training days next year, which will add
another aspect to this event.
Our new workshop and the walled garden were
used, as many children wanted to try their hand
at being Robin Hood for the day. Safety was a
key aspect of this event, with children learning
the rules and happily sticking to them.
Climbing
Horse riding
This event was as popular as ever, with more
than 20 children taking up the activity. We
used our two minibuses to ferry the students
to a nearby riding school. The expert tuition
the school provided ensured a happy bunch of
riders returning to the centre at the end of the
day.
Our new climbing wall was used every day
during the training days, which proved to be
popular once again. Well done to all those
children who managed to stay on and didn’t
have to make use of the security ropes.
If you would like to block book now for next year with other parents (to avoid disappointment) we will be
pleased to offer you one free place for every ten children. We enclose 10 application forms. Please feel free
to photocopy them or contact me if you would like more.
I look forward to hearing from you.
Yours faithfully
NATIONAL TRAINING CENTRE
Kelly Henry
Kelly Henry
Bookings Co-ordinator
COMMUNICATION TOOLKIT
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© BBC 2004
Newsletters may include






Introduction to newsletter
News about items within the company
Advertisements for future events
Items for sale
Headers or footers with date, name of company, etc.
Page numbers if more than one page
Statements
A statement of a list of financial transactions, ie, a list of invoices sent in a month, or money
in and out of a bank.
Greenfields Electrical Services
4 Greenfields Lane
Bishops Waltham
Southampton
Hampshire
Hampshire
S034 5NP
STATEMENT OF ACCOUNT
15th February, 2004
To:
Mr and Mrs V Elson
Green Lane Colleges
Shirrell Heath
SOUTHAMPTON
SO33 3PP
Please find detailed below, Statement of Account for the months of January / February 2004.
Payment must be received by 1 March 2004 or you may incur a late penalty charge.
Date
10/1/04
28/1/04
9/2/04
Invoice Number
GFDD1225
GFDD1278
GFDD1315
Amount
£209.00
£35.00
£120.00
Running Total
£209.00
£244.00
£364.00
Tel: 01489 888888
Fax: 01489 888888
Email: Greenfields@grw.com
Website: www.grw.com
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Statements must include:



Dates each transaction took place
Any invoice or reference numbers to help identify the amounts.
A date by which the amounts are to be paid.
Agenda
A list of topics that will be discussed at a meeting – usually issued some time before the
meeting takes place.
Agendas must include:






Date, time and place of meeting
List of items to be discussed
Present
Minutes of the last meeting read and agreed
Matters arising
Any other business
COMMUNICATION TOOLKIT
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Email
Electronic mail - a system of world-wide electronic communication in which a computer
user can compose a message at one terminal that is generated at the recipient's terminal
when he logs in.
Emails must include:





Email address, name and ‘signature’ of sender
Date and time the email is sent
Email address of recipient
Subject
Message
Emails may include:


Attachments
Shortened words or email emotions to explain how the sender is feeling, ie, :-) (smiley
face) , ;-) (wink), etc.
Advertisement for a jobs, goods or services
These can advertise anything from jobs to goods or services. They can be a small advert
(as the example) in a newspaper, on a postcard in a shop window or a full-page advert in
the form of a poster.
Advertisements must include:

Key points – essential information that must be included
Advertisements may include:

Abbreviations such as F/T (Full-time), P/T (Part-time), LV (Luncheon vouchers), etc.
COMMUNICATION TOOLKIT
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Invitation to an event
Invitations must include:


Name of invited person.
Date, time and location of event.
Invitations may include:




RSVP (Respondez S’il Vous Plait – i.e. please respond)
Who to respond to, their address and any contact number/email and deadline
Border
Picture
COMMUNICATION TOOLKIT
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Table of results for sports activities
Table of results for most sports activities can be found on the Internet, in newspapers, on
TV, etc. They inform the reader of the successes or failures.
League of results for Landtor Local Football Team
Date
MARCH
20th Mar
24th Mar
27th Mar
APRIL
nd
2 Apr
5th Apr
9th Apr
20th Apr
23rd Apr
30th Apr
H
A
H
H
A
H
A
H
A
Home
Opponents
North Fields
Away
Opponents
Upper Meadows
Sunnyside
Lower Town
Sunnyside
Upper Meadows
North Fields
Grandchester
Somerstown
W
L
L
Score
H-A
3-1
3-2
1-4
W
D
W
D
L
W
2–1
4-4
3–1
5–5
2–6
3-5
Tables of results may include:






Event details
Home/Away (whether the event took place at the home venue or away)
Abbreviations (W = Won, L = Lost, D =Drawn, etc.)
Scores, positions, points, etc.
Headings on the table of results
Forms to collect information
COMMUNICATION TOOLKIT
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Forms to collect information
This may be a questionnaire or survey, or an application for a service, etc. It may also be
on the Internet where you can submit the data by clicking a button.
Forms must include:


Details of information required and its
Form or tear-off slip with details of where they should be returned
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© BBC 2004
Practice Questions
Practice question 1
The following piece of writing has been rearranged so that the chronology or sequence is
out of order.
Try to rearrange it so that it makes more sense (the correct sequence appears later in this
section):
‘Follow the Red Route for Reception,’ the sign said. She glanced at the sign, read it in her
head, and then dismissed it.
He was wearing the blue, V-neck jumper again. The one with the feint blue line along the
V. The one that had the burn mark on the point of the V. That V irritated her as much as
Duncan himself. An irritating little man, she thought. Irritating. Creepy. A sloth of the
worst possible kind.
The wheels squealed as he rounded the corridor, the red tiled floor fresh and clean and
unmarked until he made the turn. Now there was a grey imprint of the tyres. Only a slight
mark, but one that Lizzie could see as she over-took him on the straight. She brushed
against the walls, elbow scraping the grey lockers. She neither looked his way, nor
acknowledged his existence as she clutched the textbooks to her chest as though
protecting her body from his eyes. Just looking at him made her mouth harden and the
blood rush to her cheeks.
She adjusted the books she held awkwardly in the crook of her left arm. Inwardly, she
grimaced as she glanced ahead, trying to look casual as she swept a dark lock of hair away
from her face. He was there, in that damnable wheelchair. Lizzie watched him. The
wheelchair’s wheels squealed their awful squeal as he prepared to round the next bend.
Lizzie’s chest felt fit to bursting as she breathed in. It was totally unnecessary. Totally and
absolutely unnecessary for him to be in a bloody wheelchair. She’d seen him walking, for
God's sake.
‘Look at him,’ she thought. ‘Idiot'. Why is this place such a magnet for skivers?’
Now answer the following questions:
1)
What colour is the route to Reception?
2)
What was Duncan wearing?
3)
What does the word ‘grimace’ mean (use the thesaurus on your computer to find this
out if you don’t already know)?
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Practice question 2
Identify the purpose of the following text and work out the meaning, which may not be clear
just by reading it. Once you’ve done this, answer the questions beneath.
He was smiling again. She hated that smile.
“So, Jan. Tell me how you’re getting on in the new office?” He twiddled his thumbs, rested
in his chair, totally relaxed.”
“Fine.” She smiled the smile expected of her. It never paid to rock the boat around here.
“Any complaints?” he asked, leaning forward to shuffle a pile of papers, not expecting to
hear anything but good.
“No,” she said, her mouth up-turned, her cheeks straining with the effort of a forced smile.
“I’m very happy. No complaints at all.”
He began to rise from his chair. Jan rose to meet him. He held out his hand. She shook it.
“See you at your next review,” he said dismissively.
“Fine.” And with that she was gone, out of the office without a second glance. She would
buy a newspaper today she decided. Look in the Jobs Vacant section. She smiled at the
very thought of it.
1)
Does Jan like her job?
2)
Does her boss know whether or not Jan likes her job?
3)
Why do you think Jan is going to buy a newspaper and look in the ‘Jobs Vacant’
section?
4)
What does the saying, ‘Never pays to rock the boat around here’ mean?
5)
What does the word ‘dismissively’ mean?
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Practice question 3
You may be required to read critically to evaluate information and compare information,
ideas and opinions from different sources. The following gives you the opportunity to
practise these skills:
Read the questions first, then make notes of anything you think you will need from the
memo and the timetables. Once you’ve done this, answer the questions below.
1)
Who is the memo to?
2)
Where does Elizabeth Gem want to travel?
3)
What time should she be at Fareham Railway Station?
4)
What time will she depart Waterloo Underground Station?
5)
What time does she arrive in Stamford Brook?
6)
What is an itinerary?
MEMO
To:
From:
Date:
Sally Purkis
Elizabeth Gem
10 March 2004
Subject:
Travel to Hammersmith
Please plan me a route to Hammersmith on 18 March. I need to get there by 1.00 pm.
I think the nearest Underground Station to Hammersmith is Stamford Brook. I’ll be leaving from
Fareham Railway Station. Please let me have an itinerary of the journey.
Thanks.
COMMUNICATION TOOLKIT
Page 21 of 27
SKILL AREA 1.1.2: Understanding writing techniques
BBC Key Skills: http://www.bbc.co.uk/keyskills
© BBC 2004
Practice question 4
You may be required to read and understand technical vocabulary during the test. The
following article has words that you may not immediately understand, but you can ‘guess’
their meaning from the information around them.
Cleaning your car tyres
You should use a special cleaner for wheels which can be found in most car stores.
Technically you can use washing up liquid but it might not remove more stubborn stains.
This is because wheels get hot and grime gets “baked on” just like in an oven.
Make sure the wheels are dry and cold as you apply your chosen product (always follow
instructions). No matter what you use always remember to use clean water to rinse.
There are many products to help you clean your tyres. These include a protectant, which
protects the tyres from damage.
Tyre facts:

The pressure in your tyres should be about 30 PSI and to top up pressure you should
carry your own foot pump.

Minimum tread depth is 1.6 mm. About the width of a 10p coin.

If your tyres are warped or bulging they are damaged!
1)
What is a ‘protectant’?
2)
What do the initials PSI mean?
3)
What does the word ‘warped’ mean?
4)
Why are stains difficult to remove from tyres?
5)
What does the word ‘grime’ mean?
COMMUNICATION TOOLKIT
Page 22 of 27
SKILL AREA 1.1.2: Understanding writing techniques
BBC Key Skills: http://www.bbc.co.uk/keyskills
© BBC 2004
Practice question 5
Use different styles of writing for different purposes, e.g. persuasive techniques.
The next practice question will ask you to identify where persuasive techniques have been
used in a letter. Print a copy of the letter and highlight the words or phrases that you think
are designed to persuade the reader.
30 March 2004
Mr and Mrs P Young
1 Leacroft
Winchester Road
Walton
Hampshire
GU33 333
Top of the Hill
Short Ditch
West Lotian
WLWL 3333
Dear Mr and Mrs Young
Re: Heaven Television Account
We are sorry to note that you have not renewed your Heaven Television Account with us
this year.
As a long-standing account holder we are, therefore, pleased to be able to offer you a trial
of our brand new service. This will be completely free of charge for the first 4 months so
that you can see that the recent changes to our tv programmes are too good to miss.
We are sure you will be pleased to accept this free service and look forward to hearing from
you. Please ring us on a free number: 0800 8888888. The lines are open 24 hours so it
doesn’t matter what time of day or night you call us.
We very much look forward to hearing from you in the near future.
Yours sincerely
Heaven Television
Georgia May
Chief Executive
COMMUNICATION TOOLKIT
Page 23 of 27
SKILL AREA 1.1.2: Understanding writing techniques
BBC Key Skills: http://www.bbc.co.uk/keyskills
© BBC 2004
Answers to practice questions
Answers to practice question 1
‘Follow the Red Route for Reception,’ the sign said. She glanced at the sign, read it in her
head, and then dismissed it.
She adjusted the books she held awkwardly in the crook of her left arm. Inwardly, she
grimaced as she glanced ahead, trying to look casual as she swept a dark lock of hair away
from her face. He was there, in that damnable wheelchair. Lizzie watched him. The
wheelchair’s wheels squealed their awful squeal as he prepared to round the next bend.
Lizzie’s chest felt fit to bursting as she breathed in. It was totally unnecessary. Totally and
absolutely unnecessary for him to be in a bloody wheelchair. She’d seen him walking, for
God’s sake!
‘Look at him,’ she thought. ‘Idiot'. Why is this place such a magnet for skivers?’
The wheels squealed as he rounded the corridor, the red tiled floor fresh and clean and
unmarked until he made the turn. Now there was a grey imprint of the tyres. Only a slight
mark, but one that Lizzie could see as she over-took him on the straight. She brushed
against the walls, elbow scraping the grey lockers. She neither looked his way, nor
acknowledged his existence as she clutched the textbooks to her chest as though
protecting her body from his eyes. Just looking at him made her mouth harden and the
blood rush to her cheeks.
He was wearing the blue, V-neck jumper again. The one with the feint blue line along the
V. The one that had the burn mark on the point of the V. That V irritated her as much as
Duncan himself. An irritating little man, she thought. Irritating. Creepy. A sloth of the
worst possible kind.
Answers to practice question 2
1)
Does Jan like her job?
No
2)
Does her boss know whether or not Jan likes her job?
He thinks she does.
3)
Why do you think Jan is going to buy a newspaper and look in the ‘Jobs Vacant’
section?
To look for another job.
4)
What does the saying, ‘Never pays to rock the boat around here’ mean?
It isn’t worth upsetting people.
5)
What does the word ‘dismissively’ mean?
Dismiss mean ‘to allow to go’.
COMMUNICATION TOOLKIT
Page 24 of 27
SKILL AREA 1.1.2: Understanding writing techniques
BBC Key Skills: http://www.bbc.co.uk/keyskills
© BBC 2004
Answers to practice questions 3
1)
Who is the memo to?
Sally Purkis
2)
Where does Elizabeth Gem want to travel?
Hammersmith
3)
What time should she be at Fareham Railway Station?
The train departs Fareham Railway Station at 10.07.
4)
What time will she depart Waterloo Underground Station?
12.06
5)
What time does she arrive in Stamford Brook?
12.35
6)
What is an itinerary?
An itinerary is a schedule or list of journey times and places
Answers to practice questions 4
1)
What is a ‘protectant’?
It protects the tyres from damage.
2)
What do the initials PSI mean?
Pounds per square inch
3)
What does the word ‘warped’ mean?
Misshapen or deformed.
5)
Why are stains difficult to remove from tyres?
Because wheels get hot and grime gets “baked on” just like in an oven.
5)
What does the word ‘grime’ mean?
Filth or dirt
COMMUNICATION TOOLKIT
Page 25 of 27
SKILL AREA 1.1.2: Understanding writing techniques
BBC Key Skills: http://www.bbc.co.uk/keyskills
© BBC 2004
Answers to practice questions 5
30 March 2004
Top of the Hill
Short Ditch
West Lotian
WLWL 3333
Mr and Mrs P Young
1 Leacroft
Winchester Road
Walton
Hampshire
GU33 333
Dear Mr and Mrs Young
Re: Heaven Television Account
We are sorry to note that you have not renewed your Heaven Television Account with us
this year.
As a long-standing account holder we are, therefore, pleased to be able to offer you a trial
of our brand new service. This will be completely free of charge for the first 4 months so
that you can see that the recent changes to our tv programmes are too good to miss.
We are sure you will be pleased to accept this free service and look forward to hearing from
you. Please ring us on a free number: 0800 8888888. The lines are open 24 hours so it
doesn’t matter what time of day or night you call us.
We very much look forward to hearing from you in the near future.
Yours sincerely
Heaven Television
Georgia May
Chief Executive
COMMUNICATION TOOLKIT
Page 26 of 27
SKILL AREA 1.1.2: Understanding writing techniques
BBC Key Skills: http://www.bbc.co.uk/keyskills
© BBC 2004
Websites to help with writing techniques
Buzzin – Learning Mage Fun
[http://www.buzzin.net/english/tone.htm]
BBC Skillswise - Types of text
[http://www.bbc.co.uk/skillswise/words/reading/typesoftext/index.shtml]
BBC Skillswise - Spelling
[http://www.bbc.co.uk/skillswise/words/spelling/]
BUBL Word Games
[http://bubl.ac.uk/link/w/wordgames.htm]
COMMUNICATION TOOLKIT
Page 27 of 27
SKILL AREA 1.1.2: Understanding writing techniques
BBC Key Skills: http://www.bbc.co.uk/keyskills
© BBC 2004