2021 SPM Writing PDF

FOR JOHORE SBP ENGLISH TEACHERS

WRITING SPM 1119/2
13 AUGUST 2021 (FRIDAY)
8:00 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.

SPM Writing Test Overview

• The Writing test constitutes 25% of overall
grade

• Three sections aimed at the A2/B2 CEFR range
increase in level through the test.

• Word limits in place for each test part.

• The duration of the test is 90 minutes.

• 60 marks are available in the test (across three
tasks, all using a five-band scale).

• Candidates write their answers on the question
paper.

Overview of Writing Test tasks

Part 1 (Compulsory task)
Candidates have to write an email to a friend in about 80
words

Part 2 (Compulsory task)
Candidates have to write an essay in about 150 words

Part 3 (Candidates have a choice of task)
This part has three questions or tasks to choose from.
The tasks types may include an article, a review, a
report or a story and candidates have to choose one.
They have to write about 250 words.

SPM Writing Test Format (Part 1)

Part Task Number Task Format Relevance to curriculum (examples)
Type of Items

1 Informal 1 item Write an 4.1.2: Make and respond to simple requests

message (20 email to a and suggestions

marks) friend in 4.1.2: Explain simple processes
about 80 4.1.3: Narrate factual and imagined events
words and experiences

4.1.4: Express and respond to opinions and

common feelings such as happiness, sadness,

surprise, and interest

4.2.1: Punctuate written work with moderate

accuracy

4.2.2: Spell written work with moderate

accuracy

4.2.4: Begin to use formal and informal

registers appropriate to the target audience in

familiar situations

Part 1 – Example task

You received an email from your new friend, Amy who
has just moved to your hometown.

Hi, The school holiday is finally here! Let’s go for a picnic
with our friends. Where shall we go and what can we do
there? What should we bring?
I’ll be waiting for your reply.
Bye!

Now write an email to your friend in about 80 words.
Write your answer below.

SPM Writing Test Format (Part 2)

Part Task Type Number Task Relevance to curriculum (examples)
of Items Format

Guided 4.1.2: Explain advantages and disadvantages of (i)
2 Formal 1 (20 writing ideas (ii) plans or (iii) arrangements

text marks) (essay) in 4.1.3: Explain the main points for and against an
about 125- idea or argument
150 words 4.1.4: Express and respond to real or imagined
opinions and feelings
4.1.5: Organise, sequence and develop ideas within
a text of several paragraphs on familiar topics and
some unfamiliar topics
4.2.1: Punctuate written work on a range of text
types with reasonable accuracy
4.2.2: Spell written work on a range of text types
with reasonable accuracy
4.2.4: Use formal and informal registers appropriate
to the target audience in most familiar and some
unfamiliar situations

Part 2 – Example task

You must answer this question. Write your answer in 125 – 150
words in an appropriate style.

Question 2

Your class has been discussing how they spend their money and your
teacher has asked you to write an essay about what you would spend
your money on.

In your essay, you should write about:
• what you would like to buy
• reasons for your choice
• where do you usually buy these things

Write your essay using all the notes and giving reasons for your point
of view.

SPM Writing Test Format (Part 3)

Part Task Type Number of Task Format Relevance to curriculum (examples)
Items
3 Extended An extended 4.1.2: Explain advantages and
writing 1 (20 marks) text (200- disadvantages of (i) ideas (ii) plans or (iii)
250 words). arrangements
There are 3 4.1.3: Explain the main points for and
tasks and against an idea or argument
candidates 4.1.4: Express and respond to real or
choose one. imagined opinions and feelings
Tasks may 4.1.5: Organise, sequence and develop
include, an ideas within a text of several paragraphs
article, a on familiar topics and some unfamiliar
review, a topics
report or a 4.2.1: Punctuate written work on a range
story. of text types with reasonable accuracy
4.2.2: Spell written work on a range of text
types with reasonable accuracy
4.2.4: Use formal and informal registers
appropriate to the target audience in most
familiar and some unfamiliar situations

Part 3 – Example task (Article)

You see this notice on the board outside the school library

Articles wanted!
My School Canteen

• What other types of food would you like to be served?
• What special facilities should your canteen have?
• How can you improve your canteen?

Write us an article answering these questions.
The best article will be displayed on the school magazine.
Write your article.

Part 3 – Example task (Review)

You recently saw this notice in a magazine.

Reviews required!
Have you watched any interesting movies lately? Send us
your movie review.
• Say what you enjoyed about the movie.
• Would you recommend the movie to your friends?

Why?

The best reviews will be published in our newsletter.

Write your review.

Part 3 – Example task (Story)

Your teacher has asked you to write a story for a school
magazine. The story must have the title:

A Dream Comes True

Your story should include:
• a description of the dream
• how the dream is achieved

Write your story.

Part 3 – Example task (Report)

Your teacher has asked you to write a report for your
club’s recent activity.

In your report, you should include:
• when and where the activity was held
• what you did during the activity
• what can be done to improve the activity

Write your report.

The level of the SPM Writing Test

• The Writing test primarily targets CEFR B1-B2
with the highest results reported at C1.

• Part 1 is marked at the A2/B1 level. Part 2 is
marked at the B1-B2 level and part 3 is marked at
the B2/C1 level.

• The assessment scales -- there is a separate scale
for each part of the test

• The exam is criterion referenced (i.e. to the CEFR)
• In line with the positive ‘can do’ ethos of the

CEFR, the descriptors aim to describe
communicative ability rather than inability

Assessment Scales

• The SPM test uses three assessment scales,
one for each part of the writing test.

• They all assess four writing skills:
• Content = C (the overall task fulfilment)
• Communicative Achievement = CA,
• Organisation = O
• Language = L

•

Assessment Scales

• There is some overlap within the scales,
i.e. the highest marks in part 1 (5555) are
equivalent to the middle marks in part 2
(3333), indicating a solid B1 level. (IWE
page 17)

• The Content mark reflects how well the
task has been achieved and is the same
across the levels.

OVERLAP OF SCALES

Part 1 Assessment Scale
Extract of score 5

Scale Content Communicative Organization Language
Achievement

Uses basic vocabulary

All content is Produces a text that appropriately.

5 relevant to the communicates Uses simple Uses simple grammatical
task. straight forward connectors and a forms with a good degree
ideas using the limited number of of control.
Target reader is conventions of the cohesive devices
fully informed. communicative task appropriately. While errors are
reasonably

appropriately. noticeable, meaning can

still be determined.

Part 2 Assessment Scale
Extract of score 5

Scale Content Communicative Organization Language
Achievement

Uses a range of everyday

vocabulary with

5 Uses the Text is generally occasional inappropriate
All content is conventions of the well-organised and use of less common
relevant to the communicative coherent, using a lexis.
task. task to hold the variety of cohesive
devices . Uses a range of simple
target reader’s and some complex
Target reader is attention and grammatical forms with
fully informed. communicate a good degree of
control.
straightforward
ideas

appropriately. Errors do not impede

communication.

Part 3 Assessment Scale
Extract of score 5

Scale Content Communicative Organization Language
Achievement

Uses a range of

Uses the vocabulary, including

5 All content is conventions of the Text is generally less common lexis
relevant to the communicative well-organised and appropriately.
task. task effectively to coherent, using a
hold the target variety of cohesive Uses a range of simple
Target reader is reader’s attention devices with and some complex
fully informed. and communicate generally good grammatical forms with
with ease, fulfilling effect. control and flexibility.
all communicative

purposes. Occasional errors and

slips may be present

MARKING ASPECTS

• ensure that the target reader is completely informed in that

Content all of the relevant points asked of you are in your piece of

C writing and that there is nothing irrelevant to the points
asked in the question

a mix of three things:

Communicative • the correct text type (genre)/ must be written with the

CA Achievement correct register and must be laid out, accordingly

• the intelligence of the ideas and

• how clearly the ideas are explained.

• ensure that your writing includes cohesive devices such as

Organisation transitions as these words help the reader to follow the
ideas in your piece of writing, which in turn helps with the
O

readability of your writing task.
• Well planned/ organised, well paragraphed

• demonstrate a high level of simple and complex grammar

L Language structures in your writing tasks, which must be done

accurately
• Use less common lexis

COHESIVE DEVICES

SCORE PART 3 PART 2 PART 1
5 Score: 5 Score: 5
3 Text is well-organised and
1 coherent, using a variety of
cohesive devices with generally
good effect.
Text is generally well-organised
and coherent, using a variety of
cohesive devices.
Uses simple connectors and
a limited number of
cohesive devices appropriately.

Cohesive Devices Functions Examples Sentences

1 To refer back to this, that, Alif went out to the playground. He played
Pronouns something previously these, on the slide.
mentioned. those, he,
2 she, it, they
Synonyms
To replace words of the car → A car was seen leaving the crime scene.
same meaning to get the vehicle The vehicle was chased by a member of
reader to stay focused on the public.
the idea being discussed. food →
bread There was a lot of food, but she only ate
the bread.

3 To link words, phrases however, Alif played on the slide. Later, he went on
Connectors and sentences. They help therefore, the swings.
to introduce the reader to
the relationship between in addition, Rose was late because she took the bus.
phrases, sentences and also, but,
entire paragraphs. moreover Nina was late, so she took the bus.

SOME TOOLS TO HELP YOU WRITE

• https://dictionary.cambridge.org/
• https://www.thesaurus.com/
• http://englishprofile.org/wordlists/text-inspector
• https://www.grammarly.com/

Part 1 – Example task

You received an email from your new friend, Amy who has just moved to your
hometown.

Hi, The school holiday is finally here! Let’s go for a picnic with our friends.
Where shall we go and what can we do there? What should we bring?
I’ll be waiting for your reply.
Bye!

Now write an email to your friend in about 80 words. Write your answer
below.

READING THE QUESTION: PART 1

REMEMBER THE F.A.C.T.S:
• FORMAT – GENRE
• AUDIENCE – ADDRESSE
• CONTENTS – MAIN IDEAS
• TASK/TENSE – PURPOSE
• SUBJECT MATTER - CONTEXT

UNDERSTANDING THE QUESTION

REMEMBER THE F.A.C.T.S:
• FORMAT – Email
• AUDIENCE – Amy (Friend – Informal)
• CONTENTS – Where shall we go/ What

we can do/ what should we bring
• TASK/TENSE– To suggest (4.1.2)/ Present
• SUBJECT MATTER - Picnic

EMAIL

Email noun (also e-mail)
UK /ˈiː.meɪl/ US /ˈiː.meɪl/

A1 [ U ]
the system for using computers to send messages over the internet:
You can contact us by email or fax.
What's your email address?

A1 [ C ]

a message or document sent using this system:

I got an email from Danielle last week.

STEPS IN WRITING AN ESSAY

1.ORGANISE / OUTLINE
2.WRITE
3.EDIT

PLANNING YOUR RESPONSE

GR123C

Script 1 : part 1

Script 1:Part 1

To: [email protected]

Subject: Picnic

Hi Amy (G/OF),

I am so glad that you have brought this up as I had nothing
planned for the holidays (R / IS). I am totally excited and I know
just the place for our picnic. It will be at Central Park (C1/T1) just
beside East Road. We could also play ball there (C2/T2) as the park
is huge. Don’t forget to bring an extra matt (C3/T3) to place our
foods on just in case I lost mine. Don’t worry about supplies, I can
handle them, though you could bring some snacks (C3/T3) if you
would like too. The more, the better. I was also thinking that we
could have Jack and David come (C3/T3). It will be more fun with
them around. Alright, do update me if something comes up. Bye!
(C/ CF)

BASICALLY, YOUR EMAIL SHOULD HAVE

1. OPENING FORMULA
2. INTRODUCTORY SENTENCE(S)
3. TASK 1 + ELABORATION
4. TASK 2 + ELABORATION
5. TASK 3 + ELABORATION
6. CLOSING FORMULA

•LET’S US
PRACTICE

PART 1

You received an email from your friend Ali who is from Selangor.

Hi Mona,
I am going to Terengganu this weekend with my
family. My parents really wanted to visit the beautiful
beaches there. Where would be the best place to go?
Where to stay? What family activities can we do there?
Reply soon and take care!

Now write an email to your friend in about 80 words. Write your answer
below.

READING THE QUESTION: PART 1

REMEMBER THE F.A.C.T.S:
• FORMAT/GENRE :
• AUDIENCE/ADDRESSE:
• CONTENTS/MAIN IDEAS:
• TASK/PURPOSE:
• SUBJECT MATTER/CONTEXT:

READING THE QUESTION: PART 1

REMEMBER THE F.A.C.T.S:
• FORMAT/GENRE : Email
• AUDIENCE/ADDRESSE: Ali (a friend)
• CONTENTS/MAIN IDEAS: Where is the best

place/ Where to stay/ What activities to do
there
• TASK/TENSE/PURPOSE: To give
suggestions/present
• SUBJECT MATTER/CONTEXT: A visit to a beach

USING GR123C TEMPLATE

LABEL MEANING SENTENCES

G Greet
R Respond
1 + E Task 1 +

Elaboration

2 + E Task 2 +
Elaboration

3 + E Task 3 +
Elaboration

C Conclusion

USING GR123C TEMPLATE

LABEL MEANING SENTENCES

G Greet Hi Ali,

R Respond I’m glad to hear from you and that you’re coming to

Terengganu.

1 + E Task 1 + Referring to your email, I suggest you go to Pantai Batu

Elaboration Buruk beach. I’m sure your parents will love it.

2 + E Task 2 + The best place to stay is Hotel Primula which is 2 km

Elaboration from the beach. Therefore, you can walk to get there.

3 + E Task 3 + As for the activities, you can have a picnic, play jet ski,

Elaboration and build sand castle with your family. I bet they’ll have

a good time.

C Conclusion See you soon in Kuala Terengganu. Bye.

FINAL PRODUCT

Hi Ali,

I’m glad to hear from you and that you’re coming
to Terengganu. Referring to your email, I suggest
you go to Pantai Batu Buruk beach. I’m sure your
parents will love it. The best place to stay is Hotel
Primula which is 2 km from the beach. Therefore,
you can walk to get there. As for the activities,
you can have a picnic, play jet ski, and build sand
castle with your family. I bet they’ll have a good
time. See you soon in Kuala Terengganu. Bye.

EDIT YOUR ESSAY PART 1

CONTENT COMMUNICATIVE ORGANISATION LANGUAGE

ACHIEVEMENT

• DID YOU USE ALL THE • DID YOU USE THE • DID YOU USE ANY • DID YOU USE BASIC

CONTENT POINTS? CORRECT GENRE/ CONNECTORS/ EVERY DAY

FORM OF TEXT? CONJUNCTIONS VOCABULARY

• IS THE TARGET APPROPRIATELY? APPROPRIATELY?

READER FULLY • DID YOU WRITE

INFORMED? STRAIGHT FORWARD • DID YOU USE ANY • DID YOU USE SIMPLE

IDEAS? TRANSITION WORDS/ AND COMPOUND

PHRASES? SENTENCES WITH A

• DID YOU USE THE GOOD DEGREE OF

RIGHT TONE? • DID YOU WRITE CONTROL?

USING THE CORRECT

TENSE THROUGHOUT

THE ESSAY

FINAL PRODUCT (version 2)

Hi Ali,

I’m glad to hear from you and that you’re coming
to Terengganu. I suggest you go to Pantai Batu
Buruk beach, the most popular spot with
tourists. The best place to stay is Hotel Primula ,
only 2 km from the beach. Therefore, you can
walk to get there. To have fun with your family,
you can have a picnic, play jet ski, and build a
sand castle. See you soon. Bye.

Part 2 – Example task

You must answer this question. Write your answer in 125 – 150 words in an
appropriate style.

Question 2

Your class has been discussing how they spend their money and your teacher has
asked you to write an essay about what you would spend your money on.

In your essay, you should write about:
• what you would like to buy
• reasons for your choice
• where do you usually buy these things

Write your essay using all the notes and giving reasons for your point of view.

READING THE QUESTION: PART 2

REMEMBER THE F.A.C.T.S:
• FORMAT – GENRE
• AUDIENCE – WHO WILL READ IT
• CONTENTS – MAIN IDEAS
• TASK – PURPOSE
• SUBJECT MATTER - CONTEXT

UNDERSTANDING THE QUESTION

REMEMBER THE F.A.C.T.S:
• FORMAT – Essay
• AUDIENCE – Teacher/Schoolmates
• CONTENTS – What to buy/ Reasons for

buying/ where to buy
• TASK – To inform/explain (4.1.2/4.1.3)
• SUBJECT MATTER – Buying an item

ESSAY

Essay noun [ C ] UK
UK /ˈes.eɪ/ US /ˈes.eɪ/
(US paper)
B1

a short piece of writing on a particular subject,
especially one done by students as part of the
work for a course:

For homework I want you to write an essay on endangered species.
Mr Jones thought my history essay was terrific

PART 2 - KELANTAN

ANSWERING TEMPLATE (I CE123 C)

Script2: Part2

We all need money in order to buy something that we like. Nothing is free in this
world. Therefore, when we have money, we need to use it wisely. If it is spend on
the things that we don’t need, we will waste our money. There are a lot of good
and worthy things you can buy. For example, food, clothes and books.

As for me, if I have money, I would like to buy a guitar. An acoustic guitar has
been in my wishlist since I started watching song covers on Youtube. I’ve been
dreaming on playing it but I haven’t had enough money to purchase it.

The reasons why I want to buy a guitar is because I love music.I know how to play
the piano before but I want to learn something new. It would be amazing if I get to
play more than one instrument. Moreover, I want to learn how to play the guitar by
myself. I can do that by watching tutorials on Youtube. In that way, I don’t have to
waste money on guitar lessons.

I usually buy my instruments at this music shop called ‘Yamaha’. They have good
quality instruments so their price is expensive. However, it is worth it because it’s
better than low quality instruments.

In a nutshell, I’d spend my money on guitar because that’s what I need to play a
new instrument. They said money can’t buy happiness but it can surely help me
achieve my goals.

Script2: Part2

Nothing is free in this world. Therefore, when we have money, we
need to use it wisely. We should spend on the things that we need
only.

As for me, if I have money, I would like to buy a guitar. An acoustic
guitar has been in my wishlist. I’ve been dreaming on playing it but I
haven’t had enough money to get it.

The reasons why I want to buy a guitar is because I love music. It
would be amazing if I get to play the guitar. Moreover, I can learn how
to play the guitar by watching videos on Youtube.

In fact, I usually buy my instruments at this music shop called
‘Yamaha’. They have good quality instruments so their price is
expensive. I usually spend around RM300 there.

In a nutshell, I will spend my money on a guitar because it will make
me happy. Maybe, I can be a singer – who knows?