5.3 Model Emails and Content-Point Checklists

5.3 Model Emails and Content-Point Checklists

Quick Answer: Train Part 6 by comparing strong and weak models, then mark every practice answer with a content-point checklist. A strong message uses a suitable opening and closing, answers all prompts in full sentences (25+ words), and keeps a consistent informal or semi-formal register. Common failures are a missing point, too-short text, and wrong tone.

Models are not scripts to memorise word for word. Cambridge tasks change the situation every time. What you should internalise is the shape: greet → cover each point → close → check. The samples below are original teaching models written for this guide.

How to Use Models Efficiently

1. Cover the strong model and try the task yourself first (timed 8–10 minutes).
2. Compare your answer to the strong model using the checklist—not only “mine looks shorter.”
3. Read the weak model and name the exact problem (missing point? register? length?).
4. Rewrite the weak model into a strong one as a five-minute drill.
5. Save phrases that feel natural for you; discard anything you cannot spell under pressure.

Model Set A — Informal Email to a Friend (Cinema)

Task

You want to go to the cinema tomorrow. Write an email to your friend Ben.

In your email, you should:

• say which film you want to see
• say what time you want to meet
• ask Ben to buy the tickets online

Write 25 words or more.

Strong model (good)

Hi Ben,

Do you want to go to the cinema tomorrow? I want to see the new comedy film.
Let's meet at 5 p.m. outside the cinema. Can you buy the tickets online, please?

See you tomorrow,
Sara

Why it scores well

Weak model (problems labelled)

Hi Ben,
I like films. Buy tickets.
Sara

Problems

• Missing points: no film choice, no meeting time
• Too short: almost certainly under 25 words
• Content incomplete: “Buy tickets” is a command without the online detail and without enough message frame
• Organisation thin: no real development or linking

Rescue rewrite (from weak → good enough)

Hi Ben,
I want to see the new comedy tomorrow. Can we meet at 5 p.m.?
Please buy the tickets online.
Thanks,
Sara

Still simple—but every bullet is now visible.

Model Set B — Semi-Formal Note to a Teacher (Homework)

Task

You cannot give your homework to your teacher today. Write a note to your teacher, Mrs Owen.

In your note, you should:

• apologise
• explain why you do not have the homework
• say when you can give it to her

Write 25 words or more.

Strong model (good)

Dear Mrs Owen,

I am sorry I cannot give you my homework today. I was ill yesterday and I stayed at home.
I can give it to you tomorrow morning.

Best wishes,
Daniel Costa

Checklist ticks

• Apology present (I am sorry…)
• Reason present (ill yesterday)
• Future time to submit (tomorrow morning)
• Semi-formal greeting/closing
• 25+ words

Weak model

Hey Mrs Owen,
no homework lol I was busy. later.
Dan

Problems

• Wrong register for a teacher (Hey, lol)
• Vague reason (busy without a clear school-appropriate explanation)
• Vague time (later is not a usable “when”)
• Too short / undeveloped

Register repair focus

Keep the same facts, raise the politeness:

Dear Mrs Owen,
I am sorry I do not have my homework today because I was busy with a family visit.
I can bring it on Friday.
Best wishes,
Daniel

Model Set C — Informal Email with an “Ask” Bullet (Birthday Plan)

Task

It is your birthday on Sunday. Write an email to your friend Yuki.

• invite Yuki to your party
• say where the party is
• ask Yuki what present she would like to give you is not required—instead the bullet is: ask what time she can come

Clarified bullets for the model:

• invite Yuki to your party
• say where the party is
• ask what time she can come

Strong model

Hi Yuki,

It is my birthday on Sunday and I want to invite you to my party.
The party is at my house. What time can you come?

Love,
Hana

Key teaching point: the third bullet is a question. The strong model ends the body with What time can you come? A message that only says Come to my house without asking the time fails that bullet.

Weak model (looks long but still fails Content)

Hi Yuki,
I am very happy because it is my birthday on Sunday. I like music, cake, dancing and games. My family is nice and my house is big and beautiful. See you,
Hana

This can be over 25 words and still weak: no clear invitation sentence, no explicit place bullet fulfilment as a plan, and no question about time. Length without required content is a classic trap.

Model Set D — Note to a Neighbour (Semi-Formal Light)

Task

You are going on holiday. Write a note to your neighbour, Mr Green.

• say when you are leaving
• say how long you will be away
• ask him to water your plants

Strong model

Dear Mr Green,

I am leaving for holiday on Monday. I will be away for one week.
Could you water my plants, please?

Thank you,
Amira

Weak model

Mr Green
Holiday soon. Plants.
Amira

Missing duration, unclear leaving day, no polite request form—Content and Language both thin.

Openings Bank (Memorise a Small Set)

Avoid for friends: Dear Sir or Madam
Avoid for teachers: Hi buddy / heavy slang

First-line starters (after the greeting)

• How are you? (optional; do not let it replace a content point)
• I'm writing because…
• Thank you for your email. (if replying)
• I have some good news.
• I'm sorry, but…

If time is short, skip empty chat and go straight to the first content sentence after Hi Name,.

Closings Bank

Always put your name on the next line unless the centre instructions show a different digital pattern—names help the message feel complete.

Master Content-Point Checklist (Use Every Time)

Copy this checklist into your notebook and tick it after every Part 6 practice:

A. Task completion (Content)

• I know who the reader is
• I used the reader’s name correctly in the greeting
• Content point 1 is answered with a clear sentence/clause
• Content point 2 is answered
• Content point 3 is answered
• If a point said ask, I wrote a real question
• Details (day, time, place, number) match what I intended

B. Message shape (Organisation)

• Suitable opening
• Ideas in a sensible order (often the same order as the bullets)
• At least one or two simple linkers (and / but / because / so / also)
• Suitable closing + name

C. Language and length

• 25+ words (usually 35–60 is a comfortable band)
• Mostly correct basic grammar for my sentences
• Spelling of key content words checked (Wednesday, tomorrow, because)
• Register matches reader from first word to last

D. Sixty-second emergency version

If the clock is almost finished:

1. Greeting
2. Three short sentences (one per point)
3. Thanks, + name

Then stop and protect Part 7 time.

Common Mistakes Gallery

Side-by-Side Mini Drill (Do This in Study Sessions)

Take any practice Part 6 task and write two versions in 12 minutes total:

1. Version W (weak on purpose for 3 minutes): answer only two points, no close.
2. Version S (strong for 7 minutes): full checklist.
3. Compare (2 minutes): list three upgrades you made from W to S.

This trains the exact upgrades examiners reward: coverage, shape, and clarity.

Putting Marks Language on Your Own Work

After you write a practice email, score yourself roughly:

Be honest. Students often over-score Language and under-notice a missing bullet. Always audit Content first.

From Models to Exam Day Confidence

On exam day you will not have these pages. You will have:

• the situation
• the bullets
• your trained routine
• your small phrase bank

If you can look at any three bullets and immediately produce a 40-word complete message with the right tone, Part 6 becomes a reliable 8-minute mark earner instead of a panic section. Combine that habit with a protected time block for Part 7 (next chapter), and you give both writing tasks a fair chance at the full 15 + 15 marks that feed your Writing skill score.

Final one-page memory card

1. Read reader + three points.
2. Plan three answers.
3. Write Hi/Dear → sentences → close.
4. Tick all points + 25 words + register.
5. Move on to Part 7 with time still on the clock.

Practise that card until it is automatic. Automatic coverage is the real secret behind “lucky” high Content scores.