Writing (Composition)
What this section tests
The composition question asks you to write a short, connected English text about a familiar topic-school life, plans, opinions or experiences. Nagasaki's paper usually sets conditions such as a topic, a minimum length and a structure or expression to use. Marks depend on answering the prompt, organising ideas and controlling basic accuracy.
Core rules
- Underline every condition in the prompt: topic, number of sentences, word count and required words.
- Plan two or three points before writing: a clear opening, one reason or example, and a closing sentence.
- Use structures you can control: 'I think ... because ...', 'I want to ... so that ...', 'First ... Second ...'.
- Keep sentences short enough to check subject–verb agreement, tense and articles.
- Leave time to count words and correct spelling and punctuation.
Worked example
Prompt: Write two sentences about what you want to do this summer and give one reason. Model: 'I want to visit my grandparents in Nagasaki because I have not seen them for a year. I also want to practise English so that I can tell them about my school life.' Reasoning: both sentences answer the topic; 'because' gives the reason; the present perfect is correct with 'for a year'; 'so that' adds a purpose without breaking the two-sentence limit.
Traps
Writing a memorised paragraph that does not fit the prompt; ignoring the word count; using a Japanese sentence pattern word for word; changing tense in the middle; and forgetting a final period or capital letter.