Writing: forms, messages and short linked sentences
This section covers the Writing domain of the Welsh Mynediad (Entry, A1) exam. It tests production of short simple Welsh texts: completing a form with personal details, writing a short message, postcard or email, and linking a few sentences about a familiar topic. Accuracy of basic patterns matters, but the message must be clear.
Core rules
- Use the present tense of bod and common verb patterns: Dw i'n byw..., Dw i'n hoffi..., Mae gen i..., Dw i'n mynd i....
- Add time phrases: bob dydd, yfory, dydd Sadwrn, yn y prynhawn.
- Link with a (and), ond (but), achos (because), hefyd (also). A causes aspirate mutation: bara a chaws.
- After i'r (to the) and y (the), expect mutations: i'r farchnad, y farchnad.
- Keep to the word limit; include all bullet points in the prompt. Address the reader and sign off with Cofion gorau or Hwyl.
Worked example
Task: write three sentences about Saturday. Model: Dydd Sadwrn, dw i'n mynd i'r farchnad. Dw i'n prynu bara a chaws. Yn y prynhawn, dw i'n cwrdd â ffrind. Reasoning: each sentence has a time phrase or clear verb; i'r farchnad uses the feminine article mutation; bara a chaws shows aspirate mutation after a; cwrdd â means 'meet with'. This meets A1 by communicating a simple sequence without complex clauses.
Traps
- Writing a list of nouns instead of sentences.
- Forgetting yn before a verbnoun: Dw i hoffi is wrong; write Dw i'n hoffi.
- Missing mutations after y, i'r and a.
- Ignoring one of the task bullets.
- Exceeding the word limit with memorised text that does not answer the task.
- Mixing English punctuation or spelling into a short Welsh message where it obscures meaning.