Writing
What PEIC A1 Writing tests
PEIC A1 Writing checks short practical writing: a note, message, postcard, form, or simple email. You must give personal information, write one or two short sentences about a familiar topic, and use basic punctuation and spelling well enough for the reader to understand.
Core rules and concepts
- Identify the reader and purpose before writing: a friend needs a friendly greeting; a form needs exact personal details.
- Include every required point in the prompt; a missing time, place, or reason loses marks.
- Keep sentences short and complete: subject + verb + object.
- Use simple linkers: 'and', 'but', 'because', 'then'.
- Check capitals for names, days, months, and 'I'; use full stops and question marks.
Worked example
Task: write a note to Sam. Say you cannot come to the meeting tomorrow, give a reason, and apologise. Model: 'Hi Sam, I can't come to the meeting tomorrow. I'm ill. Sorry. Maria.' Reasoning: the note names the reader, states the missing action ('can't come'), gives the time ('tomorrow'), supplies a reason ('I'm ill'), apologises, and signs off. Each sentence is short but complete. 'I no come' would be understandable in parts but shows missing basic grammar.
Traps that cost marks
- Copying the prompt instead of writing your own message.
- Forgetting the greeting or your name, so the reader cannot tell who the note is for or from.
- Writing a long story when the task asks for two or three sentences.
- Missing punctuation or using lower-case 'i' for yourself.