Writing practise: Telling a story

Below you can find two real examples of two different writing exams. The sentences in bold are given by the examiners and students have to follow the story as we have already done in class.

OPTION A

The wrong bus

One day I was waiting for the bus as usual. When it came, I just followed the other people and got on. I was listening to music in my Ipod, so I didn’t notice that the bus was going in the wrong direction. Suddenly, I looked out of the window and I didn’t recognise anything, so I realised I was on the wrong bus. I felt really nervous!  We were in the middle of the countryside, so I couldn’t get off the bus. Fortunately, we finally arrived back in the city centre and then I had to wait for the right bus. It took me three hours to get home instead of twenty minutes! It was a waste of time!

OPTION B

At last the weekend had arrived and Anna was both nervous and excited she was on her way to the USA for the first time ever after winning a study trip to find out about American culture and represent her country.

She took off at eight and by the time the plane landed, Anna was absolutely exhausted. Luckily, the family that was going to take care of her was waiting at the airport so she got to bed straightaway.

The next day the family took Anna to watch her favourite film. Although it was in English she understood almost everything because she had been studying English for ages. As they were leaving the cinema, guess waht? Anna saw her favourite film star. She was thrilled! He smiled shyly at her- she was sure he did! – as she managed to take a picture of him to treasure forever.

Back home she told everyone about her adventure and showed the picture to the film stars many fans there. They were amazed and just couldn’t believe Anna’s luck.