Writing — IGCSE English As A Second Language (0993) questions by topic
Writing tasks range from a short factual answer about an article to a full article, email or report responding to a scenario, such as whether your town suits teenagers or a business idea for students, worth between 1 and 16 marks.
Write, identify, state, give and describe cover the range, and write signals the longer, register-sensitive tasks. Drawn from 33 questions across 2023 to 2025 papers, this page's instant marking is particularly useful for register: examiners repeatedly note formal connectives breaking an informal task, or an informal style left over in a report that needed a neutral tone.
What examiners look for
- A recurring criticism is using formal connectives, such as 'nevertheless' or 'furthermore', in a task that requires an informal, conversational tone.
- Examiners note responses under 150 words as insufficiently developed, with one or more required bullet points left thin.
- Reports flag continuing an informal style from an earlier task into a report or article that needs a neutral or formal register.
- Strong answers maintained the register suited to the task and used discourse markers, such as 'to begin with' or 'all in all', to structure paragraphs with original development.
May–June 2025, Paper 11
You recently went on a school trip to a museum in another city. Write an email to a friend about the school trip to the museum. In your email you should: • explain what you did in…
Answer this question and get it marked →In class, you have been discussing whether employees should be required to work for a maximum of four days a week, giving them three days of free time. Here are some comments from…
Answer this question and get it marked →May–June 2025, Paper 12
Read the article about butterflies (see shared stimulus), and then answer the question. How many species of butterfly have been found up until now? [1]
Answer this question and get it marked →How are Queen Alexandra's Birdwing butterflies described on the Red List of Threatened Species? [1]
Answer this question and get it marked →Why do scientists think Western Pygmy Blue butterflies are spreading to new locations? [1]
Answer this question and get it marked →What record does the Painted Lady hold among all the species of butterfly? [1]
Answer this question and get it marked →What is unusual about the diet of Harvester butterflies? [1]
Answer this question and get it marked →What features do different butterflies have that protect them from being eaten? Give three details. [3]
Answer this question and get it marked →Read the article about four young people (A-D) who write their own songs (see shared stimulus). For each statement, write the correct letter, A, B, C or D. Which person ... gets…
Answer this question and get it marked →Read the article about a photographer called Ahmed Ibrahim, who takes pictures of life under the sea (see shared stimulus), and then answer the question. Choose the correct…
Answer this question and get it marked →Choose the correct answer, A, B or C. Ahmed changed from making films to taking photographs because photography A would be cheaper in the long term. B was less technically…
Answer this question and get it marked →Choose the correct answer, A, B or C. Ahmed says the most demanding aspect of taking photos in Antarctica is A coping with sudden changes in weather. B keeping equipment in…
Answer this question and get it marked →Choose the correct answer, A, B or C. Why did Ahmed and his family recently move from a city to a tropical island? A It provided easier access to filming opportunities. B It…
Answer this question and get it marked →Choose the correct answer, A, B or C. What does Ahmed say is the main goal of his photography? A to show people things they've never seen before B to rebuild contact between…
Answer this question and get it marked →Choose the correct answer, A, B or C. Ahmed recommends that anyone wanting to become an underwater photographer should first A complete training with a qualified professional. B…
Answer this question and get it marked →You recently went away for the weekend with your family. However, there was a problem during your weekend away. Write an email to a friend telling them about your weekend away. In…
Answer this question and get it marked →A new transport museum has just opened near where you live. You recently visited it with some friends and decide to post a review of your visit on the transport museum's website.…
Answer this question and get it marked →May–June 2024, Paper 11
You have decided to help at a sports event that will take place in your town next month. Write an email to a friend about this. In your email you should: describe the sports event…
Answer this question and get it marked →You recently bought a copy of a new magazine which is aimed at teenagers. You decide to review the magazine, and you will post the review on your school website. Some friends'…
Answer this question and get it marked →May–June 2024, Paper 12
You recently attended an interesting weekend course for teenagers. Write an email to a friend about the weekend course. In your email you should: give information about the…
Answer this question and get it marked →Your local newspaper has asked readers to send in articles about whether your town is a good place for teenagers to live. You decide to write an article for the newspaper. In your…
Answer this question and get it marked →October–November 2024, Paper 11
You have recently been to a new shopping mall. You enjoyed it but you had a small problem during your visit. Write an email to a friend about your visit to the shopping mall. In…
Answer this question and get it marked →Your class has recently been talking about films, and you have decided to write an article for your school magazine. In your article, write about what you think makes a film…
Answer this question and get it marked →May–June 2023, Paper 11
Your school is running a competition to find the best idea for a business that could be started by teenagers. One of the competition rules is that you must enter together with…
Answer this question and get it marked →Your school recently held an art exhibition to show students' artwork. Your teacher has asked you to write a report on the exhibition. In your report, say what was good about the…
Answer this question and get it marked →May–June 2023, Paper 21
Your school is running a competition to find the best idea for a business that could be started by teenagers. One of the competition rules is that you must enter together with…
Answer this question and get it marked →Your school recently held an art exhibition to show students' artwork. Your teacher has asked you to write a report on the exhibition. In your report, say what was good about the…
Answer this question and get it marked →May–June 2023, Paper 22
Your friend from another country is coming to stay with you and your family for a week, for the first time. Write an email to this friend about the visit. In your email, you…
Answer this question and get it marked →This year, you have been a member of the after-school music club. Your head teacher has asked you to write a report about the club. In your report, say what you like about the…
Answer this question and get it marked →October–November 2023, Paper 11
You have recently been having difficulty with a piece of homework. Write an email to a friend asking for their help. In your email, you should: describe what you have to do for…
Answer this question and get it marked →Recently, your school held a sports day in which all students had to take part in sports competitions. Your headteacher has asked you to write a report about it. In your report,…
Answer this question and get it marked →October–November 2023, Paper 21
You have recently been having difficulty with a piece of homework. Write an email to a friend asking for their help. In your email, you should: describe what you have to do for…
Answer this question and get it marked →Recently, your school held a sports day in which all students had to take part in sports competitions. Your headteacher has asked you to write a report about it. In your report,…
Answer this question and get it marked →Other IGCSE English As A Second Language topics
- Listening (133)
- Reading comprehension (98)
- Summary and note-making (27)