This is the fifth sample article candidates of the ECPE examination (Examination for the Certificate of Proficiency in English of the University of Michigan) My first post to deal with articles , explains what needs to be present in this type of piece of writing. As stated, examiners are looking for articles that elaborate on ideas and have solid arguments; are well organized; make use of a wide lexical and grammatical range; have an original ring to them (in other words, readers are able to distinguish the author's unique "voice"). Before reading, take a look at the following post if you haven't already done so. It will help you focus on the vital aspects you need to be aware of while reading the article and what you should make sure to use when you write your own. The question appeared in Practice Tests for the ECPE Book 1 (revised 2021 version) and is accompanied by the following three writing prompts:
Note that even at B1 level (for the Preliminary for Schools exam) such topics can be very effective.
Remember to pay attention to the various elements a short story should have as you read it: dialogue, use of adjectives and adverbs to create atmosphere, use of the senses, organization of paragraphs, conflicts that heighten the action, narrator, and the like.
For further information, read my post Writing Stories: Where to Start. It should help you tackle a story from the ground up and make you aware of the
different things that should be included so that the story is worth reading.The assignment or rubric is the following:
You have decided to enter a short story competition. You should write a story ending with the words: “It was only then that I realized they had mistaken me for someone else.”
If you are interested in reading The Haunted House as well, click on the image below.
Famous for a Moment
“Can we have your autograph? Please? Please? It’ll only take a minute.” I turned around, surprised by the light hand that had grabbed my arm to stop me from entering the music store that mild Friday afternoon. Two schoolgirls, no older that eight or nine, were eagerly offering up small notebooks and a pen that I could use, eyes sparkling with excitement.
“Ah … I suppose so,” I replied hesitantly, just wanting to be left alone so I could go in and buy the latest album from that hard rock band I so admired. The pen flew quickly over both notebooks in an indescribable scribble not a single soul would be able to decipher, and the girls, giggling and flushed red with joy, bolted down the street towards their waiting friends. Holding up the notebooks and pointing towards me, they all exchanged a few words. The other girls’ eyes opened wide all of a sudden and their jaws dropped as they stared at me from afar.
They must be making fun of me or just crazy I thought as Ι stepped into the shop. Oh well, let’s get a hold of that album and head for the checkout. My eyes wandered round the neatly organized shelves full of CDs and vinyl records but instead of landing on the album I was searching for, they fell on a magazine cover near the pop music section of the store. I picked up the March issue of “Teen Pop Idols” and read the main headline: “New Superstar Amanda Tells All” and the subheading beneath it that spoke of Nickelodeon’s new singer-actress Amanda and her rise to fame.
I stood there staring at the main image above the headline. It was like looking into a mirror. The resemblance was uncanny and I thought back to the girls who had asked for my autograph. It was only then that I realized they had mistaken me for someone else.
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