English Optional Tasks – Summer 1

Each week, you will practise a grammar skill and then apply it in a short piece of writing. Keep your writing concise (a paragraph or two), but aim to make it thoughtful and engaging.

Week 1 – W/B 20th April

Focus: Diary Writing – Time Adverbials & Simple Sentences

Fluency (Grammar Practice)

Add a comma after each time adverbial:

• Later that day ___ I found my missing bag.
• Early in the morning ___ the sky looked strange.

Write two simple sentences using these starters:

• Yesterday, …
• That evening, …

Application (Writing)

Write 3–4 sentences for a diary entry about something surprising that happened.
➡ Use time adverbials and simple sentences.

Reasoning

Why are time adverbials useful in diary writing?

⭐ CHALLENGE
Rewrite your diary using a wider range of time adverbials (e.g. Moments later, Without warning, By the end of the day).

Week 2 – W/B 27th April

Focus: Diary Writing – Compound Sentences & Informal Speech

Fluency (Grammar Practice)

Join these sentences using and, but, or so:

• I opened the door. I felt nervous.
• It was raining. I went outside.

Rewrite this sentence in informal speech:

• “I am not going to do that,” he said.

Application (Writing)

Write a diary entry paragraph about a tricky situation.
➡ Use compound sentences and include one example of informal speech.

Reasoning

How does informal speech help make writing sound more realistic?

⭐ CHALLENGE
Write a sentence in the style of Artful Dodger, using apostrophes to show dropped letters (e.g. “I ain’t doin’ that!”).

Week 3 – W/B 4th May

Focus: Diary Writing – Complex Sentences & Voice

Fluency (Grammar Practice)

Complete these complex sentences:

• When I heard the noise, …
• Although I was tired, …

Rewrite this sentence using informal speech:

• “I cannot believe what has happened,” she said.

Application (Writing)

Write a diary paragraph about an eventful day.
➡ Use at least one complex sentence and include informal speech.

Reasoning

How do complex sentences help you explain thoughts and feelings more clearly?

⭐ CHALLENGE
Write one sentence that combines:

• a time adverbial
• a complex sentence
• informal speech

Week 4 – W/B 11th May

Focus: Formal Letter Writing – Structure & Tone

Fluency (Grammar Practice)

Rewrite these phrases in a formal way:

• “I want to tell you…” → ___
• “It was really bad” → ___

Put these in the correct order:

• Yours sincerely
• Dear Sir/Madam
• Main paragraph
• Opening sentence

Application (Writing)

Write a short formal letter complaining about something (e.g. a broken product or poor service).
➡ Use formal language and correct letter structure.

Reasoning

Why is formal language important in letter writing?

⭐ CHALLENGE
Include a sentence that clearly explains the problem and a separate sentence suggesting a solution.

Week 5 – W/B 18th May

Focus: Formal Letter Writing – Persuasion & Clarity

Fluency (Grammar Practice)

Improve these sentences by making them more formal and persuasive:

• “This needs fixing now.” → ___
• “I don’t like it.” → ___

Add a conjunction to extend this sentence:

• I am writing to complain ___

Application (Writing)

Write a formal letter persuading me to make a change in class.
➡ Use clear arguments, formal tone, and conjunctions.

Reasoning

How does clear and polite language make your argument more effective?

⭐ CHALLENGE
Write a powerful closing paragraph that encourages the reader to take action.