Portfolio

Portfolio Tasks for 2010
ISE I
ISE I — PORTFOLIO TASKS 2010
SECTION 1
ISE I — Correspondence (word length range: 70–80 words)
1. You have just won a prize in a talent show for your singing. Write an email to a friend saying what you have won, what you had to do to get the prize and when you are planning to perform in the future.
2. You recently got a new mountain bike for your birthday. Write a letter to your
English penfriend saying how long you have had it, what you have to do to keep it in good condition and why you enjoy riding it.
3. You want to attend a two-week English course at a school in London. Write a letter to the principal explaining why you have decided to attend the course
and asking how much it will cost. Tell him about your previous experience of
learning English.
4. You have been invited to the wedding of a family friend, but you have not
seen him for many years. Write a letter to your friend to accept the invitation.
Ask about his plans for the wedding and tell him about your most important
recent news.
5. You have recently become very fit. Write an email to a friend saying what you
have done to reach your new level of fitness and explaining what you were
doing wrong before you became fit. Invite your friend to exercise with you.
Remember — you must choose your ISE I correspondence task from the above list!
SECTION 2
ISE I — Factual writing (word length range: 110–130 words)
1. Write an article for a family magazine about rules teenagers have to follow in
your country. Describe two of these rules and give your opinion on them. Say
what happens if someone breaks the rules.
2. There has been an increase in car accidents in your area. Write a report for a
transport organisation describing the increase in accidents and giving
possible reasons. Say what drivers need to do to stay safe on the roads.
3. You recently saw your favourite band in concert. Write a review of the
concert for a music magazine. Describe the music, the atmosphere and say
what this band is planning for the future.
4. A fast food restaurant has just opened in your area. Write a report for a
healthy-eating organisation explaining what food the restaurant serves and
why it is unhealthy. Say what health problems people might have if they eat a
lot of fast food.

5. Write an article for a travel magazine with the title, ‘The importance of foreign
travel’. Say why it is important to visit foreign countries, where you have been
personally and what you learnt from the experience.
Remember — you must choose your ISE I factual writing task from the above list!
SECTION 3
ISE I — Creative and descriptive writing (word length range: 110–130 words)
1. Write a story for a writing competition beginning with the words, ‘There is one
school rule I’ll never break again...’ Describe the rule, say how you broke it and
explain why this had serious consequences.
2. Write a description for a website called www.terribletrips.com about the worst
journey you have ever had. Describe the journey, say how long it took and
explain why it was so bad.
3. Write a story for a writing competition about a poor family who won a lot of
money on the lottery. Explain how much money they won, what they did with
it and how it changed their lives.
4. Write a diary entry for a young fashion model who has just taken part in a
fashion show for the first time. Say where it was, what she had to do and what
her impressions were.
5. Imagine you have a collection of famous people’s autographs. Write a
description for an entertainment magazine saying how you got them and why
they are special to you. Say which autographs you intend to get in the future.
Remember — you must choose your ISE I creative/descriptive writing task from the
above list!
ISE 0 — PORTFOLIO TASKS 2010
SECTION 1
ISE 0 — Correspondence (word length range: 40–60 words)
1. Last week you and your family moved to a new home. Write an email to your
English friend telling her about some of the differences between your old
home and your new home. Invite your friend to visit you soon.
2. You are spending the weekend camping in the countryside. Write a postcard
to a friend saying what the weather is like, what you did yesterday and what
you are going to do tomorrow.
3. Tom, your American penfriend, wants to know about your best friend. Write a
letter to Tom telling him about your best friend’s appearance and personality.
Say what you and your best friend usually like to do together.
4. You are going on holiday next month. Write an email to a friend telling him
where you are going and what you are going to do there. Invite your friend to
come with you.
5. Last summer you worked in a beach café. Your Irish penfriend wants to know
about the job. Write a letter to your penfriend telling her what you did, how
many hours you worked and what you enjoyed the most.
Remember — you must choose your ISE 0 correspondence task from the above list!
SECTION 2
ISE 0 — Factual writing (word length range: 80–100 words)
1. Your English friend, Peter, is visiting you and he wants to change some
money. Write some directions for Peter telling him how to find the bank from
your home. Say what days and times it is usually open.
2. Next weekend you are going to take some Irish visitors on an excursion to the
capital city of your country. Write some instructions for them saying when
and where to meet, what to wear and what to bring.
3. Your friend wants to make a cake for his sister’s birthday. Write some
instructions for your friend saying what ingredients to buy, how to make the
cake and how to decorate it.
4. You are going to the cinema with your American friend this Saturday. Write
some directions for your friend telling her how to find the cinema from the
train station. Say what time to meet you and what film you are going to see.
5. Your dog is going to have puppies and your friend is going to take one. Write
some ‘puppy care’ instructions for your friend about how to look after the
puppy. Tell her about food, exercise and training.
Remember — you must choose your ISE 0 factual writing task from the above list!

SECTION 3
ISE 0 — Creative and descriptive writing (word length range: 80–100 words)
1. Write a description of your favourite shop for a shopping guide. Say what you
can buy at the shop, how often you go there and when it is open.
2. Write a story for a writing competition about a teenage girl who liked playing
football and wanted to be in the national team.
3. Imagine today was your last day at school. Write your diary saying what you
liked and disliked about school and how your life is going to change in the
future.
4. Write a description for a family magazine of the different seasons in your
country. Say how many seasons there are, what the weather is like and which
season you like best.
5. Write a story for a writing competition about a holiday when you had a big
surprise. Say where you went, what you did and what the surprise was.