Mock Practice: 10 Writing Prompts with Model Answers

Practise like the real thing: choose a prompt, time yourself, self-mark quickly, then reflect and improve.

Timing Templates

  • 20 minutes: 3 plan / 14 write / 3 edit
  • 25 minutes: 3 plan / 18 write / 4 edit
  • 30 minutes: 4 plan / 22 write / 4 edit

10 Prompts (mix of forms)

  1. Letter: Convince your headteacher to create a new club.
  2. Speech: Argue for more green spaces in towns.
  3. Discursive: Should homework be reduced in primary schools?
  4. Article: Explain how to stay safe online.
  5. Persuasive: Ban/allow mobile phones in schools.
  6. Story: Start with "The door creaked open and…"
  7. Description: A market early in the morning.
  8. Discursive: School uniforms—benefits and drawbacks.
  9. Letter: Ask your council to improve local transport.
  10. Story: A sudden power cut on a stormy night.

Model Outline (example)

Prompt: "Discursive—reduce homework?" → Plan: FOR (rest, clubs, focus) / AGAINST (practice, independence); conclusion: keep small, purposeful tasks.

Mini Marking Rubric (quick)

  • Task: right audience, purpose, and form
  • Structure: clear paragraphs and flow
  • Language: appropriate tone, varied sentences, precise words
  • SPaG: punctuation, capitals, homophones

Reflection

  • 1 strength, 1 target, 1 specific next step
  • Highlight one improved sentence after editing