Writing task
Write about an experience that was important to you.
Time: 30 minutes (as indicated for this published task).
Marks: 20.
Practise this exact question with personalised feedback on your writing.
Understand the task
Recount a personal experience that mattered deeply to you and explain its significance.
- emotional insight
- sequencing
- reflection
Requirements to keep in mind
Choose ONE option in the writing section; option c; 20 marks; 30 minutes advised.
Plan your response
- Follow the exact instruction, form and viewpoint in the source PDF.
- Plan a clear beginning and a focused development.
- Use distinctive details rather than general adjectives.
- Allow a few minutes to check accuracy before finishing.
Check your response against the task requirements. Leave time to review sentence clarity, punctuation and spelling.
Original atoply example opening
Written by atoply, not an official school answer or mark scheme. This is an opening only; develop the rest of the response to meet the task requirements.
Reveal example and teaching notes
I expected the medal to be the most important part of the race. But when I reached the last bend, my friend had fallen behind me, pale and exhausted. I slowed until we were running side by side. We crossed the line long after the winners. What I remember is not the time, but the moment we both started laughing.
Learn from the example
- The voice connects experience with thoughts or feelings, making the response personal rather than a detached report.
- Develop the link between a particular detail and the narrator's reflection. Keep the requested diary, recount or monologue form in your own answer.