Types of Writing

There are four main types of writing: 

Expository, Persuasive, Narrative, and Descriptive.

·          Expository –         Writing in which author’s purpose is to inform or explain the subject to the reader.

·            Persuasive –         Writing that states the opinion of the writer and attempts to influence the reader.

·          Narrative –           Writing in which the author tells a story. The story could be fact or fiction.

·          Descriptive –        A type of expository writing that uses the five senses to paint a picture for the reader. This writing incorporates imagery and specific details.

Exercise: Identify which type of writing is being described below.

______________ A story about the time you got lost at Disneyland

______________ A web page telling how to create a web page

______________ The Harry Potter books

______________ A letter to the Prime Minister explaining why the tax increase is a bad idea

______________ Writing in which you record details of a trip taken

______________ An essay discussing a theme from Romeo and Juliet

______________ An article attempting to convince readers to boycott a store chain

______________ A poem about the sights and sounds of rainfall

______________ A paper about the horrible treatment of the people in Sri Lanka

______________ The cover story in the morning newspaper

______________ A brochure advertising a luxury hotel and resort

______________ A paper discussing the after effects of a war 

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Test your English Language and Grammar Understanding

Verb Usage
Put The Verbs in Parentheses into the Correct Tense. Once you have decided on your answer, click on the arrow to check if you are correct.
EXAMPLE: Harish is (be) very tall.

1. Unfortunately, the traffic held me up. When I arrived at the airport, the plane -- had already left (already/leave).
2. -- Have you seen (you/see) the new Harley model yet?
3. After he -- got OR had got (get) home he -- made (make) himself a cup of tea.
4. What clothes -- are you going to take OR are you taking (you/take) with you on holiday next week?
5. I -- was watching (watch) TV when Ma telephoned.
6. When I was young our family -- would go OR went OR used to go (go) on picnics every Sunday.
7. Don't worry Manish -- is always (be/always) late.
8. Unless you -- study (study) , you -- won't pass (not/pass) the exam.
9. You look tired!
   Yes, I feel tired. I -- have been working (work) a lot recently.
10. I -- am used to getting up (be used to/get up) early in the morning now, but before I wasn't.

Sentence Transformation

Rewrite the second sentence so that it means the same as the first. Once you have decided on your answer, click on the arrow to check if you are correct.

Example: Do you have a bicycle?
Have you got a bicycle?

1. The exam was so easy that everyone passed it.
   It was -- such an easy exam -- (that) everyone passed it.
2. Although he was well paid in his new job he wasn't very happy.
   Despite -- (his) being well paid in his new job, he wasn't very happy.
3. I started learning English three years ago.                                                                                       I've -- been learning English for three years.
4. June asked, "Are you going tonight?"                                                                                               June asked -- me if I was going that night.
5. You won't pass this exam if you don't study.
   Unless -- you study, you won't pass this exam.

The following is a practice test for intermediate levels testing tense usage and vocabulary accuracy. Feel free to use this test in class and/or share with your friends and colleagues.
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