APIEWriting: Pen Friends and Emails
Pen friends and short emails
Answers and an explanation for each question appear once you add this activity to your own library.
💡 How to use this lesson
👩🏫 For Teachers:
Use this 25-minute lesson to build students' email vocabulary and short sentence structure before writing.
Check answers together as a class or let students submit to see their scores automatically.
🧑🎓 For Learners:
First, read the vocabulary words below and listen to how they sound.
Next, complete the four short practice tasks to check your understanding.
📧 Module 1: Email Vocabulary & Sentences
Learn important words for sending emails to penfriends around the world.
📚 Key Vocabulary Words
The place on your computer where new emails arrive.
Example: "I have 5 new emails in my inbox."
The title of an email that tells what it is about.
Example: "Write 'Hello' in the subject line."
A website address inside an email that you can press.
Example: "Open the link to see the picture."
To press a button on a computer mouse or screen.
Example: "Click here to send the message."
To write words using a computer keyboard.
Example: "I can type fast on my laptop."
To make a second matching version of a piece of text.
Example: "Copy this sentence into your note."
To send an email you received to another person.
Example: "Please forward the email to Tom."
A friend you write letters or emails to, often far away.
Example: "My penfriend lives in Spain."
A friendly word used at the end of an email (e.g., Best regards).
Example: "Best regards, Anna."
In or to another country across the sea.
Example: "He travels overseas for school."
💡 Quick Tip
When writing to a new penfriend, start with a friendly greeting, write a clear subject line, and end with a nice closing phrase like Best regards.
📝 Practice Exercises
Complete all 4 tasks below to test your skills.
Task A: Word Order
Put the words in the right order to make correct sentences. Type the full sentence in the box.
Example: Thanks / email / for / your / . ➔ Thanks for your email.
1. check / your / every morning / inbox / .
____2. penfriend / I / write to / my / overseas / .
____3. the link / to open / click / the webpage / .
____4. the message / to / your friend / forward / .
____Task B: Fill in the Blanks
Complete each sentence with a word from the box.
1. Always write a clear ____ line so the person knows what your email is about.
2. You can ____ your email using a computer keyboard.
3. I opened my ____ and saw a message from my friend in Canada.
4. Please ____ this web address and paste it into your browser.
5. End your email with 'Best ____ ' before writing your name.
Task C: Choose the Correct Word
Select the best word to complete each sentence.
1. My friend lives in another country. She is my ___.
2. If you want to send an email you received to a new person, you should ___ it.
3. My brother went to live ___, so we write emails every week.
4. Please ___ on the blue link to open the photo album.
Task D: Match Question to Answer
Match each question on the left to its correct answer on the right.
✍️ Module 2: Writing Task
Put your learning into practice by writing your own short email to an overseas penfriend.
Write a short email to a new pen friend who lives in another country. Thank your friend for the last email, say why you are writing, ask two questions about their life, and end the email in a friendly way.
🧱 Email Frame
Use these starters to help organize your email:
- Dear ...,
- Thanks for your ...
- I am writing to tell you ...
- Can you tell me ...?
- I hope you are well.
- Write soon, / Best wishes,
✅ Writing Checklist
Make sure your email includes all of these parts:
- ✓ a greeting with Dear or Hi and a comma
- ✓ a thank-you phrase with for + your + noun
- ✓ one sentence with I am writing to + verb
- ✓ one question with Can you tell me + question word + subject + verb
- ✓ a wish such as I hope you are well
- ✓ a closing phrase and a name
When you are finished, click Submit to receive feedback on your writing.
🌟 Module 3: Model Answer
Read this example email to see how all the sentence starters fit together.
📨 Model Email (71 words)
🔊 Listen to emailDear Lucas,
I hope you are well. Thanks for your last email. It was great to read about your school.
I am writing to tell you about my summer holiday. I went to the beach with my family, and we swam every day. It was very fun!
Can you tell me what food you like to eat in your country? Also, what sports do you play at school?
Write soon,
Alex
💡 Why this works
Here is why these key phrases make your writing friendly, polite, and easy to understand:
1. Dear Lucas,
Why it works: This is a friendly greeting to start your email. Always put a comma after your friend's name.
2. I hope you are well.
Why it works: This is a warm sentence to ask how your friend is doing before sharing your news.
3. Thanks for your last email.
Why it works: Use "for + your + noun" to thank your penfriend for their previous message.
4. I am writing to tell you...
Why it works: Use "I am writing to + verb" to clearly state the topic or main reason for your email.
5. Can you tell me...
Why it works: Use "Can you tell me + question word + subject + verb" to ask questions politely about their life.
6. Write soon,
Why it works: This is a friendly closing phrase to invite your friend to reply, placed right before your name.
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