0164881821

Writing for 3rd Prep

Mr Mahmoud El-Khooly

:paragraph
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Gross errors when writing a paragraph:
1. Subject-verb agreement
- 1
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2. Sentence construction and tenses
- 2
) (.
* :

.. .
3. Ridiculous idioms, phrases, proverbs and literal translation.
-3 .

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4. Misuse of simple vocabulary and gross misspelling.
-4 .
5. Punctuation.
-5 capital letter
full stop .
6. Misuse of pronouns, prepositions, adjectives, adverbs, and
articles.
-6
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7. Parts of speech.
Sample paragraphs
Write a paragraph of six sentences on:

School life

My school

Writing for 3rd Prep

Mr Mahmoud El-Khooly

0164881821

I go to Shebin El-Kanater Preparatory School. Our school has all the

facilities of a modern school. It has thirty well-furnished and airy
classrooms, a science laboratory, a computer lab, a big library, a vast
playground and even a swimming pool. Both the headmaster and
teachers are very strict as they pay great attention to behaviour,
punctuality and cleanliness. Our teachers teach us with the utmost
care, guide us with our homework and help us in times of need. We are
taught to keep our school clean. I like my school very much and I am
proud to be a student of that school.
My Classroom
My classroom is a very large and airy room. The students sit in ten
rows of long desks and comfortable chairs. On the front wall is a large
whiteboard. A map, a timetable and five charts cover the other walls.
The teachers are kind and helpful. We are taught to keep our classroom
clean. I hope all students will feel comfortable in this learning
environment so that they will be successful members of society.
My school library
There is a large library in my school. It is found on the third floor,
away from the classrooms so that pupils may read quietly. It has many
cupboards with glass doors through which we can see the books on the
shelves. Each book has a number to guide the librarian in his work.
There is an up-to-date variety of books on many subjects. Our librarian
and his two assistants are very helpful. I always go to the library on
Thursday to borrow a good book to read on Friday.
My school day
Guiding points:
- when
- what you do
study
- teachers

- how you go

- what you

My school day begins at half past six. I go to school by bus. The first
lesson starts at eight. We have got Arabic, mathematics, English,
science, social studies and religion. I go home at half past one. The
teachers are very kind and helpful. We have really much fun at school.
My favourite subject
My favourite subject is English. Learning English is important
because it is an international language. A person who knows English
well can communicate with foreigners easily and learn about their

Mr Mahmoud El-Khooly

Writing for 3rd Prep

0164881821

countries, too. Most books on different subjects are written in English.

If one is asked to go to an English-speaking country, one should be
able to speak English to make friends with people and get their help.
Thanks to the increase in global trade, more companies and large
businesses will need to employ people who are fluent in English.
My favourite teacher
My favourite teacher is Mr Hany, my third grade English teacher.
He is very kind and helpful. He treats his students in a friendly and
fatherly way. He pays great attention to his lessons. He teaches us to
be industrious and to depend on ourselves. He sets a good example
for his students. Everyone likes and respects him.
Family and friends
My family
My family consists of four people. There are my parents, my sister
and me. My father is an engineer. My mother is a housewife. We get up
at six oclock in the morning. We have lunch at noon and dinner at 7
p.m. We love each other very much.
Good friends
Friendship is something very precious and rare. Friends may be
good or bad. A good friend is even more helpful than a brother or sister.
He stands beside his friend in sickness and in health, in times of joy and
in times of sorrow. He gives him valuable advice when required. He
sacrifices everything for him without expecting anything in return. He
shares him his thoughts and knowledge. He tries to offer him real help
in times of need. It is really great to have a good friend.
My best friend
My best friend is Ali. He is the same age as me. He is my next-door
neighbour. His father is a doctor and his mother is a teacher. He is very
kind and helpful. I like him because he is truthful, honest and patient. I
am lucky to have such a friend.
Free time and hobbies
Useful ways to spend your free time
Everyone has a time when they are not working and can do things
they enjoy. A wise person should use his free time properly. A part of

Mr Mahmoud El-Khooly

Writing for 3rd Prep

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our free time should be spent in reading. If every youth does his
favourite sport in his leisure hours, he will keep his body healthy. At
weekends some go to gardens and parks to breathe fresh air and
play outdoor games. Others visit their friends. Some people like to
spend their summer holidays on the seashores. Some citizens travel
to their villages.
The uses of a hobby
A hobby helps to develop the personality of individuals. A person
who collects stamps takes a special interest in the subject of the
stamp and the country where it is used. A hobby also teaches a
person the value of things or activity he is interested in. My favourite
hobby is gardening. I learn from it to be patient and very often I sell
my flowers and get some money. It is wiser to engage oneself in a
hobby than waste ones precious time.
Reading
My favourite hobby is reading. My father has a great collection of
books on many fields: literature, science, art, fiction and non-fiction. I
usually spend hours reading and thinking about facts described in
each kind of these books. Reading broadens my mind and improves
my knowledge. A good book is a true companion and a wellexperienced teacher guiding me through my life. Books are a source
of comfort and relief to me.
Stamp collecting
My favourite hobby is stamp collecting. It was on my fifteenth
birthday that my mother first put stamps into my hands. They were in
four books, but since then I have added three more. My father
sometimes brings me home stamps from many countries of the
world. I also have pen-friends who send me stamps in return for ones
which I send to them. Each stamp has a story to tell me of far
countries and strange peoples. I really enjoy this hobby a lot.
Playing the Guitar
Playing the guitar is my favourite hobby. My guitar is very unique
and beautiful. The guitar was given to me by my mother for my
seventh birthday. My uncle taught me how to play it. Now I can play a
few simple tunes. My uncle tells me that all I need is a lot of patience
and I should be a good guitarist.
Watching Television

Mr Mahmoud El-Khooly

Writing for 3rd Prep

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Watching television is one of the things I like to do in my spare

time. Documentaries are very informative and I do learn many things
from such programmes. News keeps me up to date with the latest
developments in the world. Cartoons keep me entertained. Sports
programmes teach me some exercises and offer useful advice on how
to keep fit. Humorous stories and comic films bring me minutes of
relaxation after a hard days work. Watching television can help me
improve my knowledge of the open world.
My hobbies
My hobbies are listening to music and watching television. When I
am free, I often listen to my favourite songs. At weekends, I usually
go to music shops in downtown areas to buy good CDs. I also spend
an hour before dinner watching news and documentary programmes.
I enjoy the programme Science and Faith because it increases my
knowledge of nature. I think my hobbies are very useful. They
broaden my knowledge, relax my mind, and make me feel better
about myself.
Holidays
My weekend
Friday is my weekly holiday. On Friday morning, I get up later than
usual. After breakfast, I usually visit my close friend. Sometimes we go
for a picnic in the countryside. In the afternoon, I prefer having a rest in
my room, reading books or listening to music. At 9 p.m. I prepare my
lessons for the following week. Friday is a good time for me as it
refreshes my mind after a weeks hard work.
A day spent by the sea
I decided to spend my last summer holiday at Alexandria seaside. I
went with my friends. We got there by bus. We took two hampers of
food and our swimming costumes. We swam all morning and then we
sat in a shady spot by the seashore to have dinner. We took a lot of
photographs together. That holiday brought us strength and pleasure
after months of hard work.
Visits
- When you went
- Who you went with
- What you did there - What you felt

- How you got there

A visit to an art exhibition

Writing for 3rd Prep

Mr Mahmoud El-Khooly

0164881821

Last week, I went to an exhibition of paintings by famous artists. I

went there alone. I got there by bus. I walked around the galleries
viewing different patterns of modern paintings. Most of them reflect
daily activities and some of them bring us into a world of imagination
and dreams. I bought the postcards of my favourite paintings. The
exhibition offered me precious minutes of relaxation and enriched my
imagination.
A visit to a factory
Last week, I visited a bicycle factory. I went there with some of my
classmates. We got there by bus. When we arrived, we were warmly
greeted by the director. We entered different workshops and took some
photos. The workers were absorbed in their work and drops of sweat
were rolling down their cheeks. This visit made me realize how
important the role workers play in the existence of a society.
A visit to the Egyptian Museum
Last week, our school made a trip to the Egyptian Museum. We got
there by bus. I walked around with one of my classmates viewing the
monuments inside. We saw the famous slate palette of King Narmer,
Tutankhamuns tomb and an amazing diversity of statues. The human
figures almost seem alive! Upstairs, we came face to face with some of
the great rulers of ancient Egypt. I felt very happy and excited.
A visit to the Citadel
I went to Saladins Citadel in Cairo last Friday. I went there with my
family. We got there by bus. We saw Mohammed Ali Mosque, Nasir
Mosque, Al-Gawhara Palace, and Military and Police Museum. We took
many photographs. We came home at seven. I enjoyed this visit very
much.
Celebrations
- the beginning
received
- description of the party

- who attended

- what presents

- the end

My birthday party
A day I will always remember is the day when I celebrated my
thirteenth birthday. All my friends and relatives were invited. I got a lot
of lovely presents. After we put out the candles, we sat down for a meal
with cakes and drinks. Music was played all through the party. When the

Mr Mahmoud El-Khooly

Writing for 3rd Prep

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party was over, I thanked everybody for coming to the party. They
wished me many happy returns of the day.
A wedding party
Last Sunday, I attended the wedding of my classmates sister. It
was performed in a community centre auditorium. The bride and the
bridegroom were seated on two throne-like chairs. The music troupes
beside them played soft and loud music. I took some photographs. I
offered the newlyweds my best wishes with a present. At 11:00 pm I
went home taking with me the happy moments.
Tourism and travel
Modes of Travelling
People can travel by land, air or sea. One can simply travel by land
on foot or by bicycle. In some places, people still ride on elephants,
donkeys, or horses. Railway trains and motor cars have made it easy for
people to travel quickly and comfortably. Great steamers can travel
across wide seas and oceans very fast. Aeroplanes enable travellers to
cover very long distances in days. In all these modes of travel, men
have harnessed the forces of nature to carry them over the world.
Tourism in Egypt
Egypt has always been a land of magic and mystery. A large
number of tourists visit Egypt every year. They come from all parts of
the world for a variety of reasons. Egypts mild climate and the wellknown summer resorts lure them. Some come to visit the Pharaonic,
Coptic and Islamic monuments in Cairo, Luxor and other places of the
country. Others like to go swimming and diving in the Red Sea. Our tour
guides are very proficient and they can speak all the languages of the
world. We have got a large number of hotels of all services that ensure
all possible means of ease and relaxation for tourists. The people of
Egypt are very hospitable towards tourists. They give them a warm
welcome and help them when needed.
The country I would like to visit
The country I would like to visit is the United States of America. It
is a vast country with a mixed population. There are world-famous
scientists, doctors, engineers, teachers and actors. The roads, buildings,
and cinemas here may be said to be the best in the world. There are
many places of interest, such as Hollywood, the United Nations building

Writing for 3rd Prep

Mr Mahmoud El-Khooly

0164881821

and Niagara Falls. The people of the USA are proud of their country.
Such a country is a wonderful land.
Health
How to keep fit
To keep fit you have to do many things. You should eat healthy
food. You should not have too much food for one meal. You should sleep
eight hours a day. Try to breathe lots of fresh air. You should take much
exercise. You should be clean in your skin and in your teeth and hair.
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Kinds of letters:
1.
2.

Family letters
Friendly letters

3.

Business letters
The parts of a letter

The letter consists of:

1.
2.

Address
Date

3.

Salutation

4.

Body

5.

Ending

Friendly Letter Writing

Address

:
-1
( ) -2

A.R.E Egypt
.Square = Sq.
Street = St Road = Rd.
:

-3
-4

0164881821

Writing for 3rd Prep

Mr Mahmoud El-Khooly

: Date
) ( 6/10/2010
6th Oct., 2010 Oct. 6th, 2010
.
* :
1st
2nd
3rd
4th
st
nd
rd
21
22
23
31st
*
:
January = Jan.
February = Feb.
March
April
May
June
July
August = Aug.
September = Sept.
October = Oct.
November = Nov.
December = Dec.
10, Hussein Wassef St.,
) Dokki,
)
) (Cairo,
) (Egypt.
January 25th, 2010.

: Salutation
Dear :
+ + Dear + Name of Recipient,
:
-1 ,Dear Adel ,Dear friend
-2 :
Dear Father,
Dear Uncle,
Dear Aunt,
Dear Cousin,

: Body
.
. :

1. Making reference:
Thank you for your letter regarding...
.... -
Its ages since I heard from you. I hope you and your family are in good health.
. . -
Thank you very much for your kind invitation (to your birthday party/ to the
.... wedding of your daughter on 5 July 2008). -
I am very much obliged to you for your kind congratulations.
. -
Allow me to congratulate you with all my heart on -
...
2. Giving the reason for writing
I am writing to ask about / apologise for/ request ...
3. Making requests and invitations:

Writing for 3rd Prep

Mr Mahmoud El-Khooly

0164881821

Could you (possibly) ...?....

Would you mind ...?.....
I/We would be grateful if you could (come to my birthday party) ...
It will give me great pleasure if . (you spend few days with me here).
.( )

4. Agreeing to requests and invitations:

I would be delighted to ...
I would be pleased to ... ...
I will be very pleased to attend.
.

5. Giving bad news

Unfortunately, ... ...

I am afraid that ...
I am sorry to hear that ...
I regret that I will be unable to attend as a result of an existing family commitment.
. Closing remarks .6
.I look forward to hearing from you soon
I look forward to seeing you. .
.Im looking forward to seeing you next Thursday
.I look forward to meeting you next week
I look forward to hearing your ideas on this issue.
My best wishes to your father and you.
Thank you for your time and consideration.
7. Finishing salutation
Yours, . ...
Yours sincerely,
Yours faithfully,
Best wishes,

Best regards,

Sample letters
. --

Mr Mahmoud El-Khooly

Writing for 3rd Prep

0164881821

1. Write a letter to your friend, Adel, inviting him to your birthday party. Your name
is Tarek and you live at 15, Orabi Street, Ain Shams, Cairo.
15, Orabi Street,
Ain Shams,
Cairo,
Jan. 12th , 2010.
Dear Adel,
Were having a party on 5th July to celebrate my thirteenth birthday. Were
organizing it at home. The party starts at 7 p.m. and itll go on till late. Therell be a great
banquet, drinks and music. I really hope you can come. I look forward to hearing from you
soon.
Best wishes,
Tarek
2. Write a letter to your friend, Samy, apolgising for not coming to his birthday party.
Your name is Hosny and you live at 30, El Tahreer Street, Cairo.

30, El Tahreer Street,
Cairo,
1st July, 2010.
Dear Samy,
Thank you very much for your kind invitation to your birthday party. I wish you many
happy returns of the day. I regret that I will be unable to attend as a result of my mothers
illness. She has been ill in bed for three weeks. I have sent you a modest present by post. I
hope you will like it.
With my best wishes,
Yours sincerely,
Hosny.
3. Write a letter to your friend, Soad, inviting her to dinner. Your name is Zeinab and
you live at 24, Mustafa Abd El Zaher Street, Shebin El Kanater, Qalyubia.
24, Mustafa Abd El Zaher Street,
Shebin El Kanater,
Qalyubia.
23rd June, 2010.
Dear Soad,
How are you? I hope you are well. I would be grateful if you could dine with me at
our house next Friday at 8 p.m. We will also go for a ride. I am asking some of our
schoolmates, too. I think it would be good fun. My father says that he would later drive
you home. Hope to hear from you soon.
Yours,
Zeinab.

Mr Mahmoud El-Khooly

Writing for 3rd Prep

0164881821

4. Your name is Kamal Hussein. Write a letter to your friend, John, inviting him to
spend a week with you. You live at 65 El Corniche Street, Alexandria.
. 65, El Corniche Street,
Alexandria,
Egypt,
25th April, 2010
Dear John,
How are you today? I hope everything is fine with you.We have lately moved into a
new flat in Alexandria and there is room for a visitor or two. It would be great to see you
up here for some time. If you are free at the next weekend, you can spend it with us. It
would be a nice change after months of study. We will have a good time by the sea
together. We can have some seafood at one of the restaurants near my house. Please tell me
if you intend to come so that I may pick you up at the airport. I look forward to seeing you.
Yours sincerely,
Kamal Hussein
5. Write a letter to your pen friend, Thomas, introducing yourself, telling him about
your interests, and hoping to make good friendship with him. Your name is Samir
and you live at 30, Nile Street, Cairo.
30, Nile Street,
Cairo,
Egypt,
June 20th , 2010.
Dear Thomas,
It gives me a great pleasure to write to you. I hope to make good friendship with you.
I am about fourteen years old. I am fond of collecting stamps. I like to play football and
tennis. I spend much of spare time reading books. Please tell me about yourself and your
hobbies. I look forward to a successful working relationship in the future. I wish you good
luck, health and happiness.
Yours sincerely,
Samir

Glossary of words
absorbed in
actor
add
airy ( )
all through

downtown areas
documentary
developments
daily activities
director

Mr Mahmoud El-Khooly

artist
art exhibition
attend
as a result of
auditorium
away from
bride
bridegroom
banquet
best regards
business (n)
broaden
behaviour
cleanliness
chart
collect stamps
collection
companion
comfort
cartoon
comic film
consist of
cheek
cover
celebrate
citadel
Coptic
consideration
community centre
commitment
contact (v)

Writing for 3rd Prep

0164881821

drops of sweat
diversity ( )
diving
Hollywood ( )
delighted
dine ( )
develop
environment
engage in
English-speaking
employ
entertain
enrich
enter
existence -
existing -
ensure -
ease
family commitment
future contact
facilities
fresh
fiction
fact
to be fluent in English
friendly
fatherly
friendship
figure
face to face
grateful

Mr Mahmoud El-Khooly

Writing for 3rd Prep

classmate
depend on
gallery
greet warmly
go on
go for a ride
ride ..
guitarist
honest
humorous
harness
hamper ( )
hospitable

0164881821

gardening
global trade
to be over
obliged
playground
pay attention to

punctuality
personality
people
painting
seafood
pleasure
population

hear from
individual
increase (n)
improve
industrious
in return (for)
informative (~books)
imagination

pick up ( )
perform
pleased
precious
proficient
properly
put out
regarding

intend

request (v)
regret (v)

issue
knowledge
learning environment
leisure
literature
lucky
lovely
lure
member
military
magic
mystery
mild climate
mode = kind

reference
row
relief
respect (v)
really
relax
reflect
relaxation
rare
roll down
require
realize
railway

Mr Mahmoud El-Khooly

Writing for 3rd Prep

mixed
modest

ruler

make friendship
non-fiction
next-door (adj.)
Niagra Falls ( )
newlyweds
organize
outdoor games
swimming costumes
shady spot
strength
schoolmate
seat
strict
seashore
seaside
slate palette ( )
special
society
shelfshelves
take an interest in
thanks to
treat
time of need
time of joy
truthful
tune
time of sorrow
throne-like
troupe
the United Nations

0164881821

return
refresh
summer resort
relationship
source

set an example for

spare time
sickness
sacrifice
wedding party
world-famous
useful
valuable
view (v)
vast
value
variety ( )
well-furnished
wise
weekend
waste
well-experienced
wide
wish (v)
when needed
up-to-date
to be up to date ( )
use
utmost
unique
Yours sincerely

Mr Mahmoud El-Khooly

Writing for 3rd Prep

0164881821

A list of the most important tourist

attractions in Egypt
City
Tourist attractions
Cairo
The Citadel, The Egyptian Museum, Khan el-Khalili, Cairo Opera House
(El Zamalek), Cairo Tower (Gezirah), Media Production City
Giza
the Pyramids and the Sphinx, Pyramids of Dahshour, Sound and Light
Show
Luxor
Luxor Temple, the temple of Karnak, the Valleys of the Kings and Queens,
the Tutankhamun's tomb, the tomb of Nefertari
Aswan
Elephantine Island, the Tombs of the Nobles, the High Dam, Lake Nasser
Hurghada The water sports are one of the major tourist attractions of Hurghada. Here,
you can go sailing, snorkelling , diving, swimming, and
fishing. Other places of interest include Marine Biology Museum
, Underwater Garden , the Aquarium.
the Red
The Red Sea coast is famous for its crystal clear blue waters and exotic
marine life , attracting thousands of tourists yearly. The
Sea
underwater amazement of the Red Sea remains a living tapestry of
resounding corals and exotic fish.
Sharm
It has beautiful sandy shores and the seawater is so clear
El-Sheikh reflecting an amazing turquoise colour. The area's main activities are
snorkelling and scuba diving. The area's vital section is in Naama bay.

Mr Mahmoud El-Khooly

Writing for 3rd Prep

0164881821