GCSE-ready- Home
- Lessons
- GCSE & IGCSE Arabic
- Exam skills: Paper 4 Writing and translation
Exam skills: Paper 4 Writing and translation
The writing paper rewards covering every bullet point, using a range of tenses and writing accurate Arabic. Instructions are in Arabic, so learn the key words.
Foundation tier (1 hour 20 minutes)
Higher tier (1 hour 25 minutes)
Formal and informal
Formal openings: حضرة المدير المحترم، (Dear Director,) تحية طيبة وبعد، (Greetings).
Formal endings: وشكرًا على اهتمامكم (Thank you for your attention), مع فائق الاحترام (With great respect).
Informal: عزيزي سامي / عزيزتي ليلى، ... مع تحياتي، ... إلى اللقاء.
In every answer: three time frames (ذهبتُ، أذهب، سأذهب), opinions with reasons (لأنّ), and linking words (ثمّ، لكنّ، أيضًا، بالإضافة إلى ذلك).
Formal endings: وشكرًا على اهتمامكم (Thank you for your attention), مع فائق الاحترام (With great respect).
Informal: عزيزي سامي / عزيزتي ليلى، ... مع تحياتي، ... إلى اللقاء.
In every answer: three time frames (ذهبتُ، أذهب، سأذهب), opinions with reasons (لأنّ), and linking words (ثمّ، لكنّ، أيضًا، بالإضافة إلى ذلك).
Translate into Arabic (Foundation Question 4 style): Yesterday I went to the market with my mother.
- Yesterday: أمس.
- I went: ذهبتُ; to the market: إلى السوق.
- With my mother: مع أمّي.
Answer: أمس ذهبتُ إلى السوق مع أمّي.
Foundation: picture (20 to 30 words), formal (40 to 50), informal (80 to 90), translation of five sentences. Higher: 80 to 90 words, 130 to 150 words formal, translation of a paragraph. Cover every bullet; use three time frames; match formal or informal register.
The interactive lesson includes the diagrams for this topic.
Check you have got it
Answer 6 quick questions with instant marking. If you get one wrong, GCSE-ready shows you why and gives you another go. It is free, and you do not need an account.