You look at a picture and write a sentence that describes what you see.

Fairly easy, right? But you will want to be careful.

It's important to have a strong and confident start to your writing test.

Let's take a look at how you can do that.

In the first part of the test, you will write a short sentence based on a picture.

Your sentence must accurately describe what is in the picture, and you'll need to use correct grammar.

But before we read the instructions, don't forget to hit that like button and smash that subscribe button so you can get the latest TOEIC lessons from the team here at E2.

On test day, you'll see these instructions.

You will write one sentence that is based on a picture.

With each picture, you will be given two words or phrases that you must use in your sentence.

You can change the forms of the words, and you can use the words in any order.

So you'll be given a photo and two words that you must use, but you can change the form.

If they give you the word think, you could also use the words think, thinks, or thinking.

All of these are fine.

Also, it says one sentence.

So you're only going to have a full stop or period at the end.

And you want to avoid semicolons.

Let's take a look at a task like the one you might see on test day.

So here, we can see the two words bedtime and two.

And we can see the photo of the young child with who I assume are his parents.

So here are the five main pieces of advice we have for this task.

First, use the words provided.

Second, use the present continuous or possibly present simple.

Three, use an adverb.

Four, or use and instead of an adverb.

Finally, don't forget about punctuation.

So here's what a good answer might look like.

A mother and father are reading to their child before bedtime.

So here we have the present continuous, an adverb of time, and both words.

Now, keep in mind, sometimes the word and is enough.

So another response could be a bit simpler.

Also notice that I have started with a capital letter and ended with a full stop.

Punctuation is important.

A mother and father are reading to their child and getting their child ready for bedtime.

Again, we have the present continuous, but this time we've added two actions.

And note there is no comma before or after and.

To be honest, I think the first one is definitely better.

But I just want you to remember that sometimes simpler is better.

You don't have to show off here, especially if you have any doubts.

Let's take a look at one more task.

Pause the video and see if you can make your own sentence.

How did you go?

Here's an example answer for this task.

Two women are relaxing outside having a drink and chatting with each other.

So in this case, I've used and and I've included three actions.

I could also try this.

Two women are relaxing outside while chatting with each other.

In this example, I've used while instead of and.

It's not a bad idea to use more complex grammar like this, but don't feel like you have to always use it.

In the next two parts of the writing test, however, you will want to use more complex language.

Here in part one, don't be afraid to keep it simple.

And that's it.

That's how you can start off the TOEIC writing test with confidence.

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