Cooking Class Advert: Ask for Information
Read an advert for a weekend cooking course, answer four questions, then write an email asking for the information that's missing.
- Time
- 25 min
- Length
- 60-90 words
- Includes
- Reading text
Writadia · A2 · Emails
NameClassDate
Read first
Cook Like a Local: Weekend Cooking Course
Do you want to make fresh pasta, bake bread or cook a perfect curry? Join our friendly weekend course at the Green Spoon Kitchen!
Classes are on Saturday mornings from 10 am to 1 pm. You cook three dishes in every class and then you eat them together with the group. Groups are small: there are only eight students in each class.
You don't need any experience. Our teacher, Marco, explains every step slowly and clearly. We give you all the ingredients and an apron, so you only need to bring a container to take food home.
The course is for adults and teenagers over fourteen. Teenagers must come with an adult.
To book your place, email hello@greenspoon.example
120 words
Check your understanding
- When are the classes?On Saturday mornings, from 10 am to 1 pm.
- How many students are there in a class?Eight.
- What do students need to bring?A container to take food home.
- Can a thirteen-year-old join?No. The course is for people over fourteen.
Your task
You want to do the course with your mum or dad. The advert doesn't tell you everything. Write an email to the Green Spoon Kitchen. Ask about:
- the price of the course
- how many weeks the course is
- food you can't eat (for example, you are vegetarian or you have an allergy)
Writing toolkit
Open these only when you need them. Try the first draft on your own.
Plan it in steps
- Read the advert and answer the questions first.
- Say who you are and why you are writing.
- Ask your three questions. Use polite forms.
- Thank them and close the email.
Useful phrases
Opening
Why you are writing
Asking politely
Closing
Tap a phrase to add it to your text. Gaps (…) are selected so you can type over them.
Vocabulary
- advert
- text that tells people about a product or eventI saw an advert for a course.
- book
- ask for a place in advanceI'd like to book two places.
- apron
- clothes you wear when you cookThey give you an apron.
- container
- a box for keeping foodBring a container for your food.
- allergy
- your body reacts badly to a foodI have a nut allergy.
Model answer (73 words)
Read it after you’ve written your own version. Notice the highlighted parts. The numbers explain why they work.
Hello,
I saw your advert for the weekend cooking course and I'm interested in it.1 I'm fifteen and I'd like to do the course with my mother.
I have a few questions. Could you tell me how much the course costs for two people?2 Also, how many weeks is the course?
I'm vegetarian, so I don't eat meat or fish. Is that a problem?3
Thank you for your help. Best regards, Defne Aydın
- First line: say why you are writing.
- "Could you tell me..." is polite. Notice: "how much the course costs", not "how much does the course cost".
- Give the information they need, then ask your question.
Teacher notes
Reading for gaps: the key skill is noticing what the advert does not say. Ask students to highlight information in the text, then list what is missing.
Grammar point: indirect questions (Could you tell me how much it costs?). Keep it simple at A2: give the pattern, don't explain the theory.
Extra challenge
Imagine you are Marco. Write a short reply with the answers.
Lesson plan
- 5 minWarm-up
Show the situation on the classroom screen and ask: “What would you write in this situation?” Take two or three quick answers.
- 12 minReading
Students read the text, then answer the comprehension questions in pairs.
- 10 minWord pool
Open “Word pool” on the classroom screen. Students make one sentence each with: advert, book, apron, container, allergy.
- 12 minModel text
Reveal the model sentence by sentence in “Model text” mode. At each sentence ask: “What job does this sentence do?” Write these phrases on the board: “Dear Sir or Madam,”, “Hello,”, “I saw your advert for the weekend cooking course and I'm interested in it.”.
- 26 minWriting
Start the timer. Students write their own text; anyone stuck can use the plan in the toolkit. (60-90 words)
- 10 minPeer review
Students swap texts and fill in the peer-review sheet.
- 5 minWrap-up
Set the extra challenge as homework.
The task’s own teacher notes give extra ideas for the warm-up and focus.
Assessment rubric
| Criterion | 4 · Excellent | 3 · Good | 2 · Developing | 1 · Beginning | Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Task | All the requested information is there. | One point is missing. | Several points are missing. | Little connection to the task. | |
| Organisation | Sentences in order; and, but, because used well. | Mostly in order. | Order is confusing. | Unconnected sentences. | |
| Vocabulary | Topic words used; most spelled correctly. | Simple but enough. | A lot of repetition and spelling errors. | Words do not carry the meaning. | |
| Grammar and mechanics | Capitals, full stops and basic tenses correct. | A few errors, meaning clear. | Frequent errors, meaning sometimes lost. | Hard to understand. | |
| Total | / 16 | ||||
Each criterion scores 1–4 (total 16). Use the task checklist below to tick what the student actually did.
Task checklist
- I asked about the price, the length of the course and food.
- I used at least one polite question (Could you tell me...?).
- I didn't ask about things the advert already says.
Teacher comment
Peer-review sheet
Students swap texts and give each other feedback with this sheet.
Before you finish
Before you finish
- I asked about the price, the length of the course and food.
- I used at least one polite question (Could you tell me...?).
- I didn't ask about things the advert already says.
Answer key
- On Saturday mornings, from 10 am to 1 pm.
- Eight.
- A container to take food home.
- No. The course is for people over fourteen.
Writadia · A2 · Emails
Assessment rubric: Cooking Class Advert: Ask for Information
| Criterion | 4 · Excellent | 3 · Good | 2 · Developing | 1 · Beginning | Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Task | All the requested information is there. | One point is missing. | Several points are missing. | Little connection to the task. | |
| Organisation | Sentences in order; and, but, because used well. | Mostly in order. | Order is confusing. | Unconnected sentences. | |
| Vocabulary | Topic words used; most spelled correctly. | Simple but enough. | A lot of repetition and spelling errors. | Words do not carry the meaning. | |
| Grammar and mechanics | Capitals, full stops and basic tenses correct. | A few errors, meaning clear. | Frequent errors, meaning sometimes lost. | Hard to understand. | |
| Total | / 16 | ||||
Each criterion scores 1–4 (total 16). Use the task checklist below to tick what the student actually did.
Task checklist
- I asked about the price, the length of the course and food.
- I used at least one polite question (Could you tell me...?).
- I didn't ask about things the advert already says.
Teacher comment
Writadia · A2 · Emails
Peer-review sheet: Cooking Class Advert: Ask for Information
WriterReviewer
Read your partner’s text carefully. Be kind and specific: say why, not just “good”.
Task checklist
| Yes | Partly | No | |
|---|---|---|---|
| I asked about the price, the length of the course and food. | |||
| I used at least one polite question (Could you tell me...?). | |||
| I didn't ask about things the advert already says. |
Questions
- Does the text give all the information asked for?
- Does every sentence start with a capital and end with a full stop?
- Did the writer use and, but or because? Copy one example.
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Writadia · A2 · Emails
Lesson plan: Cooking Class Advert: Ask for Information
- 5 minWarm-up
Show the situation on the classroom screen and ask: “What would you write in this situation?” Take two or three quick answers.
- 12 minReading
Students read the text, then answer the comprehension questions in pairs.
- 10 minWord pool
Open “Word pool” on the classroom screen. Students make one sentence each with: advert, book, apron, container, allergy.
- 12 minModel text
Reveal the model sentence by sentence in “Model text” mode. At each sentence ask: “What job does this sentence do?” Write these phrases on the board: “Dear Sir or Madam,”, “Hello,”, “I saw your advert for the weekend cooking course and I'm interested in it.”.
- 26 minWriting
Start the timer. Students write their own text; anyone stuck can use the plan in the toolkit. (60-90 words)
- 10 minPeer review
Students swap texts and fill in the peer-review sheet.
- 5 minWrap-up
Set the extra challenge as homework.
The task’s own teacher notes give extra ideas for the warm-up and focus.
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