Writing through 2027
Practise the earlier form, directed writing and extended response with explicit task-completion checks.
Exam scope and assessment notes
All Italian passages, prompts, model answers, listening scripts and tasks are original StudyForA material, not Cambridge assessment content. Cambridge's separate 2028 vocabulary spreadsheet is linked through its subject page but has not been reconciled word by word. Grammar groups need item-by-item specialist checking, and an Italian-language teacher should review the original Italian before publication is described as complete. Browser speech synthesis is not Cambridge audio and cannot guarantee a regional accent, natural pace or pronunciation. Speaking is rehearsal and self-review, not a centre assessment or examiner mark; writing answers are self-checked, not Cambridge-marked. No complete timed specimen or 130-hour course is included. Confirm your exam year, entry option and centre availability with Cambridge and your school. Use the 2025–2027 or 2028–2030 paper lesson that matches your exam year.
Before you begin
Work on paper. Try each question before revealing help, and explain why your method works.
Quick readiness check
Which outline covers a past event, an opinion and a future plan?
What you will learn
- Complete a form with accurate short factual responses.
- Cover each bullet in a directed response of about 80–90 words.
- Develop an email, letter, article or blog of about 130–140 words.
- Review task coverage, word range, register and language accuracy.
Plan against the prompt
The 2025–2027 paper is one hour and 45 marks: form-filling (5), directed writing (12; about 80–90 words) and extended writing (28; about 130–140 words). Follow the exact prompt and word guidance on your paper.
Turn every bullet into a checklist item before drafting. Include a direct answer for each point, then develop it with a relevant detail.
Connect and review
Use a clear opening, sequence events consistently, explain an opinion with a reason and finish appropriately for the format. «Prima», «poi», «però» and «perché» can connect ideas.
After drafting, check tenses, agreement, spelling, punctuation and whether each sentence answers the task. These checks support practice but do not apply Cambridge marks.
Sources for this lesson
- Cambridge IGCSE Italian - Foreign Language 0535 subject page
- Cambridge IGCSE Italian 0535 syllabus for exams in 2025–2027 · Version 3
- Cambridge IGCSE Italian 0535 syllabus update for 2025–2027
- Cambridge IGCSE Italian 0535 syllabus for exams in 2028–2030
- Cambridge IGCSE Italian 0535 2028 vocabulary list
Pause and explain
What should you check after drafting?
Worked example
A friend asks for an 80–90-word message about a school event: what happened, what you enjoyed and why, one problem, and what you plan next. What must the response plan include?
Show the worked solution
- Make one checklist item for every requested point.
- Sequence the event in a consistent tense.
- Reserve a sentence for the next plan and check length.
Answer A complete plan covers the event, an enjoyable part with a reason, one problem and a future plan. The final draft should fit the requested range and be reviewed for Italian accuracy.
From guided practice to a new situation
Write your answer and reasoning first. Use a hint only if you are stuck. The model solution is for self-checking; your written work is not automatically marked.
Plan a short form response with a name, date, preferred activity and contact detail.
Give me a hint
Answer each field directly and keep the requested format.
Compare my reasoning
- Read the field label.
- Enter the requested detail only.
- Check spelling and date format.
A complete form uses concise information in the matching fields, for example «Attività preferita: visitare il museo». Do not add unrequested information.
Look for these in your work
- Matches each field
- Uses concise phrasing
- Checks spelling and date
Plan an 80–90-word response about a school trip: destination, an activity you enjoyed and why, one difficulty and a suggestion for next time.
Give me a hint
Make four checklist items and count words after drafting.
Compare my reasoning
- Name the destination.
- Describe the activity and reason.
- Include a difficulty and future suggestion; verify the length.
A complete answer covers all four points in connected Italian and fits the requested range. It should be checked by a teacher; this plan is not an official mark.
Look for these in your work
- Covers all points
- Connects event and opinion
- Checks length
Write a 130–140-word blog entry about a community event, balancing what happened, your opinion, a challenge and a future idea.
Give me a hint
Use an opening, sequence, contrast and ending; limit claims to your experience.
Compare my reasoning
- Introduce where and when.
- Describe activities and explain an opinion.
- Discuss a challenge and next idea; count words.
A strong response develops every requested element, distinguishes personal experience from a general claim and stays within the word guidance. Ask a teacher to review the Italian; it is not Cambridge-marked.
Look for these in your work
- Develops the event
- Supports an opinion
- Includes a challenge and next idea
Common mistakes
- Missing a prompt point
- Changing tense without a reason
- Writing far outside the word guidance
- Treating self-checks as an official mark
What can you explain now?
What is the first review check for directed writing?
Compare with the explanation
Every requested point has a relevant response
Task coverage comes before polishing language.
After trying it yourself, choose your next review. This is your self-assessment.
Your review choice appears on Today. Sign in to sync it across devices.
Make it stick
Before leaving writing through 2027, explain one idea from memory, answer the checkpoint and name one point to practise again.
If you needed the solution, close it and solve the problem again from a blank page. A correct answer is stronger when you can explain the reason for each step.