Describe Someone Who Has Influenced You B1 Writing Practice Tests

Exercises: 1 2 3 4 5

Exercise 1

Read each group of sentences carefully. Choose the one sentence that has correct punctuation, capitalization, and spelling. The topic is describing a person who has influenced you.

Example: Which sentence is correct?
A) my teacher mrs. johnson always encouraged me to work harder.
B) My teacher, Mrs. Johnson, always encouraged me to work harder.
C) My Teacher Mrs johnson, always encouraged me to work Harder.
Answer: My teacher, Mrs. Johnson, always encouraged me to work harder.

1. You are writing an article about someone who influenced you. Which sentence uses the correct punctuation after a linking adverb?

However my teacher always encouraged me to keep trying.

However, my teacher always encouraged me to keep trying.

However my teacher, always encouraged me to keep trying.

However; my teacher always encouraged me to keep trying.

2. Which sentence correctly uses 'although' to join two contrasting ideas about an influential person?

Although, my grandfather was strict, he was also very kind.

Although my grandfather was strict, he was also very kind.

Although my grandfather was strict but he was also very kind.

Although my grandfather was strict however he was also very kind.

3. A student wrote this sentence about their mentor: 'When I arrived at the lesson, she already explained the topic.' What is the error?

The subject 'she' should be 'her'.

'arrived' should be 'was arriving'.

'already explained' should be 'had already explained'.

'the lesson' should be 'a lesson'.

4. Which sentence correctly uses the present perfect to describe how someone has influenced you over time?

My coach influenced me since I was twelve years old.

My coach has influenced me since I was twelve years old.

My coach is influencing me since I was twelve years old.

My coach was influencing me since I was twelve years old.

5. Choose the correct spelling of the missing word: 'She _______ inspired me to work harder every day.'

definately

definitly

definitely

definetely

6. Which sentence correctly uses 'despite' to show contrast in a description of an influential person?

Despite she was very busy, she always had time for me.

Despite of her busy schedule, she always had time for me.

Despite her busy schedule, she always had time for me.

Despite that her busy schedule, she always had time for me.

7. A student is writing about a teacher who influenced them. Which option correctly uses a relative clause?

My teacher, who she taught me maths, was very patient.

My teacher, who taught me maths, was very patient.

My teacher, which taught me maths, was very patient.

My teacher, that she taught me maths, was very patient.

8. You are writing an informal article about someone who influenced you. Which opening sentence is most appropriate for a B1 article style?

I am writing to inform you that my grandmother influenced me.

Have you ever met someone who completely changed the way you think?

Dear Editor, I would like to discuss my grandmother's influence.

The purpose of this essay is to describe an influential person.

9. Which sentence correctly uses a second conditional to express advice about choosing a role model?

If I am you, I would choose someone who is honest and hardworking.

If I were you, I would choose someone who is honest and hardworking.

If I were you, I will choose someone who is honest and hardworking.

If I was you, I would chose someone who is honest and hardworking.

10. A student wrote: 'My father teached me how to be patient and responsible.' What is the error in this sentence?

'patient' should be 'patience'.

'teached' should be 'taught'.

'My father' should be 'My fathers'.

'responsible' should be 'responsibly'.

Exercises: 1 2 3 4 5

How to Write About Someone Who Has Influenced You

In this writing lesson, you will learn how to write a short article or composition describing a person who has had an important influence on your life. This is a very common task in B1-level English examinations, such as the Cambridge B1 Preliminary (PET), where you might be asked to write an article for a school magazine or a class website.

When you write about an influential person, you are not simply describing what they look like. Instead, you are explaining who they are, what they did, and how they changed you. You might write about a family member, a teacher, a friend, or even a famous person you admire.

Real-life examples of this writing task include:

A school magazine article about an inspiring teacher
A personal blog post about a family member who gave you important advice
A class writing task asking: "Write about someone who has influenced your life."

By the end of this lesson, you will be able to write a well-structured, 100–120 word composition using interesting vocabulary, linking words, and a variety of sentence structures.

Essential Writing Rules and Sentence Structure

1. Organise Your Writing into Paragraphs

A well-organised B1 composition about an influential person should have three or four paragraphs:

Paragraph 1 – Introduction: Introduce the person and explain who they are.
Paragraph 2 – Description and qualities: Describe their personality and what makes them special.
Paragraph 3 – Their influence: Explain how they have changed you or your life.
Paragraph 4 – Conclusion: Sum up why this person is important to you and what you have learned.

2. Use Complex Sentences with Relative Clauses

Avoid short, simple sentences. Instead, combine ideas using relative clauses with who, which, that, and where.

❌ Simple: My teacher is called Mrs Santos. She taught me maths. She is very patient.

✅ Complex: My teacher, Mrs Santos, who taught me maths for three years, is one of the most patient people I have ever met.

3. Use a Range of Tenses

To write about someone's influence, you will need to use several tenses correctly:

Past simple – for completed events: She gave me excellent advice when I was struggling at school.
Past continuous – for background situations: While I was preparing for my exams, she stayed late to help me.
Present perfect – for influence that continues today: She has inspired me to study harder since that day.
Second conditional – for hypothetical reflection: If I hadn't met her, I would never have believed in myself.

4. Punctuate Linking Words Correctly

When you use linking adverbs such as However, Therefore, and In addition at the beginning of a sentence, always place a comma after them.

❌ However she never gave up on me.

✅ However, she never gave up on me.

Useful Linking Words (Connectors)

Using a variety of connectors makes your writing flow naturally and shows the examiner that you can organise ideas clearly. Study this table carefully.

Connector	Function / Use	Example Sentence
However,	Shows contrast (starts a new sentence)	He was very strict. However, he always had time to listen.
Although	Shows contrast (within the same sentence)	Although she was very busy, she always made time for me.
Even though	Shows strong contrast (within the same sentence)	Even though I found it difficult, she encouraged me to keep going.
Therefore,	Shows result or consequence	She taught me to work hard. Therefore, I passed all my exams.
As a result,	Shows consequence (more formal than 'so')	He believed in my abilities. As a result, I started to believe in myself.
In addition,	Adds more information	She was a brilliant teacher. In addition, she was always kind and patient.
Because	Gives a reason (within the same sentence)	I admire her because she never stopped caring about her students.
Since	Gives a reason or marks a point in time	Since that day, I have looked at life very differently.
While	Shows two actions happening at the same time	While I was struggling with maths, he spent hours helping me.
As soon as	Shows one action immediately following another	As soon as I met her, I knew she was someone special.
Because of	Gives a reason (followed by a noun phrase)	Because of her support, I became a much more confident person.
So that	Shows purpose	She stayed after class so that I could understand the lesson better.

Model Writing Sample: The Teacher Who Changed My Life

Read the following model composition carefully. Notice how the writer uses paragraphs, linking words, relative clauses, and a range of tenses.

— Model Text —

[Opening – Introduce the person]
The person who has influenced me most is my secondary school English teacher, Mr Ferreira, who taught at my school for over twenty years. As soon as I joined his class, I realised he was different from other teachers.

[Body – Personality and qualities]
Although he was very demanding, he always encouraged his students to do their best. While I was struggling to write essays, he spent extra time explaining things so that I could improve. In addition, he had a fantastic sense of humour, which made every lesson enjoyable.

[Body – His influence]
Because of his support, I began to love reading and writing. He taught me that making mistakes is part of learning. As a result, I became a much more confident student.

[Closing – Summary and reflection]
If I hadn't met Mr Ferreira, I would never have discovered my passion for languages. I will always be grateful for everything he taught me.

(Word count: 118 words)

Model Text Annotations

Paragraph 1 – Introduces the person using a relative clause (who taught at my school) and the connector As soon as to create an immediate, engaging opening.
Paragraph 2 – Uses Although, While, so that, and In addition to show contrast, simultaneous actions, purpose, and extra details. Notice the relative clause: which made every lesson enjoyable.
Paragraph 3 – Uses Because of and As a result to show cause and effect. The present perfect (I began to love) and past simple are mixed naturally.
Paragraph 4 – Ends with a second conditional (If I hadn't met… I would never have) to reflect on the person's importance. This is a strong, memorable closing.

Key Phrases and Sentence Starters

Introducing the Person

The person who has influenced me most is…
I would like to write about…, who has had a huge impact on my life.
One person I truly admire is…, because…
As soon as I met…, I knew that they were someone very special.
…is someone who has always inspired me to…

Describing Their Personality and Qualities

Although he / she was very…, he / she always…
What I admire most about… is that…
He / She has a remarkable ability to…
One of the things that makes… so special is…
He / She is the kind of person who…
In addition to being…, he / she is also…

Explaining Their Influence

Because of…, I started to believe in myself.
As a result of his / her encouragement, I…
He / She taught me that…
Since meeting…, I have…
He / She inspired me to… so that I could…
Thanks to…, I have become a much more… person.

Concluding Your Composition

If I hadn't met…, I would never have…
I will always be grateful for everything… has done for me.
Without…, I don't think I would have…
I am lucky to have had… in my life, and I hope that one day I can inspire others in the same way.
In conclusion, … has changed my life in ways I will never forget.

Common Writing Mistakes to Avoid

Mistake 1: Confusing Although and However

❌ Although, she was very strict, I loved her lessons.
✅ Although she was very strict, I loved her lessons. — Do not put a comma after although. It is a conjunction that connects two clauses within one sentence, not a linking adverb.

❌ She was very strict however I loved her lessons.
✅ She was very strict. However, I loved her lessons. — However starts a new sentence and must be followed by a comma.

Mistake 2: Missing Comma After a Linking Adverb

❌ Therefore I became more confident in my studies.
✅ Therefore, I became more confident in my studies. — Always place a comma after Therefore,, However,, In addition,, and As a result, when they appear at the start of a sentence.

Mistake 3: Tense Inconsistency When Describing Past Events

❌ While I was studying, she comes into the room and gives me some advice.
✅ While I was studying, she came into the room and gave me some advice. — When narrating past events, keep all verbs in the past. Do not switch to the present simple.

Mistake 4: Misspelling Common B1 Vocabulary

❌ She definately inspired me and I would recomend her to anyone.
✅ She definitely inspired me and I would recommend her to anyone. — Take care with these commonly misspelt words: definitely, recommend, disappointed, necessary, comfortable, environment.

Mistake 5: Using Despite Incorrectly

❌ Despite she was tired, she helped me with my homework.
✅ Despite being tired, she helped me with my homework. — Despite must be followed by a noun or a gerund (-ing form), not a subject and verb. Use Although if you want to use a full clause: Although she was tired, she helped me.

Writing Checklist and Practice Task

Writing Checklist

Before you submit your composition, go through this checklist carefully:

✅ Have you written three or four clear paragraphs with a proper introduction and conclusion?
✅ Have you introduced the person clearly in the first paragraph?
✅ Have you described their personality and qualities with specific examples?
✅ Have you explained how they influenced you and what you learned from them?
✅ Have you used at least three different linking words from the connector table?
✅ Have you used at least one relative clause (who, which, that, where)?
✅ Have you used a mix of tenses (past simple, present perfect, and/or second conditional)?
✅ Have you placed a comma correctly after However,, Therefore,, and In addition,?
✅ Have you checked the spelling of difficult words (definitely, recommend, necessary)?
✅ Is your composition between 100 and 120 words?

Your Practice Task

You have seen an announcement on your school's English-language website:

Articles wanted!
Who has been the most important influence in your life?
Write us an article about a person who has influenced you. Tell us who this person is, what they are like, and how they have changed your life.
Write your article in 100–120 words.

Use the model text, key phrases, and checklist above to help you plan and write your article. Try to include:

An engaging opening sentence that introduces the person
A description of their personality using Although or Even though
An explanation of their influence using Because of or As a result,
A memorable closing sentence using a second conditional: If I hadn't met…, I would never have…

Now test your writing mechanics and sentence skills in the exercises below.

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