Write a letter to your headmistress putting the case for a new school uniform. (Essay)
Here you are being asked to combine two forms of non-fiction writing: a formal letter and a persuasive essay.
(You’ll be learning all about how to write brilliant essays and fab formal letters in your Non-fiction lessons.)

This title looks simple at first sight, but I have found that Falcons pupils rarely attempt this style of question when they come to the exam. Why? If you’re going to write an essay you need to write a well-organised plan, and, unfortunately, planning time is in short supply in the 11+ examinations. It is difficult to ‘stand out’ if you write an essay: so much depends upon your prose style (how well you use punctuation).

Illusions (Story) 
Examiners love to slide story titles like ‘Illusions’ into papers. This title is the most ‘difficult’ in the sense that some people won’t know what ‘illusions’ are, but it does offer clever-clogs the chance to write some fantastic stories.

Did You Hear That? (Story)
A kind title here, because it immediately makes you think ‘Well, what did someone hear? A scream? A gun shot?  A creaking floor board?’ If this was an actual exam paper then I would expect ‘Did You Hear That?’ to be the most popular title.

Write about your superstitions (essay)
A lot of you would probably be tempted by this title – but like any essay you would need to plan it very carefully indeed. 

Write a story that begins with the line: “Oh, that’s a waste of time!”
Rather like ‘Did You Hear That?’ this title immediately sets your creative juices flowing. What is a waste of time? Needlework? Maths homework? Washing up? But do be careful – there is a trap hidden in this question. Can you spot it?

The main challenge with any title is that you have to be relevant: if the title is about ‘hearing’ or ‘a waste of time’, then your story needs to about just that.