![Cambridge Flyers Part 7: Story Writing Guide & How to Practise with AI [2026]](/assets/blog/og-part-7-story-writing.png)
Of the seven sections in Cambridge Flyers, Part 7 (Writing) is the one most children find hardest โ and also the section that creates the biggest difference in shields achieved. This guide explains exactly what Part 7 requires and the most effective way to practise, including using AI for instant feedback between class sessions.
What Is Cambridge Flyers Part 7?
Part 7 is the story writing task โ the final and most challenging section of Reading & Writing. Candidates are given 3 sequential pictures and must write the story in English.
- Required length: 20 or more words โ Cambridge's official instruction is "Write 20 or more words"
- Must use vocabulary and grammar appropriate for A2 level
- The story must be relevant to the pictures
- There is no single 'correct' answer โ assessed across multiple criteria
Part 7 Scoring Criteria
Cambridge evaluates Part 7 on three main criteria:
Content
Is the story relevant to all the pictures? Is there enough content to form a complete story? Are there creative ideas appropriate to the context?
Language
Is the vocabulary rich and accurate? Is the grammar correct? (Especially: past simple โ went, saw, played). Is the spelling correct?
Organisation
Is the story coherent and logical from beginning to end? Are time connectors used? (first, then, after that, finally). Is there a clear beginning and ending?
Most Common Mistakes in Part 7
- Writing too short โ only describing pictures without a narrative arc
- Using present tense instead of past simple ("Tom plays" instead of "Tom played")
- No connectors โ sentences feel disconnected rather than forming a story
- Spelling errors with basic YLE vocabulary (friend, because, school...)
- Not reading the pictures carefully โ missing key characters or situations
The Ideal Part 7 Story Structure
An effective Part 7 answer typically follows a 3-part structure:
Opening (Setting): Who, where, when? โ Example: "One sunny morning, Tom and his sister went to the park with their dog."
Middle (Events): What happened? (use first, then, after that) โ Example: "First, they played football. Then, the dog ran away and found a big bone."
Ending (Conclusion): How did the story end? โ Example: "Finally, they went home. They were very tired but happy."
Useful Vocabulary to Remember
| Word type | Examples |
|---|---|
| Time connectors | first, then, after that, next, finally, suddenly, later, soon |
| Emotion words | happy, excited, surprised, worried, scared, proud, disappointed |
| Action verbs | ran, jumped, found, picked up, looked at, decided, shouted, helped |
| Descriptive adjectives | beautiful, dangerous, delicious, enormous, funny, important, strange |
How to Practise Part 7 with Story Writing Hub
Flyers English provides the Story Writing Hub โ a writing practice module with Google Gemini AI feedback. It's an excellent revision tool to use between class sessions:
Step 1: Child views 3 pictures and writes their story
Step 2: Google Gemini AI analyses immediately โ highlights grammar errors by colour (red for incorrect, yellow for improvement needed), suggests richer vocabulary, shows how to add connectors to improve story flow
Step 3: Child reads the feedback, edits, and rewrites
Suggested Part 7 Practice Schedule
| Week | Goal | Practice |
|---|---|---|
| Weeks 1โ2 | Master the 3-part structure | 3 stories/week, target 20โ25 words |
| Weeks 3โ4 | Add connectors and detail | 3 stories/week, target 30โ35 words |
| Weeks 5โ6 | Enrich vocabulary | 4 stories/week, target 35โ45 words |
| Weeks 7+ | Practice under exam conditions | Complete in 8โ10 min, no dictionary |
Summary
Part 7 is a challenging section, but also a major opportunity for children to demonstrate their English and make a real difference in their shield count. With teacher guidance at the centre combined with regular AI-assisted practice in Story Writing Hub, children can write confidently and aim for 4โ5 shields in the Writing section of the Cambridge Flyers exam.