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- Cambridge B2 First (FCE): How to Write an Essay
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Essay writing is easier than you think
The very first reaction I usually get when I want to practise essay writing with my students is wild panic. Everybody around me starts rolling on the floor crying and screaming. I try to calm them down, but there is no way of doing it and eventually all of them quit and tell me that they will never be able to pass the FCE exam.
Of course, this was a little bit of an exaggeration, but it is true that most students get stressed as soon as they here the word essay when, actually, there is no real reason for that. In fact, essay writing might be the easiest type of writing in Cambridge B2 First because there is a plan that you can follow every single time you sit down with pen and paper to practise as well as in the exam itself.
So, let’s look at essays, how they are organised and what exactly you have to be careful with in order to pass easily and get the high marks you deserve.
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What a typical essay task looks like
Looking at different essay tasks, the first thing that students often realise is that all tasks look the same. Their structure doesn’t change, which gives you the advantage of being able to plan a strategy before you even take the exam. Every time you practise is like the real exam.
![essay useful phrases fce Example of an essay task in Cambridge B2 First](https://teacherphill.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/WritingExample.jpg)
Above there is a typical essay task. As you can see there is not a lot of information, but we still have to look at it carefully and decide what we are asked to do exactly.
The first step is always to underline the key points in the task so you know what to do and what information to include in your essay.
![essay useful phrases fce Example of an FCE essay writing task with the key information underlined](https://teacherphill.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/WritingExample_Underlined.jpg)
In the image above I underlined and circled the most important information for you. When you look at a writing task – and I mean every kind of writing task, not only essays – you should think about two things: what you have to include in your text and who is going to read it.
While the first point seems obvious students often forget about the second one and miss out on higher marks. In our example your English teacher is going to read the essay. What does that mean for you when you write it? Think about the style and tone of the language you are going to use. Does your English teacher expect informal language like in a text message to your best friend or should it be rather formal? I think you understand what I mean.
Choosing the correct register and tone (formal English) for your essay will earn you higher marks so don’t forget about it.
The second point we need to consider is what we have to write about. In every essay task there are a situation/topic (problems with pollution and damage to the environment), a question for you to answer (Do you think these problems can be solved?) and three topic points (transport, rivers/seas, your own idea).
You must deal with all these things if you want to pass with high marks. If something is missing you will lose marks. That includes your own idea. I see it all the time that students write about the two ideas given in the task, but they ignore the fact that they have to add a third topic on their own. Don’t make the same mistake. Always write about all three topic points.
With this flood of information the next step is to think about how we can organise our essay. Luckily, there is a plan that works and I’m going to share it with you.
The 3 main parts of an essay
Looking back at our example from before we can see that there are three topic points which we need to deal with: transport, rivers and seas as well as your own idea.
I think it is not difficult to see that we can turn these three topics into three paragraphs, one for each idea. These three paragraphs are called the body of the essay. However, an essay wouldn’t be an essay without an introduction at the beginning and a conclusion at the end. All together that’s five paragraphs and we could structure it like this:
- Introduction
- Rivers and seas
- Your own idea
With an introduction, body and conclusion every essay has three main parts. You can follow this for any essay question in the FCE exam and it works every single time.
Yeah, it sounds good to me too. 🙂
But what exactly do we have to include in these different parts? Let me give you an overview so you get a better idea.
When I read the introduction to an essay I can often tell immediately if the essay is going to be great or if the student needs to work more on it. Think of the introduction as an appetizer before the meal begins. It gives you an idea of what to expect so you don’t want to disappoint the reader from the start.
Your introduction should always put the topic in the context of today’s world and paraphrase the question of the essay. It is also a good idea to include your opinion so the reader knows from the beginning what you think.
Let’s have a look at an example introduction for an essay about the above topic:
More and more countries and cities struggle with dirty air and water and while it is difficult to find a solution to these issues, I believe that there are ways to improve the situation and to protect the environment.
In this introduction all the key elements are covered. The topic is put in context (“More and more countries and cities struggle with…”), the question is paraphrased (“…while it is difficult to find a solution to these issues,…”) and the candidates opinion is clear (“I believe that…”).
All you need to do is to memorise this formula and use it in every essay you write. The examiner and you will be happy. 🙂
The body is like the meat in a hamburger. It’s the best part and you want it to be full of flavour. For your essay it means the following:
Each paragraph of the body starts with a topic sentence which introduces the main idea of the paragraph. After that, you add reasons, examples and you can even acknowledge other points of view.
A great topic paragraph in the body doesn’t just talk about advantages and disadvantages. Think about how you can support the message in your topic sentence to convince the reader.
Here is an example for you.
Firstly, congestion on roads not only in major cities, but also in smaller towns causes a lot of pollution and noise and even though this situation seems to get worse and worse many countries are trying to encourage people to use alternatives like electric cars, which is a good first step to deal with this kind of challenge.
In this example paragraph the candidate simply followed the formula from above. The first sentences states what the problem is. After that, she acknowledges that the issue seems pretty bad, but then she explains different alternatives to cars that could improve the situation.
Also, notice the different linking expressions she uses in this paragraph (Firstly, not only…but also, and even though, which is). Examiners like a variety of linking words and phrases to connect your ideas so try to include them in your essay.
That’s really all you need to do. Repeat the same process for the other two topic points and you should be able to impress and achieve great marks.
Last but not least, a good essay is rounded off with a nice conclusion. Here, it is your job to tie everything together like a Christmas present. You don’t want the gift wrapping paper or the bow on the present to be ugly so make sure that you conclusion is on point.
In a good conclusion you should summarise the essay in one sentence and clearly state your opinion on the question one last time.
I told you above that the introduction is there to make a good first impression on the reader. The conclusion plays the role of giving a good last impression. You don’t want the examiner to be happy until the end and then read a conclusion that is only average. Make sure that every part is great.
To sum up, our environment needs our help and although the air we breathe as well as waterways in many parts of the world are heavily polluted I strongly believe that we can solve these issues if governments and the people work together.
The first part of this conclusion summarises the problem one last time and in the second half the candidate clearly states her opinion and that’s it. Don’t make your life harder than it already is and instead focus on the criteria that really matter.
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Plan before you write
Earlier we had a look at the different paragraphs in an essay and I told you that five is a good number. A lot of students take this information and jump straight into writing as soon as they see the task.
Stop right there! When you plan to improve something around your house or in your apartment, do you just run to the store and buy five buckets of paint or do you think about the size of the room and how much paint you need, what colour you want and what kind of brushes and paint rollers you will have to get?
Treat your essay like a home improvement project and make a plan before you start writing. It only takes five minutes, but, in the end, it can save you time because once you start, you don’t have to worry about ideas any more…it’s all there in your notes.
To create a plan make a list of the five paragraphs of your essay. As we said before this could be something like this:
Now, all you have to do is to add a few words to each point so you won’t forget what you want to write about. I thought of a few things for our example task:
- Introduction – problems with pollution, is there a solution?
- Transport – -: CO2 emissions, noise +: electric cars
- Rivers and seas – -: sea life and plastic +: projects to clean oceans
- Animal agriculture – -: CO2 emissions, excrement +: vegan/vegetarian lifestyles, sustainable farms
- Conclusion – summary, it’s a big problem but there is hope
It took me about three minutes to write this and if I wanted to write the full essay, I would have all the ideas I need already in front of me. The next step would be to add more information to each point and voilà, the essay is done.
How your essay is marked
Marking FCE writing tasks is like a science and for a lot of students it feels as if there is this big mystery and nobody really knows how it works. Actually, there are very clear rules that the examiners have to follow and the criteria are publicly available.
While it is possible to find all the information on your own I thought it would be a good idea to put everything together in an article for you. Check out how your writing tasks are marked by clicking here .
Practice makes perfect
I hope that my article is going to help you with your essays. As you saw you can analyse and structure every task the same way. With all your new knowledge the only thing you have to do is start practising. If you put in the time and work, essay writing will become quite easy and you can focus on other areas of your English that need more improvement.
Lots of love,
Teacher Phill 🙂
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Hi, Phill! Thanks a million for your fine tips on how to write an essay and the clear video instruction as well as brilliant associations with present giving ( like wrapping paper, a present bow and so on) while talking about a conclusion.
Hi there! I have a question about the type of task in the essay. I know we are usually asked to write an opinion essay, but is it possible to get a task where we are asked to write a for and against essay? How can I tell these two tasks apart? Thank you very much for you help! Your blog is really useful. 🙂
You might get a question in the essay that asks, for example, for advantages and disadvantages of a certain topic, but you always have to include three specific topic points. Because of this, you can simply choose which topic points you see as advantages and which ones as disadvantages and write three topic paragraphs. The structure stays the same, you only change the content so it fits the question.
I hope this helps. 🙂
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- Writing an effective essay: Cambridge B2 First
![essay useful phrases fce Escribir una redacción eficaz para el Cambridge B2 First | Oxford House Barcelona](https://oxfordhousebcn.com/wp-content/uploads/manoboli.jpg)
- Posted on 28/02/2018
- Categories: Blog
- Tags: B2 First , C1 Advanced , C2 Proficiency , Cambridge CAE Certificate of Advanced English , Cambridge CPE Certificate of Proficiency in English , Cambridge Exams , Cambridge FCE First Certificate of English , Learn English
Students take language certifications like the Cambridge B2 First qualification for lots of different reasons. You might do it to motivate yourself to improve your language abilities, to prove your level of English to an employer, or even to achieve an ambition like travelling around the world and going to live in an English-speaking country.
The Cambridge B2 First exam includes a two-part writing section, which can be daunting for some people. So if you’re thinking about taking an exam like this, we have some top tips to help you write an excellent exam essay.
Most of the advice in this article can also be applied to any exam where you have to write an essay, such as the C1 Advanced, C2 Proficiency or IELTS .
Writing test structure
Before we get into the details, let’s take a look at the structure of the writing paper. You have 80 minutes to write two texts – and it will go quickly!
The first part is the essay; the second part is an article, email, letter, report, or review.
You will be given the essay title and two ideas or prompts . It’s essential that you include both of these ideas in your essay, as well as another relevant idea that you have to come up with yourself .
You have to write 140-190 words in each part and it shouldn’t take you more than 40 minutes per answer .
Writing an essay in three steps
Take a look at this example from a sample paper and then think about how you would answer it in an exam:
Essay title:
Some parents teach their children at home rather than sending them to school. Is this a good or a bad thing for the children?
- 1. having a parent as a teacher
- 2. making friends
- 3. …..
Question taken from http://www.cambridgeenglish.org/exams-and-tests/first/exam-format/ (Cambridge Assessment English, Feb 2018).
What could the third idea be? Stop reading, grab a pen and write down some ideas! Keep them general, but relevant. When you’ve finished, scroll down to the bottom of the page to see some of our ideas * .
Step One: plan it (10 minutes)
![essay useful phrases fce Step One: Plan | Writing an effective essay for the Cambridge B2 First | Oxford House Barcelona](https://oxfordhousebcn.com/wp-content/uploads/Phrase.jpg)
That’s what my old history teacher used to tell me. I hate to admit it, but he was right! If you don’t usually plan before you start writing, you really need to get into the habit . Ten minutes may seem a lot, but the more time you spend planning, the clearer your ideas will be and the quicker the writing process will be.
A good place to start is to brainstorm keywords and phrases related to the topic.
![essay useful phrases fce Brainstorming Keywords | Writing an effective essay for the Cambridge B2 First | Oxford House Barcelona](https://oxfordhousebcn.com/wp-content/uploads/Brainstorming-Ideas.jpg)
Next, you should think about how you’re going to begin ( the introduction ), how you’re going to connect the three main ideas ( the body ) and how you’re going to finish ( the conclusion ). If you know where you’re headed , you’re much less likely to get lost along the way!
Step Two: write it (25 minutes)
OK, you’ve got our plan – you’re good to go ! It’s important to know what the examiners are looking for. The mark you get for the essay is based on the following four aspects :
Content: Have you included all three ideas? Remember, all content should be 100% relevant to the topic, so don’t go off on a tangent !
Communicative achievement: Is the style or tone of your essay appropriate? It should be neutral and quite formal, so avoid contractions (e.g. it’s, don’t, they’ll) and first person pronouns (e.g. I, me, my, we, us, our).
Organisation: Does your essay follow a logical order? To help your writing flow , try to include linking words. Here’s a website with some examples.
Language: Have you used a variety of vocabulary and grammatical structures? Don’t always write the first word that comes to mind – look for synonyms . Using some complex structures (e.g. different verb tenses, passives, inversion) will boost your marks, but be sure to use them correctly!
Step Three: check it (5 minutes)
This final step is essential. It’s your chance to read (and re-read) your essay to identify any mistakes. No matter how careful you’ve been, there are probably a few things that you can improve. Check for spellings. Check for plurals. Check for verb agreement . Basically, check everything!
5 quick tips to improve your proofreading
- Keep a list of (your) frequent mistakes, so you know what to look out for
- Read it slowly
- Use your finger to guide your eyes
- Correct one thing at a time (e.g. only punctuation, then only spelling)
- Focus on the little words (pronouns, articles, prepositions, etc.)
Still not sure if this is the right exam for you?
There are many benefits of earning an English certification, but before you decide to do so, it’s very important to check your English level . This will help you select the right exam course and make sure you don’t waste time completing one that’s too hard or too easy for you.
If you decide to do an exam preparation course with us, one of our trained level testers will work with you to assess your level. But, if you can’t wait until then, here’s a multiple-choice test for you to complete to give you some idea.
This article also outlines the differences between the Cambridge and IELTS exams to help you decide which exam is for you.
Glossary for Language Learners
Find the following words in the article and then write down any new ones you didn’t know.
Daunting (adj): something that worries you because it might seem difficult to do.
Prompts (n): something serving to suggest or remind.
To come up with (pv): to think of something such as an idea or a plan.
To get into the habit (exp): to begin to do something regularly or often.
Headed (adj): destined for.
You’re good to go! (exp): you’re ready!
To go off on a tangent (exp): to start doing, discussing, or thinking about something completely different.
To flow (v): to proceed smoothly and continuously.
adj = adjective
pv = phrasal verb
exp = expression
*Example ideas: ‘group work’, ‘bullying’, ‘class sizes’, ‘working parents’, ‘free curriculum’
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Are you preparing for the Cambridge C1 Advanced exam and need a hand with writing your report/proposal for Part 2 of the... Read More
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5 of the best apps to improve
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Tips for the IELTS Reading sec
Looking for some tips to get a high band score in the IELTS Academic Reading exam? If so, then you’re in the right pla... Read More
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The 5 best Halloween movies to
Boo! Are you a fan of Halloween? It’s that scary time of year again when the creepy creatures come out to play, and th... Read More
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How to Write a Review for Camb
Are you planning to take the Cambridge C1 Advanced (CAE) exam? If so, you will need to complete two pieces of writin... Read More
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How To Use Relative Pronouns i
Today we’re taking a look at some English grammar that sometimes trips up language learners. In fact, we’ve just use... Read More
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How To Get Top Marks: Cambridg
So you’re taking the ? If so, you’ll know that you have four sections to prepare for: speaking, reading and use of E... Read More
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Travel Vocabulary To Get Your
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How To Get A High Score In The
So you’re preparing for the ! From wanting to live and work abroad to going to university in an English-speaking count... Read More
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10 English Idioms To Take To T
Is there anything better than cooling off in the sea on a hot summer’s day? Well, if you live in Barcelona you hav... Read More
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Tips for IELTS speaking sectio
Are you preparing for the IELTS test? If so, you’ll need to do the speaking section. While many people find speaking t... Read More
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How to use 6 different English
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How to get top marks: B2 First
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5 Of The Best Apps For Improvi
Speaking is often thought to be the hardest skill to master when learning English. What’s more, there are hundreds of ... Read More
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Do you like putting together puzzles? If so, your problem solving skills can actually help you with B2 First Reading and... Read More
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8 Vocabulary Mistakes Spanish
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How To Get Top Marks: B2 First
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12 Business Phrasal Verbs to K
Want to improve your English for professional reasons? You’re in the right place. When working in English, it’s comm... Read More
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How to use articles (a, an, th
Knowing what articles are and when to use them in English can be difficult for language learners to pick up. Especially ... Read More
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Are you preparing for ? Reading and Use of English Part 4 may not be your cup of tea – in fact most students feel quit... Read More
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Passing B2 First Part 3: Readi
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8 new English words you need f
New words spring up each year! They often come from popular culture, social and political issues, and innovations in tec... Read More
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7 of the Best Apps for Learnin
If you find yourself commuting often and spending a lot of time on the bus, you’ll most likely turn towards playing ga... Read More
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The B2 First is one of the most popular English exams for students of English. It is a recognised qualification that can... Read More
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4 Different Types Of Modal Ver
What are modal verbs? They are not quite the same as regular verbs such as play, walk and swim. Modal verbs are a type o... Read More
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So you’ve decided to take the ! Formerly known as FCE or the First Certificate, this is by far most popular exam. Whe... Read More
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Useful Expressions For Negotia
A lot of our global business is conducted in English. So, there’s a strong chance you may have to learn how to negotia... Read More
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Passing C1 Advanced Part 8: Re
If you’re wondering how to do Part 8 of the Reading and Use of English paper, you’re in the right place! After s... Read More
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The Difference Between IELTS G
You’ve probably heard of . It’s the world’s leading test for study, work and migration after all. And as the world... Read More
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Passing C1 Advanced Part 7: Re
Welcome to Part 7 of the Reading and Use of English paper. This task is a bit like a jigsaw puzzle. One where you have ... Read More
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The Benefits Of Learning Engli
Who said learning English was just for the young? You're never too old to learn something new. There are plenty of benef... Read More
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So, you’re preparing to take the . You’ve been studying for each of the four sections; reading, writing, speaking an... Read More
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6 Reels Accounts to Learn Engl
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Passing Cambridge C1 Advanced
Well done you! You’ve made it to Part 6 of the Reading and Use of English exam. Not long to go now – just three mor... Read More
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8 Resources To Help Beginner E
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5 Famous Speeches To Help you
Everyone likes listening to inspiring speeches. Gifted speakers have a way of making people want to listen and take acti... Read More
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How To Write A B2 First Formal
Dear reader… We sincerely hope you enjoyed our previous blog posts about the Writing section of the B2 First. As promi... Read More
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4 Conditionals In English And
Conditionals? Is that something you use after shampooing your hair? Not quite. You may have heard your English teacher t... Read More
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After racing through the first four parts of the Cambridge English Reading and Use of English paper, you’ve managed t... Read More
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7 Of The Best Apps For Learnin
There are roughly 170,000 words in use in the English language. Thankfully, most native English speakers only have a voc... Read More
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How to write a B2 First inform
You're probably very familiar with sending emails (and sometimes letters) in your first language. But how about in Engli... Read More
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How can I teach my kids Englis
Keep kids’ minds sharp over the Easter holidays with some entertaining, educational activities in English. There are l... Read More
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How Roxana went from Beginner
Roxana Milanes is twenty five and from Cuba. She began English classes back in May 2019 at Oxford House, and since then ... Read More
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4 Future Tenses In English And
“Your future is whatever you make it, so make it a good one.” - Doc Brown, Back to the future. Just like the and... Read More
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10 Business Idioms For The Wor
Business idioms are used throughout the workplace. In meetings, conversations and even whilst making at the coffee mac... Read More
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5 Tips For Reading The News In
We spend hours consuming the news. With one click of a button we have access to thousands of news stories all on our pho... Read More
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How To Write a Report: Cambrid
Imagine the scene. It’s exam day. You’re nearly at the end of your . You’ve just finished writing Part 1 - , and n... Read More
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8 English Words You Need For 2
Back in December 2019, we sat down and attempted to make a list of . No one could have predicted the year that was about... Read More
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5 Christmas Movies On Netflix
Christmas movies are one of the best things about the holiday season. They’re fun, they get you in the mood for the ho... Read More
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MigraCode: An Inspiring New Pa
Oxford House are extremely proud to announce our partnership with MigraCode - a Barcelona-based charity which trains ref... Read More
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The Ultimate Guide To Video Co
The age of telecommunication is well and truly here. Most of our business meetings now take place via video conferencing... Read More
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6 Pronunciation Mistakes Spani
One of the biggest challenges for Spanish speakers when learning English is pronunciation. Often it’s a struggle to pr... Read More
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6 Ways You Can Learn English w
“Alexa, what exactly are you?” Alexa is a virtual AI assistant owned by Amazon. She is voice-activated - like Sir... Read More
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Passing Cambridge C1 Advanced:
Okay, take a deep breath. We’re about to enter the danger zone of the Cambridge exam - Reading and Use of English Par... Read More
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What’s new at Oxford House f
Welcome to the new school year! It’s great to have you back. We’d like to remind you that , and classes are all st... Read More
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European Languages Day: Where
The 26th of September is . It’s a day to celebrate Europe’s rich linguistic diversity and show the importance of lan... Read More
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Back To School: 9 Tips For Lan
It’s the start of a new academic term and new courses are about to begin. This is the perfect opportunity to set your ... Read More
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How to Maximise Your Online Co
If there’s one good thing to come out of this year, it’s that learning a language has never been so easy or accessib... Read More
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How To Learn English With TikT
Are you bored of Facebook? Tired of Instagram? Don’t feel part of the Twitter generation? Perhaps what you’re lookin... Read More
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A Brief Guide To Different Bri
It’s a fact! The UK is obsessed with the way people talk. And with , it’s no surprise why. That’s right, accents a... Read More
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Study English This Summer At O
Summer is here! And more than ever, we’re in need of a bit of sunshine. But with travel restrictions still in place, m... Read More
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5 Reasons To Learn English Out
As Barcelona and the rest of Spain enters the ‘new normality’, it’s time to plan ahead for the summer. Kids and te... Read More
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5 Free Online Resources For Ca
Are you preparing for a Cambridge English qualification? Have you devoured all of your past papers and need some extra e... Read More
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6 Different Uses Of The Word �
The word ‘get’ is one of the most common and versatile verbs in English. It can be used in lots of different ways, a... Read More
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What Are The 4 Present Tenses
There are three main verb tenses in English - , the present and the future - which each have various forms and uses. Tod... Read More
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5 Of The Best Netflix Series T
On average, Netflix subscribers spend streaming their favourite content. With so many binge-worthy series out there, it... Read More
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Continue Studying Online At Ox
Due to the ongoing emergency lockdown measures imposed by the Spanish Government . We don’t know when we will be a... Read More
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Five Ways To celebrate Sant Jo
The feast of Sant Jordi is one of Barcelona’s most popular and enduring celebrations. Sant Jordi is the patron saint o... Read More
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What’s It Like To Study Onli
Educational institutions all over the world have shut their doors. From nurseries to universities, business schools to l... Read More
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6 Benefits of Learning English
Whatever your new year’s resolution was this year, it probably didn’t involve staying at home all day. For many of u... Read More
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9 Tips For Studying A Language
With the recent outbreak of Covid-19, many of us may have to gather our books and study from home. Schools are clos... Read More
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10 Ways To Learn English At Ho
Being stuck inside can make you feel like you’re going crazy. But why not use this time to your advantage, and work on... Read More
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Important Information –
Dear students, Due to the recent emergency measures from the Government concerning COVID-19, Oxford House premises wi... Read More
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7 Books You Should Read To Imp
Reading is one of the best ways to practice English. It’s fun, relaxing and helps you improve your comprehension skill... Read More
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Your Guide To Moving To The US
So that’s it! It’s decided, you’re moving to the USA. It’s time to hike the soaring mountains, listen to country... Read More
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How to write a C1 Advanced Ess
The is an excellent qualification to aim for if you’re thinking of studying or working abroad. It’s recognised by u... Read More
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Small Talk For Business Englis
Like it or not, small talk is an important part of business. Whether it’s in a lift, at a conference, in a meeting roo... Read More
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English Vocabulary For Going O
It’s time for that famous celebration of love and romance - Valentine’s Day! It is inspired by the sad story of Sain... Read More
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IELTS: Writing Part 2 –
When it comes to exams, preparation is the key to success - and the IELTS Writing Paper Part 2 is no exception! It is wo... Read More
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5 Unmissable Events at Oxford
At Oxford House, we know learning a language extends beyond the classroom. It’s important to practise your skills in m... Read More
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Am I ready for the C1 Advanced
Congratulations! You’ve passed your Cambridge B2 First exam. It was a hard road but you did it. Now what’s next? Som... Read More
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Ireland is known as the Emerald Isle. When you see its lush green landscape and breathtaking views, it’s easy to see w... Read More
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How SMART Goals Can Help You I
New year, new you. As one year ends and another begins, many of us like to set ourselves goals in order to make our live... Read More
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15 New English Words You Need
Each year new words enter the English language. Some are added to dictionaries like . Others are old words that are give... Read More
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Our Year In Review: Top 10 Blo
2019 went by in a flash - and what a year it’s been! We’re just as excited to be looking back on the past 12 months ... Read More
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Telephone Interviews In Englis
Telephone interviews in English can seem scary. Employers often use them to filter-out candidates before the face-to-fa... Read More
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Free English Lessons
Fce (b2 first) writing exam (essay) – video.
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In this lesson you can learn how to write an essay for the Cambridge FCE exam , step by step.
You’ll see exactly what to do at each stage in the fce writing essay section, and how to get the best possible fce score ., there are four steps to the writing process. you’ll see what to do at each step, then you’ll learn how the writing is assessed., 1. how to analyse your fce writing essay task.
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First, you need to read the FCE writing essay task and identify exactly what needs to be included.
Let’s look at a sample question:
You’ve recently had a discussion in English class about society. Now your teacher has asked you to write an essay. Write an essay using all the notes and give reasons for your point of view.
University should be free for everyone. Do you agree or disagree? Notes 1. Taxes 2. Opportunity 3. Your own idea
So, what do you need to do? Most importantly, you need to say if you agree or disagree that university should be free for everyone.
You also need to use all the notes and give reasons for your point of view. That means your essay needs to include three central ideas: taxes, opportunity, and one other.
It also means that you need to reach a clear, justified conclusion. You can’t just say, ‘I agree’, or ‘I disagree.’ Think of it like this: you need to convince the examiner that your conclusion is correct.
You might think at this point, ‘yeah, obvious, thanks for the help, Kasia!’ Trust me; it’s harder than it sounds. Many FCE essays that we see don’t get these basic things right. It’s very easy to leave something out, or to go in the wrong direction.
Next, you’re writing this answer for your teacher so what style do you think it will be in? Formal or informal?
An essay should be formal. What does that mean?
Formal writing doesn’t use contractions, like ‘I’d’, ‘you’re’ or ‘don’t’. Write the full forms. You should also avoid using slang, colloquial vocabulary, or anything which sounds very conversational.
Next, think: what do you need to include?
You need to talk about taxes, opportunity, and you also need to add your own idea.
Even the ideas which are given to you—taxes and opportunity—are quite vague. That means you need to decide exactly what to talk about.
You also need to think about how to connect your ideas.
For example, with taxes you could say that if you pay taxes, then this should go back into society to benefit everyone. You could add to this by pointing out that having equal opportunities also benefits society. And for your own idea, you could talk about how people with higher education are more likely to be economically productive.
This is just one example, of course! There are many paths you could take.
Let’s talk about that in more detail.
2. How to Plan Your FCE Writing
![essay useful phrases fce Person writing a checklist](https://www.oxfordonlineenglish.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/06/list.webp)
Here’s what you need to do when you plan your writing for the FCE writing essay.
First, you need to decide what your conclusion is going to be. Are you going to agree or disagree that university should be free for everyone?
Decide your conclusion first, because everything else in your essay needs to lead to it.
Secondly, you need to plan how many paragraphs you’re going to have, and what you’ll put in each one.
Thirdly, you need to make sure your paragraphs are connected to your conclusion.
Let’s see an example:
- Taxes – parents pay taxes so children should get education. Children will pay taxes in the future.
- Opportunity – education creates more equal society. Higher standard of living for everyone.
- Economy – educated workforce helps the economy grow.
- Conc. – agree with statement
Pause the video if you want some more time to read the plan.
You can see that we use the key idea of ‘education’ in the notes for each paragraph. Doing this can help you to stay focused and on-topic, because you’re connecting each paragraph back to the main idea of the question.
When you plan, make sure that each paragraph has a clear focus.
Every good paragraph starts with a topic sentence, which summarises the main point of the paragraph.
The sentences which follow are called supporting sentences. These include reasons and examples to support your topic sentence.
A good exercise during planning is to take a paragraph and think to yourself: “What’s this paragraph about?”
If you can answer that question in one simple sentence, then that’s a good sign. Hopefully, your plan is clear. However, if you can’t answer that question, that shows that your plan isn’t totally clear in your head.
Once you’ve finished your plan, you’re ready to write your answer!
3. How to Write Your Answer
In your candidate answer book, you will now write your essay.
Let’s look at a model answer:
- There are many factors to consider when deciding if the university should be free or not. Among these are taxes, equality of opportunity, and the economy.
- Firstly, a proportion of taxes should go to education. Some might say if you can afford university, then you should pay for it. But, this doesn’t take into account the fact that higher earners pay higher income tax so they are already contributing more.
- Secondly, by making university free for all, it creates more opportunitys for those from low-income backgrounds. Although they may still have difficulty meeting other costs such as accommodation it makes the playing field more level.
- In addition, having an educated workforce is proven to help the economy grow. The more people with degrees there are, the higher the standard of living for everyone. So, more people will be able to pay taxes to fund the education of future generations.
- In conclusion, free university ultimately benefits all members of society.
Pause the video to read, and start again when you’re ready.
First question: have we answered the question?
Yes: the conclusion states that ‘free university benefits all members of society.’ This shows that we agree that university should be free for everyone.
Next: have we used topic sentences?
Yes, we have. The first sentence of the essay tells you what the entire essay will be about.
Then, each paragraph’s topic sentence contains a key word from our plan. We have ‘taxes,’ ‘opportunities’ and ‘economy’.
Also, the topic sentences and paragraphs all reference the idea of ‘education’, either directly or indirectly. This shows that our points are relevant and connected to the task.
So, now you’re finished, right? No–there’s one more step. This answer is not bad, but it could be better.
4. How to Check and Improve Your Answer
![essay useful phrases fce Checkmark](https://www.oxfordonlineenglish.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/12/check-mark-1292787_1280.webp)
The final step is to check your answer.
What type of things do you think you should look for?
Grammar, of course, but what else?
Check for spelling mistakes. Check for style—have you used any conversational language which doesn’t fit the tone of an essay like this?
Check your use of linking words and phrases. Many students overuse them; don’t use a linking word like nevertheless unless you’re sure it fits.
Check for repetition of vocabulary. Could you replace any simple vocabulary with something more advanced?
Look at our model answer again:
- There are many factors to consider when deciding if the university should be free or not. Among these are taxes, equality of opportunity and the economy.
- Secondly, by making university free for all, it creates more opportunitys for those from low-income backgrounds. Although they may still have difficulty meeting other costs such as accommodation * it makes the playing field more level.
The bold words are either mistakes, or they could be improved somehow.
How would you improve this? Pause the video while you read and decide.
The first problem is with grammar. Unless you’re talking about one specific university, you don’t use the.
Okay, what’s wrong with doesn’t? We’ve used a contraction! Don’t use contractions in your essay. So, it should be does not.
The next problem is a spelling mistake. When a word ends in ‘y’, it changes to ‘ies’ in the plural: opportunities .
Next is a punctuation mistake. There’s a comma missing. There are two clauses in this sentence and they need to be separated by a comma.
There’s nothing wrong with people with degrees but it’s quite basic. What else could you say?
You could say educated people, or even highly-educated people, either of which is slightly more elegant.
So is not a mistake, but we used so in the second paragraph already. You want to show the examiner your range of language, so here you could use something more precise like consequently.
Our conclusion is only one sentence, so let’s add an extra point. We’re still under the maximum word count. This could help us to state our opinion more clearly.
Let’s change it to:
- In conclusion, free university should be free for everyone. It makes economic sense and ultimately benefits all members of society.
Here’s the final version of our essay:
- There are many factors to consider when deciding if university should be free or not. Among these are taxes, equality of opportunity, and the economy.
- Firstly, a proportion of taxes should go to education. Some might say if you can afford university, then you should pay for it. But, this does not take into account the fact that higher earners pay higher income tax so they are already contributing more.
- Secondly, by making university free for all, it creates more opportunities for those from low-income backgrounds. Although they may still have difficulty meeting other costs such as accommodation, it makes the playing field more level.
- In addition, having an educated workforce is proven to help the economy grow. The more highly-educated people there are, the higher the standard of living for everyone. Consequently, more people will be able to pay taxes to fund the education of future generations.
At this point, it’s looking good! Next, let’s focus on what you can do to produce a good FCE writing essay which will get a high score in your exam.
5. How to Improve Your Score
Your essay score is made up of four parts. For each part, you get a score from zero to five.
- Content – how well the candidate has fulfilled the task
- Communicative Achievement – how appropriate the writing is for the task
- Organisation – how well the writing is put together
- Language – focuses on vocabulary and grammar
First there’s Content . The mark scheme says this “focuses on how well you have fulfilled the task”. In other words, have you done everything you were asked to do?
This corresponds to step one of our writing process. Analyse the task carefully and make sure you do everything it asks you to. A good tip is to underline the key words in the task to help you identify what you need to do.
Next there’s Communicative Achievement . This “focuses on how appropriate your writing is for the task”.
Have you used the correct register? Have you used contractions? Basically: does your essay look and sound like an essay?
Then we have Organisation . This looks at “how the writing is put together”. Is it logical and organised? By planning your writing carefully, it will already be organised. Remember to plan your paragraphs carefully and write a clear topic sentence at the beginning of each paragraph.
You can also use linking words and phrases to make the connections between paragraphs even clearer.
In our essay, we used many linking words, including firstly, secondly, in addition, although, consequently and in conclusion. Look through the essay again, and note how the linking words and phrases are used. Can you find any more examples of linking words in the essay?
Finally, you have Language : vocabulary and grammar. The examiners will be looking for a range of language as well as how accurate it is. In step four, you saw how checking your essay can improve your language.
Are you worried that making mistakes will affect your mark? Of course, making a lot of mistakes will lower your mark, but remember this is only one part of your score.
For B2 level, the Cambridge mark scheme says, ‘Occasional errors may be present but do not impede communication.’ That means you can still score 5 from 5, even with some small mistakes.
But, hopefully, you’ll catch most of them when you’re on step four – checking and improving your answer.
You’ve seen how to write an essay for FCE, but you can use the same process for other Cambridge exams, including the CAE and CPE when you get that far.
Good luck with your exam preparation and let us know when you pass! Thanks for watching!
Keep practicing with more Free English Writing Lessons from Oxford Online English!
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How to Write an Article for FCE Writing
Luis @ kse academy.
- noviembre 7, 2019
As we have seen in previous posts, the Writing B2 First (FCE) paper consists of two different parts. In the first one, you must write an essay. In the seccond, you must choose among different options. One of these options can be to write an article . For this reason, in today’s post I’m going to show you exactly how to write an article for FCE Writing (Part 2). Besides, we will go over an example of an article for FCE and a complete FCE Writing guide , where you can find more examples of articles and other types of FCE Writing tasks.
Sample answer
Useful expressions to write an article for fce writing.
Este articulo también está disponible en castellano.
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How to Write an Article for FCE Writing Part 2
An article is a very common type of text nowadays. We can find all kinds of articles in newspapers, magazines, blogs, etc. For this reason, in order to know how to write an article for FCE , we must bear in mind who will be reading our article. This, as we will see later on, we will find out from the instructions the FCE Writing paper provides us with. But before we move on to that, let’s take a look at the characteristics of an article for FCE Writing Part 2:
- Purpose of an article: The aim of an article is usually to talk about a topic that we like or that we are familiar with. Besides, one of the features that articles have as opposed to other FCE Writing tasks is that an article must entertain the reader and, almos always, recommend the thing we are talking about.
- Language: In general, an article is more informal than an essay, although it will depend on where it is supposed to be published (an international magazine, a teenage magazine, a college magazine, an online blog, a newspaper, etc.). However, the most common case is that we must write a text in an informal or colloquial style . For this reason, our tone must be relaxed, making use of contractions, phrasal verbs and other colloquial expressions. Besides, it is recommended to use rhetorical questions and exclamation marks to engage the reader. You should also address the reader directly in the second person ( you , your ) and can make jokes if you think they are appropriate.
- Structure: Articles must always have a title . If possible, this must be catchy and witty so as to engage the reader. Then, each paragraph must address a single idea, to which you must add the introdduction and the conclusion, where you are usually expected to make a recommendation. It is also a good idea to end your article with a rhetorical question, especially if it is going to be an online article where people could (in theory) leave a comment.
- Giving your opinion: An article is almost exclusively about giving your opinion, so feel free to do so throught the whole piece of writing. As you are normally asked to write about something you like or enjoy, opinions are expected to be generally positive. Any article for FCE is usually a very personal piece of writing, so you can speak in the first person as much as you like. 😊
- Common topics: You may be asked to write articles on a variety of topics: the Internet, health and fitness, music, plays, hobbies, etc.
- Number of words: you are expected to write your article in 140 – 190 words , no more or less than any other type of FCE Writing task.
FCE Writing Article Example
Now that we are familiar with the characteristics of an article , the best weay to know how to write an article for FCE Writing is to take a look at an example of an article at First-B2 level . So let’s see an example of a task and a sample answer to that very same task.
Instructions of an Article for the FCE Writing Paper
![essay useful phrases fce essay useful phrases fce](https://media.publit.io/file/B2FIRST/B2WRITING/B2ARTICULO/FCE-Writing-Article-Example-Task.png)
It is extremely important to read the instructions carefully , as you are supposed to obtain all the information you need to write the article. In this case we can see the following:
- Where our article will be published: a local magazine
- Topic: their favourite things about the Internet
- Main ideas: things you do with the internet, recommend a website
And that’s exactly how we will organise our article, knowing exactly what to talk about in each paragraph.
Now that we have an example of an article task for FCE , let’s take a look at a sample article which answers the task above. Pay attention to the language as well as to the structure marked in red.
![essay useful phrases fce essay useful phrases fce](https://media.publit.io/file/B2FIRST/B2WRITING/B2ARTICULO/FCE-Writing-Article-Sample-Answer.png)
If we take a close look at this sample article for FCE , we can see the following features:
- It is visually appealing : The structure is clear, leaving space between paragraphs and defining a clear introduction and conclusion.
- The introduction presents the topic in a general way, but making clear what article is about: the Internet.
- The second paragraph talks about why I like the Internet and one of the things that I like about it.
- The third paragraph makes a recommendation of a website, explaining why I like it so much.
- The conclusion is a summary of sorts and asks the reader for some feedback on their own preferences regarding the use of the Internet.
- Phrasal verbs : put you up, check out.
- Contractions: Isn’t that fantastic?
- Colloquial phrases : one of the cool things, I totally recommend it, etc.
- We address the reader directly : What about you?
- Exclamation marks : … find the answer!
In this example of article for FCE Writing we can appreciate many of the typical characteristics of this type of activity. However, bear in mind that I have tried to simulate a strong B2 level without necessarily reaching C1.
If you want to know how to write an article for FCE , it is very important to have a repository of useful expressions ready to use. So here are some which can come in handy:
- Have you ever…?
- Do you ever wonder…?
- What do you think about…?
- Are you a… like me?
- Are you one of those people who…?
- What would you say if I told you that…?
- In the rst place,
- To begin with,
- The coolest thing about
- What attracts me most
- One thing to consider is
- Another consideration is
- Also,
- In addition,
- In addition to that,
- In conclusion,
- On the whole,
- To conclude,
- All in all,
- … you will not regret it!
Frequently Asked Questions: What if I write more than 190 words?
As I already explained in previous posts, Cambridge Assessment English does not count how many words you’ve written in order to penalise you. But remember the following: if you have written a lot more words than necessary, you have probably included irrelevant information . In the same way, if you write less than 140, you are probably lacking essential information . For this reason, I always recommend writing only 10 or 20 words over the limit. In this way, we make sure we don’t lose points for something so silly.
FCE Writing with Examples (pdf)
If you’re still looking for more examples of writing, check out KSE Academy’s official FCE Writing Guide . In this guide you have the following:
- How to write an essay and 3 examples
- How to write an article and 3 examples
- How to write a review and 3 examples
- How to write a report and 3 examples
- How to write an email or letter and 3 examples
- Over 300 useful expressions for FCE Writing tasks
Would you like to see a sample first? Here you are !
Did you like this post? Please share it with other students and English teachers . Subscribe to our newsletter and don’t forget to follow us on Facebook Twitter , Pinterest , Instagram ,& YouTube . 🙂
16 comentarios en “How to Write an Article for FCE Writing”
Hi Luis, I’m teaching First students in Italy and still learning the writing requirements myself, and just wanted to thank you for sharing your knowledge and tips – very helpful! 🙂
Hi Ingrid! Thank you very much for your kind words! I’m glad my site can be of help. Take care and good luck with your FCE students!
Hi Luis, I’m preparing a handout for my students about writing an article and I found your web really helpful. Thanks a lot!
Hi, Ángeles! Thank you very much for your comment. I’m glad to be of some help! 🙂
THANK YOU LUIS, GREAT PIECE OF WORK!
Thank you very much for your comment, Alexis! Take care! 🙂
Thank u luis you’ve been rilly helpful
Thank you, Molly! Take care!
Thank you so much, Luis! I am going to take the FCE Exam in July and hopefully I will pass it due to your sample answers and instructions!!!
Hi Iris! Thank you very much for your comment! Take care!
Hey Luis, thank you so much! this is gold and it explains very well how they should do it!
Hi Roxy! Thank you for your feedback. Take care!
thank you so much Jurate
Extremely useful in my FCE preparation course for Peruvian teens!! Thank you!
Dear Luis, just wanted to thank you for these amazing tips, which are very useful. You should definetly work for Cambridge! Best wishes!
Thank you! 🙂
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How to do First (FCE) Speaking Part 2 – Useful Phrases
FCE Speaking Part 2 is also called the “long turn”. In fact, it’s only a minute long, but for B2 First Certificate candidates, that minute can seem like an eternity. During the long turn, candidates are asked to speak by themselves for a minute about a pair of pictures and to answer a question about those pictures. Their partner is then asked a short follow-up question about the same pictures. Having some FCE Speaking Part 2 useful phrases ready to go can make a big difference to both your final result and your confidence going into the exam.
Whether it’s strange FCE Speaking Part 2 pictures, strange questions or just nerves, this part of the exam causes a lot of anxiety for many candidates. However, it is very trainable. So, what we can do to help?
In addition to the free materials on this page, you can find 5 complete First (FCE) Speaking exams as part of Breakout English’s premium materials collection.
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How to train for First (FCE) Speaking Part 2
First and foremost, you’ll need lots of practice with this part of the exam. If you don’t get that practice, you are bound to feel nervous when it comes time to speak alone. Remember, a B2 level speaker is not always completely confident in their own ability, despite often having quite a substantial bank of language to draw upon.
Get prepared with structures and useful phrases to use when organising the long turn. Unlike our Preliminary (PET) perfect speaking plan , I don’t recommend a strict plan at this level, but rather a helping hand with language that will help to fill the minute and improve discourse management score during the exam. Check out some useful language below.
Force yourself to use the target language . In a classroom, give one student a checklist of language and if they hear their partner use that language while speaking, they cross it off the list. Turn it into a game and give points for each useful phrase they use.
Be strict about time limits . It’s easy to ramble on about pictures for more than a minute, but that’s not what will happen in the exam. You need to organise and complete the task within the given time. Stop your partner with your best Cambridge examiner “thank you”.
Promote use of less common vocabulary . After studying a vocabulary topic, find some pictures related to the topic of your FCE Speaking Part 2 and use it while comparing the pictures. Write down the target vocabulary and have in front of you during the task. In a classroom, put it up on the board. You could even start banning overused vocabulary to force yourself to use the more advanced stuff.
Practise again . Practise as a warmer, cooler, filler and inbetweener. Practise with a teacher, a friend, the mirror or your dog. In the classroom, make the students the examiner in groups of three and practise like that. Practice makes perfect.
When you’re ready, you should be tired of seeing pictures. If you’ve prepared well, you can do it with your eyes closed, but then they wouldn’t be able to see the pictures.
First (FCE) Speaking Part 2 Useful Phrases
Other than vocabulary related to whatever the topic of the pictures is, the best thing you can do to prepare is to have a selection of FCE speaking Part 2 useful phrases to organise the long turn and speculate.
Indicating which picture you are talking about
- there are two pictures of
- in the first picture, in the second picture, in both pictures
- the first one, the second one, the picture on the top/bottom, the picture on the left/right
Contrasting the pictures
- but, so, and
- on the other hand
- in contrast
- the other picture is different because
Speculating
- possibly, probably
- might be, may be, could be
- it’s likely that, it’s possible that
- I guess , I imagine, I suppose
- maybe, perhaps
- seems, looks like
All this language is used in the materials below.
FCE Speaking Part 2 Example
Here is an example and some First (FCE) Speaking Part 2 pictures to describe.
![essay useful phrases fce FCE Speaking Part 2 pictures comparison](https://i0.wp.com/breakoutenglish.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/12/FCE-Speaking-Part-2.png?fit=1024%2C567&ssl=1)
The Materials
These FCE Speaking Part 2 materials have been designed to provide your students with useful language for the exam and to get practice with different pictures. The topic of all the pictures is shopping, so it would fit in perfectly with a shopping unit in a coursebook.
You can also use these materials to practise on your own. Just work your way through the tasks and do the speaking parts by yourself. If you are working alone, use a voice recorder on your mobile phone to record what you’ve said. A day or two later, listen again and try to spot your own mistakes. You’ll hate listening to yourself at first, but the effort will pay off.
CLASSROOM PROCEDURE:
First, listen to the example and get your students to discuss what was good about it. I would recommend folding the worksheet here or only projecting the images from the example.
Students then work to categorise the FCE Speaking Part 2 useful phrases that were used in the example.
Give feedback on the useful language and drill some pronunciation.
Have your students practice in pairs. There are 3 more sets of FCE Speaking Part 2 pictures just in case you need to do groups of 3.
Check here for even more FCE Speaking Part 2 pictures .
Extension: Have your students brainstorm possible follow-up questions and practise them.
EXAM PART : FCE Speaking Part 2
EXAM SKILLS : Comparing and contrasting, discourse management
TOPIC: Shopping
TIME: 20-25 minutes + extension
PREPARATION: One copy of the worksheet per student, speaker or computer to play the audio file
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How to write an essay? | C1 Advanced (CAE)
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Writing an essay is the first part of the C1 Advanced (CAE) Cambridge writing paper and it is obligatory.
You need to answer the question with between 220-260 words. In the text, you need to analyse a question using different points of view. It is a semi-formal/formal text and should be impartial until the conclusion.
What the examiner wants to see is a balanced argument that is both interesting and easy to read .
Check our Writing Guide – to see how to write a CAE essay in detail.
C1 Advanced (CAE) Essay: Writing Structure
Fce, cae, cpe, practice, write & improve, c1 advanced (cae) essay: how to write an essay.
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If you have two main points to make, you can give your essay a clear structure by dividing it into four paragraphs.
Step 1: Introduction
The first paragraph of an essay provides the introduction. It states what is to be discussed and why. Your main points are briefly introduced. This paragraph need not be lengthy.
Introduction: We often hear about the many benefits of health and fitness. However, less often do we hear concrete suggestions for how to improve participation rates, particularly among young people. In this essay I will discuss two possible actions that governments could focus on in order to promote health and fitness to youth today. (main points are briefly introduced.)
Pay attention to language style and register!
One of the most common mistakes made by inexperienced writers involves using too personal language writing an essay.
Me, myself, I
Everybody likes to talk about themselves, but when (for example) you’re writing about environmental issues, you should be talking about the environment and not about yourself.
The way word you is used in informal speech ‘You should have seen it!’ ‘if you know what I mean’ is not appropriate in formal writing. At best it sounds chatty and informal; at worst, disrespectful or even offensive. The word you points a finger at the reader. But the readers are not friends of yours, and you have no right to make assumptions about them.
Step 2: Main content
Paragraph 1.
In this paragraph, more background information is provided in greater detail. Your first, often the strongest main point is expanded upon. Bring in and refute any arguments against your point of view.
Paragraph 1: The first possible action is to improve physical education teaching in schools. Local students have at times complained that… (Describe the first point/argument from the notes)
Paragraph 2
The second paragraph provides your second key point, lying it into the theme of your essay. Again, bring in opposing points of view and support your second key point with Information and background.
Paragraph 2: A second option would be to attempt to change the overly competitive attitudes that seem ingrained in many of the sports… (Describe the second point/argument from the notes)
Remember about “linking” in the essay!
![essay useful phrases fce](https://sp-ao.shortpixel.ai/client/to_auto,q_glossy,ret_img,w_150,h_150/https://engxam.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/11/240_F_623022948_jG3iFnyxDYCnKPNcsYue6FTJvws2217y-150x150.jpg)
Between paragraphs:
To begin with, I would like to put forward […] The first possible action is, to improve physical education …[…] A second option would be. … competitive attitudes that […]
Within a paragraph:
[…] which activity is better than the others. Another reason for not financing sports […]
For and Against or just one side?
There are two approaches you can choose to write your essay professionally .
For and against
This is the traditional approach where a writer discusses points in favour of their position and against. Typically this means that one point will be used to contrast the general position. There are advantages to this method.
One side only
Step 3: conclusion.
The final paragraph is used to summarise or conclude your essay. It shows how the two key points you have presented compare or relate to each other. It also clearly re-states your initial position from the introductory paragraph.
Conclusion: In summary, either approach would be a step in the right direction. In my view, it would be wise to prioritize dealing with reducing competitiveness first because I believe it would help young people feel better about the sports they already do. They could then, in turn, influence their friends to join in.
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C1 advanced (cae) essay: example answers, cae essay sample 1.
Your class has attended a panel discussion on facilities which should receive money from local authorities. You have made the notes below:
Which facilities should receive money from local authorities?
- sports centres
- public gardens
Some opinions expressed in the discussion:
- “Museums aren’t popular with everybody!”
- “Sports centres mean healthier people.”
- “A town needs green spaces – parks are great for everybody.”
Write an essay discussing two of the facilities in your notes. You should explain which facility it is more important for local authorities to give money to, giving reasons in support of your answer.
Student’s CAE Essay Answer:
[Introduction]
In regard of a recent discussion about the facilities, which are financially supported by local authorities, I would like to write a few of my personal thoughts. Whether we are talking about sports centres or public gardens, there is no doubt that they are both a good thing to have in the city and should both be supported somehow. The only question then is which one of these is more important, what are the pros and cons of each one?
[1 st body paragraph ]
Let me start with the sport centres as I think these are a bit more problematic. Obviously, in our times where lots of people spend days sitting in their office staring at a computer, some sort of physical training is very important. We have to balance that shift in our lifestyles. The problem I see with supporting the sports centres is the number of activities that you can do at these days. There is almost countless list of either individual or team sports that we can think of, and each centre is usually designed for a specific type or at least a group of sports similar in its nature. Therefore I think that it is too difficult to support them equally and we can’t say which activity is better than the others either. Another reason for not financing sports as much as green parks is their commercial use. What I mean by that is that we usually pay for everything the centre offers us to do and therefore they are more able to last from their own money than gardens.
[2 nd body paragraph]
Regarding of the green spaces, the situation is much clearer I think. Every city needs gardens where people can sit and relax, but nobody is going to pay a tax for just walking around.
[Conclusion[]
These factors lead me to my conclusion, that the public gardens are definitely a facility which should be financed from public money, whereas in the case of sports centres, the situation is questionable.
CAE Essay Sample 2
Your class has attended a panel discussion on the action governments can take to promote health and fitness among young people. You have made the notes below.
Action to promote health and fitness among young people
- improve teaching in schools.
- improves attitudes to competitiveness.
- improve the image of sports.
Some opinions expressed during the discussion
- ‘There need to be specialist sports teachers for children and students of all ages.’
- ‘Some young people are put off by the pressure to compete.’
- ‘A lot of young people don’t think it’s cool to take part in sports.’
Write an essay for your tutor, discussing two of the actions in your notes. You should explain which action you think is more important, giving reasons to support your opinion.
We often hear about the many benefits of health and fitness. However, less often do we hear concrete suggestions for how to improve participation rates, particularly among young people. In this essay I will discuss two possible actions that governments could focus on in order to promote health and fitness to youth today.
The first possible action is to improve physical education teaching in schools. Local students have at times complained that the curriculum is rigid and emphasizes repetitive activities instead of team sports and enjoyment. Better role models and more adventurous options could lead to improved attitude and participation. Naturally, employing specialist sports teachers would incur considerable cost.
A second option would be to attempt to change the overly competitive attitudes that seem ingrained in many of the sports competitions for youngsters. When adults such as parents and teachers focus on winning above having a good time, it puts undue pressure on the participants. They may feel a sense of failure if they lose and also be less inclined to try a new sport.
[Conclusion]
In summary, either approach would be a step in the right direction. In my view, it would be wise to prioritize dealing with reducing competitiveness first because I believe it would help young people feel better about the sports they already do. They could then, in turn, influence their friends to join in.
C1 Advanced (CAE) Essay: Writing Topics
Cae example topic 1.
In class you have had a discussion about inequality and work. You have made the notes below:
Do the privileged few get a head start in life?
- Stability in the home
- Work contacts and opportunities
- Time to hone one´s skills
Write an essay discussing two of the points given and explain the reasons behind your answer.
CAE Example topic 2
Recently, you have held a discussion in a university plenary about work-life balance. You have made the notes below:
Work is the pillar of society though it is obvious that people need to disconnect. Where is the balance?
- Fulfilling one´s potential
- Supporting family members
- Using one´s time productively
Write an essay using two of the points and say what might be the most effective way of achieving a healthy work-life balance
CAE Example topic 3
You have discussed young people and their future work prospects in class. You have made the notes below:
What might be the most effective strategy to prepare young people for work?
- Work placements
- Workshops in schools
- Establishing links with local businesses
Write an essay discussing two of the points and say which should be implemented into the national curriculum.
Practice Tests Online
C1 advanced (cae) essay: tips.
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- PLAN your essay.
- REVISE your essay to correct mistakes.
- The final paragraph is the best place to express your opinion clearly
- Add quotations, statistics, facts. examples and other relevant data to support your points.
- The tone and register can be formal or semiformal depending on your treatment of the topic. If your essay is written in a formal register, only bring in informal expressions when you use a direct quotation to support your argument.
- Punctuation is important in essays and can be a powerful tool for expressing subtle or emphatic points. Short sentences make for a peachy style but get irritating if they are over-used, long sentences need careful use of commas, semi-colons and desires to achieve flow and rhythm.
C1 Advanced (CAE) Essay: Writing Checklist
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After writing your text, you can check it yourself using the writing checklist below.
How to do that? Simply check your text/email by answering the questions one by one:
- Have I covered all the key information required by the task?
- Have I written only information which is relevant to the task?
- Have I developed the basic points in the task with my own ideas?
Communicative Achievement
- Have I achieved the main purpose(s) of the text (for example, explaining, persuading, suggesting, apologising, comparing, etc.)?
- Have I used a suitable mix of fact and opinion?
- Have I used a suitable style and register (formal or informal) for the task?
Organisation
- Have I used paragraphs appropriately to organise my ideas?
- Have I used other organisational features appropriately for the genre of the text (for example, titles, headings, openings, closings, etc.)?
- Is the connection between my ideas clear and easy for the reader to follow? (For example, have I used appropriate linking words, pronouns, etc. to refer to different things within the text?)
- Are the ideas balanced appropriately, with suitable attention and space given to each one?
- Have I used a wide range of vocabulary?
- Have I avoided repeating the same words and phrases?
- Have I used a range of simple and more complex grammatical structures?
- Have I correctly used any common phrases which are relevant to the specific task or topic?
- Is my use of grammar accurate?
- Is my spelling accurate?
More than Practice Tests
C1 advanced (cae) essay: marking criteria, c1 advanced (cae) essay: useful phrases, words & expressions.
We will finish it with useful advanced vocabulary (words to use in an essay) mostly used to organize information. Although it is taking a shortcut, if you learn several expressions/words for each paragraph in each type of text that could be on your exam, you will certainly be able to create a very consistent essay with a perfect structure.
To start essay: Introduction
It is often said that … ….is a hotly-debated topic that often divides opinion. ….is a topic that is often discussed but rarely solved. Many people feel that … We live in an age when many of us are… More and more families/people are choosing to … The trend nowadays is towards +ing Over the past/last ten years or so, … Recent research indicates that the number of …is increasing. Statistics indicate that— Hardly a week goes by without another report of .. appearing in the media. This raises the issue of whether …………….. Although most people would generally agree that …………… few
Topic sentences
First Paragraph
…. clearly/undoubtedly has an impact on… It is common knowledge that… plays a crucial role in… It is undoubtedly the case that… There is little doubt that… … is widely believed to contribute to… It is generally considered that… Recent research suggests that… Studies have shown that… has an impact/influence on… Few people would contest/dispute the fact that…
Second Paragraph
Another factor to consider is… On the other hand/In contrast… It is often claimed that… All the evidence suggests that…
Stating your opinion
As I see it, It seems to me that ………… I would also say that …. I am convinced that …………… I am inclined to believe that ……………… There is no doubt in my mind that ……………… One of the drawbacks of ……. is ………. However, one of the benefits is that …………
Changing topic
As regards the causes for this, ………….. Concerning the causes for this, ……… As for the causes, ………..
Presenting arguments
One justification often given for ……….. is that…………….. Advocates/Proponents would claim that ……………… Those who object to …………….. often argue that ………………. Another objection is that …… However, it should not be forgotten that ………….. ……….. are opposed to ……………. on the grounds that …………….. From the point of view of …………….. According to ………………..
Describing causes
One factor which has led to ………… is ………….. One of the factors which has brought this about is ……… The problem often stems from ……………….. The situation has been exacerbated by ……………. ………….. has only made the situation worse. One consequence of ……………. is …………….
Proposing steps and measures
As regards the most appropriate response to this situation, one suggestion would be to ……… The first step to be taken would be to …….. To alleviate the situation people should ……….. In addition they ought to …………… This can only be dealt with if ………… To overcome this problem, ………….. Were the government to ……………, the situation would doubtless improve. Individuals can do a great deal to ………… The burden of responsiblity lies in the hands of …….. It is vitally important that ……… Legislation should be introduced to control …………….. It would be a grave error if we ……………..
To conclude an essay: Concluding
In light of the above, Taking all this into consideration/account,… As far as I am concerned, / in my opinion, / as I see it, etc. … is the most effective way to… due to the fact that… Despite the fact that… undoubtedly plays a role in… I firmly believe that… is more effective due to the fact that… its advantages outnumber/ outweigh those All in all it seems to me that ……….. The obvious conclusion to be drawn is that ………………….. All things considered! …………. On balance! , tend to believe that ………… The world would surely be a better place to live in if …………..
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B2 First Writing Part One essays useful phrases brainstorming and key words. Write at least two or three useful phrases for doing each of these things in Cambridge First essays: Introduction Background to the topic (why it is important etc) Explaining the structure of your essay. Introduction/ Body Giving strong opinions.
• Learn useful techniques for planning your own essay. • Evaluate two examples of a Writing Part 1 essay. • Practise and evaluate your own answer to a Writing Part 1 task. Review: Writing Part 1 . The B2 First for Schools Writing paper has two parts. Part 1 has only one task, which you . must. answer. You will: be given the essay title.
B2 First (FCE) Essay: Tips B2 First (FCE) Essay: FAQ B2 First (FCE) Essay: Useful Phrases & Expressions. The essay is a compulsory task to be completed in Part 1 of the writing section in the Cambridge B2 First (FCE) that is written to convince someone of something or to simply inform the reader about a particular topic.
Each paragraph has a clear purpose: Introduction: it introduces the topic in a general way and it leads to the second paragraph (first idea). Paragraph 2: it deals with idea 1. Paragraph 3: it deals with idea 2. Paragraph 4: it deals with idea 3. Conclusion: we express our opinion to conclude and summarise the essay.
Dear (first name), Dear (first name), or Hi (first name) (for informal e-mails) Beginnings. Thank you/Many thanks for your (recent/last) letter/postcard. It was good/nice to hear from you recently. I'm sorry I haven't written/been in touch for such a long time. It's ages since I've heard from you. I hope you're/you and your family are ...
B2 essay structure. A Cambridge B2 First essay has a reasonably set structure. This is because the tasks are always similar. Take a look at the task below: When we analyse the task, the most obvious structure is to write 5 paragraphs. This allows us to keep a clear separation between our three points. It also gives us plenty of opportunities ...
B2, First (FCE) / By John Hayward. Writing is the part of any English exam where you should aim to get a high score and B2 First FCE Writing Part 1, an obligatory essay, is no different. It's also the most trainable part of the exam in a classroom. While other skills often take lots of time, effort and practice, writing can be taught through ...
The 3 main parts of an essay. Looking back at our example from before we can see that there are three topic points which we need to deal with: transport, rivers and seas as well as your own idea. I think it is not difficult to see that we can turn these three topics into three paragraphs, one for each idea.
The first part is the essay; the second part is an article, email, letter, report, or review. You will be given the essay title and two ideas or prompts. It's essential that you include both of these ideas in your essay, as well as another relevant idea that you have to come up with yourself. You have to write 140-190 words in each part and ...
FCE for schools Writing Guide . Essay • In part 1 of the writing exam you have to write an essay. This question is obligatory. • There is a question or statement for you to discuss, and also two notes to help to guide your writing. ... Review Structure and Useful Phrases Introduction • The film is directed by… • The book was written by…
An essay is the first part of the writing and it is obligatory. You need to answer the question with between 140-190 words. In the text you need to analyse a question using different points of view. ... B2 First (FCE) Article: Useful Phrases & Expressions. In the B2 First Writing Paper you could be asked to write an article about a variety of ...
FCE Essays - Sample/model answers and examiner comments. An essay is always written for the teacher. It should answer the question given by addressing both content points and providinga new content point of the writer's own. The essay should be well organised, with an introduction and an appropriate conclusion,and should be written in an appropriate register and tone
FCE (B2 First) Writing Exam (Essay) - Video. In this lesson you can learn how to write an essay for the Cambridge FCE exam, step by step. You'll see exactly what to do at each stage in the FCE writing essay section, and how to get the best possible FCE score. There are four steps to the writing process. You'll see what to do at each step ...
An essay. ① is always written for the teacher. ② should answer the question given… ③ by addressing both content points and providing a new content point of the writer's own. ④ should be well organised, with an introduction and an appropriate conclusion and should be written in an appropriate register and tone. While it is possible ...
In the first one, you must write an essay. In the seccond, you must choose among different options. One of these options can be to write an article. For this reason, in today's post I'm going to show you exactly how to write an article for FCE Writing (Part 2). Besides, we will go over an example of an article for FCE and a complete FCE ...
This document provides useful words and phrases for various types of writing tasks that may be required for the FCE exam, including essays, articles, informal letters, formal letters, letters of application, and reports. For each text type, phrases are given to introduce and organize ideas, make comparisons, give opinions, ask questions, make recommendations, and close the writing. Candidates ...
An essay is the first part of the writing and it is obligatory. You need to answer the question with between 140-190 words. In the text you need to analyse a question using different points of view. It is a semi-formal text and should be impartial until the conclusion. ... B2 First (FCE) Review: Useful Phrases & Expressions
First (FCE) Speaking Part 3, also known as the collaborative task, involves a discussion that is divided into two parts. In the first part, lasting 2 minutes, the examiner will describe a situation to you and your partner, and they will offer you different options to discuss. Remember, it's not essential that you discuss all the points in the ...
FCE Grammar List: Grammatical words/phrases. These aren't structures, but words/phrases providing grammatical meaning. The majority of these words and phrases have more than one meaning. Study when and how we use them and what they mean. Although don't spend too much time on it. A basic understanding is enough.
First, listen to the example and get your students to discuss what was good about it. I would recommend folding the worksheet here or only projecting the images from the example. Students then work to categorise the FCE Speaking Part 2 useful phrases that were used in the example. Give feedback on the useful language and drill some pronunciation.
C1 Advanced (CAE) Essay: Useful Phrases, Words & Expressions. Writing an essay is the first part of the C1 Advanced (CAE) Cambridge writing paper and it is obligatory. You need to answer the question with between 220-260 words. In the text, you need to analyse a question using different points of view.