Advanced index

1. Essays
2. Reports
3. Proposals
4. Reviews
5. Letter to an authority
6. Letter of recruitment
7. Letter of application
8. Letter to the editor
9. Letter of complaint
10. Personal letters or emails
As general recommendation for all these writings: extension about 220 260 (plus 10
more) words, although it is recommendable not to use more than 240 in order to make possible
changes. At the same time, we can measure the length of our work by the average of words
within a line (9 or 10 words/line).
ESSAYS
Basic features of an Essay for Cambridge Advanced Level
No title, nor headings, neither bulletin points.
Four paragraphs: introduction, body I, body II and conclusion.
Target audience: a rector, a lecturer, your teacher, an academic authority, the classroom.
Topics: education and instruction, work, job and training, environment and means of
transport.
Agents related: the government, the authorities, politicians, employers, employees,
teachers, students and young or old people.
Areas related: the school, training courses, educational curriculum, subjects, the city and
its natural resources, the workplace, retirement, unemployment, saving for the future,
environment, public institutions in general which receive or need to receive a public
subvention,
Main objective: discuss the best option between two given approaches to a common
purpose. Besides of discussing it, we need also to attract, compare or contrasting
ideas, highlight their positive and negative points in order to persuade the reader
of our choice in the conclusion. This is a discursive style, not a balanced one, so we need
necessarily to choose only one approach and to justify it.
Formal style, passive & impersonal forms with elaborated tenses, participle and
gerunds. This implies the avoidance of phrasal verbs, slangs, contractive forms, inversions,
idioms and use instead of fixed phrases for cohesive device and linking words.
Grammar resources: interrogative questions to catch the readers interest,
distributive adverbs (both, either, neither), enumeration (not only, but also), external
signposting, fixed phrases, cohesive devices and linking words, modals,
conditionals, comparisons, appositions, relative pronouns and clauses, cleft
sentences, leading to consequences.
Accurate vocabulary developed for the topic by means of rewording or reformulation
strategies.
Reinforcing ideas and support it adding reasons why and examples (for example, namely,
for instance, imagine that, in case that, say, which is to say, which means).
Discursive essay philosophy: each measure, supported by a fact, which produces both a
series of positive and negative effects, which are related to the next one in the following
paragraph (connecting ideas).
Basic plan:

INTRO: Describe the situation (topic) and set the dilemma: A or B? 10%

Body I, II: option A/B + support or Positive effects A, B

refute with a given comment 37%
each Negative effects A,
B
Conclusion:
justify your with
the positive
effects of A and
B. 15%
 In the introduction (short: 2 sentences, about 45 words): Start your essay describing
the topic situation that gives way to the problem by means of a passive-impersonal formal
form. Examples: It is thought/known/ felt/ known that (by) so the government/local
authorities is/are required to. Then introduce the dilemma question:
It is felt that too much contamination is produced by the constant traffic in the city
centre so the local authorities are required to prevent people from using their own
vehicles. But what could be more effective, investing in public transports or
educating people to walk instead?

In the body, we must treat both paragraphs as a whole part (theyre

interconnected).
The average measure of each paragraph must be about three sentences
(85 words).
Signposting (a fixed phrase headed by an adverb: probably, generally,
usually, etc.) a) to connect with the introduction instead of enumeration:
Probably one of the most essential measures to adopt in this case would be; b)
to connect one paragraph each other: In connection with the latter expressed
idea,. This implies the use of participles, gerunds and modals (would, could,
might) to express possibilities.
Supporting positively or negatively the point, depending on the given
statement. To this purpose, we need: a) to reword what is claimed; b) Find either
positive or negative consequences too; c) link this positive or negative
consequences with linking words or other cohesive devices elaborated to compare or
give new ideas (on the other hand, nevertheless, as consequence), enumeration as
a resource to persuade (not only, but also; additionally, what is more,
furthermore) or exemplification (for example/instance, namely, say, imagine that)
The arguments to persuade a government to take or reject a measure should
always be related to benefits/advantages in the orbit of capitalism and legal
repression; thus, the excessive public waste is always the enemy to
defeat by means of the social marketing (education, health, safety, environment):
a) Saving money and time for the best production without damaging
the environment or improving it.
b) Investing more now (education, health, environment, training) to obtain the
major benefits in the future. Investing more in healthy habits and sports
to reduce the cost of public services, for example.
c) More safety or well-being (accommodation, holidays, days-off, leisure,
relax, reducing stress) in the job to increase the production gradually,
d) Reducing salaries to encourage working more and to increase then the
production reducing the costs.
e) Receiving/reducing public subventions to improve private business with
social marketing or intentions (promotion of culture/ sports/ education/ social
cares or other).
f) Imposing bans to prevent certain antisocial behavior, increment taxes or
imposing new ones to gain more money by the public arches.
g) Removing bans/taxes or reducing it to encourage more public inversion
in private business.
h) Adopting new technologies and revolutionary techniques to replace
workers by machines and obtaining the best benefits with the lesser wastes
and being more effective.
i) Publicity campaigns with an apparently educative goal to increment
the selling, reducing public wastes or attracting investors.
As example:
Possibly, one of the most essential measures to adopt in this case would be
increasing the number of buses and trains, as well as improving its service, timetables,
attention to public in the stations or other facilities. Thereby, if citizens would have the
possibility to commute with ease, they would leave parked their vehicles, saving then
 money and time, reducing considerably the emission of gases, and what is more, they
could finish their way to work either by bicycle or well on foot.
In connection with the latter idea, an education campaign to promote the
appreciation for walking to work would need to be taken into account. To this purpose,
it would be necessary not only to encourage people to enjoy the pleasure of walking
into town, but also to inform them about the healthy benefits that it could bring about
to their general well-being by means of motivating advertisements in the media. On
the other hand, it is necessary to consider that this desired change of mind would
take necessarily its time to be really effective.
In the conclusion (to conclude, all in all), we are in a discursive essay, so it is necessary to
choose personally only one option (in my opinion, I believe that) and we will justify it
adding the positive consequences from both previous paragraphs, but reworded
(our choice would be the second paragraph to avoid the reader to come back to the
beginning, but this is optional). According to this philosophy, one option must to content
finally the other within (sometimes, we only highlight the bright side of one argument, but
this is not a solid argumentation).
Essay #1: cars in the city centre.
Your class has attended a panel discussion on what methods governments should use to
discourage the use of private cars in the centre of the city. You have made the notes
below.
Methods governments could use to discourage the use of private cars in the city centre:
Investment
Education
Taxes
Some opinions expressed in the discussion:
Make businesses pay parking levies for their employees and theyll move out of the
city centre.
Improve the public transport system; then people wont need their cars.
If people understood how much better pedestrianised city centres are, they wouldnt
want to bring their cars in.
Write an essay for your tutor, discussing two of the methods in your notes. You should explain
which method you think is more important for governments to consider, giving reasons
to support your opinion.
You may, if you wish, make use of the opinions expressed in the discussion but you should use
your own words as far as possible. Write your essay in 220-260 words in an appropriate style.
The constant traffic causes too much contamination, noises and inconveniences in the
city centre. Therefore, the government is required to prevent people from using their
own vehicles but what could be more effective, to invest more in public transport or
educating people to walk instead?
Possibly, one of the most essential measures to adopt in this case would be increasing
the number of buses and trains, as well as improving its service, timetables, attention to
public in the stations or other facilities. Thereby, if citizens would have the possibility to
commute with ease, they would leave parked their vehicles, saving then money and
time, reducing considerably the emission of gases, and what is more, they could finish
their way to work either by bicycle or well on foot.
In connection with the latter idea, an education campaign to promote the appreciation
for walking to work would need to be taken into account. To this purpose, it would be
necessary not only to encourage people to enjoy the pleasure of strolling into town, but
also to inform them about the healthy benefits that it could bring about to their general
well-being by means of motivating advertisements in the media. On the other hand, it is
necessary to consider that this desired change of mind would take necessarily its time
to be really effective.
 To conclude, I believe that a multi-faceted educational campaign would be the most
effective and lasting measure because, with time, it would preserve not only the city
environment, but also it would promote healthy habits in their citizens.
Essay #2: POSITVE THINKING AT SCHOOL
Your class has attended a seminar on the benefits of training students to think positively.
You have made the notes below.
The benefits of training students to think positively:
reduces stress
improves productivity
increases creativity
Some opinions expressed during the seminar:
Having a positive outlook helps people to put their problems into perspective.
The training is empowering. I feel I can achieve so much more.
It gives people the tools they need to find alternative solutions to their problems.
Write an essay for your tutor, discussing two of the benefits in your notes. You should explain
which benefit you think is more important, giving reasons to support your opinion. You
may, if you wish, make use of the opinions expressed during the seminar but you should use
your own words as far as possible. Write your essay in 220-260 words in an appropriate style.
When it comes to face their exams, often students need to be trained by teachers to
develop a positive thinking, but what is better, increasing their levels of production or
well favouring their creativeness?
Possibly, one of the most relevant measures to increase students production would
consist of encouraging them to observe a certain extent of discipline in their daily
activities in the classroom and also at home as a preparation for their exams. For
example, it is necessary not only to help them see the importance of finishing their
homework, but also to present accurately their notebooks. On the other hand,
motivation plays also an important role here: the more motivated students, the best
qualifications they would obtain.
In connection with the idea of motivation, we should need also to stress also the
question of creativeness in the classroom, because if students have been correctly
motivated to learn by their own, they would be able of being creative too. For instance,
they could design their own study strategies, being able of using each means at their
disposal, such as the Internet or specific Android applications as an useful alternative to
other not so effective traditional methods. On the other hand, favouring students
creativity would promote their positive attitudes to exchange their genuine opinions and
points of view each other.
All in all, I believe that promoting creativeness among young students is the best choice
to implement in education by the government in order to favour in students a major
degree of positivity and self-confidence in their capacities.
Essay #3: CULTURAL HERITAGE
Your class has attended a lecture on the action governments can take to make sure cultural
heritage is preserved for future generations. You have made the notes below.
Priorities for governments aiming to preserve cultural heritage:
increase funding for museums
protect old buildings
teach the importance of cultural heritage in schools
Some opinions expressed in the discussion:
Museums are the best places to keep shared memories of a community.
Cultural heritage isnt just about buildings - its about a way of life.
Its the responsibility of the older generation to pass on a cultural heritage to the next
generation.
Write an essay for your tutor discussing two of the priorities in your notes. You should explain
which priority you think is more important, giving reasons to support your opinion. You
may, if you wish, make use of the opinions expressed in the discussion but you should use your
own words as far as possible.
Write your essay in 220-260 words in an appropriate style.
Our history, values and culture as a nation are present in our cultural heritage.
Therefore, our government should make their best to preserve it for the next
generations, but what could be the best approach, to support economically museums or
teaching the relevance of our culture at schools?
Possibly, one of the first measures required to be taken would be to increase the
subsidising of public centres of culture, such as museums and galleries. It goes without
saying that these constitute at present-day the most effective places to understand the
most significant episodes of our national history through the particular view of different
painters and sculptors. On the other hand, the increasing use of the Internet and the
new technologies can play an important role when it comes to promote virtual tours
for our young students.
In connection with this latter idea, we should emphasise that students need to be taught
to observe a positive attitude towards our cultural heritage not only to learn to
appreciate the riveting beauty of our most outstanding masterpieces, but also to share
their own opinions at respect and, what is more, to develop their critical and creative
senses. Thereby, if youngsters are encouraged to researching online for our pictorial
legacy namely playing webquests- they would acquire the required aesthetic
praiseworthy taste to appreciate any cultural manifestations in depth.
To conclude, I believe that our government would promote the preservation of our
cultural features by means of education; the sooner students began to appreciate it, the
sooner they begin to participate in their conservation.

Essay #4: DRESS CODE AT SCHOOL.

Your class has been involved in a discussion on whether a dress code should be introduced at
the college where you are studying. You have made the notes below.
Advantages of proposed dress code:
image of college
health and safety
discipline
Some opinions expressed in the discussion:
Wearing more formal clothes will prepare students for the workplace
College isnt work or school, so students should be free to wear what they want.
Students are turning up to college in inappropriate clothes more frequently, so its time
for a dress code.
Write an essay for your tutor discussing two of the advantages in your notes. You should
explain which of the advantages you think would be most important for the college to
consider in deciding whether to introduce a dress code, giving reasons to support your
opinion.
You may, if you wish, make use of the opinions expressed in the discussion but you should use
your own words as far as possible.
Write your essay in 220-260 words in an appropriate style.
A series of different discussion between students on their way of dressing that hind their
personal relationships take place often in the school, but what is better, to persuade
them to wear uniforms or allow them to wear their clothes freely?
Probably, the most immediate measure that any school will take would be the
implantation of a dress code in order to promote not only equality between students,
but also the main educational values of the institution. Thereby, students will have the
opportunity to share a sense of belonging to same school centre. Furthermore, our
 centre will be given to know to the community and, finally, fathers will save both time,
when it comes to have washed and prepared their childrens daily clothes, and money in
expensive fashionable complements or capricious trends.
In connection with this latter idea, we need to highlight the right of the learners to
express their own personality also in the school, boosting their clothes according to the
current fashions. In this sense, our school should be like any other public centre, where
persons are free to wear their clothes according either to safety or well commodity
requirements. However, it is always important to moderate the messages of the T-shirts,
whenever, for example, they could result offensive to the beliefs of other children or
teachers.
All in all, I believe that allowing our students to dress freely according to their needs
would be the best option to consolidate a relaxed school and, what is more, to offer a
better impression about the values of freedom that always have characterised this
institution.
Essay #5
Your class has attended a panel discussion on what methods the government should use to
encourage an appreciation of scientific research. You have made the notes below.
Methods governments could use to encourage an interest in science:
Media coverage.
Adult education.
Greater financial investment.
Some opinions expressed in the discussion:
Science reporting in the media often emphasises less useful research.
Some older adults didnt enjoy their science classes at school, so they wont want to go
to science classes now.
The problem is that politicians dont understand the importance of science.
Write an essay for your tutor discussing two of the methods in your notes. You should explain
which method you think is more important for governments to consider, giving reasons to
support your opinion. You may, if you wish, make use of the opinions expressed in the
discussion but you should use your own words as far as possible.
Write your answer in 220-260 words in an appropriate style.

According to a recent research carried out on young students, they show interest for
other careers different from sciences. In this sense, the government should promote
sciences careers but, what is better, promoting it by means of media coverage or well
increasing considerably the financial investment?
Possibly, one of the most valued approaches to consider would be a campaign in the
media to promote scientific investigation and divulgation. Nevertheless, it is generally
felt that channels seems to be more focused on the mere entertaining - namely,
experiments with celebrities- than in explaining diverse scientific phenomena, such as
chemical reactions or electromagnetism, useful for studying. Consequently, these
formats sometimes dont seem to be the appropriate medium for promoting the
scientific divulgation between students.
On the other hand, despite the lack of interest shown at this respect by our educational
authorities, an increasing of the economical support aimed to investigation could be also
taken into consideration. New laboratories and modern installations for investigation, for
instance, would act as motivating resource to attract the students attention, as well as
their training in the application of new technologies to sciences. Finally, an official
schools website could be not only useful to searching for new data, but also an
outstanding way of exchanging for our young scientists to give to know their advances
all over the world.
All in all, I believe that investing more in better equipments and structures is the key to
motivate students definitely to opt for technical careers. The more sophisticated means
of investigation, the more motivated scientific we have.
Essay #6: training or advice?
Your class has taken part in a seminar on whether the education system does enough to help
young people to find jobs which fit their abilities and interests. You have made the notes below:
Methods schools and universities use to help students find suitable jobs:
providing courses and qualifications
work experience programmes
careers advice
Some opinions expressed in the seminar:
'We study lots of things which we'll never use in any future job.'
'Without work experience you'd have no idea what to study at university.'
'Some of my teachers can't give me advice because they've never done any job other
than teaching.'
Write an essay discussing two of the methods in your notes. You should explain which method
is more effective, giving reasons in support of your answer. You may, if you wish, make use of
the opinions expressed in the seminar, but you should use your own words as far as possible.
Write your answer in 220-260 words in an appropriate style.
When it comes to obtain the most suitable job, young people find it more difficult than
older ones. But what is better, training or a favourable guidance?
Probably, the first measure to take into consideration could be possibly the organisation
of a training circuit in different companies, due to the fact that real practices are felt as
essential to aspire to a similar occupation in the future. This way, students would
acquire not only the knack for their positions, but also they learn to work in teams
having a deep knowledge of these procedures. Furthermore, the most of students who
carry out real practices end up being recruited by these same companies. However,
training jobs are frequently underpaid or even unpaid -, therefore it can be sometimes
demoralising for them.
On the other hand, it is well-known also that motivation plays an important part in
succeeding, so a previous orientation offered by a knowledgeable teacher would result
motivating enough. Thereby, receiving advice could be decisive to meet their future
targets. Unfortunately, these lectures would often result excessive theoretical and, in
consequence, irrelevant for our students entrepreneur spirit in too much occasions. In
this sense, this tutorial function would be enhanced with other students experiences to
embrace more in depth each possibility offered by the current job market.
In view of these arguments, I believe that a real practices approach is the best possible
one since it is necessary to know before how to work at each area than taking risks in
our future careers because of an inadequate advice.

ESSAY #7
Your class has listened to a debate about methods employers should use to ensure that
their workforce is happy and motivated. You have made the notes below. How can
employers ensure that their employees are happy and motivated?
establish good communications
make employees feel valued as people
encourage a work-life balance
Some opinions expressed in the debate:
'You need to be able to discuss problems with your colleagues and your
manager.'
Most employees are satisfied if they are well paid'
'The happier employees are, the more efficient and productive they will be.'
Write an essay discussing two of the methods in your notes. You should explain which
method you think is more important for employers to adopt, providing reasons to
 support your answer. You may, if you wish, make use of the opinions expressed in the
debate, but you should use your own words as far as possible.
It is thought that employees need to take pleasure and being encourage enough
to work correctly. But what could be the better approach, favouring inner
communication in the company or making compatible their work and personal
lives?
Probably, one of the most immediate measures to take into consideration could
be a series of efficient channels of inner communication, namely, an intranet
would allow workers to treat directly with their boss difficult issues in their
workplace, taking relevant decisions together and receiving feedback to support
it. On the other hand, the increasing of communication technologies in the
workplace could imply dealing with new skills related to the Internet. At the same
time, meetings after the work would contribute to make flexible their
relationships.
In connection with this last idea, it could be also necessary to establish a
compatible time of work with their personal lives, so motivation is a relevant
factor to achieve a better production - a positive outlook on life could contribute
definitively to increment the quality of their services-. However, to this purpose,
employers are required to facilitate more periods of holidays, as well as a flexible
schedule not only to reduce the stress, but also to stimulate their creativity
working at home.
In view of the above arguments, I would suggest to reward the better employees
with more free time either to relax or well to work at home, due to the fact that
the company would reduce thereby considerably their costs and will improve
definitely their products and services.
ESSAY @8
You have taken part in a seminar discussing how schools and universities can help to make the
exam period less stressful for students. You have made the notes below.
How can schools and universities help to ensure that students do not suffer from stress during
the exam period?
support from tutors
a structured revision timetable prior to exams
time for relaxation and leisure activities
Some opinions expressed in the seminar
'Students need to remember that there is more to life than exam success.'
'Revising for 24 hours a day before exams doesn't necessarily lead to success.'
'You won't do well on the day if you feel stressed.
Write an essay discussing two of the methods in your notes. You should explain which method
you think is more important for schools and universities to adopt, providing reasons to support
your answer. You may, if you wish, make use of the opinions expressed in the seminar, but you
should use your own words as far as

It is thought that stress during the exams can prevent students to achieve the
better qualifications, but what is better supporting teachers or a well-organised
studying plan?
Probably quite often a few of useful advices can play an important part in the
students orientation to pass the exams. At this respect, a positive outlook of life
is required to understand that succeeding in exams is not the only goal of their
learning, but merely an academic routine. Furthermore, a positive attitude to
studying would be influential to overcome that possible common fear to fail at
these ages and, what is more, it could be necessary also to obtain an open their
horizons in order to face their future careers.
On the other hand, and in connection with the idea of achieving their goals, it is
felt necessary to maintain certain degree of self-discipline when studying.
 However, most of students at those ages tend to fatigue themselves studying
without rest the day before of taking their exam. Therefore, it is necessary for
students to understand that doing so the day before would be useless if they
have not open the textbook during the whole course or even if they use to left
undone their school tasks. At this respect, a well-organised timetable with
theoretical and specific training to obtain the better qualifications is required.
Having in account the above arguments, I would suggest that following a well-
structured plan is essential to achieve their objectives as well as to get the
appropriate habit of doing their homework.
#-9
Your class has participated in a discussion on the following proposition: technological progress
makes us live faster, but it also means we have less time for the important things in life, such
as relationships. You have made the notes below.
Some areas to cover
entertainment/ leisure time
working life /studying
health
Some opinions expressed during the discussion:
''Technology allows us to communicate with more people.'
'Our great-grandparents could not have imagined the opportunities open to us today.'
'In the past, large amounts of time were spent on chores.
Write an essay on the proposition above. Discuss two of the areas in your notes, expressing
your own opinions and giving reasons to support them. You may, if you wish, make use of the
opinions expressed during the discussion, but you should use your own words as far as
possible.
It is felt that our lives are fastened by the using of new technologies, however social
relationships in general are lessened so it is required on our part an effective distribution
of time. But, what is better: using it only for entertainment or for working?
Probably, entertaining and social relationships would be the better use of the internet, or
at least it has been its genuine purpose since its creation. Thereby, thanks to online
chats, making friends not only within our city, but also all around the world is nowadays
possible just clicking the mouse. Furthermore, the majority of the offered jobs can be
found in social networks such as, for example Facebook, so we would have new chances
of careers not seen before whereas chatting.
On the other hand and in connection with this last idea, the Internet would useful
enough to work from home, where we only need a laptop and a Wi-Fi connection.
Therefore, if companies engage their employees in telecommuting, it would be possible
to increase significantly their incomings, bringing about at the same time some benefits
for the stuff, such as free time both for relaxing and having social relationships either by
means of chats or in the real life, even at the cost of being always located by our bosses
through the GPS.
All in all, I believe that using the Internet to work is the better choice, due to it will allow
us living at our own pace as well as maintaining a balance between our employment
and socialisation.

REPORTS
Reports for CAE are similar in extension, vocabulary, areas/subjects of action and formal style
(same features: impersonal and passive forms, grammar resources, etc) to essays, and we
should follow the same given indications, but it has its own characteristics as we are seeing
now.
 Main objective: to resume, summary, outline, describe, inform, highlight, comment, reflect
or other (the verb is given by the statement) a series of problems that can be given at a
certain area/s (work, school, environment or other) and suggest different methods or
measures to solve it (it can be exactly the opposed to an essay).
Appearance: title (Report on...), four headings (one for each given point plus two
fixed ones for Introduction and Recommendations) and optional bulleting
points (enumeration of events, for example).
Mechanics of reasoning in reports: we need to gather in each point the diverse factors that
affect to a certain area, discussing and making comparison between them that lead us to a
series of positive and negative consequences or effects. The discussion follows a parallel
sequence (something leads to another that has a concrete effect, for example).
Recommendations: we suggest a series of measures to solve the given problem, using
bullet points, for example. Therefore, we need to observe here similar targets on the
optimization of work, studies, production, environment or other, as we have seen in the
essay previously. We justify our measures by supporting it with both positive
effects/consequences finally derived from the two given points.
REPORT #1: LEARNING LANGUAGES
A leading educational publisher is interested in language learning in different countries. You
have been asked to write a report on foreign language learning in your country. In your report
you should deal with
the languages people learn, who learns them and where they learn them
recommendations for improving language learning in your country.
Write your report.
FOREIGN LANGUAGE LEARNING IN MY COUNTRY
Introduction
The aim of this report is to comment on the languages that are learnt by people in my country,
to indicate who learn them and the places where they are learnt, and to recommend possible
changes that could be made to improve their learning.
Language learners
New foreign languages, such as English, French and German are required in our current
globalised society and the increasing use of the Internet. Thereby, new language learners with
different ages and needs come into play searching for a better promotion in their studies or
jobs, respectively, although there is a lack of specific training courses. These new learners can
be interested in studying or working abroad, so they need different types of languages
certifications to these purposes.
Places to learn languages
These new languages can be learnt at school or well in the workplaces by means of qualified
courses, although the language academies are the most frequent places. On the other hand, a
great number of people decide to learn them by their own, finding then available a great
number of multimedia CDs, digital dictionaries, podcasts and websites to learn at home. What
is more, the most important publishers put at their disposal diverse graded courses to obtain
their certifications online.
Recommendations
I would recommend that the government should subsidise the learning by means of the new
technologies so as the internet in general. This would have the effect of allowing more specific
training courses while at the same time it would allow the promotion of the individual learning.
REPORT #2: WORK ENVIRONMENT
The international organisation where you work has a sum of money available for making
improvements to the work environment in your office to make it more productive. You have
been asked to write a report for your manager in which you:
outline the problems with your work environment
summarise the improvements you and your colleagues suggested
recommend two changes.
Write your report. Write between 220 and 260 words.
Report on workplace improvements
Introduction
The aim of this report is to outline the deficiencies that may be given in the workplace with
the purpose of increasing the productivity, to summarise the possible enhancements and
to suggest two significant changes in it.
The workplace
To date, a number of problems is suffered in the office environment. Firstly, the technological
equipment is seriously outdated, so the new laser printers does not match with them, being
impossible the printing and correction of documents in paper. As consequence, workers are
required to make their printings in a shop near the office building, losing a great deal of money
and time of work. Finally, the seats are often less than satisfactory in relation to comfort and
stability, so they end up suffering of painful backaches.
Possible enhancements
The aspects covered earlier suggest that the first measure that should be taken
probably would be to replace the old computers by new ones that allow our staff to edit their
materials at the office. Thereby, saving time and money our company would increase its
production and our workers would have at their disposal more time to design new approaches
that make it also more competitive. At the same time, ergonomic chairs would be of great
help to mitigate the tensions generated by long hours in front of the monitors.
Recommendations
To conclude, I strongly recommend replacing the old printers by new ones as well the chairs.
Both changes will produce an increment in productivity whereas they promote a better and
relaxed work environment.
REPORT 3: TRAINING PRACTICES
You have been working in an international hotel chain for a month as part of a work experience
programme. The training manager has asked you to write a report in which you
describe the tasks and activities you participated in
explain any problems with the programme
make recommendations for two improvements for future programmes.
Write your report. Write between 220 and 260 words.
Report on working experience programme at hotels
Introduction
The main aim of this report is to describe the tasks and activities realised in the training
programme at the Excelsior Hotel, to explain the possible difficulties found out in it and to
make some suggestions in order of its improvement.
Tasks and activities
A series of tasks and activities have been realised in this training programme. During the first
weeks, the administration system where shown to internships with the intention of being
familiarised with it. Then, in the following weeks, the applicants began to deal with telephone
attendance and accounting by their own, making reservations and providing clients with the
required information.
Problems
The aspects covered earlier suggest that the first difficulty that is found out could be that the
period of learning is felt as insufficient, due to the great amount of data to be dealt with by the
trainees. In second term, it is thought also that the new applicants must to attend alone the
telephone assistance as well as the booking of rooms, without being supported by a figure of
authority in the company, which leads frequently to suffer the reclamations of certain clients
because of their lack of experience.
Recommendations
To conclude, I strongly recommend that the training period will be longer as well as it could be
monitored by a tutor at any moment. Both improvements would result in a better training of
the students at the same time it will reduce the possible complaints of clients during the
learning period.
REPORT 4: STUDENTS FACILITIES
A committee is looking into ways of improving facilities in your place of study. The committee
chairperson has asked you to write a report on the current situation and make suggestions for
improvements. Address the interests of these three groups of people:
students
staff members: teachers and administrative staff
visitors: prospective future students and others.
Write your report in 220-260 words.
Report on improving college facilities
Introduction
The aim of this report is to suggest ways in which college facilities could be improved for
students, staff and visitors.
Computers
The need of increasing provision of technological equipment has been commented on both
students and staff. The former would welcome more study areas equipped with computers,
whereas the last ones felt strongly that they would also be able to work more efficiently if they
had their own software.
The canteen
The cost of food in the canteen is felt unnecessarily high by the staff, who recommended a
reduction, and although students did not mention price, they would appreciate a wider choice
of food.
Parking facilities
Dissatisfaction with car parking facilities was expressed by staff and visitors. Ones would like
reserved spaces away from other parking areas, while the others would be grateful for extra
spaces to be made available to them, especially on certain weekday mornings. In this sense,
space key such as, for example, the main reception, would appeal to visitors to be more clearly
signposted from parking areas.
Sports facilities
Enlarging the gym and other sports facilities have been suggested by students in order to take
account of the increase in student numbers in recent years.
Recommendations
All in all, I strongly recommend implementing all the suggestions listed above with the
exception of providing more car parking spaces, due to it is clear from past experience that
demand for parking is never satisfied. Therefore, I would suggest urging drivers to make
alternative travel arrangements instead.
REPORT 5: PROMOTING A LANGUAGE SCHOOL
Numbers of foreign students attending a language school in your town have been falling
recently and a governors' committee has been established to increase future numbers. The
school principal has asked you to write a report for this committee on the current situation and
to recommend how more students could be attracted to the school. Your report should address
the following:
what attracts foreigners to your town
new teaching methods and facilities that could be offered
how leisure facilities and opportunities for socialising could be improved.
Write your report in 220-260 words.
Report on attracting more foreign students to our language school
Introduction
The aim of this report is to recommend ways in which more foreign students could be attracted
to this language school in the next years.
Spanish culture
It is felt that our national cultural heritage is in itself a great reclaim to people from all over the
world. In this sense, new courses specialised in traditional dances, local painters and
monuments would be organised either by the teachers by means of scheduled tours to folkloric
dance halls, art galleries and the most emblematic buildings with the purpose to increase its
insight.
The school website
Social networks, namely Facebook or Twitter, could help to increase positively the schools
reputation. The profile on the Internet of this school should be opened to their potential
applicants, offering them the possibility of downloading from our website information about the
centre itself, the subjects of the course and how knowledgeable our teachers are.
Improving socialisation
Making friends at the school language is a powerful bound that we would not ignore. To this
purpose, the organisation of open days and welcome to the new students, as well as parties
and leisure or sports activities from the UK, such as rugby, would be of tremendous help.
Conclusion and recommendations
All in all, I strongly recommend implementing all the suggestions listed above, especially those
ones related to the promotion of both courses and teachers on the Internet, due to it will
contribute definitely to launch the schools corporative image internationally.

Proposals
Reports and proposals are quite similar in style and form, although whereas reports suggest
recommendations to solve problems, a proposal suggests a measure, personal choice or other
and justifies it along a series of four fixed points, offering finally a series of conclusions
(advantages) by means of strongly confident verbs (would, will, could) rather than tentative
ones (perhaps).
Appearance: title, introduction, background, point 1, point 2, conclusions.
Avoid common words, using other more relevant (appeal to, fascinating, outstanding, many,
etc).
We can use : instead of for example or other to save words.
General plan: title / introduction/ background/ point 1/ point 2/ Conclusion.
In the background part (optional), we consign the topic starting point: characteristics
of the designed place, person, its needs, etc.
In the conclusions, we reformulate the positive arguments exhibited to back our
choice and how it could act positively in the area, people, etc.

1-
You see this notice on the website for your town or city council.
The Council is planning to honour a local hero connected with our area. The local hero can be
someone well known or an ordinary citizen. He/She could be still living or could be someone
from history. Residents are invited to send in proposals identifying a deserving person, giving
reasons for their choice and suggesting a suitable way in which this hero should be honoured.
Write your proposal in 220-260 words

THE AMY LAUNDRYS REFUGEE FOR ABANDONED ANIMALS

Introduction
The aim of this proposal is to design the person of Amy Laundry as deserving to be our local
hero for this year, to support this choice and to suggest ways to honour her.
Amy Laundry
If a person should be chosen as a hero in Springfield, she would be undoubtedly our beloved
neighbour Amy Laundry. This school teacher of 59 years old has devoted great part of her life in
this village to save abandoned pets for free. As soon as it was noticed the increasing number of
forsaken puppies in the street, Amy decided to take part in the adoption of these animals
founding a refugee at her home. To date, she has picked up more than a hundred abandoned
dogs and cats.
Reasons
It is an unquestionable fact that the labour of outstanding help not only for the well-being of
those animals, but also to the community, whose Town Hall saves amounts of money in
subsidising this absolutely independent activity. It goes without saying that wandering animals
represent sometimes a problem for the town, above all when they are hungry and starve or can
be affected by diverse types of sickness, such as rabid or fleas. Therefore, her uninterested
actions have contributed to create a healthier environment.
Conclusion
All in all, I believe that giving her name to a public animal refuge as well as a commemorative
plate there would serve both to attend more animals and giving to know her vivid model to the
future generations.
2-
A television station is planning a series of documentary: programmes about life in your
region and is inviting proposals from interested members of the public. The series producer
invites you to send a proposal outlining ideas for some of these programmes, which
should be of interest to general audiences as well to people who live in the region. You should
give reasons for your suggestions and say why you believe people, unfamiliar with the region
would find the programmes interesting.
PEOPLE IN JACKSONVILLE
Introduction
The aim of this proposal is to suggest ideas for a reality TV series about living in this region
which could be of interest not only to their inhabitants, but also for the audience in general, so I
suggest that some episodes could focus in the daily life starting from the personal point of view
of their locals.
Families and works
The first programmes could verse about the most well-known families of this part of the
country, such as the Hollands and the Willcox, which are mainly devoted to the wood market
and the carbon selling respectively. Therefore, the participants might be able to meet them and
overcome different trials of their everyday life either working hard in their sawmill, say,
constructing furniture or a great cross for the town temple or well extracting minerals from the
mine.
The forest
On the other hand, we cannot ignore how youngsters in this town spend their days-off
practising outstanding survival games in the woods, for example, playing paintball. In this
sense, a team of participants could be trained to survive in these harmful forests, namely,
learning to identify the sounds of diverse animals, making fire, fishing or hunting minor pieces,
such as rabbits or squirrels.
Conclusion
In my opinion, these programme proposals would be of great interest to people outside as well
as those who live here, due to they will learn not also to appreciate the natural wealth of the
area, but also diverse techniques and ways to work with materials and survive in the forest.
3
A national TV channel is planning a series of documentary programmes about unusual
hobbies and is looking for people and their hobbies to feature in the programmes. The series
producer invites you to send a proposal outlining ideas for two of these programmes,
which should be aimed at general audiences rather than other people doing these hobbies.
Your proposal should suggest hobbies of different types and give reasons why you think they
would make successful TV programmes. Write your proposal.

Strange hobbies for the Channel 5 series

Introduction
The aim of this proposal is to suggest different unusual hobbies and to support it in order to
make succeed your TV programmes.
Toy voyaging worldwide
The basis of this unusual leisure is to send toys off on a potentially world-wide adventure by
means of the website toyvoyagers.com, being possible to choose a temporary home for them
and even to write them or send and receive pictures from them. Thanks to this hobby, the
audience will learn more about the costumes and the more relevant places in each countries
which have been visited by the toys.
Crafts in Taiwan
In East Asia, we can find also tattooing race cars, another strange leisure which consists of
tattooing words from Buddhist texts onto automobiles as a familiar tradition. Thereby, audience
will learn not more about the religion of Buda, but also the secrets for being a real speed race
champion. Finally, soap carving is another peculiar job practiced at night markets there. As a
hobby, soap-carving is viewed very highly and people often sell their creations as souvenirs (we
can always consider the advices of diverse masters in this millenary art).
Conclusion
In my opinion, these programme proposals would be of interest not only to people practise
them, but also to general audience, due to the former will learn new techniques to improve
their practice whereas the last would increase their general culture and knowledge, which is
one of the most important functions of any TV programme.

REVIEWS
A review can be considered as a hybrid genre between the report and the article. We need to
suggest and recommend a film, a book, a dinner in a restaurant or visit a gallery of art, for
example. To this purpose, it is previously necessary to highlight its weak and strong points,
make comparisons between different places or similar products. Furthermore, a persuasive
language is also required. Apart from the standard number of words for CAE, the genre has its
own features:
Title (compulsory) and headings/bulletin points (optional): introduction, background
(plot), point 1 (characters, for example), point 2 (places) and recommendations, although
these headings are optional.
Main objective: suggest either a cultural or leisure product (film, novels and books in
general, a music CD, TV series, a restaurant, art galleries, a videogame, a travel or
holidays, clothes and fashion shops) or well a comparison between them (a trilogy of books
or films, a singers repertoire, paintings, hotels, restaurants, shops, etc) to assure its selling.
To this purpose, we use a persuasive language and an active semi-formal form.
We need to attract the attention and interest of the potential client/consumer, so
we use a series of linguistic resources at our disposal: interrogations, exclamations,
punctuation signs, phrasal verbs, idioms, fixed phrases, reiterations, enumerations,
substitutions, ellipsis, inversions, conditionals, participles, gerunds, comparisons,
contrasting, suggesting, slogans, sayings, quotation, proverbs, jokes, irony, sense of
humour... In this sense, this is the richest of the proposed genres for the CAE tests.