FCE All Types of Writing

FCE PAPER 2 - W RITING
Part 1 - Essay
AN ESSAY is always written for the teacher. It should answer the question given by addressing
both content points and providing a new content point of the writers own.
The essay 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 to argue only one point of view (i.e. either agreeing or disagreeing on a
topic) as long as you bear in mind the other point of view and back up your points, it is
probably easier to have a balanced discussion comparing advantages and disadvantages, or
ideas for and against a topic.
Read the rubric, essay question and prompts very carefully in order to understand
what you are expected to do. This is vital!
It is important to keep the focus of the topic question and that all your ideas and
opinions are relevant to the question.
Support your opinions with reasons and examples.
Think of a third idea of your own in addition to the two given prompts. If any of the
three essay prompts is missed out, then the target reader will not be fully informed
and the candidate will be penalised.
Ideas need to be expressed in a clear an logical way, and should be well organised and
coherent. It is advisable to use up to 5 paragraphs:
1. Introduction
2. Prompt 1 development + reason(s)/example(s)
5. Conclusion (you may include your opinion here)
Varying the length of the sentences, using direct and indirect questions and using a
variety of structures and vocabulary may all help to communicate ideas more
effectively.
The correct use of linking words and phrases (e.g. but, so, however, on the other
hand, etc.) and the appropriate use of cohesive devices (e.g. using pronouns for
referencing) is especially important in essays.
1
Hints
PLANNING
Use the task input to help you plan but try to avoid copying phrases from the input in
Part 1. Use your own words.
[INTRODUCTION] and [CONCLUSION]
Effective introductory and concluding paragraphs - In the introduction, state the topic
clearly, give a brief outline of the issue, saying why it is important or why people have
different opinions about it.
DO NOT express your opinion at the beginning of your essay (develop you essay in
such a way that it guides the reader to the conclusion you draw).
DO give your opinion in the final paragraph.
[SECOND and THIRD PARAGRAPHS]
Structure your argument. Each new paragraph has one main idea, stated in a topic
sentence.
Include relevant details to support the main idea: these might include examples,
rhetorical questions (do no overdo it), controversial or surprising statements... If you
include a drawback, give a possible solution, too.
GENERAL
DO use a relatively formal register and an objective tone. Do not be too emotional.
Remember to use linking adverbials to organise your ideas and to make it easy for the
reader to follow your argument.
In the exam, allow yourself time to check your grammar, spelling and punctuation
thoroughly.
2
Linking words and phrases
Present your ideas clearly.

Use connectors to link your ideas.
Make sure you know how to use connectors appropriately (register, punctuation...). If you have any
doubts, you should use a good dictionary to check.
To express personal opinions

In my opinion, I believe (that) / I feel (that) / it seems to me / in my view /as I see it
I think / personally
To show purpose
to / in order to / so as to / so that
To list ideas
Firstly / secondly / finally / In the first place / Lastly
To contrast ideas
However / although / in contrast / whereas / but / nevertheless / in spite of / despite
To describe a cause
Because / since / as / due to
To show a sequence
First of all / then / after that / eventually / in the end / finally
To add information
In addition / moreover / what is more / besides / too / furthermore / and
To describe a consequence
Consequently / as a result / therefore / so / thus / for this reason / that is why
To conclude the topic

In conclusion / to sum up / in short / all in all
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FCE PAPER 2 - W RITING M ODEL QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
ESSAY 1 - MODEL QUESTION
TASK
In your English class, you have been talking about the subject of cultural heritage. Now your English
teacher has asked you to write an essay.
Write an essay using all the notes and give reasons for your point of view.
Is is a good thing that countries spend a lot of money on their heritage?
Notes
Write about:
1. preserving the past
2. investing in the future
3. ________ (your own idea)
Write your essay in 140-190 words in an appropriate style.
ESSAY 1 - MODEL ANSWER
Most countries spend large sums of money protecting their national heritage. However, there is strong
argument that we should look forwards and not backwards, spending less money on preserving the past
and more on securing our future.
On the one hand, it is important that we remember our heritage. Once it is lost, it is lost forever. Caring
for important monuments helps with this. It also attracts tourists, which has an economic benefit for
everyone.
On the other hand, governments spend a lot of money on museums and keeping historic sites in good
condition when poor people need houses to live in and businesses need better roads for transporting
their goods.
Another argument is that by making heritage sites attractive for tourists -for example, by putting on
entertainment - we give a very untrue picture of the past and sometimes damage the local environment.
To conclude, while there are strong arguments for not spending too much on preserving the past, I
believe it is important to protect the most famous sites for the future generations but it is not realistic to
try and save everything. We need to invest in the future too.
(+/- 190 words)
4
TASK
In your English class, you have recently had a discussion about science and young people. Now your
English teacher has asked you to write an essay.
Science is very important in the 21st century. How do you think it could be made more appealing to
young people?
Notes
Write about:
1. television programmes
2. interactive museums
Although young people love gadgets and technology, some see science as uninteresting and 'uncool'. Over
time, the number of young people, particularly girls, pursuing science and technology studies and careers
has dropped.
One way in which science could be made more attractive would be to have lively television programmes
presented by celebrities, with subjects which were relevant to the experience of the young. We live in a
celebrity culture and children identify with well-known young people.
Another idea would be to set up interactive science museums in every town, where parents could take
their children. It is much better to teach children the principles of science through hands-on
experiments than to lecture them in a classroom.
Of course, there would be more incentives if the average scientit were better paid and young people
were made aware of the range of jobs available. A lot of people are put off a scientific career because
they think it means working in a badly paid job in a boring laboratory.
Whichever way we choose, it is vital that more young people are attracted to science, since society's
prosperity depends largely on continuous scientific progress.
(+/- 190 words)
5
TASK
In your English class, you have recently had a discussion about relationships. Now your teacher has asked
you to write an essay.
Is it better to live alone or with someone else?
Notes
Write about:
1. Independence
2. Money
Nowadays more people are deciding to live by themselves. Some people claim this is more enjoyable and
in young people it develops a sense of responsibility, whereas others disagree.
The main advantage of living alone is that there is nobody to tell you what to do, so you can live your life
in your own way. What is more, you can organise or decorate your house as you want. There is no one
else to disagree with.
On the other hand, it can be quite lonely for some people. By nature, we are social animals. Secondly, it is
more expensive because you have to pay all the rent and bills yourself, so you have less money to enjoy
yourself. Last but not least, it can be quite hard to find a nice flat for one person, so you might not be
able to live in the best area.
To sum up, there are strong arguments on both sides. In conclusion, I believe that living alone is better
for older people who have more money and like privacy but not for young people who need to share the
costs.
(+/- 180 words)
6
TASK
In your English class you have been talking about happiness. Now your English teacher has asked you to
write an essay.
Whether you are happy or not depends on the personality you are born with. Do you agree?
Notes
Write about:
1. Money
2. Health
Some people claim they are naturally cheerful. However, in my view, how we lead our lives is the main
reason we are either happy or unhappy.
Take money, for example. Money doesn't automatically make us happy. In fact, it makes some people
very unhappy because they are frightened of losing what they've got. On the other hand, if we're not
greedy and don't spend it foolishly, it can reduce stress and give us security.
Then consider health. If we eat badly, get too little sleep and don't exercise, our health will decline and
make us miserable. Eating well and going for lovely long walks in the countryside can make us feel
better generally.
The third thing I think is important is to have a positive outlook on life. We should all enluy things like
music and being with our friends. At the same time, it's important to spend time alone and live as simply
as possible, which is not easy in the 21st century!
All these make a big difference to our happiness, no matter what our natural temperament.
(+/- 170 words)
7
Part 2 - Article
AN ARTICLE is usually written for an English-language magazine or newsletter, and the reader is assumed to
have similar interests to the writer. The main purpose is to inform, interest and engage the reader, so there
should be some opinion or comment.
Hints
Add a short title to catch the reader's attention. Make sure it is relevant. You can use the one in the
question or invent one of your own.
Introduce the topic. Although you don't know the readers personally, you can address them directly
and ask them a rhetorical question. It helps to involve them.
Divide your report into sections according to the input. One or two paragraphs will do.
Develop the ideas in the task input. Remember .
o Use a personal or more neutral style, but not formal (you might use contractions).
o It is important that you show a range of structures.
o Give examples where appropriate to bring your article to life
o Use humour where appropriate.
Give a conclusion and summary in the last paragraph.
Useful language for an article
Involving the reader

Just imagine... What would live be like if...
Have you ever...? ...
How would you feel if ...?
Are you one of those people who ...?
If the answer is ..., you should....
Making the article lively and interesting
I was absolutely terrified when I realised... The tent was worryingly small for three
More importantly, it was something I... people!
Not surprisingly, it's a good way of raising It was the most amazing experience I
money. have ever had.
...
Developing your points

Let's start with ... On top of that, ...
Another advantage of ... ...
Giving your own opinion

I think that / In my opinion ... To my mind...
It seems to me that ... ...
If you ask me, ...
1
ARTICLE 1 - MODEL QUESTION
TASK
You see this announcement on an English-language website.
Articles wanted
A charity event to remember

What is the most unusual way you've raised money for charity? How did you do it? What did you have to do? Was the
event a success? Would you do it again?
Write us an article answering these questions. We will publish the best articles on our website.
Write your article in 140-190 words in an appropriate style.
ARTICLE 1 - MODEL ANSWER
A charity event to remember
So why did I decide to do a 90-km walk in six days along the Great Wall of China? Well, the reason was that our local
children's hospital needed to raise money or it would be close. However, I didn't realise how big a challenge it would be.
Before I went, I thought that I would be walking along a flat surface but when I saw the Great Wall, my heart sank. Part
of the time we would be trekking up hundreds of high steps and, worryingly, some of the paths had steep falls on
either side and there was nowhere to go because we were surrounded by mountains and forests. However, after a while,
I started to love the experience. I was in one of the most amazing places on earth and the views were incredible.
In the end, the adventure was a great success. The hospital was delighted because a group of us managed to raise
several thousand pounds.
Would I be keen to help the hospital again next year? Yes, but I think I'll try and find an easier challenge next time!
[+/- 190 words]
2
TASK
You see this announcement in an international magazine.
Articles wanted
Life on a desert island

Imagine you were on a desert island. What important object, person or place in your life would you miss most? What
would be the reasons?
Write us an article answering these questions. We will publish the best articles in the magazine.
Life on a desert island
How would you feel about living on a desert island? I can't imagine anything worse! I'd miss a lot of things but most of all,
I would miss my home.
My home is a small house on the outskirts of a city. It was built about 50 years ago and has a small garden. In the
summer, our country gets very hot but our house is always cool. You'd probably think our house is nothing special, but I
have lived there all my life and all my friends live nearby. It's a happy place, where I feel completely safe. Whenever I go
away, I look forward to coming back, lying on my bed, reading a book and listening to my brother and sister arguing
downstairs!
I love travelling and meeting new people, but if I were on a desert island, I'd be away from the place I love most: my
home; and I would hate that.
[+/- 160 words]
3
TASK
You see this announcement in an international magazine.
Articles wanted
Lucky winners
What would you do if you won a large sume of money. How would your life change?
Write us an article answering these questions. Give reasons.

We will publish the best articles next month.
Don't throw it all away!
Have you ever dreamt of becoming rich unexpectedly? Just imagine what your life would be like! However, some people
who get rich quickly are very careless with their money and end up being poorer than they were before.
That's why I'd be very careful. I wouldn't want a completely different kind of life, so I'd start by putting some of it away,
in case everything went wrong - set up a kind of "emergency fund". Then I would buy my hard-working parents a new
home. They deserve it because they have always provided me with everything I've always wanted, even if it meant they
had to go without. I would also give some money away to needy people who are struggling in the world and have no food.
It would not be right to just spend the money on myself. Then I think I would take a year off from studying and travel
round the world in great comfort. I've spent most of my live travelling on a limited budget and sleeping in hostels.
After that, who knows? I'll see, but I certainly won't be buying any luxury cars!
[+/- 190 words]
4
Part 2 - Informal letter or email
An informal letter or email is usually between people who know each other fairly well. In addition to giving
news, they are often used to request information, congratulate people, give advice and ask questions. There
are a lot of similarities between informal letters and conversation. Informal letters ask a lot of questions,
show interest and enthusiasm, and imagine a lot of shared information.
In many exam questions, you will be told what to include in your reply. Make sure that your reply answers
any questions that you were asked in the task and takes into account any additional information that you
have been told to mention. It is important that you include these in order to get a good grade.
How to write informal letters or emails
Salutation or Greeting
Start with Dear followed by the first name of the person to whom you are writing. In emails, you can
also start with Hi (and the person's name). Dear Ben, or Hi Ben,
(Don't forget to use only the first name of the person you are writing to and not Dear Mr John, which
is never used, or Dear Mr John Brown, which sounds too formal.)
Informal letters sometimes have a comma after the person's name, and the letter starts on the line
below. The important thing is to be consistent with the style that you choose to use (so if you use a
comma after the person's name at the start of the letter, use a comma after the closing statement at
the end).
Body
Openings
When writing an informal letter, you are usually replying to another letter. You would normally start with a
greeting, then acknowledge the letter to which you are replying. It is often a good idea to acknowledge
some key information given in the original letter too. You can also make a comment on your own reply.
Useful phrases for the opening
How are you? / How have the family been? / I hope you are well.
Thank you / Many thanks for your (recent/last) letter / postcard.
It was good / nice / great to hear from you again.
I was so surprised to hear that...
Im sorry I havent written / haven't been in touch for such a long time.
Its ages since Ive heard from you. I hope you're well / you and your family are well.
How are things? / How are you? / Hows it going?
1
Other useful phrases
Referring to news / giving news
Great news about Glad to hear that Sorry to hear about

Listen, did I tell you about ? Youll never believe what
Oh, and another thing This is just to let you know that
I thought you might be interested to hear about / know that
By the way, have you heard about / did you know that ?
Apologies
Im writing to apologise for missing your party but Im afraid I was with flu.
Im really sorry that I forgot to send you a birthday card but I was busy with my new job.
Invitations
Im / Were having a party on Friday 19th and I / we hope youll be able to come.
Would you like to come / go to see Room With a View with me at the weekend?
I was wondering if youd like to go to the theatre / come on holiday with us.
Could you let me / us know if you can come / youd like to join us?
Thank you very much for your invitation. Id love to come.
Thank you for asking / inviting me to but Im afraid I wont be able to
Requests
Im writing to ask for your help / you (if you could do me) a favour.
I wonder if / I was wondering if you could help me / do me a favour.
I hope you dont mind me asking but could you (possibly) ?
Id be very / really / terribly grateful if you could
Thank you / Congratulations / Good Luck
Im writing to thank you for your hospitality / the wonderful present.

It was so kind of you to invite me to stay with you.
I really appreciated all your help / advice.
Congratulations on passing your exams / your excellent exam results!

I wish you good luck / Good luck in / with your exams / your driving test / your interview.
Dont worry, Im sure youll do well / pass.

Do be on time, wont you, and dont forget to
2
Making suggestions and recommendations
Why dont you ? / Maybe you could ? / How about ?

You cant leave New York without (...doing sth)
Im sure you will enjoy (...doing sth). If you like, we can
Do visit ... / Dont forget to ...
Closing
The end of your letter is as important as the beginning. There are some standard ways of finishing an
informal letter or email.
Give a reason why you're ending the letter: Anyway, I must go and get on with my work! / I guess
it's time I got on with that studying I've been avoiding.
Send greetings and/or make reference for future contact: Give my love / regards to... / Say hello
to... / Anyway, don't forget to let me know the dates of the party. / I'll try and phone you at the
weekend to check the times. / We must try and meet up soon. / I can't wait to hear from you / Look
forward to seeing you again / Hope to hear from you soon / See you soon / Write soon
Closing statement such as Love, Lots of love, All the best, Take care, Best wishes, should be
written on a new line. If you used a comma after the opening greeting, use a comma here too.
Signing off: Your first name then follows on another new line.
OTHER THINGS TO CONSIDER
Range: It is important that you use grammatical expressions and vocabulary appropriate to the level of the
exam. Even if there are no mistakes in your writing, you will not be able to get a good grade if you use only
the language and vocabulary that you learnt at elementary level. Even in informal writing, there is a good
range of language you can use (conditional sentences, a range of perfect and continuous tenses, indirect
questions...)
Informal language, including phrasal verbs, informal vocabulary ("I guess you loved the pics"), contractions,
question tags.
Simpler sentence structure: Ill be late for the party. Its because of my French exam.
Connectors: All good writing makes good use of connectors. However, many of the connectors you have
learnt for other styles of writing are inappropriate in an informal letter or email. For informal writing, you
need to use some of the connectors that are more specific to spoken language:
3
To introduce a topic: Well, you'll never guess who I bumped into yesterday. / I know how much you
love tennis, so I've got us some tickets to Wimbledon. / By the way, did you know that John's got a
new job?
To go back to a previous topic: Anyway, as I was saying earlier, I really wasn't very happy there.
/ Now where was I? Oh yes, I nearly forgot, Mary asked me tell you about the cinema.
To introduce surprising or bad news: Actually, he came to the party after all. / I'm really sorry but I
can't make it. / To tell you the truth, I don't really like sports much.
To summarise what you've already said: Anyway, we had a really nice time in the end. / Well, to cut
a long story short, we didn't get there on time.
4
INFORMAL EMAIL/LETTER 1 - MODEL QUESTION
TASK
You have received this email from an English-speaking boy called Simon.
Hello,
I would like to get to know someone from your country and a friend has told me that you would like to practise your
English. Perhaps we could email each other. Could you tell me a bit about yourself and your family? Could you suggest
how we might meet sometime in the future?
Thanks,
Simon
Write your email in 140-190 words in an appropriate style.
INFORMAL EMAIL/LETTER 1 - MODEL ANSWER
Hello Simon,
I'm glad you're interested in my country. As your friend said, I'd like us to email each other to help me improve your
English.
Let me start by telling you a bit about myself and my family. My name's Ivo and I live in Kutna Hora, which is about 45
minutes from Prague by car. I used to work for a medical company but now I'm learning to be a salesperson. In the
future I want a job where I can travel for my work. I've already been to a few places in Europe but I've never been to an
English-speaking country.
I live at home with my parents, which is convenient, as I don't have to do much housework and my meals are cooked
for me. My younger brother is studying at university. Although he is four years younger than me, we get on quite well.
We both enjoy snowboarding and music.
What about you? Have you ever been to the Czech Republic? It would be great if you could come over one day and we
could fix up a meeting. Why don't you let me know your plans?
Anyway, I must go and get on with my work! Looking forward to hearing from you soon.
Best wishes,
Ivo
[+/- 190 words]
5
INFORMAL EMAIL/LETTER 2 - MODEL QUESTION
TASK
You have received this email from your English-speaking friend, Jean.
I hear you organised a surprise birthday party for your mother. I'd love to hear about it. What kind of party did you
organise? Who did you invite? How did it go? Do tell me.
Love,
Jean
Note: The following model answer includes some notes to help
INFORMAL EMAIL/LETTER 1 - MODEL ANSWER
Open with an informal greeting / Start your reply by referring to the sender's email/letter.
Hi Jean,
Good to hear form you again. I hope you're still enjoying your job.
Give reason for replying

I'm glad you asked me about the party I planned for my mother's birthday. Well, I have to say it was a fantastic success.
I told my mother we were taking her out for a quiet meal at a local restaurant with just the family, but in fact I'd hired(1)
a large room in a hotel and invited all her old friends!(2)
Start a new paragraph as the topic has changed slightly. Use an informal linking word/phrase
Anyway, I picked my mother up and told her I'd changed my mind. We were going to have a meal in a hotel. You should
have seen her face when she walked into the room and everyone cheered! She just couldn't believe it and burst into
tear(3). Then the party got going and it didn't finish until four in the morning. We were absolutely exhausted, but my
mother had had a wonderful time.
When you close, make an excuse to finish.

(1) Use contractions
Must dash now - I've got to go to college. Hope to hear from you (4).
(2) Use some exclamation marks (but not too many)
to express emotion.
Make sure you finish with an informal phrase
(3) Use a range of appropriate vocabulary and
Love,
informal expressions
(4) Short sentences are acceptable
Tania
(+/- 150 words)
6
SEMI-FORMAL EMAIL/LETTER 3 - MODEL QUESTION
TASK
Your recently helped organise a college ski trip and you have received this email from a parent of one of the students
who went.
I understand you were one of the organisers of our son's ski trip. I have to say my husband and I were extremely
dissatisfied with the arrangements. My son has informed us that the ski slopes were poor, the lessons were fewer than
promised and the accommodation was inadequate.
Can you please give us a satisfactory explanation?
Yours sincerely,
Nora White
Note: As you are writing to a parent the register of this letter should be semi-formal, which is characterized by:
The use of less colloquial language - e.g. Thank you very much for your letter (instead of: Thanks a million for your letter.)
Less frequent use of short forms, phrasal verbs and idioms - e.g. I am writing to request information about... (instead of: I
thought I'd drop you a line to ask about...)
A polite, respectful tone - e.g. I was wondering if you had ... (instead of: Do you have...)
SEMI-FORMAL EMAIL/LETTER 3 - MODEL ANSWER
Dear Mrs White,
First, let me apologize for any disappointment your son experienced on our ski trip. It is true that there were several
concerns. Since we had been led to believe by the company that there would be sufficiente slopes for both beginners
and advanced skiers, we were extremely upset when this turned out not to be the case. It was also unfortunate that lack
of snow meant that artificial snow had to be used instead.
As for the question of lessons, if you look at the letter we sent you, you will see that only five one-hour ski-lessons were
included in the price and that extra hours would have to be paid separately.l
In relation to accommodation, I am not quite sure what you are referring to. I know that in one room there were not
enough beds but this was not the case in your son's room.
We would like to assure you that we take all complaints seriously. We have already decided that next year we will change
the company and the location for our trip and we hop that your son will consider joining us again.
Yours sincerely,
Waylon Smithers [+/- 190 words]
7
Part 2 - Formal letter or email
Formal letters may be written to an individual or to an organisation. The purpose may be, for example,
to apply for part-time or vacation work (application letter)

to apply for study or scholarship opportunity (application letter)
to complain about something (complaint letter)
to make suggestions about something
to request information (enquiry letter)
In many exam questions, you will be told what to include in your reply. Make sure that your reply answers any
questions that you were asked in the task and takes into account any additional information that you have
been told to mention. It is important that you include these in order to get a good grade.
How to write formal letters or emails
[1] Salutation or Greeting
(A) If you know the name of the person you

are writing to use the title (Mr, Mrs, Miss or
Ms) and the surname only. If you are writing
to a woman and do not know if she uses Mrs
or Miss, you can use Ms, which is for married
and single women.
Examples: "Dear Mr Simpson," / "Dear Mrs
Flanders," / "Dear Miss Skinner," / "Dear Ms
Van Houten,"
(B) If you do not know the name of the
recipient of the letter begin with "Dear Sir," /
"Dear Madam," (if you know you are writing
to a man or a woman) or "Dear Sir or
Madam," or Dear Sir/Madam, (if you do not
know the sex of the person you are writing
to).
1
[2] Body
[2.1] Opening
The first paragraph states the reason(s) for writing and, if needed, what you are responding to (an advert, a
prospectus...). In addition, an opening paragraph is needed to make reference to previous correspondence.
Useful phrases for the opening
I would like to apply for one of the scholarships I saw advertised in your prospectus. [applying for a
scholarship]
I am looking for an outdoor work during the summer holidays and I would like to apply for the
position of hotel lifguard assistant which I say advertised in my university's student
newspaper. [applying for a job]
I have seen your advertisement for the post / vacancy / job of advertised in the local newspaper on
16 June. I am writing because I would like to apply for the job. [applying for a job]
I am the secretary of my college Science Club. I saw your advertisement for the exhibition "The Next
100 Years" and I am interested in organising a group visit. I was wondering if I could ask you some
questions about it. [requesting information]
I am writing (in order) to complain about the advertisement for your new game. Having just played
the game, I realise that the advertisement is misleading. [complaint letter]
I am writing with regard to ... I am writing with reference to... I am writing in response to...
Thank you for /your letter of 9 May... /for your letter regarding...
In reply tor your letter of 8 May, ...
[2.2], [2. .] Main content
The rest of the body will be organized in paragraphs: that will make reading easier and the effect on the
target reader will be better. For example, an application letter may have this layout and paragraphing:
Salutation or greeting
#1 Opening (first paragraph) For any type of formal letter, paragraphing is
#2 About you (age, where you live, education-training just a matter of common sense, grouping ideas
and/or work experience relevant to the job, languages ...) logically (covering two points or questions in
#3 Reasons for applying (why you are suitable for the job) one paragraph, two other points or questions in
#4 Conclusion (availability for interview, further questions, another paragraph...). You should aim for three
... - if necessary) to five paragraphs
Closing
Final salutation
Name and surname
2
Other useful phrases
Asking politely
Could you tell me... ?

I would be grateful if you could ...
I would be interested in having more details about...
I would like to know if/when/when/...
I would like information on...
Do you know if...?
Complaining
I would like to complain about + noun or -ing

... is not what I expected / was expecting
I am not satisfied with...
I would be grateful if my money was refunded / if you could give me a refund
...
[3] Closing
The end of your letter is as important as the beginning. You usually state what you would like the recipient
to do, make a reference to a future event, offer to help...
I look forward to hearing from you soon / I look forward to receiving your reply
I look forward to receiving a full refund (in a complaint letter)
I would like to know what you are going to do about this situation (in a complaint letter)
I would like to thank you in advance for this information (in a enquiry letter -requesting information)
If you require/Should you need further information, please do not hesitate to contact me/feel free
to contact me.
[4] Final salutation
Depending on how you started your letter (See "[1]Salutation or Greeting" above), you will end your letter
with
(A) Yours sincerely,

(B) Yours faithfully,
[5] Sign your name and then print your name clearly underneath on another new line
Moe Szyslak
Moe Szyslak
3
Letter of application - useful phrases
Dear ......
I am writing to apply for a/the job of ..... which I saw advertised in "The Guardian" newspaper.
I am 26 years old and at the moment I am studying at . Having studied English for over seven years I am a
fluent speaker of the language. My qualifications also include Proficiency certificates in both French and
German. As far as experience is concerned, I have worked as ............. for ........... As for my character, people
tell me I am ...............
I feel I would be suitable for this job because ............ . This will give me the opportunity to .. . I would also
like the chance to....
I look forward to hearing from you.
Yours
Name
OTHER THINGS TO CONSIDER
Range: It is important that you use grammatical expressions and vocabulary appropriate to the level of the
exam. Even if there are no mistakes in your writing, you will not be able to get a good grade if you use only
the language and vocabulary that you learnt at elementary level.
Formal language
Use full verb forms and not contractions (do not instead of don't, would like instead of 'd like...)
Formal vocabulary, usually not using phrasal verbs.
More complex sentence structure.
Connectors: All good writing makes good use of connectors. You need to use some of the connectors that
are more specific to formal language.
4
FORMAL EMAIL/LETTER 1 - MODEL QUESTION
TASK
You see this advertisement in a student newspaper.
Lifeguard assistants wanted
We are looking for someone in August to assist our lifeguards, provide supervision during beach activities and observe
swimmers.
Write to the Lifeguard Manager, saying what your experience and qualifications are and stating the reasons why you
are suitable for the job.
FORMAL EMAIL/LETTER 1 - MODEL ANSWER
Dear Sir or Madam,
I am looking for outdoor work during the summer holidays and I would like to apply for the position of lifeguard
assistant, which I saw advertised in my university's student newspaper.
I am 20 years old and at present I am studying Physical Education. I am a strong swimmer and have recently had first
aid training. I very much enjoy working with people and for the last two summers I have benn working as an assitant
ranger in a National Park, where I had to provide information to the public about using the park and provide emergency
assistance to park users. Now I am looking for something different.
I think I would be a suitable candidate for the position because I have been described as calm in a crisis and someone
who works well with others.
I am available for the whole of August and would be happy to attend an interview at any time. I look forward to hearing
from you at any time in the near future.
Yours faithfully,
Ivan Ivienen
[+/- 175 words]
5
TASK
You recently helped organise a college ski trip and you have received this email from a parent of one of the students who
went.
I understand you were one of the organisers of our son's ski trip. I have to say my husband and I were extremely
dissatisfied with the arrangements. My son has informed us that the ski slopes were poor, the lessons were fewer than
promised and the accommodation was inadequate.
Can you please give us a satisfactory explanation?
Yours sincerely,
Nora White
(semi) FORMAL EMAIL/LETTER 2 - MODEL ANSWER
Dear Ms White,
First, let me apologise for any disappointment your son experienced on our ski trip. It is true that there were several
concerns. Since we had been led to believe by the company that there would be sufficient slopes for both beginners
and advanced skiers, we were extremely upset when this turned out to not to be the case. It was also unfortunate that
lack of snow meant that artificial snow had to be used instead.
As for the question of lessons, if you look at the letter we sent you, you will see that only five one-hour lessons were
included in the price and that extra hours would have to be paid for separately.
In relation to accommodation, I am not quite sure what you are referring to. I know that in one room there were not
enough beds but this was not the case in your son's room.
We would like to assure you that we take all complaints seriously. We have already decided that next year we will change
the company and the location for our trip and we hope that your son will consider joining us again.
Yours sincerely,
Ernest Omate
[+/- 195 words]
6
TASK
You see this announcement in an English-language college prospectus.
Scholarships
Every year, two scholarships are offered to candidates from overseas who can show how our one-year course in English
and American studies would help their career.
Scholarships cover fees, accommodation and food, but not transport or personal spending money.
To apply, write a letter explaining why you think you deserve a scholarship.
Write your letter in 140-190 words in an appropriate style.
FORMAL EMAIL/LETTER 3 - MODEL ANSWER
Dear Sir/Madam,
I would like to apply for one of the scholarships I saw advertised in your prospectus.
At present, I am training to be a secondary school teacher of English and I finish my course at the end of June.
However, I feel I still have a lot to learn about the language and culture of the English-speaking world and would benefit
considerably from a course in an English-speaking country.
The reason I am applying for a scholarship is that I cannot afford the cost of studying abroad. I have no income except
for my student grant, so if I am fortunate enough to be given a scholarship, I would have to work part-time to save
some personal spending money. My parents will borrow som money for my airfare if I am successful.
I would appreciate being given the opportunity to study at your college and would be very grateful if you would consider
my application.
Yours faithfully,
Pedro Gadicto
[+/- 160 words]
7
Part 2 - Report
A REPORT is usually written for a superior (e.g. a teacher) or a peer group (e.g. members of an English club).
Candidates are expected to give some factual information and make suggestions or recommendations. A
report should be clearly organised and may include headings.
Hints
Begin by stating the purpose of your report.

You may invent where you got the information.
Use a clear layout with:
o Headings. They will make it clear that your report is not an essay or review.
o Lists of numbered points or bullets where appropriate. (DON'T overdo it, though. If you use
them in more than one section, you won't be able to show the full range of structures and
vocabulary you know.)
Divide your report into sections according to the input.
Develop the ideas in the task input. Focus on a maximum of two points.
Give a clear summary of the situation and make a comment/suggestion only in the last paragraph.
Use an impersonal, semi-formal style.
USEFUL LANGUAGE FOR A REPORT

Stating the purpose of the report (paragraph 1)
The main aim/objective/purpose of this report is to ...
Describing how you got the information (paragraph 1)
To prepare for this report, I conducted interviews with... / I visited three of the most popular...
I discussed the issue with...
Reporting your results (paragraphs 2, 3, ...)
According to ...
All those who were interviewed believe that/are concerned that... / It is thought that... / It was
commented upon by a number of people we talked to that...
A cause of dissatisfaction was...
1
Presenting a list
The arguments against ... are the following:
1.
2. .
The following were the main reasons given for supporting ...: firstly, ..., secondly, ...
Points mentioned in favour of/against ... were:

1. 1 ...
2. 2 ...
There are several ways in which ... might be ... :
1. 1 ...
2. 2 ...
Making recommendations (Last paragraph)
Taking all the factors mentioned into account...
I would therefore recommend ....
Clearly, more could be done to .... I would make the following recommendations:
1 ...
2 ...
3 ...
2
REPORT 1 - MODEL QUESTION
TASK
Your English teacher has asked you to write a report on where people can eat out in your area. You should include the
views of visitors and local people, comment on any recent trends and dissatisfaction and make a recommendation.
Write your report in 140-190 words in an appropriate style.
REPORT 1 - MODEL ANSWER
LOCAL EATING PLACES
The main purpose of this report is to give an overview of the town's eating facilities. As part of the survey, both tourists
and local residents were asked their views.
Cafs, pubs and restaurants
There are a number of good quality restaurants in the area, which cater for most tastes: pizza houses, sushi bars,
exclusive French restaurants and gastro pubs. We are also fortunate to have several cafs and sandwich bars, which are
very popular in the mornings with young mothers and children and with office workers at lunchtime.
Recent trends/Dissatisfaction
It was reported that in recent years most of the fast food restaurants had extended their hours, with most open until
midnight. It was also stated that prices had gone up dramatically in some of the better restaurants and, as a
consequence, people are going out less than they used to or eating at cheaper restaurants.
Room for improvement/Recommendations
The main area of concern among a number of people interviewed was the lack of vegetarian meals available in many
of the restaurants and it is recommended that restaurants are made aware of this view.
[+/- 185 words]
3
TASK
Your college has been asked to accept a group of 50 students from another country for two weeks. Your principal has
asked you to write a report. What would be the advantages and disadvantages of accepting this group? What would
you recommend?
REPORT ON PROPOSED VISIT BY 50 OVERSEAS STUDENTS
Introduction
The purpose of this report is to consider the advantages and disadvantages of accepting a large group of students from
overseas for two weeks. I have discussed the issue with all the senior members of college staff.
Advantages
All those I interviewed believe that for students, this would be an exciting opportunity to explore a foreign culture, both in
the classroom and socially. Overall, they thought the visit would be stimulating for the college at a quiet time of the year.
Disadvantages
Some members of staff are concerned that:
1. there would be insufficient seating in the library at busy times.

2. the visitors might be more interested in enjoying themselves than studying.
3. the restaurant queue would be very slow at lunchtime.
Conclusion and recommendation
Clearly, the visit might involve some practical difficulties, but on the whole, everyone thought that it should be seen as an
opportunity not to be missed. I would therefore suggest that the college accepts the group.
[+/- 170 words]
4
TASK
You work for the Student Travel Agency of your college. The principal of the college is interested in the experiences of
students who have worked abroad during their summer holidays. She has asked you to write a report on the advantages
and disadvantages of such work. In particular, she wants to know whether the college should recommend "working
holidays" to its students.
WORKING HOLIDAYS FOR STUDENTS
Introduction
The purpose of this report is to consider the advantages and disadvantages of working holidays abroad. In order to
obtain this information, I interviewed more than 30 students who had worked in different countries.
The benefits of working holidays
A large number of the students I spoke to said that they had enjoyed working abroad and had become more open-
minded as a result. Apparently, they felt they had learnt a lot about the local people and their way of life by working side
by side with them.
The disadvantages of working holidays
Not surprisingly, many students complained that they had worked too hard in certain countries. They believed that they
had been exploited by their employers, who paid them very little money. According to some students, there had also been
problems with documents such as work permits.
Conclusions and Recommendations
It appears that the majority of students found the experience of working abroad very beneficial. Therefore, I believe
that the college should recommend "working holidays" to its students. However, it should also warn them about the
problems they could face and the precautions they need to take.
[+/- 190 words]
5
Part 2 - Review
A REVIEW is usually written for an English-language magazine, newspaper or website. The main purpose is
to describe and express a personal opinion about something which the writer has experienced (e.g. a film, a
holiday, a product, a website etc.) and to give the reader a clear impression of what the item discussed is
like. Description and explanation are key functions for this task, and a review will normally include a
recommendation to the reader.
Hints
It is a good idea to give your review an interesting title.

In the first paragraph, say what you are reviewing and try to get the reader's interest.
Give your opinion of what you are reviewing linked to the question in the second paragraph.
Remember a review is not just a list of facts - it's largely your opinion.
Give more details of what your are reviewing linked to the questions in the input in one or two more
paragraphs, but only focus on those you've been asked to develop.
Summarise your view, using different words from the introduction, and include a recommendation.
Remember.
o Use a personal or more neutral style, according to the target reader.
o It is important that you show a range of structures in the language of opinion, description
and recommendation.
o Add vivid language to add interest.
USEFUL LANGUAGE FOR A REVIEW

What I liked What I disliked
What I liked most was .. What I disliked most was ..

The thing I liked most was . I was disappointed by/with
I was pleasantly surprised by ..
.. would appeal to ..
If you get a chance to .
Reviews of exhibitions
painting / sculpture / handicrafts

gallery / catalogue / display
1
Reviews of books
Fiction: science fiction / thriller / fantasy / mystery / historical / romance ...

Non-fiction: cook book / travel book / textbook / manual / coffee-table book ...
main character written by bestseller
is set in chapter ending
atmosphere / plot factual
author unbelievable
Reviews of concerts
artist / band / musician / (bass/lead/rhythm) guitarist / (backing/lead) singer / drummer / soloist /

trio / orchestra
auditorium / hall / venue / lyrics / (catchy) tune / score / gig
Reviews of films
(As for fiction books +): animation / adaptation / comedy

Costumes / design / photography / script / special effects / soundtrack
lead role He plays a . believable
star role written by . true to life
star cast/director/producer not very believable
star actor/actress is set in .. far-fetched
starring based on a true story ending
secondary role ..
Reviews of TV programmes
Chat shows / current affairs programme / debate / documentary / series / soap opera/ sitcom
(situation comedy)
Host / presenter
Reviews of hotels, restaurants, etc
location staff at reception .(hotel)

service hotel facilities .
setting reasonable prices ..
attractive / disappointing setting good/excellent/poor value for money ..
owned by (a bit/somehow) expensive
run by overpriced
head chef (restaurant) not worth the money
waiters (restaurant) always fully booked
staff . book in advance
2
Criticism
The script seemed rather conventional/predictable to me.

The plot struck me as completely bizarre/absurd/incomprehensible
The characters are appealing and true to life
The dancers were quite brilliant/amateurish
Recommendations
Judging from this CD / show ...

Overall, if you like ..., you'll love / you should ...
Although some of ... he/she/it's still a great...
You really must/should buy/see/read/visit ...
I would definitely recommend seeing/visiting/reading/having a look at ...
3
REVIEW 1 - MODEL QUESTION
TASK
You have seen this announcement in your college English-language magazine.
Music reviews wanted

Have you been to a great music concert recently?
Write us a review of the concert, telling us about the band or singer and their performance. Say whether you would
recommend seeing them perform live.
We will publish the best reviews next month.
Write your review in 140-190 words in an appropriate style.
REVIEW 1 - MODEL ANSWER
A GIG TO REMEMBER
Without doubt, the British rock band Arctic Monkeys have given this year's best live show. As teenagers a few years
ago, they made the fastest selling album ever but seemed shy and awkward on stage. Now they have matured and
become an amazing live act.
Since the frontman Alex decided to cut his hair and dress like a skinny rock star of the 1950s, he moves confidently
around the stage, waving his arms and encouraging us to shake our hips. The crowd were ecstatic!
The set began with their hit, Do you wanna know. The guitar playing was tight, as always, and the rhythm supported by
Matt's powerful drumming. The band were on top form throughout, winning fans with a list that combined older with
new hits.
My only reservation is that although the songs have clever lyrics and great melodies and sound fresh every time, some
lack the emotional and poetic force of their best.
But this is a minor criticism. Overall, it was a performance to remember and all fans should try and catch them while
they're on tour.
[+/- 185 words]
4
REVIEW 2 - MODEL QUESTION
TASK
You have seen this announcement in an international magazine.
Book reviews wanted

Have your read a book recently with a story that has held your attention? Write a review of the book, explaining what
the story is about and whether the characters are convincing. Tell us whether or not you would recommend it both to
younger and older readers
The best reviews will be published in the magazine.
Write your review in 140-190 words in an appropriate style.
REVIEW 2 - MODEL ANSWER
ANIMAL FARM, BY GEORGE ORWELL
This is an unusual book, set on a farm. The characters, led by the pigs, are mainly animals, who get rid of the cruel,
drunken human owner and take over the farm. They set up a government of their own.
The story isn't exciting but it's clever. At first, after the revolution, the animals are equal but later the pigs become more
powerful and start to change everything. By the end of the novel, the animals realise they have gone back to where
they started.
In one way, the story is obviously not a true story but in another way, it is meant to tell the story of communism from a
satirical point of view.
The characters are very convincing. Napoleon, the leader of the pigs, is strong and corrupt. Other animals are honest
but weak. They all represent people and the events in Russia in the 1920s and 30s.
Although I enjoyed this book, I can imagine older people who were brought up when communism was still strong in the
world and have probably read a lot about the Russian Revolution, would enjoy it even more.
[+/- 190 words]

FCE All Types of Writing

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FCE PAPER 2 - W RITING

[INTRODUCTION] and [CONCLUSION]

[SECOND and THIRD PARAGRAPHS]

Linking words and phrases

Present your ideas clearly.

To express personal opinions

To conclude the topic

ESSAY 1 - MODEL QUESTION

Is is a good thing that countries spend a lot of money on their heritage?

Write your essay in 140-190 words in an appropriate style.

ESSAY 1 - MODEL ANSWER

(+/- 190 words)

ESSAY 2 - MODEL QUESTION

Write your essay in 140-190 words in an appropriate style.

ESSAY 2 - MODEL ANSWER

(+/- 190 words)

ESSAY 3 - MODEL QUESTION

Is it better to live alone or with someone else?

Write your essay in 140-190 words in an appropriate style.

ESSAY 3 - MODEL ANSWER

(+/- 180 words)

ESSAY 4 - MODEL QUESTION

Write your essay in 140-190 words in an appropriate style.

ESSAY 4 - MODEL ANSWER

(+/- 170 words)

Useful language for an article

Involving the reader

Developing your points

Giving your own opinion

ARTICLE 1 - MODEL QUESTION

You see this announcement on an English-language website.

A charity event to remember

Write your article in 140-190 words in an appropriate style.

ARTICLE 1 - MODEL ANSWER

A charity event to remember

ARTICLE 2 - MODEL QUESTION

You see this announcement in an international magazine.

Life on a desert island

Write your article in 140-190 words in an appropriate style.

ARTICLE 2 - MODEL ANSWER

Life on a desert island

ARTICLE 3 - MODEL QUESTION

You see this announcement in an international magazine.

Write us an article answering these questions. Give reasons.

Write your article in 140-190 words in an appropriate style.

ARTICLE 3 - MODEL ANSWER

Don't throw it all away!

Part 2 - Informal letter or email

How to write informal letters or emails

Useful phrases for the opening

Other useful phrases

Referring to news / giving news

Great news about Glad to hear that Sorry to hear about

Thank you / Congratulations / Good Luck

Im writing to thank you for your hospitality / the wonderful present.

Congratulations on passing your exams / your excellent exam results!

Dont worry, Im sure youll do well / pass.

Making suggestions and recommendations

Why dont you ? / Maybe you could ? / How about ?

OTHER THINGS TO CONSIDER

INFORMAL EMAIL/LETTER 1 - MODEL QUESTION

Write your email in 140-190 words in an appropriate style.

INFORMAL EMAIL/LETTER 1 - MODEL ANSWER

INFORMAL EMAIL/LETTER 2 - MODEL QUESTION