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- C1 Advanced (CAE) Essay: Writing Structure
- C1 Advanced (CAE) Essay: Writing Guide
- C1 Advanced (CAE) Essay: Example Asnwers
- C1 Advanced (CAE) Essay: Writing Topics
- C1 Advanced (CAE) Essay: Tips
- C1 Advanced (CAE) Essay: Marking Criteria
- C1 Advanced (CAE) Essay: Useful Phrases, Words & Expressions
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Writing an essay is the first part of the C1 Advanced (CAE) Cambridge writing paper and it is obligatory.
You need to answer the question with between 220-260 words. In the text, you need to analyse a question using different points of view. It is a semi-formal/formal text and should be impartial until the conclusion.
What the examiner wants to see is a balanced argument that is both interesting and easy to read.
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C1 Advanced (CAE) Essay: Writing Structure
| 1. Introduction Present and develop the essay question in your introduction |
| 2. Main content: Paragraphs 1-2 Describe the first point/argument from the notes (most important) Describe the second point/argument from the notes. |
| 3. Paragraph 3 (optional) Explains the final point and links to the others. |
| 4. Conclusion A summary of what you have said. |
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C1 Advanced (CAE) Essay: Writing Guide
Here is a straightforward way to write a perfect essay.
If you have two main points to make, you can give your essay a clear structure by dividing it into four paragraphs.
1. Introduction
The first paragraph of an essay provides the introduction. It states what is to be discussed and why. Your main points are briefly introduced. This paragraph need not be lengthy.
Introduction: We often hear about the many benefits of health and fitness. However, less often do we hear concrete suggestions for how to improve participation rates, particularly among young people. In this essay I will discuss two possible actions that governments could focus on in order to promote health and fitness to youth today. (main points are briefly introduced.)
TIP 1: Pay attention to style and register!
One of the most common mistakes made by inexperienced writers involves using too personal language writing an essay.
Me, myself, I
Me, myself, IEverybody likes to talk about themselves, but when (for example) you’re writing about environmental issues, you should be talking about the environment and not about yourself.
YOU
The way word you is used in informal speech ‘You should have seen it!’ ‘if you know what I mean’ is not appropriate in formal writing. At best it sounds chatty and informal; at worst, disrespectful or even offensive. The word you points a finger at the reader. But the readers are not friends of yours, and you have no right to make assumptions about them.
2. Main content: Paragraphs 1-2
Paragraph 1
In this paragraph, more background information is provided in greater detail. Your first, often the strongest main point is expanded upon. Bring in and refute any arguments against your point of view.
Paragraph 1: The first possible action is to improve physical education teaching in schools. Local students have at times complained that… (Describe the first point/argument from the notes)
Paragraph 2
The second paragraph provides your second key point, lying it into the theme of your essay. Again, bring in opposing points of view and support your second key point with Information and background.
Paragraph 2: A second option would be to attempt to change the overly competitive attitudes that seem ingrained in many of the sports… (Describe the second point/argument from the notes)
Tip 2: Remember about “linking” in the essay!
Between paragraphs:
To begin with, I would like to put forward […]
The first possible action is, to improve physical education …[…]
A second option would be.… competitive attitudes that […]
Within a paragraph:
[…] which activity is better than the others. Another reason for not financing sports […]
3. Paragraph 3 (optional)
This is optional and can be linked to the second paragraph. It explains the final point and links to the others.
4. Conclusion
The final paragraph is used to summarise or conclude your essay. It shows how the two key points you have presented compare or relate to each other. It also clearly re-states your initial position from the introductory paragraph.
Conclusion: In summary, either approach would be a step in the right direction. In my view, it would be wise to prioritize dealing with reducing competitiveness first because I believe it would help young people feel better about the sports they already do. They could then, in turn, influence their friends to join in.
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For and Against or just one side?
There are two approaches you can choose to write your essay professionally.
-
For and against
This is the traditional approach where a writer discusses points in favour of their position and against. Typically this means that one point will be used to contrast the general position. There are advantages to this method. Firstly, candidates are often more familiar with it and find it easier to write. Secondly, it gives them more scope to use a wider variety of linking language.
-
One side only
Writing an essay like this means that all the points will be included as if part of a list and requires language like firstly, additionally etc. Commonly a writer supports the idea. As mentioned above it can limit some language people might want to use but it may suit some.
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C1 Advanced (CAE) Essay: Example Asnwers
Subject:
Your class has attended a panel discussion on facilities which should receive money from local authorities. You have made the notes below:
Which facilities should receive money from local authorities?
- museums
- sports centres
- public gardens
Some opinions expressed in the discussion:
- “Museums aren’t popular with everybody!”
- “Sports centres mean healthier people.”
- “A town needs green spaces – parks are great for everybody.”
Write an essay discussing two of the facilities in your notes. You should explain which facility it is more important for local authorities to give money to, giving reasons in support of your answer.
Student’s CAE Essay Answer:
[Introduction]
In regard of a recent discussion about the facilities, which are financially supported by local authorities, I would like to write a few of my personal thoughts. Whether we are talking about sports centres or public gardens, there is no doubt that they are both a good thing to have in the city and should both be supported somehow. The only question then is which one of these is more important, what are the pros and cons of each one?
[1 st body paragraph ]
Let me start with the sport centres as I think these are a bit more problematic. Obviously, in our times where lots of people spend days sitting in their office staring at a computer, some sort of physical training is very important. We have to balance that shift in our lifestyles. The problem I see with supporting the sports centres is the number of activities that you can do at these days. There is almost countless list of either individual or team sports that we can think of, and each centre is usually designed for a specific type or at least a group of sports similar in its nature. Therefore I think that it is too difficult to support them equally and we can’t say which activity is better than the others either. Another reason for not financing sports as much as green parks is their commercial use. What I mean by that is that we usually pay for everything the centre offers us to do and therefore they are more able to last from their own money than gardens.
[2 nd body paragraph]
Regarding of the green spaces, the situation is much clearer I think. Every city needs gardens where people can sit and relax, but nobody is going to pay a tax for just walking around.
[Conclusion[]
These factors lead me to my conclusion, that the public gardens are definitely a facility which should be financed from public money, whereas in the case of sports centres, the situation is questionable.
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Subject:
Your class has attended a panel discussion on the action governments can take to promote health and fitness among young people. You have made the notes below.
Action to promote health and fitness among young people
- improve teaching in schools.
- improves attitudes to competitiveness.
- improve the image of sports.
Some opinions expressed during the discussion
- ‘There need to be specialist sports teachers for children and students of all ages.’
- ‘Some young people are put off by the pressure to compete.’
- ‘A lot of young people don’t think it’s cool to take part in sports.’
Write an essay for your tutor, discussing two of the actions in your notes. You should explain which action you think is more important, giving reasons to support your opinion.
Student’s CAE Essay Answer:
[Introduction]
We often hear about the many benefits of health and fitness. However, less often do we hear concrete suggestions for how to improve participation rates, particularly among young people. In this essay I will discuss two possible actions that governments could focus on in order to promote health and fitness to youth today.
[1 st body paragraph ]
The first possible action is to improve physical education teaching in schools. Local students have at times complained that the curriculum is rigid and emphasizes repetitive activities instead of team sports and enjoyment. Better role models and more adventurous options could lead to improved attitude and participation. Naturally, employing specialist sports teachers would incur considerable cost.
[2 nd body paragraph]
A second option would be to attempt to change the overly competitive attitudes that seem ingrained in many of the sports competitions for youngsters. When adults such as parents and teachers focus on winning above having a good time, it puts undue pressure on the participants. They may feel a sense of failure if they lose and also be less inclined to try a new sport.
[Conclusion]
In summary, either approach would be a step in the right direction. In my view, it would be wise to prioritize dealing with reducing competitiveness first because I believe it would help young people feel better about the sports they already do. They could then, in turn, influence their friends to join in.
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C1 Advanced (CAE) Essay: Writing Topics
In class you have had a discussion about inequality and work. You have made the notes below:
Do the privileged few get a head start in life?
- Stability in the home
- Work contacts and opportunities
- Time to hone one´s skills
Write an essay discussing two of the points given and explain the reasons behind your answer.
Recently, you have held a discussion in a university plenary about work-life balance. You have made the notes below:
Work is the pillar of society though it is obvious that people need to disconnect. Where is the balance?
- Fulfilling one´s potential
- Supporting family members
- Using one´s time productively
Write an essay using two of the points and say what might be the most effective way of achieving a healthy work-life balance
You have discussed young people and their future work prospects in class. You have made the notes below:
What might be the most effective strategy to prepare young people for work?
- Work placements
- Workshops in schools
- Establishing links with local businesses
Write an essay discussing two of the points and say which should be implemented into the national curriculum.
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C1 Advanced (CAE) Essay: Tips
ANSWER THE QUESTION.- PLAN your essay.
- REVISE your essay to correct mistakes.
- The final paragraph is the best place to express your opinion clearly
- Add quotations, statistics, facts. examples and other relevant data to support your points.
- The tone and register can be formal or semiformal depending on your treatment of the topic. If your essay is written in a formal register, only bring in informal expressions when you use a direct quotation to support your argument.
- Punctuation is important in essays and can be a powerful tool for expressing subtle or emphatic points. Short sentences make for a peachy style but get irritating if they are over-used, long sentences need careful use of commas, semi-colons and desires to achieve flow and rhythm.
ANSWER THE QUESTION.C1 Advanced (CAE) Essay: Marking Criteria
| Language
A wide range of suitable grammatical structures and elements should be used in sentences that are not too simple. Longer sentences with more than one clause should be well controlled and totally clear in meaning. Vocabulary connected with the topic area should be used accurately and a high level of vocabulary to make and support points on the subject should also be demonstrated. |
Communication
The essay should be neutral or formal rather than informal or conversational. as it is a serious piece of academic work. The reader should clearly understand all the points made about the two aspects, as well as the writer’s reasons for selecting one of them as the most important. |
| Organization
The essay should be appropriately divided into paragraphs, perhaps with separate paragraphs for each of the two aspects. A short introductory paragraph and/or a short concluding paragraph could be included but neither of these is essential. Sentences and paragraphs should be linked with appropriate linking words and phrases. |
Content
The essay must discuss two of the three aspects listed in the question and state which of them the writer regards as the most important, giving reasons for this choice. If the opinions from the discussion are used, they should be rephrased as much as possible, not simply copied. |
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C1 Advanced (CAE) Essay: Useful Phrases, Words & Expressions
We will finish it with useful advanced vocabulary (words to use in an essay) mostly used to organize information. Although it is taking a shortcut, if you learn several expressions/words for each paragraph in each type of text that could be on your exam, you will certainly be able to create a very consistent essay with a perfect structure.
To start essay: Introduction
It is often said that …
….is a hotly-debated topic that often divides opinion.
….is a topic that is often discussed but rarely solved.
Many people feel that …
We live in an age when many of us are…
More and more families/people are choosing to …
The trend nowadays is towards +ing
Over the past/last ten years or so, …
Recent research indicates that the number of …is increasing.
Statistics indicate that—
Hardly a week goes by without another report of .. appearing in the media. This raises the issue of whether ……………..
Although most people would generally agree that …………… few
Topic sentences
First Paragraph
…. clearly/undoubtedly has an impact on…
It is common knowledge that… plays a crucial role in…
It is undoubtedly the case that…
There is little doubt that…
… is widely believed to contribute to…
It is generally considered that…
Recent research suggests that…
Studies have shown that… has an impact/influence on…
Few people would contest/dispute the fact that…
Second Paragraph
Another factor to consider is…
On the other hand/In contrast…
It is often claimed that…
All the evidence suggests that…
Stating your opinion
As I see it,
It seems to me that ………… I would also say that ….
I am convinced that ……………
I am inclined to believe that ………………
There is no doubt in my mind that ………………
One of the drawbacks of ……. is ……….
However, one of the benefits is that …………
Changing topic
As regards the causes for this, …………..
Concerning the causes for this, ………
As for the causes, ………..
Presenting arguments
One justification often given for ……….. is that……………..
Advocates/Proponents would claim that ………………
Those who object to …………….. often argue that ……………….
Another objection is that ……
However, it should not be forgotten that …………..
……….. are opposed to ……………. on the grounds that ……………..
From the point of view of ……………..
According to ………………..
Describing causes
One factor which has led to ………… is …………..
One of the factors which has brought this about is ………
The problem often stems from ………………..
The situation has been exacerbated by …………….
………….. has only made the situation worse.
One consequence of ……………. is …………….
Proposing steps and measures
As regards the most appropriate response to this situation, one suggestion would be to ………
The first step to be taken would be to ……..
To alleviate the situation people should ………..
In addition they ought to ……………
This can only be dealt with if …………
To overcome this problem, …………..
Were the government to ……………, the situation would doubtless improve.
Individuals can do a great deal to …………
The burden of responsiblity lies in the hands of ……..
It is vitally important that ………
Legislation should be introduced to control ……………..
It would be a grave error if we ……………..
To conclude an essay: Concluding
In light of the above,
Taking all this into consideration/account,…
As far as I am concerned, / in my opinion, / as I see it, etc.
… is the most effective way to… due to the fact that…
Despite the fact that… undoubtedly plays a role in… I firmly believe that… is more effective due to the fact that… its advantages outnumber/ outweigh those
All in all it seems to me that ………..
The obvious conclusion to be drawn is that …………………..
All things considered! ………….
On balance! , tend to believe that …………
The world would surely be a better place to live in if …………..
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Сдача кембриджских экзаменов — один из распространенных способов проверить свои знания английского и получить престижный международный сертификат. В этой статье расскажем, что представляет собой письменная часть экзаменов FCE, CAE и CPE. Кроме того, мы поясним, как писать разные виды письменных работ и приведем их удачные примеры, а также представим 15 идей, которые помогут вам сдать письменную часть экзамена на отлично.
Содержание:
- 1. Что представляет собой часть Writing на экзаменах FCE, CAE, CPE
- 2. Как выполнять разные виды письменных работ на кембриджском экзамене: правила и примеры
- 3. Как сдать Writing на отлично: 15 идей
Что представляет собой часть Writing на экзаменах FCE, CAE, CPE
Главное, что нужно знать, — вам нужно написать 2 сочинения на любом из указанных экзаменов. Давайте посмотрим, что именно от вас требуется.
| Характеристика | FCE | CAE | CPE |
|---|---|---|---|
| Общее время выполнения | 1 час 20 минут | 1 час 30 минут | 1 час 30 минут |
| Количество слов | 140-190 в каждой работе | 220-260 в каждой работе | 1 часть — 240-280 2 часть — 280-320 |
| Типы заданий | 1 часть — essay (эссе) 2 часть — article (статья), email/letter (электронное или обычное письмо), report (отчет) или review (рецензия) |
1 часть — essay (эссе) 2 часть — email/letter (обычное или электронное письмо), proposal (предложение), report (отчет) или review (рецензия) |
1 часть — essay (эссе) 2 часть — article (статья), letter (письмо), report (отчет) или review (рецензия) |
Оба задания (1 и 2 часть) обязательны к выполнению. Первая часть на всех экзаменах одинакова: вам нужно написать эссе. Задание формулируется по-разному на каждом экзамене:
- На FCE вам дают тему эссе и две идеи, на основе которых необходимо выполнить работу. Кроме того, в свое эссе вы должны добавить еще и свою личную третью идею, отличную от упомянутых двух, но также относящуюся к заданной теме.
- На CAE вам дают тему эссе и две идеи к ней. Вам нужно написать, какая из двух предложенных идей более важная, и привести аргументы, почему вы так думаете.
- На CPE вам дают два коротких текста. Вам нужно прочитать их, понять главную идею каждого текста. В своем эссе вам надо отразить эти идеи другими словами и добавить свое видение изложенных тезисов.
Во второй части Writing на экзаменах FCE, CAE вам нужно выбрать одно из 3 заданий. На экзамене CPE вам предлагается 4 задания, при этом последнее четвертое задание (set text) делится на два подпункта (a и b). Если вы читали книгу, указанную на сайте кембриджских экзаменов, и остановились на четвертом задании, учтите, что вам нужно выбрать только один подпункт из двух и выполнить указанный тип работы (это может быть также статья, отчет и т. д.).
Типы заданий могут быть разными, и у каждого из них есть свои требования по выполнению. Ниже мы подробно рассмотрим все виды письменных работ, но сначала давайте узнаем, по каким критериям они оцениваются:
- Содержание (content). Вам нужно максимально хорошо раскрыть тему и выполнить задание, учесть все идеи, данные в задании, и ответить на все вопросы.
- Решение коммуникативной задачи (communicative achievement). Вам надо выбрать правильный стиль изложения текста: формальный или неформальный, информационный или развлекательный и написать работу именно в этом стиле. Кроме того, ваш текст должен быть написан для конкретной целевой аудитории, которая указана в задании.
- Организация текста (organisation). Вам надо соблюдать формат выбранного вида работы, разбивать текст на абзацы и логично излагать мысли, чтобы они были связаны между собой.
- Языковое оформление (language). Вам нужно показать богатый словарный запас и блеснуть знаниями сложных грамматических конструкций.
Как выполнять разные виды письменных работ на кембриджском экзамене: правила и примеры
У каждого вида сочинения есть свои правила написания. Мы расскажем вам, в каком стиле нужно писать каждый из них и на какие важные моменты стоит обратить внимание. Чтобы лучше разобраться в стилях написания работ, советуем ознакомиться с нашей статьей «Формальный и неформальный английский: как общаться в офисе и в баре».
Как научиться писать указанные ниже виды сочинений? На официальном сайте кембриджских экзаменов есть руководства по подготовке к каждому экзамену. В них подробно рассказано обо всех частях экзамена, системе оценивания и т. д. Кроме того, есть задания к письменной и всем другим частям экзамена и приложено несколько вариантов сочинений к каждому заданию. Все эти варианты оценены, так что вы сможете понять, как оцениваются работы и что от вас требуется, чтобы получить высокий балл. Руководство по подготовке к FCE вы найдете по этой ссылке, CAE — здесь, CPE — здесь.
Не забывайте и о специальных учебниках по подготовке к экзаменам, в которых представлены типовые задания и варианты ответа к ним. Для подготовки к FCE мы рекомендуем использовать Objective First, Complete First или Compact First. Для CAE — Objective Advanced, Complete Advanced или Compact Advanced. Для CPE — Objective Proficiency, Expert Proficiency или Masterclass Proficiency. В этих учебниках есть и теоретические советы по написанию разных видов работ, и примеры удачных сочинений, и разбор ошибок на примерах неудачных работ.
А теперь давайте узнаем, как же писать разные виды сочинений.
Как писать эссе (essay)
Экзамен: FCE, CAE, CPE.
Стиль: формальный или полуформальный.
Эссе проверяет ваше умение рассуждать на английском языке, высказывать свою точку зрения, приводить аргументы за и против какой-то идеи и т. д.
Важные моменты:
- придерживайтесь четкой структуры: в эссе обязательно должно быть введение, основная часть и заключение;
- делите текст на абзацы, чтобы он был читабельным.
Примеры хороших эссе из учебников Compact First, Compact Advanced, Expert Proficiency:
Пример эссе для экзамена FCE
Пример эссе для экзамена CAE
Пример эссе для экзамена CPE
Как писать статью (article)
Экзамен: FCE, CPE.
Стиль: полуформальный или в меру неформальный (без сленга, модных аббревиатур и т. д.).
Целевая аудитория: читатели газеты/журнала, которым интересна тема статьи.
Если вы выберете это задание, вам нужно будет написать интересную статью для журнала или газеты. Для этого вам нужно уметь давать описание, выражать свое мнение, комментировать какие-то факты и приводить примеры на английском языке.
Важные моменты:
- статья пишется для газеты, журнала, поэтому стиль изложения должен быть живым и увлекательным;
- напишите интересный заголовок, который будет «цеплять» внимание читателей и повысит ваши шансы на высокий балл;
- в этом виде работы допускаются сокращения глаголов (don’t, it’s, can’t и т. д.)
- подумайте, что было бы интересно узнать вашим читателям и отразите это в своей работе;
- чтобы вам легче было уловить стиль написания такой работы, перед экзаменом старайтесь читать больше статей в газетах, журналах и Интернете.
Давайте рассмотрим примеры идеальных статей из учебников Compact First, Expert Proficiency:
Пример статьи для экзамена FCE
Пример статьи для экзамена CPE
Как писать письмо (letter)
Экзамен: FCE, CAE, CPE.
Стиль: неформальный или полуформальный стиль, если вы пишете письмо другу; формальный стиль, если вы пишете официальное письмо.
Целевая аудитория: друг или официальное лицо, организация.
Вам надо будет написать письмо в ответ на письмо, приведенное в задании. Таким образом проверяется ваша способность письменно выражать свои чувства, давать советы, описывать и комментировать ситуацию, убеждать, отвечать на вопросы.
Важные моменты:
- в неформальном письме допускаются сокращения глаголов (don’t, it’s, can’t и т. д.), в формальном письме этого делать нельзя;
- для написания неформального письма вам надо уметь предоставлять информацию, выражать свое мнение и давать описание на английском языке;
- выучите стандартные фразы обращения и прощания и запомните, что они пишутся на отдельных строках;
- делите свое письмо на абзацы, в каждом из которых рассматривайте один конкретный вопрос;
- убедитесь, что вы осветили все требуемые вопросы.
Давайте рассмотрим примеры неформального и формального писем из учебников Compact First, Compact Advanced и Expert Proficiency:
Пример письма для экзамена FCE
Пример письма для экзамена CAE
Пример письма для экзамена CPE
Как писать отчет (report)
Экзамен: FCE, CAE, CPE.
Стиль: полуформальный стиль или формальный.
Целевая аудитория: конкретный человек (учитель, руководитель) или группа людей (одноклассники, коллеги).
При написании отчета ваша задача — предоставить фактическую информацию, дать рекомендации и внести предложения. В задании вам будет дано подробное описание ситуации, внимательно прочитайте его перед написанием работы.
Важные моменты:
- придумайте подзаголовки для каждого абзаца-пункта вашего отчета — это облегчит восприятие работы и повысит ваши шансы на высокий балл;
- в этом виде работы не допускаются сокращения глаголов, пишите полные формы (do not, it is, cannot и т. д.).
Полезные ссылки:
- «Как писать доклад на английском языке».
Рассмотрим примеры отчетов из учебников Compact First, Compact Advanced, Expert Proficiency:
Пример отчета для экзамена FCE
Пример отчета для экзамена CAE
Пример отчета для экзамена CPE
Как писать предложение (proposal)
Экзамен: CAE.
Стиль: полуформальный или формальный.
Целевая аудитория: конкретный человек (учитель, руководитель) или группа людей (одноклассники, коллеги).
Ваша задача при написании этой работы — дать рекомендации или советы и убедить читателя прислушаться к ним. При этом проверяется ваше умение письменно убеждать человека, приводить доводы и аргументы в пользу своей точки зрения.
Эта письменная работа чем-то похожа на отчет, и требования к ней примерно такие же. В чем же различия между ними? Отчет фокусируется на событиях в прошедшем или настоящем времени и может давать рекомендации на будущее. Предложение же фокусируется на будущих действиях, необходимость которых вызвана текущим состоянием дел.
Важные моменты:
- пишите четкие доводы: хоть на экзамене проверяется главным образом владение языком, ваши предложения должны быть убедительными и логичными;
- разделяйте свой текст подзаголовками для лучшего восприятия;
- в этом виде работы не допускаются сокращения глаголов, пишите полные формы (do not, it is, cannot и т. д.).
Рассмотрим пример предложения из учебника Compact Advanced:
Пример предложения для экзамена CAE
Как писать рецензию (review)
Экзамен: FCE, CAE, CPE.
Стиль: нейтральный.
Целевая аудитория: конкретный человек (учитель, руководитель) или группа людей (одноклассники, коллеги).
Цель этой работы — проверить ваше умение выражать собственное мнение о каком-то знакомом вам объекте (обычно ресторане, книге, фильме, месте для отдыха и т. д.) и описывать его. В тексте вам надо будет давать советы и рекомендации для других людей касательно него.
Важные моменты:
- если на экзамене вы собираетесь писать эту письменную работу, при подготовке читайте как можно больше рецензий на английском языке;
- в этом виде работы допускаются сокращения глаголов (don’t, it’s, can’t и т. д.);
- ваш отзыв может быть как позитивным, так и негативным, так что учитесь писать разные рецензии;
- выберите стиль написания, исходя из того, где будет публиковаться ваш отзыв (об этом вам сообщат в задании): газета, журнал, вебсайт.
Полезные ссылки:
- «Как писать ревью на английском. Film and book review in English».
Давайте посмотрим на примеры хороших рецензий из учебников Compact First, Compact Advanced, Expert Proficiency:
Пример рецензии для экзамена FCE
Пример рецензии для экзамена CAE
Пример рецензии для экзамена CPE
Как сдать Writing на отлично: 15 идей
1. Topic sentence
Каждый абзац письменной работы должен начинаться с так называемого topic sentence (вводное предложение). Это предложение — введение к абзацу, оно дает понять, о чем вы будете писать. Последующие предложения должны пояснять и подтверждать мысль, высказанную в topic sentence.
2. Речевые клише
Заучивайте наизусть типичные фразы, которые используются при написании сочинений. Такие клише делают вашу письменную речь красивой и грамотной, а также положительно оцениваются экзаменаторами. Ниже мы приведем несколько полезных фраз.
| Фраза | Перевод |
|---|---|
| To answer these questions… | Чтобы ответить на эти вопросы… |
| These arguments suggest… | Эти аргументы дают основание полагать… |
| This leads to… | Это приводит к… |
| For this reason… | По этой причине, на основании этого… |
| There is evidence that … has a positive effect… | Есть доказательство, что … имеет положительный эффект… |
| There is no doubt in my mind that… | У меня нет сомнений, что… |
| One of the drawbacks of … is… | Один из недостатков … — это… |
| I am inclined to believe that… | Я склонен думать, что… |
| However, it should not be forgotten that… | Однако не следует забывать, что… |
| One factor which has led to … is… | Один из факторов, который привел к …, — это… |
| The problem often stems from… | Проблема часто возникает из-за… |
| The first step to be taken would be to… | Первый шаг, который надо предпринять,… |
| To overcome this problem… | Чтобы справиться с этой проблемой… |
| It would be a grave error if we… | Это было бы большой ошибкой, если бы мы… |
| It is vitally important that… | Жизненно важно, чтобы… |
| All in all, it seems to me that… | Подводя итог, мне кажется, что… |
Еще больше речевых клише вы найдете в нашей статье «10 формальных фраз, чтобы выразить свое мнение в эссе», а также на сайте practiseenglish.blogspot.com.
3. Слова-связки
Без них не обойдется ни одна работа, претендующая на высокий балл. Слова-связки делают речь более связной, логичной, помогают объединить предложения в единый текст, точнее передать мысль. Приведем немного примеров слов-связок.
| Слово/Словосочетание | Перевод |
|---|---|
| Обозначаем порядок действий | |
| firstly, secondly, thirdly | во-первых, во-вторых, в-третьих |
| first, furthermore, finally | первое, более того, в конце концов |
| to begin with, then, to conclude | прежде всего, затем, в итоге |
| Приводим примеры | |
| for example, for instance | например |
| as follows | в данном случае, при этом |
| namely | а именно, то есть |
| in other words | иначе говоря, другими словами |
| Сравниваем и противопоставляем идеи | |
| on the one hand, on the other hand | с одной стороны, с другой стороны |
| by contrast, in comparison | в сравнении с |
| in theory, in practice | в теории, на практике |
| whereas | тогда как, в то время как |
| Подчеркиваем важность | |
| significantly, importantly | немаловажно, что; важно отметить, что |
| notably | в особенности, примечательно |
| Подводим итоги | |
| in conclusion | в заключение |
| all things considered | приняв все во внимание, судя по всему |
| in brief | одним словом |
| to summarise/summarize | подводя итог |
| overall | в целом, вообще |
| all in all | подводя итог |
Еще больше таких слов вы узнаете из нашей статьи «Слова-связки в английском языке», а также на сайтах library.bcu.ac.uk и oxford-royale.co.uk.
4. Живой язык
Вашу работу будут оценивать по разным критериям, и один из весомых факторов, влияющих на итоговую оценку, — это богатый словарный запас. При подготовке учите устойчивые выражения (collocations), идиомы, фразовые глаголы и т. д. Включите хотя бы парочку идиом и несколько фразовых глаголов в свою работу — она от этого только выиграет.
5. Сложная грамматика
Ваш текст должен показать, что вы владеете грамматикой на требуемом уровне: Upper-Intermediate (FCE), Advanced (CAE) или Proficiency (CPE). Нельзя писать все предложения в простых временах: за это вам снизят балл. Постарайтесь показать знание разных времен и употребить в работе хотя бы несколько сложных конструкций: пассивный залог, инверсию, модальный глагол с перфектным инфинитивом (should have done, must have done, might have done), условные предложения и т. д.
6. Продуктивная подготовка
Если вы рассчитываете на высокий балл на экзамене, готовиться к нему нужно серьезно. В зависимости от вашего уровня необходимо уделить хотя бы год подготовке к FCE, CAE или CPE. За это время вы успеете хорошенько изучить формат заданий и научитесь выполнять их. Чтобы ваша подготовка была эффективной, вам понадобятся:
- Преподаватель, которому знаком формат экзамена
Конечно, вы можете готовиться и самостоятельно, но это займет больше времени и будет намного сложнее, чем занятия с человеком, который уже прошел через испытание кембриджскими экзаменами и знает, что именно вам нужно учить, чтобы получить высокий балл. Кроме того, без преподавателя ваши письменные работы некому будет проверить и объективно оценить, а это значит, что вы не узнаете о допущенных ошибках.
- Специальный учебник
Выше мы уже рассказали вам, какие пособия надо использовать для подготовки к каждому из кембриджских экзаменов. Это общие учебники, и в них хорошо прорабатываются все навыки, в том числе и Writing: есть практические советы, примеры работ и задания для самостоятельного написания. Кроме того, обратите внимание на пособия Practice Tests, в них есть примеры тестов, которые полезно выполнять при подготовке к экзамену. В конце этих книг обычно есть ответы, так что вы можете проверить себя.
- Тренировки
Writing — как спорт: не ждите результатов после первого подхода, занимайтесь им регулярно, и тогда достигнете хорошего результата. Тщательно изучите все форматы заданий и тренируйтесь писать их. При этом приучайте себя укладываться строго в отведенное время, чтобы на экзамене вы успели все сделать. Также учитесь писать требуемый вам объем слов: если у вас будет меньше слов, проверяющие подумают, что вам нечего сказать, если будет написано больше, экзаменаторы могут предположить, что вы не умеете четко выражать свои мысли на английском.
7. Аккуратный почерк
Не обязательно выводить каллиграфическим почерком каждую буковку, но ваша работа должна быть читабельной. Если вы напишете работу слишком небрежно, экзаменатор просто не сможет прочесть ее.
8. Фантазия
Никто не заставляет вас писать правду, только правду и ничего, кроме правды. Не стесняйтесь фантазировать и выдумывать какие-то события или факты, если это улучшит вашу письменную работу. Никто не будет проверять, правда ли вы провели прошлое лето в Испании и разбираетесь ли вы в финансовой аналитике. Смело сочиняйте и выдумывайте факты, если они органично вписываются в вашу работу.
9. Хорошие примеры
Наши преподаватели, ставшие счастливыми обладателями международных сертификатов, советуют читать как можно больше примеров письменных работ. Так вам быстрее запомнятся речевые клише, а также формат работы: вы увидите, как можно делить текст на абзацы, писать подзаголовки, приводить аргументы, делать выводы и т. д. Примеры нужно для начала искать в учебниках, которые мы назвали выше. Кроме того, рекомендуем посетить следующие сайты:
- flo-joe.co.uk — один из лучших сайтов для подготовки к кембриджским экзаменам. Кликните по названию любого экзамена, перейдите на вкладку FCE/CAE/CPE Writing Class и изучите представленные материалы. Здесь есть теоретические советы, грамматические тесты, а также примеры работ с подробным разбором ошибок.
- examwriting.blogspot.com — примеры различных письменных работ для FCE и CAE.
- cpesamplewritings.blogspot.com — примеры письменных работы для CAE и CPE, разбор ошибок в примерах сочинений, а также советы по их написанию.
10. План работы
Не спешите сразу же писать чистовой вариант: для начала набросайте план работы. Вы можете схематично написать, какие разделы-абзацы будут в вашем сочинении, набросать идеи-тезисы и записать слова и фразы, которые хотите использовать в каждом пункте. После этого вновь вернитесь к заданию и проверьте, на все ли вопросы вы ответили и всем ли идеям нашлось место в вашем плане. Только после этого приступайте к написанию работы.
11. Последовательность
Как только вы написали какую-то идею, сразу же подкрепите ее доводами и примерами. Ни одна из ваших мыслей не должна «повиснуть в воздухе», все они должны подкреплять друг друга. Так вы покажете, что умеете четко обосновывать свою точку зрения на английском языке.
12. Правильный выбор задания
На экзамене выбирайте именно то задание, которое вы лучше всего понимаете и в теме которого разбираетесь. Например, если вы не киноман, вряд ли у вас получится написать качественный отзыв о фильме. Конечно, всегда можно пофантазировать, но все же вам будет комфортнее писать работу, если тема вам близка.
13. Редактура
Даже именитые писатели признают, что невозможно написать идеальный текст без редактуры, поэтому оставьте немного времени на вычитку своих работ. Нашли ошибку? Не паникуйте: аккуратно зачеркните ее и выше напишите правильное слово, за это вам не снизят баллы.
14. Ограничение по времени
Помните, что вам нужно потратить не более 40-45 минут на каждое задание, это довольно мало, поэтому не пишите черновик — вы просто не успеете оформить свое сочинение в чистовом варианте. Лучше набросайте план, о котором мы рассказали выше. Чтобы научиться укладываться в нужное время, используйте таймер: дома включите его на 40-45 минут и начинайте писать работу. Постепенно вы начнете чувствовать время и будете укладываться в нужный срок.
15. Один вариант языка
Предпочтительно использовать на экзамене британский вариант английского. Однако вы можете использовать и американский, за это не снижают баллы. Главное — использовать по всей работе только один вариант, не смешивать американское и английское написание слов.
Теперь вы хорошо представляете, что ждет вас на письменной части кембриджских экзаменов FCE, CAE, CPE, как подготовиться к ней и сдать на отлично. Если же вы хотите, чтобы опытный наставник помогал вам готовиться, приглашаем вас на курс подготовки к экзамену по английскому языку. Наши преподаватели подберут вам лучшие учебные материалы и научат выполнять все типовые задания. Желаем успехов на экзамене!
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CAE Essay Examples — Question 4
This came from the book ‘Cambridge English Advanced 2’ which you can buy here >>
CAE Essay Answer
You should print off a copy of the answer below here and write down any mistakes you find.
Alternatively, you can write the mistakes on a separate sheet of paper or on this online template.
You should also complete the examiner assessment scale template in hardcopy or online.
CAE Essay Answer With My Corrections
Here is a video of me critiquing this answer:
If you would like to receive a similar video critiquing one of your answers, check out my CAE writing assessment service >>
Below, you can read the answer with my corrections and what I wrote on the examiner assessment scale…
Social trends are part of today’s society and they could be described as peculiar behaviours that become ‘a’ fundamental characteristic of a society. In the last few years there have been many changes such as the development of ‘the’ internet, mobile phones and cheaper flights that have had an important influence in ‘on’ social trends.
As far as I’m concerned, the factor which influence‘s’ the most social trends ‘the most’ is the communication and especially the new communication via social network‘s’. As a matter of facts, the way we communicate has been influenced a lot by the development of ‘the’ internet and technology. Therefore, internationally widespread social networks such as Twitter, Instagram and TikTok have created ways of communicating that make it very easy to spread a peculiar ‘specific’ social trend by imitat‘ing’e the trends of other countries.
Other people may say that advertising is shaping social trends because of its u ‘i’nescapable influence on consumers. Although it surely plays an important role and everywhere we go we are surrounded by advertising, in my humble opinion, we are totally used to them and we know how to ignore them, so they don’t ‘do not’ have such a big influence on social trends.
In conclusion, it’s ‘is evident that what influence‘s’ ‘social trends’ the most social trends are the ways of communicating used by the people of today. They have the ‘ability’ peculiarity to make the world smaller and spread a new trend amazingly rapidly with the feature that it will affect a big amount ‘number’ of people in a small amount of time.
CAE Essay Marks
|
Subscale |
Mark (1-5) |
Commentary |
|
Content |
3 |
All parts of the question have been adequately addressed. The target reader can see which of the two points the writer is discussing in the essay. It is also clear which point the writer thinks has the biggest influence on social trends. The first main point about communication could be made slightly stronger. |
|
Communicative Achievement |
3 |
The writing could be slightly easier to follow at times, for example in the conclusion. This would also help keep the target reader engaged. There are one or two places in the essay where the arguments could be expanded and strengthened to help the target reader follow and understand the main points. |
|
Organisation |
4 |
Some words and phrases have been used to start new paragraphs but also to connect ideas within a paragraph, helping maintain a good structure and also to express your ideas and opinions, for example: ‘Therefore’ The whole essay has a good structure. |
|
Language |
2 |
There is evidence of different and a variety of grammatical structures, for example, the present perfect. It would be good to see you attempting some more complex grammatical structures. There are some less common words and phrases used, for example: ‘Peculiar’ ‘Fundamental characteristic’ However, there is some repetition of certain words where there is opportunity to show more variety and a wider knowledge of the English language. There are a few small errors, for example, using an incorrect preposition or missing articles. Some of the language is slightly too informal for an essay. |
C1 Advanced Writing — Pass or Fail?
I have awarded the essay the following marks:
Content — 3
Communicative Achievement — 3
Organisation — 4
Language — 2
Total: 12/20
You need a minimum of 24 out of 40 possible marks to pass the CAE writing paper. Remember, there are 2 different writings to complete, so you need to average 12 out of 20 for each writing task.
Remember, you do not need to pass every exam paper in order to pass the C1 Advanced (CAE) exam and get a certificate.
If you want to find out more about what marks you need in order to pass the exam, have a look at this page >>
This is a collection of CAE (Cambridge C1) essays written by my students, with my thoughts about them. There’s also a video I made of me writing an essay.
If you want CAE writing tips, there are lots in the writing section of this site.
Special pandemic offer: For a limited time I am giving feedback on essays (and reports, proposals etc) sent in by students. Students like you! 5 exam task corrections for 50 Euros. It can be 5 essays or 2 essays + 3 proposals or whatever combination you want.
The feedback is now in VIDEO FORMAT. It’s amazing.
More information here.
Now on with the examples.
Example Essay 1 — Too Much Traffic
Example Essay 2 — The Kardashians
TASK
Aspects of reality and talent TV shows
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entertainment for viewers
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influence on young people
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effect on participants
Write an essay for your tutor discussing two of the aspects in your notes. You should explain which aspect you think is the most important regarding these TV shows and provide reasons to support your opinion.
Reality television and talent shows have marked a turning point in the entertainment industry in just a few years. Yet, although all the fun, viewers are often left feeling dumb, pointless and empty after watching these kinds of programmes. In this essay, two aspects regarding reality TV will be discussed: the quality of entertainment viewers are getting and the influence it has on young people.
Some may find reality TV entertaining, yet it is not precisely adding positive values to our society. Flip through your channels for a minute and witness random people shopping compulsively or a judge humiliating amateur musicians on live television. It is not to say that we should rely on TV to educate us, it is to say that its influence on the viewers must never be underestimated. Again, should a person in a power position mistreat another on prime time, why would not the rest of us do it at school or at work?
Closely related to the point mentioned above is the influence that reality television has on our young. Not only is it worrying that our children’s ultimate goal is to be like Kim Kardashian, but also it is putting unnecessary pressure on parents. On one side, some of them state to be preoccupied for allowing their children be influenced by pointless characters. On the other, the younger ones might get mocked at by peers for not being up-to-date with the latest episodes.
In my view, it is essential to limit and supervise the amount of time children and adolescents spend in front of the television. Otherwise, they could be easily deceived by the numerous illusions reality TV wants to sell.
Feedback:
A great essay! It flows well and there are lots of variations in sentence style that makes it interesting to read.
The first sentence is one of the weakest, which isn’t ideal. A turning point from what to what? From boring TV to the golden age of TV? From TV as a tool for mass education to a tool for stripping everyone’s dignity? (In contrast, the final sentence is super, so it ends on a high note.)
There are some mistakes.
• Yet, although all the fun, viewers are often left feeling dumb, pointless and empty
This should say despite all the fun, and pointless isn’t a feeling. Right now I can’t think of a better word. I’d rearrange it to something like: viewers are left feeling stupid, empty, and that life is pointless/and that they are wasting their lives.
• Some may find reality TV entertaining, yet it is not precisely adding positive values to our society.
The continuous tense as used here doesn’t feel right. We’re not talking about something happening now but a general trend, so the simple tense would be better. And the phrase is better with exactly (instead of precisely).
It doesn’t exactly add positive values…
The only mistake that really stops me from understanding her point is this one:
some of them state to be preoccupied for allowing their children be influenced by pointless characters.
I would guess that ‘state’ should be ‘claim’. Some parents claim. Or ‘some parents say they are preoccupied’. But I can’t work out the meaning of the sentence because preoccupied doesn’t seem to have been used correctly. It means ‘busy with other things’.
So the student would probably not get the highest possible score for language, but I would imagine she’d score very highly.
I really like the phrase ‘closely related’ as a way of introducing the next topic. But remember the task is to say which aspect is more important. Better to make it really clear that you are answering the question. You could do it like:
Closely related to but even more important than the point mentioned above…
Maybe it’s just because I haven’t had my lunch yet, but I’m not 100% sure the student actually fulfills the task. Did she say which was more important? She talks about one aspect, then another aspect, and mentions the second aspect in the conclusion. I’d be much happier if there was at least one line comparing/contrasting the two aspects.
Example Essay 3 — Young People vs Science
This is from an official Cambridge test book. The task says:
Your class has listened to a radio discussion on how more young people can be encouraged to study science. You have made the notes below.:
If you’ve already read the writing tips section, you might have seen this essay answered by another student. It’s here in this article called ‘Improving a CAE Essay’.
Here’s another student’s attempt:
How to encourage young people to study science
Recent discussions center around how to encourage young people to study science. The main options are advertising and school programmes.
School programmes are considered as a very effective channel to reach young people. There can be no doubt that the schools and teachers play not only a crucial role in a child’s development, but are vital as well to arouse their interest for everything, as they are in direct and everyday contact with them. It has been suggested that parents should also educate and teach more their children in a more scientific way, but this is rather a disputed than an established fact.
Although school programmes may be very successful and constructive for the pupils, it is probably true that the effects of advertising might have more positive consequences on the encouragement of children to study science. First, advertisements has a way to much forms: from a simple flyer to social media and it can carry a clever, funny and profound message that can easily reach young people. On the other hand, advertising happens generally in an indirect way that has been proven more powerful. Don’t underestimate the influence of advertising!
Taking everything into consideration, I believe that advertising would help more than school programmes in the end to encourage the pupils, as it inspires everybody and brings awareness to science in a proven and practical way.
Feedback:
This student worked a lot on her writing and a few months after writing this, got a good C grade.
There are lots of little mistakes but also lots of nice ‘set phrases’. This student is from Eastern Europe and her language doesn’t have articles (the, a) so that was an area I tried to make her focus on.
The main problem with the essay is that it isn’t really clear what she believes. When I talked to her, I realised that she thought ‘on the other hand’ meant something different from what it actually means. So the section about advertising is VERY confusing!
Example Essay 4 — Kids and Exercise
Motivating children to do regular exercise
Today’s biggest challenge is in child education and parenting, how to motivate children to do regular exercise. Is your child also unwilling to use his excessive energy? I am happy to share with you two very good ways: school and parental example.
First of all, recent studies have shown that schools play an essential role in stimulating children’s motivation to do exercises. There are certain schools specialised in sports that are without any doubt very effective to support your children’s interest and motivation in any sport. Further, a surprising fact, almost every regular school is associated with a (or has its own) sport club offering a wide choice of sport activities.
The other way is your personal (parental) example. Children have a lot of energy and they need to build it up in order to reduce the daily stress and process emotions. It might not be astonishing for you that they are learning by copying their parents. So, the more time you spend with your kid(s) being active, the more likely they’ll be motivated in doing exercises. In addition, don’t be afraid to let them try out every sport they show interest for!
Taking these ways into consideration, I believe that in first instance parental behavior would help more to encourage children towards active lifestyle. In lack of this, the schools are just the second best option, but they complete each other very well.
Feedback:
This student lives in Switzerland and to me the first sentence is a quite Germanic word order. It would be MUCH clearer like this:
The biggest challenge today in child education and parenting is how to motivate children to do regular exercise.
That’s the kind of simple switch that is SO HARD and only comes through lots of practice and correction.
It’s much more clear what the writer thinks in this essay than in essay 3. So when she makes a mistake like ‘build it up’ (she means burn it off) we can still understand what her point is.
So it’s pretty good, with lots of room for improvement.
Example Essay 5 — Young People Prefer Cities
The following essay was written by a student named Alina and is based on this task:
There is much evidence that more and more youngsters have opted to stick to urban areas in the recent few decades. There are several grounds for such a tendency; however, it is generally believed that a wide range of job opportunities and a great variety of entertainment are among crucial factors. But what is the major reason for young generation to settle down in the urban areas?
To begin with, numerous companies and businesses presented in big cities serve as an enticement for young adults, who look to embark on a career in a dynamic working environment offering both professional development and competitive salaries. Not only do they seek for career prospects and financial reward, but also fast-paced fields with cutting-edge technologies and challenging tasks are valuable for young people. However, some lucrative position at first sight might as well turn out to be another heavy workload with endless red-tape and mundane tasks.
Conversely, a hectic social life is what anyone would never fail to discover in any big city with a broad array of attractions for locals and tourists. There is also a great choice of activities to everyone’s taste – one can have a full diary for every weekend as a party animal or a true culture vulture – something is sure to be cooked up for you to brighten your mood.
Unquestionably, local authorities should not underestimate the role of cultural events and put an emphasis on developing focal points to liven up rural areas which can potentially reverse the trend.
Feedback:
This is good! Lots of good language and I think it’d get a good score.
You can read through it and pick out some nice, advanced phrases like ‘conversely’, ‘culture vulture’ and ‘it is generally believed’.
But not all of the advanced language is used correctly. Hectic is a fairly negative word but here it seems to be used as a positive thing. Instead of ‘tendency’ it should be ‘trend’.
And there are some more basic mistakes too. Seek means look for, so ‘seek for’ actually means ‘look for for’ — no bueno! Settle down in urban areas.
Those are areas to improve but they aren’t necessarily going to reduce the grade much. The real question is, did Alina complete the task?
Mostly. She discusses two of the three points and she kind of says which is more important. But she does it by trying to solve the problem of young people moving to cities. I don’t think this is a task where you should do something like that. You aren’t asked to comment on whether it’s a good or bad trend — just why it happens.
The last paragraph should be ‘culture is the main reason that young people move to cities because [they want action and excitement].’ This way it’s 100% clear that you are doing the task — your answer isn’t hidden .
29 Comments
The Cambridge C1 Advanced is an excellent qualification to aim for if you’re thinking of studying or working abroad. It’s recognised by universities and governments all over the world and also helps you prove your language skills to future employers.
One of the most demanding parts of the exam is Part 1 of the Writing paper, which includes writing an essay. For many of you, this won’t come naturally… especially in another language.
So, to give you the best chance at success, we’ve created this in-depth guide full of Cambridge C1 Advanced Writing tips and useful language to get you producing excellent essays in no time.
So, pick up your pen, and let’s get started!
If you’d like to get more help with the C1 Advanced, consider our exam preparation class!
C1 Advanced Writing Requirements
The C1 Advanced Writing exam has two writing parts, which you must complete in 90 minutes. Both parts have a word limit of between 220-260 words. We recommend getting lots of writing practice under these conditions!
Part 1 is always a discursive essay. It requires you to think about arguments for and against a topic.
Part 2 is a situationally based writing task. This could be a letter, an email, a report, a proposal or a review and you have three options to choose from.
Today, we’ll be looking at how to do your best in part 1.
Before you begin
When you turn over the paper and begin Writing Part 1, take some time to read the task instructions. Identify all parts of the question, underlining which parts are obligatory and noting which parts are optional.
Let’s take a look at an example question!
Remember, you don’t have to use the opinions expressed in the box, but they may help you to get the ball rolling. Also, you only have to talk about two of the options given, not all three.
Make a plan
Take ten minutes to lay out your ideas. Make a pros and cons list for each of the three options and then decide which two you feel most confident with. Here’s some things you might come up with, can you think of any more?
Structure your essay
The essence of a good essay is a clear structure.
Introduction
Here you want to introduce the topic in your own words. Your first line should also grab the reader’s attention, then you should paraphrase the question. Finally, try using a statistic or a rhetorical question. This will make them want to read on, right?
Paragraph 1
Discuss the first option you’ve chosen. Include a good topic sentence and remember to give reasons for your answer. Describe some of the advantages, and even some of the disadvantages too. This will give a well-balanced argument.
Paragraph 2
Here’s where you introduce the second option. Again, try to present both sides of the argument and give reasons for your ideas. Gradually work towards the conclusion.
Conclusion
State your final opinion. This should be a summary of the rest of the essay and point clearly to which option you think is the most important. Do not introduce any new arguments at this stage. The conclusion is where you tie-up any loose ends.
Language
This is an advanced piece of writing, so make sure your choice of language reflects it. You will get marked for accuracy, however, occasional errors can still be present as long as they do not impede understanding. So don’t play it too safe. This is your opportunity to show what you can do, so take some risks and have fun with it!
Vocabulary
In the writing paper you should use a range of vocabulary, including less common lexis. Brainstorm some vocabulary related to the topic. Take your time to think of nouns and compound nouns that you know at C1 level. Really let your vocabulary sparkle.
Synonyms
No one likes a broken record. Find synonyms for simple words. You want to use a variety of language, and try not to repeat yourself too much. Check out these different ways of saying the same thing:
advantage = benefit, positive, upside
disadvantage = downside, drawback
effect = influence, impact, result, outcome
problem = issue, challenge, difficulty, obstacle, setback, complication
important = valuable, essential, beneficial
expensive = costly, dear, high-priced, extortionate
cheap = inexpensive, affordable, economical
big = great, large, sizeable, considerable, wide, vast
small = slight, tiny, little
Quick tip: Visit Thesaurus.com to study more synonyms!
Grammar
Experiment with different grammatical forms. At this level you’re expected to have a good grasp on the grammar. You should use a range of simple and complex grammatical forms with control and flexibility. So challenge yourself with some of these…
- Participle clauses
- Conditionals
- Modal verbs
- Passive with reporting verbs
- Inversion
- Cleft sentences
- Comparatives
- Relative clauses
Useful expressions
To make your essay flow it’s best to use some key phrases. These will link all your ideas together, and help it sound semi-formal. Take a look at the expressions below. Why not use some in your next essay?
Introduction:
It is often said that…
Many people feel that…
We live in an age when..
More and more…
Introducing & Addition:
Firstly, secondly, thirdly…
On the one hand…
In addition…
What is more…
Examples:
For example…
For instance…
As a case in point…
Contrasting:
In contrast…
On the other hand…
Alternatively…
However…
Conclusion:
All things considered…
As far as I’m concerned…
In light of the above…
What the examiners are looking for
When writing your essay, bear in mind what you’ll be marked on:
Content
Have you answered all parts of the question? Is everything relevant to the question?
Communicative Achievement
Is the style and tone appropriate? Remember it should be semi-formal and neutral.
Organisation
Does it follow a logical order? Have you used paragraphs and linking devices?
Language
Are you using a variety of grammar and vocabulary? Is it accurate?
Check
Now your masterpiece has come together. Remember to take time to check your work. Here’s the official Writing Checklist from Cambridge Assessment English. And our list of the most common mistakes:
- spelling
- subject + verb agreement
- singulars / plurals
- articles
- question formation
- variety of tenses
- dependent prepositions
Some final tips
Avoid contractions (I’m, they’re, we’re) as this is a formal writing.
Don’t use first person pronouns (I, my, our, us).
Practise under timed conditions.
Use model answers to practise fixed expressions.
Good luck!
——
Looking for more help with your Cambridge C1 Advanced exam? Here are our other guides from our blog:
C1 Advanced Reading and Use of English – Part 1, Part 2, Part 3
And if you are not sure if you’re ready for the C1 Advanced, check out our article Am I ready for the C1 Advanced exam? to find out!
Glossary for Language Learners
Find the following words in the article and then write down any new ones you didn’t know.
Get the ball rolling (exp) : to start something.
Lay out (v): to explain something in detail.
Paraphrase (v): to say the same thing in a different way.
Tie-up any loose ends (exp): to resolve issues.
Play it safe (exp): to act cautiously.
A broken record (exp): when someone repeats themself.
Sparkle (v) : to shine.
Good grasp (exp): a good knowledge.
Bear in mind (exp) : to consider.
Masterpiece (n): an incredible work of art.
Key
v = verb
exp = expression
n = noun