Cambridge FCE Writing - Revision and tips Engxam

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Cambridge FCE Writing - Revision and tips

Writing part 1: 

Essay

Writing part 2:

- Article

- Review

- Report

- Letter

Writing part 1:Essay sample task

ESSAY - structure

important tips

• always write an introduction and conclusion

• main body: three paragraphs 

• each topic is one paragraph 

• always write a topic sentence for each paragraph, then write the detail sentences.

• use linking words and phrases to structure your writing

• use ambitious grammar, formal language and vocabulary

example paragraphs

examples

Example conclusion

• summarise the main idea of your essay

• convince the reader that your conclusion is correct

• make sure your conclusion is connected to your paragraphs 

Useful language

It is often said that....

However, on balance...

Firstly, it is clear that...

While it is true that / Although it may be said that...

To clarify the point,

Finally, it is important to remember/ must be remembered that...

Lastly, I feel that

In conclusion, it seems to me that...

Final tips Essay

Writing part 2: Letter

Topics: 

- letter of application

- complaint

- reaction on advertisement

Formal letter

Example letter

Make up the details

use linking words

point out linking words

Final tips - formal letter

Read examples and make notes of useful language.

Writing part 2: Article

Example task 

Example topic 2

Article - structure

Example article

Give your article a title

Write a short introduction

Write two body paragraphs

Write a short conclusion

Final tips

Good to remember - article

• An article can be light or serious, but be consistent

• give your article a short title

• the opening sentence contains a link to the title 

• add interesting information, (true) stories or anecdotes

• engage the reader e.g. by asking a question

• finish by summarising your main point

• express your opinion or feelings in the last paragraph

Final tips - article 

Writing part 2: Review

Example task

Review - structure

Review- example 

Review - details

• 
  

• 
  

• 
  

• Make the introduction at least two sentences long.

• engage the reader by asking a question

Review - details

Give relevant details - use interesting vocab - give your opinion

Review- conclusion

Write a recommendation

Write a good last sentence

Review - tips

How to excel at writing

PROOFREAD YOUR WRITING:

• LAY-OUT - APPROPRIATE FOR THE TASK

• PARAGRAPHS

• SPELLING - CAPITAL LETTERS - PUNCTUATION

• AMBITIOUS LANGUAGE

• AMBITIOUS GRAMMAR

• REPHRASE WORDS FROM THE TASK, DON'T COPY THEM

Ambitious grammar: concession

Concession: Using words like although - despite - in spite of

Smokers spend a lot of money on their addiction and this is terrible.

Although it is true that smokers are free to spend their money as they wish, to satisfy their addiction, smokers spend money that could be put to better use in many ways, both for their families and for society.

How to excell at writing

Activities 

STRUCTURING YOUR WORK: 

https://breakoutenglish.com/first-fce/linking-words/

Change this sentence using the words given "Although I had never seen her before, I recognised her from a photograph." Despite....

Write a sentence about the negative and positive effects of social media. Start with" Although..."

Ambitious grammar - relative pronouns 

Relative pronouns: who - whose - which

Family members of smokers often get ill from smoking related illnesses because they were affected by the smoke of others.

Family members of smokers, who do not smoke, often get ill from smoking related illnesses because they were affected by the smoke of others.

Write a sentence about a person you admire. Use the word "...who.. "in your sentence.

ambitious grammar -conditionals

Conditional sentences : if - unless - provided that -on the condition that.

That is why our hospitals are full of people who only became ill due to smoking.

If smoking had been made illegal in the past, our hospitals would not be full of people who have been made ill by this addiction.

More examples:

If students lose the ability to think for themselves, this is not a good thing.

Write a sentence about the negative effect of tourism on the environment. Use "if .." in your sentence.

ambitious language - modals

modal verbs: should - would - could - must 

Taking these ideas into account, I think that were smoking to be made illegal, smokers and non-smokers alike would be protected from the dangers of smoke, and a lot of money could be saved.

We should be aware of the dangers of social media.

ambitious grammar - passives

Example sentences:

Advertising should be restricted.

Every aspect of life is affected by technology.

Technology is used in film-making.

Write a passive sentence about using phones in class.

Full explanations and details

for full details and further practice go to

https://engxam.com/?exams=b2-first-fce

https://www.englishrevealed.co.uk/fce_writing.php

Practice and peer review

Task: write an article or review of 140 to 190 words

Take 35 minutes to write and 5 minutes for revision

save your writing in Word

Upload it on 

https://padlet.com/e_keultjes/fce_writing 

Then, read what other students wrote.