Introduce the topic and agree or disagree with the statement – 2 sentences
Introduce the topic in our own words. This demonstrates to the examiner that we have understood the question. Say whether we agree or not with the statement. Two sentences are sufficient.
Give each prompt its own paragraph. The first sentence should introduce the prompt. Then, we should explain why it supports our opinion and give examples why.
We should summarise the essay briefly in different words and repeat our opinion in a clear way.
This isn’t the only way you can structure your essay, but it’s easy to follow so I recommend it (as well as most teachers).
â If you fail to plan, you are planning to fail. â â Benjamin Franklin
Planning your essay before you start is important. Think about:
Here’s an example essay for the question above:
It is widely accepted that our education system should give students the best chance for future employment. However, it is my opinion that schools should provide much more than this.
Firstly, we can not deny that examinations are unimportant. However, putting too much focus on testing can leave students feeling overstressed, and often does not provide space for them to develop their creativity. Furthermore, it makes the experience of learning boring.
Secondly, schools absolutely should teach students useful skills which they can use throughout life. But they should focus on a range of skills, not just work-related ones. For example, if students learnt about finance and health they would benefit in other areas of their lives, outside of work.
Finally, the importance of social interaction in education must not be forgotten. For many young people, schools provide an opportunity for students to form relationships which will serve them throughout their entire lives. A person with strong social skills will not only do well in their careers but will be happier too.
In conclusion, while it is important to give students good job opportunities, schools also have a responsibility to make learning enjoyable, relevant and creative. Life is not just about work, and education should reflect this.
Your essay should have a formal or neutral tone, never informal. Here are some ways to make your writing more formal.
â It’s widely believed… â It is widely believed…
â We’ve seen… â We have seen…
Only refer to yourself when giving your opinion about the question. Avoid talking personally otherwise. Don’t use personal experiences as examples.
â Whilst I was travelling last year… â It is my opinion that…
Phrasal verbs often have a more formal alternative; for example:
â They took part… â They participated…
â People are finding out that… â People are discovering that…
â Furthermore, it makes the experience of learning boring! â Furthermore, it makes the experience of learning boring.
If you haven’t included a passive example, think about sentences where you can:
â We must not forget the importance of social interaction in education. â â â The importance of social interaction in education must not be forgotten.
There are four areas that examiners focus on when assessing your essay:
Each area is marked on a scale of 0 to 5.
Here are some main points to remember in order to get top marks:
Content | Make sure you answer the question and respond in detail to the prompts Don’t include any irrelevant information |
Communicative Achievement | Use a formal/neutral tone Make your ideas easy to understand Give reasons for your examples Make your opinion clear in the introduction and conclusion without repeating words |
Organisation | Use linking words and connectors to link and organise your ideas Make your ideas flow Follow the 5 paragraph formula |
Language | Use a range of vocabulary related to the topic Use a range of simple and complex grammar (e.g. passive and modals) Avoid repeating words if possible Check your spelling |
Often, students lose easy points because they write more than necessary about irrelevant things, or they forget to completely answer the question and prompts. It doesn’t matter if you write better than Shakespear, if you don’t answer the question correctly you can’t get full marks.
The most important things to remember are to:
Here’a a good tip: if you find yourself writing a conditional sentence with âifâ, see if itâs possible to change it to a second conditional. If so, do it. This is an easy way to demonstrate a higher lever.
Compare these sentences:
For example, if students learn about finance and health they will benefit in other areas of their lives, outside of work. â
For example, if students learnt about finance and health they would benefit in other areas of their lives, outside of work. â â â
Both sentences are correct for an essay and express the same idea. But the second sentence will get more points because it uses more complex grammar.
Does it matter if i write more than 190 words.
Not exactly, a few words over the limit won’t make a difference, so don’t waste time counting words. Itâs not a strict rule. However, if you write much less than the limit then you probably arenât covering all the points with enough detail. If you write much more than the limit, youâre likely including irrelevant information. In both cases, you would lose points for Content.
One or two small errors won’t matter but if your errors make the essay hard to understand you could lose points.
No, but you can if you want.
It does not matter which you use, but you must be consistent. Don’t change between the two.
Here are some common B2 First (FCE) essay topics; make sure you have a good range of vocabulary for each:
I hope you find this guide for the B2 First (FCE) Writing essay helpful. Practice makes perfect so make sure to write as often as you can. Use the comments below to leave your answer to the sample question above.
Really clear and easy to follow easy planning – thanks
Thanks Lucy đ
Actually very clear and useful! Thanks a lot!!!
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By Fabio 6 Comments
Hey friend, how is life? In this blog post I’m going to review some useful insights to ace the Writing part of the FCE exam , also known as Cambridge English: First but also as First Certificate in English.
So you know already one fundamental notion: Cambridge Assessment English exams have as many titles as Daenerys Targaryen . đ
This post looks in more depth at the Writing part but if you feel like having a broader vision of the FCE exam, here you have it –>Â First Certificate in English (FCE): How to Ace it
To pass the exam is no easy feat and the Writing is certainly one of the hardest. Language conventions, style, lexicon … đ In the Reading and Use of English at least you only have to fill empty spaces :-/ in here, you have to compose a text from scratch.
You are given a few guidelines and you’re left with a blank space to scrabble in. No wonder some of us find this part to be difficult .
Well, it does not have to be: with the right preparation and tools, you can pass the exam with flying colours, FCE Writing included.
â ď¸ WARNING: THIS POST IS NOT FOR THE FAINT-HEARTED â ď¸
đ Downside: you’re reading a lengthy piece . I couldn’t make it exhaustive and short at the same time, sorry.
đ Upside: you do not need to look any further on the Internet. This <brag alert> is the most comprehensive guide available concerning the FCE Writing </brag alert>.
I invite you to put it in your Favourites in order to come back, every now and again, to explore the different parts and suggestions, as you happen to need them. đ
And now, let’s dive into the matter.
You’re given 80 minutes for two different tasks:
So, it makes forty minutes for each text. In reality, you can spend seventy minutes on one and ten on the other : it’s absolutely fine. In this time, you have to do it all:
Both texts have to be between 140 and 190 words long each.
You can either go for the paper-based exam or for the computer-based exam : one of the two major differences between them lies indeed in the FCE Writing section.
In the paper-based exam, you write on, surprise surprise , paper . đ That means you have to do it the good old way: basically, draft first then neat copy. Thus, you have to factor in the time to do this all and make a final check round before to deliver it.
In the computer-based exam, you write on… (drum roll) … a digital screen . đťÂ That means you don’t have to worry about initial draft and final draft : there won’t be crossing-outs, ink stains, bad handwriting. However, you still have white paper, pens and pencils in case you want to scribble some notes aside.
Also, if you go for the computer-based exam, you have some extra perks:
#1 You have a stopwatch right before your eyes, on top of the screen, flashing red when the time is about to end; âąď¸
#2 You also have a word counter , below the screen, so that you can keep your text length under control the whole time.
Are in essence the paper-based and the computer-based versions of the Writing the same? Absolutely the same . It’s just a different medium. If you feel like scrabbling ideas on paper , you can still do it: you are provided with blank paper and pens and pencils, whereas necessary, before the beginning of the exam.
So, should you go for the paper-based exam or the computer-based one? Whatever floats your boat. âľ Surprisingly, many candidates prefer the paper-based one.
Want to know more about the two formats? Read: Paper or Computer: Choose your Cambridge English Exam Format .
Along these years in the field, I’ve seen many students underestimating this task. Why? Because they think they’re already able to write . Among the remarks I heard the most:
There are sooooo many misconceptions here. đ¤
#1 Email is just one of the six options you may have in the FCE Writing section. Besides, you may be writing for a thousand years but doing it wrong.
#2 Texting and emailing informally a friend is NOT the same as to write an email with the required language and conventions to someone who’s not a friend. And again: email is just one of five options in the FCE writing; WhatsApp messages are not yet considered as a type of text from the Cambridge folks deserving to be introduced in any exam.
#3 Reading is the compulsory starting point if you want to write đ, but then, there’s more work to do.
The truth of the matter is the following, beautifully articulated by Benjamin Franklin:
By failing to prepare, you are preparing to fail.
For the great majority of us, real life just does not provide the type of preparation you need to pass the exam . Who do you send an essay to? What do you write a report for? OK, I think I made myself clear on this point. Now, an interesting question.
Is there any book you’d recommend to improve specifically the Writing section of the FCE exam? Yes, there is FCE Writing Masterclass by Marc Roche . I’d rather say it’s a must-study.
Be VERY mindful of an irrefutable fact: if you know how to write, speaking will follow .
This is an all too often overlooked concept: a horde of learners presume talking well in a given language is all about pronouncing right and training amply the talking itself. Wrong!
First, you need to get your linguistic act together: having something to say, being able to tell it in an articulated matter ; pronunciation, prosody, rhetoric come later. Writing is to speaking as walking is to running.
Want to know more about the Speaking part? Read: FCE Certificate: A Recipe for Success in FCE Speaking .
Now, let’s dig into the kinds of Writing you will encounter in the B2 First exam, one by one.
The Essay is the only component of Part 1 of the Writing. It’s compulsory . In it, you have to talk about a topic, mentioning two points you’re provided plus a point of your own. đď¸Â In other words, in an essay you give info, you explain your viewpoint, you compare and contrast.
The consumption of dietary supplements has been growing exponentially and various voices call for a more stringent regulation about them. What do you think?
Write about:
So, in less than 200 words you have to talk about the two points offered plus a point of your making.
What are some basic principles you should follow?
What do I mean in point 3 ? Making use of:
You got me.
How would I organize my time ? Ideally, I would:
A word of advise (or two) (maybe three):
#1 Keep your words under control.
The maximum limit of words is quite tight: if you don’t pay attention, you’ll end up writing twice as much in order to cover all the points.
#2 Keep your brainstorming skills sharp.
Far from the exam, is a good thing to do the following exercise. Open up a newspaper, pick an article: what topic is it? Nuclear wastes? Climate change? Online banking security breaches? đ
Perfect! Pick them, write them on paper then brainstorm for a few minutes what words and structures to use in the essay .
#3 Save some time for the end.
It is useful to allow, at the very end of your 80 minutes, some spare 3-4 minutes to come back to the essay , to read it again in search for mistakes again and incongruences. Why?
Because after forty minutes of being on top of the essay, you may not be able any more to spot such undesired intruders. The distance given by half an hour and attention on something else, gives a useful semi-fresh perspective on it .
What is that I shouldn’t say but it is better for me to say?
#1 Keep it simple : don’t play Alain de Botton if your name is Pedro AntuùÊz or Giovanni Rossi. Better something less sophisticated but correct than something amazingly conceived but poorly rendered on paper.
#2 Care your GSP (Grammar, Spelling and Punctuation) : there is no point in being Malcolm Gladwell 𦱠if you have a first grader’s GSP.
#3 Never forget that you’re not being evaluated on the originality of your ideas.
If the essay is about recycling, you don’t have to quote a pioneering study from the University of Petropavlovsk concerning the reuse of coffee pods in subarctic oceanic aquaculture.
What you have to do, in your FCE Writing, is to show that you have a B2 English , not a PhD in the subject of the essay.
And now, it’s time for you to get stained with some ink. Read the assignment below –> do it yourself –> check how I would have done it. âď¸
Consider the following assignment.
More needs to be done to encourage children to spend time healthily outdoors. Do you agree? (140-190 words)
Write about: 1# Benefits and disadvantages of children’s outdoor activities 2# Recommendations for parents and teachers 3# Your own ideas
đŹ Done? Very well. So, there are MANY ways to write this essay, but a decent one is the following:
Children spending time healthily outdoor
First of all, I wholeheartedly agree with the statement, but I will try to describe all the pros and cons related to the matter, before coming to conclusions.
To begin with, it’s easy to come up with several reasons why our kids ought to spend some daily hours in places such as parks, gardens or in the countryside. Physical activity is paramount to a person’s wellness, even more at a young age; besides, it would prevent obesity and subtle manipulation from TV and the internet.
That doesn’t mean there are no downsides. It’s difficult to be outdoorsy if you dwell in a 50 sqm-flat downtown or if you reside in a bad dodgy neighbourhood. In that case, we may want these children to stay indoors, watching the TV and being looked after.
However, the most crucial element in this regard is, in my opinion, parenting style. We’ve been breeding a generation of âhelicopter parentsâ, hovering constantly over their offspring in search for hidden threats. Media play a big role in this, as they blow everything out of proportion: there’s rather plenty of evidence that such fears are irrational.
To sum up, I do admit there are pros and cons in letting the kids stay less indoor, but I firmly believe there’s a lot more to gain than to lose.
đŹ And here it is. Too hard? Too long? If you prepare well, you’re going to nail it.
Actually, you know what? Most prep books for the FCE exam focus enough on the Essay. Why? Because it’s the only Writing exercise you’re obliged to do, hence their emphasis.
Any of the books suggested in the main post about FCE are as good as a lemon sorbet in a summer heat wave. đŚ You may find them here:
First Certificate in English (FCE): How to Ace it
You shall find plenty of instructions and examples there. Nevertheless, whatever your strategy, it is neeeeeeeeever a bad idea to review and strengthen your grammar . This can be an excellent ally of yours:
English Grammar in Use with Answers : I have a hard time taking grammar books in my hands, but this is well done.
The Article is one of the options you’re given in the Part 2 of the FCE Writing: whether to go for this one or not, is your choice.
In the Article, you have to write an engaging text for a website, a magazine, a newsletter. âď¸ I n other words, in an article you describe, provide examples and articulate your opinion , in a way that you readers feel compelled to read it all.
In your opinion, what would be the upsides and downsides of learning programming languages? Is it something you would invite all young people to do?
The best article will be published next month.
General suggestions:
#1 Keep it simple : if you can’t put on paper a Fareed Zakaria’s prose , don’t try. A couple of ideas, linear clauses, appropriate nouns and adjectives, good connectors: that’s all.
# 2 Care your GSP (Grammar, Spelling and Punctuation) : no point in writing the best article ever if you drop a wheater you leik it or not . đą
#3 Never forget that you’re being evaluated for your English , which has to be B2. Not for your originality in terms of content or style: just for your English . Cambridge does not deliver Pulitzer prizes anyway.
đŹ Now it’s your turn again: read the assignment below –> write it yourself –> check my version of it. âď¸
In your opinion, is learning programming languages necessary in today’s world? Is it something you would invite all young people to do?
The best article will be published next month in our college magazine.
đŹ Again, COUNTLESS are the ways to write this. I’m just putting down one of them here below.
Human languages are the present: programming languages the future
In modern-day society, a good curriculum has no real appeal if not completed with the mastery of one or two foreign languages. But… Do you think it will always be this way? I don’t think so.
Sooner or later, human languages will be translated and interpreted by machines that will run on an entirely different set of languages: that of computers. Programming languages, we call them.
That’s the future. It will take ten years, perhaps twenty: but in that moment, these tools will be as popular and embedded into our daily life and professions, that ignoring Python, C+ or Java will be just as prejudicial as is nowadays not knowing English or French.
Hence, I strongly recommend our youth to start exploring the subject. It’s no more difficult than learning any other discipline: a bit of patience, some guidance, good materials.
So, guys: read about it, try coding, come to our so-called “Hackatons”, attend courses and hone your programming skills. Before you know it, it will be impossible to live without.
đŹ And here we are. Nothing otherwordly, don’t you think?
Of course. It is possible to accomplish this task even without this book, to be honest. On the other hand, if you want to learn how to write an article in an excellent way, you shouldn’t miss:
The Sense of Style: The Thinking Person’s Guide to Writing in the 21st Century , by Steven Pinker . Good for FCE, CAE, CPE and for being a human being.
The Email is also one of the options you’re given in the Part 2 of this section, so it is not compulsory .
In this, you have to write in response to a certain situation , formal or informal, being careful to include everything you’re told according to the conventions of an email. đ§
You see this ad on an English-language literary magazine website.
Writing Contest
Ready to share your novel or poem with the world? Whether youâre a newbie or more established writer, youâre welcome to take part in our Fiction or Poetry contests.
Submit by sending us an email briefly introducing yourself, as a person and an author, beside a few words on your creation. Don’t forget to attach your work!
So now, what’s the purpose of the email?
Informal or formal? Kind of in between here, don’t you concur? It’s a writing contest, granted, but the phrasing used in the announcement is not Victorian literary English . đ
The cues are:
Again, it’s a useful exercise to take a few minutes to think of the words, idioms and expressions you may use, plus to draw a simple outline of how you’re going to unfold the email, paragraph after paragraph.
Points I want you to be aware of:
#1 The Email writing is more difficult than what it looks like.
Why? Because in life you may read a lot of essays, articles or reports so that you will have an idea of how to draft them even if you do not specifically train yourself for them. But emails? Not really.
That’s when textbooks and prep books come in very handy: they contain this stuff, so you should rely on them. đŠ
#2 A maximum of 190 words is less than what you imagine.
Don’t get carried away or you’ll still be talking about yourself by word nÂş 220 and you still haven’t even glossed over your writing genius and your manuscript.
#3 Don’t warp your English in an effort to make it superduper cultured.Â
It’s unlikely that this email will end up in a posthumous collection such as The Letters of J. R. R. Tolkien. At a B2 you know enough English to communicate richly, but to be Virginia Woolf-like, a great deal remains to be done.
đŹ Time for you to test your skills: read the assignment below –> do it yourself –> check how I would have done it. âď¸
ScholarshipsÂ
Every year, two scholarships are offered to candidates from overseas who can show how our one-year course in English studies would help their career.
Scholarships cover fees, accommodation and food but not transport or personal spending money.
To apply, write an email explaining why you think you deserve a scholarship.
đŹ I hope you really did it, rather than scrolling down endlessly 𤨠Anyway, this is what I’d write.
Dear Sir/Madam, I hope this email finds you well.
I am writing to your attention about the ad on your website, concerning the two scholarships for overseas students. I believe it would make a huge difference for me: allow me here to explain why.
As you know, Italy is a tourism-based country. Thus, I have been pursuing an education in Hotel Management and Sustainable Tourism. Unfortunately, in my country English teaching is not cutting-edge: neither within the education system, nor in the general society. As a result, undergraduates like me are forced to take matters into their own hands.
I have carefully read your one-year English studies program: I believe it would be very formative for me, beside being a boost for my employability.
This email would not be complete if I failed to mention either my excellent academic results (I hereby attach my curriculum) or, particularly, my limited budget. Hence, a financial aid in the form of a scholarship would be most welcome.
I look forward to hearing from you and please do not hesitate to contact me for any queries you may have.
Yours sincerely, Tyrion Lannister
đŹÂ And here it is. As long as you study well, the Email does not constitute any danger.
Yes, there’s one which is as good as a granita siciliana while laying on a beach in Favignana in August. đŚ It’s this one:
Writing That Works, 3rd Edition: How to Communicate Effectively in Business Paperback by Kenneth Roman and Joel Raphaelson : a phenomenal textbook on how to write emails the proper way.
The Review is one of the options you’re given in Part 2: again, it is not compulsory .
The Review assesses how well you can describe and motivate your opinion about something you have first-hand knowledge of (the like of an electronic gadget, a theatre play, a holiday package, etc.), with a final suggestion to the reader. đ In other words, in a review you have to describe, detail and give your opinion.
A review may be published on different media: daily newspaper, online magazine, nationwide printed cultural journal. Hence, different styles for different outlets.
The Best Tablet of the Year
On our lifestyle webzine, we’ve been gathering reviews from our readership concerning the best tablet of the year. If you have recently purchased or used one, write us your opinion including brand, model, features and other data you deem relevant.
We will then publish a chart based on the devices which have received the most praises!
So, the assignment couldn’t be clearer. You have to include in your review (I am totally making stuff up here below between parenthesis):
#1 Choose a title that is alluring and at the same time gives the readers an idea of what to expect from your review. đŻ
#2 It’s a good thing to read reviews profusely in preparation of the exam.
A brief summary of your go-to resources:
– Gizmos: Techradar – Restaurants & Hotels: Tripadvisor – Books: Goodreads – Movies: BBC Film Reviews
It’s good to remark that most of the reviews you’ll find over the Internet are user-generated but not reviewed by a proofreader : nevertheless, at a B2 level you should be proficient enough to tell the bad from the good.
#3 Don’t get lost in the analysis that you forget to include your final recommendation .
đŹ Your turn: read carefully the assignment –> do it –> have a look at my attempt. âď¸
The following announcement has been published in your English-language university website magazine.
Film reviews wanted!
Have you recently watched a film in which you particularly liked the main character?
Write us a review of the film explaining what the main actor did and why in your opinion he deserves praise. Tell us also to whom you would recommend this film to other viewers.
We will publish the best review in our magazine.
đŹ Not an easy one. Still, we need to be prepared. Here’s my piece.
The Call of the Wild review: a light-hearted, comforting story
The latest adaptation of Jack London’s most famous novel, directed by Chris Sanders, won’t satisfy the sophisticated appetite of our most salacious critics, but it does have an appeal, in my opinion.
Starring Harrison Ford as gruff Thornton and a CGI imposing dog as Buck, the film will likely become a young adult’s classic. Unfolding in the northern wilderness, the story is about two losers, harshly beaten by life, that come to recognize one another and team up.
I found that Ford’s acting is convincing, not entirely so that of the computer-generated Collie-St. Bernard mongrel: at times it falls short of nowadays’ FX standards, besides conferring the dog an incomprehensible, semi-supernatural ability to understand the English language.
The other characters’ performances are not subpar, nor are they Oscar-winning. There are no cliffhangers or unexpected plot twists, as it’s easy to imagine.
All in all, in my opinion is worth seeing, for those that are in search of an eighty minute-long solace, an unadventurous film evolving among the jaw-dropping Alaskan landscapes. One to relax, rather than reflect.
đŹ This is one of the hundred reviews one may jot down. The genre has its own peculiar traits, but it entirely doable, as you can see.
Not really, which is a pity. However, you may want to dissect the book below.
It is not specifically for this type of text, but considering the insane variety of reviews there can be, it’s a terrific idea to review your vocabulary (no pun intended):
English Vocabulary in Use Upper-Intermediate by Michael McCarthy and Felicity O’Dell : the authors are two established names in the field of Teaching English as a Second Language.
The Letter is an option you’re given in Part 2, among others. Thus, it is not compulsory .
In the Letter, you have to write a written communication to a friend, a relative, an editor in chief, a head hunter, etc. âď¸
A pet to care for
Two English-speaking friends have accepted to take care of your turtle while you’re abroad for three months, but they’d like to know more in detail what it entails. You thank and inform them through a letter.
So, it isn’t so complicated, is it?
What are some basic principles you should follow in this part of the FCE Writing?
#1 The example I brought up above is that of an informal letter, but some – such as job applications – are so not informal. You need to be equally prepared for both styles .
#2 Just as other types of writing, you may hardly have in your daily life the chance to send and receive letters of any kind . It seems so from the Eighties now. đ¨Â A couple of good textbooks and prep books are what you need for this.
#3 No exception to the GSP rule (care your Grammar, Spelling, Punctuation): it’s friends you’re writing to but neither you are allowed to misspell nor to use abomination like b4 for “before”, 2 for “to” or bcz for “because”.
đŹ Time to practice the Letter! As usual: read the assignment as carefully as you can –> write your composition –> compare it with mine below. âď¸
You met an old ex colleague at a trade fair, when he informed you his current company has been looking for an experienced account manager in the publishing business.
You write a cover letter to the head of Human Resources that will have your CV attached. In the letter, you briefly introduce yourself, mention a few highlights of your profile and ask for an interview.
đŹ A cover letter, an evergreen. Here’s how I’d do it.
Dear Mr Gladstone,
I’m writing under the suggestion of my former coworker, Mr Mormont, whom I have recently met at the press trade show in Zurich: there, he made me aware that your company is in need of an accomplished salesperson: I’d like to be included in the recruitment process.
I know your company to be one of the top-five providers of marketing services to publishing enterprises: ambition and commitment seems to be in the DNA of your firm, so they are of mine.
As you can see in the hereby attached curriculum, I’m a young yet experienced key clients administrator in the same field, with a proven track record. My educational background is in International Relations, which comes extremely useful when dealing with firms from all over the world. The fluent knowledge of French and Spanish complete my profile.
I’d be honoured to have an interview with you at a mutually convenient time. In the meantime, in case of further questions, please do not hesitate to ask.
I look forward to speaking with you about this opportunity and thank you for the time taken to read this.
Sincerely, Alys Karstarck
đŹ No need to write about insanely overqualified profiles, as long as your English is correct and appropriate.
Yes and no. There are tonns of decent books about it, but once you have the one I mentioned above about business communication, it’d be sufficient.
The Report is one of the options you’re given in the Part 2 of the FCE Writing: again, it is not compulsory . In the Report, you have to explain facts and express a recommendation.
After a class discussion, your English teacher has asked students to write a report on the role of pets in modern families. You have to include positive but also negative outcomes, making a recommendation on how to curb these latter.
#1 Choose a report if you’re knowledgeable about the topic.
All reports follow a similar scheme, therefore there’s a lot that you can learn and use in each of them, whatever the topic is.
However… do not choose the report just for this reason. Neither should you be up for it because you like the topic. You have to consider, first and foremost, how much you know about the theme . đ§
To follow up on the example given above, you may love pets, have two dozens of them at your place and want to discuss it: whatever! The question is: are you able to write authoritatively about it? Passion about the topic does not help: mastery of it does.
#2 Spend time planning carefully to save time writing.
That’s it. Four to five minutes spent outlining your report are going to save you many minutes later when you do the actual writing.
It does not have to be rocket science. A very primitive plan could be:
For each of these four parts, jot down ideas ; then, sentences, vocabulary, phrasal verbs and idioms you may use.đ Then, attack the task and start writing. Why is it effective? Because without a plan, most of us get lost in the meanders of our brain.
You might spend twenty minutes writing only to realize afterwards that:
#3 Headings may come to your rescue.
A report is one of these kinds of text in which headings help to define a clearer structure of the text. You certainly do not put them in a letter or email.
You know what? If for whatever reason you haven’t got plenty to say, you may want to include headings to increase your word count . đ
It has to be wisely done, of course: if they’re just paraphrasing what’s below them and as long as the paragraphs they’re on top of, hmmmm, not a good thing.
đŹ Time for you to practice the Report: read the assignment –> do it –> check my own below. âď¸
Y ou see this announcement on your city council website.
We are conducting research about how to save water in our town. We would like to hear our citizen’s feedback and ideas on the matter: what are we doing well? Which area of improvements do you see? What would you propose?
đŹ Water management: one of the most common topics. You can’t be caught off guard.
The aim of this report is to assess the current situation in our town regarding the usage of water and how to reduce it. What follows is the result of my own investigations: recommendations are given to the best of my knowledge.
In our city, this matter is particularly relevant as it lays on a basin characterised by the scarcity of water resources. Frankly, I haven’t seen any environment-minded policies so far, that’s why I welcome such forms of citizen participation.
I am told that our Urban Cleaning Services use non-potable water to clean streets and waste containers: that’s an excellent approach, but it’s far from being enough.
There is a battery of measures that could be implemented, among which:
To sum up, some proposals do need a minimum budget to be implemented: perhaps, we can start from the cheapest, most cost-effective ones, to grow in ambition according to what the municipal funds allow.
đŹ Here it goes. No need to solve world’s water issues: just to deliver a fair text, with a few ideas woven in clear sentences and paragraphs.
I know a few about improving the way we write reports in general : How to Write Reports and Proposals by Patrick Forsyth is arguably among the best, though it does not focus on the FCE.
We have come to the end of this post about the FCE Writing section. I hope to have clarified one main point: no need to stress in the FCE writing task .
Unlike the other sections, here you have a degree of freedom to include structures you know and language you are proficient in. If you follow the advice listed here, your FCE Writing task will be marvellous.
Have you missed the main guide about the FCE exam? Here you have it âŹď¸
Having said that…
Wash your hands, sneeze into your elbow, keep learning English and write a lot. I wish you the best. đ
Your personal language exam trainer, Fabio
Reader interactions.
24th November 2020 at 3:02 pm
24th November 2020 at 7:28 pm
26th November 2020 at 2:22 pm
I have browsed a lot of websites about this and I have NEVER found such a complete review of FCE Writing. Sir, I’d like to hire your services. I need to take FCE soon. Thank you.
26th November 2020 at 8:27 pm
Thank you Haldor! I’m sending you a PM đ
23rd August 2022 at 5:59 pm
Absolutely loved this. Thank you sir, very appreciated.
24th August 2022 at 10:14 pm
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Home Âť B2 First Âť FCE Course Âť FCE Writing Âť FCE Essay – Pass B2 First Writing
Table of Contents
Do you want to know how to write an FCE essay which will boost your marks on the Cambridge scale ?
If the answer is “I have no idea how to get top marks”, then this page will be incredibly helpful for you.
FCE Essay Tip :Â this is available for Gold members only.
If you are a teacher, helping your students pass this exam, you will be able to use this page in your classes or for homework activities. Continue reading the page and you will see, there are worksheets for you to print out etc.
Before we continue, if you haven’t seen my page explaining how examiners mark your FCE writings, visit my FCE writing marking criteria page now.
If you have read and understood how examiners mark your writing and you are a member of this website, watch the video below:
FCE Handbook for Teachers
The next video will take you through all the information you will find on this page, including:
3:30 – Examiner Advice for FCE essays
4:48 – Example FCE essay question
7:53 – Write an Essay Plan
13:05 – Analysing An Essay
19:31 – Pass or Fail?
20:27 – You don’t need to pass the writing paper
20:53 – Essay Vocabulary
20:53 – Homework
22:46 – Send me your FCE writing
This summary is available for Gold members only. Register here >>
Part 1 – You must answer this question.
Write your answer in 140-190 words in an appropriate style.
You have been discussing environmental topics in a university lecture. Your professor has asked you to write an essay.
Write an essay using the notes below and give reasons to support your ideas.
Can we solve environmental problems globally? Notes Write about: Science Economics âŚâŚâŚâŚâŚ (your own idea)
You should always plan your answer.
Can you remember how long I suggested to plan your answer for in the video above ?
If you said 2 minutes, you should go up and watch this video again now .
If you said 5 minutes, great…
Take 5 minutes (like in the exam) and write down a plan for the question above .
Write your plan on a separate sheet of paper, you can use this online template or this physical template or use your own style (it’s up to you). If you use my template, remember to add 3 body paragraphs (one for each note).
FCE Speaking Tip :Â this is available for paid members only.
Type of Writing : Essay .
Target Reader: University professor.
Content : Talk about all 3 notes. Good and bad points for each note.
Language : Formal. Neutral. Passive constructions. Linking words.
It’s also a good idea to write down some words which you can use in the essay (these will help you think of ideas).
Vocabulary: Pollution. Traffic. Transport. Technology. Animals. Money. Economy. Subsidies. Finance. Financial institutions. Big companies. Green technology.
Introduction (30 words) – Popular topic nowadays. Difficult question to answer.
First paragraph (40 words) – science Science can help us resolve environmental problems. Linking word. Problem of science.
Second paragraph (40 words) – economics
Economics can help us solve problems, but it can also prevent us.
Third paragraph (40 words)
Social co-operation. This is fundamental, we also need this for science and economics.
Conclusion  (30 words) – Can I make a decision based on the 3 main paragraphs?
Here is an answer that an FCE student wrote before taking the exam. You should download the answer and write any mistakes you find.
FCE Essay – Download This Sample Answer
Have you written any mistakes you found on the student’s essay?
Now it’s time to complete the examiner’s assessment scale with your marks and thoughts about the writing. If you can’t remember how to do this, go back and read this page again.
Complete an online version of the template below here (it looks a bit different)
Download the physical template here, then print it off and write your thoughts on it .
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Every problem regarding âtheâ environment and pollution can be solved. Science is always working on new solutions , âandâ new suggestions for alternative means of production are frequently put on the table (good language) . The most difficult issue in this scenario is the interest s of different social groups in the world society (this is okay to mention here if it is your own idea and third point) .
The vision of profit gains must been align with environmental protecti on ve measures which is really challenging (good word) . First (why did you write âfirstâ – do you mean âThe firstâ) positive changes begin with this alignment, for example, hotels proposing to clients to use the same bath towe âlâ r while they stay s in. I t s is good for nature, and i t ( your spelling doesnât need to be perfect in the exam, but you will lose marks if bad spelling confuses the meaning of your sentence) good for the business men (you could expand on what you mean here) .
For all other matters, conciliate (I donât know this word. Perhaps you mean âfinding an effective relationship betweenâ) both aspects (does âboth aspectsâ refer to âthe environmentâ and âeconomicsâ) Â is not a simple task, more difficult than the most high tech science. Efforts for environmental purposes should focus on changing culture, values, business perspectives of profits in global society, otherwise there will ânotâ be not enough progress.
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| 2 | Most of your content is relevant to the task. There is a strong introduction, however, not all the notes are addressed in the body of the essay. There are 47 extra words to use before reaching 190, so these could be used to talk about the other notes. There is also room to expand some of your points and explain why you made them, for example, in the first paragraph, how is it â â? |
| 3 | The overall argument is fairly easy to understand, but some of the phrases used are not specific enough, for example what does â â refer to in the final paragraph? The main paragraph about âprofitâ is developed quite well, it would be good if other paragraphs existed and were developed in the same way. |
| 2 | The organisation of this answer is not clear. There is a clear introduction, which is good, however, there are only two more paragraphs after this. Two of the ânotesâ are mentioned in the introduction but âsocial groupsâ is not mentioned again and âscienceâ is only mentioned in the concluding paragraph. It would be better if these two points had their own paragraphs. The conclusion could be shortened to allow this. |
| 4 | The language used is quite good. It is written in an appropriately formal style and there are some good words and phrases, for example: â. The writing would benefit from more linking words and phrases being used. Some effort has been made to use simple and complex grammatical structures, for example â â and while there are a few errors, these do not impede communication. |
This student got:
Communicative Achievement: 3
Organisation: 2
Language: 4
Total = 11/20
You need to get 24/40 in the Writing paper to pass at B2 level.
So if the student got 13/20 for their part 2 writing, they would pass this part of the exam.
You do not need to pass every exam paper but you need to have an average of 60% across all 5 exam papers to pass and get your B2 certificate.
If you want to find out more about how to calculate your scores, read page 4 of this document .
Try to remember the words and phrases below which you can use in B2 First essays. A good way to remember is to write them down on a separate sheet of paper. Add more words and phrases to your list and write them in the comments section at the bottom of this page! If you are unsure about what language to use in an essay, you can also ask me in the comments at the bottom of the page.
Introducing an argument or point of view
Some/Many/A few people think/feel/say that… Other people disagree/argue that…. One point of view is… The general belief is that… Most people believe that… Public opinion is divided on the topic of… It is sometimes/often said/thought/claimed that….
Giving opinions
In my opinion I am of the belief that… In contrast to …. I feel that… My personal opinion is that… It is my wholehearted/sincere opinion that…
Linking Words and Phrases
However Nevertheless In addition… Firstly…Secondly On the one hand…On the other hand… In contrast… Meanwhile Whereas
At school you have been talking about environmental issues. Your English teacher has asked you to write an essay on this topic.
Write an essay using all the notes and give reasons to support your view. (140-190 words)
The awareness of environmental problems has grown over the last few years. Do you think itâs possible for us to solve these problems?
Notes Write about: Plastic Transport âŚâŚâŚâŚâŚâŚ (your own idea)
You should complete this online plan in no longer than 5 minutes. This is how long I recommend you plan for in the exam.
Alternatively, download and add a third paragraph to this FCE Essay plan template.
The plan below is available for paid members only. Register here >>
Here is an answer to the question above which one of my students wrote.
FCE Essay – Download This Sample Answer and correct any mistakes you find.
If you have written down the mistakes above, you’re ready to complete the assessment scale below. If you want more help with this, check out my FCE writing marking criteria page .
Complete an online version of the template below here
Download, print and complete the template below here .
Compare the mistakes you found with the ones I have written below…
At school, during â science and geography â lesson s of science and geography , everyone studies how â theâ is made natural environment âis madeâ and how we can protect it. Despite âthe factâ we study the importance of environment , we don’t pay much attention to this âin realityâ . At the moment we are attending particular and extreme phenomena, so we are very scared and worried and we want to change. It may not be as easy as it sounds.Â
( I would start a new paragraph here) First ly , it is difficult to change â ourâ own lifestyle and habits. Change has an economic and personal cost. We don’t mind how much plastic we use every day. Plastic is everywhere: it wraps the (you donât need âtheâ here because weâre talking about âfoodâ in general) food, it is useful when we want to eat quickly, it is also in our clothes. The products , that don’t have plastic in their pack aging s , are more expensive ( this is a defining relative clause, not a non-defining relative clause) : . I think for example , when I buy drink s in the glass bottle s , they are very expensive. So , if I want to save money , I buy plastic bottles. Then I observe that (âAnother example that I have observed isâŚâ) in the supermarket I can find many small food packs, also for single doseâ s/âportionsâ of foodâ . I don’t waste food but I pollute more âbecause of thisâ . So we can find sustainable development (If you want to keep this sentence, you should explain in more detail what you mean) .Â
( I would start a new paragraph here) Another problem is about transport: we are all in favor that we have to use more public transport s . The problem is that too often we don’t have a good public transport service with a capillary distribution (this term is only used in specific fields of work and is not used in everyday English) . However we can âmake anâ effort to use â ourâ own car âsâ only if it is necessary.Â
âTheâ last thing it is about differentiated collection of waste: too few people do es it (You should remove this sentence . Donât introduce too many ideas without developing them into detailed arguments).
I think that there are many âenvironmentalâ problems but we have to stop to think that âtheseâ are only an obstacle. It is â They are â also an opportunity. So it is important to change our mindâ setâ but we need also âneedâ of more education in every where place ( âinâ school s , within famil ies y , at cinema s , etc.) about good (âenvironmentally friendlyâ) behavior. Second ly, (I would only write this if Iâve written âfirstlyâ before it) , if the law and the penalties don’t work, probably we would change them in (âpeopleâs behaviourâ?) âthroughâ incentives. For example , if the condo (what is âthe condoâ?) applies perfectly the rules about differentiated collection of waste it would have a discount in the invoice (I donât understand this sentence) . Third ly , we need more investment â in â for transport and sustainable development.
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| 1 | The writing is too long. If you write this much in the exam you will lose points because the examiners will regard the content as unimportant or irrelevant. In order to create more of a balanced argument, the introduction, conclusion and first body paragraph could all be shortened and more detail could be added to your own idea. |
| 3 | Some parts could be improved through using different expressions, for example, it would be better to say â âŚâ rather than â â in the second paragraph. Your main paragraphs have good structure, but sometimes the argument falls down slightly due to inappropriate word choices, e.g. â â. |
| 2 | The essay consists of two big paragraphs. It would be better to have 5 paragraphs in total. The overall structure within the two paragraphs is good, but some arguments should be shortened and others lengthened to create a greater balance. |
| 2 | The language is a little informal for an essay. The writing would benefit from fewer first person pronouns (‘ etc). There is attempt to use linking words, especially when developing points â â but it is difficult to know which arguments these are addressing in the main body paragraphs. Some complex vocabulary has been used, e.g. â The essay would benefit from a wider variety of grammar and different verb tenses. |
This student achieved:
Language: 2
Total = 8/20
So the student would need to get 16/20 for their part 2 writing in order to pass this part of the exam.
I can tell by reading this essay that the student has not prepared much for this part of the exam, so it is unlikely that they would get a much higher mark for their part 2 writing.
Wow….you’ve made it this far through the page….congratulations, you should now have a good idea how to write an FCE essay!
I hope I didn’t bore you zzzzzzzzzzz…here’s a random picture đ
Anyway, now it’s your turn to write an essay. You can answer the question above or answer a different question. Then you have 3 options:
I’ll leave the choice up to you.
Adios amigos…don’t forget to click the Next Page >> link below đ
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You can use my resources to help your students in class or set them homework activities.
If your students use computers in class, or you want to set them activities for homework, this is what I recommend.
Tell your students to:
If your students don’t have computers in class, this is what I recommend.
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B2 first: fce >>, c1 advanced: cae >>, linguaskill >>.
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As you probably know already, Cambridge English exams usually have some or all of the following parts: Reading, Writing, Use of English and Listening. In this post I am going to talk about the FCE Writing B2 part and, more specifically, about how to write an essay for FCE Writing . We will see a good example of an essay for FCE and you can check out a full FCE Writing Guide where you can find more examples of emails , letters and other types of writings.
Este artĂculo tambiĂŠn estĂĄ disponible en castellano.
The First (FCE) Writing has only two parts. For each part, you must write a composition which will depend on the instructions you receive for each task. For the first part , you will always be asked to write an essay , as it is the only option provided. However, in the second part , they allow you to choose one out of 3 options. These include different types of writing , which are : letters/emails , articles , reviews and reports . Each piece of writing must have between 140 and 190 words , approximately.
Since they are different types of writing , the language and structures to use will also differ. But that’s what I’m here for, to explain to you exactly how to write each part. And today, I’m starting with how to write an essay .
An essay is an opinion writing with which we analyse a topic , a situation or an issue from different points of view , providing different arguments and expressing our opinion about it. For this reason, an essay must have the following features:
Now that we are familiar with the characteristics of an essay for First (FCE) Writing , let’s take a look at an example of an essay at B2 level , both at the task and at a sample answer.
In the following image you can see the instructions of an essay which involves a typical topic, that of the environment:
In these instructions, we must pay attention to the following:
Given the model task above, each paragraph will correspond to a different idea, apart from the introduction and conclusion. Again, it is only natural to have 5 paragraphs. So, the best way to know how to write an essay for FCE Writing is to take a look at an example of an actual essay for FCE Writing :
At first sight, the essay has a title and 5 paragraphs (introduction + idea 1 + idea 2 + idea 3 + conclusion). And if we stop to read the essay more carefully, we’ll notice the following things:
This is a good example of an essay for FCE Writing . By the way, you must bear in mind that it has been written to simulate a strong B2 level, without reaching C1.
This is the most typical question in this part of the exam and the answer is ÂŤ yes and no ÂŤ. Let me explain myself. Cambridge English examiners don’t count the number of words and penalise you based upon that fact alone. There’s a rumour going around among teachers and pupils that says that for every 10 words over 190, they take ÂŤthis manyÂť points off, but it is not true. However, think about this: if you’ve written 50 or 100 words more than asked, you are probably including irrelevant information to the task , right? Now that’s a reason for losing points. In the same way that if you write under 140 words you are probably missing essential information , don’t you think?
For this reason, I always recommend writing up to 10 or 20 words over the limit. In this way, you won’t lose any points for including irrelevant information.
Although I intend to write more posts on how to do each piece of writing for FCE, if you don’t want to wait any more, simply download the official KSE Academy FCE Writing Guide . In this guide you will learn:
Would you like to see a sample of this guide? Here it is!
Did you find this useful? Why not share it with other teachers and students of English? Don’t forget to subscribe to our newsletter and to follow us on Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, Instagram, y YouTube. đ
Are you preparing the Cambridge B2 First (FCE) English exam? Do you want to improve your score on the FCE writing test?
Keep reading for 10 tips to help you get a higher mark on the B2 First Certificate exam.
Post Contents
The writing part of the B2 First Certificate exam is 1 hour and 15 minutes . You need to write:
Start with the writing task that is âeasierâ for you. Try to get it done in half the time or less. Then, use the rest of the time on the âharderâ writing.
âEasierâ = you know the structure of the task well and/or you have a lot of ideas/vocabulary for the question.
Only a few of my students like writing a plan. However, itâs very helpful and can help you from getting stuck.
Use 5 minutes or less to write a plan.
Write down five B2 level words related to the topic, 5 different grammar structures to use, and 5 transition words.
Write a few notes for each paragraph. Donât write any sentences – this takes too much time .
Answer all parts of the question and you will earn more points for having a complete answer. Before handing in your writing, check to see if youâve answered ALL of the questions.
Example question:
For this task, you MUST include: some places the college friends could visit and the best transportation to take. If these points are not included in your answer, you will lose points.
Luckily, you do not have to tell the truth in your answer. You can create information on the FCE writing test.
This tip is important for the writing and speaking parts of the exam. As long as the information makes sense, it doesnât have to be true!
To earn more points , try to use more creative and difficult vocabulary. When talking about your family donât just talk about your âmom, dad, sister, and brother.â Instead, try to talk about your uncle, brother-in-law, cousins. This shows that you have a bigger vocabulary.
If the task is an email asking about popular sports in your country, talk about kitesurfing instead of soccer. Everyone talks about soccer/football! Show that you have a better vocabulary with more specific words.
On the official test, you must use a permanent, non-erasable black or blue pen . Itâs important to practice writing with this so you get used to it.
If you make a mistake, donât worry. Cross out the mistake with a line through the text LIKE THIS .
Iâve had students in my class who were not at the correct level when they started the FCE course. I asked them to write something outside of class 3-4 times a week for 10 weeks . Itâs a lot of work, but in the end, they passed the exam!
Just like a sport or instrument, you improve writing by practice. Ask your teacher to correct your writing and try to sit down and write a few times a week. I promise you that your writing will improve.
Going along with number 7, look at your writing after your teacher corrects it. Making mistakes is how we learn – they arenât a bad thing.
Make a list of common mistakes that YOU make. If you arenât sure what they are, ask your teacher for help or contact me for a private lesson.
For example, one of my Spanish students used the word âtheâ too much. Before he gave me his writing to check, he always checked the word âtheâ in his writing first.
When you are learning to write, the best way to catch your mistakes reading your writing aloud, sentence by sentence. This will help you catch more mistakes .
If you are in a quiet classroom, you can mouth the words of the text without making any sounds. This will still help you catch your mistakes.
Sometimes students write one long paragraph. Donât do this! You will lose points .
Each time you have a new idea, write a new paragraph. Be careful – the essay is always 5 paragraphs.
The Cambridge FCE writing test can be scary and difficult for some students. I hope these tips help you improve your writing.
You can schedule a 30-minute lesson with me over Zoom if you want help with your writing, please contact me here .
Check out this free FCE Writing Checklist with downloadable PDF.
Want more help on the FCE exam?
Tips for the FCE Speaking Exam
FCE Email/Letter Writing Guide
Key Word Transformations Practice
If you liked these tips, pin this to your PINTEREST on your FCE EXAM TIPS board.
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You can keep adding to this plan, crossing bits out and linking the different bubbles when you spot connections between them. Even though you wonât have time to make a detailed plan under exam conditions, it can be helpful to draft a brief one, including a few key words, so that you donât panic and go off topic when writing your essay.
If you donât like the mind map format, there are plenty of others to choose from: you could make a table, a flowchart, or simply a list of bullet points.
Thanks for signing up, step 2: have a clear structure.
Think about this while you’re planning: your essay is like an argument or a speech. It needs to have a logical structure, with all your points coming together to answer the question.
Start with the basics! It’s best to choose a few major points which will become your main paragraphs. Three main paragraphs is a good number for an exam essay, since you’ll be under time pressure.Â
If you agree with the question overall, it can be helpful to organise your points in the following pattern:
If you disagree with the question overall, try:
For example, you could structure the Of Mice and Men sample question, “To what extent is Curleyâs wife portrayed as a victim in Of Mice and Men ?”, as follows:
If you wanted to write a longer essay, you could include additional paragraphs under the YES/AND categories, perhaps discussing the ways in which Curleyâs wife reveals her vulnerability and insecurities, and shares her dreams with the other characters. Alternatively, you could also lengthen your essay by including another BUT paragraph about her cruel and manipulative streak.
Of course, this is not necessarily the only right way to answer this essay question â as long as you back up your points with evidence from the text, you can take any standpoint that makes sense.
You wouldnât write a scientific report without including evidence to support your findings, so why should it be any different with an essay? Even though you arenât strictly required to substantiate every single point you make with a quotation, thereâs no harm in trying.
A close reading of your quotations can enrich your appreciation of the question and will be sure to impress examiners. When selecting the best quotations to use in your essay, keep an eye out for specific literary techniques. For example, you could highlight Curleyâs wifeâs use of a rhetorical question when she says, a”nâ what am I doinâ? Standinâ here talking to a bunch of bindle stiffs.” This might look like:
The rhetorical question âanâ what am I doinâ?â signifies that Curleyâs wife is very insecure; she seems to be questioning her own life choices. Moreover, she does not expect anyone to respond to her question, highlighting her loneliness and isolation on the ranch.
Other literary techniques to look out for include:
Donât worry if you canât locate all of these literary devices in the work youâre analysing. You can also discuss more obvious techniques, like metaphor, simile and onomatopoeia. Itâs not a problem if you canât remember all the long names; itâs far more important to be able to confidently explain the effects of each technique and highlight its relevance to the question.
Anyone can write an essay using the tips above, but the thing that really makes it “perfect” is your own unique take on the topic. If youâve noticed something intriguing or unusual in your reading, point it out â if you find it interesting, chances are the examiner will too!
Creative writing and essay writing are more closely linked than you might imagine. Keep the idea that youâre writing a speech or argument in mind, and youâre guaranteed to grab your readerâs attention.
Itâs important to set out your line of argument in your introduction, introducing your main points and the general direction your essay will take, but donât forget to keep something back for the conclusion, too. Yes, you need to summarise your main points, but if youâre just repeating the things you said in your introduction, the body of the essay is rendered pointless.
Think of your conclusion as the climax of your speech, the bit everything else has been leading up to, rather than the boring plenary at the end of the interesting stuff.
To return to Of Mice and Men once more, here’s an example of the ideal difference between an introduction and a conclusion:
In John Steinbeckâs Of Mice and Men , Curleyâs wife is portrayed as an ambiguous character. She could be viewed either as a cruel, seductive temptress or a lonely woman who is a victim of her societyâs attitudes. Though she does seem to wield a form of sexual power, it is clear that Curleyâs wife is largely a victim. This interpretation is supported by Steinbeckâs description of her appearance, other peopleâs attitudes, her dreams, and her evident loneliness and insecurity.
Overall, it is clear that Curleyâs wife is a victim and is portrayed as such throughout the novel in the descriptions of her appearance, her dreams, other peopleâs judgemental attitudes, and her loneliness and insecurities. However, a character who was a victim and nothing else would be one-dimensional and Curleyâs wife is not. Although she suffers in many ways, she is shown to assert herself through the manipulation of her femininity â a small rebellion against the victimisation she experiences.
Both refer back consistently to the question and summarise the essayâs main points. However, the conclusion adds something new which has been established in the main body of the essay and complicates the simple summary which is found in the introduction.
Hannah is an undergraduate English student at Somerville College, University of Oxford, and has a particular interest in postcolonial literature and the Gothic. She thinks literature is a crucial way of developing empathy and learning about the wider world. When she isn’t writing about 17th-century court masques, she enjoys acting, travelling and creative writing.Â
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In this FCE class, we will look at writing an essay for the Cambridge FCE exam…
So, you’re thinking of taking the First Certificate exam? Welcome to this series of posts about the Cambridge B2 First exam, sometimes known as the FCE exam. The whole exam is divided into four different ‘papers’ – Reading & Use of English, Writing, Listening and Speaking. This page offers a guide to the first part of the Writing exam in the Cambridge B2 First Exam, in which you have to write an essay , what it tests, how to approach it and how to revise for it. Don’t be afraid, Writing part 1 – let’s go!
The Writing exam lasts for an hour and twenty minutes (80 minutes). There are two parts to the Writing exam â in Part 1 you have to write an Essay , and in Part 2 you will be given three options from four (or five, depending on how you count them!) possibilities, and you choose one of them to do. The four (or five) possibilities for Writing part 2 are an Email , a Letter (which is exactly the same as an email, really, so you may as well consider them together), a Report , a Review , or an Article . You have to write the same number of words for each piece of writing: 140-190 words , so you can divide the exam time equally between them â 40 minutes on Part 1, and 40 minutes on Part 2. However, time keeping is up to you â you could spend more time on one of the tasks and less on the other, but thatâs not recommended.
The essay always follows the same format. You are given a sentence which explains the context in which youâll be writing â and this context is always the same â you are a âstudentâ and your âclass/groupâ has just studied something and your teacher asks you to write an essay on that subject.
There is then a box containing the Essay Question and two topics to consider related to this, and a gap for your own idea. (You donât need to write anything in this gap â itâs only there to show you that you need to create an idea of your own). Following this youâll find the main task instructions, which are always the same â âWrite an essay using all the notes and give reasons for your answerâ.
40 minutes approx. (of the total 80 minutes for the exam)
Your ability to present an argument and to organise and develop your ideas in a logical and well-constructed way.
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Read the task.
The first thing to do is to study the task input. You need to identify what the subject of the essay is and think how the two topics given in the notes relate to the subject. Next you will need to think of your own idea to add to the two youâve been given. Remember, you must add your own idea of them â you will lose points if you only write about the two topics that youâre given.
The plan doesnât need to be particularly detailed â just some brief notes on what you want to include in each paragraph.
The essay should always be written using four paragraphs . The first paragraph will be an introduction in which youâll explain the essay question.
The next paragraph should focus on the topics from the notes. Think about how the notes are connected to the main topic and also donât forget to explain why!
The third paragraph will be the same as the second, but this time you will write about your own idea.
The final paragraph will be the conclusion, and this is where you will want to compare the notes and answer the essay question with your opinion and reasons to support your view.
You should spend about 40 minutes on Part 1 of the exam (and 40 minutes on Part 2). It is up to you exactly how you arrange your time, but I would suggest something like this:
5-10 minutes â Plan and think of ideas
20-25 minutes â Write
5-10 minutes â Check for spelling/grammar mistakes
What happens if i donât write enough words.
You will lose points for the Content of your essay as you obviously havenât developed the ideas enough.
The examiners will find word 190, and then stop counting, so any words from the one hundred and ninety-first to the end of your essay will be ignored. This could mean that a whole section of your essay (likely the conclusion) will not be considered. Youâll then lose points for the Content (no conclusion and probably no decision as to which topic is best); and lose points for Organisation.
You can, you can use the Essay Question as the title if you want.
The essay will always need to be written using Formal English . You should avoid using slang words and simple language â try using the Passive as much as you can. Phrasal words can be used if you absolutely cannot think of anything else to write BUT you should try to avoid them as much as possible. Avoid using personal pronouns (words like I, me, my etcâŚ) until the final paragraph/conclusion. You should try to show off your English language skills and abilities, so try to include a variety of different grammar points and a wide range of vocabulary. If you can include Passives, Conditionals, Inversions, Complex tenses, Past Modal Verbs etc⌠your essay will get a high mark for its Language. You can find more information about these grammar points here .
Now have a go at this example task.
When you have finished you can send your essay to the school in an email and we will correct it and sent it back to you! Just write Exam Guide Essay B2 in the Subject line of the email.
[email protected]
Thank you for reading our post. For more information about the Cambridge B2 First Certificate Exam (FCE) you can check out the official site here .
You’ll find more English grammar tips elsewhere on our site and if you’d like information on our English courses in Dublin , please do not hesitate to contact us.
Part 1 is a multiple-choice vocabulary exercise. Part 1 features a gapped text of about 150 words with 8 gaps
In this FCE class, we look at part 3 of the Speaking test in the Cambridge FCE exam. So, you’re
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Tim walz is not a lawyerâheâs a former civics teacher. that might be just what america needs to understand scotus..
Thereâs a truly excellent Tim Walz tweet circulating (thanks, Sal Gentile!) about all the things the Minnesota governor will do for you if elected vice president. It includes fixing your carburetor and putting a new chain on your lawn mower (read all the replies, I beseech you), and the upshot is that the former high school civics teacher and football coach is not just a menschy guy who will bring over a hot dish without even being asked but also a regular human who lives in the world. He doesnât so much have an IVF âpolicyâ as have an IVF daughter . His daughter is in fact the reason he changed his views on guns , in order to work more aggressively to prevent gun violence. Walz is not so much a creature of law and policy as a first responder. And, as People magazine put it when he was tapped Tuesday, Walz thus becomes the first candidate on a Democratic White House ticket since Jimmy Carter ran for reelection in 1980 to not have attended law school. The first nonlawyer in a quarter century! In a year in which the Democrats are putting the Supreme Court on the ballot, that makes him perfectly positioned to talk about what the court has done to ordinary Americans and why it matters.
In recent days alone, one sitting justice of the Supreme Court, in an interview with Fox News Sunday , cautioned President Joe Bidenâkinda mobbishlyâto â be careful â about proposing reforms that include imposing enforceable ethics rules (something all other judges in America must abide by). Justice Neil Gorsuch did this just as the New York Times reported on yet more undisclosed and unreported luxury travel by one of Gorsuchâs colleagues. In a new letter from Democratic Sen. Ron Wyden, of Oregon, we learned that Justice Clarence Thomas took a round-trip flight from Hawaii to New Zealand in November 2010 on Harlan Crowâs private jet but never disclosed it. As the Times points out, Thomasâ disclosure form for 2010 does not list any flights on Crowâs jet, and while he has recently amended other filings to account for luxury travel after the press has unearthed it, this form has never been corrected.
To briefly review, then, the same Supreme Court conservative supermajority that last month granted Donald Trump almost boundless immunity from criminal prosecution and in June took away the governmentâs power to ensure that water is clean and food and drugs are safe has opted to respond to criticism with yet another warning to âbe carefulâ in even contemplating creating rules, an admonishment that comes alongside yet another brutish shrug from Thomas at the very existence of enforceable ethics guidelines. Itâs a foolhardy response to a public that has, according to polling , lost all confidence in the courtâbut itâs not unremarkable from a branch that sees itself as floating above all law and regulation. As Svante Myrick aptly puts it, this lack of public confidence is about not merely whatâs on the docket but the horse it rode in on: âItâs not just the rulings, itâs the recreational vehicle.â
So when Gorsuch and Thomas opt to spend their summers giving the middle finger to an American public that supports ethics reform and term limits by overwhelming margins ( 73Â percent and 74Â percent , respectively) while labeling such measures to be interference with âjudicial independence,â that is certainly a choice. Itâs just an objectively dumb one. And in that sense, finally having a nonlawyer on the ticket to speak to what the court has done to ordinary Americans in these few short years is both vital and long overdue.
If we have learned anything at all this year, itâs that far too many lawyers are far too timid and too institutionalized to be comfortable calling out the raft of bad decisions in which precedent is ignored, statutes are misread, and text and history are warped in order to achieve partisan political goals. Itâs time to pass the torch.
And if that means that a former civics teacher can take us all to school and, in laymanâs terms, about the urgent issues on which Americans can agree the court has screwed us all, well, his timing is perfect: The Supreme Court as currently constituted has eviscerated voting rights. Tim Walz has been a fervent proponent of expanding the franchise . In his first remarks this week as vice presidential candidate, Walz pledged that he and Kamala Harris would strive to create âa place where we settle our political differences not through violence but with our votes.â Americans overwhelmingly believe in democracy over authoritarianism.
The Supreme Court has just gutted abortion rights. Walz has consistently expanded them . The Supreme Court has worked persistently to dismantle public education in favor of sectarian religious schools . Walz has poured a lifetime of energy into bolstering public education . The high court has put lethal guns in the hands of violent Americans. Walz says he âsleeps just fineâ with his F rating from the National Rifle Association. The list goes on.
On almost every signature issue Walz brings to the table as governor, the Supreme Court has worked to undermine and devalue public regulation, funding, and expertise. And as our friend Jay Willis keeps reminding us , you need not be an expert on constitutional law and methodological approaches to statutory interpretation to have informed opinions on the Supreme Court. You know whoâs going to have informed nonlawyerly opinions on whatâs wrong with the Supreme Court? The nominee for the vice presidency. And if the current justices of the Supreme Court believe that the law has no bearing on the ways in which they opt to live their lives, and if the current GOP front-runner for the presidency has lived his entire existence in that very same spirit, well, it may be useful to have someone in the race who not only is palpably and demonstrably affected by the law but can also speak to that in terms the rest of us can relate to and understand.
In a profound way, Walz is an avatar for someone who is attempting to do effective and lawful state governance and is being thwarted by an imperial Supreme Court, which is exactly what will happen to the Harris administration if court reforms are not enacted. Just as the Supreme Courtâs conservative supermajority stood in the way of Bidenâs emergency COVID management, his air-pollution efforts, his college-loan-forgiveness program, and his emergency-room abortion-care regulations, it will joyfully throw a spanner into the Harris administrationâs efforts to expand voting rights, protect LGBTQ+ Americans, and prevent climate crises. One doesnât need Juris Doctor behind their name to call this out. One need only have had a semester or two of high school civics to understand that this is neither âcheckingâ nor âbalancingâ as anticipated by the Framers but rather an untouchable juristocracy that travels by charter flight and superyacht.
Itâs high time that a prominent nonlawyer take a turn at this critique of the Roberts court, and itâs clear that Walz may succeed where all of us polite eggheads have failed. The Supreme Court supermajority represents a democracy crisis that needs to be discussed at barbecues and high school lunch tables, not just pondered in the stacks at Ivy League law schools. If Walz can initiate and embody that conversation over the next 90 days, in terms that chime with swing voters and undecideds, and in language that is playful and irreverent and goofy, it will be the best thing to happen to a Democratic Party that has avoided the topic of court reform for two decades too long. To baldly paraphrase Oliver Wendell Holmes, three generations of pointy-headed lawyers is enough. Letâs have a conversation on court reform from someone who has lived, and taught and governed, under the hand of a court that seems not to care about the real impacts of its decisions.
The language of an English essay should be formal . Also, make sure that you justify all your ideas and that you use appropriate connectors to link your sentences and paragraphs .
How to write B2 First (FCE) essay?
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Below is a sample list of academic essay writing topics/tasks for B2-level (intermediate) students. You can use them to practice writing English essays or to prepare for the Cambridge B2 First (FCE) exam
You have watched a documentary about young children in poor areas who leave school to work. 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.
Teenagers are dropping out of school to find a job. How can we help them to continue their education?
Write about:
In your social studies course, you have watched a documentary on the potential effects of too much pollution on the air quality of city centres. Your professor has assigned you an essay to write.
Keeping the air quality in city centres at healthy levels for their residents is a concern for many places. How can we solve the problem of pollution in city centres?
In your education class, you have listened to a lecture on the importance of teaching foreign languages in school. Your teacher has asked you to write an essay.
Learning a foreign language helps students develop a set of important skills. Why should foreign languages be taught in schools?
You have listened to a radio programme about the problem of widespread starvation in many parts of Africa. Your English teacher has asked you to write an essay.
In many parts of Africa, people are dying of starvation and lack of freshwater. Can these problems be solved?
You have watched a video on a non-profit organisation working to stop the use of animals for testing medicines used by human beings. Now, your professor has asked you to write an essay.
Testing on animals is a standard in scientific research. What is the best way to deal with this problem?
B2 - essay topic / question 6 | first (fce).
You have listened to a radio programme about deforestation, the cutting down of trees in many wild areas around the world. Now, your English teacher has asked you to write an essay.
Many forests around the world are being destroyed for agricultural, commercial, or housing use without allowing time for the forests to regenerate themselves. What can be done to improve the situation?
In your English class, you have been talking about endangered species, animals or plants that will likely become extinct. Your English teacher has asked you to write an essay.
Around the world, many wildlife species are in danger of extinction. How can we protect endangered animals?
You have watched a Youtube video about the problem of computer game addiction in children. Your English teacher has asked you to write an essay.
More and more young people spend most of their time playing computer games. How can we help children to overcome this addiction?
You have listened to a radio programme about the impact of smoking on peopleâs health. Now, your English teacher has asked you to write an essay.
Smoking is responsible for many health problems throughout the world. Do you think it should be made illegal?
More than practice tests, b2 - essay topic / question 10 | first (fce).
In your English class, you have been talking about the problem of obesity in young people. Now your English teacher has asked you to write an essay.
In Europe and the USA a lot of young people have an obesity problem. What can be done to solve this problem?
Has technology made a positive contribution to sport today?
It is better to work at home than in an office. Do you agree?
Life is harder for young people now than in the past. Do you agree?
Is it better to go shopping in small local businesses or large out-of-town shopping centres?
Is it better to spend a summer holiday in the countryside or on the coast?
Your teacher has asked you to write your response to the following statement taken from a recent newspaper article:
Do you agree that community service works better than fines?
Is it true that we help the environment when we plant a tree?
Nowadays children are suffering from obesity, that was once considered to be meant for adults only. What are its causes and what solutions can be offered?
Is it better to be the oldest or the youngest in a family?
Modern lifestyles can seriously endanger our health.
Do you agree?
Download B2 First (FCE) Essay: Topics (PDF)
B2 first (fce) essay: assessement criteria.
Your essay will be assessed according to these four criteria:
Focuses on how well you have completed the task, in other words, if you have answered the question. | Focuses on how appropriate the writing is for the task and whether you have used formal or informal style appropriately. For example, is the style right for a magazine article? |
Focuses on the way you put together the piece of writing. Are the ideas logical and ordered? Have you used paragraphs and linking words? | Focuses on vocabulary and grammar. This includes demonstrating the range of language that you know, as well as how accurate it is. |
âLook at my boobs and tell me what you think.â
Iâm a 20-year-old retail assistant, beseeching an older colleague and close friend, to evaluate my bare breasts in the backroom after hours. Unbuckling my bra, I stand before her, totally exposed. âWhat are you talking about?â She responds. âTheyâre fine!â After years of self-critiquing, I wasnât convinced.
While the perceived âperfectâ size of breasts have fluctuated with time, breasts have always been beholden to one immovable standard: perky. Those with breasts that align with this archetype may consider their boobs a source of #freethenipple empowerment. Other women feel a kind of wearied distaste for their tatas; forgoing a bra is inconceivable, and god forbid they go on top. Some have embraced a kind of âit-is-what-it-isâ booby ambivalence.
I spent several college summers fitting bras at a contemporary lingerie chainâmeasuring breasts, buckling brassieres and at times, literally lifting flesh into cupsâso I have met all these women. I have been them, too. When the pandemic found me in my mid-20s â prompting a massive lifestyle shift and a discovery of disordered eating. Iâd moved to the west coast and, without daily walking around New York City, took up running and downloaded Noom, a calorie counter app that promptly capped my daily intake at 1200 calories. (Editorâs note: Research has shown that calorie tracking, including with apps, may contribute to eating disorders.) Within three months, my breasts descended four bra sizes, taking my nipples with them. With that, my boobs entered their new, deflated era, and for the first time, I felt incentivized to confront the issue.
I was not the only one to recently research breast lifts âthe number of people searching for them peaked during summer 2021, and has continued to spike each summer since, according to Google Trends. Itâs coincided with the arrival of Ozempic , forcing womenâand myselfâinto the same societally-constructed conundrum. Weight loss? We like it. Small, saggy breasts caused by weight loss? Unacceptable. From 2019 to 2023, the American Society of Plastic Surgeons says there was a 30 percent increase in requests for breast lifts (mastopexies)âplacing the procedure in direct competition with its more popular sister: implants. âI want my titties pinned back to my shoulders, right where they used to be,â Rihanna revealed in last monthâs issue of Interview . âI donât want implants. I just want a lift.â
New York-based board-certified plastic surgeon Norman Rowe has made his name on the Upper East Side and beyond as a breast expert. In the past year, his requests for lifts have almost tripledâan exponential increase that he says is a result of rampant semaglutide use."
âI get a lot of women who've lost a substantial amount of weight, especially with Ozempic ,â he says. âThe more weight someone losesâand the quicker they lose itâthe more impact that has on the skin. Body procedures are just going through the roof, 30 percent of our business is now dedicated to face, breast and back lifts.â
When I first consulted with Dr. Rowe for a breast lift , he sketched the anchor-like incision required. He would cut around the areola, down the center of the breast, removing excess skin and raising the nipple so it no longer faces down. This would not create cleavage or add fullness. For that, he emphasized, you need an implant.
âA lift will take care of the sag in the skin, it will take care of the position of the nipple, but it will not address the volume loss of the upper poles of cleavage,â he says. (âUpper polesâ is how plastic surgeons refer to the breast tissue above the nipple.) Patients often come in without realizing the limitation of a breast lift, says Dr. Rowe. âThere is a misconception among patients of what a lift is. So I figured out the way to ask if they wanted an augmentation or a lift was, âDo you want cleavage ?â Either you want to get bigger and your cleavage to change, or you want to be the same size but get rid of the droopiness.â
I fit into the latter group, or so I thought. Anyone who remembers the 90s will also remember that buxom beauties were not only abundant but considered femininity made manifest. Even if you joined in on the bimbo jokes that shamed the cosmetically enhanced likes of Pamela Anderson and Carmen Electra, their perfectly rounded, perky breasts were still taped to the bedroom walls of your school crush. Anything less than a squeeze-worthy palmful, anything that succumbed to gravity, would be passed over by Playboy editorsârelegated instead to the readership of National Geographic.
In the weeks leading up to my surgery, I would debate the pros and cons of implants over and over again. Like Dr. Rowe, I was struggling to understand my expectations. Due to their generally higher placement, my nipples would be raised only an inch. With the removal of skin, my 34D boobs would likely decrease by a half or a whole cup size. Was it worth going through all of this, just for slightly smaller tits with slightly higher nipples? Would I be satisfied with, well, a slight difference?
This was also plaguing Dr. Rowe, who responded to my initial consultation with multiple surgical plans. âOne of the key things that I try to ascertain when I'm examining a patient: what are their true expectations and, more importantly, are they realistic for the patient?â
When Dr. Rowe first opened his private practice in 2004, he was routinely implanting 500 and 600cc implantsâfor reference, one cup size is around 250cc. With larger implants dropping faster, creating sagging, he says women have trended smaller in the last five years. Fat transfer enhancements, popular among those seeking natural-looking breasts, can calcify into hard lumps and be mistaken for cancer during mammographyâresulting in additional surgery. The complications and shelf lives associated with implants have also become more well-known : follow-up implant removal or replacement surgeries after 10 years or sooner, and ruptured implants need to be replaced in up to 17.7% percent of patients after 6 or 10 years (the rupture rate after revision augmentation is between 2.9% and 14.7%). Breast implant illness is a controversial topicâitâs a term patients came up with, rather than a medical diagnosis; thereâs a lack of data on the topic; and no real agreement about what the symptoms are, though patients tend to name hard-to-track ones, like fatigue, joint pain, brain fog, rash, memory lossâbut the FDA and many doctors agree thereâs still much to learn, Grant Stevens, the president of the American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery (ASAPS) and a clinical professor of plastic surgery at the Keck School of Medicine of USC, previously told to Allure .
Still, the promise of built-in cleavage was tempting. I wanted to go braless without insecurity. Wear plunging dresses without experimenting with endless sticky cutlets. I didnât want to tug up my breasts in tight tops. At the same time, I didnât want to go bigger, and I didnât want to possibly undergo multiple surgeries on my breasts as I aged. My heart just wasnât in the implants.
âWhereas I used to do a lot of breast implant mastopexiesâwhere you put in the implants at the same timeâtoday, I'm probably doing a larger number of mastopexies [breast lifts] alone,â he says.
Post-consultation, the options Dr. Rowe offered me were a mastopexy with a small implant or a mastopexy with an internal bra. The internal bra is a lesser-known procedure that originated in the â80s, reaching wider awareness more recently, Rowe says, with the help of a rebrand and big marketing push . Originally, the internal bra was a kind of cone shape (picture Madonna) created from a Gore-tex mesh. Over time, there were claims the mesh may have been obscuring mammography, and insurance companies began rejecting claims for mammograms if the patient had an internal bra. Thatâs where Galaflex came in. A new internal bra material first implemented around 2016, itâs best described as an absorbable mesh sewn into the chest wall.
âThink of it as a hammock,â says Dr. Rowe. âIt goes underneath the implant [around existing breast tissue] and keeps it from descending over time. You don't need a full cone because youâre not pulling anything upâbut you are protecting the implant from moving down after two years. You have your own sling.â
A lot of breast surgeries rely on skin to hold up an implant or (in the case of a lift-only) breast tissue, Dr. Rowe explained to me, but skin is not capable of bearing weight. Someone who has skin that has been stretched from rapid weight loss is a perfect candidate for an internal bra because that stretching of the skin weakens the layer of collagen thatâs usually a built-in structure to prevent descent. But after Galaflex dissolves, in about 1-2 years, âit gets replaced by collagen â which would not have been there otherwise,â says Dr. Rowe, an assessment validated by studies published in the journals Aesthetic Surgery ( in 2022 and 2016) and Plastic and Aesthetic Research . âWhile the internal bra itself is gone, its impact remains.â
This was enough to convince me to get an internal bra, which starts at $10,000 at Dr. Rowe's practice, making the cost of a breast lift with an internal bra $40,000 and up. While I was assured the results of an internal bra are not permanentâDr. Rowe said I could expect them to last for at least 10 yearsâit does make it less likely for the breasts to droop over time. And an internal bra is less likely to interfere with breastfeedingâsomething that may or may not be in my futureâthan an implant.
My surgery took around an hour and a half. I was in the clinic by 7:30am, put under general anesthesia, and awake around 11:30am. During the procedure, Dr. Rowe removed excess skin and sewed the gauze to my ribcage, reshaping the remaining skin and tissue to lift my breasts and nipples while reducing the size of my areolas. I was back to my hotel room in a surgical bra by noon. Recovery requires you to wear a surgical bra, day and night, for at least a month â eventually downgrading to a sports bra until around six weeks. A surgical bra is a wireless bralette that closes at the front (so you donât have to stretch your arms back), and feels very lightweight but also extremely tight. The compression helps with the swelling but also keeps the breasts in their proper place as they heal. I was unable to sleep on my side for around 10 days, and thereâs no lifting more than 10 pounds, or working out other than walking, for three weeks. Following that, scar tape or gel on the sutured areas (around the areola, down and under the breast) is an everyday essential for a year.
This dress was impossible for me to wear without a bra before, now they sit perfectly without any support.
The first several days require heavy reliance on another person. For the first 48 hours, my boyfriend lifted and lowered me into bed, dressed me, and brushed my hair and teeth because I couldnât raise my arms. I was encouraged to walk the next day, and allowed to fly or drive if necessary on the second (Iâd traveled to New York City for the surgery, and had booked my flight back home two days later). I had full mobility again by day three or four, but the discomfort should also not be underestimatedâspecifically with the internal bra. I felt a constant pang and tugging pain on my ribcage that affected even the most basic activities (like lifting groceries or shaving my legs) for the first several weeks.
For the first 24 hours, I was in so much pain that I cried all the way through my post-op appointment the next morning. In the first 24 hours, I was taking a low-dose prescription opiate by itself, which wasnât enough pain medication, so Dr. Rowe recommended I take it in conjunction with Extra Strength Tylenol. (He compared Tylenol to the main meal, while Oxycodone and Tramadol were a kind of âchaserââsupplementing the OTC medication should I need something stronger.) Through my tears, I revealed my new, bruised breasts to Dr. Rowe. Upon inspecting his work, the surgeon concluded he was âvery happyâ with the results.
âYou're trying to make their soul better,â he explains of cosmetic surgery. âWhile I'm not taking out their appendix, when a patient sees themselves as having a flawârightfully so or notâyou're trying to correct it. And sometimes to them, it's life and death. Honestly, down deep, I'm a fixer. Seeing a problem and getting a solution, a good solution, it's gratifying.â
I didnât look at my breasts for the first weekâa mostly unconscious choice. For as long as I remember, I have avoided looking at my breasts entirely. Even before my weight loss changed their appearance significantly I always felt unsatisfied with them on a bad day, or ambivalent at best. Eight days after surgery, I unzipped my surgical bra and inspected the result for the first time. Dr. Rowe had reduced the size of my areolas, raised the nipples, and rounded my breasts into two symmetrical mounds. The anchor-shaped incision was sutured with almost invisible stitches. I was looking at boobs I had only seen on screen, or on my most genetically-blessed friends.
I turn away from the mirror. The change might seem slight to some, but to me, mastopexy had made a world of difference. âTell me what you think,â I say to my boyfriend. âTheyâre perfect,â he responds. This time, I believed the beholder.
To read more about plastic surgery:
Now watch Brooke Shields' 10 Minute Beauty Routine:
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Part 1 of the writing test - there are 2 parts total. 140-190 word limit. You have about 40 minutes to plan and write your essay. You must answer a question using two notes and your own idea. The topic requires general knowledge only. The essay is always formal because it is written "for your teacher".
FCE Essays - Sample/model answers and examiner comments. An essay is always written for the teacher. It should answer the question given by addressing both content points and providinga new content point of the writer's own. The essay should be well organised, with an introduction and an appropriate conclusion,and should be written in an appropriate register and tone
B2 First (FCE) Essay: Tips. Plan your essay before you write. Make sure you know how to comment on all the points that are asked. Invent information if you don't have any ideas. Divide the essay into paragraphs - put one answer in one paragraph. Use advanced vocabulary when you can and formal language.
Body paragraph 1 - In this case about pollution. Body paragraph 2 - In this case about rubbish. Body paragraph 3 - Our own idea (for example, endangered animals) Conclusion - Summarise the 3 areas and optionally choose the most important. The two proposed essay skeletons below follow this paragraph plan in order to produce the perfect ...
The first part is the essay; the second part is an article, email, letter, report, or review. You will be given the essay title and two ideas or prompts. It's essential that you include both of these ideas in your essay, as well as another relevant idea that you have to come up with yourself. You have to write 140-190 words in each part and ...
EXAM PART: First (FCE) Writing Part 1 - Essay. EXAM SKILLS: Improving content and communicative achievement in essay writing. TOPIC: Lifestyle (living in the city vs living in the countryside) TIME: 30 minutes + 45 minutes writing (in-class or for homework) PREPARATION: One copy of the worksheet per student.
1. How to Analyse Your FCE Writing Essay Task. First, you need to read the FCE writing essay task and identify exactly what needs to be included. Let's look at a sample question: You've recently had a discussion in English class about society. Now your teacher has asked you to write an essay.
The 5 Paragraph Formula. This is a very simple five-paragraph formula you can use to structure any B2 First (FCE) essay: Paragraph 1. Introduction. Introduce the topic and agree or disagree with the statement - 2 sentences. Paragraph 2. Prompt 1. Introduce, explain and example - 3 sentences. Paragraph 3.
If you need a CV in English, use the formal language too. 4. Remember to do what you're asked for. Often, the answers to your questions are hidden somewhere between the lines. Don't forget that your performance depends on how well you perform the task according to the instructions. So, don't try to be "wiser". 5.
FCE Writing: Essay. The Essay is the only component of Part 1 of the Writing. It's compulsory. In it, you have to talk about a topic, mentioning two points you're provided plus a point of your own. đď¸ In other words, in an essay you give info, you explain your viewpoint, you compare and contrast. Example:
FCE Essay Question 1. Part 1 - You must answer this question. Write your answer in 140-190 words in an appropriate style. You have been discussing environmental topics in a university lecture. Your professor has asked you to write an essay. Write an essay using the notes below and give reasons to support your ideas.
FCE Essays. You have to write an essay, so this is the first thing you should learn to write. Essays are about giving information and your opinions, comparing and contrasting. ... Why It's Perfect for Visitors (the tour is given in English so it's good practice, football is universally popular, it's great for taking photos)
Each paragraph has a clear purpose: Introduction: it introduces the topic in a general way and it leads to the second paragraph (first idea). Paragraph 2: it deals with idea 1. Paragraph 3: it deals with idea 2. Paragraph 4: it deals with idea 3. Conclusion: we express our opinion to conclude and summarise the essay.
Post Contents. Tip #1: Use your time carefully on the FCE writing test. Tip #2: Write a plan. Tip #3: Answer ALL parts of the question. Tip #4: Invent information if you don't have any ideas. Tip #5: Use more advanced vocabulary when you can. Tip #6: Practice writing with a permanent pen. Tip #7: Practice, practice, practice.
Step 2: Have a clear structure. Think about this while you're planning: your essay is like an argument or a speech. It needs to have a logical structure, with all your points coming together to answer the question. Start with the basics! It's best to choose a few major points which will become your main paragraphs.
Here's a useful structure for an opinion essay:Paragraph 1Intro. uce the topic using a general statement and give your. hether you agree or disagree with the statemen. .Paragraph 2Give the first reason to support your opinion. Provide specifi. s for your opinion, using examples if necessary.
How to write a B2 First essay - useful vocabulary, strategy, examiner criteria. Part 1 writing Cambridge English exam .In this video, I give tips and help...
The Writing exam lasts for an hour and twenty minutes (80 minutes). There are two parts to the Writing exam - in Part 1 you have to write an Essay, and in Part 2 you will be given three options from four (or five, depending on how you count them!) possibilities, and you choose one of them to do. The four (or five) possibilities for Writing ...
So when Gorsuch and Thomas opt to spend their summers giving the middle finger to an American public that supports ethics reform and term limits by overwhelming margins (73 percent and 74 percent ...
Article navigation: B2 First (FCE) Essay: Example Topics / Questions B2 First (FCE) Essay: Download (PDF) An essay is a piece of writing in which you are asked to discuss a topic that might be controversial or relevant somehow. It usually follows a class discussion. The language of an English essay should be formal.Also, make sure that you justify all your ideas and that you use appropriate ...
"Look at my boobs and tell me what you think." I'm a 20-year-old retail assistant, beseeching an older colleague and close friend, to evaluate my bare breasts in the backroom after hours.
You must write an essay for the FCE B2 First Writing exam, and many students make the same mistakes! This video explains the five most common FCE essay writi...