Table of Contents

FCE LEVEL
FCE ESSAY 1
FCE ESSAY 2
FCE ESSAY 3
FCE ARTICLE 1
FCE ARTICLE 2
FCE ARTICLE 3
FCE REVIEW 1
FCE REVIEW 2
FCE REVIEW 3
FCE FORMAL 1
FCE FORMAL LETTER 2
FCE INFORMAL LETTER 1
FCE INFORMAL LETTER 2
FCE INFORMAL LETTER 3
FCE REPORT 1
FCE REPORT 2
FCE REPORT 3
CAE LEVEL
CAE ESSAY 1
CAE ESSAY 2
CAE ESSAY 3
CAE REPORT 1
CAE REPORT 2
CAE REPORT 3
CAE REVIEW 1
CAE REVIEW 2
CAE REVIEW 3
CAE PROPOSAL 1
CAE PROPOSAL 2
CAE PROPOSAL 3
CAE FORMAL LETTER 1
CAE FORMAL LETTER 2
CAE FORMAL LETTER 3
CAE FORMAL LETTER 4
CAE INFORMAL LETTER 1
CAE INFORMAL LETTER 2
CAE INFORMAL LETTER 3
BACKCOVER
 
 
FCE & CAE

REAL WRITING EXAMPLES

Written by GRADE A candidates
GRADE A:  80% and above
There are minor mistakes.

FCE
ESSAY   

ARTICLE

REVIEW

FORMAL LETTER

EMAIL / INFORMAL LETTER

REPORT

CAE
ESSAY

REPORT

REVIEW

PROPOSAL

FORMAL LETTER

INFORMAL LETTER

 
 
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
While every precaution has been taken in the preparation of this
book, the publisher assumes no responsibility for errors or
omissions, or for damages resulting from the use of the
information contained herein.
 
 
FCE & CAE REAL WRITING EXAMPLES
 
 
First edition. January 3, 2017.
 
Copyright © 2016 D.Méndez.
 
 
Written by D.Méndez.
 
www.aprendeinglesenleganes.com
 
 

CONTENTS
5. WHAT IS AN ESSAY?
 6. WHAT IS A REPORT?
7. WHAT IS A REVIEW?
8. WHAT IS A PROPOSAL?
9. WHAT IS AN ARTICLE?
10.WHAT IS AN INFORMAL LETTER?
11.HOW TO WRITE FORMAL LETTERS.
12.STRUCTURE OF ESSAYS, REPORTS, REVIEWS & PROPOSALS.
13.STRUCTURE OF ARTICLES, FORMAL & INFORMAL LETTERS.
14.FCE ESSAYS

17.FCE ARTICLES

20.FCE REVIEWS

23.FCE FORMAL LETTERS

25.FCE INFORMAL LETTERS

28.FCE REPORTS

31.CAE ESSAYS

34.CAE REPORTS

37.CAE REVIEWS

40.CAE PROPOSALS

43.CAE FORMAL LETTERS

44.CAE INFORMAL LETTERS

 
 
WHAT IS AN ESSAY?
An essay is a piece of writing where you, the author, explain your position on a
topic. Like all writing, it must be well-organized (into paragraphs), use proper
register (formal), and have correct grammar and vocabulary.
You must clearly explain your point of view (using examples to support your
argument), but you must also take into consideration the other opinion on this
issue, usually acknowledging the opposing opinion and/or explaining why the
opposing opinion is incorrect.
 
ESSAY STYLE : FORMAL
IMPERSONAL :  Some might argue that / The danger is that /  It is not uncommon
nowadays to see .   
Use :  IT is rather than I think
TITLE IS OPTIONAL / NO HEADINGS
INTRODUCTION    1st Paragraph
Rethorical question.   Addresses the reader.
Isn’t it strange how being in the country relaxes us?
Can you imagine waking up every morning to the sound of birds singing?
Quotation.
Desmond Morris, the British engineer, once said :
DEVELOPMENT  2nd and 3rd Paragraph
1st point . Arguments for:
In the first place  / On the one hand /  One reason that…
There are many advantages to…
2nd point . Arguments against :
On the other hand, However, It cannot be denied that ,
Another negative aspect of …is,
CONCLUSION  4th Paragraph
To sum up , In conclusion, to conclude , all in all , On balance, All things
considered, It would seem that, there is no/little doubt that, It may be concluded
that….
 
WHAT IS A REPORT?
A report is a formal piece of writing. It is written for a clear purpose and to a
particular audience. Specific information and evidence are presented, analysed and
applied to a particular problem or issue. The information is presented in a clearly
structured format making use of sections and headings so that the information is
easy to locate and follow.
 
REPORT      STYLE : NEUTRAL-FORMAL
IT PRESENTS INFORMATION NOT AN ARGUMENT
IMPERSONAL :  Some might argue that / The danger is that /  It is not uncommon
nowadays to see .
Use :  IT is rather than I think 
TITLE :  Example : Local eating places
INTRODUCTION    1st Paragraph
State the purpose of the report and how you got the information.
The main aim/objective/ purpose of this report is to give an overview /
evaluate/ review/ give information..
The information for this report was gathered from the following sources:
Conversations with residents, visitors and staff. Discussion with the…
1st Heading  : Elaborate on 1st topic.  Ex: Cafes and bars.
2nd Heading : Elaborate on 2nd topic  Ex: Cinemas
Most people seem to feel that...
Several people said/told me/suggested/thought that…
3rd Heading : Conclusion / Recommendations
Only express personal opinions in the conclusion.
I would therefore recommend that we expand the library/installing a new….
It would seem that banning mobile phones is the best idea.
Having considered the options, …/  I would like to suggest/recommend…
 
 
WHAT IS A REVIEW?
A review is a piece of writing the purpose of which is to describe and evaluate
something. Reviews may be written about many different things: books, films,
concerts, television programs, even restaurants..
Your evaluation – your opinion of the worth or quality of whatever is being
reviewed – should be clearly stated.  You do, however, need to support your opinion
with a thoughtful analysis.

REVIEW    STYLE : NEUTRAL-TO-INFORMAL

PERSONAL :   I think that ...I was pleasantly surprised when,  nowadays to see , It
is important to notice that…
Use :  Both IT is  and  I think
TITLE : (Usually the name of the place or thing being reviewed)
INTRODUCTION    1st Paragraph
Say what you are reviewing / some background
Six months ago I had the pleasure to participate..
Last weekend I saw…when…/ I read this book when I was on my way to…
The last movie I have seen is… The story is about ....
The novel tells the story of ...
DEVELOPMENT  2nd and 3rd Paragraph
Review some of the positive aspects.
The band was fantastic.. What I liked is... I was impressed by
Mention some weaker points.
The book is terribly / beautifully written
 What I didn't like was...because… I think the book is ..
CONCLUSION  4th Paragraph
Conclude with your overall opinion.
To conclude , concluding , All in all , All things considered..
So if you haven't joined it yet, I would highly recommend you ..
If you ever get the chance to….you will not regret it.
If you are looking for a good…
 
WHAT IS A PROPOSAL?
A proposal is a piece of formal writing similar to a report.
Normally an authority figure (boss/teacher/etc.) has asked you to evaluate a set of
options for a future event or the improvement of something.
 
PROPOSAL STYLE: SEMI FORMAL-TO-FORMAL
Avoid too expressive words: amazing, magnificent, disgusting,

1st Heading – INTRODUCTION (1st Paragraph)

Say what you the proposal is about.

- The aim/ purpose of this proposal is to…

- This proposal relates to/ describes/ outlines…
- I’m writing to ask…
- This proposal is intended to highlight the current problems with public
transport and give ideas for improving the service of local residents…

 2nd Heading - DEVELOPMENT (2nd and 3rd Paragraph)

 Describe the problem / Current situation

- At the present, our company is encountering a dramatic waste of energy.

Lights and photocopiers are left on unessentially…
- One of the reasons why the building should be preserved is because of its
touching past…
- As the council may be aware, there are issues with buses not sticking to the
published timetables and this causes problems for the users…
- Following a survey among bus users carried out in the town, pensioners
described the situation as…
- A number of concerns with regard to the frequency of the buses were
expressed by pensioners/young mothers…

3rd  Heading - DEVELOPMENT  2nd and 3rd Paragraph

Describe the improvements / Future  situation
I suggest that we should have some effective solutions as mentioned below to
solve the urgent issues…
4th   Heading - CONCLUSION  2nd and 3rd Paragraph
To sum up, there are plenty of reasons why the library should be preserved,
it benefits the people, the history and the culture, and I would be pleased if you
took my letter in consideration.
In conclusion, saving the energy is the responsibility of not only each individual
but also the whole society/ community.
 
WHAT IS AN ARTICLE?
An article is a piece of writing usually intended for publication in a newspaper,
magazine or journal. It is written for a wide audience, so it is essential to attract
and retain the readers’ attention. A successful article interests and engages the
reader.
Descriptions, examples and anecdotes are often appropriate, and effective answers
will be lively and include some colourful use of language. A personal angle usually
works well, and a catchy title will attract attention. The use of direct and indirect
questions also adds colour.

ARTICLE      STYLE : NEUTRAL-INFORMAL

IT INFORMS , INTEREST AND ENGAGE THE READER, so there should be some
opinion or comment.
PERSONAL :  I think / I felt / I’d very careful…
Use :  I think rather than IT is
TITLE :  (Catchy title to capture your readers’ attention)
Example : THE INTERNET GOOD OR EVIL FOR CHILDREN?
1st Paragraph :  Introduce the topic.
Although you don't know the readers personally, you can address them directly
and ask them a rhetorical question. It helps to involve them. –
Rethorical question: Just imagine... /Have you ever...? /How would you feel if ...?
Are you one of those people who ...?/If the answer is ..., you should..../ What
would live be like if...
2nd  Paragraph :Continue writing about the last point you made in the first
paragraph.
Before I went, I thought that I would be walking along a flat surface but / That's
why I'd be very careful. I wouldn't want a completely different…/ My home is a
small house on the outskirts of a city. It was built…
Last paragraph - CONCLUSION  or SUMMARY
I love travelling and meeting new people, but if I were on a desert island…. After
that, who knows? I'll see, but I certainly won't be buying any luxury cars!...
Would I be keen to help the hospital again next year? Yes, but I think I'll try….

WHAT IS AN INFORMAL LETTER/EMAIL?

An informal letter is a letter that is written to people we know personally.
We normally give news about what is happening in our lives and often ask for news
about the other person. In addition, it is often used to request information,
congratulate people, give advice and ask questions.
You will be rewarded if you learn (and use) some appropriate phrasal verbs,
idioms, and collocations. Compare these sentences: 
.The food was good and the service was good and we had a good time.
.The food was delicious, while the service was faultless. Did we have a good time? Absolutely!

INFORMAL LETTER   STYLE: NEUTRAL-INFORMAL

WRITTEN IN RESPONSE TO A SITUATION OUTLINED IN THE QUESTION.
OPENING PARAGRAPH :   Dear John / Hello Ben , Hi Susan, How are you? / I
hope you are well / Many thanks for your (recent/last) letter / postcard/ It was
good / nice / great to hear from you again./ I was so surprised to hear that... / I’m
sorry I  haven't been in touch for such a long time. / It’s ages since I’ve heard
from you. I hope you're well / you and your family are well / How are things? /
How are you? /
Referring to news:   Great news about … Glad to hear that … Sorry to hear
about..
Giving news : Listen, did I tell you about …? You’ll never believe what …Oh, and
another thing  I  thought you might be interested to hear about / know that …By
the way, have you heard about ..?
Apologies : I’m writing to apologise for missing your party but I’m afraid I was
with flu /I’m really sorry that I forgot to send you a birthday card but I was busy
with my new job.
Requests : I’m writing to ask for your help / you (if you could do me) a favour. /I
wonder if / I was wondering if you could help me / do me a favour.
Making suggestions and recommendations :
Why don’t you …? / Maybe you could …? / How about …?
You can’t leave New York without (...doing sth) /
I’m sure you will enjoy (...doing sth). If you like, we can …
Last paragraph: CLOSING
Anyway, I must go and get on with my work!
 Looking forward to hearing from you soon / Bye for now/ Best wishes /
Regards.
 

How to write formal letters

 
[1] Greeting
 You know the name of the person:     use the title (Mr, Mrs, Miss or Ms) and the surname. Dear Mr Smith
/ "Dear Mrs Curry  
 You don’t know the name of the person: Dear Sir / Dear Madam / Dear Sir or Madam.

[2] Body
[2.1] Opening
State the reason for writing.                                                                                                                                                            
I would like to apply for one of the scholarships I saw advertised in...
I am the secretary of my college Science Club. I saw your advertisement for the exhibition … I am writing (in order) to
complain about the advertisement for your new game…
I am writing (in order) to complain about the advertisement for your new game…

[2.2], [2. .] Main content                                                                                                                                                              

The rest of the body will be organized in paragraphs: that will make reading easier and the effect on the target reader will
be better. It will be different depending on the type of formal letter.

                                                                                                                                                        
[3] Closing

The end of your letter is as important as the beginning. You usually state what you would like the recipient to do, make a
reference to a future event, offer to help...
 I look forward to hearing from you soon / I look forward to receiving your reply
 I look forward to receiving a full refund (in a complaint letter)
 I would like to know what you are going to do about this situation  (in a complaint letter)
 I would like to thank you in advance for this information (in a enquiry letter -requesting information)
 If you require/Should you need further information, please do not hesitate to contact me/feel free to
contact me.

[4] Final salutation

   Very truly yours, Respectfully, Yours truly, Sincerely yours, Sincerely, Best regards, Regards, Cordially,
With many thanks, Warm wishes, Yours faithfully, Yours sincerely.

[5] Sign your name and then print your name clearly underneath on another
new line

Joe McGregor
FCE – ESSAY 1
Essay                                           FCE
 
Essay: Should smoking be made illegal?
You have listened to a radio programme about the impact of smoking on people’s health.
Now, your English teacher has asked you to write an essay.

Write an essay using all the notes and give reasons for your point of view.

Smoking is responsible for many health problems throughout the

world .                                                                    Do you think it should be made illegal?
      Notes
      Write about
1. lung cancer
2. passive smoking
3. …………..(your own idea)     
 

FCE  - Do you think smoking should be made illegal?

Isn´t it shocking to see young people smoking even before they are 18 years of age?
Smoking during teenage years is very dangerous. Not only will it affect their health, but it
might also create a lifelong dependency.
 
On the one hand, the most dangerous disease caused by tobacco is lung cancer. Someone
who has been smoking for a long time has a high probability of contracting lung cancer,
much higher than that of a person who has never smoked before. However, certainly, not
every person who smokes dies of lung cancer.
 
On the other hand, we have the situation of passive smokers. They have decided not to
smoke. Still, they are suffering the negative effects of having to breathe the smoke coming
from cigarettes. To make matters worse, not only adults are exposed to passive smoking,
but children as well.  For this reason, they can be affected by diseases caused by tobacco,
such asthma, chronic cough, etc.
 
In conclusion, I believe that it is not necessary to make tobacco illegal because,
in the end, each person will decide what to do with their life. However, under no
circumstances should we allow active smokers to smoke anywhere near non-smokers.
 
 
199 words
FCE – ESSAY 2
Essay                                                    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.
Write an essay using all the notes and give reasons for your point of view.
 
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?
Notes
Write about :
1. What contributes to the greenhouse effect.
2. Floods
3. ……… (your own idea).               

What can we do to reduce deforestation?

Nowadays, many forests are being destroyed to clear land for different purposes. Forests
are very beneficial to us all. Living without them is unthinkable since we rely on them to
cover many of our needs. What can we do?
Firstly, trees help us to reduce the greenhouse effect levels by removing carbon dioxide
from the air and releasing oxygen. The fewer trees we have, the higher the greenhouse
levels will be.
Secondly, many floods have been avoided thanks to trees. When it rains, the land absorbs
water, but if there aren’t enough trees, the land cannot absorb water as fast as it needs.
Finally, I believe that we can do many things to improve the situation. For example, we can
be more careful when we spend the day in the countryside. However, I think than
governments should protect forest areas better and impose bigger fines on those who harm
the forests in any way. Obviously, people will be cleaner and more careful if they know they
will get a fine otherwise.
 

178 words
 
FCE – ESSAY 3
Essay                                                    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.
Write an essay using all the notes and give reasons for your point of view.
In Europe and the USA a lot of young people have an obesity
problem.                                                            What can be done to solve this problem?
Notes
Write about:

1. Drinking
2. Fast food 3.
3. .......... (your own idea)

ESSAY ABOUT OBESITY

Nowadays, it is not uncommon to see young people with obesity
problems.                                                               This problem is affecting the youth in Europe
and the USA. We have to seek ways to try to solve it.
In the first place, it cannot be denied that today we are surrounded by unhealthy food
options. Everywhere, we can find drinks such as colas, sodas, artificial juices, etc. They are
all full of sugar and artificial sweeteners making them big calorie bombs. The same
happens with food, it is also full of carbohydrates and empty calories.
Secondly, because we live in a fast-paced society, we do not have as much time to cook as
our grandparents in the past. Therefore, we eat more fast food than
them.                                                                          Another thing that leads to obesity is a
sedentary lifestyle. Time is scarce and                                                                 we want things
done quickly as well as quick results. We do not take care of ourselves properly and we
suffer the consequences.
In conclusion, we need to change these aspects of our lives. If we begin to eat healthy foods,
drink natural drinks, and to do some sport, we will succeed in making obesity a problem of
the past.

195 words

 
FCE – ARTICLE 1
Article                                              FCE
 
 Performing in public

Tell us about your experience of performing or speaking in public.

                    •          What did you do and where?

                    •          How did it go?

                    •          Was it a success or a disaster?

                    •          How did you feel?

Write your article. 

FCE  -  Article  –  Performing in public   

 
Performing in the street – Success or disaster?
 
 
I am not sure which my first performance experience was, because as a child I would
always signed up for any activity where I had to dance or perform.
I think I had my first experience when I was around sixteen years of age.
 
My friends and I signed up to a local theatre group, which was ran by an expert teacher
who approached performing in a whole new way.  All the plays were based on physical
expression.
 
The first play I took part in was performed in the street. Our goal was to provoke people to
have a reaction. While it was hard to express with the body what you were feeling, it was
an amazing experience. At the beginning, performing would make me feel the same as if I
had to take my clothes off in the middle of the street. Also, we didn´t know how the people
could react to our provocation.
 
That first play was a total success. Although some people didn’t know how to react, the
majority were very responsive and interacted a lot with us.
 
To conclude, I would highly recommend having an experience of performing in public
because it is like becoming another person for a while. You will be surprised what it can
bring out of you.
 214 words
 
FCE – ARTICLE 2
Article                                              FCE
 
You see the following notice in a lifestyle magazine, and decide to submit an article.
Living in 2080
We invite our readers to write an article on the topic “Living in 2080”
What will life be like?
The writer of the best article will win an MP3 player.
 

Can you imagine living in 2080?

I had never thought before about what life would be like in 2080. If you haven’t thought
about it yourself, now you can start with this article.
 
First of all, gadgets in the future will possibly make our life easier. The housework will get
done faster and people will have more free time. Because of that, families will probably
spend more time together.
 
Secondly, transport will be cleaner than now. Cars might be electrical, and on the other
hand, you won’t even need to have your car repaired because mechanical work will
probably have disappeared. The chances are that you will repair your car by yourself. 
 
Finally, I think food will not be healthy at all. We won’t eat fresh fruit and vegetables.
Because we will think that cooking is a waste of time, we will more than likely eat pre-
packed or fast food.
 
From my point of view, life will be faster and easier, but I prefer living comfortably in the
present rather than thinking about the future.
 

169 words
 
 FCE – ARTICLE 3       
Article                                                  FCE
You have been asked to write an article for a local paper about ways to improve the
environment.
Write the article, giving your opinion on this subject.
The Daily News is Seeking Articles!
We need ideas from our readers about how to improve the environment.
Write your article now and send it to us as soon as possible!
Prize for the best article is a bicycle!

 
Are we destroying our planet?
Since it is a matter that directly affects me and my future descendants, I have always cared
about the environment. We are ruining this world and do not even think about the possible
consequences of the problems we are causing.
With regard to improving the environment, I have the following idea: respecting Mother
Nature.                                                             I suggest imagining a peaceful world full of
intelligent people, who choose nature over other interests. However, rather than imagining
that utopia, we could be more realistic and, for example use more often public transport as
well as being more respectful of the environment.                                The government should
do something to help make this possible.
Because of the times we live in, the environment is not at the top of people’s concerns.
There are always other matters that come first. It is a difficult task to make people realize
how much we are harming the environment and the possible consequences for us all.
To conclude, we need to increase awareness of this issue. The more aware people are about
this problem and its consequences, the better our world will be. We need to take care of the
only house we have: the earth.
 

 
 
 
196 words
 
FCE – REVIEW 1
Review                                                  FCE
 
Review of a concert

Your favourite magazine has advertised a contest for readers to write a review of a concert
they have seen recently.

“Superstar Magazine” is seeking reviews from readers!

Have you seen a great concert recently?

Have you seen a terrible one? We want to know!

Write the best review and win a trip to see your favourite band perform!

Write your review.

 

FCE  -  Review of a concert   

 
AMAZING CONCERT BY ARA MALIKIAN
Two months ago I had the pleasure to see Ara Malikian in concert.The concert was in Las
Ventas, which is a very beautiful bullring in Madrid. He plays the violin and is a very
popular classical musician. However, he is not your typical classical musician.  
When he came on stage,I could only say: Wow! I was surprised because he didn’t fit my idea
of what a classical musician would look like. He wore neither a suit nor a tuxedo. Instead,
he was dressed in Arabic clothes.
Not only did he play different pieces of classical music such as the four seasons of Vivaldi ,
but he also played rock music with his fiddle. It was spectacular.
 
All the money raised through this concert was donated to refugees. Ara Malikian spoke
about his life as a refugee himself. Back then, his life was very difficult because he didn’t
have anything and had to find ways to survive.
 
All things considered, I would highly recommend watching him live. If you have the
opportunity to see him in concert, do it!! You won’t regret it.

 
188 words
 
FCE – REVIEW 2
Review                                                  FCE
You recently saw this notice in an English language magazine called "The Weekender".

Reviews needed!
Have you been to an exceptional hotel lately? If so, tell us about it! Be sure to mention what
you like, the atmosphere as well as the location and say why you would recommend the
hotel.                      
We will publish the best reviews in next month’s issue.
REVIEW OF A HOTEL
One month ago, I had the pleasure to stay in "Grandmother's farm", a little rural hotel in the
countryside of Oviedo.
We are a very busy family. Normally, we don't have a lot of time to be together, so when we
are on holidays we try to choose places where we can do things together. Things such as
biking, trekking, bungee jumping, playing football or tennis,  etc.
In that regard, our choice was the best! We had many activities to choose from, organised
by the same hotel. However, our hotel was a peaceful place. The rooms were very clean and
the beds very comfortable. When you got up in the morning you could hear bird songs and
smell the coffee and the freshly baked cake.
The owners, María and Nacho, were very friendly towards us. They live in the hotel, so if we
needed anything they were always ready to help us. One morning, María taught our
children to cook her “special baked cake” while my husband and I rode a bike around a
nearby farm. It was wonderful!!
So if you want to spend some time relaxing and having fun, surrounded by nature, I would
recommend it to you.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

200 words
FCE – REVIEW 3
Review                                                  FCE
ELECTRONIC DEVICES WANTED
• Which electronic device have you use recently?
Write a review of it describing the device, explaining how to use it and
saying                                        whether it is good value for money.
Write your review.
THE USEFUL BREAD MAKER
 
Because I am intolerant to gluten, my sister had the great idea of getting me a bread
maker for my last birthday. It made me very happy. At last, I could make my own
bread.
 
The bread maker is a small machine which works like an oven.
It hardly occupies any space. The machine has a hole inside where you must put all the
ingredients. It has a display where you can see the time, choose the programme, the
speed and the size of the bread.
 
There are different programmes to make different kinds of bread. After putting the
ingredients in the device, you must choose the programme you want, push the start
bottom and that is all.
This machine can make not only wonderful bread but also delicious cakes. However, it
takes a long time to make the bread, especially the gluten free. Even so, it is worth
making the bread yourself.
 
To conclude, I would highly recommend buying the bread maker. The main reason
why the bread maker is good value for money is that you will save money on bread as
well as on electricity. The bread maker uses less electricity than a traditional oven.
 
 
 
 

198 words
 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
FCE – FORMAL LETTER 1
Formal letter (email)                         FCE
 
You see this advertisement in a student newspaper:
 
Lifeguard assistants wanted
 
We are looking for someone in August to assist our lifeguards, provide supervision during
beach activities and observe swimmers.
 
Write to the Lifeguard Manager, saying what your experience and qualifications are and
stating the reasons why you are suitable for the job.
 
Write your email in 140-190 words in an appropriate style.

Dear Sir or Madam,

I am looking for outdoor work during the summer holidays and I would like to apply for the
position of lifeguard assistant, which I saw advertised in my university's student
newspaper.

I am 20 years old and at present I am studying Physical Education. I am a strong swimmer

and have recently had first aid training. I very much enjoy working with people and for the
last two summers, I have been working as an assistant ranger in a National Park, where I
had to provide information to the public about using the park and provide emergency
assistance to park users. Now I am looking for something different.

I think I would be a suitable candidate for the position because I have been described as
calm in a crisis and someone who works well with others.

I am available for the whole of August and would be happy to attend an interview at any
time. I look forward to hearing from you at any time in the near future.

Yours faithfully,

John Carrie

177 words
  
FCE – FORMAL LETTER 2

Formal letter                                    FCE

 
SUMMER CAMP ASSISTANTS Wanted!
Summer Fun Ltd. is looking to recruit six Camp Assistants to work with children aged
18-24 from a number of nationalities. Priority will be given to applicants who:

. have a special interest in Drama, Sports, or Arts and Craft

. are responsible and can cope in a crisis
. can speak at least two languages
If you would like to be considered for the post please apply in
writing/span>(References are essential.)
                                                                

Dear Sir / Madam

From July 4th Galway Advertiser newspaper, I learned about your need for Summer camp
assistants for your school located  in Renmore, Co Galway. I am very interested in this
position and truly believe that my education and employment background are appropriate
for it.

I have an extensive experience in sport environments, having worked in various Gyms and 
training in soccer, bodybuilding, fitness, martial arts ( Judo & Kick Boxing). I’m used to
dealing with people of all ages.
I have shown my ability to adapt to new situations and to work under pressure throughout
my working experience , having many times to prioritise tasks and having been exposed to
varying situations, that have  really improved and developed my team working and
communication skills.   
I speak fluent English, Spanish and a little Chinese.

Thank you for your consideration of my CV. I am hoping to hear from you soon to schedule
an interview at your convenience.

Please,  find attached a copy of my CV and my reference details as requested.

Best Regards.           
John Smithson
       

177 words
 
FCE – INFORMAL LETTER 1
Informal letter                                 FCE
You saw this advertisement:
NEW ARTIST EXHIBITION at the DORCHESTER HOTEL
See works of art from the newest talent this weekend at this important conference!
Buy paintings, sculpture and other media from artists throughout the world!
The exhibition was a great success and a lot of fun. Write to a friend telling him or her
about it, and why it was such a great experience.
Write your letter. You do not need to include a postal address.
 

Dear Mary,

How are you? How are Tom and the children? I hope you are all well.
First of all, I’m sorry I haven't been in touch for such a long time. You know how my job is;
it doesn't give me much free time.
As I know you love modern art, I'm writing to tell you about an exhibition I went to at the
Dorchester Hotel, in London. I was able to see the creations from talented new artists
throughout the world.
The exhibition was a great success. It was packed with people fighting over the best deals.
Even so, I loved every minute of it. You know how much I like art.
There were many paintings, sculptures and pieces of furniture for sale. I would have liked
to buy one sculpture for my parents, but they were too pricey for me. I ended up buying a
beautiful painting of the aurora borealis by a Spanish painter. It is full of colours. I love it.
Next time they put on an exhibition at the Dorchester Hotel, I’ll let you know so that you
can come with me. We will have fun together.

Looking forward to hearing from you soon.

Regards
Susan
 

 202 words
FCE – INFORMAL LETTER 2
Informal letter                                 FCE
Your pen friend wants to throw a party for her twelve-year-old sister's but she is not sure
what to do.
Write a letter giving her advice about where to have it and what sort of activities they could
do.                                             

Write your letter.

Dear John
How are you?
I’m glad to hear that you are preparing a birthday party. I'm sure that you and your family
will have a great time.
Since you told me you are not sure what to do, I’m going to give you some advice. Have you
heard about the “Blue farm”? It is a place where many people go to celebrate their birthday
with friends. There are many organized activities available.
I’m going to describe a typical day in this farm. Firstly, your sister and her friends could
ride horses; they should make sure to wear comfortable clothes. Secondly, they could cook
their own food, for example, sausages, paella, cakes, etc. I'm sure they will enjoy
themselves.
If they are adventurous enough, they can have a good time doing activities like rafting and
bungee jumping. Don’t worry, the right equipment is always on hand.
Personally, I believe that a day on a farm is a different way to spend a birthday. I hope I
have been helpful.               
 
Looking forward to hearing from you.
 
Mike

175 words
FCE – INFORMAL LETTER 3
Informal letter                                  FCE
You have received the following letter from your English-speaking friend:

.............Thanks for inviting me to stay with you when I visit your country next month.

I'm not sure how to get to your apartment from the airport. Could you write back giving me
some basic instructions? What would be the best method of transport for me? I'd prefer
one that isn't too expensive!

Just one other thing - what will the weather be like when I get there? (Just so I'll know what
clothes to pack!) .........

Write your letter of reply to your friend.

Hi Mike,
I’m really looking forward to your visit my friend. Roll on next month!
Don’t worry about anything will get everything sorted for you.
When you get to the airport just give me a ring and I will go there to pick you up myself
with my car. I ‘ve just bought a brand new Toyota Celica. You are going to love it. How is
that for a cheap method of transport?
The weather is lovely at the moment and I checked the forecast for the next week and It is
going to stay that way.So you are better off packing summer-time clothes and some jacket
(at night it gets a bit colder, not much though).
I’ll show you around the city and if you like going clubbing, you are going to love this city.
We have some of the best night clubs in the country.
We will have a great time together.
See you soon.
Take care
 
Your friend Johnny.

 
 
168 words
 
FCE – REPORT 1
Report                                                   FCE
 The principal of your school is going to hire a new teacher to teach an elective class. he
wants to be sure to offer a class that students will be interested in, so he has asked you to
write a report explaining which subjects students would be most interested in learning and
which would be most useful for them, and making a recommendation about what new class
should be offered.
Write your report

Introduction
The purpose of this report is to give information about the subjects students are more interested in learning
this year. A new teacher is going to be hired to teach an elective class and this report will make
recommendations about what would be the most suitable class according to student’s preferences.

The information for this report was gathered from conversations and meetings with students.

Results
The results after these meetings show that the subjects students are most interested in are:

 40% - Languages
 25%- Technological
 20% - Healthy lifestyle
 10% – Others

Comments on results
Languages.
The most voted was Chinese (50%), but students are also interested in learning Spanish and German .

Technology
Students are interested in new technologies such as cloud computing, big data, domotics , etc.

Healthy lifestyle
Students are very worried about their health. They would like to learn how to improve their lives by adopting
a healthy lifestyle.

Conclusion and recommendations

I would recommend offering Chinese courses and having two levels: beginners and
advanced.                                                  A second option could be to offer an elective class on “healthy habits”,
considering that it is a ground-breaking concept and that it would be beneficial to them.  

197 words

 
 
FCE – REPORT 2
Report                                                   FCE
The local council is opening a new community centre for youths. Basketball, music lessons
and cookery have all been suggested as possible activities for the centre. Mr.Jones, who is a
member of the council, has asked you to talk to your friends and then write a report to the
council about how popular each activity would be and then make a recommendation about
which activities should be offered.
Write your report.
 
INTRODUCTION
The main purpose of this report is to give information about the opening of a new
community center for the youth in our city as well as offering suggestions about which
activities it should offer.
The information for this report was gathered from conversations with the local youth.
BASKETBALL AND OTHER SPORTS
Currently, health is very important to young people.  However, not everyone has money to
pay for a gym or a private coach. Therefore, it would be a good idea for the centre to
organize both team and individual sports, such as basketball, soccer, swimming,
weightlifting, and tennis.
MUSIC AND COOKING LESSONS
On the other hand, for more relaxed people, the community center could also offer music
and cookery lessons. Young people could learn to cook different kinds of food or learn to
play an instrument.  Many have shown an interest in these courses.
CONCLUSION
Having considered the above options, I would like to suggest that basketball and music
lesson be the activities offered in the new community centre. They are the most appealing
to young people in our community and, therefore, should be the ones that the new
community centre should offer.

 
194 words

 
FCE – REPORT 3
Report                                                   FCE
You and three of your classmates recently saw an English-language film. Now your English
teacher has asked you to check your classmates' opinions and write a report, addressing
the following points:
• Was the plot easy to understand?
• Were the characters interesting for all of you?
• Would the film appeal to teenagers of different nationalities?
• Would you advise other students to see it?
Write your report.
 
Introduction.
The main aim of this report is to give information about my opinion and the opinion of
three of my classmates about the film “Lord of the rings” which we recently watched in our
English language school.
The information was gathered from a discussion which took place after watching the film.
The plot
Most of us thought the film was difficult to understand. Because of the different accents of
the characters, we found it sometimes difficult to follow the thread of the story. Also, in
places the characters spoke too fast for us to understand.
Characters
We all liked the main character, Frodo Bolson and his friends. They seemed to be weak and
inexperienced, but they show bravery and intelligence when facing the villain, Sauron (the
Dark Lord).   
Appeal to teenagers of different nationalities
We all thought that the plot has all the ingredients to keep you interested, regardless of
where you are from. It is a fantasy film full of adventures.
Recommendations
This film is based on the amazing book “Lord of the Rings” by J.R.R. Tolkien. In order to
understand the film better, I would recommend reading the book before seeing the film.
 
 
                                   

196 words
CAE – ESSAY 1  
Essay                                                     CAE 
You have watched a TV debate about which charity organisation should receive funding from the government. You have
made the notes below:

                                 Which charities should receive funding from the government?

 Recreation Charities.
 Health Charities.
 Human Rights Charities.
               Some opinions expressed in the discussion:
                    “We should not spend money on sport but on health”           
“Cancer charities have helped a lot of people and need our support”
“Human rights issues should be addressed”

Write an essay discussing two of the charities in your notes. You should explain which charity is more important for the
government to give money to, giving reasons in support of your answer.

You may, if you wish, make use of the opinions expressed in the discussion, but you should use your own words as far as
possible.

CAE  - Which charities should receive funding from the Government?

Nowadays, everyone agrees that more money should be donated to
charities.                                      However, we should ask ourselves which are the most needed.
In this essay, I will discuss the two which should be taken into consideration:
 
First of all, I would like to begin by saying that health charities are highly beneficial to
society due to the fact that they aim to help people in need. By giving them resources, they
are directly collaborating in the improvement of the life quality of the area these people
live in. If charities did not give health assistance, it is true that many people could not afford
to buy medicines. Also, the information they offer on healthy habits and how they spread
their message is remarkable.
 
In the second place, and regarding human rights charities, it is well known that they are in
the spotlight nowadays. This is because several wars are taking place and the inhabitants of
the affected countries need help. Also the constant search for power by some countries is
causing humanity issues in others. These charities are in charge of the difficult task of
helping these people survive these conflicts. With their help, their problems may be solved,
or at least alleviated.
 
To conclude, there is no doubt that both health charities and human rights charities play an
important role in our society and in our world. Both organizations deserve funding from
governments for their unquestionably value and work, but especially human rights
charities for their willingness to work in such dangerous circumstances.
264 words

CAE – ESSAY 2  

Essay                                                    CAE
 
Which form of renewable energy would be best for a tourist island?

-          Wind turbines

-          Solar panels

-          Nuclear power

CAE  -  Easy about natural energies   

Which form of renewable energy would be best for a tourist island?

-          Wind turbines
-          Solar panels
-          Nuclear power
 
 
   The aim of this essay is to analyse which form of renewable energy would be best for a
tourist island.
 
Despite the fact that there are different alternatives, in this paper, I will discuss the two
approaches that should be taken into consideration: The first one is solar panels; the
second one is nuclear power. Needless to say, both of them are really important, but there
is a need to clarify which one is best for a tourist island.
 
First of all, I would like to talk about solar panels which is essential due to the fact that
this kind of renewable energy is one of the most environmentally-friendly. You only have to
install some panels in some part of the landscape where the sun
hits more strongly. Besides, solar panels do not damage the environment because they are
designed to benefit the piece of land where they are installed.
 
Nuclear power plays a vital role in the topic we are concerned with, since this energy
is the most powerful energy found in the world. When the nuclear fission is accomplished,
all the energy released will be able to be fed into every corner of the island. There are some
drawbacks to this approach, however. What about the dangers of developing this source of
energy? We have been able to watch much horrible news about the use of nuclear power
such as those about Chernobyl or Japan.
 
As I see it, using solar panels is an even more compelling solution than nuclear power
because the former is much more ecological than the latter and, of course, solar panels are
quite more secure for everybody.
 
275  words
 
 

CAE – ESSAY 3  

Essay                                                    CAE
You have watched a TV debate about the advantages and disadvantages of Brexit for the UK. You have made the notes
below:

                                 What are the advantages and disadvantages of leaving the UE for the UK?
 lower taxes.
 Not having to give economic aid to other UE countries.
 Devaluation of the pound.
               Some opinions expressed in the discussion:
                    “The elderly believed that the EU was an obstacle to the UK economic growth”      
“Trade and tourism will be affected”
“Brexit will cause problems for Britain's economy.

you wish, make use of the opinions expressed in the discussion, but you should use your own words as far as possible.

 
Advantages and disadvantages of Brexit for the UK.
In the UK, the elderly are said to believe that the EU was stopping their economic
growth and for this reason, they voted for Brexit . It is said that there is xenophobia in the
UK and that some people believe that immigration is due to the European Union. Maybe,
this is because they are very easily influenced by politicians.
On the one hand, the advantages of  Brexit for the UK  were not having to pay  taxes
to the European Union or having to give aid to the other countries such as Romania, which
recently joined the European Union.
On the other hand, the main disadvantage of Brexit for the UK is the devaluation of
the pound. The very moment it was known that the UK was leaving the EU, the pound
devalued from €1.36 to €1'16. Also, British people who live out of the UK, in the European
Union will now have to pay to receive health care.
In the future, one of the consequences of Brexit may be a rise in product and service
prices, and this will affect trade and tourism.
To conclude, thanks to the European Union, it is easier to establish trade relations
and to promote tourism. In my opinion, if people were to vote for Brexit again, the result
would be an outright “No”.
220 words
 

CAE – REPORT 1 
Report                                                 CAE
 
You have just finished a short period of work in a company abroad as part of your business
course. You have now been asked to write a report for your course organiser.
In your report you should explain what you did and how you benefited from the period of
work, describe any problems you had and make recommendations for other students on
the business course who will be working in the same company abroad later.

Introduction
The aim of this report is to explain what I did in the company in which I worked for four
months and how I benefited from this period of work. Besides, this report will discuss the
problems I encountered and  will make recommendations for other students who will be
working in the company next year.

What did I do in the company?

I worked in the UK for a multinational company during my last four-month period at
college. I wanted to get to know the different work methods used in other countries. I was
in the administration department and had to organise paperwork and procedures that had
to be sent to customers. This period of work gave me an insight into the inner workings of
an overseas company. Because I had to speak English all day, I improved my English skills
considerably.

Problems in the company

 I hardly had any problems in the company apart from communication issues. At the
beginning, I was nervous because I did not understand what my colleagues said to me.  It
took me some weeks to be able to understand everything. The rest was fantastic.

Recommendations
I would recommend taking some English lessons before looking for a job abroad. That is my
main recommendation to students who want to live this experience in the future. I would
also like to add that they should take advantage of each moment and learn as much as they
can.
Finally, I only want to express my gratitude for having been asked to write this report.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
258 words
 

CAE – REPORT 2
Report                                                 CAE
You have just completed six months working as a volunteer for a global organisation
helping to educate children in Africa. In preparation for a meeting with the person in
charge of your area,  you have been asked to write a report to him/her.
Your report should explain what you feel you have achieved in this position so far, describe
any problems you have had, and suggest any improvements you think are necessary.
Write your report.
 
HELPING EDUCATE CHILDREN IN AFRICA
The purpose of this report is to provide the person in charge of this area with information
about the last six months I have been working in Africa as a volunteer. It will also discuss
my main achievements in this position so far, the problems I have encountered as well as
suggesting necessary improvements.     
Problems during this period
Although all of us , the volunteers ,introduced ourselves enthusiastically, most children did
not want to interact with us. In addition, some parents did not believe in this organisation
and made their kids work with them as opposed to going to school. We eventually managed
to solve these problems through communication, understanding and perseverance.
Achievements
By teaching children real life skills, concepts and values, I feel I have changed their lives
somehow. Helping them become more independent and to always look for solutions is one
of my most important achievements so far.
Necessary improvements
The lack of resources and materials have been a problem. Children´s creativity and
imagination is important, so it is absolutely necessary to teach them through visual sources
such as flashcards. Also, more chairs and desks are needed as the number of children in the
classrooms is increasing.
Conclusion
I would like therefore to express my gratitude to this organization for the amazing job that
they are doing. It will be a pleasure for me to elaborate about all these topics in the next
meeting.
 

241 words

CAE – REPORT 3
Report                                                 CAE
You work as an environmentalist for the local council. A large shopping centre has recently
been built in your area. You have been asked to visit the shopping centre and to write a
report saying what effect the shopping centre might have on the local environment and the
community.
Your report should state both the positive and the negative aspects of the shopping centre.
Finally, you should make some suggestions as to how the more negative aspects could be
improved.
Write your report.
 

INTRODUCTION
The main objective of this report is to give an overview of how the shopping centre, which
has recently been built in our area, might affect the local environment and the community.
The final section will discuss both the positive and negative aspects and will make
recommendations about how the latter could best be reduced.
The information for this report has been gathered from conversations with customers,
shop owners, and the local environmental agency.
POSITIVE ASPECTS
It is well known that many people like spending their leisure time shopping. Therefore, our
new shopping centre will surely appeal to many of our citizens. Not only will they have
many different restaurants to choose from, but they will also have a wide range of shops
where they could buy different products.
NEGATIVE ASPECTS
It cannot be denied that a shopping centre has also many drawbacks. It takes away
customers from smaller shops in near towns, forcing many of them to close. In addition,
they are harmful to the environment. They are often built on land that is important to the
survival of birds and wild animals. Thus they contribute to the loss of nature.  Moreover,
because they are usually built far away from the city or town center, people must go there
by their own cars, resulting in increased air pollution and heavy traffic on nearby roads.
RECOMMENDATIONS
I would like to make the following recommendations:
People in charge of the shopping centre should take into consideration the environmental
issues that our society is encountering.
Governments should promote public transport. The more buses made available to get
there, the better for our environment.

Were all these recommendations to be followed, our area would show improvements soon.

287 words
 

CAE – REVIEW 1
Review                                               CAE
You have recently visited a museum or a building, either in your country or abroad.Write a
review for a tourist information magazine describing the building, where it is located and if
it has any facilities such as a shop or a café. Say whether is worth visiting and mention who
might be interested in it and why.
Write your review.
 
A SPECIAL HOUSE
Casa Batlló is one of the most representative buildings of Gaudí in Barcelona, Spain. You
can find it in one of the most popular avenues of the city, Passeig de Grà cia. But despite the
fact that there are many amazing buildings along the street, it´s impossible to see it without
appreciating its magnificence.
The price for the entrance is a little high. However, if you really love Gaudi’s art you should
go there and experience the magic of his creation.  The gallery contains some furniture
which belonged to the owners of the house. The visit includes a mobile phone that was kind
of a video and audio guide in which the pieces of furniture of the past were shown at the
time the Batlló family lived there. It was trying to portray the artist when he built the
house.
On the other hand, the architecture of the house was the most impressive thing that I have
ever seen before in a house. Gaudí was a special person who brought a lot of advantages to
this architectural science and you can discover it in the visit. You can see the entire house
and at the end of the visit you find a shop where you can buy whatever you like with the
typical colours and style of Gaudí.
In conclusion, if you love architecture and like Gaudi´s buildings, I would highly
recommend visiting Casa Batlló . You won’t regret it.
 
 
 

241 words
 

CAE – REVIEW 2
Review                                               CAE
Your favourite magazine has advertised a contest for readers to write a review of a concert
they have seen recently.
“Superstar Magazine” is seeking reviews from readers!
Have you seen a great concert recently?
Have you seen a terrible one? We want to know!
Write the best review and win a trip to see your favourite band perform!
Write your review.
 
 
Music festival
 
Last week, I went to a pop music festival called DREAM. It was in Almería. This festival was
aimed for people between 18 to 30 years of age. Around 2000 people attended it.
While I was there, I could listen to 10 different groups. Some of them were very good, but
the one I liked the most was Melendi. This singer sang more songs than the others and he
sang very well live. Another interesting thing that I would like to mention is the
organization of the festival. At all times, we felt secure because there were many security
staff and the permitted capacity was not exceeded. This was really unusual, normally in this
kind of festivals there are a lot of people, capacity allowed. Nowadays, this event is relevant
because it appeals to many people, and that’s the reason why many artists continue taking
part in it.
 
What I didn’t like so much was that the price of the ticket. It was very expensive, $60 and
the location was not even good. We were very close to a factory, so there was smoke
coming off it and we couldn’t even breathe at times. It was also unusual, because festivals
are usually celebrated in the countryside, without any nearby factories to spoil the fun.      
In conclusion, even though there was smoke during the concert, and the price was so
expensive, I enjoyed myself so much that I would recommend this concert to anybody who
likes to pop music.
 
 

250 words
 

CAE – REVIEW 3
Review                                               CAE
 
You are the arts review writer for a magazine. Your editor has asked you to review a film.
Choose a film that you have seen. Describe the plot and the characters involved. Say who
the film is suitable for and why. Mention any special effects or aspects of the film that stood
out in some way. Would you recommend the film?  Why, why not?
Write your review.

THE LAST HUMAN

A week ago, I was very lucky to be invited to watch Michael Johnson’s new movie, “The last
human” which won´t be in cinemas until next winter. The film is set in an imaginary planet
in the year 2030 and both, reality and fiction, are beautifully mixed throughout the whole
film.                                                                      I was not expecting too much from it, due to the
unpopularity with the general public of this director’s last two films. But I must admit, I fell
in love with “The last human” in no time.
The best points about the film are the plot and the characters. On the one hand, the plot is
really interesting and unexpected, it definitely keeps you on the edge of your seat all the
time. On the other hand, the main character shows intriguing and credible aspects of
human behaviour, which makes him believable and easy to emphasize with.
Regardless of the fact that this movie is a master piece, a few things could have been better.
For instance, Joanna Grin, who plays the hero´s mum, appears two times on two
nonsensical scenes. Nevertheless, her magnificent acting makes up for this negative point.
Another forgivable mistake is the sometimes unbelievable make up the characters wore, as
you can hardly expect a hero to be clean and look nice, after an interplanetary war.

To put it briefly, “The last human” is truly suitable for everybody who wants to enjoy a nice
story and be made to think about their own life.
 

252 words
 

CAE – PROPOSAL 1
Proposal                                              CAE
Memo
We are anxious to ensure that our company shows more concern for the environment.
Could you write me a proposal?
Describe the problems, suggest what improvement we should make and make some
recommendations for encouraging the staff to be more environmentally aware
 
Thomas Davies
Managing Director
 
 
Introduction
The aim of this proposal is to raise the staff’s awareness of using energy in a more
environmentally friendly way at the workplace in our company.
Problems
In spite of using the recycling bins to dispose of cans, drinking bottles and paper, staff
members do not use them consistently. As a consequence, the workplace is really a mess. In
addition, we have to pay extremely high electricity bills due to the overuse of power in the
company’s facilities. The fact that lights, computer and photocopiers are left on overnight
contribute to make this problem increasingly worse.

Improvements
To solve these issues, I recommend using more recycling bins so that employees find it
easier and more comfortable to throw rubbish. In addition, we should put up more
awareness-raising posters on energy saving. Apart from that, all employees should be made
aware of the importance of turning off all electrical devices, when unused, at the end of
their working day.
Solar panels will be an excellent alternative source of energy in order to reduce what we
spend on electricity. These methods may gradually change the attitude of the employees
towards the use of energy.

Conclusion

In conclusion, saving energy is the responsibility of not only each individual but also
society as a whole. If the above-mentioned recommendations are followed, positive
changes will surely follow.

 
 
 
 
223 words

CAE – PROPOSAL 2
Proposal                                              CAE
 
The city council that you work for has received funding to start a new careers service for
young people. Read the notes below and write a proposal giving your suggestions as to
what the service could offer and how it could be run.
Notes:
 opening hours : 11.30am to 8.00pm or even later when students can visit the
office.
 provide information on higher education and part-time / temporary work
opportunities.
  maintain a job notice board that companies can advertise on.

Write your proposal. You should use you own words as far as possible.
 
 
 
The aim of this proposal is to give suggestions as to what the careers service for young
people, which the city council has received funding to start, should offer and how it could
run.
 
 
Helping young people find a job
The careers service will have the objective of assisting young people to find work.
Because employers usually look for older people with more experience, it can be really
complicated for young people to get hired. Consequently, they find it difficult to find a job
when they finish college, and if they want to become independent from their parents they
won’t be able to do so because they won’t have enough money.
 
Services offered
Not only should the careers centre provide young people with information about jobs, but
it should also give them information on higher education and part-time work
opportunities. In addition, we should maintain a notice board and get companies to
advertise on it. Tips and tricks on both how to write a good CV and on how to answer the
typical interview questions should be offered too.
 
Opening hours
We should offer long opening hours – for example from 11.30am to 8pm seven days a
week.               This way, it would be easier for young people to use our services.
 
Location
The career center should be located somewhere near the universities in order to make it
easier for students to go there after their classes, if they need to.
 
Conclusion
To sum up, if we put all these recommendations into practice, we will succeed in helping 
young people to find a job.
 
 

262 words

CAE – PROPOSAL 3
Proposal                                              CAE
You work at an international company, and you and your colleagues would like to attend a
language course. You decide to write a proposal to your Director suggesting that the
company help with the cost of the course.

In your proposal, you should provide information about the time and costs involved and
explain the relevance of the course to you and your colleagues' work.

Write your proposal in 220 - 260 words in an appropriate style.

 
ADVANCED LANGUAGE COURSE FOR ACTIVE WORKERS
Introduction
The aim of this proposal is to evaluate the benefits of an advanced language course for
some of the workers of the international company I work for, and to give reasons why the
company should help us with the payment of the course.
Main conditions
It is a German course focused on industrial engineering for those who have passed the
intermediate level given last year. The duration is five months, from February to June, with
four hours of classes in the office every Monday afternoon, and the rest of the programme
online. Although it is a quite specialized course, its price is only nine hundred pounds and it
can be paid in five monthly instalments. Nevertheless, it is an important amount to cope
with on the salary of the employees without any help from the company.
Benefits for the company
The attendance to the course will provide the staff of my department with the required
level to understand German engineering law. If we were able to achieve this level, our
company would have the opportunity to begin to work in Germany. This would mean, not
only an exceptional increase in the company’s annual average turnover, but also an
increase in the number of staff working for the company.
Conclusion
Taking all these points into consideration, from my viewpoint, this course could be an
amazing tool to help the company enter the German market. Besides, it is of central
importance for the personal development of the workers. Those are the reasons why we
are asking the company to help every worker with, at least, one third of the payment.
 

275 words
 

CAE – FORMAL LETTER 1

Complaint letter  1                           CAE
You recently took a holiday organised by a travel agent, but the standard of the
accommodation was very poor. You feel misled by your travel agent because their
advertisements made false or misleading claims about the hotel, the location, the city, etc.
Write a letter to the company outlining the problems you experienced with the
accommodation and the action you want them to take. 
 
Three star hotel
 
Dear Sir/madam,

I am writing to express my strong dissatisfaction with a holiday organised by FTN

Funscapes.

First and foremost, your advertisement promised a "quiet three star hotel" whereas in fact
it was of poor quality. Not only was it noisy, but also far from the city centre. I had to walk
half an hour to get to the closest shopping area. To make matters worse, your
advertisement mentioned that Niteghntown "has so much to offer", yet I was not able to see
the museums and art galleries, due to the fact that they were only open on one day.
Moreover, all the shops were disappointing since they all sold the same things.

You also claimed that area had the cheapest price on souvenirs. That was not the case. The
cheapest item they had was a lighter at €15. If that’s cheap for you, I dread to think want
you consider to be expensive.

Last but not least, you stated the journey would be "quiet and easy". However, to be honest,
it was a complete disaster as we arrived home five hours later than was expected.

I had been looking forward to my holiday for months. However, it was completely ruined
by these problems. Therefore, I demand a refund of at least half of the cost of the holiday in
compensation for all my trouble and disappointment.

I hope this matter will receive your immediate attention.

Yours sincerely,

John

 
 

242 words
 
CAE – FORMAL LETTER 2
Complaint letter   2                          CAE
You recently had an unpleasant experience when you were shopping in a department
store.              One of the assistants wrongly accused you of shoplifting. Although you were
able to prove that you had paid for the item in question, you received no apology.
Write a letter to the manager of the shop, saying why you are angry and disappointed and
asking for some kind of compensation for the way you were treated. Say that you will take
further action if you do not receive an official apology.
Write your letter

 
Dear Sir or Madam,

I am writing to complain about the unacceptable treatment that I received in your

department store, when one of the shop assistants accused me of shoplifting.

First of all, I want to explain what happened. My wife, my son and I often go to the
department store to buy all kinds of articles, and the most of the staff member know us.
Even so, a young man came up to us when we were just about to leave the shop and
accused me of having stolen a watch. Furthermore, and to make matters worse, he started
to shout at us in front of the other costumers that could witness the embarrassing situation
we had to experience.
Secondly, I proved that I had paid for the item. In fact, I showed my receipt to this person.
However, we haven´t received any apologies. That´s the reason why I demand some type of
compensation, such as a discount voucher to buy in your department store.

I very much hope that going forward you will take steps to prevent these kind of situation
from taking place again in the future. 
Should I not receive any compensation within the next few days, I am afraid that I will have
no alternative but to put the matter in the hands of my solicitors.

Yours faithfully
Sam Smith
 
 
 
223 words

CAE – FORMAL LETTER 3

Job application letter  1                 CAE
Tours guides needed: we need a hard-working team of people to work as tour guides
throughout the summer period. A good knowledge of your local area is required, as well as
the ability to get on well with people. If you are at least 18 years old, write to us and tell us
about your character and interests. We would also like you to say what you think is one of
the highlights of your local area and why.
Write a letter applying for the job advertised
 

Dear Sir/Madam.
I am writing to apply for the job of tour guide to work throughout the summer period. It
was advertised in the dairy newspaper last week.
First of all, I am going to introduce myself. I am Margaret and I am 23 years old. Despite my
age,   I have enough qualifications and experience to do this job perfectly well. I am
currently finishing my degree in History of Art at university. In only one month, I will be
graduated. It goes without saying that I am knowledgeable about the art and history of my
country, particularly of my city, where you can find from 13 th century churches to modern
palaces.
I love the large variety of art in my city, but if I had to choose one of my favorites areas, it
would be the big parks such as Retiro, where you can not only relax but also learn about
modern painting and sculpture artists.
In regard to my own interests, I am very keen on modern art. I definitely consider myself a
people person. I have found that I am very good at interpersonal relationships, and
communication is definitely one of my strong suits love explaining how and why a period in
history took place.             I am also a good problem solver who can provide quick, efficient
and effective solutions when a problem arises. I love to work as a part of a team as well.
 
To conclude, I feel I would be suitable for this job because I offer both qualifications and
experience in this field.
I am hoping to hear from you soon to schedule an interview at your convenience.
Best regards,
 
Margaret.
 
 
 

280 words
 

CAE – FORMAL LETTER 4

Job application letter 2                  CAE
Tours guides needed: we need a hard-working team of people to work as tour guides
throughout the summer period. A good knowledge of your local area is required, as well as
the ability to get on well with people. If you are at least 18 years old, write to us and tell us
about your character and interests. We would also like you to say what you think is one of
the highlights of your local area and why.
Write a letter applying for the job advertised
 

Dear Sir /Madam,

I am writing to apply for the job of tour guide, as advertised in “The City’s Times” on 5 th
April.
 
My name is Louis Má rtiz and I´m 25 years old. I have studied tourism in the Complutense
University of Madrid and I have a considerable amount of experience of working with
people, including 12 years as a salesman for a multinational company. I think I have a high
enough level of spoken and written English, essential for this type of work. I am interested
in music, cinema and sports and I see myself as a self-confident and a sociable person who
likes to get to know strangers and turn them into friends.
 
Because I have a good knowledge of my local area, I feel I would be well suited to this role.
It will give me the chance to know people from different countries and show them our
beautiful city. Madrid has many interesting places to visit. However, if I had to choose one, I
would not hesitate in recommending the famous street market called “El rastro”, which I
considered as the best place to visit, in order to know how people really are, here in
Madrid.
 
Please find attached a copy of y CV and my reference details as requested.
 
I look forward to hearing from you.
 
Yours faithfully,
 
Louis Má rtiz
 

225 words

CAE – INFORMAL LETTER 1

Letter to a friend                              CAE
Letter:
You receive this letter from a friend who is planning to study abroad:
I´m not sure about going to study abroad anymore. How will I meet people and find
somewhere to live? And I´m worried I won´t understand my lessons. Maybe it´s not the
right thing for me after all! You decide to write to your friend giving your opinion and
offering advice.
 

Hi George,
How are you?  It´s been such a long time since we last wrote to each other. I'm very happy
to hear from you!

Don´t worry about studying abroad. It´s a fantastic experience. I studied abroad during my
first year at college. I was in Edinburgh, which is quite a nice city to live in, and I met a lot of
people from many different countries.  In this way, I was able to improve my English skills
very quickly. Besides, people go there to live that experience, therefore, you won´t have any
problem to meet new people. Everybody is in the same situation. Don´t forget about that!
First of all, you should look for accommodation. You should check on the internet. I can give
you some advice on that. The best option is to rent a flat. It depends on the city where you
go, but there are many flats to share with other people or small flats to live on your own in
the majority of European cities.
Secondly, you´ll have a lot of facilities at college. Teachers know that there are many people
from different countries so they try to speak slowly at the beginning. Besides, students who
are native will try to help you when you don´t understand some words or expressions. You
´ll improve your language level in no time.
Finally, I’d like to tell you that you shouldn`t be afraid. This can be the best experience in
your life, so, don´t waste this opportunity!  Go there and enjoy each moment because it
won’t last forever!
Anyway, I´d better get on with my work. I can wait to meet up with you very soon!
All the best.
Karl
 

 
282 words

CAE – INFORMAL LETTER 2

letter to a friend                              CAE
You have received a letter from a friend.
I'm really enjoying the variety in my new job, which often allows me to travel on
business.      Actually, with that in mind, I'm contacting you now, as I'll be in your for a week
next month.  Could you tell me the best places to go and what I can do, so that I can make
the most of my free time when I have the odd evening or weekend free?
Sheila

 
Dear Sheila,
Many thanks for your recent letter. Glad to hear that you feel comfortable in your new job. I
was surprised to read that you are going to come to Mostoles.
Fortunately, next month I will have lots of free time. So, it will be a pleasure to spend time
with you as far as possible. Listen, did I tell you about the new theatre which was opened
two months ago? It is bigger than the old one and it has a little café and a shop to buy
souvenirs. It is amazing! Next month there will be a play of Shakespeare and if you like, we
can go to watch it. Do not forget that I know how much you love Shakespeare´s plays. By
the way, do you still like Italian food? There is an Italian restaurant near the theatre. I am
sure you will enjoy that after the play.
At the weekend, I will have more time to spend with you. On weekdays, I have to study in
the evenings. Even so, there are many things you can do by yourself. Do you remember the
enormous park in the centre? You cannot leave Mostoles without going for a walk through
it and get some fresh air. It is the best way to relax after a hard day of work.
Anyway, you have my phone number. Please, let me know when you come to Mostoles and
I’ll be happy to show you around the city.
Looking forward to seeing you soon!
 
Best wishes,
Victoria
 

256 words
 

CAE – INFORMAL LETTER 3

 
Letter to a friend                              CAE
You have decided to go backpacking around Europe. One of your best friends did exactly
that last year. Write to your friend asking for advice. Look at the notes you have made
below of all the things that you need to ask your friend.
Notes
Plan route or just go for it?                        Best way to travel?
Accommodation?                                         Insurance?
Places not to miss?                                       Possible problems?
 

Dear John,
I’m writing to you because I was wondering if you could help me to prepare my next trip.I’d
like to go backpacking around Europe and I know that you did it last summer

I’ve been looking for information about the best routes, but maybe it would be better just
going for it without any plan. It’s quite obvious that planning routes in advance has many
advantages, but one of its main drawbacks is that you could miss important places that you
could discover just by chance. This is one of the reasons why I desperately need you to tell
me what places I shouldn’t miss.
Apart from that, I want to travel by coach but I’ve noticed from your photographs that you
made most of your trips by train. What do you think is the best way? Does it depend on the
budget? I’m having a hard time making a decision.                
As for the accommodation, I would like to book some hostels since they are cheaper and
you have the chance to meet new people. Could you recommend some to me? What’s the
best way to find them?
I’ve bought an insurance. I’ve been told that it is important to have one since you never
know what might happen in a foreign country. That’s why I’d like to know what kind of
problems I might face there.
Thank you very much in advance for your help, I can’t wait to hear from you
 
Best wishes,
 
Alexandra

249 words
 
 Table of Contents
FCE LEVEL
FCE ESSAY 1
FCE ESSAY 2
FCE ESSAY 3
FCE ARTICLE 1
FCE ARTICLE 2
FCE ARTICLE 3
FCE REVIEW 1
FCE REVIEW 2
FCE REVIEW 3
FCE FORMAL 1
FCE FORMAL LETTER 2
FCE INFORMAL LETTER 1
FCE INFORMAL LETTER 2
FCE INFORMAL LETTER 3
FCE REPORT 1
FCE REPORT 2
FCE REPORT 3
CAE LEVEL
CAE ESSAY 1
CAE ESSAY 2
CAE ESSAY 3
CAE REPORT 1
CAE REPORT 2
CAE REPORT 3
CAE REVIEW 1
CAE REVIEW 2
CAE REVIEW 3
CAE PROPOSAL 1
CAE PROPOSAL 2
CAE PROPOSAL 3
CAE FORMAL LETTER 1
CAE FORMAL LETTER 2
CAE FORMAL LETTER 3
CAE FORMAL LETTER 4
CAE INFORMAL LETTER 1
CAE INFORMAL LETTER 2
CAE INFORMAL LETTER 3
BACKCOVER