WRITING A REVIEW FOR B2

FIRST (FCE)

STEP 1 Read the task1 below first and then look at the notes on the left:

Who are you writing

for?

As seen in the task, it can be

subdivided into 4 subtasks,
namely: 1) introduce the piece
of art you are going to write
about; 2) briefly describe its
You are writing for characters and the main
Write an answer to the following question in 140-190 words.
a magazine. features of the plot; 3) express
You have seen this notice in your school’s English language magazine: your opinion of the piece; 4)
don’t forget to include your
recommendations and a few
ANIMATION FILMS concluding comments to let the
How many WORDS reader reflect.
REVIEWS NEEDED
should you write?
Have you seen an animation film recently?
If so, send us a review of the film, saying what you did and
did not like about it. Include information on the characters
and the story, and say whether you would recommend the
film to other people.
ideally, We will publish the best reviews. What structure
around 190
should your
words
review have?

Yes, you should You should stick to a

provide the title of semi-neutral style to
the piece you’re What style should arouse the reader’s
Must your review have a title? writing about you write it in? interest in your
review.

Descriptive adjectives To list, for example, the

should be used to merits of a book / film /
adhere to a descriptive play or whatever it may
style, especially in the be, you should use
body of the review. different linking devices

1
Taken from “Straight to First” Student’s Book Pack by Roy Norris.
 In the sample answer below find one extra word on each line
STEP 2
and cross it out.

Pocahontas
“Pocahontas” is an animation movie created at the Disney studio in the golden age of the
blockbusting cartoons, a series of which was released in the 90s. Though I’ve ever watched most of the
Disney pictures of those nostalgic times, this one was somehow unnoticed, so after that seeing it for the
first time recently, I have no doubts anyway that this is a true masterpiece.
The story of the animation film unfolds in around the relationship between a brave marine officer
named John Smith and a Native American young lady girl Pocahontas who starts feeling for the noble Brit.
However, the plot runs beyond a simple and trivial love story and so involves the attempts of the first
Europeans in North America to discover the gold, the customs of one local Native American tribe and the
collision between two different worlds at the right beginning of the 16 th century.
Even though the almost one-hour-and-a-half cartoon is aimed at the young viewers and, thus, is
expected to be kind and, maybe, bit naïve, it is full of suspense, which makes it gripping for adults. But
what struck me most about is the soundtrack, which is so brilliant that it even brought the film an Oscar
nomination. Also, “Pocahontas” is one of those fascinating movies that was made by a hand without the
application of any computer technologies. So, you can imagine what spirit it can bears and how much soul
was put in inside it.
“Pocahontas” would definitely appeal to both a younger generation of film lovers and to those
people who recollect the old good nineties with a warm feeling. An absolute must have for true fans of
high-quality animation. After all, watching this classic of the past, a typical twelve-year-old child of the
present day could compare its beauty and human-like atmosphere with to today’s lifeless computer-based
art.

Check your answers and look at the concept-checking questions

STEP 3
 below:

Pocahontas
“Pocahontas” is an animation movie created at the Disney studio in the golden age of the
blockbusting cartoons, a series of which was released in the 90s. Though I’ve ever watched most of the
Disney pictures of those nostalgic times, this one was somehow unnoticed, so after that seeing it for the
first time recently, I have no doubts anyway that this is a true masterpiece.
The story of the animation film unfolds in around the relationship between a brave marine officer
named John Smith and a Native American young lady girl Pocahontas who starts feeling for the noble Brit.
However, the plot runs beyond a simple and trivial love story and so involves the attempts of the first
Europeans in North America to discover the gold, the customs of one local Native American tribe and the
collision between two different worlds at the right beginning of the 16th century.
Even though the almost one-hour-and-a-half cartoon is aimed at the young viewers and, thus, is
expected to be kind and, maybe, bit naïve, it is full of suspense, which makes it gripping for adults. But
what struck me most about is the soundtrack, which is so brilliant that it even brought the film an Oscar
nomination. Also, “Pocahontas” is one of those fascinating movies that was made by a hand without the
application of any computer technologies. So, you can imagine what spirit it can bears and how much soul
was put in inside it.
“Pocahontas” would definitely appeal to both a younger generation of film lovers and to those
people who recollect the old good nineties with a warm feeling. An absolute must have for true fans of
high-quality animation. After all, watching this classic of the past, a typical twelve-year-old child of the
present day could compare its beauty and human-like atmosphere with to today’s lifeless computer-based
art.

CONCLUSION
PARAGRAPH:
INTRODUCTION PARAGRAPH:
- Which of the
- Does it introduce the piece of art four subtasks
which the writer intends to above is
describe? ___________________ completed in
this paragraph? PARAGRAPH THREE:
_____________ - Which of the
_____________ four subtasks
_____________ above is
PARAGRAPH TWO: completed in
- Which of the four subtasks above is completed in this this paragraph?
paragraph? __________________________________ ________________
________________
________________

Substitute the highlighted words / expressions for the synonyms

STEP 4
 below and use them in the right form:

Pocahontas
“Pocahontas” is an animation movie created at the Disney studio in the golden age of
blockbusting cartoons, a series of which was released in the 90s. Though I’ve watched most of the Disney
pictures of those nostalgic times, this one was somehow unnoticed, so after seeing it for the first time
recently, I have no doubts that this is a true masterpiece.
The story of the animation film unfolds around the relationship between a brave marine officer
named John Smith and a Native American young girl Pocahontas who starts feeling for the noble Brit.
However, the plot runs beyond a simple and trivial love story and involves the attempts of the first
Europeans in North America to discover gold, the customs of one local Native American tribe and the
collision between two different worlds at the beginning of the 16 th century.
Even though the almost one-hour-and-a-half cartoon is aimed at young viewers and, thus, is
expected to be kind and, maybe, naïve, it is full of suspense, which makes it gripping for adults. But what
struck me most is the soundtrack, which is so brilliant that it even brought the film an Oscar nomination.
Also, “Pocahontas” is one of those fascinating movies that was made by hand without the application of
any computer technologies. So, you can imagine what spirit it bears and how much soul was put in it.
“Pocahontas” would definitely appeal to both a younger generation of film lovers and those
people who recollect the old good nineties with a warm feeling. An absolute must for true fans of high-
quality animation. After all, watching this classic of the past, a typical twelve-year-old child of the present
could compare its beauty and human-like atmosphere with today’s lifeless computer-based art.

come out, be oriented to, compelling, be highly recommended to, remarkably successful, be only set,
but also cover, fancy, be narrated, be attractive for, thrill, blow smb. away

Check your answers below and write your sample answer using
STEP 5
 any of the suggested vocabulary below if necessary:

Pocahontas
“Pocahontas” is an animation movie created at the Disney studio in the golden age of
remarkably successful cartoons, a series of which came out in the 90s. Though I’ve watched most of the
Disney pictures of those nostalgic times, this one was somehow unnoticed, so after seeing it for the first
time recently, I have no doubts that this is a true masterpiece.
The story of the animation film is narrated around the relationship between a brave marine
officer named John Smith and a Native American young girl Pocahontas who starts feeling for the noble
Brit. However, the plot is not only set around a simple and trivial love story, but also covers the attempts
of the first Europeans in North America to discover gold, the customs of one local Native American tribe
and the collision between two different worlds at the beginning of the 16 th century.
Even though the almost one-hour-and-a-half cartoon is oriented to young viewers and, thus, is
expected to be kind and, maybe, naïve, it is full of thrill, which makes it compelling for adults. But what
blew me away is the soundtrack, which is so brilliant that it even brought the film an Oscar nomination.
Also, “Pocahontas” is one of those fascinating movies that was made by hand without the application of
any computer technologies. So, you can fancy what spirit it bears and how much soul was put in it.
“Pocahontas” would definitely be attractive for both a younger generation of film lovers and
those people who recollect the old good nineties with a warm feeling. It is highly recommended to true
fans of high-quality animation. After all, watching this classic of the past, a typical twelve-year-old child of
the present could compare its beauty and human-like atmosphere with today’s lifeless computer-based art.
 tell a true
story of …
 be based on a
novel / be a
screen version
of …
 the film stars
smb. as …
 the main
character is
… / … plays
the leading
role / … plays
a secondary
role
 the plot is full
of mystery /
suspense /
action / twists
and turns
 it gives a
fascinating
insight into …
 the plot itself
is dull /
straightforwar
d / predictable
/ arresting