How to write 

a report for the New FCE exam?  Part 2 

You must answer this question.
Your college has been asked to accept a group of 50 students from another country
for two weeks. You have been asked by your principal to find out what the
advantages and disadvantages would be of accepting this group.  Is it a good idea? 
Write your report to the principal in 140- 190 words in an appropriate style on the
separate answer sheet.
Sample answer:
Report on Proposed Visit by 50 Overseas Students
Introduction
The purpose of this report is to consider the advantages and disadvantages of
accepting a large group of students from overseas for two weeks. I have discussed
the issue with all the senior members of college staff.  
You start with Paragraph 1- Introduction
In the introduction you :
– use headings – this makes it easier to find the main info
– state the aim of the report and where you got/ collected the information
– don’t begin with Dear Sir/ Madam – it’s not a letter
Phrases you can use in the introduction:
* This report is intended to show / discuss / outline …
* The aim / purpose of this report is to …
* In this report I will
REMEMBER: It’s a formal piece of writing that means:  use a formal, neutral style: no
contractions, no colloquial language, no direct questions, no informal punctuation such as
exclamation marks.
Advantages
All those I interviewed believe that for students this would be an exciting
opportunity to explore a foreign culture, both in the classroom and socially. Overall,
they thought the visit would be stimulating for the college at a quiet time of the year.
 In the 2nd Paragraph you :
– balance the positive and negative points fairly
– you can use numbering or bullet points to highlight main points
– use a range of specific vocabulary or set phrases e.g. Some thought this was …../ other
students said they preferred…
– don’t use a lot of adjectives and dramatic language. A report gives factual information
Phrases you can use to in the 2nd and 3rd paragraph:
Suggesting additional ideas
Another option would be to …
I would also suggest …
Another point to consider is that …
Alternatively…. Moreover. / Furthermore.
Apart from this / In addition to this
Making recommendations
I would strongly / highly recommend …
My first / second recommendation would be to ..
It would be (highly) advisable to …
If my recommendations are followed, then …
The best solution / ideas would seem to be …
Listing ideas
I would suggest the following: … might like to consider the following:
The following are highly recommended: 1….. OR 2. ……….
They gave/ suggested the following reasons:
They made the following points: 1….2…
Reporting findings 
It appears that the majority of …
The only problem is that … .
Most …(students seem) … .
Not surprisingly, …
According to …
Disadvantages
Some members of staff are concerned that:
1 there would be insufficient seating in the library at bus times;
2 the visitors might be more interested in enjoying themselves than studying;
3 the restaurant queue would be very slow at lunchtime. 
In the 3rd Paragraph you :
– balance the positive and negative points fairly
– use a range of specific vocabulary or set phrases e.g. Some thought this was …../ other
students said they preferred…

Conclusion and recommendation

Clearly, the group might cause some practical difficulties but on the whole everyone
thought that the visit should seen as an opportunity not to be missed.
In the last paragraph you :
– give the recommendations
– generalise
– express opinions impersonally
Phrases you can use to end the letter
Concluding and making recommendations
All things considered, …
We have no hesitation in recommending… .
Here’s the next task you can do:
Your teacher wants to recommend a television programme for students who are
learning your language.
Write a report on a television programme which you know well, saying why you
think it would be helpful and interesting for foreign learners.
Write your report in 140- 190 words in an appropriate style on the separate answer sheet.
Points to remember: 
Organise your ideas into a clear report: either rely on paragraphing or use subheadings (or
both).
Briefly introduce the programme, include its title and say what it is about.
Mention a few things about the programme that support your recommendation from the
foreign learner’s point of view.