Cambridge First .

Page |

Writing: FCE Paper 2 overview

How much do you know about the FCE Writing paper?

[1] There are two parts to the paper. Your teacher will give you either a Part 1 or Part 2. Look at the exam
paper and answer the following questions:

1 How many questions do you have to answer?

…………………………………………………………………………………………………..........................

2 How many questions can you choose from?

………………………………………………………………………………………………….........................

3 What type of text should you write?

………………………………………………………………………………………………............................

4 How many words are you allowed to write?

………………………………………………………………………………………………….......................

5 Is there any extra information, apart from the question, to help you write your answer?

…………………………………………………………………………………………………........................

What types of texts can you find in each part?

Complete this chart.

PART ONE PART TWO

 ____________________  ____________________

 ____________________

 ____________________

 ____________________

 ____________________

ELT Natalia Fernandez

 Cambridge First . Page |

In Part 2, you choose one task from questions 2-5.

The focus of the task may include: advising, comparing, describing, explaining, expressing opinions,
justifying or recommending.

Look at the following. These extracts are all from the beginning of the six different types of written
texts that you can expect to find in the FCE Writing paper plus an extra. Match each one to the type of
text it introduces. Think about what helped you decide.

ARTICLE EMAIL ESSAY LETTER REVIEW STORY

Dear Andrew,

How are you doing?

Keeping healthy in Bratislava

This report includes advice on how to stay in top shape while living in Bratislava, with
practical suggestions on where to eat and where to do sport.

To: Sara Martins

Sent: 29th July
Subject: Restaurant

I just received your message and…

Alice knew that it was going to be a very special day for her…

Top teacher Tania!

I’ll never forget the first day I met Tania. She looked at me and said, “You must be Pablo.
You have beautiful eyes”. I really felt that she was talking to me, and I knew my eyes
were shining with happiness. From that moment on, she was my favourite teacher.

Martin Scorcesse’s latest film can only be described as a masterpiece.

Set in the mid-50s, and starring Leonardo Di Capprio, .........

It’s easy to claim that country life is better than city life, but a balanced approach must
take in both sides.

ELT Natalia Fernandez

 Cambridge First . Page |
[3] Below is a list of task types you may be requested to write. Write in the correct name of the type of writing
and then discuss who might read the type of writing in real life. Then discuss what style / format each
piece of writing is often written in. The first one has been completed as an example.

TYPE OF
DEFINITION TARGET READER STYLE / FORMAT / CONTENT
WRITING
▪ An article is:
▪ engaging & has a catchy title
▪ The language should be:
▪ lively & colourful
A general reader of
an opinion piece written ▪ It is often appropriate to include:
a magazine or
An article for a magazine or a ▪ descriptions, examples and
newspaper newspaper
anecdotes
▪ You should also include:
▪ opinion & comment

a narrative that
describes a series of
events either imaginary
or based on your own
experience

a written message in
which you may need to
complain, request/give/
correct information,
make suggestions,
explain sth., etc

an opinion piece in
which you develop an
argument or discuss
issues surrounding a
topic

A piece in which you

describe and express
an opinion about
something you have
experienced (e.g. a
film, book, holiday, etc)
to give the reader a
clear impression of
what the item
described is like

ELT Natalia Fernandez