B2 WRITING

GUIDE
Maite Sandoval
 Choose a question that you are interested in. You will
Choose write better if you know the subject.

Read the instructions carefully before you start. Make

Read notes. You must include all the points in the
instructions

B2 writing ≠ Make Make a plan before you start writing. Decide what

free writing
information to put in each paragraph

Think about who you are writing to and use an

Think about appropriate style of language

Try to use a range of complex language. Remember

Try that you need to demonstrate that you have the level.
No secret ingredient
Write

Improve Review

Study Re-write
 Get acquainted with the Assessment Criteria
The Writing Examiners award marks using a Writing Assessment Scale which was developed with explicit reference to
the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR). It covers all the levels of the Cambridge
English exams and is divided into four subscales:

• Content. This focuses on how well the candidate has fulfilled the task, in other words, if they have done what they
were asked to do.
• Communicative Achievement. This focuses on how appropriate the writing is for the task, and whether the
candidate has used the appropriate register.
• Organisation. This focuses on the way the candidate puts together the piece of writing, in other words, if it is
logical and ordered.
• Language. This focuses on vocabulary and grammar. It includes the range of language as well as how accurate it is.
Examiners use the B2-level
https://www.cambridgeenglish.org/images/cambridge-english-
assessing-writing-performance-at-level-b2.pdf
 Language:
Vocabulary and Grammar
Conditionals (0, 1st, 2nd, 3rd, Unless, Provided that, As long as)

I wish/If only/Hope

Verbal tenses (present, future, present perfect, past simple, past perfect)

Such a/such

Synonyms

ing/infinitive

Recommendations/suggestions
 Wish/If only
We want a
Wish+Past situation in the I wish I ate more
Simple present or future vegetables
to be different

Things that
annoy us, things I wish you would
Wish+Would we would like stop biting your
someone to nails. I hate it!
do/stop doing

Things that
I wish I hadn’t
Wish+Past happened in the
quit my job 2
Perfect past and we
years ago
regret
Writing (Review)
You see this notice in an online holiday magazine:
Reviews wanted

Sports Holidays

We’re looking for reviews of organised holidays where people can practise sports. Write
a review of the holiday, including information about the place, the sports and how well
organised the holiday was.
Writing (Article)
You see this notice in an English-language magazine:
Articles wanted

Being famous for something

If you could be famous for something, what would you like to be famous for? why?
The best articles will be printed next month
Writing (Essay)
In your English call you have been talking about self-employment. Now your teacher has asked you to write an essay.

Is it better to be self-employed or to work for somebody else?

 Writing (Email)
You receive this email from your English-speaking friend, Nico:

From: Nico
Subject: Where to study?
Hi,
I’m going to university next year. I can either go to the university in my home town and
live and home, or study in another area and live away from home. What do you think I
should do?
Write soon,
Nico