Reports

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 REPORTS

Writing Part 2: Reports

Purpose of a report
Reports are usually written to analyse a previous experience you have had, like a trip, or
a place you have recently visited. They tend to look at something that has passed, which
you have to analyse and then make some recommendations for improvement. You will
be asked not only to describe a situation, but rather to evaluate to what extent a
particular aim has been achieved, or to suggest an alternative course of action.

Register
A report may be written for a superior (e.g. a manager or college principal) or a group
peer (e.g. club members or colleagues). For this reason, the language of a report is
expected to be formal and objective. You should avoid including yourself or your views
in most of your sentences to make them sound more objective. However, you must give
your opinion in the conclusion or recommendations paragraph. The content of a report
is relatively factual, but there will be some room for you to make use of your own ideas
and experience.

Structure
A report is a piece of writing expected to have a title and subheadings. Each paragraph
should have a subheading which summarises its main topic. Also, the introduction can
always be entitled “Introduction” and the conclusion, “Conclusion” or
“Recommendations”.

Giving your opinion

There are two main ways to give your opinion in a report. You can leave it until the end
of each paragraph, saying how you would solve or improve each aspect. Or you can
leave it until the final paragraph, where you can summarise how you would solve or
improve each aspect.

Common topics
Some common topics for reports include talking about visits to museums, local
businesses, trips and excursions, work experience programmes, important events, etc.
Cambridge C1 Advanced and CAE are brands belonging to The University of Cambridge and are not associated with KSE Academy.

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Sample Report 1
Instructions

Your college is conducting a survey about English-speaking TV shows and

their impact on local culture. You have been asked to write a report in which
you go over the popularity of these shows, express your opinion on how they
might be affecting your local culture and point out any changes you would
recommend.

Write your report. Write your answer in 220 – 260 words in an appropriate
style.

Do you need someone to mark your report?

Check out KSE Academy’s writing assessment service. Scan the QR code on the left with your
phone or visit https://kdp.kseacademy.com/writing-c1-book for more information. Use the
coupon AMZWC1 for a great discount as a thank you for purchasing this book.

Cambridge C1 Advanced and CAE are brands belonging to The University of Cambridge and are not associated with KSE Academy.

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Sample Report 1
Answer

English-language TV Shows in Spain

Introduction
The aim of this report is to analyse the effect of English-language TV shows
on our local culture. In doing so, this document will focus on the popularity of
such programmes, the effect they have on local culture and how they could
be improved by making some minor changes.
Popularity
According to the latest research, English-language TV programmes have
increased in popularity in Spain during the last decade as a result of new
television features like TV on demand. The main issue seems to be that most
viewers are watching a dubbed version of these shows. However, as English
language fluency increases within the country, more and more viewers tend
to choose the original version of these shows with the intention of boosting
their fluency even more.
Effects on local culture
While the impact on Spanish culture is not as great as on other cultures, due
to relatively scarce differences between American or English societies, some
changes have been documented. Firstly, national TV productions are
struggling to compete with American programmes, which have a more
generous budget. Secondly, according to sociologists, language learners are
benefiting not only from language input, but also from broader cultural
awareness.
Recommendations
In order for English-language shows to have a more positive impact on our
society, I would recommend not dubbing them. Consequently, viewers would
be somewhat obliged to watch these programmes in English, hence
improving their English language skills. Furthermore, as a teacher, I would
suggest that Spanish TV channels provide viewers with online educational
resources and support so that they would be able to make the most of
watching shows in the original version.
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REPORTS

Sample Report 2
Instructions

You just spent a fortnight in a foreign country as part of a cultural immersion

programme. You've been assigned the task of writing a report about this
experience. In your report, you should include information about your
accommodation and the activities you participated in. You should also make
recommendations to improve the programme.

Write your report. Write your answer in 220 – 260 words in an appropriate
style.

Do you need someone to mark your report?

Check out KSE Academy’s writing assessment service. Scan the QR code on the left with your
phone or visit https://kdp.kseacademy.com/writing-c1-book for more information. Use the
coupon AMZWC1 for a great discount as a thank you for purchasing this book.

Cambridge C1 Advanced and CAE are brands belonging to The University of Cambridge and are not associated with KSE Academy.

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 REPORTS

Sample Report 2
Answer

The cultural immersion programme

Introduction
The purpose of this report is to summarise my experience during the cultural
immersion programme and to make suggestions for its improvement. In order
to do so, I will focus on some of the activities I took part in as well as my
accommodation.
Sightseeing and gastronomy
As a youngster staying in a foreign country, one of the most suitable activities
I engaged in was sightseeing. As part of the immersion group, I had the
chance to visit a number of popular national landmarks, which have helped
me become more familiar with the local history and culture. However, I feel
that we only visited touristy places and did not get any chance to scratch
beneath the surface.
Accommodation
The accommodation was one of the weakest points of the exchange
programme. My peers and I were allocated different host families and, while
we have no complaints about the accommodation itself, these families were
not very helpful in making our exchange experience smoother. Most of them
did not provide us with enough information about how to get around town or
even the nearest supermarket to buy some groceries.
Recommendations
If it were up to me to make some changes to this cultural immersion
programme, I would focus on two main aspects. Firstly, I believe that host
families would be better if we were to improve the screening process and
incentivise their participation somehow. And secondly, I would make sure that
our tour guides focus not only on the most popular spots but also on
culturally interesting places to be found off the beaten track.

Cambridge C1 Advanced and CAE are brands belonging to The University of Cambridge and are not associated with KSE Academy.

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REPORTS

Sample Report 3
Instructions

You have been helping to run a popular film club at your college. Due to its
popularity, a college professor would like to get involved to help attract new
members. The club manager has asked you to write a report explaining what
the club does and its goals for the future, suggesting ways in which the
college itself could get involved to help it grow.

Write your report. Write your answer in 220 – 260 words in an appropriate
style.

Do you need someone to mark your report?

Check out KSE Academy’s writing assessment service. Scan the QR code on the left with your
phone or visit https://kdp.kseacademy.com/writing-c1-book for more information. Use the
coupon AMZWC1 for a great discount as a thank you for purchasing this book.

Cambridge C1 Advanced and CAE are brands belonging to The University of Cambridge and are not associated with KSE Academy.

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 REPORTS

Sample Report 3
Answer

Helping the film club

Introduction
Throughout this report, we will introduce our student film club, which
operates on college premises, and outline its mission and how our college
might contribute to its future development.
A different film club
The way the college operates can be summarised quite simply. In a nutshell,
every week, usually on Wednesdays, a group of students gather in the
assembly hall to view a film. Before the viewing, a brief presentation is made
and, after the film has ended, a discussion is held about the topic and theme
of the film. Finally, before concluding the club session, the members vote on
the next film to watch the following week.
Our mission
The goal of the club goes way beyond seeking entertainment. When the club
was set up, our mission was to raise awareness through popular films whose
themes deal with social issues present in our country. Watching films is
simply a means to an end, our ultimate mission being to provide some insight
into society's most deeply rooted issues, such as sexism, racism and mental
health taboos, among others.
Getting involved
Given the nature of this film club and with its popularity on the rise, we
strongly believe that the best way the college can get involved is by providing
us with publicity by means of its monthly newsletter, where a dedicated
section would be very much appreciated. Not only would it help us gain more
traction signing up members, but also it would aid in accomplishing our
goals.

Cambridge C1 Advanced and CAE are brands belonging to The University of Cambridge and are not associated with KSE Academy.

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Useful Expressions for Reports

Sample 1 • one of the weakest points
• The aim of this report is to • My peers and I were allocated different host
• In doing so, families
• will focus on • making our exchange experience smoother
• According to the latest research • If it were up to me to make some changes
• increased in popularity • Firstly,
• as a result of • if we were to improve the screening process
• The main issue seems to be that • incentivise their participation
• However, • And secondly,
• more and more viewers tend to choose • the most popular spots
• boosting their fluency • places to be found off the beaten track
• While the impact on Spanish culture
• due to relatively scarce difference Sample 3
• some changes have been documented • Throughout this report, we will introduce
• struggling to compete with • which operates on college premises
• a more generous budget • and outline its mission
• according to sociologists • contribute to its further development
• not only from ..., but also from... • can be summarised quite simply
• broader cultural awareness • In a nutshell,
• In order for English-language shows to have • gather in the assembly hall
• Consequently, viewers would be somewhat • before the viewing
obliged • a discussion is held about
• hence improving their English • The goal of the club goes way beyond seeking
• Furthermore, as a teacher, entertainment
• provide viewers with • to raise awareness through popular films
• make the most of watching shows • is simply a means to an end, our ultimate
mission being to
Sample 2 • provide some insight into society's most deeply
• The purpose of this report rooted issues
• and to make suggestions for its improvement • Given the nature of this film club
• In order to do so, I will focus on • its popularity on the rise
• As a youngster staying in a foreign country • we strongly believe that
• one of the most suitable activities I engaged in • providing us with publicity by means of
• popular national landmarks • Not only would it help us gain more traction
• However, I feel that [...], but also
• chance to scratch beneath the surface • aid in accomplishing our goals
Cambridge C1 Advanced and CAE are brands belonging to The University of Cambridge and are not associated with KSE Academy.

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 REPORTS

Useful Expressions for Reports

More useful expressions
Beginning a report Organising paragraphs and ideas
• The aim of this report is to … • First of all, …
• As requested, I am writing this report to … • Firstly, …
• This report aims to outline/assess … • Secondly, …
• The purpose behind this report is to … • Furthermore, …
• The purpose of this report is to examine … • Moreover, …
• The goal of this document is to present … • In fact, …
• Lastly, …
• Finally, …
Making recommendations
• All in all, …
• I suggest/recommend …
• It has to be stressed that …
• I would like to suggest/recommend …
• According to (the majority of respondents) …
• I therefore suggest …
• In spite of (the fact that) …
• I advise you (not) to …
• Despite (the fact that) …
• My advice is to …
• The outlook for … is (far from) bright/
• I believe it would be beneficial …
optimistic/depressing/daunting.
• It would be advisable to …
• The future looks bleak/remains uncertain/is
• You may wish/want to consider …
promising.
• If you wish to..., you should …
• This seems unlikely in the near/foreseeable
• If we wish to..., we ought to …
future.
• In light of the above,
• Provided that these recommendations are
• Taking all this into consideration/account,…
taken into consideration, …
• Bearing all of the above in mind, …
• In conclusion, …
• I would strongly recommend that…
• From the research one can conclude that …
• The following measures should be
implemented
• In light of the results of the survey, I would
advise against…
• Given the results of the survey, I would advise
for …
• I feel it would be to our advantage if …
• The best solution would be to …
• In order to improve …… it is necessary to …
• This will have an impact on …….

Cambridge C1 Advanced and CAE are brands belonging to The University of Cambridge and are not associated with KSE Academy.

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