Essay – Model B2 First (FCE)

1. Structure
Introduction
Present and develop the essay question in your introduction

1st body paragraph

State your 1st argument and give a reason. This should be your main point.

2nd body paragraph

State your 2nd argument and give a reason.

3rd body paragraph (optional)

State your 3d argument and give a reason.

Conclusion
Give your opinion

2. Writing Guide

Introduction

In the introduction, paraphrase the essay topic so that the reader know what you are
going to write about.

Do not express your opinion at the beginning of your essay, leave it to the last
paragraph (conclusion)

Introduction: The society we live today is characterised by technology in constant

development, fast speed processes, information travelling and getting to people at a blink
of an eye and a complex web of social networking.

Main Body: 1st – 3rd body paragraph

in the remaining paragraphs, you write on the points you got in the task, where each
paragraph should describe exactly one point/argument

How do I write them?

1. List the points that you need to comment in your essay

2. Place each point in a separate paragraph.
3. Describe each point with facts, details, and examples
 4. Connect paragraphs with transition words

See example below…

Paragraph 1 – comment on question 1 – “the price of clothes”

(facts, details, and examples)

On one hand, the fashion industry is undeniably a source of profit and income. It hires
millions of people all over the world and generates millions of dollars every year……

Paragraph 2 – comment on question 2 – “people’s appearance is important”

(facts, details, and examples)

It is stated that people place too much importance on appearance and the material,
world, sadly true, and the fashion industry just spurs on such situation….

Paragraph 3 – comment on question 3 – “…………………… (your own idea)”

(facts, details, and examples)

Nevertheless, for those who are neither impressed nor motivated by numbers and
figures, the fashion industry is seen as one which segregates people, isolating those who
not fit their laws and commands…..

To connect your supporting paragraphs, you should use special transition words, see
below.

On one hand
It is stated that
Nevertheless
as a matter of fact
in addition
in the same fashion / way
first, second, third

Transition words link your paragraphs together and make your essay easier to read.
Use them at the beginning and end of your paragraphs.

Conclusion

The summary paragraph comes at the end of your essay after you have finished
developing your ideas. The summary paragraph is often called a “conclusion.”
It summarizes or restates the main idea of the essay. You want to leave the reader with
a sense that your essay is complete.

I do believe that the fashion industry, as it is today, has a harmful effect, because it
values a minority of people in detriment to the majority. However, it has such a wide
reach that, it put into a good use, it can save lives.

3. Useful Phrases & Expressions

Introduction

The trend nowadays is towards ….

Over the past ten years or so the media have frequently carried reports of ….
Recent research indicates that ….
Hardly a week goes by without another report of ……….. appearing in the
media.
This raises the issue of whether ……
Although most people would generally agree that ………… few would deny
that ….
Stating your opinion

As I see it,
It seems to me that ………… I would also say that ….
I am convinced that ……………
I am inclined to believe that ………………
There is no doubt in my mind that ………………
One of the drawbacks of ……. is ……….
However, one of the benefits is that …………
Changing topic
As regards the causes for this, …………..
Concerning the causes for this, ………
As for the causes, ………..
Presenting arguments

One justification is often given for ……….. is that……………..

Advocates/Proponents would claim that ………………
Those who object to …………….. often argue that ……………….
Another objection is that ……
However, it should not be forgotten that …………..
……….. are opposed to ……………. on the grounds that ……………..
From the point of view of ……………..
According to ………………..
Describing causes

One factor which has led to ………… is …………..

One of the factors which has brought this about is ………
The problem often stems from ………………..
The situation has been exacerbated by …………….
………….. has only made the situation worse.
One consequence of ……………. is …………….
Proposing steps and measures

As regards the most appropriate response to this situation, one suggestion

would be to ………
The first step to be taken would be to ……..
To alleviate the situation people should ………..
In addition they ought to ……………
To begin to tackle this situation society/individuals/the government need/s to
This can only be dealt with if …………
To overcome this problem, …………..
Were the government to ……………, the situation would doubtless improve.
Individuals can do a great deal to …………
The burden of responsibility lies in the hands of ……..
It is vitally important that ………
Legislation should be introduced to control ……………..
It would be a grave error if we ……………..
Concluding

All in all it seems to me that ………..

The obvious conclusion to be drawn is that …………………..
All things considered, ………….
On balance, I tend to believe that …………
The world would surely be a better place to live in if …………..
If people stopped ….ing, we would have/ we could look forward to a
……………
The prospects for the future will be bleak/grim unless ……………….

You MUST use complex language at B2 level. You must use

attention-grabbing vocabulary and a variety of grammar structures. The
passive voice, relative clauses, modal verbs, conditionals, reported
speech and inversions all count as COMPLEX grammar forms and you
must use them.

4. Example
a. Question
In your English class you have been talking about the fashion industry. Write an essay
using all the notes and giving reasons for your point of view.
Some people say the fashion industry has a bad effect on people’s lives.
Do you agree?
b. Notes
Write about:
1. whether people’s appearance is important
2. the price of clothes
3. …………………… (your own idea)
c. Answer
The society we live today is characterised by technology in constant development, fast
speed processes, information travelling and getting to people at a blink of an eye and a
complex web of social networking. In this context, the fashion industry is becoming
increasingly important and having a more and more paramount role in our lives.
On one hand, the fashion industry is undeniably a source of profit and income. It hires
millions of people all over the world and generates millions of dollars every year.
Furthermore, such profitable business is also believed to be able to spread and make
known the culture of a people, encouraging and enhancing a better understanding of
each other.
Nevertheless, for those who are neither impressed nor motivated by numbers and
figures, the fashion industry is seen as one which segregates people, isolating those who
not fit their laws and commands. It is stated that people place too much importance on
appearance and the material, world, sadly true, and the fashion industry just spurs on
such situation. Moreover, not only are the costs of fashion item unrealistically high, it is
thought to be a money better spent on more pressing issues, such as poverty and
hunger.
I do believe that the fashion industry, as it is today, has a harmful effect, because it
values a minority of people in detriment to the majority. However, it has such a wide
reach that, it put into a good use, it can save lives.