B2 + C1 Speaking and

Writing Booster
- THE ESSAY
A guide on how to write a fantastic essay in the
Cambridge First or Advanced exam, with
phrases, examples, strategies and more.

by
English with Issy

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 Hey Cambridge Warrior,
Before you read through this Essay Guide for the Cambridge
First/Advanced exam, here's what I want you to know:

Everything i'm going to teach you here is 100% applicable to the exam
and your studies.

Studying for the Cambridge Exam is overwhelming when you think that
you've got to study grammar, vocabulary and also learn exam technique.
To maximise your time, I'm going to teach you exam strategy in the
simplest and most effective ways I'll share with you in this guide.

For the complete speaking and writing guide, for ALL parts of these two
papers, sign up to one of the exam preparation courses.

Issy

3 ways to get the most from this coursebook

01
Save this workbook and print it if you'd like, and use it
during the course to stay fully engaged, and to take notes.

02
Think of one question regarding writing that has caused you
the most doubt or confusion, and ask me via email!

03
Implement the strategies in this book during your exam
preparation, to practise as much as you can during this time.

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 Writing pART 1- Essay
FIRST 40 minutes
140-190 words

ADVANCED 45 minutes
220-260 words

Don't fear the essay!

Let's face it, there's no way to escape an essay. You know it's going to be there, like
that auntie that you can't stand, but is part of the family, so you have to accept her.
The good news is, there will be no surprises, as you'll be prepared. An essay always
has to be formal, it has to discuss different points of view (so do not stick to just
ONE side or argument- keep it balanced), and be interesting to read. It should also
include some fantastic essay phrases, which I'm going to give to you. Let's jump right
in!

Structure

1. Title - optional
2. Introduce essay – what's this essay going to be about?
3. Develop 1st point – state facts, and give clear examples.
4. Develop 2nd point - point, expand on point
5. Conclusion - include contrast (e.g. although.... it's clear that...)

FCE WILL HAVE A 3RD TOPIC PARAGRAPH

Top tips:
Develop your arguments in the middle paragraphs
Give examples and reasons after making a point
Use formal language
Clearly express opinions in the final paragraph
Title not compulsory, but recommended

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Writing part 1: essay phrases

Result
Because of this/therefore/thus
Introduction As a result/for this
One of the things that/it is widely reason/consequently
known that/
Nowadays/ in this day and age More information/examples
In this essay I'm going to talk about Not only … but … also
Recent research indicates that In addition
___ is a growing issue in today's Another argument in favour of... is
society Furthermore/moreover
A clear example of this is ___
Paragraph Starters This is illustrated by ___
First of all/firstly For example/for instance
It is widely believed that
Secondly/Thirdly Opinion
It goes without saying that ____ Without a doubt/personally speaking
There is little doubt that In my honest opinion
Few people would dispute the fact It is true that
that I object to
It goes without saying that ___. A the benefits of... outweigh the
clear example of this is ___ In disadvantages
addition, __ .Nevertheless, ____.
Conclusion
Contrast In conclusion/to sum up
On the one hand, on the other hand/ Taking all of this into consideration
in contrast Despite the fact that ____
Nevertheless, however undoubtedly plays a role in ___, I
In spite of/ despite/ although/even firmly believe that
though
As for ...
I certainly don't believe that

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ADVANCED ESSAY plan example

Introduction
21st century-huge changes in society (interesting point)
______________________________________________________________________

Paragraph 1 - Sports Centres

diet-related diseases are rising
______________________________________________________________________
sharp increase in sedentary activities, and morbid obesity
______________________________________________________________________

Paragraph 2 - Public Gardens

green spaces make people happier
______________________________________________________________________
we are animals, roots lie in nature
______________________________________________________________________

Conclusion
gardens are fundamental, but more benefits of sports centres
______________________________________________________________________
less strain on public health system

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 ADVANCED ESSAY EXAMPLE
Exercise: once simplistic, now futuristic (252 words)
Title

The twenty-first century is proving to be a time of huge change to society, and to

Interesting human habits. Rates of morbid obesity are higher than ever, and cities are far more
introduction to
topic concrete-clad than they were 50 years ago. Although many facilities are in desperate
need of state handouts, a few stand could have more beneficial results than others.

Sports centres have existed for centuries, due to humans’ desire to maintain good
physical form. With the rise of technology and new forms of sedentary entertainment,
first topic-
points, with such as binge-watching tv shows and fiddling with gaming controls for hours on end,
reasons obesity and diet-related illnesses are sharply rising. Therefore investment in sports

centres, with more innovative and cutting-edge exercise machines could hugely
motivate citizens to get more active, thus decreasing the number of people suffering
from such life-threatening illnesses.

Another facility which is much appreciated across the globe is public gardens. Studies
second topic,
have shown that cities with a higher surface area of green spaces have citizens which
are on average 57% happier than people who live in cities with little access to
meadows and green squares. In the end, we are animals, whose roots lie in nature, not
cities.

linker In conclusion, although public gardens are undeniably fundamental, I think that the
benefits of having healthy citizens far outweigh the need for more green spaces. In the
Final opinion,
end, healthy people put less of a strain on the public health system and end up being
and last points.
far more productive employees. I therefore believe sports centres require more urgent
assistance.

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 ADVANCED ESSAY plan &
corrections
Introduction

______________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________________

Paragraph 1

______________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________________

Paragraph 2

______________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________________

Conclusion

______________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________________

self-correcting
content language communicative organisation
achievement
Discuss two of Wide range of vocab Correct tone,
the three points, and grammar Use linkers to
formal
nothing irrelevant give it structure
Great formal adv & adj Formal
Include only A paragraph for
language, and
relevant Re-phrase words from each point
clearly expressed
information task ideas.

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 ADVANCED Your turn

n, plan!
lan, pla
p

Introduction

Paragraph 1

Paragraph 2

Conclusion

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 Your turn

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 Your turn

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 FIRST ESSAY plan example

Introduction

catchy introduction - most talked about

______________________________________________________________________

Paragraph 1 - Transport

Shared transportation/ride-sharing/emissions/fossil fuels/non-renewable

______________________________________________________________________
•Not common for people to share cars, less comfortable
•Petrol= non-renewable/ BUT, increase in ride-sharing apps
______________________________________________________________________
Paragraph 2 - Rivers and Seas

vocab: Oil spills/sea levels/ice caps/ melting

______________________________________________________________________
•Oil spills common on news, poisoning sea life and fish we consume
•Ice-caps melting, temperatures increasing,
______________________________________________________________________

Paragraph 3 - Plastic

vocab: Landfills/single-use/microplastic/packaging
______________________________________________________________________
•Consumption of single-use plastic high
•Ends up in landfills, we are selfish
______________________________________________________________________

Conclusion

show contrast
______________________________________________________________________

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 FIRST ESSAY EXAMPLE

Title We Must Stop Killing our Planet

Introduction Year after year, the topic of global warming seems to be one of the most
talked-about problems. But what have we been doing to fix it? In this essay I
am going to discuss how we are damaging the planet.

Firstly, three in every four people on this planet own their own motorised
Transport
vehicle, and most of the time they are the only passenger, making them high
petrol consumers, However, we have also seen an increase in ride-sharing.

Secondly, it is not uncommon to see oil spills on the news. With our never-
Rivers and Seas
ending need for petrol, we are rapidly poisoning sea life. Moreover, as the
temperature is increasing, ice caps are melting. This is dangerous because
rising sea levels puts our existence in jeopardy.

Lastly, single-use plastic has become the norm, used for plastic bags, food
Plastic
packaging and even pointless straws. All of this ends up in the sea or in
landfills.

Despite the fact that we can see a huge rise in eco movements and
Conclusion sustainable businesses, we are also carelessly and selfishly living a
convenient life at the expense of the planet. Perhaps, if governments took
responsibility, many of these issues could and would be resolved.

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first ESSAY plan & corrections
Introduction

______________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________________
Paragraph 1

______________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________________
Paragraph 2

______________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________________
Paragraph 3

______________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________________
Conclusion

______________________________________________________________________

self-correcting
_

content language communicative organisation

achievement
Discuss both Wide range of vocab and
points AND your grammar Title relevant to Use linkers to give
own question it structure
Formal grammar: modal
Include only verbs, passive voice. Formal language, A paragraph for
relevant and clearly each point
information Use your own words expressed ideas.

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 first Your turn

n, plan!
lan, pla
p

Introduction

Paragraph 1

Paragraph 2

Paragraph 3

Conclusion

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 Your turn

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 Your turn

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 “You are where you are and what you are
because of yourself. Everything you are today,
or ever will be in the future, is up to you. Your
life today is the sum total result of your
choices, decisions and actions up to this point.
You can create your own future by changing
your behaviours. You can make new choices
and decisions that are more consistent with the
person you want to be and the things you want
to accomplish with your life.”
-Brian Tracey

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