Writing C2 Full

An essay is the first part of the writing and it is obligatory.
The question always has a

discursive focus. Discursive writing is a style used in academic writing and it requires
the high level of language competence.
You are required to base your essay on input material which will take the form of two
texts, each approximately 100 words long. The texts will be based on a variety of
authentic, contemporary sources
How many words?
You need to answer the question with between 240-280 words.
C2 Proficient (CPE) Essay: Structure
Introduction
Make a plain reference to the topic of the two texts.
1 st body paragraph
Topic sentence + Paraphrase point 1 + Paraphrase point 2
2 nd body paragraph
Topic sentence + Paraphrase point 3 + Paraphrase point 4
3 rd body paragraph
Your opinion
Conclusion
Closing remark – No new ideas.
C2 Proficient (CPE) Essay: Writing Guide
Here is a straightforward way to write a perfect essay.
We will use the example extracts below in our writing guide advice. The texts are
either contradictory or complementary.
Step 1: Read the topic and find two key points of each extract.
Examinations are not fair.

Making judgments about the ability of students based on examinations that take
place just once or perhaps twice a year is simply not fair. So many students fail to
show their true ability due to anxiety, stress and a number of other factors. Many
students who do well in exams do so simply by cramming facts into their heads the
week before the exam, to be forgotten by the following weekend. Surely assessment
of the work done in class and at home throughout the school year would be a fairer
system?
Classroom assessment is idealistic.

It’s all very well to talk about teachers judging their students work in the classroom,
and students working alone at home on their projects, but everyone knows that
continuous assessment doesn’t work like that. Teachers are only human, and tend to
be softer on their students than an examiner would be (or, in a worse scenario,
harder on a student they don’t like). Parents or older siblings help students with the
projects they have to do at home, even if it’s just coming up with ideas for them.
Exams may not be fun, but at least we get to see what each individual student is
capable of.
Extract 1. Key points:

1) Unfair to judge a year’s performance just once or twice a year.
2) This unfair system forces students to temporary parrot-fashion learning
Extract 2. Key points:

3) Continuous assessment depends too much on the teacher who may be too lenient
or too strict.
4) Parents and siblings may give an unfair advantage to students over others who
don’t have help at home.
Step 2: Introduction: Make a plain reference to the topic of the two texts.
The introduction should inform the reader about the subject of the essay.
Introduction: The methodology for assessing students’ knowledge is crucial and is

reflected in their performance and future in education. Such an issue is analyzed in
the two contrasting passages that this essay touches upon.
Remember that this is not the best time to express your opinion, it should be at the
very end in the conclusion.
Step 3: Body paragraphs (1 & 2) = Main Body
Here we have to prove to the examiners that we have fully understood the text. In
the second and third paragraphs, we paraphrase 4 key points and comment
briefly on them.
Body paragraph (1) = Topic sentence + Point 1 + Point 2

Paragraph 1: [Topic sentence] The first author considers the annual assessment of
students’ performance as inadequate. [Paraphrase the first (1) point] Knowing that
your only chance to prove your competence relies on a couple of questions that need
to be answered within a suffocating time limit cannot but fill you with anxiety.
[Paraphrase the second (2) point] To make matters worse, even when the students
manage to cope with the stress it is doubtful whether they gain any academic benefit.
All they do is switch off their critical thinking and employ their parrot fashion
learning. When the exams are over they ‘delete’ all this array of incongruent
information.
Body paragraph (2) = Topic sentence + Point 3 + Point4
Paragraph 2: [Topic sentence] Conversely, the second text sees the exams as the
only reliable means of school assessment. [Paraphrase the third (3) point:] If the
students were continually evaluated throughout the year they would be at the mercy
of the bias of their teachers. If the professors are positively predisposed they will
inflate the marks and if they have any sort of conflict with their pupils they could use
the marks as a form of punishment. [Paraphrase the fourth (4) point] Moreover, the
project work that has often been hailed as the creative alternative of barren exams
may prove to be a hoax. More often than not it is other family members that do the
work and the students undeservingly reap the rewards.
Step 4: Body paragraph (3) = Your opinion
Opinion: [Topic sentence] While I agree that the exams entail counterproductive
stress that may spoil the true meaning of education, I cannot overlook the fact that
they are an objective and trustworthy method of evaluation. If the written tests
accounted for a proportion of the pupils’ overall mark and the rest was completed
with projects and class participation we could successfully combine the profits of
these too seemingly contrasting methods.
Step 5: Conclusion: Closing remark – No new ideas.
In summary, what you really want is to show the examiners that you understand the
text and the key points, so it should be a balanced analysis of the text you have just
read. Do not give any new information, tell them what you have already told.
Conclusion: All things considered, the examinations can contribute to an objective

assessment of school performance as long as they are combined with elements of
continuous assessment.
Full essay
The methodology for assessing students’ knowledge is crucial and is reflected in their
performance and future in education. Such an issue is analyzed in the two contrasting
passages that this essay touches upon.
The first author considers the annual assessment of students’ performance as

inadequate. Knowing that your only chance to prove your competence relies on a
couple of questions that need to be answered within a suffocating time limit cannot
but fill you with anxiety. To make matters worse, even when the students manage to
cope with the stress it is doubtful whether they gain any academic benefit. All they do
is switch off their critical thinking and employ their parrot fashion learning. When the
exams are over they ‘delete’ all this array of incongruent information.
Conversely, the second text sees the exams as the only reliable means of school
assessment. If the students were continually evaluated throughout the year they
would be at the mercy of the bias of their teachers. If the professors are positively
predisposed they will inflate the marks and if they have any sort of conflict with their
pupils they could use the marks as a form of punishment. Moreover, the project
work that has often been hailed as the creative alternative of barren exams may
prove to be a hoax. More often than not it is other family members that do the work
and the students undeservingly reap the rewards.
While I agree that the exams entail counterproductive stress that may spoil the true
meaning of education, I cannot overlook the fact that they are an objective and
trustworthy method of evaluation. If the written tests accounted for a proportion of
the pupils’ overall mark and the rest was completed with projects and class
participation we could successfully combine the profits of these too seemingly
contrasting methods.
All things considered, the examinations can contribute to an objective assessment of

school performance as long as they are combined with elements of continuous
assessment.
A final checklist…
 the 4 key points are  a variety of language is

addressed present
 all abovementioned points  the length is appropriate
are paraphrased and (i.e. word count)
evaluated  no errors or slips
 your own ideas are
expressed
C2 Proficient (CPE) Essay: Paraphrasing Key Words
As you already know, your task is to find four keywords that you have to analyze and
comment on. A common problem is that students often are literally copying the text.
As you can imagine, you won’t get a good grade for making shortcuts and examiners
expect you to paraphrase these points.
Let see a few examples of real-life paraphrasing so that you know what it is supposed
to look like and what to avoid:
Original text:
..as are vehicle exclusion zones or parking restrictions in busy pedestrian areas.
However, it – also makes sense to encourage motorists to become less reliant on
their car. This can | be achieved by making public transport more efficient and
promoting the benefits of car- sharing with work colleagues, thus reducing weekly
fuel bills.
Example (incorrect):
The first argument makes particular mention of creating vehicle exclusion zones…
The second argument points out that travelling by car can be reduced if the
government makes public transport more efficient…
as you can see the students repeated the words vehicle exclusion zones and then
later makes public transport more efficient – this is clearly not a terrible mistake but
it could be done better.
Example (correct):
The first argument makes particular mention of creating vehicle exclusion zones…
areas where motorists are prohibited from driving
The second argument points out that travelling by car can be reduced if the
government makes public transport more efficient…improves the efficiency of public
transport
hopefully, you can see how these changes have made the sentence the students own
and how this would definitely impress the examiner.
C2 Proficient (CPE) Essay: Sample Answers
Topic
Read the two texts below. Write an essay summarising and evaluating the key points from both
texts. Use your own words throughout as far as possible, and include your own ideas in your
answers.
Teenagers as consumers
It is virtually impossible to escape the influence of the media these days, and particularly if you
are a teenager with access not just to television and radio, but also the internet at all times of
the day and night. Advertisers look upon teenagers as a blank canvas whose tastes and needs
are there to be moulded by them through their advertisements. Advertisers and marketing
people have become adept at reading the teenage mind, making young people believe that
they need to own certain items in order to be accepted by their peer group, or simply to look
cool.
Teenagers: a driving force

Advertising responds to young people’s delight in what is new by developing sophisticated and
innovative, often humorous advertisements which can be seen on television and cinema
screens and on billboards around our towns and cities. The tastes of this generation of young
people have had an impact on advertisers worldwide. However, it is the energy of the young,
above all, that has influenced the world of marketing and has kept it on its toes, pushing the
creative boundaries to become almost an art form. That is the power of young people.
Model answer
These texts both deal with the relationship between teenagers and advertising.
The first one focuses on how advertisers exploit young people, taking advantage both of
teenage preoccupation with the media and of their susceptibility to peer pressure combined
with a wish to appear ‘cool’. The second text is less critical of the relationship between
marketing and young people. It presents the young as having a very positive influence on the
quality of modern adverts, helping to make them much wittier and more original than ever
before. This text maintains that teenagers’ impact on advertising derives partly from their
predilection for what is intriguingly new but also, more particularly, from their own creative
energy. This energy has been channelled into advertising, raising it arguably to the level of an
art form.
While I appreciate the arguments put forward in both texts, I tend to feel more in sympathy
with the approach of the first one. I suspect that advertisers are quite cold-heartedly prepared
to exploit the youth market, keen to capture the attention – and the cash – of the new
generation and well aware of how young people are perhaps more easily influenced than their
more cynical elders.
I would accept that advertising can be very creative and I personally often find an advert in a
magazine or a TV commercial attractive to look at or enjoyably humorous. It does not seem
unreasonable to suggest that many people with artistic talents are attracted to the advertising
profession. However, I do not see that as having any direct connection with teenagers. Those
who create the most original adverts are certainly likely to be young but in their twenties or
early thirties rather than their teens. Moreover, the appeal of the more sophisticated advert is
surely just as powerful for the older generation as for teenagers.
Topic
Read the two texts below. Write an essay summarizing and evaluating the key points from both
texts. Use your own words throughout as far as possible, and include your own ideas in your
answers.
Killing for nothing

Under no circumstances should capital punishment be condoned. It is a barbaric form of
punishment, which serves no useful purpose as it obviously does not act as a deterrent. In the
USA, for example, the use of capital punishment increased greatly during the eighties and the
nineties but with no corresponding effect on the crime rate. Another argument says that it
effectively deals with people who are a danger to society. But in any case, they spend years,
even decades, on death row while their appeals are used up, and might as well just be
sentenced to life imprisonment with no possibility of parole.
Innocents die
The system by which people are convicted is simply not as foolproof as some people would
have us believe, and the odds against an innocent person being killled are just too high. While
the risk of this happening remains a very real possibility, the death sentence is unacceptable. In
this age of DNA evidence, many people in
American prisons awaiting execution have been found to be innocent. The other problem is
prejudice. Even if a person is found guilty and convicted of a crime, they are likely to get a
worse sentence if they are from an ethnic
minority, and disproportionately large numbers of these people are executed every year in the
States.
Model answer
Both extracts above take a negative stance on the hotly debated issue of death penalty.
The first author tries to dispel the myth of the death sentence “acting as a deterrent”. He
claims that the long standing use of this harsh punishment in the USA has not proven its
effectiveness in curbing crime rates. However, his argument is unconvincing because
criminality could have been worse if death penalty was not in effect. Nevertheless, the writer
correctly remarks that there is no need to take someone’s life in order to protect society since
we can achieve the same result by simply giving them a life sentence.
The second extract persuasively strengthens the argument against this irreversible penalty by
citing the numerous incidents of innocent people who have been wrongly convicted and
sometimes even executed, only to find out that more recent genetic material proves that they
were innocent. The author also claims that the well-documented “prejudice against ethnic
minorities” is a reason to abolish the death sentence. Even if we accept the latter argument as
a fact, we can not so easily jump to the conclusion that the suspicion of some judges having
preconceived ideas should strip our legal system of one of its most powerful weapons.
Personally, I feel that the death penalty should remain in effect for extreme cases of serial
killers or insane criminals who show no remorse for their actions. Since, nowadays, we have at
our disposal the invaluable assistance of genetic evidence we can reach verdicts that are
beyond any shadow of a doubt while at the same time, we retain a
strong disincentive in the ammunition of our legal system.
C2 Proficient (CPE) Essay: Writing Checklist
After writing your text, you can check it yourself using the writing checklist below.
How to do that? Simply check your text/email by answering the questions one by one:
Content
 Have I covered all the key information required by the task?

 Have I written only information which is relevant to the task?
 Have I developed the basic points in the task with my own ideas?
 Have I included references or examples where necessary to support any ideas or
information?
Communicative Achievement
 Have I achieved the main purpose(s) of the text (for example, explaining, persuading,
suggesting, apologising, comparing, etc.)?
 Have I used a suitable mix of fact and opinion according to the requirements of the task
and my communicative purpose(s)?
 Have I used a suitable style and register for the task and genre?
 Have I followed writing conventions which are particularly relevant to the task and
genre?
Organisation
 Have I organised my ideas clearly and coherently, using the most appropriate and
effective structure
for the task?
 Have I used other organisational features appropriately for the genre (for example,
titles, headings, openings, closings, etc.)?
 Is the connection between my ideas clear and easy for the reader to follow? (For
example, have I used appropriate linking words and other cohesive devices?)
 Are the ideas balanced appropriately, with suitable attention and space given to each
one?
Language
 Have I used a wide range of vocabulary, appropriate to the topic and genre?
 Have I avoided repeating the same words and phrases?
 Have I used a range of simple and more complex grammatical structures appropriately?
 Have I correctly used any common phrases which are relevant to the specific task or
topic?
 Is my use of grammar accurate?
 Is my spelling accurate?
C2 Proficient (CPE) Essay: Tips
 Identify and underline the key points in both input texts. Make sure to include that when
you write your essay.
 Summarise the key points in your own words
 Use an academic writing style (formal or neutral register).
 You must organise your ideas well, using an introduction, paragraphing and appropriate
linking devices.
 You need to draw conclusions based on the information given throughout the whole of
your answer
C2 Proficient (CPE) Essay: Marking Criteria
Language Communication
Language of evaluation, discussion, Should be fairly formal as that is consistent
comparison (between the two texts) with the requirements of an academic essay.
narrative (use of a personal anecdote) and The reader would get a clear summary of
speculation (possible results of various the two texts along with the writer’s point
schemes). Vocabulary for describing working of view.
conditions (e.g. ‘part-time/full-time’, ‘job
sharing scheme’, ‘flexible working
conditions’, ‘homeworker/homeworking’
etc.) could be used. Does not have to be
completely accurate but any errors should
be minimal.
Organization Content
The essay must be divided into clear Should include a summary of the key
paragraphs and these should be linked points in each text. The essay should also
appropriately. The format should be that of include an evaluation of these key
a standard essay, i.e. without headings in points including the writer’s own views on
the body of the essay the subject.
C2 Proficient (CPE) Essay: Useful Phrases & Expressions
We will finish it with some useful vocabulary mostly used to organize information. Although it
is taking a shortcut, if you learn several expressions for each paragraph in each type of text
that could be on your exam, you will certainly be able to create a very consistent and well-
organized text
Sentence openers
The first text suggests that….. Raising an argument

The second text raises the issue of …..
The writer is of the opinion that…. Considering…..
Additionally, it is argued that….. On the question of….
The two texts contrast differing views of….. No one would dispute…….
According to the first passage…….
Giving one side
Personally, I …………….
The second text put forward……
One argument in favour of this is ….
I believe that………
In support of…..
In conclusion, it is my opinion that……
It is true that……
Linking points and arguments
Giving the other side
As opposed to
At the same time….
In the sense that…..
In actual fact…..
For this reason……..
On the other hand….
Making generalisations In contrast to….
Set/ weighed against this is…..
On the whole….
Attitude
In general…..
For the most part….
Personally…
As a rule……
Unfortunately…
It is often that….
Obviously…
It is usually the case that…..
Evidently…
People to regard…..
Presumably…
The reality is that…..
Naturally…
Being specific fortunately..
With respect to…

In the case of…
As regards…
In terms of….
With the exception of…..
From the ….. point of view….
They are seen as…..
As far as ……are / is concerned……
An article is written on a particular theme in a style that makes it suitable for publication in an
English-language newspaper, magazine or newsletter. Always read the instructions for the
task carefully to be clear about whom you are writing for.
 It is a text generally intended to publish in a newspaper, journal or magazine, so it can

be quite serious or entertaining
 It is written for a wide spectrum of audience, therefore it is important to attract and hold
the attention of the readers
 It may contain funny stories, reported speech, and descriptions
 It may be formal or informal, depending on the target group; (but the article must have
a less formal style than a report or essay)
 It should express opinions and thoughts, as well as facts
C2 Proficient (CPE) Article: Structure
Title
An eye-catching title which attracts the readers’ attention.
Introduction
Clearly defines the topic to be covered and keeps the reader’s attention.
The main body paragraph 1

Articles may also have subheadings for each paragraph.
The main body paragraph 2

Articles may also have subheadings for each paragraph.
Conclusion
Either a summary of the theme or a final opinion, recommendation or comment.
C2 Proficient (CPE) Article: Writing Guide
Before you begin, keep in mind…
 Where will the article appear? A newspaper, magazine or website?

 Who is the target group?
Having a good grasp on who will be reading your article can help you orient the
information and the tone so that it’s as useful as possible.
 What is the purpose of the article?
To advise, suggest, inform, compare, contrast describe, etc.?
 What advanced grammar or phrases you intend to use?
Inversion, III conditional or maybe some forms of passive voice? Think about what
idioms or phrases you plan to use in the article as it is easy to forget and it is valuable for
the article.
 Organise your ideas carefully in paragraphs
Each paragraph should provide a clear topic sentence.
1. The Title
The title is essential and should be a concise summary of the information presented in the
article. Shortly speaking, the main idea of the article should be concluded in the title.
For example, if you are writing a description of a place, using adjectives can enhance the
attractiveness of the place, before the reader begins reading the article, e.g.
Title: “The Tranquility and Peace of an Island that Time Forgot”.
If the task involves proposing a solution to a problem or your opinion, and so on, you can
address your audience directly, e.g.
Title: “What You Need to Do to Be Successful”
Title: “Is Learning English Really Necessary Today?”.
The title should not be too long and ideally reflect the style of the article – both formal or
informal.
2. The Introduction
The introduction should coincide with the title of the article and also include brief development
of the main idea.
As well as the title, it must engage the reader. Perhaps it is worth asking a question in the
introduction to which the reader will find the answer at the end of the article?
Title: Long-distance Travel
Introduction: The Scottish writer, Robert Louis Stevenson, used to say that he travelled ‘not to
go anywhere but to go.’ In other words, he loved travelling for its own sake. Would you agree
that the journey there can be the most exciting and rewarding part of any holiday?
3. The main body
Make use of topic sentences…
To ensure unity in a paragraph, it is necessary to group sentences around the main idea. This
means that it is necessary to begin by finding a theme or topic sentence which sums up the
main idea of the whole paragraph. The best position for this sentence is normally at the
beginning of the paragraph to help the reader to quickly comprehend the topic of the whole
paragraph and minimise the likelihood of losing the theme altogether.
Example topic sentences:
Paragraph 1: Some years ago I studied Russian at university and used to travel frequently to
Russia. [topic sentence] … you develop this point further … I usually went by train, by far the
cheapest way to get there then. This involved a three-day train journey across the Channel and
then over the…
Paragraph 2: I loved the sense of gradually making my way into a different world.[topic
sentence] … you develop this point further … Towns and villages became less frequent and
fields turned into forests as we chugged eastwards. The children who waved at the train as it
passed began to have high Slav cheekbones.
Conclusion – summarise the topic
Effective conclusions take the article beyond summary and demonstrate a further appreciation of
the article’s argument and its significance: why it works, why it is meaningful, and why it is
valuable.
The purpose of the conclusion:
 To connect the article’s findings to a larger context

 To suggest the implications of your findings or the importance of the topic.
 To revisit your main idea or research question with new insight.
Article Topic – travel
Conclusion: These days it’s cheaper to hop on a plane than a train and you can now get to
Russia in three hours instead of three days. Lunch in London and dinner in Moscow has become
possible thanks to the jet engine. In many ways the journey could be seen as easier now….
[connect the article’s idea to a larger context of global transportation]
Full Article
Long-distance Travel
The Scottish writer, Robert Louis Stevenson, used to say that he travelled ‘not to go anywhere
but to go.’ In other words, he loved travelling for its own sake. Although I enjoy being at a new
destination, I agree that the journey there can be the most exciting and rewarding part of any
holiday.
Some years ago I studied Russian at university and used to travel frequently to Russia. I usually
went by train, by far the cheapest way to get there then. This involved a three-day train journey
across the Channel and then over the North European Plain through Belgium, Germany, Poland
and Byelorus to Moscow. The train from Ostend was a Russian one and once on board you felt
as if you were already in Russia, especially as you poured yourself a glass of tea from the
samovar at the end of each carriage and made yourself comfortable for the two nights you’d
spend in your sleeping compartment.
I loved the sense of gradually making my way into a different world. Towns and villages
became less frequent and fields turned into forests as we chugged eastwards. The children who
waved at the train as it passed began to have high Slav cheekbones. Travelling slowly gives you
time to savour the gradual changes, to think about where you’re going or where you’ve just
been, to adapt to a new way of being. This opportunity to reflect is immensely enriching.
These days it’s cheaper to hop on a plane than a train and you can now get to Russia in three
hours instead of three days. Lunch in London and dinner in Moscow has become possible thanks
to the jet engine. In many ways the journey could be seen as easier now. But in my opinion,
travelling by rail is still much more satisfying, providing a real sense of distance – both
geographical and social – between different countries.
Let’s sum it up…
An article should:
 have a sharp introduction (a hook)  include personal experiences

that gets to the point immediately (l) and address the reader
 can be slightly formal, but tends to directly (you)
be more reader-friendly (don’t use  can make generalizations about
excessively long sentences) society but make sure to connect
 tells a story them to your own personal
experience
C2 Proficient (CPE) Article: Sample Answers
Article subject:
An international travel magazine is running a series of articles on alternatives to travelling by

plane. The magazine has invited readers to send in articles briefly describing a memorable long-
distance train or bus journey they have made. The article should explain the advantages of
travelling a long distance by train or bus and consider whether in general travelling to your
destination more slowly may result in a more satisfying travel experience.
Student’s CPE Article Answer:
With the rapid pace in which technology has been developing over the last decades, air travel
has become more and more affordable to the hoi polloi. This is particularly true since the spread
of the ‘no-frills’ airlines which have taken over Europe by storm. Air travel offers relatively
cheap and fast journey to its passengers, which explains its recent rise. But are these journeys
pleasant ones? Recent opinion polls show they are not. People are unhappy about the weight and
size limits on luggage, numerous changes, stress related to queues to check-in, security and then
to the gate . … The largest ache for air passengers, however, seems to be the lack of human
interaction amid the ‘de-humanising feel’ of the airports.
I recently had an opportunity – and a pleasure – to travel by train to a family wedding in
Germany. Despite the fact the journey took 6 hours longer than it would by plane, it was a truly
enjoyable experience. The rail track passed through beautiful, green mountain valleys, offering
amazing views of numerous castles perched on the mountain sides and the views of medieval
towns. I have also met a few very nice local people who entertained me during the journey with
interesting and funny stories of their family weddings.
Thanks to excellent views and the people I travelled with, the journey felt unbelievably short.
There are many advantages of travelling long distances by train, most of which overweight the
largest disadvantage to some – namely the length of the journey. First of all – one is able to meet
interesting people and engage in long conversations – a train journey seems to be a more
welcoming environment for social interaction than a quick flight is. Secondly, whilst passing
through the towns and villages rather than flying over them one is able to better experience the
culture. There are also practical advantages – like the lack of strict luggage restrictions, less
queues and the ability to open the window to get some fresh air. There are also less problems
with the leg
space and a possibility to stretch them by strolling to the restaurant carriage or up and down the
train. (This paragraph could have been divided into two for greater clarity)
To conclude, train travel could lead to a better travel experience comparing to the aircraft, under
the condition that the passenger is open to experiencing the journey and is able to sacrifice a bit
more time travelling.
Article subject:
An international travel magazine is running a series of articles on alternatives to travelling by

plane. The magazine has invited readers to send in articles briefly describing a memorable long-
distance train or bus journey they have made. The article should explain the advantages of
travelling a long distance by train or bus and consider whether in general travelling to your
destination more slowly may result in a more satisfying travel experience.
Student’s CPE Article Answer:
The Scottish writer, Robert Louis Stevenson, used to say that he travelled ‘not to go anywhere
but to go.’ In other words, he loved travelling for its own sake. Although I enjoy being at a new
destination, I agree that the journey there can be the most exciting and rewarding part of any
holiday.
Some years ago I studied Russian at university and used to travel frequently to Russia. I usually
went by train, by far the cheapest way to get there then. This involved a three-day train journey
across the Channel and then over the North European Plain through Belgium, Germany, Poland
and Byelorus to Moscow. The train from Ostend was a Russian one and once on board you felt
as if you were already in Russia, especially as you poured yourself a glass of tea from the
samovar at the end of each carriage and made yourself comfortable for the two nights you’d
spend in your sleeping compartment.
I loved the sense of gradually making my way into a different world. Towns and villages
became less frequent and fields turned into forests as we chugged eastwards. The children who
waved at the train as it passed began to have high Slav cheekbones. Travelling slowly gives you
time to savour the gradual changes, to think about where you’re going or where you’ve just
been, to adapt to a new way of being. This opportunity to reflect is immensely enriching.
These days it’s cheaper to hop on a plane than a train and you can now get to Russia in three
hours instead of three days. Lunch in London and dinner in Moscow has become possible thanks
to the jet engine. In many ways the journey could be seen as easier now. But in my opinion,
travelling by rail is still much more satisfying, providing a real sense of distance – both
geographical and social – between different countries.
C2 Proficient (CPE) Article: Writing Checklist
Content

information?
genre?
Organisation
effective structure
for the task?
 Have I used other organisational features appropriately for the genre (for example, titles,
headings, openings, closings, etc.)?
 Is the connection between my ideas clear and easy for the reader to follow? (For example,
have I used appropriate linking words and other cohesive devices?)
 Are the ideas balanced appropriately, with suitable attention and space given to each one?
Language
topic?
C2 Proficient (CPE) Article: Marking Criteria
You must use a wide You must demonstrate complete command of
range of vocabulary, including less the conventions of the communicative task.
common lexis, with fluency, precision,
sophistication and style. Communicate complex ideas in an effective
and convincing way, holding the
Use of grammar must be target reader’s attention with ease, fulfilling
sophisticated, fully controlled and all communicative purposes
completely natural.
Your text must be organised Every sentence in the text should refer to the
impressively and topic of the assignment, and all the
coherently using a wide range tasks specified in it should be fulfilled.
of cohesive devices and organisational
patterns with complete flexibility. Target reader ought to be fully informed.
C2 Proficient (CPE) Article: Useful Phrases & Expressions
is taking a shortcut, if you learn several expressions for each paragraph in each type of text that
could be on your exam, you will certainly be able to create a very consistent and well-organized
text.
Agreeing partially There is a tendency to…

A large number of the times…
This is partly true… Usually, they are inclined to…
To (an) (certain) / (some) extent… Generally speaking…
In some cases … Sometimes/Usually/Often/Generally…
Up to a point … Things appear to be…
While it can not be denied that … In a large number of cases…
While it is true that… In some instances…
Qualifying Statements Summary / Repetition / Exemplification
In brief…
On the whole…
Overall…
In short…
In other words…
To be sure… Place and Location
For instance…
In fact… Beyond…
In any event… Nearby…
On the opposite side…
Purpose Adjacent to…
Over head…
Therefore…
To/on the right…
With this object in view/mind…
In the centre…
To this end…
Over to the left/right….
For this purpose….
In the same area….
In the neighbouring town….
Letter of Application: Definition
Letter of application is always formal in style unless the question explicitly states otherwise.
Its purpose is to propose a candidate and outline his suitability, for a particular position.
Description (of a person’s character and strengths), explanation and justification are important
functions in a letter of application.
Letter of Application: Structure
1. Salutation
Dear …….
2. The Introductory Paragraph

Begin your letter by telling the reader where you saw the advertisement:
3. The next paragraphs (the body)

List your experience, qualifications and abilities.
4. Closing paragraph
Conclude your letter and sign off with: Yours faithfully
Letter of Application: Writing Guide
1. Salutation
Dear Sir or Madam
If you do not know the name of the person you are writing to, use this. The following is a list
of letter salutation examples that are appropriate for letters of application.
 Dear Hiring Manager

 Dear Search Committee
 To whom it may concern
 Dear Human Resources Manager
 Dear Sir or Madam
Begin by stating the job for which you are applying. Briefly mention how your skills and
experience match the company and/or position; this will give the employer a preview of the rest
of your letter.
I am writing to apply for the post of Fashion Shop Manager advertised in the ‘News Shopper’ of
14 February 2002.

In the following paragraphs, explain why you are interested in the job and why you make an
excellent candidate for the position. Mention specific qualifications listed in the job posting and
explain how you meet those qualifications.
Please see the example structure below:
(2nd paragraph) You might go and list your experience and relevant qualifications:
(briefly introduce yourself first) I am an ambitious and creative 25-year-old who have worked in
the retail industry for a total of ten years, first as a sales assistant in a department store and for
the last three years as a Section Head and Deputy Manager at Jones the Bootmaker.
(3rd paragraph) You might then go on to mention the particular abilities and skills that you
have:
I believe I have all the skills, knowledge and expertise that you are looking for. I have lots of
retail initiative, can schedule and prioritise tasks and can work to strict deadlines. I also work
particularly well with people and would enjoy leading the team and working with clients and
customers.
(4th paragraph) Say why you are particularly interested in this job:
I am applying for this position as I am looking to progress from junior to senior management. I
have always been interested in the latest fashion trends and developments and I believe your
organisation is a well-run quality fashion business. I would very much like to work for your
company.
Conclude your letter of application by thanking the employer for considering you for the
position and stating that you would like to interview.
You might close the letter with the following formula.
I look forward to hearing from you and hope that you will be able to invite me for an interview.
Yours faithfully
XYZ
“Yours sincerely” or “Yours faithfully”?
“Yours sincerely” is typically employed in English when the recipient is addressed by name
(e.g. “Dear John”) and is known to the sender to some degree, whereas “Yours faithfully” is
used when the recipient is not addressed by name (i.e., the recipient is addressed by a phrase
such as “Dear Sir/Madam”)
Let’s sum it up…

TIP: Pay attention to style and register
At the exam, you should of course aim to write grammatically correct English. But is that enough? For
example, it is grammatically correct to write “Give me a job!” , but that is not the way to write a
successful job application. In fact, the employer is more likely to forgive a number of grammar or
spelling mistakes than to employ an applicant whose letter was too rude or too informal.
In the exam, writing is assessed with this in mind: what effect would the piece of writing have on the
person who is going to read it? The ability to use the right style, whether you are writing a business
letter or a holiday postcard, is one of the skills assessed by examiners.
Letter of Application: Example Answers
Letter of Application Sample 1

Letter of Application subject:
You have read the following information from a British university, and have decided to apply
for a course:
The university welcomes applications to all its courses from overseas students. Please write to
the Admissions Oﬃcer giving details of the course you wish to apply for and why. Your letter
should include an outline of your qualiﬁcations and any other relevant information.
Write your letter of application
Student’s Letter of Application Answer:
Dear Sir or Madam
I am writing to apply for your two-year degree in teaching English at the university level. At
present, I am a teacher of English and of Computer Science in the primary school here, in
Lutynia.
I am keen to improve my English as this is not only my hobby but also a strong need. I should
add that I am already half-way towards achieving my goal. Ten years ago I was a university
teacher of Computer Science. Up to now, I have specialized in both subjects. I graduated from
Technical University of Wroclaw, Department of Foreign Languages and the Academy of
Economics, Department of Computer Science with Master’s Degree.
I have a great deal of work experience that demonstrates my ability in languages. I have
undertaken a number of translation projects for doctors, scientists, computer programmers and
travel guides. I estimate that my English is at an advanced level and at present, I am preparing
for the CAE exam.
I am particularly interested in completing my degree at your university as it is famous all over

the world. If you wish Ms.J.Forde can give you a reference.
I hope you will give my application serious consideration and I look forward to hearing from
you.
Yours faithfully
(your name)

A restaurant in your region is to open shortly and the owner has placed the following
advertisement in your local newspaper:
RESTAURANT STAFF NEEDED…
…For a busy restaurant located in the main tourist area of this region. We have a number of
vacancies available, including: Junior Chef, Waiter/Waitress, Restaurant Manager.
Hours of work: 6 – 12pm, Mondays to Saturdays.
Please send us a letter explaining which post you are interested in and why we should consider
you for the job. Interviews will be held a week after the closing date.
Dear Sir or Madam
I am writing with reference to your advertisement for the position of a Restaurant Manager,
which was placed in The Guardian on 10 December.
My reason for being interested in this vacancy is that according to what is said by the executives
of the companies I worked for (please find enclosed their letters of reference), I am particularly
efficient at being involved in projects requiring a great deal of physical and mental energy and
also creativity. I would be able to bring to bear these personal qualities of mine for the benefit of
the restaurant.
I am sure that I would be successful in this post as I have now gained managerial experience
having had work as a Senior Manager for the “Little Chef Restaurant” for 10 years. At present I
work for the restaurant mentioned above, where my responsibilities comprise dealing with
suppliers and corporate clients, recruiting employees and checking the financial statements of
affiliated companies.
My academic background (a Master’s Degree in Tourism & Hospitality) would also prove
valuable to you.
Please could you send me an application form and any other relevant details including those
of salary, working hours and any additional benefits (such as private health care or social
facilities).
I am able to attend an interview on any day from 11 a. m. Should you need any further
information, do not hesitate to contact me on 222333222 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. or by email
at olga_mail_2000@yahoo.com.
Yours faithfully,
name and surname

A tourist company which organises coach tours of your home town has placed the following
advertisement in your local newspaper:
TOUR GUIDES REQUIRED
Are you an outgoing and sociable person, who has a good command of English and some
knowledge of local history? Take-a-Tour is setting up a branch in your area and we are
looking for tour guides to accompany up to fifty passengers a time on our coach tours. Your
duties will include welcoming passengers aboard the coach, giving a commentary about the
local sights, and taking small groups around the town on foot.
Dear Sir or Madam
I am writing to reply to your advertisement for a tour guide in The Tokyo Mini Times on 13th
January.
I have always been interested in working with tourists and this is one of the main reasons why I
am applying for this job. I actually have some experience of guiding foreign people around the
town as a volunteer. Therefore, the city council sometimes asks me to take people to some
historical places and explain about the background. Once I organised a sightseeing tour that
thirty people took part in. Every time I have a chance to do that, they appreciate my
explanations. I think I will be a competent guide.
I have been living in this town since I was born. My ancestors came to live here two hundred
years ago thus I know how this town has developed. I think I will manage to give a unique
speech to the tourists.
I passed the Cambridge Certificate in Advanced English last year, which I believe endorses my
English ability. As far as I am concerned, this level is suitable for a tour guide.
I am available to start work on 15th February. I am also available to attend an interview in the
afternoon on Monday to Thursday. Please do not hesitate to contact me if you need any further
information.
I would be very grateful if you consider my application. I look forward to hearing from you
soon.
Yours faithfully,
name and surname
Letter of Application: Useful Phrases & Language
Reasons
I’m writing to apply for the post/position of…..as advertised in……..

I’m writing with reference
I’m writing in response to your advertisement which I saw….
I’m writing in connection with your advertisement
Qualifications /Experience
I gained some experience while …

I am currently working as …
I have been working for … for the last four years.
I worked part-time for three years as …
At the moment| am employed by …
My qualifications include …
I have a diploma in …
I graduated from Barcelona University last year with a degree in …
Please find attached my CV
As you can see from the attached CV …
Personal Qualities
I see myself systematic, meticulous in my approach to work…..

I have a clear insight of………
I value time and not squander……
I tackle a problem…..
Closing remarks
I would appreciate a reply at your earliest convenience

Please contact me with any queries you may have,
I would be glad to attend an interview at any time convenient
I look forward to hearing from you in due course….
Letter of Complaint: Definition
A complaint letter is a letter written to concerned authorities if we are not

satisfied with the service provided by them. These letters are usually formal in
nature.
Sometimes when we order a product and it is received defective then we write a letter
to the related person or company, complaining about the product.
Letter of Complaint: Structure/Format
Please have a look at this letter of complaint layout template example:
1. Salutation
Dear Sir or Madam / Dear Manager

Identify what the issue is.

Complaint 1 and justification
Suggested action to be taken
– sign off with: Yours faithfully
Letter of Complaint: Writing Guide
Step 1: Salutation
Dear Sir/ Madam / Manager / To whom it may concern,
If you do not know the name of the person you are writing to, use this. It is always
advisable to try to find out a name.
Dear Mr Jenkins
If you know the name, use the title (Mr, Mrs, Miss or Ms,
Dr, etc.) and the surname only. If you are writing to a woman and do not know if she
uses Mrs or Miss, you can use Ms, which is for married and single women.
You should always be polite and respectful, even if you complain. A useful way to
achieve it, especially in formal letters is to use ‘modal verbs’, i.e., would, could or
should.
Step 2: The Introductory Paragraph
You should identify what the issue is and any relevant information that you believe is
important. Include more details if it’s applicable to the situation.
I want to express my strong dissatisfaction with the service I received during a visit to
your restaurant on…
Step 3: The next paragraphs (the body)
You can extend your thoughts and feelings further. Yet, be sure to stick with the facts
and avoid putting emotions into your letter.
 Include the time of the issue, location, people involved and what the problem
was.
 Any complaint should be supported with a justification:
Complaint: I still haven’t t received the goods.
Justification: I sent you a cheque three weeks ago.
Step 4: Closing paragraph
Write how you want this problem to be solved. You can also throw in some
compliments about something you liked about their company’s product or service.
Yours faithfully
{You name}
“Yours sincerely” or “Yours faithfully”?
“Yours sincerely” is typically employed in English when the recipient is addressed by

name (e.g. “Dear John”) and is known to the sender to some degree, whereas “Yours
faithfully” is used when the recipient is not addressed by name (i.e., the recipient is
addressed by a phrase such as “Dear Sir/Madam”)
TIP: Remember about “linking” in the letter!
Between paragraphs:
Firstly, I had booked table […]

Then, the waiter brought us the wrong starters […]
To make the matter worse, the cake was stale […]
Within a paragraph:
My wife and I will not […]; however, […]

In spite of the fact that […], the waiter brought the wrong starters.
Letter of Complaint: Example Letters

Letter of Complaint: Product Damage
Letter of Complaint subject:
You and a friend, Sam, bought some CDs to help you improve your English. You were
not happy with the CDs and have decided to write to the publisher, CD World. Read
the email from Sam and the advertisement for the CDs below, on which you have
made some notes. Then, using the information appropriately, write a letter to CD
World explaining why you bought the CDs, why you are dissatisfied and saying what
you would like the company to do.
Student’s Letter of Complaint Answer:
Dear Sir or Madam,
I am writing to express my disappointment with the course of English language CDs

which I purchased from your company a few days ago. I have a good theoretical
knowledge of English grammar and I was hoping that your course would help me to
improve my conversational fluency and my knowledge of business English, but I feel
your product is unsatisfactory and your advertisement is misleading in several
respects.
To begin with, your advertisement states that the course provides English conversation
for pleasure and business. This naturally leads one to expect that there are commercial
English conversations on the CDs, and yet no such conversations are included. In
addition, the student is expected to listen and repeat the conversations, but there is not
enough time to do this without constantly pressing the “pause” button. Finally, your
advertisement gives the impression that the price for the whole course is 20 euros,
whereas in fact the CDs cost 20 euros each. The total price is thus 120 euros. I feel this
is, to say the least, somewhat misleading.
For these reasons, I am most dissatisfied with your product. I am returning the CDs
and expect a full refund. I hope to hear from you soon.
Yours faithfully
(your name)
Letter of Complaint: Hotel

You recently took a self-catering holiday in a luxury apartment, but the standard of the
accommodation was very poor. The holiday company that you booked with have
offered you some vouchers as compensation, but you have decided you would prefer a
cash refund instead. Write a letter to the company outlining the problems you
experienced with the accommodation and the action you want them to take.
Student’s Formal Letter Answer:
Dear Sir or Madam
I am writing to complain about the bad standard of accommodation during my last

holiday. I booked this self-catering holiday last year in your travel agency. When I
returned from my two-week travel last week, I immediately visited the agency to
complain about my bad experiences.
Had I known that the accomodation would be so poor, I would have booked from the
beginning a full-service holiday. What I expected was a luxury apartment with a small
oven. Not only was the room dirty and full of bugs, but the shower was broken and
unusable. To make matters even worse, there was no oven as I ordered it. Never before
have I seen such a bad service at a self-catering holiday. You can imagine my anger
when I had to eat out, smelling like a … Not surprisingly, I booked another room,
though without oven but clean and with a working shower. Therefore this room cost a
lot more than the other one and I had to go out eating.
My purpose in visiting the agency was to ask for compensation. The young lady who
served me offered some vouchers as compensation. She advised me to take my time
with the answer. I have decided to ask your company for a cash refund. Would a
refund about 500 euros be too much to expect? I would like to ask you to have a look
on my enclosed accounts. Seeing how much money I had to invest additionally will
help you to decide what to do about the whole matter.
At the very least, I would like you to inform me of the action you will take with regard
to my extra invested money. Unless adequate action is taken, I shall have no other
option but to publish this letter in the local newspaper.
Yours faithfully,
Ilona
Letter of Complaint: Holidays

You recently had a short holiday organized by TravelWise. The manager of the
company sent you a letter asking to state the problems which had occurred during your
vacation. Write a letter to the manager, explaining what the problems were and telling
them what you want them to do.
Write your letter. Don’t include any postal addresses.

Student’s Formal Letter Answer:
Dear Sir/Madam,
I am writing with reference to your letter, where you politely requested a feedback of
my recent vacation organized by TravelWise. As you already know I was displeased
with numerous points.
Firstly, the hotel I stayed was located in a run-down and dangerous neighbourhood, on
few occasions I was approached by a drug dealer and a beggar. When it comes to the
room it was completely different from what had been presented in your brochure. Dirt,
darkness and rats were my company throughout the stay, I actually changed rooms few
times, however it seemed all the rooms were in similar condition.
One of the reasons I had chosen your company was the free of charge spa and trips
organized by your staff. It turned out that I had to pay extra for all of these services.
And although it might be true that the water sports provided were amazing it does not
change the fact my holiday was ruined by the above problems.
I must ask you to refund all the costs of my vacation including extra charge for spa and
trips please.
I look forward to hearing from you soon.
Yours faithfully,
Sam Smith
Letter of Complaint: Tips
1. Focus on the most important facts. Don’t give unnecessary background

information.
2. Make sure you include:
 the reason for writing (e.g. I am writing to …)
 what went wrong
 what you would like to happen now.
3. Complaint letters are usually written in a formal style.
4. Use passives to be less direct and more formal, e.g. I was served quickly.
5. Use Yours faithfully to sign off if you don’t know the name of the person you’re
writing to.
Also:
 Always proofread your letter after writing it, check for sentence structure,
grammar, spelling mistakes…
 Proofread your letter again (and again) after you have revised it.
 Be respectful when you write, even if you are writing a letter of complaint.
Letter of Complaint: Useful Phrases & Language

Opening
Dear Sir or Madam, / To whom it may concern,

I am writing to express my disappointment with/dissatisfaction with the service I
received in…
I would like to lodge a formal complaint against your company for the reasons
outlined below:
I feel compelled to write to you in order to describe the
Listing Problems
First of all,
Not only was there a hair in my wife’s soup, but the main course also arrived cold.
On top of that…
As if that was not enough…
To top it all off…
My first complaint is
The first problem is
The first thing I would like to draw your attention to is
My first concern is
The straw that broke the camel’s back was…
Complaining Expressions
The standard of the… was not up to scratch.

The… was not up to the expected standard.
The… left a lot to be desired.
The… failed to live up to our expectations.
We were left bitterly disappointed by…
The quality of the customer service we received was woefully inadequate.
The… was an absolute disgrace. (v.strong)
Overall, our visit to your (restaurant) was an unmitigated disaster from start to finish.
Requesting Action
It seems only fair that you should… (offer a full refund)

I would appreciate it if you…
I would be grateful if you…
I suggest that you replace the item
I therefore suggest that I be given a full refund
I would be grateful if my money was refunded
I would be grateful if you could give me a full refund
Should these demands not be met, you will be hearing from my lawyers.
I expect to receive compensation to the tune of (€2000) for the…
Making Recommendations
I strongly recommend that your organisation…
It would be advisable to…
I suggest re-evaluating your procedures regarding…
Sign off
I look forward to receiving your reply.

I look forward to hearing from you
I look forward to receiving a full refund
I look forward to receiving a replacement
I look forward to receiving your explanation
I expect to receive a prompt reply to this letter.
Yours faithfully,
Letters in the C2 Proficiency Writing paper will require a response which is

consistently appropriate for the specified target reader, and you can expect to be
asked to write letters to, for example, the editor of a newspaper or magazine, to the
director of an international company, or to a school or college principal.
As you probably know, letters may be formal or informal. This article will help you
to understand how to write a letter/email in an informal style.
Informal style
An informal letter is a form of communication between two people (sometimes

more) who usually know each other well. Although there are many uses and reasons
for writing an informal letter, it usually consists of topics on a personal level. An
informal letter is usually less formal than a business letter.
Informal writing is characterized by the use of:
 Direct and personal tone ‘I think’, ‘You should’ and direct sentences ‘I think
it’s a good idea’ instead of ‘It would be a good idea’
 Informal vocabulary, ‘totally, lots of stuff’ including phrasal verbs (‘go on’
instead of ‘continue)
 Contractions/short forms I’ve just heard you’ve been to…
 Informal linking words ‘Plus, Also, Well, Anyway, To sum up, In a nutshell’
 Idioms ‘Call it a day’, ‘break the leg’, ‘It’s not rocket science’
 Colloquial expressions ‘I’m most interested’ instead of ‘I am really
interested’
 Slang ‘loaded, lit, gutted, cheeky, dude, go bananas’
 Abbreviations ‘ASAP, TV, photo, cell, net’
 Punctuation using exclamation marks (don’t overuse it)
C2 Proficient (CPE) Informal Letter: Structure
1.Salutation
Preferably beginning with “Dear…” or “Hi…”.
2. The first paragraph (opening)

the reason why you’re writing this letter / the topic
3. The next paragraphs (main content

Say why you are writing. Give the information that you have been told to give. Add some more
details of your own if you like.
4. Closing and signing off

Let the reader know you have finished your letter;
Send greetings and/or make references for future contact. Sign off with your name.
C2 Proficient (CPE) Informal Letter: Writing Guide
1. Salutation
Start with Dear followed by the first name of the person to whom you are writing. In
emails, you can also start with Hi (and the person’s name). Dear Ben, or Hi Ben,
(Don’t forget to use only the first name of the person you are writing to and not Dear
Mr John, which is never used, or Dear Mr John Brown, which sounds too formal.)
Salutation examples:
 Dear Tom
 Dearest Jane
 Hi/hello, Karen!
2. The first paragraph (opening)
Usually consists of an introduction providing the recipient with an idea of the

letter’s purpose, along with a summary of the main topic. If you don’t know the
recipient, you can also introduce yourself in the introductory paragraph.
Example opening phrases
 Just thought I’d drop you a line

 Thank you for your letter
 Sorry I haven’t written for so long
 Great to hear from you again.
3. The next paragraphs (main content)
Usually consist of the message you intend to convey, along with all the details. Say
why you are writing. Give the information that you have been told to give.
Other useful phrases
 I’m really sorry that I forgot to ….. but I was busy with ….
 I’m writing to ask for your help / you (if you could do me) a favour.
 I hope you don’t mind me asking but could you (possibly)
4. Closing and signing off
Normally constitutes a summary of the message. You can summarise your main idea
in this paragraph, express your thanks for the recipient’s time, wish them the best,
and/or ask any questions.
 Closing statement
Well, I think that’s about it / Well, that’s all for now / Well, I’d better finish off
here / Waiting for your letter
 Signing off
Lots of kisses / Take care / All my love
TIP: Remember about “linking” in the letter!
Between paragraphs:
Let me start by telling you a […]

By the way, do you have a […]
Anyway, I must go and get on, […]
Within a paragraph:
It was nominated to become […] Also, don’t forget to […]
C2 Proficient (CPE) Informal Letter: Example Answers
CPE Informal Letter / Email Answer 1

Informal Letter subject:
Read part of an email from a friend who is planning to come and live in your country.
Of course, I’d really need to learn the language. I know you’ve been learning English
for years, so you’ve had loads of experience. Are there any tricks of the trade that
might help me pick up your language a bit more quickly?
Reply to the email message offering your friend some advice
Student’s CPE Informal Letter Answer:
Dear Emma,
Thanks so much for your email. It was so good to hear from you. I’m really sorry not
to have been in touch earlier but I’ve been up to my eyes preparing for my exams.
What great news that you’re finally coming to France learn French too – fantastic!
I’ve been learning English since I was a kid as you know, and by far the most useful
experience was going to that language school in Brighton for three months last
summer. If I were you to keep you focused. I’d also suggest reading as widely as
possible, online newspapers, blogs, books, the back of a cereal packet – anything,
really! Don’t be tempted to buy one of those ‘Learn French in weekend courses’
though – a waste of time if you ask me. Learning a language takes time and effort.
What seems to work for a lot of people is learning songs. My brother reckons that he
has learnt more English from the Top 40 than he has at school. And you know family,
so that’s worth a try too. Of course, you could also get a French boyfriend or girlfriend
to speed up your progress!
Anyway, I hope that’s helped give you a few ideas. Do write back as soon details of
your plans.
Lots of love, Sandrine
CPE Informal Letter / Email Answer 2

Informal Letter subject:
An online blog in English has invited readers and visitors to send in letters sharing
embarrassing things that have happened to them. You decide to send a letter to them
in which, briefly describe an embarrassing story. Say whether think these
embarrassing moments he. us and explain why.
Write your letter.

Student’s CPE Informal Letter Answer:
Hi,
I’m writing to tell youone of my most embarrassing stories – it happened at the

beginning of the school year. I had just started at a new school and I hadn’t met many
people or made proper friends, so when we were asked to prepare a short performance
for a history lesson, I didn’t have anyone to talk to about it.
The subject of the performance was slavery. I have always been really interested in
history so I quickly got stuck in to preparing two monologues, one from the
perspective of the slave and the other from the slave owner’s point of view.
The day of the performance came, and I ended up going first. I stood up in front of the
class, and performed my two speeches with as much emotion as I could muster – there
were even a few tears. When I finished, there was a shocked silence. The teacher
didn’t know what to say, and I heard a few of the other students sniggering. I was
really confused and sat down worrying that I hadn’t performed very well. Then the
next person got up and started doing their performance; and it was a simple, factual
Powerpoint presentation!
I just wanted the ground to swallow me up! I barely knew these people and I had gone
and made a complete fool of myself. We were just supposed to be doing presentations
and I must have looked like a melodramatic show off with my monologues!
But actually, it ended up being quite a good ice-breaker. The teacher asked us to get
into groups to discuss our presentations and I decided that instead of just ignoring my
embarrassing performance, I would make a joke out of it. And it worked! I ended up
making some new friends by laughing at myself.
Although it doesn’t feel great to embarrass yourself, I do think that it is important to

learn to laugh at your-self and not take life too seriously – so actually, embarrassing
moments are quite helpful. They remind us that we are all human and are all capable
of doing and saying silly things from time to time!
Best wishes,
Abigail Anderson
C2 Proficient (CPE) Informal Letter: Writing Checklist
How to do that? Simply check your text/email by answering the questions one by
one:
Content

information?
 Have I achieved the main purpose(s) of the text (for example, explaining,
persuading, suggesting, apologising, comparing, etc.)?
 Have I used a suitable mix of fact and opinion according to the requirements of
the task and my communicative purpose(s)?
 Have I followed writing conventions which are particularly relevant to the task
and genre?
Organisation
 Have I organised my ideas clearly and coherently, using the most appropriate
and effective structure
for the task?
 Have I used other organisational features appropriately for the genre (for
example, titles, headings, openings, closings, etc.)?
 Is the connection between my ideas clear and easy for the reader to follow? (For
example, have I used appropriate linking words and other cohesive devices?)
 Are the ideas balanced appropriately, with suitable attention and space given to
each one?
Language
 Have I used a range of simple and more complex grammatical structures
appropriately?
 Have I correctly used any common phrases which are relevant to the specific
task or topic?
C2 Proficient (CPE) Informal Letter: Tips
 Begin your letter by saying why you are writing.

 Remember, the letter uses informal language.
 Try to avoid using exactly the same words that appear in the notes.
 Make sure you have included all the points from the notes.
 Use an appropriate closing formula.
 Decide what each paragraph will say before you start writing; each paragraph
should have a specific purpose.
 Imagine you are really writing the letter and put yourself into the writer’s
position.
 Check your work for accuracy, punctuation and spelling.
C2 Proficient (CPE) Informal Letter: Useful Phrases & Expressions
Set phrases for opening

Greetings Set phrases for closing paragraphs Endings
paragraphs
Dear Tom Just thought I’d drop you a line Well, I think that’s about it Yours
Dearest Jane I hope you are fine Well, that’s all for now Love
Hi/hello, Karen! What have you been up to? Well, I’d better finish off here All my love
I haven’t heard from you for ages I must go now Best wishes
It was nice to hear from you Write soon All the best
Thank you for your letter Waiting for your letter Lots of kisses
Sorry I haven’t written for so
I look forward to hearing from you Take care
long
Letters in the C2 Proficiency Writing paper will require a response which is
consistently appropriate for the specified target reader, and you can expect to be asked to
write formal letters to, for example, the editor of a newspaper or magazine, to the director of an
international company, or to a school or college principal.
Let’s explain how to write a letter/email and what actually is a formal style.
Formal style
It is used when writing for professional or academic purposes like university assignments.
Formal language does not use colloquialisms, contractions or first-person pronouns such
as ‘I’ or ‘We’. If you aim to write an official letter, you should:
 avoid everyday colloquial language or slang

 avoid contractions (I’m, it’s)
 avoid emotional, subjective language (terrible, rubbish, etc.)
 avoid general words such as nice, good, get, etc.
The CPE test does not require you to include dates or addresses in any of your letters,
whether formal or informal.
C2 Proficient (CPE) Formal Letter: Structure
1. Salutation
Dear Sir or Madam, Dear Mr Jenkins

The reason why you’re writing this letter / the topic

Organise all the essential information in a clear and logical way. Use linking structures to make your
letter flow
– sign off with: Yours faithfully
C2 Proficient (CPE) Formal Letter: Writing Guide
1. Salutation
Dear Sir or Madam
If you do not know the name of the person you are writing to, use this. It is always advisable to
try to find out a name.
Dear Mr Jenkins
If you know the name, use the title (Mr, Mrs, Miss or Ms, Dr, etc.) and the surname only. If
you are writing to a woman and do not know if she uses Mrs or Miss, you can use Ms, which is
for married and single women.
The first paragraph will generally outline the purpose for the letter and the reason that the
letter is being sent. In this first paragraph, the summary of the letter can be found and the
intentions which will be displayed through the rest of the letter should be outlined.
Example:
 We are writing to inform you that …/ to confirm ../ to request …/ to enquire about …
 I recently read/heard about ….. and would like to know….
 I am writing to offer suggestions
 I am writing to receive further information about
The body of the letter will expand upon the introductory paragraph and you can extend your
thoughts and feelings further when it comes to the letter. Most letters in English are not very
long, so keep the information to the essentials and concentrate on organising it in a clear and
logical manner rather than expanding too much.
 You should always be polite and respectful, even if you complain. A useful way to
achieve it especially in formal letters is to use ‘modal verbs’, i.e., would, could or
should.
 It’s important to write simply and clearly. It’s worth noting that you have to avoid using
informal language, for instance, avoid contractions (i.e. I’m, it’s, etc.).
At the end, you will conclude the letter and finish any thoughts mentioned before, or specify the
action the recipient should take, return the money, send information, etc.
Ending examples:
 I look forward to receiving your reply. / I look forward to your reply.

 I look to hearing from you.
 If you require further information, please do not hesitate to ask
Yours faithfully, use it if you don’t know the name of the recipient.
Yours sincerely, use it if you know the name of the recipient.
Formal Letter subject:
An environmental organisation is inviting suggestions for new ways of raising people’s

awareness of the importance of protecting the countryside. You decide to write a letter in which
you briefly describe your idea for a publicity campaign. You should also analyse the reasons
why, in general, it is important to protect the countryside.
Student’s CPE Formal Letter Answer:
Dear Sir or Madam,
I am writing in response to your organisation’s invitation regarding proposals for a campaign to

promote countryside conservation. I strongly believe that we need to think globally while we act
locally, so it would be a great idea if we engaged the young – the future global citizens- in the
quest for a clean environment and unspoiled countryside.
To be more specific ‘A green concert with school bands’ would be an excellent idea to sensitize
people on the importance of preserving our local traditions that are inextricably linked with the
Mediterranean landscape of Attica. In fact all six high schools of our municipality could
participate with one school band each in a concert that may take place in the local stadium that
can accommodate six thousand people. The bands can play both folklore and more modern
songs while local delicacies and examples of craftwork could be exhibited at the entrance of the
concert hall.
Massive participation in any campaign is the key for its success; especially when such a noble
cause -like that of ‘conservation’- is served. Helping the new generation appreciate their natural
surroundings and traditions is the most precious legacy we can offer to our descendants. The
biosphere is literary our home so it is unquestionably important to keep it clean so that we can
have fresh air to breathe and pure water to drink.
Therefore, I urge your forward-looking organization, to seriously consider my recommendation

for ‘A green concert with school bands’ because it is a simple yet effective idea to develop more
respect for our countryside among all the people in our community.
Yours faithfully
Formal Letter subject:
You have recently read an article in a popular magazine describing the experiences of young
people who have participated in voluntary projects to help disadvantagedn communities. You
decide to write a letter to the magazine in which you briefly describe one or two ideas of your
own for voluntary projects. You should also assess the ways in which such experiences can
change attitudes and inspire young people in their future lives.
Write your letter.
Student’s CPE Formal Letter Answer:
Dear Editor,
I was interested to read your recent feature on young people’s participation in voluntary
projects. I was impressed by the way in which the volunteers had not only provided valuable
help for those less fortunate than themselves but had also gained a great deal themselves from
the experience. They had blossomed as people and had often clarified their own career
aspirations as a result of the work they had been involved in.
I should like to suggest a couple of other projects that I think it would be beneficial for
youngsters to volunteer on. The first is a programme for schoolchildren with learning
difficulties. Cuts in funding mean that this will have to close down unless volunteers can help to
run it. It has been an enormously successful programme, helping many youngsters to develop
skills that will stand in good stead throughout their lives, and it would be a great pity were it
forced to fold.
The second is an environmental project keeping the forests around our town in good order.
Work there involves clearing away dead wood, planting new trees when necessary and tidying
paths and picnic areas. The forest is a valuable resource for city dwellers and maintaining it in
good order is of great benefit to the public as well as to the flora and fauna of the forest.
Taking part in these projects would teach teenagers new skills – helping children with
disabilities to learn, for example, or caring for the environment. However, more importantly
perhaps, doing so would expand those young people’s horizons making them aware of aspects
of life which were previously almost certainly little known to them. Contributing to society
through such voluntary work will help youngsters to develop a sense of responsibility towards
the world they live in. All of this should prove of considerable value in future years both to them
as individuals and to society as a whole.
Yours faithfully,
C2 Proficient (CPE) Formal Letter: Writing Checklist
Content

information?
genre?
Organisation
effective structure
for the task?
Language
topic?
C2 Proficient (CPE) Formal Letter: Tips
 Always proofread your letter after writing it, check for sentence structure, grammar,
spelling mistakes…
 Proofread your letter again (and again) after you have revised it.
 Keep the recipient in mind, and write in a way that he/she can easily understand the letter.
 Be respectful when you write, even if you are writing a letter of complaint.
A good formal letter should be: Keep your readers in mind when writing:
 Clear – plain, simple language  Set the correct tone

 Concise – short, straight to the point  Use appropriate language
 Correct – error-free (grammar, spelling,  Give only relevant facts or information
punctuation, content) which is easy to understand, clear and
precise
C2 Proficient (CPE) Formal Letter: Useful Phrases & Expressions
is taking a shortcut, if you learn several expressions for each paragraph in each type of text that
could be on your exam, you will certainly be able to create a very consistent and well-organized
text.
Beginning
We are writing to inform you that …/ to confirm ../ to request …/ to enquire about …
I recently read/heard about ….. and would like to know….
I am writing to offer suggestions
I am writing to receive further information about
I am writing to enquire about
Referring to the previous contact
Thank you for your letter of March 15.

I am writing in response to…./ In reply to your request…..
Thank you for your letter regarding …
With reference to our conversation yesterday…
Making a request
We would appreciate it if you would …

I would be grateful if you could …
Could you please send me …
In addition, I would like to receive ../ It would be helpful if you could send us …
I would appreciate your immediate attention to this matter.
Please let me know what action you propose to take.
Could you …? Could you tell me something about …?
I would particularly like to know …
I would be interested in having more details about …
Offering help
Would you like me to …?

I would be happy to …/ I am quite willing to …
I would be pleased to …
Giving good news
I am pleased to announce that …

I am delighted to inform you that ..
You will be pleased to learn that …
Giving bad news
I regret to inform you that …/ I’m afraid it would not be possible to …

Unfortunately, iIam unable to/ After careful consideration I have decided (not) to
Complaining
I am writing to express my dissatisfaction with …

I am writing to complain about …
Demanding action
I therefore suggest that I be given a full refund

I would be grateful if my money was refunded
I would be grateful if you could give me a full refund
Making Suggestions
My first suggestion is
First of all I suggest/ I would like to suggest
Another possibility is/ A further possibility is
I further suggest/ I would further suggest/ Secondly
Ending
I look forward to receiving your reply. / I look forward to your reply.

I look to hearing from you.
If you require further information, please do not hesitate to ask
If I can be of further assistance, please do not hesitate to ask
I will willingly provide further information on request
I am at your disposal should you require further information/ need assistance
Please do not hesitate to ask should you require further information
A review may be about a book, magazine, film, play, or concert, but it may also be about, for
example, an exhibition.
A review does not merely require a general description of a film or publication, but it specifies
the particular aspects to be considered. For example, the review may employ narrative, as well
as descriptive and evaluative language, and a range of vocabulary relating, for example,
to literature and the media such as cinema or TV.
C2 Proficient (CPE) Review: Structure
Title / Introduction
Clarifying the topic and attracting the reader’s attention.
Main body
A short summary of the reviewed material – paragraph (1)

Description of positive aspects and/or weaker points – paragraphs (2-3)
Sum up the good and bad points to make an objective assessment – complementary paragraph
Recommendation
Final opinion, recommendation or comment.
C2 Proficient (CPE) Review: Writing Guide
A task….
We will use the example topic below in our writing guide advice:
A literary magazine is running a series of reviews of books that people enjoyed reading as a
child and would recommend for children today. You decide to send in a review in which you
describe a book you enjoyed and the attractions it had for you as a child. You should also
explain why you feel it remains relevant for children today.
Write your book review
Step 1: Title
The review should start with the title, and there are several ways to write it:
 imagine you’re reviewing a book you can write [Title] by [Author]

 if you were reviewing a hotel you could write the [name of the hotel] – a review
 or you can just write something catchy but it has to point to what you are going to
review
Title (book): Green Lantern by Stephen King (by)

Title (hotel): Ibiza Hotel in Barcelona – a review (a review)
Title (restaurant): Taco Bell: Unforgettable experience (catchy)
we will use this title in our guide:
TITLE: Six Bullerby Children by Astrid Lindergren – a review
Step 1: Introduction
The introduction focuses on the identification of the author, the title, the main topic or issue
presented in the question as well as the purpose.
Introduction: One of my favourite childhood books is the ‘Six Bullerby Children’ written by
Astrid Lindergren, a famous Swedish author. The story is set in a three-farm remote village of
Bullerby in Sweden.
If your task requires to review a book or article concerning particular issues or topic, your
introduction must also meet these expectations. In other words, the more complex your task is,
the more you have to implement in your introduction.
TIP: Don’t waste your time looking for a real book or a real movie to match your review.
Invent one, it doesn’t have to be real, and neither the author/director nor the characters have to
be real.
Step 2: Main body
Organize the content of your review according to a logical plan, so that each paragraph fulfils
a specific role. The examiners will pay attention to whether the structure of your review is
followed by some deeper thought and proper organization.
For example, if you’re reviewing restaurants, your first paragraph might be about
the exterior, location, and first impressions. The second paragraph can focus on the
description of the interior and the service you had to deal with. The third one, which could
also be the longest, could describe in detail the culinary side of the restaurant,
the dishes and ingredients from which they are prepared, as well as prices.
This is, of course, only an example structure, however, pay careful attention to the fact that the
order of the paragraphs and their length have some deeper meaning.
But, let’s go back to our review…
The first body paragraph
Paragraph (1) can give a short summary of the reviewed material. Give a brief overview
— plot, setting, actors, and general idea.
Paragraph (1): The narrator is a seven-year-old girl, Lisa who, with her parents and two older
brothers – Lasse and Bosse, lives in one of the houses. Lisa describes the daily life of the
children in Bullerby which – contrary to what one might think when imagining life in a small,
remote village – is far from boring. The children have plenty of funny ideas, which often lead to
amusing adventures.
Second and/or third body paragraphs

Paragraphs (2 and/or 3) can be used to describe good and bad points respectively. Unlike
essay your paragraphs don’t have to be of the same length — if you liked the described thing
then your paragraph with good points will be naturally bigger than the other one.
Paragraph (2): Although the book was included in the compulsory school literature when I was
a child (which often meant long, boring reads), I have truly enjoyed the adventures of Lisa and
her friends. Despite very limited resources (the story is set in 1930s when children did not have
many toys, not to mention a TV or video games!) the children always come up with exciting
games or things to play with. This is something I admired and wished I could do when reading
the book.
Paragraph (3): Another thing which appealed to me as a child was the natural childlike way in
which Lisa (or Astrid Lindgren, the author) could tell the story connecting effortlessly with the
young readers
Complementary paragraph
In Paragraph (4): use this paragraph to sum up the good and bad points to make an
objective assessment of the reviewed material. You may then recommend or dissuade your
readers from seeing/attending it.
Paragraph (4): Despite the environment in which the children live nowadays has changed
considerably since 1930s, children will always be children and if the book has appealed to so
many young generations since it was published, I believe it will retain its impact. It can be more,
even more relevant today, when children are presented with things to play, instead of inventing
games themselves. Reading the book could definitely wake up their innate creativity.
Step 3: Recommendation
You should now evaluate the work as a whole, determining whether the author achieves the
intended or implied goal and whether the work makes a significant contribution to the existing
knowledge.
Recommendation: ‘Six Bullerby Children’ could, however, also be more relevant to adults who
would like to either ‘return’ to their childhood for a little while, or be able to connect with their
own children a bit better.
C2 Proficient (CPE) Review: Model Answers
CPE Review Sample 1

Review subject:
A TV listings magazine has invited readers to contribute a review of a television series that is
particularly popular at the moment. Write a review, explaining why this programme is so
popular in your opinion and commenting on whether you believe it deserves such popularity.
Student’s CPE Review Answer:

Nowadays, when TV is pouring out so many ‘thoughtful and entertaining’ programmes at poor
TV consumers, it is not an easy task to distinguish and choose which of the meaningless soaps,
which is mainly the only choice, is worth seeing. Thank God, there is still one great programme
that makes me turn on my goggle box – ‘Friends’.
I bet a couple of years ago, the producers wouldn’t have expected and dreamt that their new
‘attempt to amuse’ bored viewers- and with totally unknown actors ‘from nowhere’ – would
earn such a great success. After many years of living a daily life with characters from Dallas,
Baywatch, Dynasty, a new wave of funny, clever and witty entertainment struck people in. And
obviously, people welcomed the change very warmly.
‘Friends’ is full of diversity. Each of the main five characters is completely different and brings
to the series something new. Despite their differences, they create a perfect working jigsaw.
They live, laugh, cry and share their tip [txt=”Good use of sophisticated vocabulary and
structure”]fate[/tip] together. You can feel some kind of oneness there; and that is a vital thing in
every friendship. Chandler – a sexist who can’t live without women -with his ironic and sharp,
witty humour, contrasts with naive, a little bit dumb but cute Joey, who has a vanity and
irresistible smile in the role of an unsuccessful actor. Monica is a nagging perfectionist who
often quarrels with frivolous and untidy Rachel. Ross is a worried palaeontologist who tries to
p come to terms that his wife left him. Poor guy! And at last weird Pheobe, who refreshes
almost every episode with her ‘fabulous’ music which nobody can get. Oh yeah, she’s quite odd
but everybody loves her.
‘Friends’ is a great refreshment after a long, exhausting day at work. It is no wonder that it is so
popular. People just love it – from children to adults and older people as well. We need to laugh
and relax. The actors, producers and creators deserve appreciation and admiration for making
such a great show. People are waiting eagerly for new episodes all the time. And that’s a sign of
success. Otherwise, they would cease producing it, wouldn’t they?Not to mention that ‘friends’
is popular in every continent of the world. And that proves something.
I find myself waiting for Friday night impatiently to turn on my TV and enjoy my favourite
programme. And I do believe I’m not the only one. It’s just hilarious, you know.
CPE Review Sample 2

Review subject:
A literary magazine is running a series of reviews of books that people enjoyed reading as a
child and would recommend for children today. You decide to send in a review in which you
describe a book you enjoyed and the attractions it had for you as a child. You should also
explain why you feel it remains relevant for children today.
Student’s CPE Review Answer:
Childhood Book
One of my favourite childhood books is the ‘Six Bullerby Children’ written by Astrid
Lindergren, a famous Swedish author. The story is set in a three-farm remote village of Bullerby
in Sweden.
The narrator is a seven-year-old girl, Lisa who, with her parents and two older brothers – Lasse
and Bosse, lives in one of the houses. Lisa describes the daily life of the children in Bullerby
which – contrary to what one might think when imagining life in a small, remote village – is far
from boring. The children have plenty of funny ideas, which often lead to amusing adventures.
Although the book was included in the compulsory school literature when I was a child (which
often meant long, boring reads), I have truly enjoyed the adventures of Lisa and her friends.
Despite very limited resources (the story is set in 1930s when children did not have many toys,
not to mention a TV or video games!) the children always come up with exciting games or
things to play with. This is something I admired and wished I could do when reading the book.
Another thing which appealed to me as a child was the natural childlike way in which Lisa (or
Astrid Lindgren, the author) could tell the story connecting effortlessly with the young readers.
Despite the environment in which the children live nowadays has changed considerably since
1930s, children will always be children and if the book has appealed to so many young
generations since it was published, I believe it will retain its impact. It can be more, even more
relevant today, when children are presented with things to play, instead of inventing games
themselves. Reading the book could definitely wake up their innate creativity.
‘Six Bullerby Children’ could, however, also be more relevant to adults who would like to either
‘return’ to their childhood for a little while, or be able to connect with their own children a bit
better.
C2 Proficient (CPE) Review: Narrative, descriptive & evaluative
The review may employ narrative, as well as descriptive and evaluative language.
What is narrative writing?
 it is simply writing that tells a story,

 it can be non-fiction or fiction
 includes the basic elements of a plot (setting, characters, action, point of view, dialogue)
 it’s full of interesting details
The author’s purpose in writing a narrative is to entertain the reader. There are several types of
narrative writing but you most likely use personal/fictional narrative. It is when a writer shares
a true/fictional story from his or her own life.
What is descriptive writing?
Descriptive writing appeals to your reader’s five senses vivid sensory details
(vision, hearing, smell, taste and touch) create imagery to help your narrative come to life.
Some examples of vocabulary targeted on each of the senses are below:
Appealing to Vision
describing colours – scarlet, blinding, white, pitch black, hazy gray

describe movement – fluttering curtains ,waving wheat or a rocking boat describe action – using
action verbs such as jumped, exploded or shattered
describe your setting – such as a landscape or scene
Appealing to Hearing
sounds of nature – such as rustling leaves or crickets chirping

sounds of the city – such as motors running, cars honking or the freeway buzzing
Appealing to Smell
pleasant smells – using words with positive connotations such as perfume or aroma
unpleasant smells – using words with negative connotations such as odor or stink
Appealing to Taste
You can use for example adjectives such as bitter, sweet, salty or sour.
disgusting taste – such as rotten meat or acid
Appealing to Touch
draw out your reader’s imagination by using descriptive adjectives such

as smooth, rough ,sticky, itchy, slimy,fluffy or squishy.
What is evaluative writing?
As the name implies, you are evaluating things in evaluative writing, or in other
words determining the value or quality of your subject (book, restaurant, movie..)
Depending on your subject, there may be some elements that are expected to be present by
your reader. For instance, if you are reviewing a movie, people would probably expect that
the quality of the actors’ performances or you or about lighting and how scenes were shot. If
it’s missing, your audience is likely to question your review.
Example phrases used in evaluative writing;

you will probably notice that these are also typical for an essay.
One example of …. is when…

… presents his views about the theme…
… argues not only that Holden is a loafer but also…
… having discussed ……eventually focuses on …..
Arguably, …..
In general I agree with ……although I think that …..
C2 Proficient (CPE) Review: Writing Checklist
Content

information?
genre?
Organisation
effective structure
for the task?
Language
topic?
C2 Proficient (CPE) Review: Useful phrases & Expressions
We will finish it with some useful vocabulary. Although it istaking a shortcut, if you learn
several expressions for each paragraph in each type of text that could be on your exam, you will
certainly be able to create a very consistent text.
Book reviews:
Vocab to describe the book in general:
a page-turner / a white-knuckle ride / a tearjerker / a laugh
a minute / I couldn’t put it down.
Vocab to describe specific parts:

a slow start / a gentle introduction /gripping climax / nail-
biting conclusion/cliff-hanger ending/ a shocking twist in the tail
Setting:
The book is set in …… (place/time)
The action takes place in ……. (place/time)
the present day (now)
an alternate reality where vampires/wizards walk the earth
a sleepy village in the USA
the bustling city of New York
Plot:
The plot centres around / focuses on (the adventures/lives of ……)
The plot follows the adventures of ……(character name)
Characters:
Villain / hero / heroine / anti-hero / main character / protagonist
The characters are believable / well-crafted / a bit 2 dimensional.
Film/TV reviews:
General:
An all-star cast
heavily influenced by the films of…
glowing reviews
startling originality
suspense builds up
a polished performance
a bold experiment
an accomplished actor
an unmitigated disaster (bad film)
a dazzling display of his/her talents
made a lasting impression on me.
Brought a tear to my eye
Like watching paint dry (boring)
I was on the edge of my seat (exciting)
A blockbuster (big commercial film eg Superman)
… sets off an amazing chain of events
Gripping film (exciting)
The director/author evoked a magical atmosphere
… awakened my interest in…
Hold my attention
Capture the audience’s imagination.
Spectacular set-pieces (main action scenes)
… is cast in the role of…
… is miscast in the role of…
…gives a(n) (un)convincing performance as…
The film is let down by a clichéd script.
Restaurant review:
Hearty meal
Wholesome food
Piping-hot
Succulent/juicy (meat)
Creamy
With a kick (spicy)
Crunchy/crispy
Well-seasoned
Packed with flavour
A steaming plate of…
Hungry/starving/ravenous/famished
Bustling eatery(restaurant)
Lively atmosphere
Service with a smile
A CPE report is written for a specified audience. This may be a superior, for
example, a boss at work, or members of a peer group, colleagues or fellow class
members. The content of a report is mainly factual and draws on the prompt material.
C2 Proficient (CPE) Report: Structure
Introduction
The purpose of this report is to….
Main Body – Subheading (2)

Give the relevant facts


Conclusion
Make your recommendations
C2 Proficient (CPE) Report: Writing Guide
We will use the example topic below:
Your employer recently paid for you to attend a short evening course at a local college
on ‘descriptive writing’. The Editor has asked you to write a report in which you evaluate the
course content, organisation and method. She has also asked you to assess the usefulness of
the course for yourself and for colleagues who might wish to attend the course in the future.
Write your report (around 280 – 320 words)
Step 1: Title and Introduction
In general, the introduction should outline the aim of the report. Commonly, it begins with an
indirect phrase like the one below:
The objective of this report is to compare ….. and …..

The objective of this report is to outline the current condition of
An example of an introduction written by a student:
Introduction: The aim of this report is to exhibit evaluations of the efficiency and the structure
of the ‘descriptive writing course, which has been conducted (passive forms) in the local
college. The assessments provided are founded on my personal observations, accumulated
during the course.
as you probably noticed it is written impersonally, goes straight to the point, is short, coherent
and passive forms dominate. The author of the report avoids addressing the reader directly
(you).
Step 2: Main Body
QUICK TIPS: Before you start…
 It is recommended to use headings and lists so that the reader can quickly find the information
they are looking for in your text.
 Do not personalise your report (I,YOU,WE) it should be general information that has facts,
figures and sources.
 No colourful and descriptive language – fabulous, remarkable etc.
 Get straight to the point
 Base your arguments on imaginary sources, data and figures. The more realistic your report
looks, the better the grade
Let’s see the main body of the sample student report:
In the first paragraph, the student writes the first element, i.e. content (“write a report in
which you evaluate the course content, organisation and method.”)
Content – heading / short and informative
The content of the course was clearly structured (passive forms) and exceptionally well
presented. It emphasizes each key aspect separately which, combined with a plethora of
additional details provided, contributes greatly to its being easy to follow and comprehensive.
Many of the foundational facets of the course were accurately exemplified (passive forms) by
the means of impressive schemes and diagrams.
In the second paragraph, the student answers the second element, i.e. organisation (“write a
report in which you evaluate the course content, organisation and method.”)
Organisation – heading / short and informative
In terms of conducting, the event was run in a highly professional manner. The time schedules
were meticulously complied (passive forms) with and the relocations from one hall to another
had been made effortless and time-efficient through the medium of clear instructional sign
tables. The lecturers were given (passive forms) excellent positions to speak from and the
audience had the opportunity to immerse in both the visual presentation and the lecturer’s
speech.
In the third paragraph, the student answers the third element, i.e. method (“write a report in
which you evaluate the course content, organisation and method.”)
Method – heading / short and informative
The teaching method adopted by the organisers of the event is traditional and straightforward. It
enables the attendants not only (inversion) to understand but also to summarize the information
without the necessity lecturers’ speech to be interrupted or delayed. The course visitors were
provided with (passive forms) miscellaneous writing materials by the means of which notes
could be conveniently made.
Step 3: Conclusion
The conclusion should include the answer and the results of the analysis of the issues raised in
the report and mentioned in the introduction.
Simply put, the reader reading the introduction to the report should be informed of what
will be analysed, when reading the conclusion, he should find out the results of this analysis.
Let’s see the conclusion of the same sample student report:
In the final analysis, (cohesive devices) impressions are entirely positive and strongly supportive
in terms of further engaging in the course by me as well as other employees of the company.
The usefulness of the ‘descriptive writing’ course can be considered exceptionally high and
recommend the development of the latter (referential words) to be upheld financially by the
company. This action should be regarded as an investment in the future qualifications of the
workers.”
Full Report
The aim of this report is to exhibit evaluations of the efficiency and the structure of the
‘descriptive writing course, which has been conducted in the local college. The assessments
provided are founded on my personal observations, accumulated during the course.
Content:
The content of the course was clearly structured and exceptionally well presented. It
emphasizes each key aspect separately which, combined with a plethora of additional details
provided, contributes greatly to its being easy to follow and comprehensive. Many of the
foundational facets of the course were accurately exemplified by the means of impressive
schemes and diagrams.
Organisation:
In terms of conducting, the event was run in a highly professional manner. The time schedules
were meticulously complied with and the relocations from one hall to another had been made
effortless and time-efficient through the medium of clear instructional sign tables. The lecturers
were given excellent positions to speak from and the audience had the opportunity to immerse in
both the visual presentation and the lecturer’s speech.
Method:
The teaching method adopted by the organisers of the event is traditional and straightforward. It
enables the attendants to understand and summarize the information without the
necessity lecturers speech to be interrupted or delayed. The course visitors were provided with
miscellaneous writing materials by the means of which notes could be conveniently made.
Conclusions:
The implications I was led to by my personal impressions are entirely positive and strongly
supportive in terms of further engaging in the course by me as well as other employees of the
company. I consider the usefulness of the ‘descriptive writing’ course exceptionally high and
recommend the development of the latter to be upheld financially by the company. This action
should be regarded as an investment in the future qualifications of the workers.”
C2 Proficient (CPE) Report: Common Mistakes
What is recommended to include in the report?
 Inversion (not only/no sooner/seldom)

 Inverted conditional (Were we to..)
 Participle clause (Being…/Having gone..)
 Double comparative (The more we… the more)
 Passive structures (The committee has been informed about …)
 Cleft sentence (What is most crucial is..)
 Linkers (Notwithstanding / despite / due to / consequently)
What is not recommended in the report?
 Descriptive writing and colourful language (stunning, gorgeous, amazing)

 Idioms (are informal)
 Phrasal Verbs (are informal)
 Contractions (We’ve, It’s been said)
 Giving personal opinions (I think, | guess)
C2 Proficient (CPE) Report: Example Answers
Report subject:
A jobs fair was recently held in your town for international organisations and companies to
promote careers available for young people. You have been asked to write a report of the jobs
fair for your college website. Briefly describe the event and identify two or three promotions of
particular interest and relevance. You should also evaluate the extent to which such events can
open young people’s minds to new challenges and career opportunities.
Student’s CPE Report Answer:
Recent Jobs Fair
Last weekend there was a Jobs Fair in the Town Hall. Over 100 different international
companies and organisations had stands giving information about the careers they can offer
young people. There were plenty people on each stand to answer questions and to give advice
and there was also a wealth of promotional literature available, The Fair also arranged a series
of work-related talks, films and other events in the course of the weekend.
Promotions of particular interest
All in all it was an excellent event. There were two stands that I personally found particularly
interesting and relevant. The first was one promoting opportunities for language teaching
abroad. This is something that I and a number of fellow-students have been seriously
considering. We were able to find out there about what qualifications we would need, what kind
of working conditions we could expect and where there might be interesting vacancies for us to
apply for.
The second stand that drew my particular attention was one for a charity offering young people
opportunities to gain experience of other countries and cultures while helping on a range of
voluntary projects abroad. These projects included medical, environmental, construction and
educational work in a number of different countries. I was able to talk to several young people
who had already participated in such work and gained a very positive impression of the benefits
of taking part.
Value of such events
In my opinion, such events are of great benefit to young people. They inform us about
opportunities that we might not otherwise have known about. They expand our horizons in terms
of what we can aspire to. Several of my friends, for example, left the event feeling that their
career plans had been transformed by what they have discovered during the Jobs Fair. We all
agreed that our eyes had been opened to new opportunities in a very valuable way.
Report subject:
You have recently worked as a volunteer, coaching teenagers at a sports camp designed to
encourage young people to take up new sports. The organisers have asked you to write a report
for the website. You should briefly describe your responsibilities as a coach for two different
sports. You should also evaluate how valuable the sports camp was for teenagers overall and
recommend how it could be improved in the future.
Student’s CPE Report Answer:
The purpose of this report is to present what we offer in two of the sports in our camp, assess the
impact on the participants and recommend further improvements. I am writing in my capacity as
a volunteer coach in cycling and hiking.
Cycling & Hiking Coaching
My main coaching duties for both cycling and hiking, revolved around two aspects: fitness and
safety. The participants were given extensive dietary guidance regarding the appropriate intake
of nutrients and calories for at least one week before any sporting event as well as crucial tips
regarding the proper hydration and fueling of their body during any cycling race or hiking
expedition. Great emphasis was, also, placed on safety gear like helmets, knee pads, hiking
boots and the indispensable first-aid kit that should always be readily available.
Enjoyable today – Beneficial for a lifetime
This is the third year I have volunteered in these two sports and I am proud to say that the
feedback
from both children and parents has always been enthusiastic. The experience they gain stretches
beyond these two sports activities. The young athletes learn how: to respect the limits of their
body, to fend for their dietary needs and to offer basic first-aid help in an emergency.
Further improvements
First and foremost, the sports camp could augment its impact on society by making its courses
more affordable. Special discount packages for family members as well as reduced prices for
kids with unemployed parents would definitely result in a significantly increased turnout.
Moreover, brief weekend activities should be established. They could act as a follow-up
throughout the year so that the children would have the opportunity to revise what they learned
in the camp and thus consolidate their new habits.
C2 Proficient (CPE) Report: Writing Checklist
Content

information?
genre?
Organisation
effective structure
for the task?
Language
topic?
C2 Proficient (CPE) Report: Tips
 Remember that with almost any report your goal is to assess the topic of your report
and provide your target reader with an evaluation of the topic and some
recommendations based on it.
 Your target reader is someone in authority (a university professor, city council chair, a
head of a committee, etc.) Read the task very carefully.
 The title, subheadings (rubrics) are an integral part of the layout. Please use them.
 Bullet points help you to structure your ideas and demonstrate the conventions of the
task. At the same time, they limit the range of grammatical structures that you may
demonstrate. Thus, use bullet points but only in one of the sections of your report.
 The task identifies the subject of the report and specifies the areas to be covered.
The content is thus mainly factual but you need to use your own ideas to add necessary
detail and come up with possible problems and solutions.
 You need to demonstrate an awareness of the language commonly used in
reports: comparing, analysing, making recommendations.
 Your conclusion should be effective and persuasive.
C2 Proficient (CPE) Report: Mark scheme
It is necessary to properly and precisely use It is necessary to maintain the convention of a
a wide array of words and expressions, report or essay in English, such as clear division
including rarely used ones. The text should into paragraphs, headings, bullet points.
The vocabulary also has to be rich and diverse.
The text should be easy to understand for the
target reader.
The text should be consistent and very well Every sentence in the text should refer to
organized using a wide array of copulas and the topic of the assignment, and all the tasks
internal references. specified in it should be fulfilled.
C2 Proficient (CPE) Report: Useful Phrases & Expressions
We will finish it with some useful vocabulary mostly used to organize information. If you learn
several expressions for each paragraph in each type of text that could be on your exam, you will
certainly be able to create a very consistent and well-organized text.
Introduction: In the short/long term, we suggest you

should consider…
The purpose/aim of this report is to…. My recommendations are as follows:…
This report sets out to… In my view, in future, we should…
The report will comment on… To improve the situation, we recommend…
Below is an explanation of… It is recommended that…
The focus of this report is…
This report will offer an in-depth critique
of…
Comparing and Contrasting
There is a world of difference between…

and…
… and… are fundamentally similar
… and… bear little resemblance to each
other
There is a clear distinction between… and…
…compares favourably with…
… and… are polar opposites
There is a yawning gap between… and…
There is a subtle difference between… and…
There is a growing disparity between rich
and poor.
… is strikingly different to…
Giving Recommendations:
In light of the above, we believe the

following
measures should be adopted…

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An essay is the first part of the writing and it is obligatory.

The question always has a

You need to answer the question with between 240-280 words.

C2 Proficient (CPE) Essay: Structure

C2 Proficient (CPE) Essay: Writing Guide

Here is a straightforward way to write a perfect essay.

Examinations are not fair.

Classroom assessment is idealistic.

Extract 1. Key points:

Extract 2. Key points:

Introduction: The methodology for assessing students’ knowledge is crucial and is

Step 3: Body paragraphs (1 & 2) = Main Body

Body paragraph (1) = Topic sentence + Point 1 + Point 2

Body paragraph (2) = Topic sentence + Point 3 + Point4

Step 4: Body paragraph (3) = Your opinion

Step 5: Conclusion: Closing remark – No new ideas.

Conclusion: All things considered, the examinations can contribute to an objective

The first author considers the annual assessment of students’ performance as

All things considered, the examinations can contribute to an objective assessment of

 the 4 key points are  a variety of language is

Teenagers: a driving force

Killing for nothing

C2 Proficient (CPE) Essay: Writing Checklist

 Have I covered all the key information required by the task?

C2 Proficient (CPE) Essay: Tips

C2 Proficient (CPE) Essay: Marking Criteria

The first text suggests that….. Raising an argument

With respect to…

 It is a text generally intended to publish in a newspaper, journal or magazine, so it can

C2 Proficient (CPE) Article: Structure

The main body paragraph 1

The main body paragraph 2

C2 Proficient (CPE) Article: Writing Guide

Before you begin, keep in mind…

 Where will the article appear? A newspaper, magazine or website?

Title: “The Tranquility and Peace of an Island that Time Forgot”.

Title: “What You Need to Do to Be Successful”

Title: “Is Learning English Really Necessary Today?”.

Title: Long-distance Travel

3. The main body

Make use of topic sentences…

Conclusion – summarise the topic

The purpose of the conclusion:

 To connect the article’s findings to a larger context

Article Topic – travel

[connect the article’s idea to a larger context of global transportation]

Let’s sum it up…

 have a sharp introduction (a hook)  include personal experiences

C2 Proficient (CPE) Article: Sample Answers

An international travel magazine is running a series of articles on alternatives to travelling by

Student’s CPE Article Answer:

An international travel magazine is running a series of articles on alternatives to travelling by

Student’s CPE Article Answer:

C2 Proficient (CPE) Article: Writing Checklist

 Have I covered all the key information required by the task?

C2 Proficient (CPE) Article: Marking Criteria

C2 Proficient (CPE) Article: Useful Phrases & Expressions

Agreeing partially There is a tendency to…

Letter of Application: Structure

2. The Introductory Paragraph

3. The next paragraphs (the body)

Letter of Application: Writing Guide

Dear Sir or Madam

 Dear Hiring Manager