One of the most challenging sections of the Cambridge FCE/B2 exam is undoubtedly the Writing Paper. It can often seem like the most daunting task. However, with practice and the right tips, you can improve your writing skills and increase your chances of success. In this blog post, I will provide some
practical tips to help you write an effective and well-structured essay for the Cambridge FCE/B2.
In the Writing FCE/B2 part, you have to complete two different writing styles. Question 1 always asks the candidate to write an essay, while Question 2 gives you a choice between different types of text typologies. However, in this blog post, we are going to focus on showing you how to write the perfect essay for the B2 (FCE) exam.
1. Style and Writing
The B2 writing essay is a formal and objective type of writing, in which the candidate will have to write about a topic, situation, or problem, either serious or committed. In this type of essay, the author is expected to present arguments for and against the topic, supported by examples that support his or her opinion. The conclusion of the essay should reflect the author’s final stance on the topic in question.
The B2 writing essay follows a clearly defined structure. It begins with an introduction, followed by an essay body divided into several paragraphs with organized ideas that develop the arguments and ideas in a coherent and balanced way. The final goal of the essay is to lead the reader to the same conclusion as the author.
A possible structure for the FCE/B2 essay could be as follows:
- Introduction
- Idea or Argument 1
- Idea or Argument 2
- Idea or Argument 3
- Conclusion
2. General tips for getting started
Plan your essay
Before you begin writing your essay, it’s important to carefully plan what you want to say and how you want to structure your ideas. Spend a few minutes outlining or brainstorming to make sure you’re covering all the important aspects of the assignment and that you’re organizing your thoughts in a clear and coherent manner.
Structure your essay
Once you have a clear plan, it’s time to start writing your essay. Make sure you’re following a clear and coherent structure, dividing your essay into paragraphs, and using appropriate connectors to connect your ideas and make your text flow naturally. Make sure each paragraph has a clear main idea and that you’re supporting your arguments with concrete examples and evidence.
Use clear and precise language
It is important that you use clear and precise language to express your ideas effectively. Avoid using slang or informal language, and make sure that you are using words and phrases appropriate to the context. Also, try to vary the use of verbs and adjectives to keep the reader interested and make your essay more dynamic and engaging.
Avoid repetition
Repetition of words and phrases can make your essay seem boring and monotonous. Try to vary your vocabulary and use synonyms and antonyms to avoid repetition and make your essay more interesting and varied.
Be consistent in your style and voice
It is important to maintain a consistent voice and coherent style throughout your essay. Use the same tone and style throughout your text.
Review and edit your essay
Once you’ve finished writing your essay, it’s important to take the time to carefully revise and edit it. Check your grammar, spelling, and punctuation, and make sure you’re meeting the requirements of the assignment. Ask someone to read over your essay and give you honest, constructive feedback on your work.
Practice regularly
Finally, it is important to practice regularly to improve your writing skills and prepare for the Cambridge FCE/B2 exam. Write regularly, read articles and essays in English, and use online resources to improve your grammar and expand your vocabulary.
3. Useful Expressions
In this section, we will focus on providing some useful, level-appropriate expressions to impress examiners. Along with the expression, we will provide you with an example of its use so you can see how it is used in context and a synonym to help you expand your vocabulary.
You can use these expressions to give cohesion and coherence to your essay. Let’s look at some examples:
| Expression | Example | Synonym |
| In view of the fact that | In view of the fact that climate change is one of the biggest challenges we face, it is important to take immediate action. | Considering that |
| It is of paramount importance that | It is of paramount importance that governments invest in renewable energy sources to mitigate the effects of climate change. | It is crucial that |
| As a result of | As a result of globalization, many people have lost their jobs. | Due to |
| Owing to the fact that | Owing to the fact that technology has advanced so rapidly, our lives have been transformed. | Due to |
| There is no denying that | There is no denying that technology has made our lives easier in many ways. | It is undeniable that |
| It is widely acknowledged that | It is widely recognized that education is a key factor in social and economic development. | It is commonly accepted that |
| It goes without saying that | It goes without saying that healthcare is a basic human right. | It is obvious that |
| It is fair to say that | It is fair to say that social media has changed the way we communicate with each other. | It is reasonable to suggest that |
| Given the above, | Given the above, it is reasonable to suggest that renewable energy sources are the key to mitigating the effects of climate change. | Based on the above |
| In consideration of | In consideration of all the evidence presented, it can be argued that globalization has both positive and negative effects on the world economy. | Taking into account |
| In light of the evidence presented, | In light of the evidence presented, it is apparent that climate change is a pressing issue that requires immediate action. | Based on the evidence |
| It stands to reason that | It stands to reason that investing in education is a vital component of building a successful society. | It is logical to assume that |
| It is worth noting that | It is worth noting that access to healthcare is a fundamental human right. | It should be noted that |
| Taking into account all of the factors, | Taking into account all of the factors, it can be said that globalization has both positive and negative consequences for the world economy. | Considering all the factors |
Along with the connectors suggested above, we offer you a list of words that will undoubtedly impress the examiners. Remember that words like good, bad, interesting, or important are very basic and that, at this level, examiners expect to see a richer and more varied linguistic repertoire.
| Word | Synonyms for advanced-level |
| important | crucial, significant, pivotal, paramount, fundamental |
| interesting | fascinating, captivating, engrossing, intriguing, stimulating |
| good | excellent, superb, outstanding, exceptional, top-notch |
| bad | detrimental, deleterious, harmful, negative, adverse |
| like | admire, appreciate, enjoy, relish, savor |
| hate | loathe, despise, abhor, detest, revile |
| beautiful | exquisite, stunning, gorgeous, resplendent, breathtaking |
| however | nevertheless, notwithstanding, nevertheless, yet, still |
| but | nevertheless, yet, however, although, notwithstanding |
| and | furthermore, moreover, in addition, additionally, as well as |
| SW | therefore, consequently, as a result, hence, thus |
| house | residence, dwelling, abode, domicile, habitation |
| family | kin, relatives, clan, kindred, lineage |
| friend | confidant, companion, comrade, ally, confederate |
| go to | attend, visit, journey to, travel to, proceed to |
| look | scrutinize, examine, inspect, peruse, scan |
| realize | recognize, comprehend, grasp, understand, appreciate |
| agree | concur, assent, consent, acquiesce, approve |
| disagree | dissent, differ, object, oppose, contradict |
| I think | In my opinion, From my perspective, As far as I’m concerned, Personally, It seems to me |
| unfortunately | regrettably, sadly, unluckily, lamentably, deplorably |
| understand | apprehend, fathom, comprehend, grasp, perceive |
| manage to | succeed in, accomplish, achieve, attain, fulfill |
| deal with | handle, manage, cope with, tackle, address |
4. Essay Evaluation
Below, we will tell you in detail what Cambridge expects from candidates when writing an essay. Take note because this information can give you the keys to successfully face this part of the exam:
The texts and tasks in Cambridge English Qualifications are designed to reflect the candidate’s ability to communicate in different contexts.
The Cambridge FCE/B2 Writing exam consists of two parts and lasts a total of 1 hour and 20 minutes. Candidates have to demonstrate that they can write different types of text in English.
Cambridge English examiners consider these points when marking a piece of work:
As with other Cambridge English exams, candidates’ writing for B2 First is assessed in terms of Content, Communicative Achievement, Organisation, and Language. Detailed band descriptors are as follows:
These subscales and descriptors have been designed to be used by experienced Cambridge English examiners, so you may find some of the specialist terms unfamiliar. Below you can see what these descriptors mean in practice. For each subscale, there is an explanation of the descriptors.
5. Let’s get to work
Below, we offer you a sample assignment so that you can start practicing and put into practice everything you have learned so far. Remember to read carefully the section ‘Tools for receiving feedback on my essay’ to know where to go to receive a thorough evaluation of your writing.
And now, yes. The time has come. Concentrate and get to work!
Remember to follow this scheme and don’t forget to use lots of connectors and wowwords!
Title:
Introduction (Introduce the topic: In this essay, I am going to write about…It seems to me that, It is often said that…)
Paragraph 1 (Deal with first bullet point: Firstly, To begin with, Another argument in favor is that it has both benefits and drawbacks, Furthermore, In addition, Apart from this, )
Paragraph 2 (Tackle point#2: On the other hand, It is sometimes believed that It is argued that, On the contrary, An opposing argument is…)
Conclusion (State your own opinion and sum up: Taking into consideration all of the above, to conclude, all things considered, It is clear from the facts that, On balance, In conclusion, Finally, Last but not least, in addition, as well as…, I find hard to see why…, I personally feel that… )
6. Tools to Practice Writing
- Practice writing essays: Practice is the key to improving your essay writing skills. Spend time writing essays on a variety of topics to gain confidence and familiarity with the different types of essays you may be asked to write in the Cambridge FCE/B2 exam.
- Use online resources: There are many online resources that can help you improve your English writing skills. Look for online activities that allow you to practice grammar, vocabulary, and essay structure. Some useful websites are English Central, Duolingo, and Khan Academy or English&Improve, an AI-powered tool developed by Cambridge that will guide you through the writing process.
- Read and analyze sample essays: Read and analyze sample essays to identify the key features of a good essay. By reading well-written essays, you will be able to see how ideas are structured and organized effectively, which will help you improve your own writing.
- Seek help from professionals: If you need additional help to improve your English writing skills, find a tutor or teacher who can work with you on specific areas of improvement. You can also join writing groups or online forums where other students can offer helpful tips and advice.
7. How to receive feedback on my writing
- Find someone you trust to review your writing: Ask someone you know well and trust to review your writing. This person should be willing to give you constructive and honest feedback on your work.
- Use online proofreading tools: There are several online proofreading tools that can help you spot errors in your work. Grammarly, Hemingway Editor and Ginger Software are some options you can use to get feedback.
- Participate in writing groups or book clubs: Joining a writing group or book club can give you the opportunity to receive feedback on your writing from people who share your interests and abilities.
- Consult professionals: If you are working with a tutor or professor, be sure to take advantage of their experience and ask them for feedback on your work.
- Chatgpt: To use ChatGPT to mark and receive feedback on a Cambridge FCE/B2 essay, follow these steps:
- Write your essay in a word processor and make sure it meets all the instructions and requirements of the exam.
- Copy and paste your essay into the ChatGPT chat window.
- Make sure ChatGPT understands the language and structure of your essay. You can do this by providing ChatGPT with information about the type of essay you have written (e.g. an argumentative essay, a formal letter, etc.) and making sure you have used the appropriate grammar and vocabulary for that type of essay.
- Let ChatGPT know that you would like feedback on your essay. You can do so by typing a request into the chat window with the following text: ‘mark my essay according to the Cambridge FCE/B2 writing assessment scales’. Then paste your text.
- Wait for ChatGPT to process your essay and provide you with feedback. ChatGPT will use artificial intelligence to evaluate your essay and provide you with feedback on grammar, vocabulary, structure, and other important aspects.
- Read the feedback carefully and take it into account to improve your essay. Use the feedback to identify areas where you need to improve and to learn new ways to express yourself in English.
- Make any necessary corrections to your essay and resubmit it to ChatGPT for further feedback if needed.
8. Design a personalized improvement plan
In order to help you improve your written expression in the shortest possible time, we suggest that you complete the following box with realistic goals.
- Set up a regular practice schedule: Dedicate at least 1 hour a day to practicing writing English essays.
- Expand vocabulary and grammar: Read and study sample essays of different types and difficulty levels to improve your understanding of the language.
- Seek feedback and correction: Find ways to receive feedback on a regular basis to identify areas where you need to improve.
- Study the mistakes: The student should study the mistakes he makes in his essays to improve his understanding of the language and avoid making the same mistakes in the future.
- Mock exam practice: Students should practice the mock exams to familiarise themselves with the requirements and format of the FCE/B2 essay.
- Review your essays: Spend at least 2 hours a month reviewing your previous essays and measuring your progress.
- Measure your progress: Measure your progress through the correction and feedback of your essays, as well as the results of practice and mock exams.
If you are consistent and stick to your improvement plan, there is a good chance that your English writing skills will improve within three months. Get to work! It’s time!
