CAE - Essay - LEARNING ENGLISH
CAE - Essay - LEARNING ENGLISH
CAE - Essay - LEARNING ENGLISH
(/english/)
HOME (/ENGLISH/)
INTERMEDIATE (/ENGLISH/CONTENT/INTERMEDIATE)
UPPER-INTERMEDIATE (/ENGLISH/CONTENT/UPPER-INTERMEDIATE)
FCE (/ENGLISH/CONTENT/FIRST-CERTIFICATE)
CAE (/ENGLISH/CONTENT/CERTIFICATE-ADVANCED-ENGLISH)
CAE - essay
Paper 2 Part 1 - Essay
The Part 1 question will be an essay on a given topic. A set of notes on the
topic will be provided, and will include three bullet points. Candidates will be
asked to select two of the bullet points and to base their essay on those
two points. They should not attempt to discuss more than two of the points, as
this will lead to the essay being less developed than required. Candidates will
also be asked to explain which of the two points is more important in a given
respect, and to give reasons for their opinion.
Candidates will be given three short opinions related to the bullet points. They
may, if they wish, use these to help develop their essay, but they should do so
in their own words, as far as possible.
AN ESSAY is usually written for an academic tutor and may be a follow-up to an
activity, such as attending a panel discussion or watching a documentary. It
should be well organised, with an introduction, clear development, and an
appropriate conclusion. The main purpose of an essay in the Cambridge
English: Advanced (CAE) Writing paper is to underline relevant salient issues on a
topic, and to support an argument with subsidiary points and reasons.
Hints
[PLANNING]
- Use the task input to help you plan but try to avoid copying phrases from the
input in Part 1. Use your own words.
[INTRODUCTION and CONCLUSION]
- Eective introductory and concluding paragraphs. In the introduction, state
the topic clearly, give a brief outline of the issue, saying why it is important or why
people have dierent opinions about it.
- DO NOT express you opinion at the beginning of your essay (develop you essay
in such a way that it guides the reader to the conclusion you draw).
- DO give your opinion in the nal paragraph.
[SECOND and THIRD PARAGRAPHS]
- Structure your argument. Each new paragraph has one main idea, stated in a
topic sentence.
- Include relevant details to support the main idea: these might include examples,
rhetorical questions (do no overdo it), controversial or surprising statements... If
you include a drawback, give a possible solution, too.
[GENERAL]
- DO use a relatively formal register and an objective tone. Do not be too
emotional.
- Remember to use linking adverbials to organise your ideas and to make it easy
for the reader to follow your argument.
- In the exam, allow yourself time to check your grammar, spelling and punctuation
thoroughly.
Your class has attended a panel discussion on what methods governments should use
to discourage the use of private cars in the centre of the city. You have made the notes
below.
Methods governments coud use to discourage the use of private cars in the city
centre
investment
education
taxes
Some opinions expressed in the discussion
'Make businesses pay parking levies for their employees and they'll move out of the
city centre.'
'Improve the public transport system, then people won't need their cars.'
'If people understood how much better pedestrianised ciyt centres are, they
wouldn't want to bring their cars in.'
Write an essay for your tutor, discussing two of the methods in your notes. You should
explain which method you think is more important for governments to consider,
giving reasons to support your opinion.
You may, if you wish, make use of the opinions expressed in the discussion but you
should use your own words as far as possible. Write your essay in 220-260 words in
an appropriate style.
Too much trac is a major headache for everyone in the city due to the
noise, pollution and, of course, terrible delays during the rush hour. How can
the government reduce trac and dissuade people from driving their cars
into the centre every day? In this essay, I will discuss two possible approaches
to this pressing yet complex issue.
The rst option to consider is an education campaign which could comprise
of visual and radio advertising, presentations to businesses and special
designated days such as 'Wall to Work day'. Compared to the high cost of
signicantly upgrading our public transport system, advertising is relatively
low-cost and straightforward to implement. On the other hand, it is dicult
to gauge the eectiveness of such campaign in advance because it relies on
individuals changing their ingrained habits.
A second alternative would be to levy a tax on parking in the city. This could
be applied both to businesses and directly to consumers. While it is true that
this would have immediate gains in revenue and change behaviour, taxes are
unpopular and could also place unfair pressure on small businesses and
individuals who do not have other transport options for work.
In my view, a multi-faceted education campaign would be the most eective
starting point. In the future, a tax could be a possible option but it would be
tolerated better once citizens are educated about the benets of fewer cars
and a more pedestrianised centre.
[+/- 240 words]
Your class has attended a panel discussion on the action governments can take to
promote health and tness among young people. You have made the notes below.
We often hear about the many benets of health and tness. However, less
often do we hear concrete suggestions for how to improve participation
rates, particularly among young people. In this essay I will discuss two
possible actions that governments could focus on in order to promote health
and tness to youth today.
The rst possible action is to improve physical education teaching in schools.
Local students have at times complained that the curriculum is rigid and
emphasises repetitive activities instead of team sports and enjoyment. Better
role models and more adventurous options could lead to improved attitude
and participation. Naturally, employing specialist sports teachers would incur
considerable cost.
A second option would be to attempt to change the overly competitive
attitudes that seem ingrained in many of the sports competitions for
youngsters. When adults such as parents and teachers focus on winning
above having a good time, it puts undue pressure on the participants. They
may feel a sense of failure if they lose and also be less inclined to try a new
sport.
To sum up, either approach would be a step in the right direction. In my view,
it would be wise to prioritise dealing with reducing competitiveness rst
because I believe it would help young people feel better about the sports
they already do. They could then, in turn, inuence their friends to join in.
[+/- 220 words]
Your class has attended a lecture on the action governments can take to make sure
cultural heritage is preserved for future generations. You have made the notes below.
Your class has been involved in a discussion on whether a dress code should be
introduced at the college where you are studying. You have made the notes below.
You have attended a Science Club lecture on how schools could encourage young
people to train for careers in science. You have made the notes below.
Ways in which schools could encourage young people to train for careers in science
enjoyable science lessons.
careers advice.
Home (/english/)
Intermediate (/english/content/intermediate)
Upper-intermediate (/english/content/upper-intermediate)
FCE (/english/content/rst-certicate)
CAE (/english/content/certicate-advanced-english)
Writing (FCE/CAE) (/english/content/writing-corner-fce-cae)
DOs and DONTs (/english/content/dos-and-donts)
Useful words & phrases (/english/content/writing-useful-words-and-phrases-fce)
fce - essay (/english/content/fce-essay)
fce - article (/english/content/fce-article)
fce - informal email/letter (/english/content/fce-informal-letter-or-email)
fce - formal email/letter (/english/content/fce-formal-letter-or-email)
fce - report (/english/content/fce-report)
fce - review (/english/content/fce-review)
cae - essay (/english/content/cae-essay)
cae - informal letter/email (/english/content/cae-informal-letteremail)
cae - proposal (/english/content/cae-proposal)
cae - report (/english/content/cae-report)