Scribd
Upload
29 views4 pages

FCE - Essay: Paper 2 Writing - Part 1 (Compulsory)

The document provides guidance on writing an essay for an English exam. It details the structure of an essay, including introducing the topic, addressing the given prompts with reasons and examples, and providing a conclusion. It also gives advice on language to use, style, and grammar. Sample essay questions and answers are provided as examples.

Uploaded by

Ainara González Sagrado
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
29 views4 pages

FCE - Essay: Paper 2 Writing - Part 1 (Compulsory)

The document provides guidance on writing an essay for an English exam. It details the structure of an essay, including introducing the topic, addressing the given prompts with reasons and examples, and providing a conclusion. It also gives advice on language to use, style, and grammar. Sample essay questions and answers are provided as examples.

Uploaded by

Ainara González Sagrado
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
You are on page 1/ 4

FCE – essay

Paper 2 Writing – Part 1 (compulsory)


Have a look at a sample question for an essay.

FC essay model question

An essay
① is always written for the teacher.
② should answer the question given… ③ by addressing both content
points and providing a new content point of the writer’s own.
④ should be well organised, with an introduction and an appropriate
conclusion and should be written in an appropriate register and tone.
While it is possible to argue only one point of view (i.e. either agreeing or
disagreeing on a topic) as long as you bear in mind the other point of view and
back up your points, it is probably easier to have a balanced discussion
comparing advantages and disadvantages, or ideas for and against a topic.
IMPORTANT!
• Read the rubric, essay question and prompts (①, ②, ③ and ④) very
carefully in order to understand what you are expected to do. This is vital!
• It is important to keep the focus of the topic question ① and that all
your ideas and opinions are relevant to the question.
• Support your opinions with reasons and examples.
• Think of a third idea of your own in addition to the two given
prompts ③. If any of the three essay prompts is missed out, then the target
reader will not be fully informed and the candidate will be penalised.
• Ideas need to be expressed in a clear an logical way, and should be well
organised and coherent. It is advisable to use up to 5 paragraphs:
1. Introduction
2. Prompt 1 development + reason(s)/example(s)
3. Prompt 2 development + reason(s)/example(s)
4. Prompt 3 development + reason(s)/example(s)
5. Conclusion (you may include your opinion here)
Use the task input to help you plan but try to avoid copying phrases from the
input. Use your own words.
Varying the length of the sentences and using a variety of structures and
vocabulary may all help to communicate ideas more effectively.
DO use a relatively formal register and an objective tone. Do not be too
emotional.
The correct use of linking words and phrases (e.g. but, as a result, however, on
the other hand, etc.) and the appropriate use of cohesive devices (e.g. using
pronouns for referencing) is especially important in essays.
In the exam, allow yourself time
to check your grammar, spelling and punctuation thoroughly.

HINTS
Introduction
• State the topic clearly. Give a brief outline of the issue, saying why it is
important or why people have different opinions about it.
• DO NOT express your opinion in the introduction!
Paragraphs 2,3 & 4 (Content points)
• Start with a topic sentence which states the main idea of each paragraph.
• Include relevant details to support the main idea: these might include
examples, rhetorical questions (do not overdo it), controversial or surprising
statements… if you include a drawback, give a possible solution too.
• DO NOT express your opinion in this part of the essay!
Conclusion
• Try to connect in the conclusion what you stated in the introduction (the
topic of the essay).
• DO NOT include any new points in the conclusion. The conclusion should
be drawn from what has been expressed in the essay.
• You may include your opinion.

Linking words and phrases. Present your ideas clearly


Make sure you know how to use connectors appropriately (register, punctuation…).
If you have any doubts, you should use a good dictionary to check.
• To express personal opinions: In my opinion, I believe (that) / I feel (that) /
it seems to me / in my view /as I see it / I think / personally…
• To show purpose: to / in order to / so as to / so that / in order that
• To list ideas: Firstly / secondly / finally / In the first place / Lastly
• To contrast ideas: However / although / in contrast / whereas / but /
nevertheless / in spite of / despite
• To describe a cause: Because / since / as / due to
• To show a sequence: First of all / then / after that / eventually / in the end /
finally
• To add information: In addition / moreover / what is more / besides / too /
furthermore / and
• To describe a consequence: Consequently / as a result / therefore / thus /
for this reason / that is why
• To conclude the topic: In conclusion / to sum up / in short / all in all

Model questions and answers


Essay 1 – Model question
TASK
In your English class, you have been talking about the subject of cultural heritage.
Now your English teacher has asked you to write an essay.
Write an essay using all the notes and give reasons for your point of view.

Is is a good thing that countries spend a lot of money on their heritage?


Notes
Write about:
1. preserving the past
2. investing in the future
3. ________ (your own idea)

Write your essay in 140-190 words in an appropriate style.


Essay 1 – Model answer
Most countries spend large sums of money protecting their national heritage.
However, there is strong argument that we should look forwards and not
backwards, spending less money on preserving the past and more on securing our
future.

On the one hand, it is important that we remember our heritage. Once it is lost, it is
lost forever. Caring for important monuments helps with this. It also attracts tourists,
which has an economic benefit for everyone.

On the other hand, governments spend a lot of money on museums and keeping
historic sites in good condition when poor people need houses to live in and
businesses need better roads for transporting their goods.
Another argument is that by making heritage sites attractive for tourists -for
example, by putting on entertainment- we give a very untrue picture of the past and
sometimes damage the local environment.

To conclude, while there are strong arguments for not spending too much on
preserving the past, I believe it is important to protect the most famous sites for the
future generations but it is not realistic to try and save everything . We need to
invest in the future too.

(+/- 190 words)

You might also like