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B2 First Writing

The document provides sample topics and rhetorical phrases for writing First Certificate in English (FCE) articles and formal letters/emails. The three article topics are: 1) writing about living without the internet for a month, 2) describing predictions for cities of the future, and 3) discussing an important invention and how it has impacted one's life. The formal letter/email topics are: 1) responding to a letter from an English language academy director, 2) complaining to an airline about a poor flight experience, and 3) requesting more details about a health and fitness program from an advertisement.

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423 views7 pages

B2 First Writing

The document provides sample topics and rhetorical phrases for writing First Certificate in English (FCE) articles and formal letters/emails. The three article topics are: 1) writing about living without the internet for a month, 2) describing predictions for cities of the future, and 3) discussing an important invention and how it has impacted one's life. The formal letter/email topics are: 1) responding to a letter from an English language academy director, 2) complaining to an airline about a poor flight experience, and 3) requesting more details about a health and fitness program from an advertisement.

Uploaded by

sibel
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as DOCX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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B2 First (FCE) Article: 

Example topics

FCE Sample Article Topic 1


You see this announcement in the Leisure and Entertainment  magazine.

Could you live without internet for a month?


Write and tell us what difference this would make to your life.
We will publish the best article.

FCE Sample Article Topic 2


You see this announcement in a magazine.

We invite you to write an article on ‘The City of the Future’.


In what ways will Cities be different in the future? In what ways will they be the same?
The writer of the best article will receive a prize.

FCE Sample Article Topic 3


You have seen this notice in an international magazine.

Inventions have affected all our lives!


Write us an article about one invention, explaining why you think it is important and
saying how it has affected your own life.

The best article will be published in the magazine.


Rhetorical phrases:

Have you ever ……..? 


What do you think about ……..? 
Are you one of those people who thinks that ……?
Are you one of those people who …….?
What would life be like if ……?
Will the future bring us ….. ?
Introducing your first point:

Firstly
In the first place
First of all  
The first thing to consider is 
One thing to consider is 
To begin with
Introducing more points:

Secondly  
Another consideration 
Yet another consideration 
Another thing to consider is
Added to that 
Apart from that 
In addition to this
Introducing your final points:

In conclusion 
To conclude 
To sum up 
So
Introducing your opinion:

I think  
In my opinion 
Personally, I believe that  
In my view 
If you ask me 
To my mind 
My personal opinion is
B2 First (FCE) Formal Letter/Email: Example topics

FCE Formal Letter & Email Topic 1


You are helping to organise a visit to an English Language Academy in manchester.
You have received a letter from John Webster, the director of the Academy. Read the
letter and the notes you have made. Then write a letter to Mr Webster using all your
notes.

I am very glad to see that you are coming to our academy in July. I am sure you will
all have a very enjoyable time and that you will learn a lot of English.

Your can either stay all together in a youth hostel or individually with local families.
Please tell me which you would prefer.

Tell me something about your group so that I can organise interesting spare time
activities. What sort of things do they like doing?

Please ask if you need any further information.

Yours sincerely,

John Webster

Your notes:

 Paragraph 1 – learning a lot of English is very important because …..


 Paragraph 2 – say which you prefer, and why
 Ask what the weather’s like in Manchester and what clothes you will need
FCE Formal Letter & Email Topic 2
You have just returned from a trip to Canada. You flew there and back with Maple
Air. You decide to write to the airline to complain about your flight and ask for some
money back. Read the advertisement and the notes you made and then, using the
information, write a letter to the airline. You may add other relevant points of your
own.

FLY MAPLE AIR TO CANADA

We offer:

3 flights a day
wide, comfortable seats
friendly, well-trained staff
a good choice of food
special diets no problem
the latest in-flight entertainment

Phone 0179 765893 now or see your travel agent for more details.

Your notes:

 Late boarding
 Staff quite rude
 No vegetarian food for me
 Old film

FCE Informal Letter & Email Topic 3


Your parents have seen the following advertisement.

A marvellous experience and a wonderful opportunity to get you fit.Individualised


health and fitness programmes in a charming rural setting.

They want you to send an email to ask for further details including answers to the
following questions:

 Where?
 Places available in August?
 How much for a week?
 Drinking allowed?
 Any trips?
 What type of exercise?
Reason for writing

I am writing in response to your article/advertisement/letter.


I am writing with regard to your article/advertisement/letter.
I am writing regarding your article/advertisement/letter.
I am writing on behalf of
Referring to their letter

As you stated in your letter, …


Regarding … Concerning … With regard to …
Ending the letter:

I look forward to receiving your reply.


I look forward to your reply.
I look to hearing from you.
Closing

Yours faithfully.
Yours sincere
Reasons for writing

I am writing in order to complain about.


I am writing to complain about
 Introducing the complaint:

Firstly.
In the first place.
First of all.
My first complaint is
The first problem is
The first thing I would like to draw your attention to is.
My first concern is
Introducing further complaints:

Secondly.
In the second place
Not only …….but also
In addition.
In addition to this.
Added to this
….was also unacceptable
Demanding action:

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
Reason for writing:

I am writing to receive further information about.


I am writing to enquire about. I am writing to receive more detailed information
about.
I am writing to receive further details about
Reason for writing:

I am writing to receive further information about.


I am writing to enquire about. I am writing to receive more detailed information
about.
I am writing to receive further details about
Requesting first piece of information

The first thing I would like to know is.


First of all I would like to know
I wonder if you would mind telling me first of all ….?
Requesting further information:

Could you also tell me….?


Could you also inform me ….?
Would you also mind informing me ….?
Would you also mind telling me ….?
Do you know ….?
I would also like to know if.
I would also like to know whether
I hope you might also let me know about …
Thanking for information:

I would like to thank you in advance for this information.


Thanking you in advance for this information.

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