FCE Writing Exam - Useful Phrases

PART 1 – Essay
PART 2 – Article, Letter/E-mail, Review, Report

ESSAY
Support your opinions with reasons and examples!!

 [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]
- Effective 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 different opinions about it.
- DO NOT express your 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 final paragraph.
 [SECOND and THIRD PARAGRAPHS]
- Structure your argument. - Each new paragraph has one main idea, stated in a
topic sentence.
 [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.

Making points

 Many people feel that ...

First and foremost, ...
It is widely believed that ...
It would be ideal if ...
Another argument in favour is ...
It is clear from the facts that ...
The benefits of ... outweigh the disadvantages.
On the whole, I think ...

Contrasting points

 On the other hand ...

Other people think ...
An opposing argument is ...
Giving opinions
I personally feel that ...
I find it hard to see why ...
I certainly don't believe that ...
 It is difficult to believe that .
I object to the cloning of animals.

Organising and linking your ideas

 First of all, … Secondly, … In addition, …

Moreover, … Furthermore, …
So … As a result, … Therefore, …
However, … On the one hand…/On the other hand …
On the whole … While it is true to say …
Finally, … To summarise, … In conclusion

ARTICLE
The main purpose is to inform, interest and engage the reader, so there should be some
opinion or comment.
Hints
 Add a short title to catch the reader's attention. Make sure it is relevant. You can use
the one in the question or invent one of your own.
 Introduce the topic. Although you don't know the readers personally, you can address
them directly and ask them a rhetorical question. It helps to involve them.
 Develop the ideas
o Use a personal or more neutral style, but not formal (you might use
contractions).
o It is important that you show a range of structures.
o Give examples where appropriate to bring your article to life
o Use humour where appropriate.
 Give a conclusion and summary in the last paragraph.
Useful language:
Involving the reader
 Just imagine...
 Have you ever...?
 How would you feel if ...?
 Are you one of those people who ...?
 If the answer is ..., you should....
 What would live be like if...
Making the article lively and interesting
 I was absolutely terrified when I realised...
 More importantly, it was something I...
 Not surprisingly, it's a good way of raising money.
 The tent was worryingly small for three people!
 It was the most amazing experience I have ever had.
Developing your points
 Let's start with ...
 Another advantage of ...
 On top of that, ...
Giving your own opinion
 I think that / In my opinion ...
 It seems to me that ...
 If you ask me, ...
 To my mind...

INFORMAL LETTER or E-MAIL

When writing an informal letter, you are usually replying to another letter. You would
normally start with a greeting, then acknowledge the letter to which you are replying. It
is often a good idea to acknowledge some key information given in the original letter too. You
can also make a comment on your own reply.

Useful phrases for the opening:

 How are you? / How have the family been? / I hope you are well.
 Thank you / Many thanks for your (recent/last) letter / postcard.
 It was good / nice / great to hear from you again.
 I was so surprised to hear that...
 I’m sorry I haven’t written / haven't been in touch for such a long time.
 It’s ages since I’ve heard from you. I hope you're well / you and your family are well.
 How are things? / How are you? / How’s it going?

Referring to news:

 Great news about … Glad to hear that … Sorry to hear about …

Giving news
  Listen, did I tell you about …? You’ll never believe what …
 Oh, and another thing … This is just to let you know that …
 I thought you might be interested to hear about / know that …
 By the way, have you heard about / did you know that …?

Apologies

 I’m writing to apologise for missing your party but I’m afraid I was with flu.
 I’m really sorry that I forgot to send you a birthday card but I was busy with my new
job.

Invitations

 I’m / We’re having a party on Friday 19th and I / we hope you’ll be able to come.
 Would you like to come / go to see ‘Room With a View’ with me at the weekend?
 I was wondering if you’d like to go to the theatre / come on holiday with us.
 Could you let me / us know if you can come / you’d like to join us?
 Thank you very much for your invitation. I’d love to come.
 Thank you for asking / inviting me to … but I’m afraid I won’t be able to …

Requests

 I’m writing to ask for your help / you (if you could do me) a favour.
 I wonder if / I was wondering if you could help me / do me a favour.
 I hope you don’t mind me asking but could you (possibly) …?
 I’d be very / really / terribly grateful if you could …

Thank you / Congratulations / Good Luck

 I’m writing to thank you for your hospitality / the wonderful present.
 It was so kind of you to invite me to stay with you.
 I really appreciated all your help / advice.
 Congratulations on passing your exams / your excellent exam results!
 I wish you good luck / Good luck in / with your exams / your driving test / your
interview.
 Don’t worry, I’m sure you’ll do well / pass.
 Do be on time, won’t you, and don’t forget to …

Making suggestions and recommendations

 Why don’t you …? / Maybe you could …? / How about …?

 You can’t leave New York without (...doing sth)
 I’m sure you will enjoy (...doing sth). If you like, we can …
 Do visit ... / Don’t forget to ...

The end of your letter is as important as the beginning. There are some standard ways of
finishing an informal letter or email.

 Give a reason why you're ending the letter: Anyway, I must go and get on with my
work! / I guess it's time I got on with that studying I've been avoiding.
  Send greetings and/or make reference for future contact: Give my love / regards
to... / Say hello to... / Anyway, don't forget to let me know the dates of the party. / I'll
try and phone you at the weekend to check the times. / We must try and meet up soon. /
I can't wait to hear from you / Look forward to seeing you again / Hope to hear from
you soon / See you soon / Write soon
 Closing statement such as Love, Lots of love, All the best, Take care, Best wishes,
should be written on a new line. If you used a comma after the opening greeting, use a
comma here too.
 Signing off: Your first name then follows on another new line.

FORMAL LETTER or E-MAIL

Formal letters may be written to an individual or to an organisation. The purpose may be, for
example,

 to apply for part-time or vacation work (application letter)

 to apply for study or scholarship opportunity (application letter)
 to complain about something (complaint letter)
 to make suggestions about something
 to request information (enquiry letter)

[1] Salutation or Greeting

 (A) If you know the name of the person you are writing to use
the title (Mr, Mrs, Miss or Ms) 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.
Examples: "Dear Mr Simpson," / "Dear Mrs Flanders," /
"Dear Miss Skinner," / "Dear Ms Van Houten,"
 (B) If you do not know the name of the recipient of the letter
begin with "Dear Sir," / "Dear Madam," (if you know you are
writing to a man or a woman) or "Dear Sir or Madam," (if
you do not know the sex of the person you are writing to).

[2.1] Opening

The first paragraph states the reason(s) for writing and, if needed, what you are responding to
(an advert, a prospectus...). In addition, an opening paragraph is needed to make reference to
previous correspondence.

Useful phrases for the opening

 I would like to apply for one of the scholarships I saw advertised in your prospectus.
(applying for a scholarship)
 I am looking for an outdoor work during the summer holidays and I would like to
apply for the position of hotel lifguard assistant which I say advertised in my
university's student newspaper. (applying for a job)
  I have seen your advertisement for the post / vacancy / job of… advertised in the local
newspaper on 16 June. I am writing because I would like to apply for the job.
(applying for a job)
 I am the secretary of my college Science Club. I saw your advertisement for the
exhibition "The Next 100 Years" and I am interested in organising a group visit. I was
wondering if I could ask you some questions about it. (requesting information)
 I am writing (in order) to complain about the advertisement for your new game.
Having just played the game, I realise that the advertisement is misleading.
(complaint letter)
 I am writing with regard to ... I am writing with reference to... I am writing in
response to...
 Thank you for /your letter of 9 May... /for your letter regarding...
 In reply tor your letter of 8 May, ...

[2.2], [2. .] Main content

The rest of the body will be organized in paragraphs. For any type of formal letter,
paragraphing is just a matter of common sense, grouping ideas logically (covering two
points or questions in one paragraph, two other points or questions in another paragraph...).
You should aim for three to five paragraphs

Asking politely

 Could you tell me... ?

 I would be grateful if you could ...
 I would be interested in having more details about...
 I would like to know if/when/when/...
 I would like information on...
 Do you know if...?

Complaining

 I would like to complain about + noun or -ing

 ... is not what I expected / was expecting
 I am not satisfied with...
 I would be grateful if my money was refunded / if you could give me a refund

[3] Closing

The end of your letter is as important as the beginning. You usually state what you would like
the recipient to do, make a reference to a future event, offer to help...

 I look forward to hearing from you soon / I look forward to receiving your reply
 I look forward to receiving a full refund (in a complaint letter)
 I would like to know what you are going to do about this situation (in a complaint
letter)
 I would like to thank you in advance for this information (in a enquiry letter -
requesting information)
 If you require/Should you need further information, please do not hesitate to contact
me/feel free to contact me.
[4] Final salutation

 (A) Yours sincerely,

 (B) Yours faithfully,

[5] Sign your name and then print your name clearly underneath on another new line.

REPORT
Candidates are expected to give some factual information and make suggestions or
recommendations. A report should be clearly organised and may include headings.

 Begin by stating the purpose of your report.

 You may invent where you got the information.
 Use a clear layout with:
o Headings. They will make it clear that your report is not an essay or review (!)
o Lists of numbered points or bullets where appropriate. (DON'T overdo it,
though. If you use them in more than one section, you won't be able to show
the full range of structures and vocabulary you know.)
 Divide your report into sections according to the input.
 Develop the ideas in the task input. Focus on a maximum of two points.
 Give a clear summary of the situation and make a comment/suggestion only in the
last paragraph.
 Use an impersonal, semi-formal style. (!)

Stating the purpose of the report (paragraph 1)

 The main aim/objective/purpose of this report is to ...

Describing how you got the information (paragraph 1)

 To prepare for this report, I conducted interviews with... / I visited three of the most
popular... / I discussed the issue with...

Reporting your results (paragraphs 2, 3, ...)

 According to ...
 All those who were interviewed believe that/are concerned that... / It is thought
that... / It was commented upon by a number of people we talked to that...
 A cause of dissatisfaction was...

Presenting a list

 The arguments against ... are the following:

1. 1 ...
2. 2 ...
 The following were the main reasons given for supporting ...: firstly, ..., secondly, ...
 Points mentioned in favour of/against ... were:
 1. 1 ...
2. 2 ...
 There are several ways in which ... might be ... :
1. 1 ...
2. 2 ...

Making recommendations (Last paragraph)

 Taking all the factors mentioned into account...

 I would therefore recommend ....
 Clearly, more could be done to .... I would make the following recommendations:
o 1 ...
o 2 ...
o 3 ...

REVIEW

A REVIEW is usually written for an English-language magazine, newspaper or website. The

main purpose is to describe and express a personal opinion about something which the
writer has experienced (e.g. a film, a holiday, a product, a website etc.) and to give the reader
a clear impression of what the item discussed is like. Description and explanation are key
functions for this task, and a review will normally include a recommendation to the reader

 It is a good idea to give your review an interesting title.

 In the first paragraph, say what you are reviewing and try to get the reader's interest.
 Give your opinion of what you are reviewing linked to the question in the second
paragraph. Remember a review is not just a list of facts - it's largely your opinion.
 Give more details of what your are reviewing linked to the questions in the input in
one or two more paragraphs, but only focus on those you've been asked to develop.
 Summarise your view, using different words from the introduction, and include a
recommendation.
 Remember.
o Use a personal or more neutral style, according to the target reader.
o It is important that you show a range of structures in the language of opinion,
description and recommendation.
o Add vivid language to add interest.

What I liked

 What I liked most was …..

 The thing I liked most was ….
 I was pleasantly surprised by …..
 ….. would appeal to …..
 If you get a chance to ….

What I disliked
  What I disliked most was …..
 I was disappointed by/with ……

Reviews of books

 main character, setting

 Fiction: science fiction / thriller / fantasy / mystery / historical / romance ...
 Non-fiction: cook book / travel book / textbook / manual / coffee-table book ...
 atmosphere / plot
 author, written by
 chapter, factual, unbelievable, bestseller

Reviews of concerts

 artist / band / musician / (bass/lead/rhythm) guitarist / (backing/lead) singer /

drummer / soloist / trio / orchestra
 auditorium / hall / venue / lyrics / (catchy) tune / score / gig

Reviews of exhibitions

 painting / sculpture / handicrafts

 gallery / catalogue / display

Reviews of films

 lead role, star role, star, star actor/actress, starring, secondary role
 cast / director / producer, is set in …..
 based on a true story …..
 believable, true to life, not very believable, far-fetched
 Costumes / design / photography / script / special effects / soundtrack
 ending

Reviews of TV programmes

 Chat shows / current affairs programme / debate / documentary / series / soap opera/
sitcom (situation comedy)
 Host / presenter

Reviews of hotels, restaurants, etc

 Location, service, setting

 attractive / disappointing setting
 owned by, run by
 staff ……., staff at reception …….(hotel)
 hotel facilities ….
 reasonable prices …..
 good/excellent/poor value for money …..
 (a bit/somehow) expensive
 Overpriced, not worth the money
 always fully booked
  book in advance

Criticism

 The script seemed rather conventional/predictable to me.

 The plot struck me as completely bizarre/absurd/incomprehensible
 The characters are appealing and true to life
 The dancers were quite brilliant/amateurish

Recommendations

 Judging from this CD / show ...

 Overall, if you like ..., you'll love / you should ...
 Although some of ... he/she/it's still a great...
 You really must/should buy/see/read/visit ...
 I would definitely recommend seeing/visiting/reading/having a look at ...