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Writing: FCE Paper 2 overview
How much do you know about the FCE Writing paper?
[1] There are two parts to the paper. Your teacher will give you either a Part 1 or Part 2. Look at the exam
paper and answer the following questions:
1 How many questions do you have to answer?
…………………………………………………………………………………………………..........................
2 How many questions can you choose from?
………………………………………………………………………………………………….........................
3 What type of text should you write?
………………………………………………………………………………………………............................
4 How many words are you allowed to write?
………………………………………………………………………………………………….......................
5 Is there any extra information, apart from the question, to help you write your answer?
…………………………………………………………………………………………………........................
What types of texts can you find in each part?
Complete this chart.
PART ONE
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____________________
ELT Natalia Fernandez
PART TWO
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____________________
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____________________
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In Part 2, you choose one task from questions 2-5.
The focus of the task may include: advising, comparing, describing, explaining, expressing opinions,
justifying or recommending.
Look at the following. These extracts are all from the beginning of the six different types of written
texts that you can expect to find in the FCE Writing paper plus an extra. Match each one to the type of
text it introduces. Think about what helped you decide.
ARTICLE
EMAIL
ESSAY
LETTER
REVIEW
STORY
Dear Andrew,
How are you doing?
Keeping healthy in Bratislava
This report includes advice on how to stay in top shape while living in Bratislava, with
practical suggestions on where to eat and where to do sport.
To: Sara Martins
Sent: 29th July
Subject: Restaurant
I just received your message and…
Alice knew that it was going to be a very special day for her…
Top teacher Tania!
I’ll never forget the first day I met Tania. She looked at me and said, “You must be Pablo.
You have beautiful eyes”. I really felt that she was talking to me, and I knew my eyes
were shining with happiness. From that moment on, she was my favourite teacher.
Martin Scorcesse’s latest film can only be described as a masterpiece.
Set in the mid-50s, and starring Leonardo Di Capprio, .........
It’s easy to claim that country life is better than city life, but a balanced approach must
take in both sides.
ELT Natalia Fernandez
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[3] Below is a list of task types you may be requested to write. Write in the correct name of the type of writing
and then discuss who might read the type of writing in real life. Then discuss what style / format each
piece of writing is often written in. The first one has been completed as an example.
TYPE OF
WRITING
An article
DEFINITION
an opinion piece written
for a magazine or a
newspaper
a narrative that
describes a series of
events either imaginary
or based on your own
experience
a written message in
which you may need to
complain, request/give/
correct information,
make suggestions,
explain sth., etc
an opinion piece in
which you develop an
argument or discuss
issues surrounding a
topic
A piece in which you
describe and express
an opinion about
something you have
experienced (e.g. a
film, book, holiday, etc)
to give the reader a
clear impression of
what the item
described is like
ELT Natalia Fernandez
TARGET READER
A general reader of
a magazine or
newspaper
STYLE / FORMAT / CONTENT
▪ An article is:
▪ engaging & has a catchy title
▪ The language should be:
▪ lively & colourful
▪ It is often appropriate to include:
▪ descriptions, examples and
anecdotes
▪ You should also include:
▪ opinion & comment