C1 Advanced (CAE) Writing: 

Format

Format: The paper contains two parts.

Timing: I hour 30 minutes

Parts: 2
Task: Candidates are required to complete two tasks:

1.  a compulsory task in Part I
2. one task from a choice of three in Part 2.

A range from the following: email/letter; essay; report; review; proposal

C1 Advanced (CAE) Writing: Part I – Essay

There will be no choice of tasks in this Part.

Your essay should be organised well, including an introduction, supporting paragraphs and a

compelling conclusion. The composition should capture the reader’s attention and express
sophisticated ideas using a range of stylistic structures and vocabulary.

You will be asked to explain which of the two points is more important and to express reasons for
your viewpoint. Your essay should include a well-organised introduction, supporting paragraphs and
an appropriate conclusion.

 How much do I have to write?  220–260 words.

Tips for Writing Part I

 Read the entire task before beginning to plan your response. You will need to familiarise
yourself with reading the input, understanding the instructions in full and then deciding on how
to organise and construct your response.
 Select two bullet points and develop your essay around them. Avoid trying to discuss more
than two of the points, for this would lead the composition to being less developed than needed.
 You may use the opinions expressed in the task to develop your answer, but be sure to use
your own words as much as possible. No credit will be given for text that has been copied
directly from the prompt.
 C1 Advanced (CAE) Essay: Writing Structure
1. Introduction
Present and develop the essay question in your introduction
2. Main content: Paragraphs 1-2
Describe the first point/argument from the notes (most important)
Describe the second point/argument from the notes.
3. Paragraph 3 (optional)
Explains the final point and links to the others.
4. Conclusion
A summary of what you have said.
1. Introduction

The first paragraph of an essay provides the introduction. It states what is to be discussed and why.
Your main points are briefly introduced. This paragraph need not be lengthy.

Introduction: We often hear about the many benefits of health and fitness. 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 fitness to youth today.    (main points are briefly introduced.)

 TIP 1: Pay attention to style and register!

-One of the most common mistakes made by inexperienced writers involves using too
personal language writing an essay. 
Me, myself, I Everybody likes to talk about themselves, but when (for example) you’re writing about
environmental issues, you should be talking about the environment and not about yourself.

YOU The way word you is used in informal speech ‘You should have seen it!’ ‘if you know what I
mean’ is not appropriate in formal writing. At best it sounds chatty and informal; at worst,
disrespectful or even offensive. The word you points a finger at the reader. But the readers are not
friends of yours, and you have no right to make assumptions about them.

Paragraph 1
In this paragraph, more background information is provided in greater detail. Your first, often the
strongest main point is expanded upon. Bring in and refute any arguments against your point of
view.

Paragraph 1:  The first possible action  is to improve physical education teaching in schools. Local
students have at times complained that… (Describe the first point/argument from the notes)

Paragraph 2
The second paragraph provides your second key point, lying it into the theme of your essay. Again,
bring in opposing points of view and support your second key point with Information and background.

Paragraph 2: A second option would be to attempt to change the overly competitive attitudes that
seem ingrained in many of the sports… (Describe the second point/argument from the notes)

Tip 2: Remember about “linking” in the essay!

Between paragraphs:

To begin with, I would like to put forward […]

The first possible action is, to improve physical education …[…]
A second option would be.…  competitive attitudes that […]
Within a paragraph: […] which activity is better than the others. Another reason for not financing
sports […]

3. Paragraph 3 (optional)

This is optional and can be linked to the second paragraph. It explains the final point and links to the
others.

4. Conclusion

The final paragraph is used to summarise or conclude your essay. It shows how the two key points
you have presented compare or relate to each other. It also clearly re-states your initial position from
the introductory paragraph.

Conclusion: In summary, either approach would be a step in the right direction. In my view, it would
be wise to prioritize dealing with reducing competitiveness first because I believe it would help young
people feel better about the sports they already do. They could then, in turn, influence their friends to
join in.

For and Against or just one side? There are two approaches you can choose to write your
essay professionally.

1. For and against

This is the traditional approach where a writer discusses points in favour of their position and against.
Typically this means that one point will be used to contrast the general position.  There are advantages
to this method. Firstly, candidates are often more familiar with it and find it easier to write. Secondly,
it gives them more scope to use a wider variety of linking language.

2. One side only

Writing an essay like this means that all the points will be included as if part of a list and requires
language like firstly, additionally etc.  Commonly a writer supports the idea. As mentioned above it
can limit some language people might want to use but it may suit some.

Essay Sample 1

Subject:

Your class has attended a panel discussion on facilities which should receive money from local authorities. You
have made the notes below:

Which facilities should receive money from local authorities?

 museums
 sports centres
 public gardens

Some opinions expressed in the discussion:

  “Museums aren’t popular with everybody!”
 “Sports centres mean healthier people.”
 “A town needs green spaces – parks are great for everybody.”

Write an essay discussing two of the facilities in your notes. You should explain which facility it is
more important for local authorities to give money to, giving reasons in support of your answer.

Student’s CAE Essay Answer:

[Introduction]

In regard of a recent discussion about the facilities, which are financially supported by local
authorities, I would like to write a few of my personal thoughts. Whether we are talking about sports
centres or public gardens, there is no doubt that they are both a good thing to have in the city and
should both be supported somehow. The only question then is which one of these is more important,
what are the pros and cons of each one?

[1 st body paragraph ]

Let me start with the sport centres as I think these are a bit more problematic. Obviously, in our times
where lots of people spend days sitting in their office staring at a computer, some sort of physical
training is very important. We have to balance that shift in our lifestyles. The problem I see with
supporting the sports centres is the number of activities that you can do at these days. There is almost
countless list of either individual or team sports that we can think of, and each centre is usually
designed for a specific type or at least a group of sports similar in its nature. Therefore I think that it is
too difficult to support them equally and we can’t say which activity is better than the others either.
Another reason for not financing sports as much as green parks is their commercial use. What I mean
by that is that we usually pay for everything the centre offers us to do and therefore they are more able
to last from their own money than gardens.

[2 nd body paragraph]

Regarding of the green spaces, the situation is much clearer I think. Every city needs gardens where
people can sit and relax, but nobody is going to pay a tax for just walking around.

[Conclusion[]

These factors lead me to my conclusion, that the public gardens are definitely a facility which should
be financed from public money, whereas in the case of sports centres, the situation is questionable.

Essay Sample 2

Subject:
Your class has attended a panel discussion on the action governments can take to promote health and fitness among young
people. You have made the notes below.

Action to promote health and fitness among young people

 improve teaching in schools.

 improves attitudes to competitiveness.
  improve the image of sports.

Some opinions expressed during the discussion

 ‘There need to be specialist sports teachers for children and students of all ages.’
 ‘Some young people are put off by the pressure to compete.’
 ‘A lot of young people don’t think it’s cool to take part in sports.’

Write an essay for your tutor, discussing two of the actions in your notes. You should explain which
action you think is more important, giving reasons to support your opinion.

Student’s CAE Essay Answer:

[Introduction]

We often hear about the many benefits of health and fitness. 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
fitness to youth today.

[1 st body paragraph ]

The first possible action is to improve physical education teaching in schools. Local students have at
times complained that the curriculum is rigid and emphasizes 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.

[2 nd body paragraph]

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.

[Conclusion]

In summary, either approach would be a step in the right direction. In my view, it would be wise to
prioritize dealing with reducing competitiveness first because I believe it would help young people feel
better about the sports they already do. They could then, in turn, influence their friends to join in.

Homework:

Example Topic 1

In class you have had a discussion about inequality and work. You have made the notes below:

Do the privileged few get a head start in life?

 Stability in the home

  Work contacts and opportunities
 Time to hone one´s skills

Write an essay discussing two of the points given and explain the reasons behind your answer.

Example Topic 2

Recently, you have held a discussion in a university plenary about work-life balance. You have made
the notes below:

Work is the pillar of society though it is obvious that people need to disconnect. Where is the balance?

 Fulfilling one´s potential

 Supporting family members
 Using one´s time productively

Write an essay using two of the points and say what might be the most effective way of achieving a
healthy work-life balance

Example Topic 3

You have discussed young people and their future work prospects in class. You have made the notes
below:

What might be the most effective strategy to prepare young people for work?

 Work placements
 Workshops in schools
 Establishing links with local businesses

Write an essay discussing two of the points and say which should be implemented into the national
curriculum.