Cambridge C1 Advanced (CAE) - How to Write a Report

Summary

This video provides a comprehensive guide to writing an effective report for the Cambridge C1 Advanced exam. It covers essential aspects like task analysis, the purpose of a report, and structuring the text with clear subheadings. The report includes presenting factual information, making recommendations, and using formal language and proper organization. Key sections discussed are the introduction, topic paragraphs, and conclusion or recommendations. The video emphasizes the importance of understanding the task, using appropriate vocabulary, and organizing thoughts to craft a well-structured and persuasive report.

Takeaways

• 😀 Reports in Cambridge C1 Advanced are optional and can be chosen over essays, along with other types like emails, letters, reviews, or proposals.
• 😀 A report in C1 Advanced must be between 220 and 260 words long.
• 😀 Reports are usually written for superiors (e.g., managers) or peer groups (e.g., classmates or club members).
• 😀 The purpose of a report is to describe and evaluate a situation and offer a course of action or recommendation.
• 😀 Three key areas of focus in report writing include presenting factual information, making suggestions or recommendations, and ensuring effective text organization.
• 😀 Always analyze the task first to extract key information and determine the appropriate structure and content.
• 😀 In task analysis, focus on the topic of the report and the key points you need to address.
• 😀 Identify the audience of your report (e.g., manager) to choose the correct tone, typically formal for reports in C1 Advanced.
• 😀 Structure a report with an introduction, topic paragraphs, and a conclusion or recommendation, maintaining clear organization throughout.
• 😀 The introduction should clearly state the purpose of the report and prepare the reader for the content in the following paragraphs.
• 😀 Use subheadings to organize paragraphs and highlight the main ideas of each section, ensuring clarity and flow in the report.

Q & A

What is the primary purpose of writing a report in the Cambridge C1 Advanced exam?

The primary purpose of writing a report in the Cambridge C1 Advanced exam is to describe and evaluate a situation and suggest a course of action.

What is the word count range for reports in the C1 Advanced exam?

Reports in the C1 Advanced exam need to be between 220 and 260 words long.

What types of readers might a report be written for in the C1 Advanced exam?

A report might be written for a superior, such as a manager or director, or for a peer group, such as other students or members of a club.

What are the three main areas of focus when writing a report for the C1 Advanced exam?

The three main areas of focus are presenting factual information, making suggestions and recommendations, and ensuring effective text organization.

How should you present factual information in a report?

You should present factual information as if it were real, even if it's made up for the exam.

Why is it important to identify the topic and key points of a report task?

Identifying the topic and key points helps you understand the content of the report and how to structure your text to address the required points effectively.

What is the recommended tone for a report when it is addressed to a manager?

When addressing a manager, a formal tone should be used, as the report is intended for a superior.

What is the general structure of a report in the C1 Advanced exam?

The general structure of a report includes an introduction, topic paragraphs, and a conclusion or recommendation.

How should you organize the topic paragraphs in a report?

Each topic paragraph should address one of the key points from the task, with a clear subheading and formal language. Supporting information and examples should follow.

What should be included in the conclusion or recommendation of a report?

In the conclusion or recommendation, you should make a suggestion for action and summarize the key points from the topic paragraphs using persuasive language to support your recommendation.