FCE (B2 First) Writing Exam - 5 Steps to Write a Great Essay

Summary

This video tutorial provides a step-by-step guide on writing an essay for the Cambridge FCE exam. It covers the process from analyzing the task, planning, and writing, to checking and improving your essay. Key steps include reading the task carefully, structuring the essay with clear topic sentences and supporting ideas, and avoiding informal language. The video also emphasizes the importance of organization, grammar, and vocabulary to achieve a high score. It provides tips for each part of the writing process, ensuring that students understand how to meet the exam requirements and improve their chances of success.

Takeaways

• 😀 Read the task carefully and identify what needs to be included before starting to write your essay.
• 😀 Decide your position (agree or disagree) on the statement about university being free for everyone before you start planning your essay.
• 😀 Your essay should include three key ideas: taxes, opportunity, and one other idea of your own.
• 😀 An essay for FCE should be formal, meaning no contractions, slang, or conversational language.
• 😀 Use a clear structure with a topic sentence at the beginning of each paragraph to summarize the main point.
• 😀 Connect your paragraphs to your conclusion and ensure they stay relevant to the task.
• 😀 During the planning stage, ensure each paragraph answers the question, and avoid vague ideas.
• 😀 After writing, always check your essay for grammar, spelling, style, and appropriate use of linking words.
• 😀 The FCE essay is graded in four categories: Content, Communicative Achievement, Organization, and Language.
• 😀 Ensure your essay is logically organized with clear topic sentences, supported by reasons and examples.
• 😀 Focus on using varied vocabulary and advanced language to avoid repetition and demonstrate your language proficiency.

Q & A

What is the first step in writing an essay for the Cambridge FCE exam?

The first step is to read the task carefully and identify exactly what needs to be included in the essay.

How do you ensure your essay stays focused and relevant to the question?

You need to plan your essay by connecting each paragraph to the main idea of the question, using topic sentences that summarize the main point of each paragraph.

Why is it important to decide your conclusion before writing your essay?

Deciding your conclusion first helps to ensure that all the points in the essay are focused on supporting and leading to that conclusion.

What is a topic sentence, and why is it important?

A topic sentence is the first sentence of a paragraph that summarizes the main point of that paragraph. It is important because it helps to keep the paragraph focused and organized.

What type of language should be avoided in an FCE essay?

You should avoid informal language such as contractions, slang, and colloquial expressions. An essay should be written in formal language.

How should you connect ideas in your essay, particularly when discussing taxes and opportunities?

You can connect ideas by explaining how paying taxes benefits society or how having equal opportunities benefits everyone. Linking these ideas back to the main topic strengthens the essay.

What should you focus on during the final checking step of your essay?

During the final check, focus on grammar, spelling, style, linking words, repetition of vocabulary, and ensuring that no contractions or conversational language are used.

How can you improve vocabulary and avoid repetition in your essay?

Look for opportunities to replace simple vocabulary with more advanced words. You can also use synonyms and varied sentence structures to avoid repeating the same words.

What are the four criteria on which an FCE essay is graded?

The four criteria are Content, Communicative Achievement, Organization, and Language (vocabulary and grammar).

What does 'Content' refer to in the FCE essay grading criteria?

'Content' refers to how well you have addressed the task and fulfilled all the requirements, including presenting a clear argument and using all the notes provided.