FCE WRITING

FCE Writing Part

What is this component about?

Time allowed:	1 hour 20 minutes
Number of parts:	2
Number of questions:	Part 1: one compulsory question, Part 2: one question from a choice of five
Marks:	20% total
Types of task:	Article, email, essay, letter, report, review, story.

Part 1

What’s in Part 1?	Some material to read (up to 160 words).You have to write a letter or email using the information in this material.
What do I have to practise?	Writing a letter or email. You may have to apologise, compare, describe, explain, express opinions, justify, persuade, recommend and/or suggest something.
How many questions are there?	One compulsory question.
How much do I have to write?	120–150 words

Part 2

What’s in Part 2?	A choice of five questions. The answer you have to write will be one of the following: an article, essay, letter, report, review or a story.
What about Question 5?	If you have read one of the set books and want to write about it, you may decide to try Question 5. You have a choice of two tasks, 5(a) or 5(b), for this question.
What do I have to practise?	Writing different types of text: articles, essays, letters, reports, reviews. Depending on the question, you will have to advise, compare, describe, explain, express opinions, justify and/or recommend something.
How many questions are there?	One task to be selected from a choice of five.
How much do I have to write?	120–180 words

Examiners mark tasks using Assessment scales including: Content, Communicative Achievement, Organisation and Language:

Content focuses on how well the candidate has fulfilled the task – if they have done what they were asked to do.

Communicative Achievement focuses on how appropriate the writing is for the task and whether the candidate has used the appropriate register.
Organisation focuses on the way the candidate puts together the piece of writing, in other words, if it is logical and ordered.
Language focuses on vocabulary and grammar. This includes the range of language as well as how accurate it is.

Each response is marked from 0 to 5 on each of the four subscales and these scores are combined to give a final mark for the Writing test.

DO’S AND DONT’S

DO

• Read the whole question thoroughly and underline important parts.
• Make a plan for each answer, including ALL points.
• Expand the points in Part 1 if you can, using relevant ideas and information.
• Write in paragraphs, whenever appropriate.
• Use a range of vocabulary, even if you are unsure of the correct spelling.
• Check tense endings, plural forms and word order in sentences.
• Check irregular past tenses and question formation.
• Use language that is appropriately formal or informal for the task.
• Choose a question you feel confident you can write about in Part 2.
• Write clearly, so that the examiner can read your answer.

DON’T

• Don’t misspell key words which appear on the question paper.
• Don’t use the exact words from the question paper too much.
• Don’t mix formal and informal language.
• Don’t use formal linkers in an informal letter.
• Don’t waste time writing addresses for a letter as they are not required.
• Don’t answer Question 5 if you haven’t read either of the books.
• Don’t worry if you run slightly over the word limit.

FCE EXAM!!

FCE basic information

FCE stands for First Certificate in English, and it is also known as Cambridge English. It is an upper-intermediate international English language qualification, and it comes in two versions. These are the Cambridge English: First For adult learners and the Cambridge English: First for Schools. Both lead to the FCE and the only difference is that the Cambridge English: First for Schools is targeted school- aged learners. The FCE is used for immigration, study and work purposes. The FCE is in a five part format, those parts being reading, writing, use of English, listening and speaking and each part makes up 20 percent of the total mark. The FCE is considered to be a fairly difficult challenge to your English ability and is likely to require some serious preparation.

FCE tips for exam preparation

In preparing for the FCE exam, practice and study will have the biggest overall effect. As a first step determine the format of the FCE test preparation, and what will be expected on each portion of the exam. Doing this first will enable you to focus on those things that will be the biggest help to you. The Cambridge English Language Assessment website provides FCE exam tips and study guides to get you started. With the extent of material to be covered, making a study plan would help a great deal. Each of the five parts has its own areas that will need to be focused on, but there will be some overlap.

• Reading- Work on reading comprehension and reading skills like skimming
• Writing- Practice basic writing skills, descriptive writing, persuasive writing and comparison writing should be practiced amongst other forms
• Use of English-Vocabulary work words with similar meanings, collocations and linking phrases, grammar and word building
• Listening- Practice listening for general idea, attitude, opinion and agreement and specific information.
• Speaking-Practice given information about yourself and expressing your opinion about various topics. Also practice describing things and comparing things on your own, and expressing ideas and opinions in a group.

It would prove helpful to find a study partner or study group to practice with.

FCE exam tips

On test day try to come in well rested, and eat a good breakfast. While taking the Cambridge English exam there are some FCE tips you can use to help you perform better.

• Make sure you read every question carefully and that you understand it.
• Don’t spend too much time on any one part
• Make sure you address all points a question touches on
• Check tense endings, plural forms and word order in sentences
• Check your spelling
• Use a range of vocabulary

When you decide to take the FCE test, try and begin preparing as soon as possible, FCE tips can help to guide you, but there is no substitute for practice and study.