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.