Writing guide A Cambridge English: Advanced essay may be written for a teacher and it may follow

up on a classroom activity. It should be well-organised, with an introduction, clear

development and appropriate conclusion.
ESSAY  Part 1: 220–260 words

You have recently listened to a radio discussion programme about the effects of cars on people
and the environment. You have made the notes below.

What do cars affect most? Some opinions expressed in the discussion:

• people’s daily lives ‘For lots of people, cars are the only way of visiting friends and going shopping.’
• society as a whole ‘If people work close to their home, they can get more involved in their local
• the environment community.’
‘Traffic emissions make it very hard to breathe in some cities.’
Write an essay discussing two of the categories of effects in your notes. You should explain which category is
more badly affected by cars, giving reasons in support of your answer.
You may, if you wish, make use of the opinions expressed in the discussion, but you should use your
own words as far as possible.
Write your essay.

Planning an essay

1 Brainstorm ideas: What points can you make to answer the question?
2 Write an outline or paragraph plan: What will you say in your main body paragraphs? Think about your
introduction and conclusion also.
3 Write your essay: Use linking words and examples if necessary to make your argument stronger or your points
clearer.
4 Check your work.

USEFUL LINKING PHRASES

The effects of cars
To introduce
For thousands of years, people have lived without cars. Yet in the It is often said that …
century since the car was invented, our lives have been transformed – on Many people believe / claim that …
the whole, for the better. However, we are becoming far more conscious Everyone often says / mentions / claims /
of the negative impact that cars have. goes on …
Our current dependence on cars affects the society we live in. Cars To add points
Also, Moreover, Furthermore, Secondly,
encourage individualism, as they enable us to travel around whenever it On the one hand …
suits us. That means fewer people use public transport, which therefore
To contrast points
becomes less viable financially. Buses and trains are then cut, and people However, Alternatively, Nevertheless,
without cars suffer as a result. In contrast, On the other hand, whereas,
Cars also affect society by allowing us to work at a distance from our while, Despite the fact that
homes. Consequently, many people have so little time at home that they To introduce a result
can’t be active in their local community. As a result, many areas turn into For which reason, Subsequently, which is
why, As a result of this / which …
‘dormitory towns’, where nobody knows anyone else.
To conclude
With regard to the environment, the carbon monoxide emissions of cars Therefore, To sum up, On balance,
are disastrous, polluting the air – which makes breathing difficult for To conclude, In conclusion, Consequently,
many people – and killing plants and trees. In addition, the construction Finally …
of roads and massive motorway junctions destroys the countryside.
Cars have a major impact on both society and the environment, but on
balance I believe the effects on the latter are more significant. After
all, if our environment is harmed, we won’t survive: the air pollution in
many cities makes life extremely hard for many people, such as asthma
sufferers. If the situation continues to deteriorate, this can only be bad
news for the human race.

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 Informal letter

WRITING GUIDE
A letter or email in Cambridge English: Advanced involves answering according to a situation
or email  outlined in the question you are given. You must reply in a way which is appropriate for your
(imagined) reader.
Part 2: 220–260 words

USEFUL LETTER-WRITING PHRASES

A friend of yours is looking for a summer job Opening ▲

and has asked you to suggest a good job Dear Maria, Hi Jim, [to a friend, family member]

 
based on your experiences. Dear Editor, Dear Sir, [to the editor of a newspaper or magazine]
Main paragraphs
Write a letter to your friend describing a Thanks for your letter / email …
temporary job you had and saying why you I’m just writing to let you know …
would recommend it. I thought you might like to know …
It was nice to hear from you again …
Write your letter. You do not need to
In answer to the newspaper article in your last edition …
include postal addresses. Ending
Look forward to hearing from you / seeing you.
Bye for now / All the best / Best wishes / Talk soon / Write back soon.
Yours sincerely / Sincerely / Yours faithfully

Planning a letter

1 Brainstorm ideas: Try to come up with several possible answers.

2 Write an outline: Make sure you answer all parts of the question.
3 Paragraph plan: Make sure you link ideas appropriately.
4 Write your letter: Remember to include descriptive vocabulary.
5 Make sure you write in an informal style, if that is appropriate.
6 Check your work: for spelling, punctuation and grammatical errors.

Dear Jeanette,
Thanks for your email. I’m glad to hear that you’ve decided to get some work experience this summer before you
start university. I found it was very useful and I started my university studies the following year feeling refreshed
and enthusiastic!
If you remember, I worked last year on a sailing yacht. I’ve always loved the sea, so it wasn’t difficult for me to
decide what I wanted to do. I didn’t have much experience but it didn’t matter. I completed a basic sailing course
and learnt how to be a useful member of a ship’s crew. Then I got myself a job on a sailing yacht in the Caribbean!
I can’t say the money was great, but I did benefit from the experience and made a lot of friends. I also got to see
a part of the world I probably wouldn’t have seen otherwise, and most of the time it was like a working holiday! We
saw dolphins and once we even saw whales! On the whole it was an unforgettable experience. By the end of the
summer I had learnt so much about sailing that I did a course when I got home, got my skipper’s certificate, and
now I can charter a sailing yacht whenever I want, anywhere in the world!
So my recommendation to you would be to do something similar if you are looking for good experiences and plenty
of laughs! But only if you don’t get sea-sick!
Let me know how it goes. All the best,
Jimmy

ALTERNATIVE QUESTION  

An aunt of yours wants to buy a nice present for your parents, whose wedding anniversary is coming up soon. She
has asked you to suggest a suitable present and to say why you think it would be appreciated by both of them.
Write a letter to your aunt describing a possible gift and saying why you would recommend it.
Write your letter. You do not need to include postal addresses.

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 Review A review in Cambridge English: Advanced is usually written for an English-language website, magazine or
Part 2: newspaper. You usually need to describe an experience or express a personal opinion about something.
220–260 words You need to give your reader a clear impression of what the item described is like.

A tourist agency is updating its website, and has asked its customers to send in reviews of holidays they have
had. You decide to write about a holiday you went on recently. Describe the place and type of holiday, what you
really enjoyed about it, and if there was anything you disliked. Then say who you would recommend the holiday
to, and why.
Write your review.

Planning your review

1 Brainstorm ideas: Which holiday are you going to write about? What aspects of it did you particularly enjoy?
Did anything unexpected or unpleasant happen? Who would you recommend it to and why?
2 Style and register: Check who the target reader is to decide whether your review should be formal or informal,
and whether your style should be lively or remain fairly neutral.
3 Paragraphs: Use the points mentioned in the question to help you organise your answer into paragraphs.
4 Check your work.

One way of really relaxing and getting away from it all is to take a canal boat along
the Canal du Midi, in the south of France. My family and I did just that this summer,
Introduction. State what
and discovered how pleasant it can be to travel in the slow lane for a while. you’re going to write about.
Being inexperienced boaters, my parents felt uncomfortable about trying to
manoeuvre a large boat, and opted for a 30-foot canal cruiser. In fact, they needn’t
have worried, because the company provided us with excellent instruction before
we set off, and it was a lot easier than we’d expected. Even my brother and I had a
go!
We spent a wonderful week gliding along the beautiful waterways of Languedoc and Use a range of descriptive
the Camargue. The facilities on board were excellent, and any worries we’d had of vocabulary to convey your
getting bored were soon forgotten about, as every day proved to be an adventure. attitude.
We’d spend three to four hours cruising each day, before stopping to explore places
inland. We passed through pretty little villages, practised our appalling French on
the amused locals, and saw some fascinating wildlife. The highlight of the holiday,
however, was the nautical jousting tournament held in the seaside port of Sete.
This was great fun, and the town was buzzing with excitement.
Looking back, I think we’d all agree that we should have booked a bigger boat. Thirty
feet for four people can be rather cramped. Nevertheless, I’d definitely recommend Remember to include a
this trip to anyone who really needs to unwind for a while. recommendation in your
concluding paragraph.

ALTERNATIVE QUESTION

Your local bookshop wants to run a special promotion of children’s books. The manager has asked
customers to send reviews of their favourite children’s book, to appear on the shop’s website. You decide to write
a review of the book you most enjoyed reading as a child, saying why you enjoyed it so much and who you would
recommend should read it.
Write your review.

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 Formal letter

WRITING GUIDE
Part 2: 220–260 words

The advertisement below appeared in an English language magazine.

▲
Writers!

 
We are updating our popular Connections website, and need writers to contribute regularly to our blog,
presenting articles of interest to young people worldwide. Successful candidates will have some writing
experience, and show an awareness of young people’s interests and concerns.
Send us an application, electronically, or by post, explaining why you think you are suitable, and
describing two or three subjects you would like to write about.

Write your letter of application. You do not need to include postal addresses.

Planning a formal letter

1 Analyse the question: Who is the target reader? What is your reason for writing? What information must you
include?
2 Style and register: Make sure your language is appropriate for the specific question, and that your tone remains
fairly neutral and polite.
3 Write your answer: Make sure you address all the points in the question.
4 Check your work: Make sure you haven’t written too little or too much.

USEFUL FORMAL LETTER WRITING PHRASES

Dear Sir / Madam,
Opening
I am writing in response to your advertisement in the ‘English Dear Sir / Madam …
Today’ magazine, asking for people to contribute to the blog on Dear Mrs Smith …
your website, ‘Connections’. To whom it may concern [usually for writing a
I am a student in my final year at school, and have written reference]
various articles for our school magazine, on such subjects as Main paragraphs
I am writing in response to your advertisement /
child safety on the Internet, exam stress and bullying, samples announcement, etc …
of which you will find in the attachment I’ve included. I feel quite I am writing with regard to …
strongly that these issues need to be addressed, not only by I am interested in applying for the post of …
teachers and parents, but by the student body as a whole. I would like to enquire about / apply for, etc …
We need to take more active responsibility for our actions I feel strongly that not only is this …
and those of our peers. I should mention that I have received Ending
a considerable amount of positive feedback from readers, I would therefore be grateful if you could …
I would appreciate it if you could …
including people who have no connection with the school I attend. I look forward to hearing from you.
For this reason, I feel that your blog could offer young people Yours sincerely / Yours faithfully
the opportunity to reach out to people in other countries, and
would welcome the opportunity to contribute to promoting
greater understanding between multinational groups. One of
the issues I would like to address on the blog is the problems
which sometimes arise in the multicultural classroom, and I
would also like to examine the possibility of setting up a regular
environmental feature.
I would therefore be grateful if you could consider my application,
and accept me as a contributing writer. I look forward to hearing
from you.
Yours faithfully,
Razia Azad

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 Report  A report in Cambridge English: Advanced is usually written for a superior, such as a line manager,
Part 2: or a peer group, such as colleagues. You’ll need to give some factual comments as well as make
suggestions.
220–260 words

You are an independent business consultant. The owner of a bookshop has asked you to investigate why sales
are falling. You have examined various aspects of the business, including the interior design of the premises and
the threat of competition in the area.
Your report should make recommendations for improvements based on your findings.
Write your report.

Planning your report

1 Analyse the question: As for a proposal, you should take care to make a list of all the points you need to include.
2 Plan your answer: Decide on suitable headings for each paragraph, and the points you want to include in each.
3 Write your answer: Remember, the main content of a report is to analyse certain problems of a current situation,
and make suggestions for improvement. You may leave your recommendations for improvement until the final
paragraph.
4 Check your work.

USEFUL PHRASES FOR

Introduction WRITING PROPOSALS AND
REPORTS
This report presents the findings of my research into why business in the
Tawny Owl bookshop is declining, and makes some recommendations for Introduction
improvement. The purpose / aim of this report /
proposal is to …
The competition This report presents the findings
Although the shop is ideally located in the centre of the town, it has of research conducted into …
suffered losses as a result of the opening of a large discount bookstore This proposal aims to put forward
suggestions for …
almost directly opposite. To combat this, one solution would be to create Main paragraphs
a series of promotions involving special-interest authors, aimed at The business is in decline. To
attracting a particular section of the market each time. Book signing combat this, one solution would
be to …
sessions by well-known authors are also an effective way to attract A solution to this problem would
customers. be to …
The shop premises One idea is to … This has certain
advantages over the previous
The shop is housed in an old building, and decorated in an old-fashioned, suggestion in that …
rather plain style. Although the shop has a wide range of books on offer, Conclusion
these are placed in rows of tightly packed bookshelves throughout, With careful planning, these ideas
could prove very successful … /
creating a rather dark atmosphere, and making it difficult to browse. A By making these changes,
solution to this problem would be to remove some of the bookshelves, and business would almost certainly
open up space to create a reading area, where customers could examine improve …
books at leisure. A children’s corner would also encourage busy mothers
to enter the shop. The interior could be redecorated, and the shop front
redesigned to create a brighter atmosphere.
Conclusion
With some investment and careful planning, the Tawny Owl could attract
more customers, by offering them something different to its competitors.
The key lies in offering them quality, and creating a pleasant, welcoming
atmosphere.

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 Proposal 

WRITING GUIDE
In a Cambridge English: Advanced proposal, you’re expected to give factual information and make a
Part 2: recommendation to be followed by your readers.
220–260 words

You are a school teacher. You ▲

From: Phil
have received an email from the

 
To: Hannah
school principal, regarding the Hannah,
question of raising funds to build As we discussed at this morning’s meeting, we need to raise money to help
a new science laboratory. Using build the new science lab. Suggestions included a sponsored walk, a 60’s disco
the information given, write a and a lottery.
Could you write a proposal outlining these three possibilities, and making your
proposal for a fundraising event. recommendation, so that I can present it at the parents’ meeting on Thursday?
Thanks
Phil

Planning your proposal

1 Analyse the question: Consider what you are being asked.

2 Plan your answer: Decide on suitable headings and points for each paragraph.
3 Write your answer: Remember to make, support and summarise suggestions.
4 Check your work.

Introduction
The aim of this proposal is to present the Parents and Teachers Association with suggestions to raise money for the school’s new
science laboratory.
A sponsored walk
One idea put forward is to organise a sponsored walk. A ten-mile route would be sufficient for younger students, and could be
clearly marked out around the town. Also, to make the walk more fun, students could be dressed in fancy dress. Under careful
supervision, this could be a very enjoyable fundraising event.
A disco
Another suggestion is to hold a disco. This has certain advantages over the walk, in that it is held indoors, so would not be
affected by bad weather, and would be easier to both organise and monitor. One possible drawback, however, is that shy students
may feel too inhibited to participate.
A lottery
Possibly the easiest way to raise money would be to hold a lottery. Several local businesses have kindly offered prizes to support
our efforts, and so this would need little input on the part of the students.
Recommendation
I recommend organising all three fundraising events, to ensure that all students in the school can be involved in the scheme in
some way. Although this would clearly require a great deal of work, with careful planning and organisation, it could prove rewarding
for everyone. It would also be the way to raise the greatest amount of money.

ALTERNATIVE QUESTION  

You are a representative of your school

Duncan,
council. You have received an email As we discussed at yesterday’s meeting, we’d like to do something special
from the school principal, regarding to welcome Mrs Chan and her students next Friday. Suggestions included
the forthcoming visit of a group of holding a disco and buffet reception, an introductory talk with video on
foreign students. things to do in the town, and a performance by the school orchestra.
Read the email and write a proposal Could you draw up a proposal outlining the value of these ideas, so I can
present it to the school governors?
for offering the visitors a warm Thank you
welcome. Mrs Brodie

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 A Building a coherent answer 2 What is the topic of each of the four paragraphs?
Cambridge English: Advanced writing tasks need to be 3 Put the following sentences into the correct order
carefully planned and written so that they include to form a coherent paragraph.
• paragraphs with clear themes or topics a Similarly, the orchestra had a professional sound
• logically ordered sentences within paragraphs and seemed to be note-perfect.
• clear links within and between sentences b Every year, the sixth-form college in my city puts
on a musical that would be worthy of London’s
1 Read the review of an unusual sport called Octopush. West End – and this year’s was no exception.
The writer should have divided the answer into four c Receiving a standing ovation seemed to take the
paragraphs. Mark where each new paragraph should participants by surprise, but I can assure you it was
begin. well deserved.
d Even though many of the dancers who took part
in it were first-year students, with relatively little
A few weeks ago, I was invited to watch one of the real stage experience, they put on an amazing,
strangest sports I’ve ever come across: Octopush. seamless show.
e Like the rest of the audience, I was overwhelmed
I must admit that when I first heard the name, I by such incredible talent and was on my feet at the
thought it must have something to do with eight- end, clapping as hard as I could.
legged sea creatures. However, Octopush is basically 4 Consider which links helped you decide the order.
an underwater game of hockey – and what an 5 Complete the paragraph from a book review with
amazing game it is! All you need to take part in a the reference words in the box.
game of Octopush is a mask, a snorkel, a protective his it one others such that their this
glove to stop your hands getting scratched on the which
bottom of the pool, a small, specially designed stick
and a puck, which is a lead disc, rather like those used
One of the best books I have read recently
in ice hockey. There’s an underwater goal at each end
is entitled ‘The Last Exhibit’ by David Parrin.
of the pool, and the object of the game is for one of Although I don’t usually enjoy books by
the six players in each team to flick the puck into the (1) ______ author, I must say that this
opposition’s goal. From where I was sitting with my (2) ______ surprised me. I suspect this is
friends, it looked almost impossible for the players because, unlike his (3) ______ , it was written
to tell who their opponents were, apart from the fact from the perspective of an ordinary person on
that the sticks were black for one team and white the street, and so (4) ______ lacked much of
the detailed material on criminal law that
for the other. As they thrashed around underwater,
(5) ______ novels often contain.
we found ourselves amused but engrossed in the (6) ______ is not to say that writers
display and amazed at how long some players shouldn’t include (7) ______ own professional
managed to stay underwater before rising to the knowledge in a work of fiction, but there is a
surface for another lungful of air and then diving point beyond (8) ______ the reader loses
back down again. Clearly, this isn’t a game that most patience and, unfortunately, Parrin usually
people would enjoy playing, but it’s dramatic stuff oversteps this. In the case of ‘The Last Exhibit’,
however, there is no (9) ______ indulgence.
and strongly recommended for anyone who enjoys
watching a fast, physically demanding competition,
with a touch of difference.

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 B Structuring an essay C Levels of formality

WRITING GUIDE
In addition to ensuring that paragraphs are coherent and Most Cambridge English: Advanced writing answers should
sentences well linked, an essay should have clear links be written in a neutral or formal tone. It is only appropriate
between paragraphs so that the reader can follow the line to use an informal style in letters to family and friends. The
of argument. general rule is that the more authority the reader has, the
more formal the writing should be.
▲
1 Read the essay on the importance of protecting
1 Read the extract from a proposal to a local council

 
old buildings and underline the following.
1 a sentence that expresses the writer’s main about youth activities and change the highlighted
argument words and phrases into a more formal register.
2 two sentences that express the key ideas
supporting the main argument
I think we should set up a youth centre so
that kids can mess about there outside
Today, there are many buildings around the world that school hours. It’s hopeless expecting young
are in danger of being destroyed because of our desire
to ‘modernise’. However, I believe that some of these
people to entertain themselves, when there
could be renovated or rebuilt, with significant benefits is nowhere for them to do this. The centre
to the community. could cater for teenagers up to the age of
Our obsession with updating cities tends to be driven 17, while anyone under 12 could also go
by the need to create homes, restaurants and shops if they were with mum or dad. It would be
for increasing numbers of residents. Thus, traditional great to offer table tennis, snooker and
buildings may be knocked down in order to provide darts as activities. There would still be a
construction space. Yet this seems to be a short-
sighted approach. In fact, if developers renovated these
need for some supervision during these
buildings instead and turned them into characteristic activities so how about three attendants
apartments or cafés, local citizens would have a much on full-time duty, which the council should
more attractive environment to live in. This, in turn, be able to splash out on easily.
would enhance their sense of well-being since they would
appreciate their neighbourhood more fully and not see
important cultural elements being destroyed.
Formality is not just about avoiding slang and idiomatic
Maintaining a city’s architectural history is also vitally expressions. Precise, advanced language also helps in
important if you live in one that wishes to encourage developing a formal tone.
visitors. Nothing destroys the look of an area more
than the construction of featureless low-rises.
They have no historical value and can quite rapidly 2 Read the extract from a letter of application. Find
deteriorate, detracting from an otherwise interesting six verb phrases that could be improved using the
or popular region. On the other hand, a place where correct form of one of the options in the box.
traditional styles have been not only preserved but be (interested in) enquire find inform
improved upon can boost tourism and bring money into observe specialise
the local community. This can then be used to fund
important local projects.
Despite the demands of a growing population,
I would argue that there are several reasons why I am studying sociology at Goldsmiths
preservation should be considered as a first priority. University and I am writing to check
Admittedly, it may not always be practical or feasible
but there are clear advantages if it is successfully whether you have any job opportunities for
achieved. undergraduates during the holiday period.
I’ve been a student for two years now
2 Underline the links between the paragraphs. and I do mostly child protection. This has
3 What is the function of the following words and included working with the local authority
phrases? and seeing some case trials at court. It’s all
1 some of these (paragraph 1) been really helpful and I would love to work in
2 Thus (paragraph 2) this area in my spare time. Could you let me
3 Yet and this (paragraph 2)
4 one (paragraph 3) know if you have anything available?
5 On the other hand (paragraph 3)
6 it (paragraph 4)
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 D Spelling E Punctuation

You should always leave a few minutes at the end of the Accurate punctuation is important because it makes your
test to proofread your work. Spelling mistakes can spoil an writing clear and easy to follow, and improves the overall
otherwise good answer, so ensure that you check: presentation of your answer.
• singular / plural forms – ensuring nouns and verbs are Areas of punctuation that you should check when you
consistent proofread your work include:
• words that include the addition of suffixes and prefixes • capital letters for proper nouns and to open
• double / single consonants sentences
• commonly misspelt words such as necessary • full stops to end sentences
• homonyms such as principle and principal • commas to separate lists, phrases and clauses
• words that you know you find difficult to spell • apostrophes for contractions and possessives
• dashes to add extra information (brackets or commas
1 Write the noun and adjective forms of the verbs in also)
the table. Sometimes there is more than one possible • colons to introduce a list or an explanation
answer. • semi-colons to separate two closely connected
sentences
Verbs Noun form(s) Adjective form(s) • inverted commas to highlight special names or terms
affect • question marks after questions
appeal
1 Read the paragraph from an article on video
correspond games and find six punctuation errors.
enquire
prefer Many young people enjoy playing video games because
specify they allow you to take part in a story give you some control
vary over events and let you interact with other characters. Video
games stretch your imagination so that you can exist for a
while in a fantasy world a world that is more immediate than
2 Correct the spelling mistake in each of the sentences.
a good allegorical novel, such as orwell’s ‘Animal Farm’. Tests
1 My course involves a lot of academic reaserches. have shown that playing video games from an early age
2 Many works by contempory artists were incorporated actually strengthens handeye co-ordination and stimulates
into the show. brain development. Many video games require the player to
3 The producers used some tecniqes that were quite make logical decisions which help to develop brain function
unique. in a way that watching television never can this can only be
4 Too many avoidable accidents have ocurred in the a good thing.
local area.
5 Like many people, I think euthanasia is a controversal
issue.
2 Punctuate the sentences.
6 People prefer to work in a harmonyous atmosphere.
7 Deciding weather politicians are being genuine can 1 a recent survey has shown that video games are
sometimes be difficult. very popular especially with young people
8 Cars which are stationery should be made to turn 2 the best video game I have ever played is rachet
their engines off. and clank it’s fast paced exciting colourful and
hugely imaginative
3 with the exception of extreme cases is there any
evidence to support the criticism of video games
4 however not all video games are good for
everyone and not everyone enjoys them
5 parents most of whom have concerns about
the length of time their children spend using
technology often limit their childrens exposure to
video games
6 if the game is good whats the problem
7 psychologists have reached the following
conclusions video games have educational value
utilise various skills simultaneously and help some
children perform better at school
8 there is increasing evidence that the elderly are
enjoying games on tablet devices these days too
which is a recent development

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