Writing Part 1 is a compulsory essay question. Given that candidates have 90 minutes to complete both parts 1 & 2, this part should be done in approximately 45 minutes.
Candidates must write an essay of 220-260 words in response to a proposition. Some notes on the topic are provided and include 3 bullet points. Candidates must select 2 of the bullet points to base their essay on.
Candidates must explain which of the two bullet points is more important and give reasons for their opinions. The notes provided will include 3 short opinions related to the bullet points which candidates may use (or not) to help develop their arguments, paying close attention to using their own words, where possible.
The essay should have 4 distinct parts: the introduction, development of bullet point 1, development of bullet point 2 and the conclusion.
Tips for the introduction:
- state the topic clearly in the first sentence – make a great first impression!
- make sure your first sentence is well developed and catchy
- give a brief outline of the topic
- say why it is important/controversial/worrying etc
Tips for the second and third paragraphs:
- ensure that each paragraph has only one main idea, clearly stated in a topic sentence at the beginning of the paragraph
- back up the main idea of the paragraph with relevant details, examples, rhetorical questions and/or justifications
- pay special attention to the first sentence of each paragraph – it sets the tone!
Tips for the conclusion:
- give your opinion clearly, using new vocabulary to express ideas in the text
- make sure you back up your opinion with reasons, details and/or examples
- spend a bit of extra time on the last sentence – make sure you end strongly!
Assessment:
The essay is assessed using 4 criteria:
- Organization: layout, paragraphs of approximately the same length, paragraph linking, complex sentence structure, logical flow of ideas
- Content: did the candidate complete the assigned task?
- Communicative Achievement: tone, register (formal versus informal), how easy it is to read and understand
- Language: use of C1 level advanced vocabulary, variety of verbal tenses, sufficiently advanced grammatical structures, number of grammatical errors, spelling and punctuation.
Here is an example Part 1 writing task:
DOS AND DON’TS
DO
- underline the key ideas in the writing task before you start
- make a quick plan before you start writing which includes how many paragraphs, the content of each paragraph, advanced grammatical structures you can use and where, some relevant advanced vocabulary and possible linking devices to connect paragraphs
- use a neutral to formal register
- use linking words and cohesive devices to organize your ideas
- leave time at the end to check spelling and punctuation
DO NOT
- copy phrases from the task input – use your own words!
- discuss more than 2 of the bullet points
- express your opinion anywhere else but in the conclusion
- include new ideas in the conclusion
- use contractions
- repeat the same vocabulary – use synonyms
- use a mixed register – make sure you don’t include informal expressions, idioms, linking devices…
