In Part 2 of the writing task, you have to write an answer to one of the questions in this part. This part could include: article, review, email or letter, report.
A review is written for an English-language magazine, newspaper or website. The word limit is between 140 and 190 words.
Purpose: In a review we tend to express our personal opinion about something we have experiences such as a concert, a holiday, a product, a book, a restaurant. We have to describe our experience and explain our recommendation to the reader.
Structure: The review should include an interesting title, a catchy introduction, the summary of the plot and your recommendation.
For example:
- Paragraph 1: Introduction of what you are reviewing.
- Paragraph 2: Give your opinion about what you are reviewing including everything mentioned in the task. Give details and develop your ideas.
- Paragraph 3: Include your conclusion by summarising your point of view and your recommendation
Style: A review is informal, you should write in a personal style, using vivid language to get the reader’s interest. You can use phrasal verbs, informal expressions, and contractions.
Useful vocabulary for a review:
Introducing your opinion:
In my opinion/view, …
For me, …
I think/believe/feel that …
I would say that …
It seems to me that …
Giving recommendations:
I recommend/suggest [title/name] to + person
I recommend/suggest + -ing
I recommend/suggest that …
You should + base verb
You might want to + base verb
Adding information
And
In addition
As well as
Also
Too
Furthermore
Moreover
Apart from
In addition to
Besides
Contrasting ideas
But
However
Although / even though
Despite / despite the fact that
In spite of / in spite of the fact that
Nevertheless
Nonetheless
While
Whereas
Unlike
In theory… in practice…
Vocabulary for concerts reviews:
gig
musical
recital.
show
selections
jam session.
musicale
rockfest
Vocabulary for film reviews
true-to-life (a real story)
the real story of
remarkable (unusual, good)
masterpiece (the best work someone has done)
oscar-winning
mystery / thriller / love-story
actors / costumes / screenplay
Vocabulary for restaurant reviews
restaurant
drive-in restaurant
fast-food restaurant
café cafetería
takeaway (UK)
takeout (US)
starter
main course
fixed-price menu
dessert
fully booked
book in advance
waiters
run by
