CAE Writing Masterclass

Your Ultimate Guide to Acing the C1 Advanced Writing Paper

90

Minutes Total

2

Parts to Complete

220-260

Words per Part

Anatomy of the Exam

Part 1: The Essay

This part is mandatory. You will read a short text and listen to two speakers discussing a topic. You must then write an essay summarising and evaluating the key points from both the text and the talk.

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Goal: Develop a persuasive argument.
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Register: Formal & objective.
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Key Skill: Synthesis and evaluation.

Part 2: The Power of Choice

You must choose one task from a choice of three. The options can include an email/letter, a proposal, a report, or a review. Each has a different purpose and target reader.

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Goal: Adapt writing for a specific context.
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Register: Varies from informal to formal.
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Key Skill: Flexibility and audience awareness.

Mastering Part 1: The Essay

Your essay must be well-structured, presenting a clear argument that evaluates the points from the listening and reading texts. Do not just summarize; you must analyse and give your own well-supported opinion.

Introduction

Paraphrase the topic and state the essay's aim.

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Body Paragraph 1

Analyse the first key point, referencing both the reading and listening texts.

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Body Paragraph 2

Analyse the second key point, linking ideas from both sources.

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Conclusion

Summarise your main arguments and state your overall opinion.

How You're Graded

Each part of the writing test is assessed on four key criteria, each carrying equal weight. Understanding these is crucial for a top score.

Conquering Part 2: Choosing Your Task

Your choice in Part 2 should depend on your strengths. This chart compares the typical features of each task type to help you decide which format suits you best. A higher score indicates a stronger presence of that feature.

Part 2 Structure Blueprints

Proposal / Report

Use clear headings. The tone is formal and impersonal, focusing on facts and recommendations.

1. Introduction: State the purpose.
2. Section Heading 1: Present first set of findings/ideas.
3. Section Heading 2: Present second set of findings/ideas.
4. Conclusion/Recommendations: Summarise and suggest action.

Review

Engage the reader with descriptive language. The tone can be semi-formal and subjective.

1. Introduction: Hook the reader and identify what's reviewed.
2. Body Paragraph 1: Discuss positive aspects.
3. Body Paragraph 2: Discuss negative aspects.
4. Conclusion: Give a final recommendation to the reader.

Universal Keys to Success

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Plan Your Answer

Spend 5-10 minutes brainstorming and creating a clear paragraph plan before you start writing.

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Use a Wide Vocabulary Range

Avoid repeating simple words. Use synonyms and more sophisticated, topic-specific lexis.

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Show Grammatical Complexity

Employ a variety of sentence structures, including conditionals, inversions, and passive voice.

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Mind the Register

Consistently maintain the correct level of formality for the task and target reader.

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Proofread Carefully

Leave 5 minutes at the end to check for errors in spelling, punctuation, and grammar.

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Stay Within the Word Count

Writing too much or too little can lose you marks. Aim for the 220-260 word range.

✨ Your CAE Writing Assistant

Use this tool to practice your writing. Paste your own text to get feedback, or generate a brand new prompt to practice with.