Introduce the topic and agree or disagree with the statement – 2 sentences
Introduce the topic in our own words. This demonstrates to the examiner that we have understood the question. Say whether we agree or not with the statement. Two sentences are sufficient.
Give each prompt its own paragraph. The first sentence should introduce the prompt. Then, we should explain why it supports our opinion and give examples why.
We should summarise the essay briefly in different words and repeat our opinion in a clear way.
This isn’t the only way you can structure your essay, but it’s easy to follow so I recommend it (as well as most teachers).
“ If you fail to plan, you are planning to fail. ” ― Benjamin Franklin
Planning your essay before you start is important. Think about:
Here’s an example essay for the question above:
It is widely accepted that our education system should give students the best chance for future employment. However, it is my opinion that schools should provide much more than this.
Firstly, we can not deny that examinations are unimportant. However, putting too much focus on testing can leave students feeling overstressed, and often does not provide space for them to develop their creativity. Furthermore, it makes the experience of learning boring.
Secondly, schools absolutely should teach students useful skills which they can use throughout life. But they should focus on a range of skills, not just work-related ones. For example, if students learnt about finance and health they would benefit in other areas of their lives, outside of work.
Finally, the importance of social interaction in education must not be forgotten. For many young people, schools provide an opportunity for students to form relationships which will serve them throughout their entire lives. A person with strong social skills will not only do well in their careers but will be happier too.
In conclusion, while it is important to give students good job opportunities, schools also have a responsibility to make learning enjoyable, relevant and creative. Life is not just about work, and education should reflect this.
Your essay should have a formal or neutral tone, never informal. Here are some ways to make your writing more formal.
❌ It’s widely believed… ✅ It is widely believed…
❌ We’ve seen… ✅ We have seen…
Only refer to yourself when giving your opinion about the question. Avoid talking personally otherwise. Don’t use personal experiences as examples.
❌ Whilst I was travelling last year… ✅ It is my opinion that…
Phrasal verbs often have a more formal alternative; for example:
❌ They took part… ✅ They participated…
❌ People are finding out that… ✅ People are discovering that…
❌ Furthermore, it makes the experience of learning boring! ✅ Furthermore, it makes the experience of learning boring.
If you haven’t included a passive example, think about sentences where you can:
✅ We must not forget the importance of social interaction in education. ✅ ✅ ✅ The importance of social interaction in education must not be forgotten.
There are four areas that examiners focus on when assessing your essay:
Each area is marked on a scale of 0 to 5.
Here are some main points to remember in order to get top marks:
Content | Make sure you answer the question and respond in detail to the prompts Don’t include any irrelevant information |
Communicative Achievement | Use a formal/neutral tone Make your ideas easy to understand Give reasons for your examples Make your opinion clear in the introduction and conclusion without repeating words |
Organisation | Use linking words and connectors to link and organise your ideas Make your ideas flow Follow the 5 paragraph formula |
Language | Use a range of vocabulary related to the topic Use a range of simple and complex grammar (e.g. passive and modals) Avoid repeating words if possible Check your spelling |
Often, students lose easy points because they write more than necessary about irrelevant things, or they forget to completely answer the question and prompts. It doesn’t matter if you write better than Shakespear, if you don’t answer the question correctly you can’t get full marks.
The most important things to remember are to:
Here’a a good tip: if you find yourself writing a conditional sentence with ‘if’, see if it’s possible to change it to a second conditional. If so, do it. This is an easy way to demonstrate a higher lever.
Compare these sentences:
For example, if students learn about finance and health they will benefit in other areas of their lives, outside of work. ✅
For example, if students learnt about finance and health they would benefit in other areas of their lives, outside of work. ✅ ✅ ✅
Both sentences are correct for an essay and express the same idea. But the second sentence will get more points because it uses more complex grammar.
Does it matter if i write more than 190 words.
Not exactly, a few words over the limit won’t make a difference, so don’t waste time counting words. It’s not a strict rule. However, if you write much less than the limit then you probably aren’t covering all the points with enough detail. If you write much more than the limit, you’re likely including irrelevant information. In both cases, you would lose points for Content.
One or two small errors won’t matter but if your errors make the essay hard to understand you could lose points.
No, but you can if you want.
It does not matter which you use, but you must be consistent. Don’t change between the two.
Here are some common B2 First (FCE) essay topics; make sure you have a good range of vocabulary for each:
I hope you find this guide for the B2 First (FCE) Writing essay helpful. Practice makes perfect so make sure to write as often as you can. Use the comments below to leave your answer to the sample question above.
Really clear and easy to follow easy planning – thanks
Thanks Lucy 👍
Actually very clear and useful! Thanks a lot!!!
Excellent explanation, thank you!
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The very first reaction I usually get when I want to practise essay writing with my students is wild panic. Everybody around me starts rolling on the floor crying and screaming. I try to calm them down, but there is no way of doing it and eventually all of them quit and tell me that they will never be able to pass the FCE exam.
In the image above I underlined and circled the most important information for you. When you look at a writing task – and I mean every kind of writing task, not only essays – you should think about two things: what you have to include in your text and who is going to read it.
The second point we need to consider is what we have to write about. In every essay task there are a situation/topic (problems with pollution and damage to the environment), a question for you to answer (Do you think these problems can be solved?) and three topic points (transport, rivers/seas, your own idea).
I think it is not difficult to see that we can turn these three topics into three paragraphs, one for each idea. These three paragraphs are called the body of the essay. However, an essay wouldn’t be an essay without an introduction at the beginning and a conclusion at the end. All together that’s five paragraphs and we could structure it like this:
More and more countries and cities struggle with dirty air and water and while it is difficult to find a solution to these issues, I believe that there are ways to improve the situation and to protect the environment.
Firstly, congestion on roads not only in major cities, but also in smaller towns causes a lot of pollution and noise and even though this situation seems to get worse and worse many countries are trying to encourage people to use alternatives like electric cars, which is a good first step to deal with this kind of challenge.
I told you above that the introduction is there to make a good first impression on the reader. The conclusion plays the role of giving a good last impression. You don’t want the examiner to be happy until the end and then read a conclusion that is only average. Make sure that every part is great.
To sum up, our environment needs our help and although the air we breathe as well as waterways in many parts of the world are heavily polluted I strongly believe that we can solve these issues if governments and the people work together.
How your essay is marked, practice makes perfect, similar posts, cambridge b2 first (fce): reading & use of english, cambridge b2 first (fce) vs. c1 advanced (cae), cambridge b2 first (fce): reading & use of english part 7, reading skills – 7 great tips to improve, cambridge b2 first (fce): how your writing is marked, cambridge b2 first (fce): writing.
Hi there! I have a question about the type of task in the essay. I know we are usually asked to write an opinion essay, but is it possible to get a task where we are asked to write a for and against essay? How can I tell these two tasks apart? Thank you very much for you help! Your blog is really useful. 🙂
Breakout English
The essay task at Cambridge B2 First (FCE) level might be one of the first times learners encounter a truly formal writing task. At the previous level, B1 Preliminary (PET), all the writing tasks are relatively casual and informal. This is where the First Certificate writing forces candidates to prove they really know how to organise and deliver a robust formal text. However, at the end of the day, the FCE essay is a reasonably approachable task with can be overcome with a clear plan and plenty of practice. Here, we’ve got three questions on different FCE essay topics that are all common at B2 level. If you’re not sure how to write a good essay, try our how to improve an essay post.
There are quite a range of possible topics at FCE level. However, some of them lend themselves better to writing tasks than others. Remember, a writing task always needs to have elements that can be compared to each other, which can be either complimentary or contrasting.
These are some of the FCE essay topics which a most likely to come up:
It’s a good idea to look at all of these topics in depth. Study vocabulary related to the topic and consider where you stand on different issues. In a class, you can do a vocabulary lesson followed by a class debate. Then follow up the debate with an essay question on the same topic as homework.
At B2 level, exam candidates are often still crossing the boundary into being efficient user of English. While they may have a range of grammar and lexis to draw on, they may not always use it to good effect. As a teacher, you may encounter adult learners who haven’t written anything academic in decades. Likewise, you’ll find younger teens who haven’t yet had to produce a cohesive text in their academic careers.
In my experience, these are the biggest mistakes B2 level students make when writing an essay for the FCE exam:
Here are three First (FCE) essay questions. They have been designed using typical FCE essay topics for B2 level. Use them to practise and improve in preparation for the Cambridge B2 First exam.
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The essay for B2 First Writing Part 1 is always written for the teacher. It should be well organised, with an introduction, your opinions on the ideas given and an appropriate conclusion.
For this essay, you have been talking about the environment in your class. Now, your English teacher has asked you to write an essay.
Every country in the world has problems with pollution and damage to the environment. Do you think these problems can be solved?
Write about:
1. transport 2. rivers and seas 3. energy at home
Write your article in 140-190 words in an appropriate style.
More exercises available:
You are required to produce two pieces of writing. The first piece is compulsory and will be an essay of 140-190 words. For the second, you can choose from an article, email/letter, essay, review or report (B2 First for schools the report is replaced with a story) of 140-190 words.
You need to be able to understand a range of texts, including how they are organised and the opinions and attitudes expressed in them. The texts will be from sources familiar to you such as magazines, articles, fiction and advertisements, but targeted at the interests of students.
Students’ use of English will be tested by tasks which show how well they can control their grammar and vocabulary.
For this part, you practice vocabulary by using words with similar meanings, collocations, linking phrases, phrasal verbs, etc.
For this part, you practice grammar and vocabulary.
For this part, you practice vocabulary word-building by changing different words using a base word.
For this part, you have to express a message in different ways showing flexibility and resource in the use of language.
For this part, you practice how to understand the details of a text, including opinions and attitudes.
For this part, you practice how to understand the structure and follow the development of a text.
For this part, you practice how to find specific information in a text or texts.
Requires being able to follow and understand a range of familiar spoken materials, such as news programmes, public announcements and other sources, but targeted at the interests of the learners.
In this part you talk to the examiner about yourself and your life, e.g. your name, school, interests and future plans.
B2 Speaking Part 1 Exercise 1 B2 Speaking Part 1 Exercise 2 B2 Speaking Part 1 Exercise 3
In this part, you talk about two photos on your own which you have to compare for about 1 minute . After you have finished, your partner will be asked a short question about your photo. When your partner has spoken about their photos for about 1 minute , you will be asked a question about their photos.
B2 Speaking Part 2 Exercise 1
In this part you express ideas with your partner by looking at a discussion point that the examiner gives you.
This will be available soon.
In this part, you focus on general aspects of a topic with the examiner or you may involve your partner.
In this part, you will hear people talking in eight different situations.
Entertainment Short Conversations Talking about Sports
In this part, you will hear someone being interviewed.
Extreme Snowboarding Future Options Newly Published Book The Talent Show
In this part, you will hear five people talking about different things.
Demonstration Travel Worries
In this part, you will hear an interview.
Protecting the Environment Staying Healthy
Customs and Traditions explores how we celebrate our cultural identity across the globe.
Entertainment and Leisure explores how we spent our free time.
Environment and Nature explores the way humans and animals live, adapt and change on our planet.
Exploring how different societies create roles for people to develop their skills and knowledge.
Exploring how we learn and adjust to the world around us. .
Exploring how we experience the world through our life journeys
Cambridge English exams are designed for learners at all levels from the pre-intermediate level Cambridge English: Key (KET) to the very advanced level Cambridge English: Proficiency (CPE). These exams give candidates proof of their ability to use English in a wide variety of contexts, relevant to work, study and leisure activities.
A2 Key | B1 Preliminary | B2 First
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So, you’re staring at an essay prompt asking for a DBQ essay , and you’re wondering, “ What is a DBQ essay? ” You’re not alone! A DBQ, or Document-Based Question essay, is a type of writing you’ll commonly come across in history classes, especially AP courses. The good news? It’s not as scary as it sounds once you get the hang of it. The key to mastering a DBQ is all about analyzing provided documents and using them to craft a strong, evidence-based argument.
In this guide, we’ll walk you through everything you need to know about a DBQ. We’ll cover how to write one, what a DBQ example looks like, how long it should be, and more.
How to write a dbq essay, example dbq essay and analysis, frequently asked questions.
DBQ stands for Document-Based Question. This type of essay is designed to test your ability to analyze historical documents and use them to form an argument.
You’ll most often encounter DBQs in Advanced Placement (AP) history courses, like AP World History, AP U.S. History, or AP European History . They help test your knowledge of historical content and your skills in critical thinking and writing.
Writing a DBQ essay might feel overwhelming at first, but once you have a clear strategy, it’s pretty manageable. Here’s a step-by-step breakdown to help you out:
First things first, read the prompt carefully. You need to know what you’re being asked before you dive into the documents. The prompt will often ask you to take a position or explain a historical issue using the documents provided.
Next, spend some time analyzing the documents given to you. These could be anything from primary sources like letters, speeches, or photos to secondary sources like scholarly articles. Take notes on what each document says and how it connects to the essay prompt.
Your thesis is the core of your DBQ essay . After analyzing the documents, decide on the main argument you’re going to make. A strong thesis directly answers the question in the prompt and gives a roadmap for the rest of your essay.
Here’s an example of a weak thesis statement : “The American Revolution happened for many reasons.”
This thesis is vague and doesn’t provide any clear direction for the essay. It fails to identify specific causes or how those causes will be addressed.
Now, look at a strong thesis statement : “The American Revolution was sparked by the colonists’ growing resentment of British policies, specifically due to unfair taxation, trade restrictions, and a lack of political representation.”
This thesis directly answers the prompt , identifies three specific causes, and gives the reader a clear understanding of what the essay will cover. It provides an outline for the argument, making the essay much more focused and organized.
Plan your essay by organizing the documents into categories that support your thesis. Each body paragraph should focus on one key point and use the documents as evidence to back it up. You can also bring in your knowledge of the historical period to add more context to your argument.
Now that you’ve got your plan, it’s time to start writing. In your introduction, introduce the topic, state your thesis, and give a brief preview of the points you’ll be making. Each body paragraph should include topic sentences, evidence from the documents, and analysis of how the evidence supports your thesis. Finally, wrap it all up with a conclusion (yes, you need a conclusion in your DBQ essay).
Before turning in your DBQ, take a few minutes to reread your essay and check for any spelling or grammatical errors. Make sure your argument flows smoothly and that you’ve clearly supported your thesis with the documents.
Good question! While there’s no hard-and-fast rule, most DBQ essays are typically around 500-700 words long, depending on the complexity of the prompt and the number of documents provided. In general, aim for about five paragraphs: an introduction, three body paragraphs (or more if needed), and a conclusion.
It’s important to stay concise while making sure you fully explain your points and back them up with evidence. Don’t feel pressured to write a super long DBQ essay. You should focus on quality over quantity. As long as you are able to answer the prompt, use the documents effectively, and build a strong argument, you’re golden.
Yes, you absolutely need a conclusion in a DBQ! The conclusion is your chance to wrap up your argument and leave a lasting impression on your reader (or your grader). In your conclusion, restate your thesis in a new way and briefly summarize the key points you made in your essay.
But don’t just repeat everything word-for-word. Instead, tie everything together by showing how the documents you analyzed and the arguments you made paint a clear picture of the historical issue you were asked to address. You can also use the conclusion to reflect on the broader significance of the topic or its implications for the future.
Let’s look at a quick DBQ example to bring everything into perspective. Suppose you’re given the prompt: “ Analyze the causes of the American Revolution. ” You would be given several documents, like excerpts from colonial leaders, British officials, or other relevant texts. Here’s a basic outline of what an example DBQ essay on this topic might look like:
Let’s break down why each part of this DBQ example works well for the prompt: “Analyze the causes of the American Revolution.”
The American Revolution was caused by growing tensions between Britain and the American colonies, fueled by unfair taxation, restrictions on colonial trade, and a lack of representation in British Parliament.
Why it’s good:
Topic sentence: The imposition of taxes like the Stamp Act and Tea Act ignited colonial anger toward Britain.
Why it’s good:
Evidence from document: A letter from a colonial leader complaining about taxation without representation.
Analysis: This document shows that unfair taxation policies led many colonists to question British authority and demand more autonomy.
Topic sentence: British trade restrictions and the enforcement of mercantilist policies limited colonial economic freedom.
Evidence from document: A colonial newspaper article criticizing the Navigation Acts.
Analysis: This source highlights how economic policies imposed by Britain were seen as a threat to the prosperity and independence of the colonies.
Topic sentence: The lack of colonial representation in British Parliament increased political tensions.
Evidence from document: A petition from the Continental Congress requesting greater representation.
Analysis: The frustration over not having a voice in British decision-making drove many colonists to consider rebellion as their only option.
The American Revolution was not an overnight event but the result of a series of escalating tensions between Britain and its American colonies. From unfair taxation to restrictive trade policies and the colonists’ growing frustration with their lack of representation in Parliament, each issue chipped away at the loyalty once felt toward the Crown. The documents illustrate how these grievances led colonists to question British authority, ultimately pushing them toward the pursuit of independence. By examining these documents, it’s clear that the revolution was born from a desire for autonomy—both politically and economically—that could no longer be ignored. The American Revolution was as much a response to systemic oppression as it was a fight for a new identity, one built on the principles of freedom and self-governance.
Your thesis should directly answer the prompt by clearly stating your argument or the main point of your essay. It should be specific and outline the key reasons or factors that you’ll explore in your body paragraphs. Make sure your thesis addresses all parts of the prompt and hints at the structure of your essay.
Generally, you should aim to use most, if not all, of the provided documents to support your argument. However, it’s essential to go beyond simply quoting or summarizing the document. You should analyze them and explain how they connect to your thesis. Depending on the exam or assignment, you may need to use a minimum number of documents, so make sure to always check the guidelines provided by your professor.
Yes, in addition to the documents, you should incorporate your own knowledge of the historical context. Outside knowledge helps strengthen your argument by showing you understand the broader events, causes, or effects related to the prompt. It’s important to blend your analysis of the documents with historical facts you already know.
Absolutely! A conclusion is essential to wrap up your essay and restate your argument. In your conclusion, summarize the main points you’ve made, and show how the documents and your analysis answer the prompt. A strong conclusion reinforces your thesis and provides closure for your reader.
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FCE Essays - Sample/model answers and examiner comments. An essay is always written for the teacher. It should answer the question given by addressing both content points and providinga new content point of the writer's own. The essay should be well organised, with an introduction and an appropriate conclusion,and should be written in an appropriate register and tone
Article navigation: B2 First (FCE) Essay: Example Topics / Questions B2 First (FCE) Essay: Download (PDF) An essay is a piece of writing in which you are asked to discuss a topic that might be controversial or relevant somehow. It usually follows a class discussion. The language of an English essay should be formal.Also, make sure that you justify all your ideas and that you use appropriate ...
B2 First (FCE) Essay: Structure example. An essay can be organised in different ways, but it is useful to write one idea in one paragraph and add a short introduction and ... You MUST use complex language at B2 level. You must use attention-grabbing vocabulary and a variety of grammar structures. The passive voice, relative clauses, modal verbs ...
Here's a useful structure for an opinion essay:Paragraph 1Intro. uce the topic using a general statement and give your. hether you agree or disagree with the statemen. .Paragraph 2Give the first reason to support your opinion. Provide specifi. s for your opinion, using examples if necessary.
Sample exam test from Cambridge English. Step Two: Write a plan (5 minutes) A lot of my students dislike writing a plan. However, a plan helps you organize your thoughts and helps you write a better B2 First essay. Your essay needs 5 paragraphs. We will use the sample task from above as an example: Paragraph structure for an essay. Introduction ...
Each paragraph has a clear purpose: Introduction: it introduces the topic in a general way and it leads to the second paragraph (first idea). Paragraph 2: it deals with idea 1. Paragraph 3: it deals with idea 2. Paragraph 4: it deals with idea 3. Conclusion: we express our opinion to conclude and summarise the essay.
Cambridge B2 First (FCE) - Writing. The B2 First Writing test has a duration of 1 hour 20 minutes and consists of two parts, and it accounts for 20% of the total score.. The first part has one compulsory question. In the second part, there are three questions, and you must choose one.. Candidates are required to write an essay of about 140-190 words in each part.
FCE (B2 First) Writing Exam (Essay) - Video. Download PDF. In this lesson you can learn how to write an essay for the Cambridge FCE exam, step by step. You'll see exactly what to do at each stage in the FCE writing essay section, and how to get the best possible FCE score. There are four steps to the writing process.
B2, First (FCE) / By John Hayward. Writing is the part of any English exam where you should aim to get a high score and B2 First FCE Writing Part 1, an obligatory essay, is no different. It's also the most trainable part of the exam in a classroom. While other skills often take lots of time, effort and practice, writing can be taught through ...
The first part is the essay; the second part is an article, email, letter, report, or review. You will be given the essay title and two ideas or prompts. It's essential that you include both of these ideas in your essay, as well as another relevant idea that you have to come up with yourself. You have to write 140-190 words in each part and ...
An essay is an academic paper and must be written in formal language. Formal & Informal Style (video) avoid direct and personal language (I, You, We) avoid simple words and common vocabulary use words of a higher level (remarkable, achieve, significant) use more formal expressions (With reference to , Considering the….
This is a very simple five-paragraph formula you can use to structure any B2 First (FCE) essay: Paragraph 1. Introduction. Introduce the topic and agree or disagree with the statement - 2 sentences. Paragraph 2. Prompt 1. Introduce, explain and example - 3 sentences. Paragraph 3. Prompt 2.
An appropriate introduction; informs the reader about the essence of the essay; Firstly, (cohesive devices) clearly food is one of the principal reasons affecting people's (imprecise information) health. In their (demonstrative pronouns) daily routine should have appear a great balance diet. Although, (linking words) n owadays having a balanced ...
These three paragraphs are called the body of the essay. However, an essay wouldn't be an essay without an introduction at the beginning and a conclusion at the end. All together that's five paragraphs and we could structure it like this: With an introduction, body and conclusion every essay has three main parts.
Your essay isn't going to change the world, so don't go overboard. Once you've got a structure that works, rinse and repeat with different topics until you can consistently produce a well-polished text. The materials. Here are three First (FCE) essay questions. They have been designed using typical FCE essay topics for B2 level.
Test 2 / 25. Answer the question below. Write 140 - 190 words in an appropriate style. Your teacher has asked you to write an essay on the importance of learning foreign languages. Do you think everybody should learn a foreign language at school? Write your essay using all the notes. de faul tttt de faul tttt de faul tttt de faul tttt de faul ...
Writing. B2 writing. B2 writing. Are you an upper intermediate (CEFR level B2) learner of English? Practise and improve your writing skills with these texts and exercises.
3.5. (15) B2 Pollution Problems is an essay for the B2 First Writing Part 1, which suggests how we can solve some problems with pollution. The essay for B2 First Writing Part 1 is always written for the teacher. It should be well organised, with an introduction, your opinions on the ideas given and an appropriate conclusion.
Choose the word or phrase which best completes the sentence. Free example article writing topics/questions for B2 First (FCE) & PDF download. The goal of an article is usually to talk about a topic you like or in which you are an expert. Also, your article should aim to keep the reader engaged.
Practise a variety of topics: Practise writing essays on different topics to be more flexible. This will also give you the opportunity to learn or revise topic-specific vocabulary. Analyse model essays: Take a close look at samples of high-scoring essays to understand what makes them effective. Pay attention to their structure, vocabulary and ...
Example DBQ Essay and Analysis; Frequently Asked Questions; Takeaways; What Does DBQ Stand For? DBQ stands for Document-Based Question. This type of essay is designed to test your ability to analyze historical documents and use them to form an argument.
Subscale Grade: Commentary: Content: 5: All content is relevant and the target reader is fully informed. The article describes the most useful thing which the writer has learned: speaking English, and explains why it is useful.The second aspect of the task is discussed in detail and various methods of learning are described.