FCE WRITING

SEK CATALUNYA LANGUAGES DEPARTMENT

FIRST CERTIFICATE IN ENGLISH

WRITING DOSSIER

Part 1: COMPULSORY TASK

Transactional letter (150-180 WORDS)
• Always read the question carefully and underline the key words of your task. This will
help you focus on the task in hand and you should refer to this when planning your
piece of writing to make sure that you include all relevant points. You will fail this part
if you do not cover all the points the task requires.
• Make sure you write a plan before you start writing. This will help you to organise your
ideas into sections and will result in your piece of writing being coherent and cohesive.
 FCE WRITING
SEK CATALUNYA LANGUAGES DEPARTMENT

• Use linking words to connect your sentences and paragraphs together.

• Start each paragraph with a topic sentence to clearly signal the content of the
paragraph.
• Remember to keep the target reader in mind and aim for your letter to have a positive
effect on the reader.
• Example:
An English friend, Sam, visited you recently and has just sent you a letter and some
photographs. Read Sam’s letter and the notes you have made on it. Then write a
suitable letter to Sam using all your notes.
(120-150 words)

Thanks for taking me to the airport. I hope your journey home wasn’t too long.
I really enjoyed staying with you. Here are the photos I took. I’m sure you’d like extra copies. Could you tell me whic
When I got home I realised I had left my watch behind. It’s green and gold. You haven’t found it have you?
I think we’ll have a great time when you come here in September. We could either spend the whole time here in the

Over 3 hours because...

Describe the ones you want

I have! Explain where.
 FCE WRITING
SEK CATALUNYA LANGUAGES DEPARTMENT

Say which and why

Send watch now or...?

SAMPLE ANSWER

Dear Sam,
I am very hopefull for you letter. I send you this letter in order to answer in your questions.
First of all I want to tell you that the way of my house as to long over 3 hours because it happened an accident. That
Secondly about the photos. I like them all but I prefer this photo in the sea wich we were together.
Now about your watch. I found it in you bedroom under of your bed. It probably fallen of your hand and went under
Lastly, I prefer the countryside because of clean air without pollution. I love animals and I hate the cars.
I am looking forward to hearing for you.
love

CONTENT: All points referred to but not adequately covered.

ACCURACY: Errors distract the reader and obscure communication at times.

RANGE: Limited range of vocabulary and structures.

ORGANISATION AND COHESION: Ideas adequately organised.

APPROPRIACY OF REGISTER AND FORMAT: Appropriate

 FCE WRITING
SEK CATALUNYA LANGUAGES DEPARTMENT

TARGET READER: Message not clearly communicated because of lack of language control.

MARK: Band 2.

• Part 2: 1 OPTION (120-180 WORDS)

• Article: Do not start and end your article in the form of a letter. Make sure you know
who your target reader will be and where your article will appear (e.g. in a student
magazine or newspaper). Bearing this in mind, decide on the register of your letter
(formal or semi-formal). Decide on a title that will be eye catching and grab the
attention of the reader. The aim of the introduction is to grab the reader’s attention
and make them want to read on. Your writing should be lively and interesting. Each
paragraph should start with a topic sentence that summarises the content of the
paragraph. Your conclusion should be a suitable ending to your article which will leave
a positive and lasting impression on the reader. You will be marked on your use of
descriptive and opinion language.

Example: ARTICLE: You see the following article in an international magazine.

Be someone famous for a day!

If you could change places for 24 hours with a famous person alive today,

who would you choose and why?

The best article will be published in our magazine next month.

Write your article

• Non-Transactional Letter: You may be asked to write a formal letter of application.

The task will include an advertisement and the instructions for the task. You should
read all the details carefully and underline the key points of the task. This will help you
focus on the task in hand and will help you to refer back to the task when planning and
writing to make sure all the points have been covered. Use consistent formal
language – do not use informal language or contracted forms in a formal letter. Write
in a positive manner giving the reader the impression that you genuinely want the job
– therefore avoid any comments about weaknesses or lack of experience. Use a new
paragraph to start each topic and start/finish the letter appropriately.
 FCE WRITING
SEK CATALUNYA LANGUAGES DEPARTMENT

Example: An English friend, Jo, has written to you for some advice. This is part of the letter you
have received.
I leave school this summer and have a year free before university. I want to come to your country. First I’d like to spend some time tra
Thanks, Jo.
Write your letter. Do not include any postal addresses.

• Reports: You may be asked to write a report evaluating a place or facility, or give
recommendations. The target reader may be a superior or colleague, which will give
you the information whether you need to write in a formal or neutral style. Never
write in an informal style in a report. Use the correct format for a report – include
headings for your introduction, main body (with listed points),
recommendation/evaluation and conclusion).
Example:

Your teacher has asked you for a report on transport in your local area. Mention the main means of transport used, and suggest how
Write your report

• Discursive compositions: In the task you are given a statement about a given topic and
you must write a composition based on arguments for, against or both sides of the
issue. You must make sure that your arguments and opinions are clearly defined and
divided into separate paragraphs. You should make notes of all your ideas (three or
four ideas should be enough), and then separate them into paragraphs. Use linking
words to connect your composition, including a clear introduction and conclusion.
Example:
You have had a class discussion on being rich and famous. Your teacher has now asked you to write a composition, giving your opinion
Everybody would like to be rich and famous
Write your composition

• Narrative/descriptive composition: You may be asked to write a short story for a

student magazine or for a competition. You will be given one line of the story and will
be instructed to use this line as the first or last line. You may also be instructed that
you are free to use the line wherever you like in the story. That is why it is extremely
 FCE WRITING
SEK CATALUNYA LANGUAGES DEPARTMENT

important to read the instructions very carefully and make sure you position the
given line in the correct place. You must not change the given sentence in any way.
You are being given the opportunity to use your imagination here, although try not to
be too extreme or over complicated. You should plan your story line carefully and
divide ideas clearly into paragraphs. Use a good range of narrative tenses, and, to
make your story easy to read, follow a chronological order. Select vocabulary carefully
in order to captivate the reader and create a picture in their mind of your story.
Example:
Your teacher has asked you to write a story for the school English language magazine.The story must begin with the following words:
It was dangerous, but I knew I had to do it.
Write your story.

WRITING GENERAL MARKING SCHEME

BAND 5 For a Band 5 to be awarded, the candidate’s writing fully achieves the desired effect
on the target reader. All the content points required in the task are included and expanded
appropriately. Ideas are organised effectively, with the use of a variety of linking devices and a
wide range of structure and vocabulary. The language is well developed, and any errors that do
occur are minimal and perhaps due to ambitious attempts at more complex language. Register
and format which is consistently appropriate to the purpose of the task and the audience is
used.

BAND 4 For a Band 4 to be awarded, the candidate’s writing achieves the desired effect on the
target reader. All the content points required in the task are included. Ideas are clearly
organised, with the use of suitable linking devices and a good range of structure and
vocabulary. Generally, the language is accurate, and any errors that do occur are mainly due to
attempts at more complex language. Register and format which is, on the whole, appropriate
to the purpose of the task and the audience is used.

BAND 3 For a Band 3 to be awarded, the candidate’s writing, on the whole, achieves the
desired effect on the target reader. All the content points required in the task are included.
Ideas are organised adequately, with the use of simple linking devices and an adequate range
of structure and vocabulary. A number of errors may be present, but they do not impede
communication. A reasonable, if not always successful, attempt is made at register and format
which is appropriate to the purpose of the task and the audience.

BAND 2 For a Band 2 to be awarded, the candidate’s writing does not clearly communicate the
message to the target reader. Some content points required in the task are inadequately
covered or omitted, and/or there is some irrelevant material. Ideas are inadequately
organised, linking devices are rarely used, and the range of structure and vocabulary is limited.
Errors distract the reader and may obscure communication at times. Attempts at appropriate
register and format are unsuccessful or inconsistent.
 FCE WRITING
SEK CATALUNYA LANGUAGES DEPARTMENT

BAND 1 For a Band 1 to be awarded, the candidate’s writing has a very negative effect on the
target reader. There is notable omission of content points and/or considerable irrelevance,
possibly due to misinterpretation of the task. There is a lack of organisation or linking devices,
and there is little evidence of language control. The range of structure and vocabulary is
narrow, and frequent errors obscure communication. There is little or no awareness of
appropriate register and format.

BAND 0 For a Band zero to be awarded, there is either too little language for assessment or
the candidate’s writing is totally irrelevant or totally illegible

SAMPLES
ARTICLE: You see the following article in an international magazine.

Be someone famous for a day!

If you could change places for 24 hours with a famous person alive today,

who would you choose and why?

The best article will be published in our magazine next month.

Write your article.

Sample answer:

BE SOMEONE FAMOUS FOR A DAY

Nowadays being famous is something difficult but successful. Although, have you ever though about being famous for just one d
Now you are given the chance. If I had to choose between the most famous people in the world I would probably choose Celine D
Furthermore, I believe that no matter how rich she is, she is also magnificent and beautiful which is also very important. That a
In addition she has succeeded in combining borh carriere and motherhood which is quite good and important today.
In conclusion I would like to mention that being given the opportunity to make family, be rich, and succesful is what a young wom
 FCE WRITING
SEK CATALUNYA LANGUAGES DEPARTMENT

CONTENT: Appropriate coverage of question

ACCURACY: Reasonably accurate. Spelling mistakes do not interfere

RANGE: Some good vocabulary but some words used wrongly - although, spectacular

ORGANISATION AND COHESION: Good organisation and cohesion. Good use of linking words
between paragraphs

APPROPRIACY OF REGISTER AND FORMAT: Appropriate

TARGET READER: Would be informed

MARK: Band 3.

REPORT

Your teacher has asked you for a report on transport in your local area. Mention the main means of transport used, and suggest how
Write your report

From: Costar Papadopoulos

To: Mrs. Jackson
Subject: Transport in our area
As asked, I am writing a report about the transport in our local area, Athens. The report is being handled after a ca
The main means of transport is the bus and the tube. Thousands of people use these two means of transport to comm
In general, people are not satisfied with the current transport facilities used, although a huge progress has been ma
In my opinion, people are quite right. Bus stops are often open to rain and some buses are too old to be used. New bu
 FCE WRITING
SEK CATALUNYA LANGUAGES DEPARTMENT

CONTENT: Good realisation of task

ACCURACY: Generally accurate.

RANGE: Some Good range of structure and vocabulary

ORGANISATION AND COHESION: Good organisation and cohesion.

APPROPRIACY OF REGISTER AND FORMAT: Appropriate

TARGET READER: Positive effect on reader

MARK: Band 4.

DISCURSIVE COMPOSITION

You have had a class discussion on being rich and famous. Your teacher has now asked you to write a composition, giving your opinion
Everybody would like to be rich and famous
Write your composition
 FCE WRITING
SEK CATALUNYA LANGUAGES DEPARTMENT

Everybody keep saying that being rich and famous is the best thing could happen to them.
I don’t think so. There are pro and cons on being rich.
I think being rich and famous means not having a private life, because everywhere you go you are follow by a photogr
You always have to be careful of who you are meeting, of what you are wearing.
You’re allow to be yourself only in your own house.
On the other hand, you don’t have to worry about not having any money at the end of the month or don’t know how to
I think the best thing is to have a nice job that you like and earn enough money to allow you to have a nice house with
The most important thing in life is being happy and I don’t think money makes you happy.

CONTENT: Full realisation of task. Topic well prepared

ACCURACY: Mostly minor errors, particularly at the beginning. Generally fluent. Last two
paragraphs faultless, good use of gerunds.

RANGE: Wide range of structure and vocabulary within the task set.

ORGANISATION AND COHESION: Well organised.

APPROPRIACY OF REGISTER AND FORMAT: Consistently appropriate

TARGET READER: Would be fully informed

 FCE WRITING
SEK CATALUNYA LANGUAGES DEPARTMENT

MARK: Band 5.

DISCURSIVE COMPOSITION

Your teacher has asked you to write a story for the school English language magazine.The story must begin with the following words:
It was dangerous, but I knew I had to do it.
Write your story.

It was dangerous, but I knew I had to do it. It was a new challenge and not only for me but for everyone there.
Nobody thought I was capable of doing it.
I wasn’t sure what to do, and the pressure of everyone watching me was driving me mad.
Finally, I managed to move my right foot closer to the edge. I could listen the crowd shouting “to go”. That was my o
I didn’t even think of looking down. I was already paralysed, and that wouldn’t help me at all.
Then, by some “strange power” my left foot was moving and I wanted to stop it, but it was too difficult.
The clock was running tic tac. And suddenly everything stopped. I felt an enormous peace. Somehow I managed to ju
Those minutes up in the air, feeling the wind in my face, were fantastic. And then Iwas terified when I couldn’t open
 FCE WRITING
SEK CATALUNYA LANGUAGES DEPARTMENT

CONTENT: Good, interesting and dramatic storyline clearly linked to the prompt sentence.

ACCURACY: Minimal errors.

RANGE: Very good use of narrative with a wide range of structure and vocabulary.
ORGANISATION AND COHESION: Well organised.

APPROPRIACY OF REGISTER AND FORMAT: Appropriate use of narrative technique for

suspense.

TARGET READER: Would enjoy the story.

MARK: Band 5.