9.

REVIEW

What I liked

READ THE QUESTION CAREFULLY

What I liked most was ..

PLAN your review.

What struck me was....

Make sure you have at least 4 paragraphs.

The thing I liked most was .

Choose an appropriate title.

I was pleasantly surprised by ..

The introduction will talk about what's being

reviewed.

.. would appeal to ..

If you get a chance to .

Use a relaxed, friendly, chatty style.

You can use contractions such as I'm, I've etc..

Use a new paragraph for each point you want to make.

In the concluding paragraph give your opinion.

What I disliked

What I disliked most was ..

I was rather disappointed by

I was disappointed with ..

I was bitterly disappointed by ..

I was very dissatisfied with .

- Can be of a book, film, TV programme ,play,etc. and is meant to give both factual
information and an opinion.
- Must have catchy TITLE
- Depending on rubrik( target reader) it will be neutral or more formal in register
- Resembles article , therefore introduction should state main idea/ opinion of text.
- Avoid 1st person but make your opinion quite clear.
Use linkers but more creative ones than Firstly, secondly etc. CAE WRITING AND
VOCABULARY 7
Recommended structures: relative clauses and participle structures: Set in 15th
century medieval London, the film. Or:
Must include:

a) a description/ outline of the subject/ plot, mention of type or genre, info about
director/actor/awards/ special effects/ music , where the play is on, what channel
the TV programme is on etc,
b) pros and cons: argumented opinion of good and bad features depending on task,
can be objective/ factual : The photographs were of poor quality or subjective: The
action seemed too violent;you can express strong personal opinion but be sure to
give reasons
c) verdict: summing up and recommendations, give a clear opinion

Hints

A title is advisable.

Think what your are trying to achieve and, in the introduction, DO give your reader and
indication of the structure of your review. You should also raise a question in your
reader's mind.

Start a new paragraph for every item/aspect you are addressing in your review.

Try to make it interesting by using a wide range of vocabulary: colourful, lively language;
comparisons to describe something; specialised topic vocabulary.

DO give your assessment of what you are reviewing and DO NOT forget to cover all the
points mentioned in the task input.

DO include a final recommendation or evaluation in the final paragraph.

Don't forget!

The target reader is specified in the question, so the candidate knows not only what register
is appropriate, but also has an idea about the kind of information to include.

Language of opinion (positive, negative), recommendation, description is necessary.

Useful language for a review

What I liked

What I liked most was ..

The thing I liked most was .

I was pleasantly surprised by ..

.. would appeal to ..

If you get a chance to .

What I disliked

What I disliked most was ..

I was disappointed by/with

Reviews of books

main character

chapter

is set in

factual

comedy

fiction

science fiction

unbelievable

thriller

unexpected

romance

delightful

author/writer

disappointing

written by

bestseller / flop

the beginning - the ending

chapter

main character

is set in

Fiction: science fiction / thriller / fantasy / mystery / historical / romance ...

Non-fiction: cook book / travel book / textbook / manual / coffee-table book ...

atmosphere / plot

author

written by

chapter

factual

unbelievable

bestseller

ending

Reviews of concerts

artist / band / musician / (bass/lead/rhythm) guitarist / (backing/lead) singer / drummer /

soloist / trio / orchestra

auditorium / hall / venue / lyrics / (catchy) tune / score / gig

Reviews of exhibitions

painting / sculpture / handicrafts

gallery / catalogue / display

Reviews of films

lead role

star role

star

star actor/actress

starring

secondary role

He plays a .

written by .

cast / director / producer

is set in ..

based on a true story ..

believable

true to life

not very believable

far-fetched

(As for fiction books +): animation / adaptation / comedy

Costumes / design / photography / script / special effects / soundtrack

ending

Reviews of plays

scene / act / set / stage / interval

Reviews of TV programmes
Reviews of films, TV programmes, plays key vocabulary:

lead role

based on a true story ..

believable
true to life
written by .

not very believable

far-fetched
unexpected
delightful
disappointing
outstanding performance

star role

star

star actor

star actress

starring

secondary role

He plays a .

She plays a .

is set in ..

comedy

romance

science fiction

ending

Chat shows / current affairs programme / debate / documentary / series / soap opera/ sitcom
(situation comedy)

Host / presenter

Reviews of hotels, restaurants, etc

location

reasonable prices ..

service

good value for money ..

setting

excellent value for money ..

attractive setting

expensive

disappointing setting

a bit expensive

owned by

overpriced

run by

not worth the money

head chef (restaurant)

poor value for money

waiters (restaurant)

always fully booked

staff .

book in advance

staff at reception .(hotel)

self-service restaurant

hotel facilities .

a la carte restaurant

indoor/outdoor/heated swimming-pool

noisy/quiet rooms

entertainment/ children's club

clean/spotless

dirty/filthy/dusty

location

service

setting

attractive / disappointing setting

owned by

run by

head chef (restaurant)

waiters (restaurant)

staff .

staff at reception .(hotel)

hotel facilities .

reasonable prices ..

good/excellent/poor value for money ..

(a bit/somehow) expensive

overpriced

not worth the money

always fully booked

book in advance

Criticism

The script seemed rather conventional/predictable to me.

The plot struck me as completely bizarre/absurd/incomprehensible

The characters are appealing and true to life

The dancers were quite brilliant/amateurish

Recommendations

I would strongly encourage you not to miss/not to waste your money on...

I would definitely recommend seeing/visiting/reading/having a look at ...

Review - Model question 1

TASK
You see this announcement in an international magazine called Cinefilia.
The most UPLIFTING and the biggest DOWNER.
It's sometimes hard to choose a film that fits your mood purely on the basis of the poster or the
description on the cover of the DVD. That's why we want to publish reviews of the most uplifting and
the most depressing films our readers have seen, so that others know what to watch and what to
avoid.
Send in a review which describes the most uplifting film you've ever seen and the one you found the
biggest downer. Make sure you give reasons for your choices.
Write your review in 220-260 words in an appropriate style.

Review - Model answer 1

In this review I am going to compare two contrasting tales about overcoming adversity. Whereas The
Blind Side (2009) left me with a huge grin on my face, sadly, Doctor Zhivago(1965) left me feeling
the weight of the world on my shoulders.
Doctor Zhivago, directed by five-time Oscar winner David Lean, is set in the Bolshevik revolution and
follows the title character, who must adapt to the new order while pining for Lara, the beautiful wife of
a political campaigner. The director succeeded in creating a film that is thoroughly engaging but full
of gritty realism, cruelty and tragic irony. Take the tissues!
The Blind Side, which is based on a true story, is also a bit of a tearjerker, in a completely different
way. Starring Sandra Bullock, who won an Academy Award for her portrayal of a rich white mother in
Tennessee who takes a homeless black teenager under her roof. Understandably, the gentle giant
thinks he isn't good at anything but his new mother sees his potential to become a football star and
part of the family. The plot is based on a true story, making it all the more touching.
I would strongly recommend The Blind Side. It will appeal to a range of people and is a great choice
for a movie night. Although Doctor Zhivago is a classic, I think it has more of a niche audience and is
best saved for when you want a dose of gloom!
[+/- 245 words]

Review - Model question 2

TASK
You see the following advertisement in a music magazine.
Ever fancied yourself as a music journalist? Now's your chance.
We're looking for enthusiastic music lovers to write a review of their favourite album of all time. We
want to know why you love it and why you think everyone should listen to it. It doesn't matter who
the artist is or how old or new the music is.
Send in a review of your favourite album of all time giving reasons for your choice.
Write your review in 220-260 words in an appropriate style.

Review - Model answer 2

A thrilling album
I'm certainly not alone in my choice of favourite album. In fact, Michael Jackson's "Thriller" has sold
over 50 million copies worldwide since being released in 1982, and still currently holds the much
coveted title of "best-selling album of all time". A toe-tapping blend of pop, funk and R&B, it's sure to
get everyone grooving at a party, yet also contains unexpected emotional power in the lyrics.
Jam-packed full of catchy melodies such as the opening "Wanna be startin' something" and the
famous "Beat it", almost every song makes you want to hum along. It's like a feast for the ears, with
a range of styles from the soft duet ballad with Paul McCartney "The Girl is Mine" to the rock/pop of
the title track. The album will leave you with no doubt of the unique and extraordinary talent of the
King of Pop. What disco would be complete without a few of his renowned numbers?
Unlike much of today's mordern pop, this album actually deals with a huge number of deep themes
such as jelousy, loneliness and obsession. The song "Billie Jean", for example, chronicles a story of
a crazed fan who insists that she has his baby. Not hard to imagine that the artist was channelling
some real experiences in his writing.
It doesn't surprise me at all that this remains the best-selling album of all time and I challenge evern
the most cynical listener to play "Thriller" without tapping along.
[+/- 245 words