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How to write a report? | B2 First (FCE)

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Level: B2 Exam: B2 First Writing

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B2 First (FCE) Report: Structure
1. B2 First (FCE) Report: Structure

2. B2 First (FCE) Report: Writing Guide

Introduction
3. B2 First (FCE) Report: Example Answers The purpose of this report is to….

4. B2 First (FCE) Report: Writing Topics Subheading + Paragraph 

Give the relevant facts
5. B2 First (FCE) Report: Writing Checklist

6. B2 First (FCE) Report: Tips Subheading + Paragraph 

Give the relevant facts
7. B2 First (FCE) Report: Grading
Conclusion
8. B2 First (FCE) Report: Useful Language & Phrases Make your recommendations

Many people believe that reports are boring and dry, but reports give you a great opportunity to score really high marks B2 First (FCE) Report: Writing Guide
easily!

We will use the example FCE report topic below:

If you are not a creative person
(and that’s okay) then a report is a great choice for you in part two of the B2 First writing exam.

Last year a new sport and leisure centre opened in your home town. You have recently received the following letter from
the manager of the centre:
What is a report?

A report is a formal piece of writing similar in tone to an essay. You always write reports in B2 First (FCE) to a superior, this could I am writing to all members of the Active Leisure Club tgo thank you for your custom over the last year. We want to make
be a teacher a director or anyone who you should be respectful. the facilities even better this year! Please send a short report to us, telling us what you think are the best and worst
aspects of the club. We also want to hear your suggestions for new facilities…
A report

 analyses a present situation and often has recommendations

Write your report to the manager of the club (between 140-190 words).
 is divided into sections and contains factual information 
 is written in a formal style
Step 1: Find – key points, topic and target reader
 uses headings for each section

You need to start writing your report by finding the key points/information, the subject and the person to whom you are writing

 Check our Writing Guide in this article below to see how to write an FCE report.

Last year a new sport and leisure centre opened in your home town. You have recently received the following letter from
the manager of the centre:

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 I am writing to all members of the Active Leisure Club to thank you for your custom over the last year. We want to make
the facilities even better this year! Please send a short report to us, telling us the best and worst aspects of the club. We The purpose of this report is to outline the best (point 1) and worst parts (point 2) of our club, as well as to recommend
also want to hear your suggestions for new facilities… improvements to the facilities. (point 3)

Finally, you mention how you collected the data for your report this is not something that you have to do but it can help your
Topic: Active Leisure Club wants to improve their facilities
report stand out a little bit.

Main key points: Example:

1. describe the best aspects of the club The purpose of this report is to outline the best and worst parts of our club, as well as to recommend improvements to the
facilities. The data for the report was collected based on the opinions of club members (source)
2. describe the worst aspects of the club

3. suggest new facilities

Target reader: manager of the centre: Complete and finished introduction with title:

Example:
As soon as we’ve analyzed the task and extracted all the information that we need we can start building the report structure
and writing it.
Title: Report on Active Leisure Club facilities

The purpose of this report is to outline the best (point 1) and worst parts of (point 2) our club, as well as to recommend
Step 2: Title
improvements to the facilities. (point 3) The data for the report was collected based on the opinions of club members.
(source)
Although the title is not obligatory, it is certainly an attractive addition and could be something like:

 Report on …….  + Topic

 Topic + : a report
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If you remember in the previous step (Step 1) we found the topic.
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Topic: Active Leisure Club wants to improve their facilities
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Let’s use it now:
Example:
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 Title: Report on Active Leisure Club facilities
Title: Active Leisure Club facilities: a report

Step 4: The body paragraphs (main content) 

Step 3: Introduction
When we have a ready title and introduction to our report, we can move on to writing the proper content.
A good and equivalent introduction should contain two things:
In the main content, you should answer the main key points that you discovered in the task (see step 1) under suitable
Firstly, you have to state the purpose of the report as clearly as possible – this gives the reader a clear idea of what to expect subheadings, and each is placed in a separate section/paragraph.
and sets the tone for the rest of the report.
Main key points  (see step 1):
The purpose of the report is nothing more than three points you found (in step 1)
1. describe the best aspects of the club
1. describe the best aspects of the club
2. describe the worst aspects of the club
2. describe the worst aspects of the club
3. suggest new facilities
3. suggest new facilities
See the example main content below, with additional annotations you may find useful:
Let’s use them now:
Example: Example:
                – persuasive language (recommendations)
The best aspects of the club –  add a heading 
Most members seem to enjoy the swimming pool with its daily water exercise classes and the opportunity to swim in 50-                – suggestions
metre lanes. It also appears that offering a child care programme is appreciated by the majority of our members since
many of them have families, but still would like to use the facilities of the club.

[first key point answered -best aspects]

Submit your B2 First (FCE) Report
The worst aspects of the club – add heading 
According to most of the members I have spoken to, the café does not meet their expectations with below-average food Within 72 hours your B2 First (FCE) report will be reviewed and graded.

and slow service. Another problem is the state of the gymnasium which, in general, is avoided by many because of broken
equipment and a lack of staff during peak times. See more

[second key point answered – worse aspects]

Suggestions
See full report…
[…… here you can add one more paragraph and give suggestions, OR include them in the conclusion]

Full Report 
                   – formal/indirect language – official

Report on Active Leisure Club facilities

                   – transitional words, expressions and conjunctions, which link the sentences and make the text more fluid

The purpose of this report is to outline the best and worst parts of our club, as well as to recommend improvements to the
facilities. The data for the report was collected based on the opinions of club members
 TIP: Headings are very important!
The best aspects of the club
When you write a report every paragraph must have a title but don’t worry, these do not need to be creative titles. Most members seem to enjoy the swimming pool with it’s daily water exercise classes and the opportunity to swim in 50-
This is not an article! metre lanes. It also appears that offering a child care programme is appreciated by the majority of our members since
many of them have families, but still would like to use the facilities of the club.
Headings must be factual. They must only let the reader know what information will be contained in the paragraph.
The worst aspects of the club
So what is a very boring and factual title? According to most of the members I have spoken to, the café does not meet their expectations with below-average food
and slow service. Another problem is the state of the gymnasium which, in general, is avoided by many because of broken
Introduction… , Positive aspects of… , Negative aspects of…, Improvements…, Recommendations…, Suggestions… equipment and a lack of staff during peak times.

Suggestions & conclusions

In the final analysis, the best solutions seem to be to improve the quality of the menu and the service at the café as well
as the maintenance schedule and number of staff at the gymnasium. If manager is decided to follow recommendations,
Step 5: Conclusion
the experience of members would improved

After writing the entire content, we only have a summary where we can also include our suggestions or recommendations – to
do this we can use some specific language that is there to persuade the manager of the centre to take up our idea and
implement it.
To sum up….
Example:

Suggestions & conclusions – add a heading 

 A report is a formal paper, it has to be concise, well-organized, which makes it recommended to use bullet points and
In the final analysis, the best solutions seem to be to improve the quality of the menu and the service at the café as well
headings so that the reader can quickly find the information they are looking for in your text.
as the maintenance schedule and number of staff at the gymnasium. If manager is decided to follow recommendations,
the experience of members would improved
 Sample papers, online practice tests & tips. Track your progress online.

 The language of a report is expected to be formal and objective. For this reason, you should avoid including yourself
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or your views in most of your sentences.

B2 First (FCE) Report: Example Answers

FCE Report Sample 2 
FCE Report Sample 1 

Subject:
Subject: The gym you work for has been losing members recently and would like to know why they are leaving. The gym manager
has asked you to write a report about why these customers are leaving. In your report you should specify what the
Your college has just published the first issue of the new college magazine. The organisers are interested in knowing what
problems are and should give recommendations for improvement.
students thought about it, so they have asked you to write a report. In your report, you should talk about what the
students liked and disliked about the articles, the sports section and the news section. Then, you should make suggestions
on how to improve the magazine. Student’s FCE Report Answer:

Write a report. Improving Our Gym

Introduction
Student’s FCE Report Answer:
The aim of this report is to explain the main reasons why members are leaving the gym. After interviewing some clients, we
The New College Magazine
have identified some serious problems.

Introduction
Limited opening hours
The purpose of this report is to outline students’ opinions about the new college magazine, and to make
Some members have complained that the gym opens a little late for them. For this reason, workers cannot exercise before
recommendations based on their views.
going to work. If the gym opened at 7 a.m., clients could exercise easily before going to work.

The articles
The changing rooms
Most students thought the articles were interesting and well written. However, they did not talk about modern topics, so
Many of the lockers are broken so customers cannot leave their belongings in a safe place. Also, some of the showers are
some students found this part of the magazine a little boring.
not working properly so members have to queue before having a shower. In order to solve this, I suggest replacing all
lockers and showers immediately.
The sports section
It is thought that the sports section is good, but most articles were about football or basketball. This is not a good thing
Lack of parking spaces
because most of our sporty students play rugby, not football or basketball.
Some previous members have joined gyms which have a parking lot. Although we cannot build a parking lot, we can offer
a parking area for bicycles. As a result, this might encourage members to use their bikes to come to the gym.
The news section
Many students complained about the news section, because it only focused on news about the college. These students
Conclusion
were expecting to read some news about the city, too.
To sum up, I believe that if we take care of these problems, members will be happier and will decide to stay with us.

Recommendations
In order to solve the problems above, I recommend taking some measures. Firstly, article writers should focus more on
technology and other modern issues. Secondly, we should consider writing more about rugby and less about other sports.
Finally, we should include some news about our city. If we do these things, the magazine will be more interesting to our Get Your FCE Report Checked!
students.
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Get Your FCE Report Checked!

 How to do that? Simply check your text/email by answering the questions one by one:

B2 First (FCE) Report: Writing Topics Content

 Have I covered all the key information required by the task?

 Have I written only information which is relevant to the task?
Example Report Question 1 
 Have I developed the basic points in the task with my own ideas?

Communicative Achievement
A group of students from Britain would like to visit your home town as part of an exchange programme. Their leader has
asked you to write a report describing what there is to see and do in the town, and to describe some of the other services
 Have I achieved the main purpose(s) of the text (for example, explaining, persuading, suggesting, apologising,
and facilities that would be available to them. comparing, etc.)?

Write your report.  Have I communicated a balance of straightforward and more complex ideas?
 Have I used a suitable style and register (formal or informal) for the task?

Organisation
Example Report Question 2 
 Have I used paragraphs appropriately to organise my ideas?
 Have I used other organisational features appropriately for the genre of the text (for example, titles, headings,
You have just come back from a visit to a local museum organised by your school the principal has asked you to write a openings, closings, etc.)?
report about the museum and what you saw there, saying whether it is of interest for all age groups in the school.
 Is the connection between my ideas clear and easy for the reader to follow? (For example, have I used appropriate
linking words, pronouns, etc. to refer to different things within the text?)
Write a report for the Principal
 Are the ideas balanced appropriately, with suitable attention and space given to each one?

Language

Example Report Question 3 

 Have I used a wide range of vocabulary?
 Have I avoided repeating the same words and phrases?
You have just come back from a two-day study trip to a historic town. Your teacher has asked you to write a report about  Have I used a range of simple and more complex grammatical structures?
your visit, saying what you saw during the two days and whether you would recommend a similar visit for other students.
 Have I correctly used any common phrases which are relevant to the specific task or topic?

Write your report  Is my use of grammar accurate?

 Is my spelling accurate?

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B2 First (FCE) Report: Tips

B2 First (FCE) Report: Writing Checklist

 Begin by stating the purpose of your report.

After writing your text, you can check it yourself using the writing checklist below.
  You may use invented statistics to provide a succinct summary of your results. Practice Tests Online
 Use headings. They will make it clear that your report is not an essay or review.
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 Use lists of numbered points or bullets where appropriate. Sample papers, online practice tests & tips.

 Divide your report into sections according to the input.

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  Develop the ideas in the task input.
 Include a sentence summarising your opinion at the beginning of the final section of your report.
 Use an impersonal, formal style.

B2 First (FCE) Report: Useful Language & Phrases

B2 First (FCE) Report: Grading
We will finish it with some useful vocabulary mostly used to organize information. Although it is taking a shortcut, if you learn
several expressions for each paragraph in each type of text that could be on your exam, you will certainly be able to create a
very consistent and well-organized text.
Language Organization

It might seem that it’s difficult to use advanced It’s not always easy to show links between paragraphs in Introduction (the goal of the report)
language in a Report. After all, the topics are usually so a Report — especially since each paragraph addresses a
dry —what can you write to show your creativity? single point. The aim of this report is to
As requested, I am writing this report to
This is why being specific so important. The more specific However, you can make sure to link your ideas in each This report aims to outline/assess
your ideas, the more specific the language you have to paragraph, so that the sentences build up to a The purpose behind this report is to
use, and therefore the more advanced your language complete, fully-formed idea.
will seem. Don’t stop with ‘computer’ – think of
Development
‘interactive whiteboard’, ‘webcam’ and so on. Try to use different sentence patterns. For example, use
an adverbial clause at the start of the sentence to
introduce your idea— ‘It’s highly likely that…” for The first observation to make concerns…
example. It has to been stressed that…
According to (the majority of respondents)…
In spite of (the fact that)…
Communication Content Despite (the fact that)…
The outlook for …… is (far from) bright/optimistic/depressing/daunting
Reports should be written in  formal register.  It’s important that you consider all of the content points. The future looks bleak/remains uncertain/is promising
This seems unlikely in the near/foreseeable future
It’s a good idea to use the passive voice (eg ‘This report Everything you write must be relevant to the task. Don’t
has been written ….”) but not in every sentence – you will get distracted by something you think is more
Recommendations
send the Target Reader to sleep if you rely on it too interesting.
much.
I suggest/recommend
Add as much specific details as you can — this will make
I would like to suggest/recommend
Introduce complex ideas as well as simple ones. Saying the Target Reader feel fully informed.
I therefore suggest
that there is a computer in every classroom is a simple
I advise you (not) to
one — but
I believe it would be beneficial
saying that the webcam can be used to communicate
It would be advisable to
with people online is an example of a more complex
You may wish/want to consider
idea.
If you wish to…, you should
If we wish to…, we ought to

FCE, CAE, CPE Conclusion

Provided that these recommendations are taken into consideration,…
In conclusion,…
From the research one can conclude that…

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