HOW TO PASS B2 FIRST

WRITING PART 1 RESOURCE MATERIAL

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 INTRODUCTION TO THE PASS FRAMEWORK
Welcome to PASS, the platform which will provide you with the tools
you need to pass your exam and to develop the skills to take your
language learning on to the next level. Our mission is to use all our
experience and know-how to help you to fulfil your potential.
What is the PASS method? The word PASS means to be successful in a
test or an exam. That is why you are here. Other meanings of PASS
refer to steps in a process. For example, PASS means to proceed in a
specific direction, to move forward in time, and to advance or develop
in something. This course will help you get the best possible score, but
we also emphasise engagement in the process. Why?
We want to teach you that the exam is your friend. It offers you a
chance to develop your skills and improve. Doing an exam to get a
certificate is about getting a short-term result, PASS is about learning
a process that achieves the short-term result, but also builds a
language learning and exam preparation skillset for the long-term.
So, the P of PASS means PROCESS. What does the A mean? The A
means AWARENESS. This is about knowing the exam, knowing what
is expected of you, what the examiners want from you, and learning
the most effective and practical tips to help you maximise your score.
We will teach you exam awareness.
Next, we have S, for STRATEGIES. Here we will work with you to
develop your techniques for planning, with practical approaches to
specific sections. The more confident you feel going into the exam, the
better your score will be.
Finally, we have S for SKILLS. We will develop your language skills
with detailed and practical work on each question or task type. After
all, learning techniques and strategies is important, but you need to
know the content.
In this resource we use the PASS framework to cover the key tips,
strategies and techniques for writing essays. Our aim is to help you
develop your skills for this exam part and ensure you get the best score
possible.

Are you ready to PASS?

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 CAMBRIDGE B2 FIRST WRITING PART 1

PROCESS

If you have practised a lot, you will be more confident. If you are
confident, you will be more relaxed on the day of the exam and you
will be able to enjoy the experience.

Remember, the examiners want you to pass. Go in, feel confident, smile
and try to enjoy showing them what you know in English.

Get into English! Start reading, writing, listening and speaking English
very regularly as soon as possible. On the day of the exam, surround
yourself with English. Use your mobile device to read in English, send
a few messages, put a review in English on Google, anything to be in
the right frame of mind.

AWARENESS

It should go without saying, but the first step is to know the format,
timing, task types, language functions tested and marks awarded for
this paper. If you are unsure about the answers to the following
questions, go to the links below and get up to speed as soon as
possible:

• How long does this paper last?

• How many parts are there?
• Can you list the task types in each part of this paper?
• What language functions are tested in each part?
• How many words do you have to write?
• How many marks are awarded for the Writing paper?

• https://www.cambridgeenglish.org/exams-and-
tests/first/exam-format/
• https://www.passenglishexam.com/materials

Please do not skip this preliminary activity. Your score will depend as
much on your knowledge of the exam as on your language ability, and
detailed awareness of what to expect will build your confidence in the
process.

Furthermore, you should think about what the examiners are basing
your grade on. You will find the B2 First Writing assessment scales in
the appendix at the end of this document and you will be using these
criteria to self-assess your essays. For the moment, here is a summary
of the key points for each of the 4 main criteria:

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Content

• That everything you write is relevant to the task

• That the reader would be informed about the task question
• That you have answered all of the question and done what you were
asked to do

Communicative achievement

• That the style is correct for the type of task, here this means using a
formal essay style. An informal message or email style would not be
appropriate and you would lose marks.
• That the purpose of the text is clear
• That you use conventions of the text type to communicate your ideas

Organisation

• That you use appropriate linking words to organise your ideas

• That you use other cohesive devices such as substitution and
reference pronouns. This means using pronouns to reference and
substitute nouns you have mentioned previously.
• That the text is organised into logical paragraphs
• That your examples connect well to the points expressed

Language

• That there is a wide range of vocabulary and it is used appropriately

• That there is a range of grammatical forms and these are used
correctly
• That although there are some errors, these do not impede
communication

STRATEGIES

The Plan, Write, Check approach

The best way to improve writing skills is practising writing essays using
the Plan, Write, Check approach and time it at 40 minutes. You should
spend 5 minutes on the planning, 30 on the writing and 5 minutes
checking. Let’s look at an example. Here is a Part 1 Essay question:

In your English class you have been talking about the Internet. Now,
your English teacher has asked you to write an essay.

Write an essay using all the notes and give reasons for your point of
view. Write 140-190 words.

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Essay question: Do you think the Internet has had a positive or a
negative effect on our lives today?

Notes

Write about:

1. Relationships

2. Leisure time

3. ....................(your own idea)

Planning

For the planning stage you could divide your time like this:

• Spend 1 minute reading the question and underline key words.

• Spend 1 minute deciding your opinion and which model you will
use: 2 or 3 paragraphs in the middle.

• Spend 1 minute adding an extra point in the notes.

• Spend 2 minutes writing ideas and synonyms for the key words
in the question, plus good formal linking words.

Why don’t you try it using this question? You may need to look at the
next strategy for help with the essay model. Then you could do the
same for 1 essay title every day for 1 week. Do the plan in 5 minutes!
Use these links for typical Part 1 Essay questions:

• https://www.esl-lounge.com/student/first-certificate-
writing.php
• https://englishexamhelp.com/fce-writing/
• https://www.examenglish.com/FCE/Cambridge_First_writing_p
art1.htm

Writing – The “burger” essay structure models

There are 2 typical models you can use to structure your essay: the 2-
paragraph and the 3-paragraph models. There are actually 5
paragraphs: 1 for the introduction, 1 for the conclusion and 2 / 3 in the
middle. We think they are like a burger in structure! Essentially the
introduction and conclusion are the bread of the burger, and the 2 / 3
paragraphs in the middle are like the filling of the burger!! Do you
prefer meat, lettuce, tomato or a veggie burger, for example? Here we
will look at options for structuring these models. Later in the skills

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section you will find examples of the 2-paragraph model, and we have
provided model answers for tasks with the 3-paragraph model in the
assignment. This way you have plenty of options for planning your
essays.

Essays can have a balanced opinion which introduces both positive and
negative aspects. This is usually made clear in the introduction. Here
is a typical plan if considering both points of view with the 2-paragraph
model:

• Paragraph 1: a general introduction stating the advantages

and disadvantages

• Paragraph 2: state the reasons in favour of the proposition in the

question

• Paragraph 3: state the reasons against the proposition

• Paragraph 4: a conclusion, summarising your opinion

Alternatively, essays can take one point of view and this can be stated
clearly in the introduction. Here is a typical plan if considering one point
of view:

• Paragraph 1: a general introduction stating your opinion

• Paragraph 2: first reason with a clear example using point 1 of

the notes

• Paragraph 3: second reason with a clear example using point 2

of the notes

• Paragraph 4: third reason with a clear example using your idea

• Paragraph 5: a conclusion, summarising and restating your

opinion

Checking

You should use a checklist to help you self-assess your work. After
writing your essay you should spend 5 minutes checking it and this can
really help improve your score. Below you will find 2 checklists you can
use when you practise the guided essay writing with the model answers
provided in your PASS course. Of course, you should also use them in
the real exam.

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Essay writing checklist:

Have you started and finished in an appropriate way? 

Have you included all your notes written on the question material? 
Have you given reasons for your opinion? 
Have you started your sentences in different ways? 
Have you tried to use paraphrasing and not to repeat too many words? 
Have you used linking words and phrases? 
Have you used paragraphs? 
Have you written the essay in an appropriate formal style? 
Have you written the correct number of words (140-190)? 
Do you think that you have answered the question? 

General language checklist – 12 typical errors!

Have you checked your spelling?

Have you used the correct punctuation?
Have you used any false friends?
Have you used the correct tenses? (Last year people don’t go)
Do the subject and the verb agree in your sentences? (people is)
Have you put an “s” on adjectives? (differents cars)
Have you put an “s” on uncountable nouns? (informations)
Have you used any double negatives?
Have you used an article before a general idea? (the money talks)
Is the subject missing? (because is very important)
Have you put a noun before an adjective (the man tall)?
Have you used the right prepositions? (it depends of)

SKILLS

Activities to improve vocabulary and grammar range for essays

Useful expressions

Keep a list of useful expressions that you will be able to use in the Part
1 Essay and any other formal writings in Part 2. You can do it as a table
like this:

As I see it,... • However, … • I partly / fully agree that… • Although… •

In addition,… • Firstly / Secondly / Thirdly … • Moreover, … • Finally…
• Consequently… • To sum up… • Furthermore, … • Last but not
least, ...• All in all… • I firmly believe that… • What is more, … • As a
result… • I personally feel that… • First / Second of all,...

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Giving your Structuring Adding ideas Contrasting Explaining
opinion your ideas ideas

As I see it

Why not set up your table, add these expressions in, and then add
more as you learn more? Here’s a tip: all these expressions can also
be used in the Speaking paper!

Paraphrasing

Paraphrasing means to express something in a different way, using

other words or a different word order, but with the same meaning. It
is a key exam skill. Here are some paraphrasing activities for different
functions and parts of speech to improve your range of vocabulary.

Play paraphrasing games. When reading a text in English, try writing a

couple of sentences by paraphrasing the words you have read. This
could be the title of the book or article or simply a couple of sentences
in the text. You can do this activity by writing or simply by thinking.

Try learning paraphrases and words connected with typical subjects

which will probably be in the Part 1 essay or in Part 2 of the Writing
exam. Here’s a tip: these words will also be useful for the Speaking
paper!

Look at typical Writing Part 1 Essay questions and see if you can quickly
paraphrase the key words. Try to find at least 2 other words for each
key word. You can use the links above in the Strategies section or at
the end of this document in the essay practice section.

For instance: important, good, bad, nice, people, country, the world,
work, studies, etc. Make a list of approximately 4 synonyms for each
word and try to learn 4 new words for 3 categories in 1 week (12 words
in total). A good place to go for synonyms is thesaurus.com. Just type
in the word and you will see lots of examples:

• https://www.thesaurus.com/

Here are some examples of paraphrased words or expressions

connected with the words:

Important: crucial, essential, it’s the crux of the issue, the cornerstone

Good: great, second to none, outstanding, brilliant

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Bad: appalling, dreadful, nasty, horrible

People: individuals, the average person, ordinary people, humanity /

humankind, citizens

Children: kids, youngsters, under-18s, offspring

Teenagers: teens, adolescents, the youth, youngsters, young people

Older people: the elderly, over 65s, retired individuals

Country: a nation, nationwide.

The world: worldwide, globally, around the world, on planet Earth, on

the Earth

Work: employment, being employed, being at work, a job, earning a

salary, being out of work / unemployed, being made redundant, being
sacked / fired, being on the dole

Boss: employer

Worker: employee, co-worker, colleague

Studies: education, studying for a degree, higher / further education,

being taught, learning, picking up, a teacher / tutor / educator

How about adding some more interesting ways of saying typical words
or phrases?

For example: For instance, such as, like

Quite: rather, fairly, somewhat

In conclusion: To sum up, All in all

Using the passive

One way to show the examiner you know how to write formally is by
using the passive. Find or write sentences in the active and change
them to the passive. For example:

1. Shakespeare wrote Hamlet.

2. People often think cooking is easy.
3. Many youngsters have read that book.
4. The boss will have sacked Jane by the end of the year.
5. The landlord would have evicted them if they hadn't paid their
rent on time.
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Answers:

1. Hamlet was written by Shakespeare.

2. It is often thought that cooking is easy.
3. That book has been read by many youngsters.
4. Jane will have been sacked by her boss by the end of the year.
5. They would have been evicted by the landlord if they hadn't
paid their rent on time.

Here’s another useful tip: remember that paraphrasing by changing a

word or expression, and doing these grammar exercises, will also help
you in the Reading and Use of English paper, the Listening paper and
the Speaking paper!

SKILLS / AWARENESS

2-paragraph essay model - Samples

You saw a sample of a 3-paragraph essay in one of the video classes

on the Writing Part 1 Essay. And in the Awareness section we gave
you structures for planning both essay models. Of course, you can also
use the 2-paragraph model. Both models are equally valid. In the 2-
paragraph essay the burger filling is with 2 paragraphs in the middle,
instead of 3.

Here are 2 samples of the 2-paragraph essay. Using the criteria given
to examiners (in the Appendix and in the Awareness section), give
both a grade out of 5 for content, communicative achievement,
organisation and language. Here is the question:

In your English class you have been talking about work. Now, your
English teacher has asked you to write an essay.

Write an essay using all the notes and give reasons for your point of
view. Write 140-190 words.

Essay question: Is it better to spend your working life in one

organisation or in many different ones?

Write about:

1. Job security
2. Opportunities
3. …................. (your own idea) variety means experience

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Sample answer 1:
It has often been said that being employed by one corporation is an
improvement on working in several different firms. Nowadays, this is
considered a more old-fashioned view by younger employees.
On the one hand, those who believe it is a good idea to spend your
career path in one multinational say job security is second to none.
They suggest that staying in the same company offers economic
stability and helps make work easier because you know your colleagues
and being fired is less likely.
On the other hand, however, the more modern viewpoint is that
changing your place of work gives chances which would be impossible
to find by staying in the same place. Moreover, working for different
employers makes the employee's CV look better and provide further
chances to gain employment. It has also been suggested that a varied
career path means experience working with different people and
consequently the individual becomes a more flexible person.
All in all, I believe the benefits of working for a variety of companies,
such as experience and perks, outweigh the drawback of having less
job security, because better employment is more likely due to the fact
that you are a more flexible worker. (202 words)
Sample answer 2:
Many people says it is better to be in the same place when you work,
but I am not agree because there are more opportunities when you
work for differents organisations.
First, job security is very important to many people, but it is not the
most important thing. Working in different places means you get more
opportunities and the experience you get means you are a more flexible
person and therefore a better worker.
Other people say working in one place is the better because you will
keep always your job and you will have no problem with the people you
work with, so it is better. They say job security is the most important
thing.
In my opinion, to work for diferent people is much better, because you
have more oportunities and you are a better worker if you work for
different places. (145 words)

What did you think? The level of these answers is rather different, isn’t
it? Why not make some notes and then compare with our feedback?
Then you should make notes on the conclusions you reached from
doing this exercise. You will have a guide to what to do, and what not
to do in the real exam. Here is our feedback for Sample 1:

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Content
The reader is fully informed and the essay answers the question. 4.5/5
Communicative Achievement
Easy and more complex ideas are well communicated with appropriate,
formal style. 4.5/5
Organisation
Good paragraph structure, coherent flow to the essay. A well-organised
essay. 5/5
Language
Accuracy and range of vocabulary and grammar: good linking words
(moreover, all in all, on the one hand, on the other hand) and passives
(it has often been said, this is considered, it has been suggested), good
paraphrasing of key words of the question. 5/5
Total = 19/20 or 9.5/10
Here is our feedback for Sample 2:
Content
Although the essay keeps to the question, it does not fully inform the
reader. For example, it simply says that one aspect is better, but not
why. The arguments are not developed. 2.5/5
Communicative Achievement
It is easy to understand the essay but the reader's attention is not held
and there are no complex ideas. Even the easy ideas are not developed.
2/5
Organisation
The text is coherent, but with few linking words and cohesive devices.
Also, the introduction should not give the writer's opinion in a 2-
paragraph essay. 2/5
Language
No wide range of words, but a repetition of key words: important,
opportunities, work, people, better, organisation. No wide range of
grammar: present simple tense throughout the essay. Quite a lot of
basic errors…
Paragraph 1:
• Many people says... Correction = Many people say (people =
countable).
• I am not agree... Correction = I do not agree.

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 • many differents organisations... Correction = many different
organisations (adjectives are never plural).
Paragraph 3:
• working in one place is the better... Correction = is the best
(superlative, not comparative).
• You will keep always your job... Correction = You will always keep
your job (word order).
Paragraph 4:
• to work for... Correction = working for (when you use a verb as
a subject, use the gerund)
• diferent… Correction = different (spelling)
• oportunities... Correction = opportunities (spelling) 2/5
Total = 8.5/20 or 4.25/10

We hope that this resource material is useful, and we urge you to carry
out all of the activities to get the best score possible in your exam. If
you learn and practise the language skills, strategies and techniques
provided in this document you will be successful in the Writing paper.

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Appendix: Writing paper assessment scales

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