Cambridge English: C1 Advanced (CAE) Writing

Difficulty level: C1 / advanced

What is the Advanced (CAE) Writing test like?
The test has two sections and takes 90 minutes:

1. Part 1 - Write an essay with a discursive focus
   Some material to read (up to 150 words) which may include material taken from advertisements, extracts from letters, emails, postcards, diaries, short articles, etc. Using this information, write an essay with a discursive focus.
   220–260 words.
   
2. Part 2 - Situationally based writing task
   Choose one of four questions. You have to read some input material and write one of the following: a letter/email, a proposal, a report or a review.
   220–260 words.
   

Scoring
The Advanced (CAE) Writing Test makes up 20% of the entire exam.

Your writing is assessed using four criteria:

• Content - have you answered the question?
• Communicative Achievement - have you completed the task in the right sort of language
• Organisation - have you structured your writing with paragraphs?
• Language - have you used a good range of grammar and vocabulary

How to prepare for the Advanced (CAE) Writing test

• Choose a question that you are interested in. You will write better if you know the subject.

• Read this explanation of how to write an article.

• Read the instructions carefully before you start. Make notes. You must include all the points in the instructions.
• Make a plan before you start writing. Decide what information to put in each paragraph.
• Think about who you are writing to and use an appropriate style of language.
• Try to use a range of complex language.
• Leave enough time to check what you have written.

 

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