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20 English Essay Topics/Questions | B2 First (FCE)

Level: B2
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B2 First (FCE) Essay: Example Topics / Questions
B2 First (FCE) Essay: Download (PDF)

An essay is a piece of writing in which you are asked to discuss a topic that might be controversial or relevant somehow. It usually follows a class discussion.

The language of an English essay should be formal. Also, make sure that you justify all your ideas and that you use appropriate connectors to link your sentences and paragraphs.

How to write B2 First (FCE) essay?

B2 First (FCE) Essay: Example Topics / Questions

Below is a sample list of academic essay writing topics/tasks for B2-level (intermediate) students. You can use them to practice writing English essays or to prepare for the Cambridge B2 First (FCE) exam

You have watched a documentary about young children in poor areas who leave school to work. 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.


Teenagers are dropping out of school to find a job. How can we help them to continue their education?

Notes

Write about:

  • family problems
  • financial difficulties
  • …………… (your own idea)

In your social studies course, you have watched a documentary on the potential effects of too much pollution on the air quality of city centres. Your professor has assigned you an essay to write.

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


Keeping the air quality in city centres at healthy levels for their residents is a concern for many places. How can we solve the problem of pollution in city centres?

Notes

Write about:

  • automobiles
  • factories
  • ………………  (your own idea)

In your education class, you have listened to a lecture on the importance of teaching foreign languages in school. Your teacher has asked you to write an essay.

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


Learning a foreign language helps students develop a set of important skills. Why should foreign languages be taught in schools?

Notes

Write about:

  • new cultures
  •  employment
  • …………. (your own idea)

You have listened to a radio programme about the problem of widespread starvation in many parts of Africa. 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.


In many parts of Africa, people are dying of starvation and lack of freshwater. Can these problems be solved?

Notes

Write about:

  • war
  • lack of organised farming
  • …….. …….. (your own idea)

You have watched a video on a non-profit organisation working to stop the use of animals for testing medicines used by human beings. Now, your professor has asked you to write an essay.

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


Testing on animals is a standard in scientific research. What is the best way to deal with this problem?

Notes

Write about:

  • animals suffer
  • outdated form of research
  • …… ……..  (your own idea)

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You have listened to a radio programme about deforestation, the cutting down of trees in many wild areas around the world. 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.


Many forests around the world are being destroyed for agricultural, commercial, or housing use without allowing time for the forests to regenerate themselves. What can be done to improve the situation?

Notes

Write about:

  • what contributes to the greenhouse effect
  • floods
  • ………. (your own idea)

In your English class, you have been talking about endangered species, animals or plants that will likely become extinct. 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.


Around the world, many wildlife species are in danger of extinction. How can we protect endangered animals?

Notes

Write about:

  • pollution
  • hunting wild animals
  • ………..  (your own idea)

You have watched a Youtube video about the problem of computer game addiction in children. 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.


More and more young people spend most of their time playing computer games. How can we help children to overcome this addiction?

Notes

Write about:

  • bad grades at school
  • no social life
  • ………… (your own idea)

You have listened to a radio programme about the impact of smoking on people’s health. 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.


Smoking is responsible for many health problems throughout the world. Do you think it should be made illegal?

Notes

Write about:

  • lung cancer
  •  passive smoking
  • ……………… (your own idea)

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In your English class, you have been talking about the problem of obesity in young people. 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.


In Europe and the USA a lot of young people have an obesity problem. What can be done to solve this problem?

Notes:

Write about:

  • Drinking
  • Fast food
  • (your own idea)

Has technology made a positive contribution to sport today?

Write about:

  • The use of technology to improve performance
  • The use of technology in refereeing decisions
  • (your own idea)

It is better to work at home than in an office. Do you agree?

Write about:

  • Contact with people
  • Working hours
  • (your own idea)

Life is harder for young people now than in the past. Do you agree?

Write about:

  • Education
  • Work
  • (your own idea)

Is it better to go shopping in small local businesses or large out-of-town shopping centres?

Write about:

  • Where things are cheaper
  • Where service is better
  • (your own idea)

Is it better to spend a summer holiday in the countryside or on the coast?

Write about:

  • Leisure options
  • Climate
  • (your own idea)

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Your teacher has asked you to write your response to the following statement taken from a recent newspaper article:

Do you agree that community service works better than fines?

Write about:

  • effort and time
  • lesson learned
  • ………………(your own idea)

Your teacher has asked you to write your response to the following statement taken from a recent newspaper article:

Is it true that we help the environment when we plant a tree?

Write about:

  • clear the air
  • shade
  •  ………….( your own idea)

Your teacher has asked you to write your response to the following statement taken from a recent newspaper article:

Nowadays children are suffering from obesity, that was once considered to be meant for adults only. What are its causes and what solutions can be offered?

Write about:

  • diet
  • busy lifestyle
  • ………………(your own idea)

Your teacher has asked you to write your response to the following statement taken from a recent newspaper article:

Is it better to be the oldest or the youngest in a family?

Write about:

  • parents
  • role of older sibling
  • ………………(your own idea)

Modern lifestyles can seriously endanger our health.

Do you agree?

Write about:

  • food
  • physical activity
  • …….. (your own choice)

B2 First (FCE) Essay: Download (PDF)

Download B2 First (FCE) Essay: Topics (PDF)

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Practice Tests Online

Get your writing checked, track your progress online.
Sample papers, online practice tests & tips.

B2 First (FCE) Essay: Assessement Criteria

Your essay will be assessed according to these four criteria:

Content

Focuses on how well you have completed the task, in other words, if you have answered the question.

Communicative Achievement

Focuses on how appropriate the writing is for the task and whether you have used formal or informal style appropriately. For example, is the style right for a magazine article?

Organisation

Focuses on the way you put together the piece of writing. Are the ideas logical and ordered? Have you used paragraphs and linking words?

Language

Focuses on vocabulary and grammar. This includes demonstrating the range of language that you know, as well as how accurate it is.

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