Letter/Email – examples & model answers | B2 First (FCE)
An email/a letter is written in response to the situation outlined in the question. Letters and emails in the B2 First Writing paper will require a response which is consistently appropriate in register and tone for the specified target reader.
Candidates can expect to be asked to write letters or emails to, for example, an English-speaking friend or colleague, a potential employer, a college principal or a magazine editor.
FCE, CAE, CPE
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FCE Email Example: Touring holiday
Topic
You have received this email from your English-speaking friend David.
From: David Subject: touring holidaySome college friends of mine are visiting your area soon for a week’s touring holiday. They would like to travel around and learn about your local area and its history.Can you tell me about some of the places they could visit? What’s the best way to travel around – car, bike or coach?Thanks, David |
Write your email.
Answer:
Dear David,
I’m glad your friends are visiting my area soon for a week’s touring holiday. I have many ideas what I can show them and tell about.
In my opinion the best way to travel around will be by bike because of small distances between the places and views are amazing.
My area includes also beautiful Baltic Sea which many tourist visit especially in summer. Your friends could sunbath or swim if they would like but the water is quite cold in this season. Beautiful sightseeing of sunrise is the best memorise!
You wrote that they are intrested in history of my local area. That’s great! We have museum of our local history where I can go with them. Tickets are not so expensive and I can think about some discount.
What do you think about it? Would you mind send me some your ideas?
I look forward to hearing from you soon.
Best wishes,
Sam
Comments:
Subscale | Grade | Commentary |
Content | 5 | All content is relevant and the target reader is fully informed. The candidate responds to the questions that have been asked and gives details about the places David’s friends can visit. The email explains that the best mode of transport is bike, because of small distances between the places and views are amazing. |
Communicative Achievement | 3 | The conventions of the task are used to hold the reader’s attention. The response is written in an informal, friendly but polite tone, which is appropriate for the task. The conventions for opening and closing an email of this type are used appropriately, as well as standard phrases for communication to a friend. Straightforward ideas are communicated. Information and advice are given and the overall tone is enthusiastic and positive. |
Organisation | 4 | The text is well organised and coherent, and uses the input email well to structure the response. A variety of linking words and cohesive devices, such as substitution and referencing, are used across some sentences and to connect simple ideas. |
Language | 3 | There is a range of everyday vocabulary used which is relevant to the topic. There is a range of simple and some complex grammatical forms used with a good degree of control, e.g. modals, present and past forms of verbs. There are some errors and some spelling mistakes but these do not impede communication. |
FCE Email Example: Swimming team
Topic
You have received this email from your English-speaking friend, Jo.
From: Jo Hi, Write soon, |
Write your email.
Answer:
Hi Jo,
It is good to receive news from you! I bet you are swimming like a fish. Do you remember when we were kids and we made a few races in Angelina’s pool?
I understand why you are trying to persuade them but remember that they want your best. If I were you firstly I would try to talk with your swimming coach and ask him about the possibilities of training another day. Then if the answer would have been negative I will probably try to do the same with yours future math teacher. I am sure that everyone knows the importance of practising sports while studying. So they will find a solution.
If everything goes don’t doesn’t happen as you and I expect ensure that your parents don’t get mad with your decision. They are giving their best! Put your education in front first place. Opportunities to swim you will have a lot during your life. Moreover, you can come to Barcelone and try to catch me in the pool.
Good luck,
Sam
Comments:
Subscale | Grade | Commentary |
Content | 5 | All of the content is relevant to the task. The question in the input has been answered in detail, and the target reader is fully informed. |
Communicative Achievement | 4 | Although the style is slightly formal in places, the conventions of the email genre have been used effectively to hold the target reader’s attention and communicate straightforward ideas. |
Organisation | 3 | The text is generally well organised and coherent, using a variety of linking words and cohesive devices. |
Language | 3 | A range of everyday vocabulary is used appropriately, with occasional inappropriate use of less common lexis. A range of simple and some complex grammatical forms has been used with a good degree of control. The errors do not impede communication. |
FCE, CAE, CPE
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FCE Letter Example: School uniforms
Topic
This Is part of a letter from Karl, your English friend:
From: Karl I know in some schools students wear a school uniform. I’m not sure if ifs a good idea for everyone to wear the same clothes when they go to school. What do you think? Write and tell me. |
Write your letter.
Answer:
Dear Karl
I’m writing to you about the letter which you sent me and asking my opinion about the school uniform. I believe it is one of the most important thing that we should discuss.
Nowadays, there are a few schools in which students wear a school uniform. I believe that this happening because pupils are free to wear whatever they want. Also, this means that they can express themselves.
On the other hand, school uniforms showes In which school each pupil belong to. Then, the uniforms support the way that the schools should work in our days In addition, if all pupils wear the school uniform, there will not be any pupil who will be unfashionable, and nobody will feel uncomfortable. Fashion is very popular, especially in high school, and wear fashionable clothes is the way to show off. That’s such a waste because fashion is the thing that cannot keep for long time. It Is not a good idea to flow fashion in school time.
To sum up, I believe that we should wear uniforms because in this way, them will not be any differences between pupils.
Best wishes
Tom
Comments:
Subscale | Grade | Commentary |
Content | 5 | The content is addressed and is relevant to the task set. |
Communicative Achievement | 4 | The conventions of the lacer ate used (opening and closing salutation) but the text reads, in fact, as an essay rather than as a letter to a friend. |
Organisation | 5 | The text is well organised into paragraphs and there is generally good use of appropriate linking devices. |
Language | 3 | A range of language is used. There are some errors which distract (`flow’) and some inappropriate use of less common lexis (‘..the thing that cannot keep for long time). |
FCE Letter Example: Letter of application
Topic
You see this advertisment in your local newspaper:
Helpers wanted We are looking for people to work in a holiday club for English-speaking children (aged 4–8).
|
Write your letter of application.
Answer:
Dear Mr. Nick Jones,
I had been searching for a job when i discovered the advertisment in the local newpaper, in which you were offering a post at your holiday club.
I am an eighteen year-old student at King’s College and I have a part-time job at the local library, as an assistant. In the last three years, I have been attending English courses and I have achieved a high score at an exam involving the language.
Since I started highschool, I have always enjoyed helping children in need. I was usually participating in children’s parties as a helper, but I was also caring for the one’s in the street by giving them food and by giving advice whenever they needed it.
I love children and I do my best to make them happy. I am comunicative, hard- working and patient.
In the end, I think I will manage with the challenges this job may offer. I inclose my curriculum vitae and a photography. I am looking forward to your reply!
yours sincerely,
Stefan Pasoi
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Sample papers, online practice tests & tips. Track your progress online.Comments:
Subscale | Grade | Commentary |
Content | 5 | All content is relevant to the task and the target reader would be fully informed. The reader learns in detail about the writer’s experience of working with children and their knowledge of English. |
Communicative Achievement | 4 | The conventions of formal letters of application are used generally effectively to communicate straightforward ideas. The tone is consistently formal and ideas are expressed clearly and persuasively to hold the target reader’s attention throughout. Greater control and range of key language of letters of application, for example closing statements and greetings, would improve the overall effect on the reader. |
Organisation | 4 | The text is well organised and coherent, making effective use of a variety of cohesive devices to introduce and connect ideas. There are good examples of internal cohesion, particularly in the third paragraph. Paragraphing is used effectively to present each key point. |
Language | 4 | There is a range of topic-specific vocabulary which is generally used well (an exam involving the language; helping children in need; as a helper) and a range of simple and some more complex grammatical forms is used with a good degree of control. There are some errors, for example the inappropriate use of the exclamation mark, with spelling and the choice of past tense, but these do not impede communication. |
FCE Email Example: Money!
Topic
You have received this email from your English-speaking friend, Susan:
From: Susan Hi! What do you suggest I do? Thanks, |
Write your email.
Answer:
Dear Susan,
I think you know from the start that this subject may be inappropriate to discuss with me, but since we are best friends, I accept.
If I were you, I would spend it all on an amazing holiday with my friends where you can do fun things and maybe meat someone special.
I am not sure what you are supposed to do with the money, but I can help you find the best solution. You must think simultaniously at both advantages and disadvantages. If you give your money to your parents, you would loose the benefits from it, but you could also help them.
I suggest you put it in your bank account and wait until celebrities can show up at your door, so that you can photograph them and be well-known.
There are a lot of money, so think carefully which is the best solution. You can also contact me or meat face-to-face if you need.
Therefore, you can benefit from it if you are wise and rational
Yours,
Andrea
Comments:
Subscale | Grade | Commentary |
Content | 5 | All content is relevant to the task and the target reader is fully informed. All options are considered in detail and a clear viewpoint is presented. |
Communicative Achievement | 3 | The conventions of writing an informal email are used to communicate straightforward advice. A friendly, natural tone is used throughout to hold the target reader’s attention. |
Organisation | 3 | The text is generally well organised and coherent. Ideas are introduced and connected mainly at sentence level using a variety of linking words and some cohesive devices. |
Language | 3 | Everyday vocabulary is used appropriately, with some attempt at less common lexis. There is a range of simple grammatical forms used appropriately and with a good degree of control. Errors, mainly with spelling, do not impede communication. |