Letter – model answers & examiner comments | C1 Advanced (CAE)
A letter/an email is written in response to the situation outlined in the task. Letters/emails in the C1 Advanced Writing paper will require a response which is consistently appropriate for the specified target reader.
FCE, CAE, CPE
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CAE Letter Example: A friend’s visit
Topic
You have received a letter from an English friend:
| My new job is great, and next month I get to travel on business. Guess what – I’m actually coming to your town for a week! I’ll be free some evenings and one weekend. I want to make the most of this opportunity, so I’d like your advice please: where to go, what to do, and why? Cheers, |
Write your letter in reply.
Answer:
Hi, Chris!
Congratulations on getting a new job! And it is great you are finally getting a chance to visit our town. First of all, you absolutely need to visit our new waterpark ,,Aqua 3000”, it’s got all the awesome waterslides, the most amazing shapes and heights. We have different kinds of saunas there as well, if you fancy. As it is winter already, visiting the waterpark can be a nice opportunity to relax and warm your bones a little.
Secondly, I would advise you to visit our new 5D cinema. I remember, you have told me once you’d really love to visit one of those, well, here is your chance! It is an exciting and unforgettable experience, you’ll be sitting in a moving chair, feel the wind or even water dripping down on your head. I know you are a big fan of horror movies, and our cinema has a large choice of them.
On your free weekend you should visit our famous club ,,31/11”. At the time of your visit there will be performing an awesome DJ Skream, you have probably heard of him. The club itself is a superb place to hang out at and to dance. The bartender makes the most delicious cocktails in the world, I swear.
I hope some of my suggestions will proof useful to you. May be on one of your free evenings you will find time to stop by my house and we’ll have a nice chat about your new job.
Take care,
Julia
Comments:
| Subscale | Grade | Commentary |
| Content | 5 | All content is relevant and the target reader is fully informed. The candidate responds to Chris’s letter and explains where he should go and why: the water park to relax; the cinema because it’s a new experience; a club because it’s great. The ‘what to do’ aspect is mostly implicit in the description of these places (different kinds of saunas; you are a big fan of horror movies; hang out at and to dance; stop by my house). Chris would have a list of suggestions and be able to make an informed decision about what to do. |
| Communicative Achievement | 4 | The conventions of an informal letter are used to communicate in an effective way. The tone of the letter is friendly, informal and informative and is consistently appropriate throughout. There are not many complex ideas expressed, which does not allow enough flexibility to be demonstrated. There is language of advice, persuasion and description which holds the target reader’s attention with ease. |
| Organisation | 4 | The letter is a well-organised and coherent whole. The text suggests three activities and deals with each one separately, explaining what the activity is, what is special about it and why Chris would enjoy it on this trip. There is a variety of cohesive devices used and organisational patterns are used to generally good effect. The three paragraphs are developed in a similar way, making the text flow and showing good internal cohesion with the use of referencing and substitution. |
| Language | 4 | There is a range of vocabulary which is suitable for the task and which is used to good effect. There is a range of simple and complex grammatical forms used appropriately with control and flexibility. There are some errors, but these are mainly related to the candidate attempting less common words or structures (there will be performing; proof useful to you) but these do not impede communication. |
CAE Letter Example: Letter of Application
Topic
You see this advert in a newspaper:
| Tour guides needed We need a hard-working team of people to work as tour guides throughout the summer period. A good knowledge of your local area is required, as well as the ability to get on well with people. If you are at least 18 years old, write to us and tell us about your character and interests. We would also like you to say what you think is one of the highlights of your area and why. |
Write a letter applying for the job advertised.
Answer:
Dear Sir or Madam,
I am writing in response to the advert I saw in the newspaper seeking people to work as tour guides. I think I would make a very good tour guide and I wish to apply for the job.
There are a number of reasons that I think I would make an ideal employee for you. I am nineteen years old and have just completed my first year studying archaeology at the university. Although I did not grow up in this city, I really love it here and have enjoyed getting to know the city. Now, I know it like the back of my hand, but I still have the enthusiasm of a visitor. For this reason, I think I would be very good at showing other visitors around. I have always been sociable and I like meeting and talking with people; for example, when I started university I joined five different clubs! That was a bit much, so now I choose my three favourite which I’m still actively involved in.
I believe the highlight of our area is the history. It is a very great history and is known extensively. There are many archaeological sites, which are well shown, for people to see and visit and understand. Not many cities have the opportunity to educate visitors so much about the past.
I appreciate your attention to my letter and I hope you will consider my application. If you need any more information please feel free to contact me. I hope to hear from you soon.
Yours faithfully,
Hannah Johnson
CAE Letter Example: Letter of Application
Topic
You have seen the following advertisement in an international newspaper.
| ISLAND ADVENTURE We are looking for 30 people to take part in an exciting new television programme. If yen are chosen, you will all be taken to an island and left for six months with only basic supplies Have you got the necessary skills to survive? Have you got the right personality to work in a team? Tell no why you want to participate and why you should be chosen. |
Write your letter of application.
Answer:
Dear Sir/Madam
I am writing In response to your announcement, recently published In an issue of the “Dailly Planet”. I am really Interested In participating In your new television programme.
To begin with, I would like to put forward soma information about myself. l am 20 years old and I am currently studying the Law in the university of Athens I have been studying both English and French since I was 12. Consequently it would be easy for ma to communicate with the rest of the group.
Furthermore, I have joined a climbing team since 1992 and I have taken part In many activities such as climbing up mountain Olympus twice or climbing up mountain Rodopi. Moreover, I have been In the basket-ball team of my high-school for three years where we were champions for three times In the local championships. It Is obvious that my physical skills and my body strength are bound to help me to survive under difficult circumstances during my setay on a remoted Island.
As far as my personality is concerned I do believe that I am very polite and honest with people. I have great communicational skills and this derive from the fact that I am used to be a member of different sports groups. My experience In climbing mountain Olympus, has supplied me with a great amount of patience. I am always willing to offer my help and experience to less-experienced team-mates and to give any piece of advice. Should be important.
I strongy believe that I am the perfect candidate for this entertaining telvision programme. I really indulge myself In being under difficult conditions supplied only with the basic objects. It seems to me that it is an outlet for my energy.
I enclose my curriculum vitae and photographs. I would like to thank you in advance for considering my application. It would be a great pleasure for me to attend an interview and to supply you with further information, if required. I am looking forward to your prompt reply.
Comments:
| Subscale | Grade | Commentary |
| Content | 5 | All content is relevant and the target reader is fully informed. |
| Communicative Achievement | 4 | Appropriacy of register and format – consistent. Positive effect on the target reader. |
| Organisation | 4 | The letter is a well-organised and coherent whole. |
| Language | 3 | Evidence of range of vocabulary and structure. Some errors, mostly when complex language is attempted (I am used to be a member) . |
CAE Letter Example: Letter to a Friend
Topic
You have decided to go backpacking around Europe. One of your best friends did exactly that last year. Write to your friend asking for advice. Look at the notes you have made below of all the things that you need to ask your friend.
Notes
|
Write a letter.
Answer:
Hi Matt,
Time for a catch-up! I’ve got some exciting news; I’ve put my fears to one side and made up my mind to do what you did a year ago and go backpacking around Europe. Nice, eh? But I’m hoping I can count on your support, buddy, because I’ve got a ton of questions…
First off, what about the route – should I plan it all out in advance or just go with the flow and see where my journey takes me? What did you do? I think maybe some advance planning is a good idea, right? And another thing; how did you travel? I mean, I’m worried about safety a little, so I don’t think I’d hitchhike, but which other option is best – train, bus…? I don’t have all that much money to spend so cost is quite important, too; I guess what I’m asking is what’s the safest and cheapest way to get around?
Then there’s accommodation – where did you stay? I was thinking hostels or cheap hotels. Are they safe and what are the facilities like? By the way, did you get travel insurance? I’m caught in two minds about whether or not it’s worth it; after all, it’s quite pricey, but I guess then you’re protected for your trip.
I’d also love to hear what you have to say about the best places to visit; I mean, where did you have the best time and what’s unmissable? Let me know if there are any potential problems I might encounter, too. Was your trip pretty problem-free or are there things I should know about?
Speak soon,
Neville
CAE Letter Example: Letter of Complaint
Topic
You recently had an unpleasant experience when you were shopping in a department store. One of the assistants wrongly accused you of shoplifting. Although you were able to prove that you had paid for the item in question, you received no apology.
Write a letter to the manager of the shop, saying why you are angry and disappointed and asking for some kind of compensation for the way you were treated. Say that you will take further action if you do not receive an official apology.
Write your letter.
Answer:
Dear Mr Menton,
I am writing about a recent incident in your shop in which I had the misfortune to be involved in. The incident I refer to is when one of your staff stopped me and accused me of shoplifting in front of about 20 other people. Needless to say, this was an extremely embarrassing situation for me. Thank goodness I had kept the receipt to prove that I had paid for everything on my person at the time, but to be accused of stealing like that in front of all those people – some of whom I knew personally – was very humiliating and degrading. The shop assistant used a very accusatory tone…
But the thing that angered and dismayed me most was not the accusation itself – after all, misunderstandings happen sometimes – but the accuser’s failure to acknowledge his mistake or apologise to me. When I showed him the receipt, he simply walked off mumbling about how ‘shady’ a character I looked. Considering how much embarrassment I was caused, I do not think it was too much to have expected a simple apology either, do you?
Which brings me back to why I am writing; if I cannot get an apology from this assistant, then I would like a formal one from you instead. If an official apology is not forthcoming and I am not compensated in some way – with a shopping voucher for example – then be warned that I will take further steps to ensure that I get justice.
I look forward to hearing from you at the very earliest convenience.
Yours sincerely,
Michael Mathers