Una tarea a elegir; el registro depende del lector (amigo, revista, director…).
Claves
Artículo: título atractivo, habla al lector. Email a un amigo: informal. Informe: formal con encabezados. Reseña: describe y recomienda.
Responde a TODAS las preguntas del enunciado.
Estrategia paso a paso
Elige la tarea en la que tengas más vocabulario, no la que parezca más fácil.
Piensa en el lector: ¿quién lo va a leer y qué necesita saber?
Trampas habituales
Mezclar registros (un informe con 'Hi guys!').
Dejar sin responder una parte de la tarea.
Ejemplo resuelto
Informe: «The aim of this report is to… / Recommendations / Conclusion».
Preguntas de ejemplo
Intenta responder antes de abrir la solución. Las preguntas están en el idioma del examen.
Pregunta 1
Dificultad fácil≈ 40 min
You have received this email from your English-speaking friend Alex.
"I've just started a part-time job in a café, but I'm finding it really hard to keep up with my studies as well. You had a job while you were studying, didn't you? How did you manage? Have you got any tips for staying organised? And do you think it was worth it? Alex"
Write your email. Write 140–190 words.
140–190 palabras · 40 min.
Ver solución modelo y criterios
Respuesta modelo
Hi Alex,
Great to hear from you! Congratulations on the job, although I know exactly how you feel. When I started working at the supermarket in my second year, I was completely exhausted for the first few weeks.
To be honest, what saved me was being really strict with my time. Every Sunday evening I wrote down my shifts and my deadlines for the week, and then I planned exactly when I was going to study. I also stopped leaving everything until the night before, which used to be my biggest problem!
Another tip: talk to your manager. Mine was very understanding and let me work fewer hours during exam periods. Most employers would rather do that than lose a good worker.
Was it worth it? Definitely. I learnt to deal with difficult customers, I made some good friends and I had my own money for the first time. Just don't forget to leave yourself some free time, or you'll burn out.
Good luck, and let me know how it goes!
Love, Marta
Criterios de corrección
Content (0–5): every point in the task is answered with relevant detail, so the reader has all the information they need.
Communicative Achievement (0–5): the register is informal and friendly, as suits an email to a friend; all three questions are answered and the advice is easy to follow.
Organisation (0–5): the text is clearly organised (paragraphs or headings as needed) with a variety of linking words and referencing.
Language (0–5): a range of B2 vocabulary and grammar, including some less common expressions, used with good control; errors do not impede communication.
Explicación
In Part 2 you choose one of three tasks. This is an informal email to a friend: answer all three questions (how you managed, tips for staying organised, whether it was worth it), use a friendly tone with natural informal expressions, and open and close the email appropriately. The sample shows one possible B2-level answer, not the only correct one.
Pregunta 2
Dificultad media≈ 40 min
You see this announcement on an English-language website for young people.
ARTICLES WANTED My favourite place to relax Where do you go when you want to relax? What makes this place special? Why does it help you to switch off? The best articles will appear on our website next month.
Write your article. Write 140–190 words.
140–190 palabras · 40 min.
Ver solución modelo y criterios
Respuesta modelo
The bench at the end of the world
Everyone needs a place to escape to, and mine is an old wooden bench at the top of a hill just outside my town. Locals jokingly call it 'the end of the world', because from there you can't see a single building – only fields, a small lake and, on clear days, the mountains in the distance.
What makes it special? For a start, it's quiet. The only sounds are the wind and the occasional sheep. There's no phone signal either, which I used to find annoying but now think is the best thing about it. Nobody can reach me, so I have no choice but to relax.
I usually go there on Sunday evenings, when I'm starting to worry about the week ahead. After half an hour watching the sun go down, my problems always seem smaller. It's hard to explain, but looking at such a huge landscape reminds me that most of my worries aren't that important.
So if you're feeling stressed, find your own 'end of the world'. You might be surprised how much it helps.
Criterios de corrección
Content (0–5): every point in the task is answered with relevant detail, so the reader has all the information they need.
Communicative Achievement (0–5): the conventions of an article are followed and the register is informal to neutral and engaging (it is for a website read by young people), appropriate for the target reader.
Organisation (0–5): the text is clearly organised (paragraphs or headings as needed) with a variety of linking words and referencing.
Language (0–5): a range of B2 vocabulary and grammar, including some less common expressions, used with good control; errors do not impede communication.
Explicación
In Part 2 you choose one of three tasks. This is an article: answer every question in the prompt, use a register that is informal to neutral and engaging (it is for a website read by young people), and organise the text so the reader can follow it easily. The sample shows one possible B2-level answer, not the only correct one.
Pregunta 3
Dificultad difícil≈ 40 min
The principal of your college wants more students to use the college library. She has asked you to write a report explaining why some students do not use the library at the moment and suggesting what changes should be made.
Write your report. Write 140–190 words.
140–190 palabras · 40 min.
Ver solución modelo y criterios
Respuesta modelo
Introduction The aim of this report is to explain why many students rarely use the college library and to suggest some improvements. It is based on a short survey of forty students.
Current problems The main complaint concerned the opening hours. The library closes at five o'clock, which is too early for students who have lessons in the afternoon. Many students also said that it is too noisy to study there, because there is no separate area for group work. Finally, several people mentioned that the computers are slow and often out of order.
Recommendations Firstly, I would recommend keeping the library open until at least eight o'clock on weekdays, especially during exam periods. Secondly, it would be a good idea to create a quiet zone upstairs and a separate room where groups can talk. Replacing the older computers should also be a priority.
Conclusion If these changes were made, far more students would be likely to use the library regularly. Most of those surveyed said they would be happy to study there if conditions improved.
Criterios de corrección
Content (0–5): every point in the task is answered with relevant detail, so the reader has all the information they need.
Communicative Achievement (0–5): the conventions of a report are followed and the register is formal and impersonal, with clear headings, appropriate for the target reader.
Organisation (0–5): the text is clearly organised (paragraphs or headings as needed) with a variety of linking words and referencing.
Language (0–5): a range of B2 vocabulary and grammar, including some less common expressions, used with good control; errors do not impede communication.
Explicación
In Part 2 you choose one of three tasks. This is a report: answer every question in the prompt, use a register that is formal and impersonal, with clear headings, and organise the text so the reader can follow it easily. The sample shows one possible B2-level answer, not the only correct one.