FCE Writing - Part 1: An Essay (3)

1. In the FCE Writing test, there are 2 types of essays, match the types to the essay questions
Type 1: An essay in which you are asked to a - Is it better to visit places in your own country or a
discuss a statement & give your opinion. foreign country when you go on holiday?
Type 2: A essay in which you are asked to b - All young people should continue at school or
discuss which of two things is better. college until at least the age of 18. Do you agree?

A. Read the essay question below and underline the key information
All young people should continue at school or college until at least the age of 18. Do you agree?
Notes: Write about: 1. qualifications for jobs
2. students who don’t like school
3. ..... (your own ideas)

B. Complete the sample essay below by writing the
linking words & phrases from the box in the gaps.
firstly on the other hand A further point is that
although there are two good reasons therefore
in conclusion this which secondly
1......................
in my country compulsory education
finishes at the age of 16, I believe that young people
should continue in education at least till they are 18.
2........................................... for encouraging
young people
to stay at school. 3.................., because jobs
are becoming
more and more specialised and technical, it is almost
impossible for 16-year-olds to find work. 4................., if
they stay at school, they will receive the education and
training 5............... will create more opportunities for
them in the future.
6..............................,
many students would like to leave
school at 16. This is because they find school difficult or
they do not enjoy studying. They would prefer to be
working and earning money.
7............................... is that unmotivated students disrupt
lessons and 8............... causes problems for students who
do want to study. 9......................, after 16 they should
only study technical or practical subjects that interest
them.
10..............................., I believe it is a mistake for people to
leave school to soon, because they will miss opportunities
which may arise in the future.
Word count: 180 words
C. Complete the plan for the essay
Paragraph 1: Introduction
 The situation now
 My opinion: Agree / Disagree
Paragraph 2: Why stay at school:
Note 1: qualifications for jobs
 1st reason: .............................................
.....................................................................
 2nd reason: ............................................
.....................................................................
Paragraph 3: Why leave school
Note 2: students who don’t like school
 1st reason: .............................................
.....................................................................
 2nd reason: ............................................
.....................................................................
Paragraph 4:
 My own idea: .........................................
.....................................................................
 Solutions: ...............................................
.....................................................................
Paragraph 5:
 Restate my opinion
 Reasons: ...............................................
.....................................................................
 Complete FCE - Unit 2 - Lesson 2

Writing Essay - First draft

Write a plan and your first draft essay for the writing task below
In your English class, you have been talking about what subjects should be compulsory at secondary school.
Now your teacher has asked you to write an essay. Use all the notes and give reasons for your point of
view.
Essay question
Young people generally don’t pay enough attention to their health and fitness. Do you agree?
Notes: Write about: 1. physical exercise
2. food and drink
3. .... (your own ideas).

Essay plan:
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