The document provides guidelines for writing answers for Test 3 of the First Certificate exam. It gives a model answer for Writing Part 1 and guidelines for Writing Part 2. For Part 1, it emphasizes providing clear descriptions, opinions, and recommendations about a video game. For Part 2, it stresses using a neutral or formal style and discussing the given statement on climate change by considering different perspectives in clearly defined paragraphs.

1. First Certificate Trainer Writing answer guidelines for Test 3
Test 3, Writing Part 1 (page 114), Model answer Content
1 You must describe the game and give your opinion of it. You could
give a general idea of what kind of game it is – an adventure game
This model has been prepared as an example of a very good
or a sports game, for example, and could say what is special about
answer. However, please note that this is just one example out of
it. You should also explain why you would or would not recommend
several possible approaches.
the game to other people. You must make sure that readers have a
clear idea about whether they would enjoy the game or not.
Hi Kay
Organisation
I’ve bought lots of things over the Internet and I definitely
think it’s a good idea. I know some people have had Give the name of the game at the beginning of your review –
problems sometimes but I’ve only had positive experiences. perhaps in a sub-heading.
I agree with Mark that books and CDs – DVDs too – are Write in clearly defined paragraphs – the first one might describe
some of the best things to buy online. It’s much quicker the game, the second might say what you like about it, the third
and easier than going into town and trying to find what might point out a weak aspect of the game and the final paragraph
you want in a shop there. might explain why you would or would not recommend it to other
players.
It would be very risky to send cash through the post. It
could easily get lost. Websites all accept payment by credit 4
card and it’s safest to pay that way. Style
I think if you don’t like what you’re sent or if it gets Neutral or formal.
damaged in the post, then you probably have the right to
Do not use contractions like I’m or I’ve instead of I am or I have.
return it and get your money back. There’ll be information
on the website of the company you’re using so read that Content
before ordering anything. You may agree, disagree or even partly agree with the statement but
Good luck. you must make your opinion clear. You should give some examples
of climate change and suggest why it is occurring. You must give
Kumiko
reasons as to why it is difficult to prevent climate change. You should
also suggest some things people can do to prevent climate change.
Test 3, Writing Part 2 (page 115), Answer Organisation
guidelines Write in clearly defined paragraphs.
2 Include an introduction and make sure you come to a clear
Style conclusion.
Neutral or semi-formal. 5
Use a range of structures, sentence lengths and vocabulary to make Although Test 3, Question 5 in First Certificate Trainer does not
the story more interesting for the reader. Don’t repeat the same refer to a specific author or book title, you need to select a title
words all the time – you could, for example, use thrilling as well as from the current or past ESOL set text list. Make sure you have
exciting or an idiom such as my heart was in my mouth. read the book thoroughly or have seen the film before answering
Content the question.
Make it clear who the narrator is, e.g. how old the person is and 5a
what kind of lifestyle they have. You can give some background
Style
to the most exciting day and give reasons why it was so exciting.
Make sure, though, that the reader can follow the story easily. Neutral or semi-formal.
Organisation Use a range of structures, sentence lengths and vocabulary to make
the article interesting.
Begin with the sentence provided.
Content
Perhaps include a title.
You should describe one event from the story which features
3 someone in danger. Give a little background to the event and
Style explain how the person deals with the dangerous event. You should
Neutral or semi-formal. give your opinion on how the situation is dealt with, explaining
whether you feel the character handled the situation in an
Use language for describing, giving opinions and recommending – appropriate way.
some interesting adjectives may help with this.
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2. First Certificate Trainer Writing answer guidelines for Test 3
Organisation
Write in clearly defined paragraphs.
Perhaps include a title.
5b
Style
Neutral or semi-formal.
Use language that makes your points in a way that the reader will
easily understand.
Content
You should clearly give the names of two actors, matching them to
characters in the text. You must explain why you feel these actors are
suited to the roles – perhaps because of their appearance or because
they have been good in similar roles. When you are writing you need
to be aware of your target reader – a person with a general interest
but who may not know much about the characters in the text or the
actors, and so will need the key points to be clearly explained.
Organisation
Write in clearly defined paragraphs.
Perhaps include a title and sub-headings.
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3. First Certificate Trainer Writing answer guidelines for Test 4
Test 4, Writing Part 1 (page 133), Model answer 3
1 Style
This model has been prepared as an example of a very good Neutral or semi-formal.
answer. However, please note that this is just one example out of Try to start your article in an interesting way so that you attract the
several possible approaches. reader’s interest from the beginning.
Use a range of vocabulary and structures to make your article more
Dear Ronnie,
lively for the reader. For example, although most of your story will
Thank you very much for your invitation. It sounds fantastic be in the simple past, you might be able to use the past continuous
and I’d love to spend a week or two with you this summer. to describe what was happening when the incident happened or the
July would suit me better than August because I’ve already past perfect to explain what had happened previously.
agreed to help in my uncle’s shop in August. My cousin Content
usually helps him but he’s going to be away on a school You must describe something amusing that you saw, saying what
trip then. happened, where it happened, when it happened and why you found
I think I’d prefer to stay in your apartment. It’d be nicer it funny. It doesn’t matter if what you describe isn’t literally the
to be there with you and your parents rather than sleep funniest thing you’ve ever seen. You should just choose one funny
somewhere else on my own. situation and describe it in an entertaining way.
The beach is good but I’d definitely prefer to do other Organisation
things too. I love sightseeing in new places and I know Write in clearly defined paragraphs.
there are some very interesting old castles not far from
your place. How about visiting one or two of those? Perhaps include a title.
Looking forward to it so much, 4
Nico Style
Informal.
Test 4, Writing Part 2 (page 134), Answer You should use contractions like I’m rather than I am in a letter of
guidelines this kind.
2 Content
Style Your letter should open with some sort of friendly reference to your
friend’s letter. You should then suggest some places your English-
Neutral or formal. speaking friend could go to in your country, explaining what he
Do not, for example, use contractions like I’m or I’ve instead of I or she could do there. You should also suggest where and when
am or I have. you and your friend could meet while he or she is in your country.
Content It’s good to also close with some general sentence such as I look
forward to hearing what you think of my ideas.
You need to discuss the statement given. Make sure you do not
write about something that is not directly related to the topic – for Organisation
example, don’t describe in detail one particular computer game. It The letter should be in clearly defined paragraphs. It does not need
doesn’t matter whether you agree or disagree with the statement – to include postal addresses but it should begin Dear Alex, and it
or even partly agree and partly disagree – but you must make your should end with an informal closing expression such as Best wishes,
own opinion clear. or Love from, followed by your own first name on the line below.
Organisation 5
Write in clearly defined paragraphs – the first one might introduce Although Test 4, Question 5 in First Certificate Trainer does not
the topic, explaining what the statement means, the second might refer to a specific author or book title, you need to select a title
explain some people consider them a waste of time, the third might from the current or past ESOL set text list. Make sure you have
explain why other people think they are not a waste of time and the read the book thoroughly or have seen the film before answering
final one might give your own opinion on the statement. the question.
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4. First Certificate Trainer Writing answer guidelines for Test 4
5a
Style
Neutral or semi-formal.
Try to use some interesting adjectives and expressions for
conveying your opinion – don’t just use ordinary words like good
or great or nice.
Content
Your review should outline the story, then say what you liked and/
or disliked about it. It should also explain whether you would
recommend it to other people of your age. The most important part
of this review is your opinion about the story and the reasons why
you would or would not recommend it, so don’t give too much
space to your outline of the story.
Organisation
Write in clearly defined paragraphs.
Perhaps include a title.
5b
Style
Informal.
You should use contractions like it’s rather than it is in a letter of
this kind.
Content
Your letter should open with some brief friendly reference to your
friend’s letter. It should discuss whether you find the set text an
exciting story (the kind of book that you want to keep reading all
day). It does not matter whether you say the book is exciting or not
but you must give clear reasons for your opinion. Your final sentence
should refer back to your friend in some way – Let me know what
you think of the book if you decide to read it, for example.
Organisation
The letter should be in clearly defined paragraphs. It does not need
to include postal addresses but it should begin Dear Megan, and it
should end with an informal closing expression such as Best wishes,
or Love from, followed by your own first name on the line below.
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5. First Certificate Trainer Writing answer guidelines for Test 5
Test 5, Writing Part 1 (page 152), Model answer 3
1 Style
This model has been prepared as an example of a very good Neutral or semi-formal.
answer. However, please note that this is just one example out of Use a range of structures, sentence lengths and vocabulary to make
several possible approaches. the story more interesting for the reader.
Content
Hi Chris
Make it clear who Zoe is. You could describe how she felt when
It’s no problem if you come the second week in August she missed the bus and how her feelings changed as the story
instead of the first. In fact, it really suits us better because continues. You may want to explain briefly why she missed the
my brother will be away on a tennis course then so you can bus but you should not focus on that too much. The most important
use his room. thing is what happened as she walked home. Make sure that the
I’m sure you’ll love Egypt. It’s a very beautiful country reader can follow the story easily.
with lots of interesting places to visit. I think you’ll Organisation
particularly enjoy snorkelling in the Red Sea. Some people
say that our underwater wildlife is the best in the world. Begin with the sentence provided. Try to make the ending interesting.
It’s much hotter here in August than it is in Scotland. So Perhaps include a title.
bring light summer clothes. Make sure you don’t forget 4
your swimming costume!
Style
When you arrive at the airport, just take a shuttle bus to
Neutral or formal.
the city centre. They go every fifteen minutes. Text me
to say you’re on your way. Then get off at the stop by the Do not use contractions like he’s rather than he is in a letter of this
Metropole Hotel and I’ll meet you there. kind.
Best wishes Content
Alim Your letter of application should open with a clear statement of
why you are writing – I am writing to apply for the job you have
advertised in your clothes shop, for example. It should explain why
Test 5, Writing Part 2 (page 153), Answer you think you are suitable for a job which requires good spoken
guidelines English, an interest in clothes, including modern fashions, and the
ability to work long hours including weekends.
2
Style Organisation
Neutral or formal. The letter should be in clearly defined paragraphs.
Do not use contractions like they’re instead of they are. The letter does not need to include postal addresses but it should
begin Dear Mr Williamson, and it should end with the formal
Content closing expression Yours sincerely, followed by your own full name
Your essay may agree or disagree with the statement but it must on the line below.
make your opinion clear. Issues that you could refer to include:
supermarkets offer cheaper food, making it easier for families to 5
feed themselves; they import food from all over the world, allowing Although Test 5, Question 5 in First Certificate Trainer does not
for much more variety than ever before; they tend to emphasise refer to a specific author or book title, you need to select a title
convenience over health, selling lots of ready meals; they over- from the current or past ESOL set text list. Make sure you have
package food which is bad for the environment. However, there are read the book thoroughly or have seen the film before answering
plenty of other aspects of the topic that you could discuss. the question.
Organisation 5a
Write in clearly defined paragraphs. Your first paragraph might Style
explain what the statement means. Your second might discuss ways
Neutral or informal.
in which supermarket food could be said to be good for us. The
third might discuss ways in which supermarket food is not good for You should use contractions like it’s rather than it is, as the writer of
us. The final paragraph should offer a clear summary of your own the letter in the question does.
opinion.
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6. First Certificate Trainer Writing answer guidelines for Test 5
Content
Your letter must give your opinion on the point Jack makes about
the story suggesting people’s lives were much harder then than they
are now. You may agree or disagree with the statement but you must
make your opinion clear. As the focus of this task is on the set text,
your letter should not spend too much time describing people’s
lives today but should focus more on the text itself. You should not
waste words on things that do not relate to the set text even though
they might be appropriate for a letter to a friend – don’t talk about
other aspects of your or his life, for example.
Organisation
The letter must be written in clearly defined paragraphs. It does not
need to include any addresses but it should open Dear Jack, and
should end in an informal way, e.g. Best wishes, followed by your
first name on the following line.
5b
Style
Neutral or formal.
Do not use contractions like it’s rather than it is.
Content
The essay must discuss how the relationship between two
characters in the book changes during the story. You should begin
by stating clearly which two characters you are going to focus on.
It should compare what the relationship was like at the beginning
of the book with how it is at the end, discussing how and why it
changes during the course of the story.
Organisation
The essay should be written in clearly defined paragraphs. The first
might introduce the characters explaining briefly why you selected
them. The second might consider their relationship at the beginning.
The third might focus on discussing changes occurring during the
story and the final paragraph might conclude by contrasting their
relationship at the end with that at the beginning of the story.
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7. First Certificate Trainer Writing answer guidelines for Test 6
Test 6, Writing Part 1 (page 171), Model answer Content
1 The report must describe the public transport services available
in your town. It should discuss whether these services meet the
This model has been prepared as an example of a very good
needs of everyone in the town and it must also suggest how the
answer. However, please note that this is just one example out of
system could be improved. It is probable that your first paragraph
several possible approaches.
will outline the nature of your town, the second will describe
the public transport available, the third will consider how far it
Dear Mr Wilson,
meets the needs of the townspeople and the fourth will make
Thank you for your letter. I am afraid I would not want to recommendations for improvements.
do just evening work as I am anxious to find a full-time
Organisation
position.
Use clearly defined paragraphs. At the beginning (perhaps in a title)
I would, however, be very interested in your alternative
you should state the name of the town whose public transport you
suggestion for work at the summer camp in the mountains.
are discussing.
When are you likely to know whether there will be a
vacancy there or not? 4
I am available for work from 4 July to 31 August and
th st Style
would be happy to work for you for all of that period. Neutral or semi-formal.
However, if you would only want to offer me work for one
Use a range of structures, sentence lengths and vocabulary to make
month, then my preference would be for August.
the story more interesting for the reader.
My spoken English is good as I spend a lot of time with
Content
English-speaking people. I am a sociable person and I
definitely get on well with people of all ages. Make it clear who the characters in the story are. You can make the
story more interesting by explaining how the characters felt – cold
Yours sincerely,
and afraid, perhaps. Possibly also write about what they could hear
Bruno Schneider as well as what they could see. Make sure that the reader can follow
the story easily.
Test 6, Writing Part 2 (page 172), Answer Organisation
guidelines Begin with the sentence provided. Bring the story to an effective
conclusion.
2
Style Perhaps include a title.
Neutral or semi-formal. 5
Content Although Test 6, Question 5 in First Certificate Trainer does not
The article must choose two of the five sports listed (football, refer to a specific author or book title, you need to select a title
basketball, tennis, swimming or cycling) and should explain why from the current or past ESOL set text list. Make sure you have
you would like to do the two sports you have chosen. It must also read the book thoroughly or have seen the film before answering
name one other sport and should give reasons why this sport would the question.
also be appropriate for the summer school to include. Make sure 5a
your opinions and the reasons for them are absolutely clear.
Style
Organisation
Neutral or semi-formal.
Use clearly defined paragraphs.
Do not use contractions. Write it is rather than it’s, for example.
Perhaps include a title.
Content
3 Your essay should describe the ending of the story and discuss
Style whether you think it is a good ending or not. You may say that you
Neutral or semi-formal. find the ending effective or that you do not like it but you must
make your own opinion clear, giving reasons for what you say.
Do not use contractions. Write there is rather than there’s, for
example.
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8. First Certificate Trainer Writing answer guidelines for Test 6
Organisation
Write in clearly defined paragraphs. Your first paragraph might
outline the ending of the story. The second might give your opinion
as to whether it is a good ending or not. The third might consider
another possible ending and say whether you think that would have
been an improvement or not and the final paragraph could briefly
summarise your point of view. However, there are other good ways
of organising an answer to this question.
5b
Style
Neutral or formal.
Do not use contractions. Write she is rather than she’s, for example.
Content
Your report should describe the main events of the book for the
benefit of someone considering making a film of the book, and it
should explain whether you think the story would or would not
be successful as a film. Make sure that the report is well-balanced
and does not spend too much space on outlining the main events;
the focus on whether it would make a good film or not is equally
important. It does not matter whether you feel the book would
make a good film or not, as long as you make the reasons for your
opinion clear.
Organisation
Write in clearly defined paragraphs. At the beginning the report
should clearly give the name of the book (perhaps in a title).
Perhaps include a title and sub-headings too.
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