writing process, elements, structure, and criteria to write an FCE essay. Adapted from: https://proffsenglishworlddotcom.wordpress.com/2015/11/19/fce-essay-3/

1. FCE
Essay

2. 40 minutes
Part 1: An essay question with
prompts.
Skills: agreeing or disagreeing,
giving opinions, giving information or
explanations, comparing and
contrasting ideas and opinions,
exemplifying, giving reasons and
drawing conclusions.
^

3. plan
write
review
3 steps to success

4. Planning
Steps

5. Underline
key words
Synonyms
& topic
vocabulary
Brainstorm
Select
ideas
Useful
phrases

6. Every country in the world has problems with pollution and
damage to the environment.
Do you think these problems can be solved?
Notes
Write about:
1. transport
2. rivers and seas
3. ……………..(your own idea)
Underline
key words

7. Every country in the world has problems with pollution and
damage to the environment.
Do you think these problems can be solved?
Notes
Write about:
1. transport
2. rivers and seas
3. ……………..(your own idea)
Underline
key words

8. Synonyms
& topic
vocabulary
problems
pollution
damage
environme
nt
solved
transport
rivers &
seas

9. problems issue, caused by, responsible for, concerned about
pollution pollute, contaminate, poison, toxic, dangerous
damage harm, destruction, contamination
environme
nt
environmental, atmosphere, greenhouse effect
solved solution, deal with, act
transport vehicle, car, lorry, drive
rivers &
seas
stream, ocean, marine, coastal, aquatic
Synonyms
& topic
vocabulary

10. Select
ideas
Introduction
Paragraph 2
Problem:
Solution:
Paragraph 3
Problem:
Solution:
Paragraph 4
Problem:
Solution:
Conclusion

11. Useful
phrases ,
Linkers
Introduction
Paragraph 2
Paragraph 3
Paragraph 4
Conclusion

12. Introduction
Linker: …is one of the biggest problems the world faces today
– people are concerned about
environmental pollution
Paragraph 2
Problem: air pollution – cars – drive short distances
Solution: drive less – cycle or walk
Linkers: Firstly, nowadays, by doing this, therefore
Paragraph 3
Problem: factories – toxic waste – dangerous for marine life
Solution: strict laws & fines – factories treat waste
Linkers: Secondly, according to, for instance, in addition
Paragraph 4
Problem: fossil fuels – energy for factories
Solution: renewable energy - cleaner
Linkers: Finally, for example, furthermore
Conclusion
Linker: In conclusion, I believe that
these actions are solutions
Plan

13. Writing
Steps

14. Pay close
attention to
plan
Vary length
of
sentences
Vary
grammatical
structures
Use topic
vocabulary
Keep within
word limit

15. Your introduction should consist of 3 sentences:
1st sentence– introduce the theme or give some background
information about it. It’s a sentence showing a bigger picture of a
problem
2nd sentence– restate your topic questions using synonyms
3rd sentence– rhetorical question, will give you a great link
between introduction and main body
Introduction
Rephrase
question

16. Environmental pollution is one of the biggest problems the
world faces today. Many people are concerned about the
harmful effects transport and factories cause to the
atmosphere. But what can we do to solve these problems?
Introduction
Rephrase
question

17. Firstly, transport is responsible for air pollution, in particular
cars. Nowadays too many people use their cars, even to go
very short distances. Driving fewer miles would decrease
the amount of pollution produced by cars. For instance,
people could cycle or walk to their destinations instead. By
doing this, they would damage the environment less and
enjoy cleaner air.
Paragraph 2
Problem Solution

18. Firstly, transport is responsible for air pollution, in particular
cars. Nowadays too many people use their cars, even to go
very short distances. Driving fewer miles would decrease
the amount of pollution produced by cars. For instance,
people could cycle or walk to their destinations instead. By
doing this, they would damage the environment less and
enjoy cleaner air.
Paragraph 2
Problem Solution

19. Secondly, according to activists, many factories dump toxic
waste in our rivers and oceans, which is dangerous for
marine life. Governments should pass strict laws to force
factories to treat these poisonous substances before
disposal. If they do not comply, they should be heavily
fined.
Paragraph 3
Topic
vocabulary

20. Secondly, according to activists, many factories dump toxic
waste in our rivers and oceans, which is dangerous for
marine life. Governments should pass strict laws to force
factories to treat these poisonous substances before
disposal. If they do not comply, they should be heavily
fined.
Paragraph 3
Topic
vocabulary

21. Secondly, according to activists, many factories dump toxic
waste in our rivers and oceans, which is dangerous for
marine life. Governments should pass strict laws to force
factories to treat these poisonous substances before
disposal. If they do not comply, they should be heavily
fined.
Paragraph 3
Vary
grammatical
structures

22. Secondly, according to activists, many factories dump toxic
waste in our rivers and oceans, which is dangerous for
marine life. Governments should pass strict laws to force
factories to treat these poisonous substances before
disposal. If they do not comply, they should be heavily
fined.
Paragraph 3
Vary
grammatical
structures

23. Finally, many factories use fossil fuels contributing to the
greenhouse effect. The government should encourage
manufacturers to use renewable energy, for example, wind
turbines, to produce goods in a clean way.
Paragraph 4
Useful
phrases

24. Finally, many factories use fossil fuels contributing to the
greenhouse effect. The government should encourage
manufacturers to use renewable energy, for example, wind
turbines, to produce goods in a clean way.
Paragraph 4
Useful
phrases

25. Finally, many factories use fossil fuels contributing to the
greenhouse effect. The government should encourage
manufacturers to use renewable energy, for example, wind
turbines, to produce goods in a clean way.
Paragraph 4
Vary length
of
sentences

26. Finally, many factories use fossil fuels contributing to the
greenhouse effect. The government should encourage
manufacturers to use renewable energy, for example, wind
turbines, to produce goods in a clean way.
Paragraph 4
Vary length
of
sentences

27. In conclusion, I believe that all these actions are some
simple solutions to help reduce pollution and protect our
environment.
Conclusion
Your
opinion

28. In conclusion, I believe that all these actions are some
simple solutions to help reduce pollution and protect our
environment.
Conclusion
Your
opinion

29. In conclusion, I believe that all these actions are some
simple solutions to help reduce pollution and protect our
environment.
Conclusion
Topic
vocabulary

30. In conclusion, I believe that all these actions are some
simple solutions to help reduce pollution and protect our
environment.
Conclusion
Topic
vocabulary

31. Review
Steps

32. Grammar
Spelling
Handwriting
Vocabulary
Punctuation

33. The examiner will always
give credit for attempting
to use complex language
as long as any mistakes
do not impede
communication.

34. Make sure you haven’t
repeated the same words
or phrases several times
in your the answer.

35. Although spelling and
punctuation errors are not
specifically penalised, they
can sometimes impede
communication.

36. The
End