A Cambridge B2 exam pdf with exercises for writing skills 8.

FCE Course Lesson 17 – A Cambridge B2 exam pdf with exercises for writing skills 8.

In this lesson you will study how to write an article in English with “first certificate writing tips” to further prepare for the FCE writing with an email / letter template to apply for a job or “job application” letter or email.

Dialogue 17: Writing an Article

Instructions: Tell us about something a social phenomenon that is frequently mentioned in the press. Tell us also about your personal experience. Your article must also contain your opinion and relevant examples. Write your article.

Let’s meet up and talk more, not “chat” behind a screen!

Is the art of conversation gradually dying a death? Many are convinced that one of the downsides of new technologies and the Internet is the isolation and slow demise of true social interaction. Indeed, people would rather send a text or virtually “chat” to another person instead of picking up the phone and meeting face-to-face.

Are these virtual relationships on Facebook and other social media just an illusion? Is it quantity over quality? Is there any real support structure provided by these relationships?

I recently asked myself these questions when yet another tragic article appeared describing how a young teenager was found dead in her room. It was dreadful! Having been victimised by trolls, she could not cope with this virtual bullying and decided to put an end to her own life. Although bullying isn’t a new social problem, teenagers and other vulnerable people aren’t prepared to this mass and very often anonymous online bullying. It comes in the form of very mean comments, sometimes harassment and in unmanageable torrents. Why didn’t she seek support amongst her friends and family? Was the (real) communication that bad? It makes me so sad to even think that!

Without going to such extremes, I myself have to admit that I have been in cafés where the Wi-Fi was slow or not working, and have left because of that. Why don’t we prefer a real, stimulating conversation with the person sitting next to us? Instead, you walk into a café these days and see people gazing fixedly at their screens, all isolated, and into their virtual worlds. This surely can’t be the way forward, don’t you agree?

Vocabulary First Writing Skills 8

ENGLISH	SYNONYM or DEFINITION
to die a death	to fail and end
a downside	a disadvantage of a situation
the demise of	the end or failure of something
dreadful	terrible, appalling
to victimise	to exploit, to prey on
a troll	an online bully, someone who tries to intimidate or threaten people online
bullying	act of intimidating or threatening someone weaker
to gaze	to look steadily and intently (especially in admiration)

Exam tips First Writing Skills 8

EXAM TIP FOR cambridge b2 exam pdf First Writing Skills 8

1/ Email/Letter template: JOB APPLICATIONS

Date: …./…./……..

Dear…….

(Reason for writing – 1st paragraph): I am writing in connection with…. / I would like to apply for……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….. …………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….

(Personal details and relevant experience – 2nd paragraph): I am used to working with…. / In addition to this ………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………… …………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….

(Reason for applying for this job and why you would be the right candidate – 3rd paragraph): My reason for applying for this position is ………………………………………………………………………………………………… …………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………

(Availability for the interview – closing): I would be available to attend an interview any day at your earliest convenience.
Yours sincerely (if you know the person’s name)
Yours faithfully (if you don’t know the person’s name)

2/ Email/Letter template: COMPLAINTS

Dear…….

Date: ../../….

(Introduce the complaint – 1st paragraph): I am writing in connection with….
would like to draw your attention to is / The first problem is / My first concern is / First of all ……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………… ………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………

(Introduce further complaints- 2nd paragraph): In addition to this / In the second place / Added to this / …. was also unacceptable / Not only ….. but also ………………………………………………. ……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….. ………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..

(Demand action – 3rd paragraph): I suggest that you / I would be grateful if my money was refunded / I therefore suggest that I be given a full refund …………………………………………………………… ………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………… …………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………

(Ending the letter): I look forward to hearing from you / I look forward to receiving your explanation / I look forward to receiving a full refund …………………………………………………………………………

Yours sincerely (if you know the person’s name)

Yours faithfully (if you don’t know the person’s name)

3/ Email/Letter template: SUGGESTIONS

Dear…….

Date: …./…./……..

(Reason for writing – 1st paragraph): I am writing in connection with…. / I am writing to arrange / I am writing to offer suggestions regarding / I am writing to make arrangements …………………… ………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………. ………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………

(Make your first suggestion – 2nd paragraph): My first suggestion is / First of all I would like to / I would like to suggest the following ………………………………………………………………………………………….. ……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….. ………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..

(Make further suggestions – 3rd paragraph): I suggest that you / A further possibility is / Another possibility would be / I would further suggest / Secondly ……………………………………………….. ………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………… …………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………

(Offer a choice and end the letter): Would you therefore mind choosing between …. and …. ? / I look forward to hearing from you / I look forward to receiving your explanation …………………………. ……………………………………………..

Yours sincerely (if you know the person’s name)

Yours faithfully (if you don’t know the person’s name)