FCE for Schools: Task Types

The different task types are intended to provide frameworks for candidates so that they can put together and develop their ideas on a topic with a purpose for writing and a target reader in mind. These indications of readership and purpose are not comprehensive, but are intended to provide some guidance about the different task types.

AN ARTICLE is usually written for an English-language magazine aimed at teenagers, and the reader is assumed to have similar interests to the writer. The main purpose is to interest and engage the reader, so there should be some opinion or comment.

 AN EMAIL is written in response to the situation outlined in the input information. Candidates can expect to write to, for example, a school principal or an English-speaking friend.

AN ESSAY is always written for the teacher. It should be well organised, with an introduction, the candidate’s opinion on the ideas given, the candidate’s own idea and an appropriate conclusion. The set text question may be in the form of an essay and the content should focus on a particular aspect of the set text; this could be the development of characters, relationships, themes or significance of events.

A LETTER is written in response to the situation outlined in the question. Letters in the Cambridge English: First for Schools Writing paper will require a response which is consistently appropriate in register and tone for the specified target reader. Candidates can expect to be asked to write letters to, for example, an English-speaking friend, a classmate, a school principal, or a magazine editor.

A REVIEW is usually written for an English-language magazine, newspaper or website. The main purpose is to describe and express a personal opinion about something which the writer has experienced (e.g. a film, a holiday, a product, a website etc.) and to give the reader a clear impression of what the item discussed is like. Description and explanation are key functions for this task, and a review will normally include a recommendation to the reader.

A STORY is usually written for an English language magazine or website for teenagers. The main purpose is to engage the interest of the reader. Effective answers have a clear storyline which links coherently to the first sentence, successfully uses the prompts provided and demonstrates a sound grasp of narrative tenses. 

For all task types, questions are constructed to enable candidates to display their English language proficiency at CEFR B2 level; candidates should take special care to read every part of each question, and not to omit any required development of the topic.