CPE VOCABULARY IN PICTURES

 Let´s put your vocabulary to the test. Can you name these? Give it a try.

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CAE/ CPE Using synonyms

Using synonyms is a good way to improve your speaking and writing. In the CAE and CPE exams try to use synonyms when writing to avoid repetition, show off your high level of English and make a good impression on the examiner. 

Writing exercise.

Rewrite the following, using synonyms for nice: 

Yesterday was very nice. I had a nice meal at a nice restaurant with some very nice people.

I had a whale of a time yesterday. I had a delicious meal in a posh/5-star restaurant with some enchanting/charming people.

*Adapted from "Speak Out" by Frances Eales and Steve Oakes.

PROFICIENCY. What does it mean to be "proficient" in English?

According to author Scott Thornbury in "An A-Z of ELT" (page 181) " A language users´s proficiency is the degree of skill with
which they can use the language. A proficient user is one who is considered to have a native-like, or near native-like, ability in the language. This is broadly defined in the Common European Framework as being equivalent to C2 level."

A proficient user:

"Can understand with ease virtually everything heard or read. Can summarise information from different spoken and written sources, reconstructing arguments and accounts in a coherent presentation. Can express him/herself spontaneously, very fluently and precisely, differentiating finer shades of meaning even in more complex situations." (Common European Framework of Reference for Languages: Learning, Teaching, Assessment. Council of Europe, 2001, p24)

Proficiency in English Cambidge Exam Essay Sample

In Part 1 of the CPE exam you are given two pieces of text with information on a topic and are asked to write a discursive essay in 240-280 words. 

Here there is a sample essay sent to us by Sybille a CPE student from France.

 The Importance of music (CPE Essay)

Both texts discuss the status of music in our society. They highlight the fact that music is getting more accessible to people through the Internet while at the same time its serious study is being neglected and professional musicians are suffering for it. It also argues that music is an art that exists since prehistory and is universal, even though its evolution and the way we consume it has significantly changed.

Commercial music can be heard everywhere nowadays. It is relatively easy to make and although in terms of quality is not always good, people are in high demand for it through downloads on the web. In addition to this, the music industry is always in prey for the quick-made manufactured product. The downside of this is that it is making the classical and more serious music disappear. 

There is a steady decline in high quality music, which undoubtedly hurts high-skilled musicians. Totally ignored and outnumbered by the bigger names of popular music, they can hardly draw up a project and are constantly in need for alternative ways to make a living. Besides, schools are making cuts on music lessons, which means many musicians are left without a job. 

This is sad as learning to play an instrument is highly beneficial to children. Composing is a collaborative and creative task. Music helps the youth to develop an identity, develop skills and gives them a real sense of accomplishment. For this reason music should be taught in all schools and be accessible to all families. 

All in all, music –popular and classical- is ubiquitous. It is part of our lives and is good for the mind, so it should be given the rightful place it deserves in our society.

Sybille

#words: 280

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CPE Sample Writing: The Perfect Storm (film review)

The Perfect Storm is a Warner Bros disaster film released in 2000, based on a book by  Sebastien Junger. It portrays the story of a fishing ship called the Andrea Gail, which has the misfortune of being trapped in the most terrible storm ever.

This drama takes place in October 1991 in Gloucester, Massachusset. After several deceiving fishing seasons, Captain Bobby Tyne, magnificently played byGeorge Clooney, convinces his crew to head out far in the cold Atlantic Ocean in search for fish. Ignoring the warnings of the imminent arrival of a hurricane Tyne insists on breaking into the North Atlantic, the Flemish Cap where they have to face inclement weather. All of a sudden they get trapped in gigantic swirling waves.

The beginning of the film is disappointingly slow moving, a quietness holds us back for one hour or so. However, things get better asdisaster knocks on their doors: here it comes the storm of the century with its breath-taking special effects which almost makes you seasick. The digital images are so awe-inspiring and realistic that they carry us into this disaster, swamp us with fear, and root us to the spot, you may surprise yourself by clinging on to your armchair at the view of the nightmarish raising sea.

Even though the different personalities of the actors lead to on-board conflict, this crew definitively display a great courage and a strong team spirit struggling with torrent and against their fate. The dialogues and the soundtrack choice are well in accordance with the subject giving it more suspense.

The Perfect Storm is quite simply an outstanding and really worth–watching. I recommend it to all kinds of people but especially to the ones who are fond of special effects, which in this case are superb.

Written by guest blogger

Sybille

To see other Film Review CPE sample click here.
To learn How to Write a Review click here.

CPE Cambridge Exam. Grammar: Inversions

Not only are you likely to need "Inversions" in the Use of English part of the CPE exam (Part 1 Open Cloze), but also in the Writing Paper. If you are planning to make a good impression on the examiner, take a look at these examples:

This advanced grammar involves changing the normal order of the subject and the verb in a sentence. It is used to add emphasis, give strong advice and to express opinions clearly.

Let´s see some examples:

She had never felt so excited.

Never had she felt so excited as when he asked her to marry him...

She knew little of what was going to happen that day...

Little did she know of what was going to happen that day...

English and French are not only popular languages, but they are also very useful when...

Not only are English and French popular languages, but they are also very usueful when...

Proposal Sample

CAE Exam writing task: 

The International Development Agency has given our town a grant to be spent on improving transport and housing facilities.

The Planning Director invites you to send a proposal outlining any problem with existing transport and housing facilities and explaining how they can be improved. A decision can then be made about how the money should be spent. Write a proposal.

Proposal on how to spend the Town´s grant

Introduction

The major aim of this proposal is to provide details about the transport and housing facilities in my town, Bentre City, and to put forward ideas on how they can be made better.

Difficulties concerning transport 

There are two main issues which require immediate attention. Firstly, a lack of public transport for cross-district travel has made it difficult for students who are from other areas in my province to travel to town for their studies. Secondly, the fare for the bus service at the moment is much higher than that in other big cities, such as Hochiminh City.  

  

Difficulties concerning accommodation:

   The city has seen significant developments in recent years. However, people are still very unhappy with the water supply service and the piping system underground. What this means is that the inadequate provision of water has caused great annoyance to local residents, and that the inefficient piping system is always causing the blockage of their WC waste matters.

Suggestions for improvements

·  In terms of transport, it is advisable to spend part of the grant on more buses and to cut down on the fare by half so that more students are encouraged to use this means of transport.

· With regard to people’s household matters, it is vital that these problems are tackled as soon as possible. If the cost of repairing the system goes beyond the money provided, the city council can call the city inhabitants for support.

   Conclusion

    It is an honor for us to receive the grant from the agency; thus, it is crucially important to make the best use of it. I strongly believe that the problems mentioned above are our city’s most formidable obstacles now and that urgent actions must be taken.



**CAE Proposal Sample by guest blogger Duong Hoang Phuc

CAE Practice. 

Now it is your turn to practise for the CAE Cambridge Exam. Write a Proposal using the task above. If you want to have your writing edited and posted in the blog, you can send it to gustavo.albarracin.q@gmail.com