CAE/ CPE When is it OK to use contractions?

Contractions are regarded as informal and spoken. Therefore it is advisable not to use contractions in formal writing.

 

When doing the writing paper in the CAE or CPE exam, it is important to read the task carefully. The kind of text we have to write will determine whether we use a formal or informal style:

 

Proposals, reports, essays and letters to the editor or letters of complaint are formal documents. It means it is preferable not use contractions in them.

 

Letters/e-mails to friends and articles for a students´magazine are informal pieces of writing. It is quite safe to use contraction in them.

CAE Writing Paper 2014

What pieces of writing to expect in the CAE exam this year?

From the official Cambridge web page:

"Candidates are expected to write non-specialised text types, with a focus on advising, comparing, evaluating, expressing opinions, hypothesising, justifying and persuading. Candidates need to be prepared to write a variety of text types – they are not told the topics and text types in advance of the exam. Text types will include:

• an article
• a contribution to a longer piece
• an essay
• information sheets
• a letter
• a proposal
• a report
• a review
• a competition entry."

HOW TO WRITE A REPORT FOR CAE/ CPE

A report is a formal document you write to a figure of authority to describe an experience such as attending a conference or taking part in a project. Therefore it is expected to be a rather formal text, well-organised into sections and with proper language.

1. The organisation of a Report

A report should have a title and subtitles (or subheadings) and be divided into clear sections. There is usually an introduction and a conclusion. Click here to see example.

2. Useful language / Phrases to use in a Report.

In the introduction

- The aim of this report is to...

- The purpose of this report is to outline...

- This report will also provide some recommendations on...

In the conclusion

- I strongly recommend...ing

- It would be highly advisable to...

- I would no doubt suggest...ing

- I also believe we should...

Click here to see example

3. The use of formal language in a Report

Avoid using contractions in reports as they are too informal. Write "I would like to recommend..." instead of "I´d like to recommend..."

Another thing to avoid is using idioms and phrasal verbs as they tend to be spoken and informal.

ADVISE OR ADVICE?

In British English advise (with "s") is the verb; and advice (with "c") is the noun. Let´s check some examples:

Advise (verb)

- I advise you not to go to Peru in this time of the year. It´s better to go in January.

- She advised me to take the FCE exam in June.

Advice (noun/uncountable)

- Listen to my advice and go to Peru in January when it´s sunny.

- Her advice was to take the FCE exam in June.

.....

*Note: Because advice is uncountable, it´s not possible to say advices. 

Incorrect: She gave me advices.
Correct: She gave me some advice. 

DISCURSIVE ESSAY OR OPINION ESSAY?

A discursive ( or "for and against" ) essay is different from an opinion essay. In an opinion essay, the writer starts out stating his/her opinion; in a discursive essay, the writer gives a balanced view and in the conclusion can either state his/her opinion or give a summary of both sides of the argument.

 

Source: "Speak Out" by Eales Frances and Oakes S.

CPE ARTICLE

An international current affairs magazine has invited readers to contribute articles entitled ‘ Globalisation- good news or bad ?’ for its next issue. You decide to write an article explaining your personal views on this topic.

280_ 320 words

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Let’s go global

I disagree strongly with the idea that globalisation is a threat to traditional symbols, culture and identities. The way I see it, it is a reality which is provoking a sweeping change in our lifestyles.

No need to say that the Internet, the social networks, the mobile phone and the free access telephone services like skype have not only great accessibility but truly have brought people from all around the world much closer. 

"Personally, I can hardly do without these useful tools of communication. They enable me to stay in touch with my distant family and also to find and share information with different people who have the same interests as mine."

Besides, I find people less confined to one culture and identity, they are more open to new ideas and experiences. Being connected to others lead, thus, to a better understanding of our differences. Do not this prove that we all can be more open-minded and tolerant to others?

Another positive aspect of globalisation is discovering new clothes, new food and new products which come from the western culture. Now we have cheaper access to brands like Coca-Cola, Mc Donald and Nike. And that’s not all because companies can now boost their economy by expanding  and reaching new customers overseas.

But there is more, thanks to low-cost air companies  people  travel much more than in the past. I remember the time when my parents had to tighten their belt for a vacation to a one-hour-distance place. We can see a real betterment for the enjoyment of everybody. In that, we can extend our knowledge when visiting other countries and even habe more job opportunities.

All in all, I can say that globalisation is good news. It generates easier ways to do business, interlinks countries and creates a better standard of living. All things considered why are we so afraid of globalisation since it is confirmed to make people happier?

By SYB

CPE blogger from France

AND WHAT IF MY MIND GOES BLANK?

Perhaps what I find more challenging in the CPE exam is writing an article. There is no magical formula for them, nor fixed phrases that you can memorise in order to use them in the exam (such as "the aim of this report is to..." or "dear Sir or Madam".)

It used to terrify me to think I could be asked to write about a topic I know nothing about, or that I could lose 20 minutes looking for interesting title or a good way to start.

 

So what´s the trick to successfully write an article? Is there one? Well, I found one, although I´m not sure it will work for everyone. When my mind goes blank in the middle of a writing exam, I always remember what my best friend told me once:

 

"Si no sabes cómo comenzar, empieza diciendo la verdad".

"Just start by telling the truth if you don´t know how to start." 

 

And I always to that.

 

 ..........

Read some SAMPLE ARTICLES

A nostalgic trip to BA

Life and the city






 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

THE SECRET LIFE OF BEES VOCABULARY

One of the books you are advised to read before taking the CPE exam is Sue Monk Kidd's "The secret life of bees". The book is full of very useful vocabulary. This comes from chapter 1 of the book.

BRISTLE ROLLERS

PEACH ORCHARD (an area of land devoted to the cultivation of peaches)

DUCKTAIL (hairstyle/ wear your hair in a ducktail)

SOCK HOP (a dance/ an event in which teenagers gathered in the school to dance in the USA in the 1950s)

KNEEL ON GRITS (  a very cruel form of punishment )

USING TWO-PART PHRASES IN WRITINGS

Using two-part phrases will help you enhance your writing for an international exam such as CAE, CPE or IELTS.

Try using some of these two-part phrases the next time you write a letter/ essay/ article/ story...

LEAPS AND BOUNDS
                                                         PROS AND CONS
ROUGH AND READY
                                                        UPS AND DOWNS
THROUGH AND THROUGH
                                                        GIVE AND TAKE


Examples

Any skill such as playing the violin improves in leaps and bounds if you practise enough. (article)

Even though our relationship had its ups and downs, I was sure that ours was a match made in heaven. (story)

It would be infinitely preferable to take into consideration the pros and cons of building a new factory before making a final decision. (formal letter)


...............
Students´samples:

I’m sick and tired of having to queue every time I go to the bank.

There are pros and cons to travelling abroad alone.

I´m learning to speak English in leaps and bounds.

I´m an Italian food fan through and through.

I don´t like romantic films. They go on and on.

CPE PHRASAL VERBS

WANT TO CHECK YOUR ANSWERS? CLICK HERE

SADDLE SOMEBODY WITH SOMETHING

This week´s phrasal verb is " saddle with."

 

Definition: To make someone have a job or problem that is difficult or boring and that they do not want.

 

Examples:

 

I´ve been saddled with organising the whole party.

 

Many farms were saddled with debts.

 

I´ve been saddled with the job of writing a report of the college´s olympic games.

CPE VOCABULARY IN PICTURES

A HEAP OF STRAW

                              


MOULDY BREAD

GRIN LIKE A CHESHIRE CAT

To be grinning like a cheshire cat means to be incredibly happy.

The Cheshire Cat is a fictional cat popularised by Lewis Carroll in Alice's Adventures in Wonderland and known for its distinctive mischievous grin.

Example: "She fancied him. It was as clear as water to us. As he talked to her she couldn´t help grinning like a cheshire cat."

Today´s idiom: Red Tape

The idiom RED TAPE  refers to excessive rules and regulations, bureaucratic details and delays.

Example: I´m glad to announce I´ve made it through the red tape. The embassy has granted me a VISA so I´m going on holidays to Germany. ( = I have finally managed to get a VISA so I can travel.)

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USING ADVERBS TO WRITE DESCRIPTIVELY

It´s vitally important to be able to use adverbs in the CAE/ CPE exams. When writing a book or film review, for example, it is fundamental to write descriptively. This will cause a very positive effect on the reader/ examiner

Useful phrases

poignantly        directed by              (*note: poignant meaning touching or moving)
convincingly    directed by
skilfully            directed by

poignantly        acted by
convincingly    acted by
skilfully            acted by

highly                  praised by
overwhelmingly  praised by
widely                 praised by


harshly                criticised by        (*note: harshly meaning severely )
overwhelmingly  criticised by
widely                 criticised by


Examples:

The 1998 Warner Bros film was skilfully directed by Griffin Dunne.

Even though Practical Magic was widely criticised, I still consider it my favourite movie.

*For further reference see book SpeakOut by Frances Eales and Steve Oakes. /Pearson.


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CPE VOCABULARY FLOWERS

CAMOMILE                                                       DANDELION




SUNFLOWER

                                                                                                                                                   
                                                                                          VIOLET


WATER LILY

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