CPE RESTAURANT REVIEW

Take a look at this very well-written Restaurant Review sent to us by a CPE student from Chantilly, France. For more on Reviews, you can also visit our page How to write a Film Review.

TASK : 

Your local newspaper is asking its readers to write a review of a restaurant where you have eaten recently and would recommend to others.

Write your review in 280-320 words

The Open House Polo Restaurant

(Name/location)
The ‘Open House’ is a restaurant situated in the heart of a small village between three national forests and close to the horse´s capital city, Chantilly. It is the favourite hangout place for people from the polo, horse races, and golf world.

(Atmosphere/decor)

As you enter the place you are welcomed by a magnificent setting, a delightful marriage of antique cut stones and the luxuries of modernity.  Sitting in any table you have a wonderful view of the workshop-like kitchen where you can see the chefs working. For those who do not book a table and are waiting, there is a cosy lounge with aged leather armchairs and pictures of polo players displayed on the walls. 

(The menu/dishes)

The menu offers a wide variety of mouth-watering starters. I had the white asparagus accompanied by a mousseline sauce and poached eggs, while my friend tried the zucchini carpaccio served with sundries tomatoes and a mozzarella strudel. They were exquisite. The main course consisted of a risotto with scallop cooked in cream and a cassolette of coley with mussels, which really thrilled us. It all was followed by a delicious apple pie served with a scoop of vanilla ice cream for dessert. 

(The ingredients/the wine/the prices)

All the products were fresh and the dishes had the warmth of home-made food. The chefs take great care in selecting the best quality ingredients. The restaurant also caters for all tastes by providing a large selection of the best wines of the region, which are pricy but worth sampling.

(The service/the waiters/the owner)

What a pity that the service does not accompany the high quality of the cooking. You can hardly get a smile out of the waitresses. Thankfully the owner and hostess, a middle-aged charming woman, is always around willing to exchange some kind words with all her clients.

(Recommendation)

Despite the high price of the food and the not so attentive waiters´ service, I had a pleasant dining experience with food of the most exquisite flavours. For this reason I highly recommend going to the Open House Polo restaurant.

Posted by SYB 
Edited by Gustavo Albarracín

CPE Practice. 

Now it is your turn to practise for the CPE Cambridge Exam. Write a Restaurant Review using the task above. If you would like to have your writing checked for free and posted in this blog, you can send it to gustavo.albarracin.q@gmail.com

CPE REPORT ON THE MUSIC FESTIVAL

Take a look at this excellent report sent to us by a CPE student. Then visit our page How to write a report.

EXAM TASK: 

You belong to a committee that helps to organise a yearly music festival in your hometown. This year’s event has just taken place and you have been asked by the event leader to write a short report highlighting its success and making recommendations for next year.

Write your report in 280-320 words

REPORT ON THE MUSIC FESTIVAL

INTRODUCTION

The aim of this report is to outline the great success of the very first Music Festival which took place in Chantilly last month. This report will also give recommendations for the organisation of next year’s event in Senlis, France.

SUCCESSFUL PUBLICITY

Informing as many people as possible about this novelty was crucial. To that purpose a press file was scrupulously prepared and largely distributed to the newspapers of the local press and some specialised web sites in music. The event was so well publicised that more than 10 000 people attended it, which was beyond all expectations.

SUCCESSFUL PERFORMANCES

The music festival took place during a whole week-end. Many music schools from everywhere in the region greatly came forward and gave violin,   guitar and piano concerts in front of the crowd gathered there. The biggest success of this festival was its closing, during which the best musicians were given prizes for their outstanding performances by the mayor himself.

INCONVENIENCES PRESENTED

The sound system provided was of great help however we somehow regret the poor quality of the mikes and loudspeakers, which affected the quality of the sound in the concerts.

RECOMMENDATION FOR THE MUSIC FESTIVAL NEXT YEAR

On the basis of the points mentioned above, I strongly recommend having an even more aggressive marketing campaign next year. I advise hiring a professional to design eye-catching leaflets and posters to be distributed among the local press and in social networking sites. I also suggest considering the viability of purchasing new sound equipment which is of great importance especially for a music festival.

Another recommendation would be inviting a huge celebrity to the closing ceremony  to attract an even greater crowd.

Posted by SYB

Edited by Gustavo Albarracín

CPE Practice.
Now it is your turn to practise for the CPE Cambridge Exam. Write a Report 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

CPE ESSAY ON QUALITY OF LIFE

CPE Writing Paper model . In the Proficiency in English Cambridge Exam (Paper 2- Writing, Part 1) you are given two pieces of text and are asked to write an essay based on the information given. #Words: 240-280

Take a look at this essay sample. Then visit our pages How to write an essay and Tips to write an essay.

Quality of life

We all have dreams of having more and longer holidays, getting a better job, being fitter and living in a wealthier place. However, it is difficult to further our dreams for several reasons. Both texts deal with the concept of «quality of life» pointing out how it influences our health and how difficult it is for some to have access to it.

According to the first passage, being healthy is not just necessary but essential. We need to be in good physical and mental condition to be able to keep a job and to participate actively in a social group. Unfortunately our health state can be influenced by factors we cannot always control such as living in a poor neighbourhood, a place with bad weather conditions or a country in which people lack political freedom.

In the same way, the second text highlights the importance of the climate, the environment and the economic situation of a country. According to very interesting studies they play a major role in improving out quality of life. It also states that very few people are ready to take the plunge and move their housing in search of these factors. The sad reality is that for most of us it is not easy to relocate for numerous reasons.

On the other hand, there are small simple things we can put into practice to improve the way we live. These little things can be various such as devoting oneself to a passion like art or music, which at the same time will boost new encounters essential to our well-being; doing a sport to keep fit and healthy, granting ourselves some small pleasures like a massage or a stroll in the forest, reorganising our house, and of course spending time with our family and friends through leisure time and holidays.


Posted by Syb
France

CPE Practice. 

Now it is your turn to practise for the CPE Cambridge Exam. Write an Essay 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