CAE ESSAY

Read this CAE ESSAY SAMPLE sent to us by a CAE student. Surf our web for more on CAE. We recommend How to write an Essay

TASK:
You have recently had a class debate in which students discussed whether knowledge or social connections were more useful in achieving success. Your teacher has asked you to write an essay giving your opinion on the following statement:

« It’s not what you know, but who you know that counts »

Write your essayin 220-260 words

What you know or who you know?

I strongly believe that having the right skills and qualifications is essential in order to get a good job and succeed in life. However, with the large numbers of people competing for jobs nowadays, aren’t social connections equally important?

Some parents encourage their sons and daughters to keep up with the academic work in order to acquire the necessary knowledge to get into college and obtain a well-paid job one day. These young people do their best to be the first student in the class, they qui ttheir social life and have very few friends. But then when they finish their studies, despite their impressive marks, they struggle to find a job.

On the other hand we can find a group of people who were not necessarily brilliant at college but who have the right connections. They are the ones who get a good place in a company because they know the right people. Having knowledge is undoubtedly important but I think we all need a little push from others to succeed in today´s society.

Nevertheless I want to make it clear that I believe that getting a job only because you have connections is not fair and people should not be given a job if they do not have the right qualifications. The way I see it both, knowledge and connections, are equally important.

CAE REPORT

Read this CAE REPORT SAMPLE sent to us by a CAE student. Surf our web for more on CAE. We recommend  How to write a Report for CAE.

TASK: 
An international research group is carrying out an investigation into changing trends in the way young people spend their free time. You have been asked to write a report about the situation in your country.

Write your report in 220- 260 words

Report on the changing trends in the way young people in France spend their free time.

Introduction

The purpose of this report is to show how the new leisure trends have highly changed the way young people in France spend their free time.

From past to present

If we take a step  some  years backwards  young people used to spend their free time outdoors playing football, biking, or making friends. Today these recreational activities only belong to the past having been replaced by video games, television, and the new technologies. The digital revolution has really brought about a big change in the way people spend their free time.

A blessing in disguise 

The new generations are born and have grown up in a world governed by the media and computers. It is estimated that about 65% of young people in France, ranged between 18 and 25, spend at least 13 hours per week on the internet. They search for information, download music, play games, chat with friends and use the social networks. This, however, might be a blessing in disguise as statistics also show that this generation of young people read more, socialise more, and gets better marks at school.

Conclusion

There is a clear preference for young people to spend time with the computer instead of doing sport outside. However, this is not so terrible news.  Our study indicates that today’s young people read more than our parents did in the past and are much more involved in participating actively in on-line and real life communities.

CAE December 2014 Writing Paper. What to expect in the exam.

Are you taking the Cambridge CAE exam in December 2014? Then you are probably wondering what to expect in the Writing Paper. Read this post to find out.


The Writing Paper of the CAE exam is divided in two parts:

Part 1 Compulsory task

Writing one of the following: an article, a report, a proposal or

a letter. 180-220 words.


To prepare for this part, visit our page How to write an article for an International Exam


Part 2 

Candidates have a choise of tasks. For questions 2-4 the 

task types used are: article, competition entry, contribution to

a longer piece, essay, information sheet, letter, proposal,

report and review. Question 5(a) and 5(b) are based on two

set texts.  220-260 words.


You will need to produce both pieces of writing in 1 hour and 30 minutes. 

CAE COMPETITION ENTRY

Read this COMPETITION ENTRY sample sent to us by a CAE student. Surf our web for more on CAE. We recommend  How to write a Report for CAE.

TASK: 

We are planning a series of TV programmes about the 10 greatest sportmen and women of all time. Which sportperson would you nominate to be included in the series?

Write to us describing this person’s achievements and explaining why you feel he or she should be included.

Write your competition entry in 220-260 words

Greatest sportsperson competition

Zinedine Zidane is a former French footballer who is considered one of the greatest players of all times. He made a name for himself at national and international level for his outstanding performance in the game and also for the several championships he won throughout his career.  He also helped France classify to the World Cup finale in 2006, in which they were the winners. It goes without saying that this icononic player really deserves to be the candidate for a nomination in your television series.

But how did Zinedine Zidane become such an amazing player? To answer this we need to go back to his early age. He discovered football in his home town. He used to play football with his friends in the streets, where he developed some unrivalled techniques and a perfect control of the ball. Endowed with an unique ability, he evolved as a professional player and won several titles such as the Juventus of Turin and the Real Madrid ones, which led him to be voted several times as the best international football player in 1998, 2000 and 2003, as well as to win a golden ball in 2006.

I believe that what sets Zinedine apart from any the other player is his perseverance and charming personality, but above all his strength to face adversity with composure. So friendly and sociable is he that he became the favorite player of the French in 2006 who nicknamed him «  Zizou ».

At the age of 35 he was at the height of his career and, came the time for him to leave the football pitch. Since 2013 he has held the position of an assistant coach for the Real Madrid team club. If there is one thing for sure is that Zizou is now a legend and he undoubtedly deserves a place among your top ten greatest sportspeople.

Submitted by Syb
Edited by www.cpesamplewritings.blogspot.com


CAE Practice.

Now it is your turn to practise for the CAE Cambridge Exam. Write a Competition Entry 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 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