CAE ARTICLE SAMPLE

TASK

An international magazine for young people has asked readers to send in articles on the topic of ‘Computer games- a complete waste of time and money’. Write an article supporting or disagreeing with the statement, and give your reasons.

Write your article in 220- 260 words

Is the game over?

Nowadays a mind-blowing number of  computer games are available on the market. They have turned into a popular leisure time activity especially among the young  people. This fact makes some of us wonder whether computer games are a loss of time and money and what we can do about it.

The way I see it, playing computer games is not necessarily a waste of time as long as they bring the share of excitement  that other activities can’t provide. Even if you spend a lot of money on a great book or a passionate film, you will never get your fill of thrill  as when you play computer games.

When  playing computer games you are the real actor, you can decide to do what you want and this fills you with deep emotions. In addtion studies have discovered that playing video games helps certain mental abilities such as developing assertiveness and agility, logic and intuition and you are more quick-thinking at solving problems .

I don’t agree when people claim that playing computer games can have some reverse effects such as addiction  or that they divert you from the real life and make you an antisocial person. You  are not socially isolated since you can  meet great people and speak to them  while you play network games.

I enjoy playing video games and I don't believe they are a waste of time. On the contrary they help us relax and develop some abilities. Having said this, in the case of children, it is always wise for  parents to set  a gaming time and encourage their kids to read, do some sport and outdoor activities. 

270 words

CAE PAST PAPER PROPOSAL SAMPLE

Proposal on the "Careers Day" 

Purpose 

The purpose of this document is to provide recommendations on how to make the Careers Day at college a real success. The ideas submitted come from the students who attended last years´ event and the     students´forum.

The workshops and the speakers

It is of the interest of the students to have really practical workshops given by people who do unusual, inspiring jobs, and not just the traditional ones. Emphasis should be given on inviting successful and innovative professionals, who can be interviewed by our students.

Training courses proposal

To have a full insight of the practical aspect of jobs, the students request to have one week training courses given by companies. This would give our students to opportunity to experience the real and practical aspect of jobs.

Organisation of the event 

Due to classes at the college not all the students are able to attend the event at anytime. A 2-day programme should be considered if we want all the students to benefit from the event. 

Networking opportunities

I suggest having a "networking room" where participants can get to know each other and be able to make connections. It is our students' belief that in order to succeed in life you not only need to study hard but to know the right people.

Conclusion 

If the proposed ideas receive your serious consideration, the event next year will draw more students and be even more successful.   

#words 230

CAE PROPOSAL

TASK

You would like to start a monthly magazine in English for students at the college where you are studying. You have decided to send a proposal to the college asking for permission and financial support. Your proposal must include the following : why you want to start the magazine, what the first issue would includ, what support and financial help you need from the college.

Write your proposal in 220-260 words

Proposal to launch an English magazine

Purpose

The purpose of this proposal is to ask for the college permission to launch a monthly English magazine and to ask for financial support. This proposal also outlines the plans and reasons concerning this idea.

Reasons to support the project

The English magazine will contain articles which can be used as supplementary material from the regular language courses. They will be written in 3 different levels of difficulty aiming at basic, intermediate and advanced students.

The students will undoubtedly develop a taste for reading and  learn a with a wide range of vocabulary. Some grammar exercises will also be provided.

First issue 

Shall the projet be accepted and supported the first issue would include the following topics : Science: Featuring and article entitled "The truth about human cloning" (advanced level). Food: "Is organic food really better for our health?" (intermediate level). Health : "How to manage stress" (basic level).

   Finances

   The cost of producing the magazing for the college would be minimal as we already count with local sponsors, mainly the shops in the area and the bank accross the street. It would only be necessary an inversion of $200 a month.

   

   Conclusion 

   I believe the launching of an English magazine will answer the needs of many students and will  really help them to feel more comfortable with English. I hope the plan presented will receive your serious consideration.

#words 260

CAE LETTER OF COMPLAINT

TASK 

You bought some CDs to help you improve your English. You were not happy with the Cds and have decided to write to the Publisher, CD World.

Write a letter to CD World explaining why you bought the CDs, why you are dissatisfied and saying what you would like the company to do.

Write you answer in 180- 220 words

Dear Sir or Madam,

I am writing to you to express my extreme dissatisfaction with the set of 6 CDs of English conversation which I purchased from your company two weeks ago.

Firstly I would like to explain that I bought your CDs because I was persuaded by your misleading advertisements that I could learn to speak English within one week, whether for business purposes or just for pleasure. Speaking English has become a necessity in my job and since I can’t afford English lessons nor I have the time to take them, I thought your CDS were the perfect solution for my problem, but clearly I was wrong.

Upon receipt of my 6 CDs, I set immediately to work. I scrupulously followed your advice, and after a week of  practising   I realised to my disappointment that there were no business conversations included in the CDs. In addition the so-called innovative teaching method your ad promises consists only in "listen and repeat". I am still wondering how you can promise people they will learn to speak English in one week with such a poor teaching method.  I have also been charged 20 euros per CD unlike what is mentioned in your ad.

Your product is not up to my expectations and does not meet my requirements. I also believe your advertisement is absolutely dishonest. Unless satisfactory compensation is offered I will be forced to take legal action.

Yours faithfully,

Mrs Anduaga

219 Words

WRITING TIPS

CAE CONTRIBUTION TO A LONGER PIECE

TASK

As we regularly do, we’re asking you, the readers, to add your contribution on the subject of one of our feature articles. So tell us what you think. 

Are young people given too much too soon in their lives? We don’t just mean famous youngsters, we mean youngsters in general. Are they spoilt? Do their parents indulge them too much? Is it better for them to go without certain things so that they learn the value of having to struggle to get what they want? Are they given the impression that life is easy because it is too easy for them? Or is it the opposite in a lot of cases? Is life too much of a struggle for too many youngsters? 

Maybe you have personal experience you’d like to share with the readers. We’ll print some of your articles in future editions.

Write your contribution in 220-260 words

                                   Too much too young?

Today parents are definitively different from those of yesterday when it comes to educating their offspring. I strongly believe that youngsters are over spoiled and parents too much indulgent.

Young people are obviously more and more influenced by their environment and the media resulting in a more demanding generation of children than in the past. Today watching fussy kids in a shop making scenes is pretty common. They make their parents buy them the latest trendy gadget even if they cost an arm and a leg.

I have witnessed this on several occasions and always wonder why is it that parents accept to give them everything they want. This can be due to the fact that today parents are too busy working away from home, and feel guilty not to be with their kids or not doing enough for them, so they try to compensate their love with presents.

I remember the time when I was young, I contented myself with just my colour pencils, drawing, playing with my dolls or outside with some friends. But luckily my family was always there to play with me. I have them, and it was more important than any material thing.

Another reason why I think parents spoil their children is because they want to give them a good quality of life. They have good intentions, I mean, wishing the best for their children is legitimate, but giving them all for free certainly doesn´t teach them to be responsible in life nor to work hard to achieve their goals, nor to be thankful for what they receive. These spoilt children probably even ignore that in the world there are many poor children who have no toys to play with.

The way I see it parents should teach their children real values like hard-work and solidarity from a young age, rather than spoiling them with too many, many time useless, material things.

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.