CAMBRIDGE C1 ADVANCED (CAE) REVIEW – TEST YOUR KNOWLEDGE

Hombre, Escribir, Plan De, Escritorio13 questions to ask yourself about:

Cambridge C1 review

+ pdf sample 

1- Is it compulsory? 

No. A review may be one of the tasks in Writing Part 2. There are five types of tasks (proposal, review, report, letter, email or informal letter) and you will be given three of them to choose from.

2- Should I use a title and headings?

You should use a title and make it as eye-catching as you can, to grab the reader’s attention from the start.

Headings are not necessary for a review.

3- How many words should I write?

Between 220 and 260 words. 

4- What is a review?

An article published in a magazine, newspaper, or other publications in which someone gives their opinion of a filmbook, restaurant, hotel, etc.

5- Who is it written for? 

The readers of the afore-mentioned publication.

6- What is expected of candidates?

A review may be about a book, magazine, film, play or concert; it may also be about a product or a service. A review in the C1 Advanced Writing paper does not merely ask for a general description of the thing reviewed but requires an evaluation of its suitability for a particular purpose or audience. The target reader is specified in the task, and candidates should be encouraged to use this information when choosing appropriate ideas and language to include in their response.

Source: C1 Advanced. Handbook for teachers.

7- What kind of language should students focus on?

Students should be encouraged to read as wide a range of reviews as possible, such as those for holidays, books, television programmes and consumer goods. They need to be taught the use of appropriate adjectives, and how to describe and explain. They also need to know how to give an opinion, positive or negative, and make a recommendation..

Source: C1 Advanced. Handbook for teachers.

8- Am I familiar with the functional language previously mentioned? 

If you want to build up your knowledge of the suitable language for reviews, read reviews of films, books, concert, performances, etc. Not only the ones included in C1 books but also real reviews online. 

When you do so, be mindful about it. Pay attention to language and grammar structures and take notes.

9- Is there anything in common with other C1 writings?

A review is not a formal piece of writing like an essay, a report, a proposal or a formal letter. Here you have the freedom to use more colourful language, idioms and a wider variety of phrasal verbs. The goal is to entertain and inform the reader in a way that is personal and convincing. There is more scope for imagination and the use of language that you think is going to grab their attention. 

11- How many paragraphs should I include? 

This will depend on the task given but generally speaking, four paragraphs sounds like the right number for a C1 Advanced review. Introduction, developing the answer to the question(s) in the two middle paragraphs and a conclusion with a final recommendation. 

12- How can I improve my review writing skills?

This is not rocket science: write as many reviews as you can until you get the hang of it.

If starting with the exam question sounds daunting, begin by writing reviews of subjects you are passionate about: an all-time favourite film, the last book you read, a memorable concert… you get the idea.

IMPORTANT: learn collocations, idioms and phrasal verbs.

When it comes to corrections and guidance, ask your teacher or find one that offers this service online.

13- Do I need to learn how to write a review even if I know I can choose another type of writing?

If I were you, I would be well acquainted with all the tasks. This will give you more alternatives to choose from and that can only be a good thing. 


Click below for a sample review:

Review Get away from it all

 


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