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CPE Writing Guide

The Cambridge English: Proficiency (CPE) exam, also known as C2 Proficiency, is designed to assess advanced-level English skills. The writing section specifically tests your ability to communicate effectively in writing for different purposes and audiences. Here are the key details:

Structure of the CPE Writing Exam

The writing paper is divided into two parts:

Part 1: Compulsory Task

  • Length: 220–260 words.
  • Task Type: You will be given a text (such as a short article, email, or report) and required to respond to it.
  • Task Focus: You must show your ability to organize and present ideas logically, express opinions, and develop an argument or narrative. Common formats include writing an essay where you summarize the points and give your own view.

Part 2: Choose from 3 Options

  • Length: 280–320 words.
  • Task Type: In this part, you can choose from a range of options, including different text types like:
    • Article
    • Letter/email
    • Report
    • Review
    • Sometimes, you may need to base your answer on one or two set texts (books) that are specified for the exam.
    You are expected to demonstrate a higher degree of flexibility and control over a wide range of vocabulary and grammatical structures.

Skills Assessed

  • Content: How well you address the task, relevance of the content.
  • Communicative Achievement: How appropriate the writing is for the task and audience, including tone and style.
  • Organization: The logical flow of the text, use of cohesive devices, paragraphing.
  • Language: Range of vocabulary and grammar, accuracy of language use.

Common Writing Formats and Requirements

  1. Essay: Presenting an argument and supporting it with evidence or examples.
  2. Report: Providing structured, factual information on a specific topic, often making recommendations.
  3. Review: Offering an evaluation of a book, film, product, or event, often giving opinions and critical analysis.
  4. Letter/Email: Writing a formal or informal communication with appropriate tone, structure, and politeness levels.
  5. Article: Writing an engaging piece for publication, often requiring a lively tone and a clear perspective on the topic.

Marking Criteria

Each writing piece is marked by:

  • Content
  • Communicative Achievement
  • Organization
  • Language

Each of these criteria is scored out of 5, with a total of 20 marks available for each task.

Preparation Tips

  • Practice different text types to ensure you are comfortable with the variety of formats.
  • Focus on the clarity and organization of your arguments.
  • Use a wide range of vocabulary and grammar structures, while ensuring accuracy.
  • Time management is key: allocate sufficient time to plan, write, and proofread both tasks.