FCE essay: how to write the B2 First Part 1 essay
The FCE essay is the compulsory Part 1 task: you answer a question in 140–190 words, discuss the two notes you are given and add a third idea of your own, then give a clear opinion. It is one half of the paper covered in our B2 First Writing guide, and below you will find a paragraph plan, useful phrases and three marked model answers.
By Eleanor BennettLast updated:
What the essay task looks like
Everyone in the exam writes the same essay. The task tells you that you have been discussing a topic in class and that your teacher wants an essay. Then you get a question and two notes. The third note is always a blank line: that is where your own idea goes. Here is an original example in the exam style:
In your English class you have been talking about young people and work. Now your English teacher has asked you to write an essay. Write an essay using all the notes and giving reasons for your point of view.
Is it a good idea for young people to spend a year doing voluntary work before they start university or a job?
Notes. Write about: 1. experience that could help in the future 2. the cost and the delay to a career 3. ........ (your own idea)
Three things are compulsory: discuss note 1, discuss note 2, and add a different third idea. You also need to answer the question, which means your opinion must be clear by the end. An essay that describes both sides but never says what you think is incomplete.
Paragraph plan for a B2 First essay
- 1
Paragraph 1: introduction (2–3 sentences)
Introduce the topic in your own words; do not copy the question. You can state your opinion now or say that there are arguments on both sides. Keep it short: about 25–30 words.
- 2
Paragraph 2: note 1
Start with a clear topic sentence, then give a reason and an example. In our task, that means explaining how volunteering builds skills employers want.
- 3
Paragraph 3: note 2
Discuss the second note. This is often the opposing view, so a contrast linker like On the other hand fits well. Develop it; do not just mention it.
- 4
Paragraph 4: your own idea
Add an idea that is clearly different from the two notes, for example personal growth, independence or meeting people from other cultures. Signal it: Another important point is...
- 5
Paragraph 5: conclusion
Answer the question directly and briefly weigh up the arguments. Do not add a new idea here. Two sentences are enough.
Register and tone
The reader is your teacher, so write in a neutral to formal style. That means:
- no contractions in most sentences (do not rather than don't), although one or two will not ruin a neutral essay
- no direct chatty questions to the reader such as What do you think, guys?
- impersonal structures help: It is often argued that..., Many people believe...
- personal opinion is welcome, but signal it clearly: In my view..., I am convinced that...
Avoid stories about your cousin or your holiday. One short example is fine, but the essay is an argument, not an article for a magazine. If you also study for the Speaking test, the same skills of giving reasons and balancing views help in Speaking Part 4.
How the four criteria apply to the essay
- Content: have you covered both notes, added a genuine third idea and answered the question? Missing the third idea is the most common reason for a low Content mark.
- Communicative Achievement: does it read like a discursive essay? Examiners look for a balanced, reasoned argument in a suitable tone, with your opinion developed rather than just stated.
- Organisation: each idea gets its own paragraph, the paragraphs follow a logical order, and you use a variety of linkers and referencing words (this, such, these concerns). See our linking words guide.
- Language: a range of structures (conditionals, passives, relative clauses) and topic vocabulary, with errors that do not block understanding.
For the full picture, read how FCE Writing is marked.
Essay traps
Trap: Using one of the given notes again as your third idea, just with different words.
Fix: Brainstorm three possible own ideas, then cross out any that overlap with the notes. Pick the one you can support with an example.
Trap: Writing a list of points with no development.
Fix: Use the formula point, reason, example for every body paragraph.
Trap: Sitting on the fence: no opinion anywhere.
Fix: The question asks for your point of view. State it in the conclusion at the latest, ideally in the introduction too.
Trap: Copying the question word for word as your introduction.
Fix: Paraphrase: spend a year doing voluntary work can become take a year out to volunteer.
Trap: Adding a new argument in the conclusion.
Fix: The conclusion summarises and answers. If you think of a new idea late, put it in a body paragraph or leave it out.
Model answer 1: top level
The task
In your English class you have been talking about young people and work. Now your English teacher has asked you to write an essay. Write an essay using all the notes and giving reasons for your point of view.
Is it a good idea for young people to spend a year doing voluntary work before they start university or a job?
Notes. Write about: 1. experience that could help in the future 2. the cost and the delay to a career 3. ........ (your own idea)
Top answer180 words · estimated 19/20
Many young people now take a year out to volunteer before they start university or look for a job. While some see this as a waste of time, I believe it can be one of the most valuable decisions a person makes.
To begin with, volunteering gives young people practical experience that is hard to gain in a classroom. Working in a community kitchen or on a conservation project teaches teamwork, responsibility and how to solve problems under pressure, which are exactly the skills employers look for.
On the other hand, a year without a salary is not affordable for everyone, and some people worry about falling behind friends who go straight into their careers. These concerns are understandable, although shorter or part-time placements could reduce the cost.
Perhaps the greatest benefit, however, is personal. Living away from home and meeting people from different backgrounds helps young people become more confident and discover what they genuinely want to study.
In conclusion, although a volunteer year is not right for everyone, I am convinced that its advantages far outweigh the drawbacks.
Examiner-style comments
- Content5/5
- Both notes are fully discussed and the third idea (personal growth and finding direction) is clearly different from them. The question is answered directly in the introduction and the conclusion. The reader is fully informed.
- Communicative Achievement5/5
- A well-judged discursive essay. The writer balances the argument, accepts the opposing view and then answers it, which holds the reader's attention. The tone is consistently neutral to formal.
- Organisation5/5
- Five clear paragraphs with strong topic sentences. Linkers are varied (To begin with, On the other hand, however, In conclusion) and referencing such as These concerns and which are exactly the skills ties ideas together smoothly.
- Language4/5
- A good range of vocabulary (conservation project, falling behind, far outweigh the drawbacks) and structures, used accurately. Slightly more variety in complex grammar, such as a conditional or a passive, would push this to a 5.
Estimated 19/20. Short, controlled and complete: a clear example of how to score highly without writing anything risky.
Marks are our estimate using the public B2 First writing criteria, not an official Cambridge mark.
Model answer 2: solid level
The task
In your English class you have been talking about young people and work. Now your English teacher has asked you to write an essay. Write an essay using all the notes and giving reasons for your point of view.
Is it a good idea for young people to spend a year doing voluntary work before they start university or a job?
Notes. Write about: 1. experience that could help in the future 2. the cost and the delay to a career 3. ........ (your own idea)
Solid pass168 words · estimated 15/20
Nowadays a lot of young people are thinking about doing voluntary work for a year before they go to university or start working. In my opinion, this is a good idea, but it also has some disadvantages.
Firstly, volunteering is very useful for the future jobs. When you help in a hospital or teach children, you learn to work with other people and to be responsible. These things are important for every company, so it will be easier to find a job later.
However, it can be expensive. Volunteers don't earn money and some families can't pay for a year like this. Also, your friends will start their careers one year before you, which can be stressful.
Another point is that you can travel and know new cultures. For example, if you volunteer in another country you will improve your languages and become more independent.
To sum up, I think that a year of voluntary work is a positive experience, but only if your family can afford it.
Examiner-style comments
- Content5/5
- All three points are covered: future jobs, cost and delay, and a third idea about travel and independence. The opinion is clear. The reader is informed, even if some points could be developed further.
- Communicative Achievement3/5
- The text works as an essay and the opinion is clear, but the style is rather simple and occasionally too conversational (you, don't, can't). Ideas are stated more than argued, so the essay holds attention only some of the time.
- Organisation4/5
- Logical paragraphs with a range of basic linkers (Firstly, However, Also, Another point, To sum up). These things and which can be stressful help connect ideas. More precise linking inside paragraphs would raise the mark.
- Language3/5
- Everyday vocabulary used mostly accurately, with some simple complex structures (if you volunteer... you will). Errors such as the future jobs (no article needed) and know new cultures (better: get to know or experience) do not block understanding.
Estimated 15/20. A safe pass. To move up, develop each argument with a reason AND an example, and replace general words like things with precise vocabulary.
Marks are our estimate using the public B2 First writing criteria, not an official Cambridge mark.
Model answer 3: borderline level
The task
In your English class you have been talking about young people and work. Now your English teacher has asked you to write an essay. Write an essay using all the notes and giving reasons for your point of view.
Is it a good idea for young people to spend a year doing voluntary work before they start university or a job?
Notes. Write about: 1. experience that could help in the future 2. the cost and the delay to a career 3. ........ (your own idea)
Borderline164 words · estimated 10/20
Today many young peoples want to do a volunteer work one year before the university. I think is a good idea and I will explain why.
First of all the experience is very usefull for find a job. If you work in a organisation you learn many things like work in team and speak with the people. The companies likes this persons.
But there is a problem with the money because when you are volunteer you don't receive money and is difficult for the family. Also you lose one year and your friends are more advanced than you in the university.
In my opinion the young people have to do this experience because they can know other countries and they can be more mature. Last summer I did a volunteer in a camp and it was amazing, I loved it so much.
In conclusion I think that the volunteer year have more advantages than disadvantages and everybody should to try it in they life.
Examiner-style comments
- Content3/5
- Both notes are mentioned, and there is an attempt at a third idea (other countries, maturity), but it is only listed, not developed. The personal story about the summer camp is irrelevant to the argument. The reader is on the whole informed.
- Communicative Achievement2/5
- The writer gives an opinion, but the style moves between essay and chatty story (it was amazing, I loved it so much). Ideas are simple and not argued, so the text does not consistently hold the reader's attention.
- Organisation3/5
- There are paragraphs and some basic linkers (First of all, But, Also, In conclusion), but the third paragraph starts with But, and In my opinion is used to introduce a new point rather than an opinion. Connections within paragraphs are weak.
- Language2/5
- Frequent basic errors: young peoples, a volunteer work, I think is, usefull for find, a organisation, The companies likes this persons, the volunteer year have, should to try, they life. Vocabulary is limited (do this experience, know other countries). The meaning is mostly clear, but the reader has to work hard.
Estimated 10/20. Fix three habits first: subject + verb (it is, never is alone), should + bare infinitive, and singular or plural agreement. Then develop the third idea with a reason and an example.
Marks are our estimate using the public B2 First writing criteria, not an official Cambridge mark.
Useful phrases for the FCE essay
| Use it to… | Phrases |
|---|---|
| Introducing the topic |
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| Giving your opinion |
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| Adding and developing a point |
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| Presenting the other side |
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| Introducing your own idea |
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| Concluding |
|
FCE essay: frequently asked questions
How many paragraphs should an FCE essay have?
Four or five works best: an introduction, one paragraph for each note, one for your own idea, and a short conclusion. Some students join the introduction and opinion; that is fine as long as every idea has its own space.
What happens if I forget the third idea?
You will lose marks for Content, because the task is only partly done. The third idea is compulsory and must be different from the two notes.
Should I give my opinion in the introduction or the conclusion?
Either works, but it must be clear by the end. Many strong essays hint at the opinion in the introduction and state it firmly in the conclusion.
Can I use 'I' in a B2 First essay?
Yes. The task asks for your point of view, so phrases like In my view or I believe are expected. Just keep the rest of the language neutral to formal.
Does the essay need a title?
No. A title is optional and does not earn marks. Use your time for planning instead.