FCE report example: improving college sports facilities
This page gives an original Part 2 report task about sports facilities, a top answer (19/20) and a solid answer (13/20), each marked on the four criteria. It is part of our B2 First Writing guide; for layout and phrases, see the FCE report guide.
By Eleanor BennettLast updated:
How to approach this task
A report is factual, organised and formal, written for someone who needs to make a decision. Use headings that match the three parts of the task:
- Introduction: the aim of the report and where your information comes from.
- Current facilities: what exists now, with strengths and problems.
- Students' opinions: what students say.
- Recommendations: what to do with the money, and why.
Use impersonal phrases (Most students said…, It would be worth…) and only give your own opinion in the recommendations.
Top answer (19/20)
The task
The principal of your college has some money to improve the sports facilities and has asked students for a report. Describe the current facilities, explain what students think of them and recommend how the money should be spent.
Write your report in 140–190 words.
Top answer188 words · estimated 19/20
Report on the college sports facilities
Introduction The aim of this report is to assess the current sports facilities at the college and to recommend how the available budget could be spent. It is based on an online survey completed by around eighty students.
Current facilities At present, the college has a gym, an outdoor football pitch and a small indoor hall. The gym is well equipped but very crowded at lunchtime, while the pitch is often unusable in winter because of poor drainage.
Students' opinions Most students who replied said that the facilities are adequate for team sports but offer little for those who prefer individual activities. Many complained about the changing rooms, which are old and have unreliable showers. A significant number also mentioned that the hall is rarely open in the evening.
Recommendations I would suggest that priority is given to renovating the changing rooms, since this affects everyone. In addition, it would be worth installing an artificial surface on the pitch so that it can be used all year round. Finally, extending the hall's opening hours would cost little but would be greatly appreciated.
Examiner-style comments
- Content5/5
- All three parts of the task are covered: current facilities, students' opinions (with specific complaints) and three clear, justified recommendations about spending the money.
- Communicative Achievement5/5
- A consistently formal, objective tone suitable for the principal. Mentioning the survey makes the report credible, and each recommendation explains why it matters.
- Organisation5/5
- Clear headings that mirror the task, and logical ordering of recommendations by priority. 'At present', 'while', 'In addition' and 'Finally' link ideas well.
- Language4/5
- Precise, formal vocabulary ('poor drainage', 'adequate', 'a significant number', 'priority is given to') and well-controlled passive and subjunctive-style structures. A strong 4.
A clear, professional report with specific evidence and sensibly prioritised recommendations.
Marks are our estimate using the public B2 First writing criteria, not an official Cambridge mark.
Solid answer (13/20)
The task
The principal of your college has some money to improve the sports facilities and has asked students for a report. Describe the current facilities, explain what students think of them and recommend how the money should be spent.
Write your report in 140–190 words.
Solid pass181 words · estimated 13/20
Sports facilities in our college
Introduction This report is about the sports facilities in our college and what can we do to improve them.
The facilities now Our college has a gym, a football pitch and a sports hall. The gym has machines but some of them have been broken for months. The football pitch is OK in summer but in winter it is full of mud and we can't use it. The sports hall is used for basketball and volleyball.
What students think I asked my classmates and the most of them think that the facilities are not very good. They say that the changing rooms are dirty and the water of the showers is always cold. Also the girls said that there are not many activities for them, only football and basketball.
Recommendations In my opinion the college should repair the machines of the gym and clean the changing rooms. Also it would be a good idea to organise new activities like dance, yoga or climbing. I think if the college do these things, more students will do sport.
Examiner-style comments
- Content4/5
- All three parts are addressed with relevant detail. The recommendations do not clearly say how the money should be spent; cleaning the changing rooms, for example, is not really a use for a sports budget.
- Communicative Achievement3/5
- The report format is understood, but the tone slips into informal and personal ('is OK', 'we can't use it', 'In my opinion', 'I think'), which is less suitable for a report to the principal.
- Organisation4/5
- Good use of headings that follow the task, and each section has a clear focus. Linking inside sections is basic ('Also' twice).
- Language2/5
- Errors such as 'what can we do' (word order), 'the most of them', 'the water of the showers', 'the machines of the gym' and 'if the college do'. Vocabulary is mostly everyday.
Well laid out and relevant, but the tone is too informal and the language is simple for a report.
Marks are our estimate using the public B2 First writing criteria, not an official Cambridge mark.
What to copy from the top answer
- Say where your information comes from. "It is based on an online survey…" makes the report credible.
- Use impersonal language. "Most students who replied said…", "It would be worth…" sound more professional than "I think".
- Prioritise your recommendations. Start with the one that affects everyone and explain why.
- Avoid "of" chains. Say "the gym machines" and "the showers", not "the machines of the gym".
Check your own answer
Write your own report for this prompt before you look at the answers again. Then go through the B2 First writing checklist and paste your draft into the writing checker and word counter to make sure you are between 140 and 190 words. More marked answers are in our FCE writing examples.
Questions about this task
Do I need headings in a B2 First report?
Headings are not compulsory, but they are the easiest way to show report organisation, and examiners expect a clear layout.
Can I give my opinion in a report?
Yes, mainly in the recommendations section. Elsewhere, report facts and other people's views in an objective way.
Should a report have a conclusion?
Your final section can be 'Recommendations' or 'Conclusion'. What matters is that it answers what the task asks you to recommend.
Where can I invent survey results?
You can mention that you asked students or did a survey; it makes the report realistic. Keep the details general and believable.