FCE report on reducing plastic waste at your college
This page shows an original Part 2 report task about reducing plastic waste, a top answer (19/20) and a borderline answer (9/20), with examiner-style comments. It is part of our B2 First Writing guide; the FCE report guide covers report layout and language.
By Eleanor BennettLast updated:
How to approach this task
The head teacher wants three things: where most plastic waste comes from, what has already been done, and what else should be done. A common mistake is to write a general essay about saving the planet instead.
- Purpose: one sentence.
- Main sources of waste: be specific to the college.
- Current measures: what exists and how well it works.
- Recommendations: practical, realistic steps.
Keep the tone factual. Emotional language about the oceans may be true, but it is not what this reader asked for.
Top answer (19/20)
The task
Your college wants to reduce the amount of plastic waste it produces. The head teacher has asked you to write a report explaining where most of the plastic waste comes from, what has already been done to reduce it, and what further steps should be taken.
Write your report in 140–190 words.
Top answer183 words · estimated 19/20
Reducing plastic waste at the college
Purpose This report identifies the main sources of plastic waste in the college, describes the measures already in place and suggests further action.
Main sources of waste Having spoken to the canteen staff and the cleaning team, I found that most plastic waste comes from the canteen, especially drinks bottles, sandwich packaging and disposable cutlery. Another, less obvious, source is the photocopying room, where documents are frequently laminated or put in plastic folders.
Current measures Recycling bins were introduced in every corridor last year, which was a positive step. However, they are often used incorrectly, and many students admit they are unsure what can be recycled.
Recommendations Firstly, the canteen could stop selling bottled water and install free water fountains, while offering a small discount to anyone who brings a reusable cup. Secondly, metal cutlery should replace plastic forks and spoons. Lastly, a short awareness campaign run by student volunteers would help everyone use the recycling bins correctly.
If these steps are taken, I am confident the college could reduce its plastic waste significantly within a year.
Examiner-style comments
- Content5/5
- All three questions are answered with details specific to the college: two sources of waste, the recycling bins and their problems, and three practical recommendations.
- Communicative Achievement5/5
- Objective and formal, as a report to the head teacher should be. Explaining how the information was gathered (canteen staff and cleaners) gives the report authority.
- Organisation5/5
- Headings follow the task exactly and recommendations are clearly ordered. The final sentence rounds the report off without adding new content.
- Language4/5
- Accurate use of passives ('were introduced', 'are often used incorrectly'), a participle clause ('Having spoken to…') and precise vocabulary ('disposable cutlery', 'awareness campaign'). A strong 4.
Specific, well-researched and practical: exactly what the head teacher asked for.
Marks are our estimate using the public B2 First writing criteria, not an official Cambridge mark.
Borderline answer (9/20)
The task
Your college wants to reduce the amount of plastic waste it produces. The head teacher has asked you to write a report explaining where most of the plastic waste comes from, what has already been done to reduce it, and what further steps should be taken.
Write your report in 140–190 words.
Borderline168 words · estimated 9/20
Dear head teacher,
Plastic is one of the biggest problems of our planet. Every year millions of tons of plastic finish in the oceans and many animals die because they eat it. We must do something now before is too late.
In our school there is a lot of plastic. In the canteen they sell water in plastic bottles and the food is in plastic boxes. Also many students bring their sandwich in plastic bags and after they throw them on the floor.
The school put some recycling bins last year but nobody use them correctly, people put everything in the same bin.
I think the school should prohibit plastic bottles and plastic bags. The students must to bring their own bottle. Also the teachers should explain in class the problem of plastic and show videos about the oceans, so the students will understand that is very important.
In conclusion, if everybody helps we can save the planet. It is our responsibility for the future generations.
Thank you.
Examiner-style comments
- Content3/5
- The three questions are touched on (canteen packaging, the recycling bins, banning plastic), but the first paragraph about the oceans is not relevant to the college, and the recommendations are not developed.
- Communicative Achievement2/5
- The text is written as a letter and an opinion essay ('Dear head teacher', 'We must do something now', 'save the planet'), not a factual report. The head teacher would get the message, but not in the expected format.
- Organisation2/5
- Paragraphs exist, but there are no headings or clear sections, and the general introduction delays the relevant information.
- Language2/5
- Frequent errors: 'finish in the oceans' (end up in), 'before is too late', 'after they throw', 'nobody use', 'must to bring', 'that is very important'. Vocabulary is basic for B2.
The right ideas in the wrong format: an essay-letter instead of a focused report.
Marks are our estimate using the public B2 First writing criteria, not an official Cambridge mark.
What to copy from the top answer
- Start with the purpose, not the planet. One sentence telling the reader what the report covers.
- Be specific to the situation. Canteen bottles, cutlery and laminated documents are more useful than global statistics.
- Use passives for an objective tone. "Recycling bins were introduced…", "they are often used incorrectly".
- Make recommendations realistic. Water fountains and a discount for reusable cups are things a college can actually do.
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
What is the difference between a report and an essay in B2 First?
An essay discusses a question and gives your opinion. A report gives a specific reader factual information, organised under headings, and usually ends with recommendations.
Can I start a report with 'Dear…'?
No. A report starts with a title and an introduction or purpose section. Letter openings and closings are not used.
What headings should a B2 First report use?
Base them on the task: for example 'Purpose', 'Main sources of waste', 'Current measures' and 'Recommendations'.
How formal should a report be?
Neutral to formal. Use passives and impersonal phrases, and avoid emotional language and contractions.