FCE report: how to write a B2 First report
An FCE report is a Part 2 option where you give a manager, teacher or club leader clear, factual information in 140–190 words, organised under headings and ending with recommendations. It is the most predictable task type in our B2 First Writing guide, which makes it a safe choice once you know the format. Below you will find a heading plan, report phrases and three marked model answers.
By Eleanor BennettLast updated:
What the report task looks like
In a report task, someone in authority (a principal, a manager, a club organiser, a town council) asks you for information to help them make a decision. The task usually gives you two or three bullet points to cover, and the last one almost always asks for recommendations or suggestions. Here is an original example:
Your college wants to improve its outdoor area. The principal has asked students to write a report. In your report you should:
- describe how students currently use the outdoor area
- explain what problems there are with it
- recommend changes that would make the area better for students.
Write your report.
The reader wants facts and practical ideas, quickly. They are not reading for entertainment, so a report should be easy to scan: a title, headings, short paragraphs and clear recommendations. That makes it very different from an article, even when the topic is similar.
Heading plan for an FCE report
- 1
Title
A simple, descriptive title: Improving the college garden or Report on the outdoor area.
- 2
Introduction
One or two sentences stating the aim of the report: The aim of this report is to... You can mention where the information comes from (for example, a short survey or conversations with students).
- 3
One heading per bullet point
Turn each bullet in the task into a heading, in your own words: Current use, Problems. Under each heading, write a short paragraph with specific facts or examples.
- 4
Recommendations
Give two or three concrete suggestions, each linked to a problem you mentioned. Use recommending language: I would suggest that..., It would be a good idea to...
- 5
Conclusion (optional)
One sentence that sums up the expected benefit: If these changes are made, the area will... Skip it if you are short of words.
Register and tone
A report is neutral to formal and fairly impersonal. Your opinion matters, but you present it as a reasoned recommendation, not as a feeling.
- Prefer impersonal and passive structures: It was found that..., Most students said that..., The area is rarely used in winter.
- Use precise quantity language: the majority of, a small number of, several students.
- Avoid contractions, exclamation marks, rhetorical questions and jokes.
- Do not start with Dear...: a report is not a letter.
If the task is to a principal but asks you to write a letter, write a formal letter instead. If it asks for your view on a general question, you may need an essay structure. The task type is always named in the last line: Write your report.
How the four criteria apply to the report
- Content: all bullet points are covered, and the recommendations are relevant to the problems you described.
- Communicative Achievement: the text is clearly a report: a title, headings, a neutral tone and a focus on informing and recommending. Examiners notice when the reader could act on your suggestions.
- Organisation: headings make the structure visible, and within each section ideas are linked logically. Recommendations should refer back to the problems.
- Language: vocabulary for facilities and problems, quantity expressions, passives and recommending structures (suggest that the college plants, it would be advisable to).
More detail on each criterion is on how FCE Writing is marked.
Report traps
Trap: No headings, so the report looks like an essay or a letter.
Fix: Use a title and a heading for each section. It is the easiest Communicative Achievement and Organisation point in the whole paper.
Trap: Starting with Dear Principal and ending with Best wishes.
Fix: A report has a title, not a greeting or a sign-off.
Trap: Recommendations that do not match the problems.
Fix: For each problem, write one matching solution in your plan before you start.
Trap: I recommend to buy more benches.
Fix: Use I recommend buying..., I recommend that the college buys... or I would suggest buying...
Trap: Emotional language: The garden is horrible and boring!!
Fix: Keep it factual: The garden is in poor condition and offers little to do.
Model answer 1: top level
The task
Your college wants to improve its outdoor area. The principal has asked students to write a report. In your report you should:
- describe how students currently use the outdoor area
- explain what problems there are with it
- recommend changes that would make the area better for students.
Write your report.
Top answer181 words · estimated 19/20
Improving the college garden
Introduction The aim of this report is to describe how students use the outdoor area at present, identify its main problems and suggest some improvements. It is based on a short survey of students in my year.
Current use At the moment, the garden is mainly used at lunchtime, when students eat there on warm days. A small number also use it to revise before exams, as it is quieter than the canteen.
Problems The most frequent complaint was the lack of shade: on sunny days the area becomes uncomfortably hot by midday. In addition, there are only six benches, so most people end up sitting on the grass. Several students also mentioned that the lighting is poor, which means the garden is hardly used after four o'clock in winter.
Recommendations I would suggest that the college plants trees or installs simple canopies to provide shade. Adding more benches and some covered tables would allow students to eat or study outside comfortably. Finally, lights along the paths would make the area safer and usable all year round.
Examiner-style comments
- Content5/5
- All three bullet points are covered in detail, and each recommendation answers a specific problem (shade, seating, lighting). The reader is fully informed.
- Communicative Achievement5/5
- A clear, well-judged report. The neutral tone, the stated aim, the reference to a survey and the practical recommendations are exactly what a principal needs to make a decision.
- Organisation5/5
- Headings make the structure easy to follow, and recommendations mirror the problems in the same order. Cohesion is strong (In addition, also, which means, Finally).
- Language4/5
- A good range of report language (the most frequent complaint, a small number, end up sitting, hardly used) and accurate structures, including suggest that + clause. A passive or two more would make it a 5.
Estimated 19/20. The secret is the link between problems and recommendations: the principal could act on this report tomorrow.
Marks are our estimate using the public B2 First writing criteria, not an official Cambridge mark.
Model answer 2: solid level
The task
Your college wants to improve its outdoor area. The principal has asked students to write a report. In your report you should:
- describe how students currently use the outdoor area
- explain what problems there are with it
- recommend changes that would make the area better for students.
Write your report.
Solid pass180 words · estimated 16/20
Report on the outdoor area
Introduction This report describes how students use the outdoor area of our college, the problems it has and some recommendations to improve it.
How students use it Most students go to the outdoor area during the break and at lunchtime. They eat their sandwiches, talk with friends or play football on the small field. In summer some teachers also give lessons outside.
Problems The main problem is that there are not enough places to sit, so many students have to sit on the floor. Another problem is that the area is very dirty, because there are only two bins and people leave their rubbish everywhere. Also, when it rains there is no place to stay outside.
Recommendations Firstly, I recommend to buy more benches and tables. Secondly, the college should put more bins and organise a campaign to keep the area clean. Finally, it would be a good idea to build a roof over one part of the area, so students can go out also when it rains.
I hope these ideas will be useful.
Examiner-style comments
- Content5/5
- All three bullet points are covered, and the recommendations match the problems (seating, rubbish, rain). The reader is fully informed.
- Communicative Achievement4/5
- The report format is used correctly with a title and headings, and the tone is suitably neutral. The final sentence is a little weak for a report, but the text achieves its purpose.
- Organisation4/5
- Clear headings and a logical order. Linking is accurate but mechanical (Firstly, Secondly, Finally; Another problem is; Also).
- Language3/5
- Everyday vocabulary used with reasonable control. Errors include I recommend to buy (should be buying or that the college buys), put more bins (better: provide or install) and the position of also in go out also. These do not affect understanding.
Estimated 16/20. To improve, learn the patterns after recommend and suggest, and add one or two passives or quantity expressions (the majority of students).
Marks are our estimate using the public B2 First writing criteria, not an official Cambridge mark.
Model answer 3: borderline level
The task
Your college wants to improve its outdoor area. The principal has asked students to write a report. In your report you should:
- describe how students currently use the outdoor area
- explain what problems there are with it
- recommend changes that would make the area better for students.
Write your report.
Borderline164 words · estimated 10/20
Dear Principal,
I am writing this report for tell you about the outdoor area of our college. In my opinion it is very important for the students because we pass a lot of hours in the college and we need a place for relax.
Now the students use the outdoor area for eat and speak with the friends. Some students play football but the space is very small and sometimes the ball hit other people. This is dangerous.
The problems are many. There is not chairs, there is not trees and in summer is very hot. Also the area is ugly, nobody take care of it. When it rain we cannot go out and we stay in the corridor all the break.
I think the college should to do something. For example to put chairs and plants, and to make a place with roof. Also maybe a small café outside, it would be fantastic!!
I hope you will listen my ideas.
Best wishes, Tomasz
Examiner-style comments
- Content3/5
- Current use and problems are covered, but the recommendations are brief and partly unrealistic, and the football safety issue is not followed up. The reader is on the whole informed.
- Communicative Achievement2/5
- This is written as a letter, not a report: there is a greeting and sign-off but no title or headings. The tone moves from formal to emotional (ugly, fantastic!!). The basic message is communicated, but the format does not suit the purpose.
- Organisation3/5
- There are paragraphs that follow the bullet points, which helps the reader. However, without headings the structure is less clear, and linking is basic (Also used twice, For example followed by an incomplete sentence).
- Language2/5
- Frequent errors: for tell you, pass a lot of hours (should be spend), a place for relax, for eat, the ball hit, There is not chairs, in summer is very hot, nobody take, When it rain, should to do, listen my ideas. Vocabulary is basic but mostly appropriate.
Estimated 10/20. Simply adding a title and headings and removing the letter frame would raise two criteria. Then work on for + -ing versus to + infinitive of purpose.
Marks are our estimate using the public B2 First writing criteria, not an official Cambridge mark.
Useful phrases for the FCE report
| Use it to… | Phrases |
|---|---|
| Stating the aim |
|
| Presenting facts |
|
| Describing problems |
|
| Recommending |
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| Concluding |
|
FCE report: frequently asked questions
Do I need headings in an FCE report?
Yes. Headings are a normal feature of a report and make your structure obvious to the reader. A report without headings often loses marks for Communicative Achievement and Organisation.
Can I use bullet points in a report?
You can use a short bulleted list, for example for recommendations, but write most of the report in full sentences so the examiner can see your range of language.
Should I give my opinion in a report?
Yes, through your recommendations. Present them as reasoned suggestions (I would suggest...because...) rather than strong feelings.
Is a report a good choice in Part 2?
For many students, yes: the structure is predictable and you can prepare useful phrases in advance. It suits students who like clear organisation more than creative writing.
What is the difference between a report and a proposal?
B2 First Part 2 lists the report, not the proposal, as a task type. A report focuses on informing and recommending; write the task type the question names.