Use of English

First Certificate Writing Practice

Many students preparing for Cambridge exams believe that writing is the most difficult paper. They often spend hours learning useful phrases, but still feel nervous when they have to (0) WRITE under exam conditions. One reason is that good writing depends not only on grammar, but also on choosing the right style and organising ideas clearly. In class, teachers usually (1) .......... students to plan before they begin, so that their answer has a clear structure. They also remind them to read the task (2) .........., because missing one point can lower the final mark. Another common problem is that candidates sometimes (3) .......... too much time on the introduction and then have to rush the ending. As a (4) .........., their final paragraph may seem weak or unfinished. A sensible approach is to leave a few minutes at the end to check for mistakes and make sure the writing is (5) .......... to the reader. This includes checking linking words, verb forms and punctuation. Students who practise regularly often (6) .......... confidence and become more aware of what the examiner expects. Even so, success does not (7) .......... on memorising model answers alone. It also comes from understanding the purpose of the task and responding in a natural, relevant way. With enough practice, most learners can (8) .......... real progress.