FCE: Writing check-list and linking words to help students.

CAMBRIDGE EXAMS - WRITING AN ESSAY- FCE 

In this post you will find some useful checklists to go through when writing an essay (advantages and disadvantages) for exams and also some phrases and linking words to make your writing stand out. Break a leg !😊✌

ESSAY-CHECK LIST

ü  1^st paragraph: re-write the topic sentences by rephrasing it (writing it with your own words, or by changing it a bit)

ü  1^st paragraph: say why is important or mention both opinions (Many people believe…. Others, however….)

ü  2^nd paragraph: develop the points given in the question. – Include relevant details to support the main idea: these might include examples, rhetorical question or surprising statements… 

ü  3^rd Add your own idea (ALWAYS a different idea). Don't forget to give an example.  If you include a drawback, give a possible solution. 

ü  4^th Summarise and give your personal opinion

Also remember to:

• Use a semi-formal tone.
• Use linking adverbials or expressions to link ideas.
• Organise your writing clearly into paragraphs.  

Useful phrases/ Vocabulary:

Introducing the topic:                The first point I would like to make is                                       Some people believe… Many people think.. Most people would agree that.. Expressing opinion: In my opinion.. From my point of view… It is certainly true that… I (do not) believe/think.. I feel strongly that… Discussion pros and cons: On the one hand,…../On the other hand,….. Although….,…. However,…. Whereas,…..

Adding more arguments for or against: Furthermore,.. Moreover,… In addition,… Giving examples: For example / instance,….. One example of… is …..such as …like… Conclusion: Overall, my personal opinion is ….. To conclude, ….. On balance, …..

Speaking exam in English: Useful phrases and challenge cards

Useful Phrases for Speaking with Challenge Cards


Here I have gathered some expressions/phrases you might find useful for Cambridge exams and English exams in general. Also at the end of the phrases, you can find some examples of challenge cards to use when practising for the exams with a partner.

Getting Started

Which one shall we start with?
Shall we start with this one? What do you think?
…, what’s your opinion on this (pointing to topic)?

Moving to the Next Item

Shall we move onto [topic] ?
What about this one? [Pointing to topic]
How do you feel about that one? So what about [topic]?
I wonder if we can compare [current topic] to [new topic]?
What do you think about this idea?
We are running out of time, so shall we move on?
We still need to discuss [topic].
Ah, that connects with the next topic.

Ending Your Turn

Do you agree?
What do you think?
Don't you agree?
Do you have anything to say about that?
Do you have anything to add to that?
Did I forget anything?

Expressing/Giving your opinion:

In my view/ opinion,
It seems to me that...
Well, I think/ suppose / believe / reckon…

Interrupting

Sorry to interrupt but...
Just a second...
Sorry, can I add something…?

Agreeing

Right.
Good point.
I fully agree.
That's just what I was thinking.
I was just thinking that!
I was just going to say that!
I couldn't agree more.
You're totally right.

Disagreeing (with reasons)

I'm not so keen on that.
Maybe, but what about...?
I think it would be better to...
I don't really agree with you there.
Weeeeeell maybe, but...
The problem with what you said is...
For one thing...[reason 1] And for another... [reason 2]

Reaching a Decision

Well, I think it's definitely not [topic]
We can eliminate [topic] right away. Don't you think?
So then, what do you think is the best one?
I guess you think we should choose [topic]?
Are we both in favour of [topic]?
Okay, so we agree.
I don't think we're going to agree on this!
Let's agree to disagree!

Natural connectors

Um…/Well…/Hmm… (in hesitation)
That’s a tough/interesting/good question.
Hmm… That’s difficult.
Wow, I really don’t know.
Let’s see…
Good question!
Well, I suppose…

Conversational checks

You know what I mean?
…, you know?
Does that make sense?
…, right?

DOWNLOAD HERE THE CHALLENGE CARDS TO USE IN YOUR CLASSROOM

What's the meaning of come up with...?

 The meaning of come up (with something)  is to think of an idea.

"She came up with this wonderful idea and she also made all the arrangements".

Now let's see some more Spanish examples you could use the phrasal verb come up with. 

• Presentamos algunas sugerencias para el nuevo proyect. (presentar)

We came up with some suggestions for the new projects. 

• Cuando nuestro plan fracasó, ideamos uno nuevo rapidamente. (idear)

When our plan failed, we quickly came up with a new one. 

• Mi jefa elaboró un nuevo plan para ganar clientes. (elaborar)

My boss came up with a new plan to gain costumers. 

• Por fin conseguí suficiente dinero para pagar mi deuda. (conseguir algo)

I finally came up with enough money to pay off my debt. 

• Inventar excusas no se da bien. (inventar algo)

I am not good at coming up with excuses. 

😊😊

‘Al final de Agosto’ is not ‘finals of August’.

This is one is another typical mistake Spanish speakers tend to make when talking about end of the year, month of week. So the right way to say this will be at the end + month, year , or week. For Example: When someone asks you when do you go back to work ? The answer will be: I am going back at the end of this week.

En Inglés no se puede decir "changing the theme"

The right word to say "theme" in English is by using the words "topic" or "subject". When you are in an uncomfortable situation and you just want to steer the conversation in a new direction the way to say is " let´s changing topic (or changing the subject) because I don't want to talk about it" but you can never say let's change the theme. The word "theme" refers to your computer "theme" or mobile "theme". Remember that!

Image now you are in a meeting and you simply want to move on to another subject the way to say it will be "let´s us move on to another matter , or moving on to another subject".

He is a social butterfly

🦋 He is a social butterfly 🦋

We use this phrase to describe someone that gets along with others easily. Like a butterfly he doesn't mind moving from group to group and likes to gather around people. He can also be described as sociable and extrovert.

Useful phrases for writing an email or short messages.

Writing an email: Sample tasks 

You need to borrow a bicycle from your friend Sam. Write an email to Sam. In your email you should:

• ask to borrow his bicycle 
• explain why you need it.
• promise to give it back soon.

Write 35-45 words.

Sample answer: 

Hi Sam, 

Can I borrow your bike tomorrow? I need it because I have to go to my friend's house and there isn't a bus which goes there. I'll need it for four days, no more, so on Friday I'm going to return it. 

Thanks, 

Danny 

Useful phrases to use in your writing: 

Beginning your message:

Dear + name / Hi + name 

Ending your message to a friend:

See you soon / Love / bye for now

Advising

I think we should...

The best thing to do is ....

Apologising

I'm really sorry about the...

I want to tell you how sorry I am about 

I'm sorry I ... 

Giving an opinion

I think ...

In my opinion.. 

Offering

I can ... if you like 

If you want, I could... 

Shall I ...?

Inviting 

Would you like to ....?

Saying yes to an invitation 

I'd love to ....

That would be great. 

Saying no to an invitation 

I'm sorry I can't ...

Requesting 

Could you ....?

Stating a preference

I'd prefer to ...

I'd rather .....

Suggesting

Why don't  you ...?

What /  How about ....ing?

CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD THE PHRASES IN PDF

How to say "quedar con amigos" in English.

Most of my students tend to get this phrase wrong and translate it to "stay with friends". it is really common in Spain to get together 2 or 3 times a week, go for tapas or simply enjoy a cup of coffee. The right way to say it using the verb hang out , or meet up with friends.

Let us see an example.  "Last night I stayed with friends and had some tapas". This sounds more like you stayed in another place , like a hotel with friends. The right way to say it will be "Last night I hanged out/met up with friends and had some tapas".

😊😊

"Hoy estas muy rara en Inglés"

The first time that I have heard this sentence a student of mine said:

Student: My boss is strange.
Me: Why?  What is he like ?
Student: He didn't greet anyone today.

I knew that something didn't sound quite right. After chatting for a while I realized that what he meant is that his boss was acting strange that day.  By adding the verb act, you make it clear that it is just today and it is not something related to his personality. So the best way to say this sentence is " Today you have been acting strange/strangely/weird/odd.