CAE - proposal

Paper 2 Part 2 - Proposal

PROPOSALS and reports have a similar layout (see reports in this same section). Reports are based on current circumstances or situations whereas
proposals are action plans for the future. You give more space to the current situation in a report and more space to recommendations for future
actions in a proposal.
Hints
First things first...
1.

Begin by brainstorming ideas, in any order, and don't worry about language at this stage.

2.

Group your ideas under headings for each section of your proposal.

3.

Write a first draft, paying attention to the level of formality of the language.

Don't forget!

Begin by stating the purpose of your proposal.

Use an impersonal, semi-formal style.

Use clear layout with headings.

Express opinions and make recommendations in the last section of your proposal.

Include a final sentence summarising your opinion.

Use bullet points but not too many.

Useful language for a proposal

Stating the purpose of the proposal

The principal aims/objectives of this proposal are to...

This proposal is intended to...

In this proposal I describe/evaluate/present/assess...

Background information

Comments made at the end of the questionnaires suggest...

Following a survey among families of young children...

Concerned members of the local community were invited to attend...

A number of concerns with regard to the most recent street party were expressed by locals...

Making recommendations and suggestions

A working group should be set up by...

There should be an enquiry into...

I recommend that a larger survey should be conducted before a final decision is reached...

Final recommendations

The results of the survey/questionnaire suggest that the introduction of heavier fines would seem to be the best option/choice/solution.

If these recommendations are implemented, the situation is bound to improve.

Unless these suggestions are implemented, it is unlikely that there will be any improvement in the short term.

Model questions and answers

Proposal
Model question 1
TASK
Your college currently doesn't provide enough support for students planning to spend time studying in another country. You see this notice in the
library.
The college is planning to introduce a special course for students planning to spend time studying in another country. The college principal invites
students to send a proposal outlining any problems students may face whe studying abroad and suggesting ways in which the course could address
these problems. A decision can then be made about what to include on the course.
Write your proposal in 220-260 words in an appropriate style.
Proposal- Model answer 1
Introduction
This proposal is intended to outline common issues students have when studying abroad, and suggest ways that a course could help them to deal with
these. The final section makes recommendations about what should be included in the course curriculum.
Problems when studying abroad
Interviews were conducted with 20 students who have recently completed a student exchange programme. The majority of students were of the
opinion that overcoming the language barrier in their new country was the biggest challenge and nearly half also said that they experienced culture
shock. Other problems cited included unrealistic expectations, loneliness and packing the wrong things - particularly being unprepared for a different
climate.
Ways a course could address these
A course could prepare students for culture shock by raising awareness of the phenomenon and describing cultural differences that students may
encounter in their host country. To aid participants with language, a course could include some useful phrases for the first days after arrival, in
addition to some resources for language learning. The course could also include a discussion about combating isolation and adjusting expectations.

Recommendations
I would like to make the following recommendations:

Invite students who have previously studied abroad to share aspects of the culture they found surprising and give advice on what
to take.

Provide a list of useful phrases, together with suggestions of useful resources for language learning such as websites, blogs or ebooks.

Facilitate a discussion about engaging with people to avoid loneliness and isolation.

If these recommendations are implemented, young people are bound to feel more prepared for their experience.
[+/- 265 words]

Proposal- Model question 2

TASK
Students at your college have to give a spoken presentation as part of their final assessment and need some help. The school director has invited you
to send a proposal outlining any problems students have with presentations and suggesting how these problems could be overcome.
Write your proposal in 220-260 words in an appropriate style.
Proposal- Model answer 2
Helping with students presentations: a proposal
Introduction
In this proposal I will describe some of the difficulties students at this school have with preparing their final presentations, present the key needs to be
addressed and conclude by making by making a series of recommendations on how teachers at the school could assist students with overcoming the
obstacles to giving a successful presentation confidently.
Current situation
Following discussion among the students, it has become clear that many of them are feeling very nervous about the upcoming presentations. A
number of students are struggling to select an appropriate structure. Comments made suggest that students lack previous experience in public
speaking and would like opportunities to practise before the final assessment.
Key needs to be addressed
Students require additional help with topic selection and presentation structure, and opportunities need to be provided for students to gain experience
in front of others.

Recommendations
I would suggest the following actions to teachers at the school:

Provide students with a list of possible presentation topics.

There should be a lesson or workshop on structuring a presentation for those who are interested.

I recommend that students are given time during class to practise their presentations in small groups.

Additional upfront speaking opportunities should be incorporated into classes including plays and games.

If these suggestions are implemented, it will lead to increased student confidence and performance for the final presentations.
[+/- 225 words

CAE - report
Paper 2 Part 2 Report- A REPORT may be written for a superior (e.g. a boss or college principal) or a peer group (e.g. club members or
colleagues). The content of a report is to some extent factual and draws on the prompt material, but there will be scope for candidates to make use of
their own ideas and experience.
Candidates will be asked to do more than describe a situation; they may be asked to evaluate to what extent a particular aim has been achieved, or to
suggest an alternative course of action.
Hints

Begin by stating the purpose of your report.

You may use invented statistics to provide a succinct summary of your results.

Use a clear layout with:

o

Headings. They will make it clear that your report is not an essay or review.

Lists of numbered points or bullets where appropriate. (DON'T overdo it, though. If you use them in more than one section, you
won't be able to show the full range of structures and vocabulary you know.)

Divide your report into sections according to the input.

Develop the ideas in the task input.

Include a sentence summarising your opinion at the beginning of the final section of your report.

Use an impersonal, formal style.

Useful language for a report

Stating the purpose of the report

The principal aim/objective/purpose of this report is to provide a description of... / to provide/to present results of /to assess the importance
of ...

In this report I will provide a description of ... / I will provide/present results of .../ I will assess the importance of...

Describing how you got the information

I conducted a survey of / I conducted interviews with local council officers ...

... responded to an online questionnaire.

I visited three of the most popular ...

Reporting your results

Most of those responding to the survey stated that/expressed the opinion that ...

According to ...

A large/considerable/significant/ proportion of respondents/informants/those surveyed said that ...

Presenting a list

The arguments against ... are the following:

1.

...

2.

...

The following were the main reasons given for supporting ...: firstly, ..., secondly, ...

Points our informants mentioned in favour of/against ... were:

1.

...

2.

...

There are several ways in which ... might be ... :

1.

...

2.

...

Making recommendations

Taking all the factors mentioned into account/In the light of the results of the survery/questionnaire, ... would appear to be the most viable
solution/option/approach.

I would therefore recommend ....

Clearly, more could be done to .... I would make the following recommendations:
o

...

Model questions and answers

Report - Model question 1
TASK
An international development agency has been looking into attitudes to aging around the world. The research director has asked you to conduct a
survey and write a report. Your report should discuss how young people where you live feel about older people in the community and the prospect of
growing older themselves. You have also been asked to make recommendations about how attitudes could be changed.
Write your report in 220-260 words in an appropriate style.
Report - Model answer 1
Introduction
The main objectives of this report are to describe how young people in Gava feel about elderly people in their area and aging themselves. I will
present results of a survey I conducted with a random selection of 200 young people at a local high school and in the final section I will include
recommendations as to how attitudes could be improved.
Attitudes to older people
According to my survey, a significant proportion of young people never or hardly never spend time with someone aged 65. Reasons that respondents
gave for this included: they have nothing in common, the elderly don't like teenagers and lack of time. More promisingly, nearly three quarters of
those surveyed (74 percent) agreed that they could probably 'learn something' from older people.
Attitudes to aging
Those responding to the survey were almost equally split between preferring to think about it as little as possible and those who never thought about
it. For those who did think about it, the prime concerns were loneliness, poor health and boredom.
Recommendations
Clearly more could be done to bridge the gap between young and old in our community. I would make the following recommendations:

Set up volunteer tutoring opportunities for elderly citizens to help younger people at the high school with academic work or
practical skills.

Invite young people to tutor old people in technology use, e.g. how to text/send emails in return for a donation to be used for
social events.

Hopefully, increased contact between the groups will lead to greater understanding and more positive attitudes.
[+/- 260 words]

Report - Model question 2

TASK
An international market research company has asked you to write a report on advertising in your country. The company that has commisioned this
report wants to know about the most common approaches used and how consumers respond to them. You are also asked to suggest changes to current
approaches or alternative approaches which you believe would be more effective.
Write your report in 220-260 words in an appropriate style.
Report - Model answer 2
Introduction
In this report I will provide a description of common types of advertising in Australia and present results of consumer responses to these. The final
section makes recommendations for possible changes to increase the effectiveness of campaigns.
Common approaches
Television and radio continue to play an important part in advertising campaigns and celebrity endorsements often feature prominently. Print media,
including billboards, posters and flyers, are also ubiquitous, especially in large cities. Some companies target consumers by giving away samples in
public places and supermarkets, aggressive telemarketing or door-to-door sales. Many companies use social media strategies such as online
competitions or special offers for 'likers'.
Consumer responses
I conducted an online survey with 200 Australian contacts. An overwhelming majority cited that they found telemarketing and door-to-door sales
people intrusive, annoying and rude. Nevertheless, over half admitted to buying something from someone through one of these channels. People
generally said that they liked advertising when it was suited to their interests or used humour. A number of respondents mentioned that they 'loved
free stuff' and would tell others about something they had been given.
Recommendations
In light of the results above, I recommend the following:

Make sure telemarketers and door-to-door salespeople have adequate customer service training.

Target young people such as university students for giveaways as this will likely result in positive word-of-mouth advertising and
online reviews.

[+/- 230 words]

Report - Model question 3

TASK
Your local council is conducting an enquiry into the volume of visitors to the centre of your town or city with a view to encouraging more people to
make greater use of shops, restaurants, cafs and entertainment facilities there. You agree to write a report describing the existing situation, including
factors which discourage people from coming to the city centre and recommending ways of attracting more visitors.
Write your report in 220-260 words in an appropriate style.
Report - Model answer 3
Introduction
The principal aims of this report are to provide an overview of the volume of visitors using services in our city centre and to identify factors which
deter people from using them. The final section makes recommendations as to how the situation could be improved.
Current situation
I conducted interviews with a random selection of shoppers and customers in local restaurants and cafs. Fewer than half regularly visited the city
centre. Among those who did make frequent use of what is on offer, most cited the pedestrianised Mitchell Mall as their favority area. Smaller
numbers enjoyed shopping or dining around Holmes Square, though several people said they found the traffic noise disagreeable.
Factors preventing greater use of city centre services
There was a clear division between those who regularly visited the city centre and those who so infrequently. The latter cited traffic congestion and
pollution along with inflated prices for goods as factors that acted as a deterrent. For those who frequently came into town, on the other hand, the
pedestrianised area and the outdoor caf were a major attraction.
Recommendations
Clearly more could be done to attract people to our city centre. I would make the following recommendations:

extend the pedestrianised area to include the streets surrounding Holmes Square so as to capitalise on what is already an attractive
area.

encourage shops, cafs and restaurants to offer discounts to regular customers.

maintain access to the pedestrianised areas for cyclists.

This final recommendation will encourage those who currently cyle into town to continue to do so, while reducing noise and pollution from motor
traffic.
[+/- 270 words]

CAE - review
Paper 2 Part 2 - ReviewA REVIEW may be about a book, magazine, film, play or concert; it may also be about a product or a service. A review in
the Cambridge English: Advanced Writing paper does not merely ask for a general description of the thing reviewed, but requires an evaluation of its
suitability for a particular purpose or audience. The target reader is specified in the task, and candidates should be encouraged to use this information
when choosing appropriate ideas and language to include in their response.
Hints

A title is advisable.

Think what your are trying to achieve and, in the introduction, DO give your reader and indication of the structure of your review. You
should also raise a question in your reader's mind.

Start a new paragraph for every item/aspect you are addressing in your review.

Try to make it interesting by using a wide range of vocabulary: colourful, lively language; comparisons to describe something;
specialised topic vocabulary.

DO give your assessment of what you are reviewing and DO NOT forget to cover all the points mentioned in the task input.

DO include a final recommendation or evaluation in the final paragraph.

Don't forget!

The target reader is specified in the question, so the candidate knows not only what register is appropriate, but also has an idea about the
kind of information to include.

Language of opinion (positive, negative), recommendation, description is necessary.

Useful language for a review

Non-fiction: cook book / travel book / textbook / manual /

coffee-table book ...

What I liked
Reviews of concerts

What I liked most was ..

The thing I liked most was .

If you get a chance to .

What I disliked

What I disliked most was ..

I was disappointed by/with

Reviews of books

artist / band / musician / (bass/lead/rhythm) guitarist /

(backing/lead) singer / drummer / soloist / trio / orchestra

Reviews of exhibitions

painting / sculpture / handicrafts

gallery / catalogue / display

Reviews of films

lead role

main character

star role

is set in

star

Fiction: science fiction / thriller / fantasy / mystery /

historical / romance ...

star actor/actress

starring

secondary role

He plays a .

location

written by .

service

setting

attractive / disappointing setting

Reviews of plays

scene / act / set / stage / interval

Reviews of TV programmes

Chat shows / current affairs programme / debate /

documentary / series / soap opera/ sitcom (situation
comedy)

Host / presenter

Reviews of hotels, restaurants, etc

Criticism

The script seemed rather conventional/predictable to me.

The plot struck me as completely

bizarre/absurd/incomprehensible
Recommendations

I would strongly encourage you not to miss/not to waste

your money on...

I would definitely recommend

seeing/visiting/reading/having a look at ..

Model questions and answers

Review - Model question 1
TASK
You see this announcement in an international magazine called Cinefilia.
The most UPLIFTING and the biggest DOWNER.
It's sometimes hard to choose a film that fits your mood purely on the basis of the poster or the description on the cover of the DVD. That's why we
want to publish reviews of the most uplifting and the most depressing films our readers have seen, so that others know what to watch and what to
avoid.
Send in a review which describes the most uplifting film you've ever seen and the one you found the biggest downer. Make sure you give reasons for
your choices.
Write your review in 220-260 words in an appropriate style.
Review - Model answer 1
In this review I am going to compare two contrasting tales about overcoming adversity. Whereas The Blind Side (2009) left me with a huge grin on
my face, sadly, Doctor Zhivago (1965) left me feeling the weight of the world on my shoulders.
Doctor Zhivago, directed by five-time Oscar winner David Lean, is set in the Bolshevik revolution and follows the title character, who must adapt to
the new order while pining for Lara, the beautiful wife of a political campaigner. The director succeeded in creating a film that is thoroughly
engaging but full of gritty realism, cruelty and tragic irony. Take the tissues!
The Blind Side, which is based on a true story, is also a bit of a tearjerker, in a completely different way. Starring Sandra Bullock, who won an
Academy Award for her portrayal of a rich white mother in Tennessee who takes a homeless black teenager under her roof. Understandably, the
gentle giant thinks he isn't good at anything but his new mother sees his potential to become a football star and part of the family. The plot is based on
a true story, making it all the more touching.
I would strongly recommend The Blind Side. It will appeal to a range of people and is a great choice for a movie night. Although Doctor Zhivago is a
classic, I think it has more of a niche audience and is best saved for when you want a dose of gloom!
[+/- 245 words]

Review - Model question 2

TASK
You see the following advertisement in a music magazine.
Ever fancied yourself as a music journalist? Now's your chance.
We're looking for enthusiastic music lovers to write a review of their favourite album of all time. We want to know why you love it and why you think
everyone should listen to it. It doesn't matter who the artist is or how old or new the music is.
Send in a review of your favourite album of all time giving reasons for your choice.
Write your review in 220-260 words in an appropriate style.
Review - Model answer 2
A thrilling album
I'm certainly not alone in my choice of favourite album. In fact, Michael Jackson's "Thriller" has sold over 50 million copies worldwide since being
released in 1982, and still currently holds the much coveted title of "best-selling album of all time". A toe-tapping blend of pop, funk and R&B, it's
sure to get everyone grooving at a party, yet also contains unexpected emotional power in the lyrics.
Jam-packed full of catchy melodies such as the opening "Wanna be startin' something" and the famous "Beat it", almost every song makes you want
to hum along. It's like a feast for the ears, with a range of styles from the soft duet ballad with Paul McCartney "The Girl is Mine" to the rock/pop of
the title track. The album will leave you with no doubt of the unique and extraordinary talent of the King of Pop. What disco would be complete
without a few of his renowned numbers?
Unlike much of today's mordern pop, this album actually deals with a huge number of deep themes such as jelousy, loneliness and obsession. The
song "Billie Jean", for example, chronicles a story of a crazed fan who insists that she has his baby. Not hard to imagine that the artist was
channelling some real experiences in his writing.
It doesn't surprise me at all that this remains the best-selling album of all time and I challenge evern the most cynical listener to play "Thriller"
without tapping along.
[+/- 245 words]

CAE - informal letter/email

Paper 2 Part 2 - Informal letter/email
A LETTER/AN EMAIL (formal or informal) is written in response to the situation outlined in the task. Letters/emails in the Cambridge English:
Advanced Writing paper will require a response which is consistently appropriate for the specified target reader.
When a response is framed as an email, letter-writing conventions such as an opening salutation, clear paragraphing and closing phrasing are always
important.
Hints

DO begin by giving a reason to write. You would normally start with a greeting, then acknowledge the letter or some key information
given in the letter to which you are replying.

Use paragraphs in which you cover each of the points mentioned in the task input.

As well as the points mentioned in the task input, think of some of your own ideas.

Identify the function(s) you should use (e.g. advising, reminding, requesting, suggesting...).

Make sure the points covered follow a logical right order so that the whole letter/email is coherent.

Finish the letter/email in a natural way, by arranging to see or contact the person your are writing to again soon.

Remember to use an informal tone.

Model questions and answers

Informal letter/Email - Model question
TASK
Read part of an email from a friend who is planning to come and live in your country.
Of course, I'd really need to learn the language. I know you've been learning English for years, so you've had loads of experience. Are there any
tricks of the trade that might help me pick up your language a bit more quickly?
Reply to the email message offering your friend some advice. Write your email in 220-260 words in an appropriate style.
Informal letter/Email - Model answer
Dear Emma,
Thanks so much for your email. It was so good to hear from you. I'm really sorry not to have been in touch earlier but I've been up to my eyes
preparing for my exams.
What great news that you're finally coming to France - I can't wait to catch up in person! And you're going to learn French too - fantastic!
I've bee learning English since I was a kid as you know, and by far the most useful experience was going to that language school in Brighton for three
months last summer. If I were you, I'd definitely enrol in a course like that to keep you focused. I'd also suggest reading as widely as possible, online
newspapers, blogs, books, the back of a cereal packet - anything, really! Don't be tempted to buy one of those 'Learn French in a weekend' courses
though - a waste of time if you ask me. Learning a language takes time and effort.

What seems to work for a lot of peope is learning songs. My brother reckons that he has learnt more English from the Top 40 than he has at school.
And you know my frien Lucie? She raved about her fortnight with a host family, so that's worth a try too. Of course, you could also get a French
boyfriend or girlfriend to speed up your progress!
Anyway, I hope that's helped give you a few ideas. Do write back as soon as you can - I'd love to hear all the details of your plans.
Lots of love,
Sandrine
[+/- 255 words]