Writing Guide for the Cambridge

B1 Preliminary Exam

Section 1. Writing Exam Structure

Exam format

The writing exam has two parts. In each part, you will have to write a text of
approximately 100 words. The purpose of the exam is that you show you can use
vocabulary and structure correctly.

Writing Part 1 Maximum of 20 marks available

Writing Part 2 Maximum of 20 marks available

Table 1. Exam format.

Writing: 4-step process

In order to write appropriately you have to follow four fundamental steps:

1. Identify 2. Organise 3. Write 4. Check

Figure 1. Writing: 4-step process.

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Writing Guide for the Cambridge B1 Preliminary Exam
 Step 1. Identify key words

Identify… Helps with… Essential for high grade in…

…whom are you writing Correct register Communicative achievement
…what you are writing Correct style Communicative achievement
…what ideas you must include Relevant content Content
Table 2. Identifying key words.

Step 2. Organise

Organisation is 25% of the grade in the writing paper. A plan is essential to organise
the content into paragraphs that transmit your ideas clearly.

Here are three methods:

 Brainstorming related ideas for an article:

Figure 2. Brainstorming related ideas for an article.

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Writing Guide for the Cambridge B1 Preliminary Exam
  Listing paragraphs in a letter or email:
• Opening sentence.
• Key content 1.

• Key content 2 & 3.

• Key content 4.

• Closing sentence.

Step 3. Write

Write the recommended number of words: You will NOT be directly penalised for
writing more or less than the recommended word limit. However, it may negatively
affect your grade in other areas.

 Writing that is too long:

• Content. You have included irrelevant content.

• Language. You have run out of time and are unable to check your work and
correct mistakes.

 Writing that is too short:

• Content. You will lose points if you have not included all the points and
developed your ideas sufficiently.

Tip: Before the exam, practise the recommended word limit in the time
allowed.

Step 4. Check
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Stop writing and check your work: It is essential to check, check and check again to
maximise your grade in language.

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Writing Guide for the Cambridge B1 Preliminary Exam
 Time management

You have 45 minutes to complete the reading and writing paper. We recommend you
divide your time as follows:

Writing part 1 22 minutes

Writing part 2 22 minutes
Part 1. Email (100 words) About 22 minutes
1. Read the question and identify 1 minute
content
2. Organise ideas 1 minute
3. Write 15 minutes
4. Check 5 minutes
Part 2. Article or story (100 words) About 22 minutes
1. Read question and identify content 1 minute
2. Organise ideas 1 minute
3. Write 15 minutes
4. Check 5 minutes

Table 3. Recommended time division to complete the reading and writing paper.

Tip: When practising, limit your time to that of the exam.

Linking words and discourse markers

 You should use linking words to help connect and organise ideas.
 They are often used at the beginning of sentences and paragraphs.
 Do not over-use linking words, as this can seem artificial.
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 Writing in PET often uses an informal style.

 Do not mix formal and informal linking words in the same piece of writing.

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Writing Guide for the Cambridge B1 Preliminary Exam
 EXAMPLES OF INFORMAL LINKING WORDS AND DISCOURSE
MARKERS:
Adding more Contrasting Changing
Listing Referencing
information information subject

After…, Also, But…, Anyway, Since…,

Then, Likewise, Or Anyhow, So,

And As well as…, So, At any rate, Well…,

Next, Just as…, Though, By the way, About…,

Table 4. Examples of informal linking words and discourse markers.

Common positioning and punctuation of discourse markers:

 Discourse markers at the beginning of a sentence. Follow with a comma:

• “Well, you know that pub I went to for my birthday…”

 Discourse markers in the middle of a sentence. Precede and follow with comma:
• “I really don’t agree, and anyhow, what does it matter?”
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Writing Guide for the Cambridge B1 Preliminary Exam
 Section 2. Writing Exam Part 1

Part 1. Email

Reason for writing

The task will give you the context, who you are writing to, why are you writing them
and four key content points.

You must include the FOUR content points in a response of around 100 words.

In this task you will be required to demonstrate the ability to use functional language.
For example, agreeing, disagreeing, giving an opinion, offering and explaining.

Style

You should aim to use a range of tenses, expressions and vocabulary, even if these
contain some minor mistakes.

It is important to show the full range of your language ability and to be ambitious in
your use of language.

Non-impeding errors, which do not affect communication, will not necessarily be

penalised; e.g. spelling, grammar or punctuation errors. However, errors that
interfere with communication will be treated more severely.
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Writing Guide for the Cambridge B1 Preliminary Exam
 Structure

Opening Dear…/Hi…

Paragraph 1 Introduce idea + Key content 1

Paragraph 2 Key content 2, 3 & 4

Closing Regards/Love,

Table 5. Structure of letters.

START END
Dear… Regards (email-neutral)
Hi there! Love (family & best friends)

Table 6. Examples of beginning and ending a letter.

Useful language

 Thanking someone: “Thank you so much for the…” / “thanks for the…! I love it!”
 Accepting an invitation/offer: “I would really love to…” / “Your invitation/offer
sounds really great. I’d love to go/do…”
 Asking for help: “Can you…?” / “Would it be OK if you…?” / “Would you mind
helping me…?” (formal)

Remember

1. Identify 2. Organise 3. Write 4. Check

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Figure 3. Writing: 4-step process.

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Writing Guide for the Cambridge B1 Preliminary Exam
  Step 1. Identify key words.
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Figure 4. Letters: Identify the figures.

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Writing Guide for the Cambridge B1 Preliminary Exam
  Step 2. Organise.

Figure 5. Letters: Organise ideas.

 Step 3. Write.

Sample answer:

Figure 6. Letters: Write.

 Step 4. Check.

Stop writing and check your work: It is essential to check, check and check again to
maximise your grade in language.
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Writing Guide for the Cambridge B1 Preliminary Exam
 Practice! Write an email of about 100 words in 22 minutes.

Figure 7. Letters: Practice.

Tip: Check you have included all 4 key content points for top marks.
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Writing Guide for the Cambridge B1 Preliminary Exam
 Grading: Part 1

A maximum of 20 marks is awarded for Part 1.

Figure 8. Assessment scales Writing Part 1. Source: Cambridge English: Preliminary. Handbook for teachers
(2020, p. 26).

A maximum of 5 points are awarded for each area:

 Language (25% 0-5 points):

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• Use a varied range of structures.

• Accurate language.
• Be ambitious.

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Writing Guide for the Cambridge B1 Preliminary Exam
  Communicative achievement (25%. 0-5 points):
• Appropriate register and tone.
• Interesting writing.

• Communicates ideas clearly.

 Organisation (25% 0-5 points):

• Paragraphing makes sense.

• Ideas in a clear and logical order.

• Good use of linking devices.

 Content (25% 0-5 points):

• All the points are covered and developed in sufficient detail.
• All content is relevant.
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Writing Guide for the Cambridge B1 Preliminary Exam
 Section 3. Writing Exam Part 2

You will have to choose between an article or a story (100 words).

Story

Reason for writing

 Telling a short story.

 You will be given the first line.

Style

 Use informal language.

 Pay attention to verb tenses: past simple, past continuous, past perfect…
 Use time phrases, e.g. then, after that, meanwhile…

Structure

Title Get reader’s attention

Paragraph 1 Introduce idea

Paragraph 2 Climax

Paragraph 3 End

Table 7. Writing a story: Structure.

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Writing Guide for the Cambridge B1 Preliminary Exam
 Useful language

A story has three key stages: start, climax and end. Use discourse markers to indicate
a change of state, as can be seen in figure 8.

Figure 9. Examples of discourse markers in a short story.

Remember

1. Identify 2. Organise 3. Write 4. Check

Figure 10. Writing stories: 4-step process.

 Step 1. Identify key words.

You will be given the first sentence of the story:

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Writing Guide for the Cambridge B1 Preliminary Exam
 Figure 11. Writing stories: 4-step process, Step 1.

 Step 2. Organise.

IDEA

As the plane flew lower, Lou saw the golden

Start beaches of the island below. He was surprised and
a bit afraid.

Climax The gold stones turned grey when he took them.

He saw golden fruits but did not take them. He took

Developing idea
some photos to show them to scientists.
He became an explorer. He became rich and after
End
that he had a beautiful life.
Table 8. Writing stories: 4-step process, Step 2.

 Step 3. Write.

Sample answer:
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Figure 12. Writing stories: 4-step process, Step 3.

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Writing Guide for the Cambridge B1 Preliminary Exam
  Step 4. Check.

Check your work: It is essential to check, check and check again to maximise your
grade in language.

Practice! Write a story of about 100 words in 22 minutes.

Figure 13. Writing stories: 4-step process, Step 4.

Tip: Use linking words to help organise your story.

Article

Reason for writing

You will read an announcement from a magazine or a website. This gives the topic
that you must write about. For example, there may be a couple of questions that you
should respond to.
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Writing Guide for the Cambridge B1 Preliminary Exam
 Style

 Use catchy title to attract the reader’s interest.

 Use informal language.
 Address readers directly.
 Use colloquial expressions.
 Include humour and/or rhetorical questions to create interest.
 Use exclamation marks where appropriate.

Structure

Title Get reader’s attention

Paragraph 1 Introduction

Paragraph 2 Idea 1 (and 2 if there is one)

Paragraph 3 Conclusion

Table 9. Writing articles: Structure.

Useful language

Remember to write a title and structure your article using discourse markers.

Remember

1. Identify 2. Organise 3. Write 4. Check

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Figure 14. Writing articles: 4-step process.

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Writing Guide for the Cambridge B1 Preliminary Exam
  Step 1. Identify key words.

Figure 15. Writing articles: 4-step process, Step 1.

 Step 2. Organise.

IDEA

Title FILMS

Many types of films. I enjoy romantic comedies

Paragraph 1
and musical films

I prefer going to the cinema because of the sound

Paragraph 2
effects and the screens
When my parents do not want to go to the
Paragraph 3
cinema, I have to watch the film at home
Table 19. Writing articles: 4-step process, Step 2.
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Writing Guide for the Cambridge B1 Preliminary Exam
  Step 3. Write.

Sample answer:

Figure 16. Writing articles: 4-step process, Step 3.

 Step 4. Check.

Check your work: It is essential to check, check and check again to maximise your
grade in language.

 Practice! Write an article of about 100 words in 22 minutes.

You see this notice on an English language website:

Food

What kind of food do you enjoy eating?

Do you prefer eating at home or in a restaurant? Why?
Write an article answering these questions and we will put it on our website.

Tip: Make sure you answer all the questions.

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Writing Guide for the Cambridge B1 Preliminary Exam
 Part 2: Grading

Figure 17. Assessment scales Writing Part 2. Source: Cambridge English: Preliminary. Handbook for teachers
(2020, p. 26).

A maximum of 5 points are awarded for each area:

 Language (25% 0-5 points):

• Use a varied range of structures.

• Accurate language.
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• Be ambitious.

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Writing Guide for the Cambridge B1 Preliminary Exam
  Communicative achievement (25%. 0-5 points):
• Appropriate register and tone.
• Interesting writing.

• Communicates ideas clearly.

 Organisation (25% 0-5 points):

• Paragraphing makes sense.

• Ideas in a clear and logical order.

• Good use of linking devices.

 Content (25% 0-5 points):

• All the points are covered and developed in sufficient detail.
• All content is relevant.

References

Cambridge English Language Assessment. (2020). Cambridge English: Preliminary

PET. Handbook for teachers. CUP.
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Writing Guide for the Cambridge B1 Preliminary Exam