B2 First · Choose your activity
B2 First Writing: format and practice
Understand the B2 First (FCE) Writing paper, learn from a complete essay example, and choose a format for focused practice.
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How does the B2 First Writing paper work?
How the B2 First Writing paper works
B2 First Writing, also known as FCE Writing, requires two complete answers. You have 80 minutes in total and write 140–190 words for each answer. Leave time to plan and check both pieces.
Part 1: everyone writes an essay
Answer the essay question using both given notes and one relevant idea of your own. Explain your opinion with reasons and examples, and make sure all three ideas contribute to your answer.
One compulsory task · 140–190 words
Part 2: choose one of three prompts
In B2 First, the possible formats are an article, email or letter, review, or report. Choose from the prompts on your paper, then follow that task’s purpose, reader and instructions.
One task from three · 140–190 words
Taking B2 First for Schools? The timing, word limits and three-prompt choice are the same. Its Part 2 includes stories instead of reports. The optional set-text question was removed in January 2024.
Check the official Cambridge handbooks for B2 First Writing (PDF) and B2 First for Schools Writing (PDF).
Start with a complete B2 essay example
Follow an original task about outdoor learning, a paragraph plan and a complete 161-word model answer. Then use the checklist to see how the essay covers both given notes and the writer’s own idea.
Read the 161-word B2 essay and writing guideThe full guide and model answer are free to read. No account needed.
Choose a Part 2 task you can answer fully
Read all three prompts before choosing. A familiar topic is useful, but you also need ideas for every instruction and a suitable style for the reader.
- Identify the reader. An email to a friend can sound conversational; a report for a manager needs a more neutral tone. Let the prompt guide your choice of language.
- Match the purpose. A review should evaluate and recommend, while a report presents findings and any requested suggestions. Avoid turning every format into an opinion essay.
- Make a short plan. Note one useful idea for each instruction. Choose the prompt you can develop clearly within the word limit, then save time to check missing points and mistakes.
The four practice guides on this page cover this platform’s current writing formats: essay, review, report and letter/email. Articles are also an exam option, and stories are an option in B2 First for Schools; those two formats do not yet have practice guides here.
Explore a B2 writing example
Should schools offer more outdoor learning?
Complete original B2 First exam-style writing task. One possible model response, not an official Cambridge paper or awarded examiner score.
In your English class, you have been discussing where students learn best. Now your teacher has asked you to write an essay. Write your essay using all the notes and giving reasons for your point of view. Essay question: Should schools give students more opportunities to learn outdoors? Notes: 1. learning new skills; 2. staying healthy; 3. your own idea. Write 140–190 words in an appropriate style.
Read the model and explanation
Many school activities take place inside classrooms, but students can also learn a great deal outdoors. I believe schools should provide more opportunities for this, as long as the activities have a clear purpose.
Firstly, outdoor lessons help students develop practical skills. For example, measuring trees in a local park allows them to apply mathematics to a real situation. Explaining their results to classmates can also improve communication.
Secondly, spending part of the school day outside encourages movement. A carefully planned walk can give students a break from sitting and help them return to their studies feeling refreshed. However, schools should offer suitable alternatives when the weather is poor.
Another benefit is a stronger connection with the local community. Students who help maintain a public garden can see how their work supports other people. This may make them more willing to take responsibility for shared spaces.
Overall, outdoor learning should complement classroom teaching. With thoughtful planning, it can support students’ skills, health and sense of responsibility without replacing the lessons they still need indoors.
Understand the task
The reader is your teacher, and the purpose is to give and justify your view about more outdoor learning. You must cover learning new skills, staying healthy and a distinct third idea. The model’s own idea is responsibility towards the local community; it is not simply another example of physical health. Write a complete essay within 140–190 words.
Plan a reasoned answer
The introduction answers the question with a condition: activities need a clear purpose. The next three paragraphs develop one note each, then the conclusion combines them. This is one workable plan, not a compulsory five-paragraph formula. You could combine related points, but both supplied notes and your own idea must remain clear.
Develop the supplied notes
“Measuring trees ... allows them to apply mathematics” turns the vague claim about skills into an observable learning activity. The health paragraph connects movement with a break from sitting rather than claiming outdoor lessons cure illness. Its weather limitation shows that the recommendation has practical boundaries. Each example explains why the point supports the answer.
Make your own idea distinct
“Students who help maintain a public garden” introduces a benefit to the community, and the following sentence explains how that may encourage responsibility. This develops an additional argument instead of listing a new place to exercise. Other ideas, such as understanding the environment, could work if explained and connected to the question.
Address the reader appropriately
The tone is neutral and clear: “I believe” states a view without using chatty expressions or addressing the teacher as a friend. “Firstly”, “Secondly”, “Another benefit” and “Overall” organise the argument. Use linking expressions where they clarify the relationship; filling every sentence with one would make the essay mechanical.
Notice useful language
“As long as the activities have a clear purpose” sets a condition. “Can” and “may” express possible benefits without pretending that every lesson guarantees them. “Should complement classroom teaching” explains that outdoor work adds to existing lessons. These choices support the meaning; difficult words are not needed merely to sound advanced.
Avoid a common content mistake
Do not write only about a favourite school trip or discuss just health because it is easier. Both notes and the additional idea need reasons. A different overall opinion can also meet the task: an essay against increasing outdoor lessons could explain costs or disruption while still addressing every note. This model is one possible response, not a promised score.
Original teaching material, not an official exam response or an automatic writing score.
How should I plan my writing practice?
Choose a focus
Identify the reader, purpose and format before planning your response.
Practise with intention
Plan your ideas, write a response and leave time to review it.
Review and return
Compare your choices with the model, revise one paragraph and note a useful improvement for your next attempt.