B2 writing the essay – Complete guide

Writing an essay in part 1 of the First B2 exam can sometimes a bit confusing. In paper 2 you will be assessed on your skill to draft coherent and cohesive texts.

QUICK INFO ABOUT PAPER 2 PART 1:

• Time: 1 hour 20 mins
• Number of exercises: 2
• Part 1 (Essay) is mandatory
• Part 2 you can choose from 3 options
• Total amount of words: 140-190
• Assessment: Organisations, Content, Communicative Achievement and Language
• Marks: 20 x 2

In this post we will just focus on Part 1, writing the essay for B2 Cambridge First.

PART 1 ESSAY

In the Writing Essay B2 part, you’re given an essay title and two ideas clearly linked to the title. The task requires you to write an essay giving your opinions about the title, using the ideas given. You must also add a third, different idea of your own linked to the title. Don’t have to worry about the title or topic of the essay, It will be a subject of general interest – you won’t need any specialised knowledge.

HOWEVER, DON’T FORGET, IT’S A COMPULSORY TASK, YOU MUST DO IT!

CONTENT THAT MUST BE INCLUDED:

You must make sure that you identify and explain all the key points/opinions in the two ideas given. Don’t forget you also need to give your own opinions on what is stated in the two ideas. When you give your own opinions, you can agree or disagree with what is stated in the texts.

COMMUNICATIVE ACHIEVEMENT

Your essay should be suitably neutral or fairly formal in register, but it does not have to be extremely formal. In it, you need to demonstrate that you have fully understood the main ideas, by explaining them in your own words. The opinions that you give must be closely related to those main points so that your essay is both informative and makes clear sense as a whole.

ORGANIZATION

Make sure that your essay flows well and logically and that you divide it appropriately into paragraphs. Enable clear connection between the notes and your interpretation of them. Don’t forget to link your notes and ideas using appropriate linking words and phrases, both between sentences and between paragraphs.

LANGUAGE

The language that you use needs to be both accurate and not simple/basic. You need to demonstrate that you have a B2 level of English by using a range of grammatical structures and appropriate vocabulary correctly. Don’t use only simple words and structures throughout your answer. Try to think of ones that show a more advanced level, without making sentences too complicated for the reader to understand. It is advisable to check very carefully for accuracy when you have completed your answer.  Also make sure that everything you have written makes clear sense.

THINGS TO KEEP IN MIND

• The content of your essay does not have to follow any particular order.
• Explain the main ideas noted  of the text and then give your own opinions.
• Give your opinion on each point from the text as you explain them.
• You must include your own opinions but you can put them anywhere in the essay as long as they connect closely with the points made in the texts.

Download our B2 Essay guide and practise with the full sample and correction we have included to writing an essay for the B2 First exam.