CPE Writing Skills 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: What distinguishes a CPE-level 'proposal' from a 'report' in Writing Part 2?
- A proposal is always shorter than a report
- A proposal recommends future action while a report describes current or past situations (Correct answer)
- A proposal uses bullet points; a report uses paragraphs
- There is no difference between them
Correct answer: A proposal recommends future action while a report describes current or past situations
A proposal focuses on recommending future actions or changes, while a report typically describes a current situation or analyzes past events.
Question 2: Which of the following is an example of a 'discourse marker' used in CPE essay writing?
- Furthermore (Correct answer)
- The
- Quickly
- Beautiful
Correct answer: Furthermore
Discourse markers like 'furthermore,' 'however,' and 'consequently' link ideas and signal relationships between arguments in a text.
Question 3: What is the primary purpose of a 'review' in CPE Writing Part 2?
- To complain formally about a product
- To evaluate and give an opinion about a book, film, or experience (Correct answer)
- To summarize a news article
- To describe a person's biography
Correct answer: To evaluate and give an opinion about a book, film, or experience
A review evaluates a book, film, restaurant, or experience, sharing the writer's informed opinion with a specific audience.
Question 4: In CPE writing assessment, what does 'task achievement' refer to?
- Whether you finished the task within the time limit
- How well the content addresses all aspects of the task prompt (Correct answer)
- The total number of paragraphs written
- Whether the handwriting is neat
Correct answer: How well the content addresses all aspects of the task prompt
Task achievement assesses how fully and appropriately the writing responds to all the requirements set out in the prompt.
Question 5: What is 'hedging language' in CPE academic writing?
- Using very short sentences for clarity
- Language that softens claims and acknowledges uncertainty (Correct answer)
- Using very complex vocabulary to impress markers
- Repeating the same point in different words
Correct answer: Language that softens claims and acknowledges uncertainty
Hedging language (e.g., 'it could be argued,' 'this may suggest') softens assertions and shows awareness that claims are not absolute.
Question 6: Which structural element is essential in a CPE formal letter?
- Emoji and informal abbreviations
- Appropriate salutation, body paragraphs, and formal close (Correct answer)
- A bullet-point list in every paragraph
- A poem at the end
Correct answer: Appropriate salutation, body paragraphs, and formal close
A formal CPE letter requires a proper salutation (e.g., 'Dear Sir/Madam'), well-organized paragraphs, and a formal closing (e.g., 'Yours faithfully').
CPE Writing Skills 2
What distinguishes a CPE-level 'proposal' from a 'report' in Writing Part 2?