CPE Writing Skills 1 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: How many parts does the CPE Writing paper consist of?
- 1
- 2 (Correct answer)
- 3
- 4
Correct answer: 2
The CPE Writing paper has 2 parts: Part 1 is a compulsory essay, and Part 2 offers a choice of task types.
Question 2: What is the approximate word count required for the CPE Part 1 essay?
- 100–150 words
- 200–250 words
- 240–280 words (Correct answer)
- 350–400 words
Correct answer: 240–280 words
The CPE Part 1 essay requires approximately 240–280 words and must engage critically with the topic given.
Question 3: In CPE Writing Part 1, candidates must write an essay based on which of the following?
- A personal diary entry about their life
- Two input texts with different perspectives on a topic (Correct answer)
- A grammar exercise correcting errors
- A description of a photograph
Correct answer: Two input texts with different perspectives on a topic
CPE Part 1 provides two short input texts with contrasting viewpoints, and candidates must write an essay discussing the topic.
Question 4: Which task type is NOT a typical option in CPE Writing Part 2?
- Letter or email
- Article
- Report or proposal
- Gap-fill grammar exercise (Correct answer)
Correct answer: Gap-fill grammar exercise
CPE Writing Part 2 options include letters/emails, articles, reports, proposals, and reviews — not grammar gap-fill exercises.
Question 5: What does 'register' mean in CPE writing tasks?
- The number of words written
- The level of formality appropriate to the task and audience (Correct answer)
- The handwriting style used
- The topic of the essay
Correct answer: The level of formality appropriate to the task and audience
Register refers to the appropriate level of formality — formal, semi-formal, or informal — that matches the writing task's context and audience.
Question 6: In CPE writing, what is a 'thesis statement' in an essay?
- A list of all sources used
- The concluding sentence of the final paragraph
- A clear statement of the essay's main argument or position (Correct answer)
- A definition of the essay topic
Correct answer: A clear statement of the essay's main argument or position
A thesis statement presents the central argument or position of the essay, typically appearing in the introduction.
CPE Writing Skills 1
How many parts does the CPE Writing paper consist of?