CPE Writing Overview

CPE Writing — 90 minutes, 2 parts

Part 1 (compulsory) — Essay

Read two short texts (around 100 words each) on a topic. Write a discursive essay of 240–280 words summarising the key points and presenting your own evaluation. The essay must synthesise and respond, not just summarise.

Part 2 (choice of 1 from 4 or 5) — task types

• Article — for a magazine, 280–320 words, semi-formal
• Letter — to a newspaper, employer, or organisation, formal, 280–320 words
• Report — formal with headings, analytical/recommendatory, 280–320 words
• Review — of a book/film/restaurant/event, semi-formal, 280–320 words
• Set text task (when offered) — based on a prescribed novel/play

Key tips

• The Part 1 essay must show summary AND evaluation — not just one
• Use a wide variety of structures: inversion, cleft, complex relatives, hedging
• Match register strictly — formal task types must avoid contractions and colloquialisms
• Plan for 5 minutes; write for 35–40 minutes per task; check for 5 minutes