C2 Proficiency - Writing
Certificate of Proficiency in English (CPE)
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Below, you will find eight full writing sample papers that can be used to prepare your students to effectively tackle the C2 Proficiency writing paper.
The Writing paper consists of two parts and takes 1 hour and 30 minutes.
In Part 1, students must write an essay of 240-280 words based on two short texts, summarising and evaluating the key points while adding their own ideas. This compulsory task carries 20 marks.
In Part 2, candidates choose one from three tasks, writing 280-320 words in the form of an article, letter, report, or review. Students will be given clear instructions about purpose, target reader, and content points to address. This task also carries 20 marks.
C2 English Proficiency (CPE) Writing - Test One
Part One: AI in Healthcare
Part Two: Article about urban architecture / Report about local arts festival / Letter about education systems
C2 English Proficiency (CPE) Writing - Test Two
Part One: Means Testing for Public Services
Part Two: Letter about university curriculum / Report about plastic waste initiative / Review about digital art space
1. Tell students to read both source texts carefully and identify the key contrasting arguments.
2. Students should use their own words to summarise - avoiding direct copying from the texts.
3. Compositions should evaluate arguments critically, showing understanding of complexities and nuances.
4. Students should include their own relevant ideas and examples, while staying focused on the main topic.
5. Compositions should aim precisely for 240-280 words - writing too much or too little will cost marks.
C2 English Proficiency (CPE) Writing - Test Three
Part One: Do the Rich Pay Their Way?
Part Two: Report about urban transport / Article about traditional crafts / Review about controversial documentary
C2 English Proficiency (CPE) Writing - Test Four
Part One: Social Media Ban for Under-18s
Part Two: Letter about genetic modification / Report about night economy / Article about AI in art
1. All three options should be read carefully before selecting - students shouldn't automatically pick the first one.
2. Students should consider which text type (article/review/report/letter) they write best.
3. The target reader and purpose of the chosen task should be fully understood.
4. Students should check that they can address all the bullet points with specific examples and detailed analysis.
5. The word count should be 280-320 words - students need to plan their content accordingly.
C2 English Proficiency (CPE) Writing - Test Five
Part One: Duty to Eat Well and Stay Healthy
Part Two: Article about luxury / Review about film festival / Letter about environmental education
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C2 English Proficiency (CPE) Writing - Test Six
Part One: All Young Adults Should Try to Go to College
Part Two: Report about digital wellbeing / Letter about art gallery / Article about public libraries
1. Students should demonstrate sophisticated vocabulary and complex grammatical structures, while maintaining clarity.
2. Tell students to adapt their register precisely to the task (formal report, semi-formal article, etc).
3. Compositions should use a range of cohesive devices and organisational patterns appropriate to the text type.
4. Students should show nuanced understanding through careful use of modality, hedging language, and qualified statements.
C2 English Proficiency (CPE) Writing - Test Seven
Part One: Compulsory Voting in Elections
Part Two: Review about interactive entertainment / Article about AI in education / Letter about youth leadership
C2 English Proficiency (CPE) Writing - Test Eight
Part One: Advertising Should Be More Regulated
Part Two: Article about modern workspaces / Report about public art / Letter about culinary innovation
1. Students should spend 5 minutes planning Part 1 and 5 minutes planning Part 2.
2. Tell students to allow 35 minutes for writing Part 1 and 35 minutes for Part 2.
3. 10 minutes should be reserved at the end to review both tasks for accuracy and appropriacy.
4. If time is running out, students should ensure both tasks are complete - an unfinished task will lose significant marks.
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