B1 PET – Exam 1 – Writing

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  • Exercises: 1 2

    Cambridge B1 Preliminary (PET) – Exam 1 – Writing

    Part 2

    Choose ONE of these questions. Write your answer in about 100 words on your answer sheet.

    Question 2

    You see this notice on a board at your local library.

    Articles wanted!

    TRAVEL

    Which is your favourite place to visit? Would you recommend others to go there? Why?

    Write an article answering these questions, and we will publish it in the library magazine!

    Example answer

    The Ultimate Travel Destination: Barcelona

    Do you love travelling to cities but need help deciding your next destination? Although many people would suggest going to London, Paris or Rome, my favourite is Barcelona.

    This Spanish treasure offers an incredible combination of culture, architecture, and entertainment. Can you imagine walking through the historic Gothic Quarter, then relaxing on the Barceloneta beach, and later visiting one of Gaudí’s masterpieces?

    In addition, the local cuisine, especially the tapas, is one of the best foods I’ve ever tried. In my opinion, it’s an experience you shouldn’t miss. I strongly recommend Barcelona to anyone seeking a perfect mix of history and leisure.

    If I were you, I’d choose Barcelona. Trust me, it’s worth every moment!

    If you want to learn more about how to do this task, check our lesson on how to write an article.

    Question 3

    You must write a story for a writing competition. Your story must begin with this sentence:
    When we got out of the car, it was freezing.

    Example answer

    Lost in the snow

    When we got out of the car, it was freezing. Snow was everywhere, and the wind had made the path disappear. My sister was wearing her new coat, but it wasn’t enough to keep her warm.

    We looked around and noticed that the snow had covered all the road signs. We were walking slowly, hoping to find some shelter. Then, we saw a light in the distance. As we approached, we realized it was a small cabin.

    Inside, a warm fire was burning. The owner told us he had seen our car and was waiting for us to come. We were grateful and spent the night there, safe from the cold.

    If you want to learn more about how to do this task, check our lesson on how to write a past story from a given sentence.

    Exercises: 1 2

  • Cambridge B1 Preliminary (PET) – Writing

    The B1 Preliminary Writing test lasts 45 minutes and is composed of two parts. It contributes to 25% of your overall score.
     

    Part 1: Email Writing

    In the first section, candidates must craft an email that’s approximately 100 words long. Don’t worry about the exact word count; keeping it between 80 to 120 words is fine. An email and some notes will be given, and your job is to respond using those notes. This email is always informal, meant for a friend or family member. It’s important to use all the notes provided, but try to rephrase them in your own words whenever possible. This part has a single question, and you can earn up to 20 marks for it.
     

    Part 2: Choice of Article or Story

    In the second section, candidates are required to write about 100 words on a topic they get to select. There’s a choice between crafting an article or a story.

    • Article: Typically, the article topics are simple and allow candidates to express their opinions.
    • Story: When writing a story, candidates may be given the first sentence or a title to guide their writing. While stories may demand varied verb tenses and creativity, the choice between an article and a story depends on personal preference and skills. This section also carries a single question that can give you up to 20 marks.

    For further practice, you can check out our writing lessons on how to write an article and how to create a past story from a given sentence.
     

    General tips for the Writing part of the B1 PET

    Practice writing essays

    Familiarize yourself with the types of writing tasks required in the exam, such as an informal email or a story.

    Get feedback

    Ask someone to check your writing and give you constructive feedback; this can help you identify areas for improvement.

    Prepare a plan for the writing task

    Before writing your essay, you should consider the information you want to include and how to organize it. Think about the structure and content of your writing before you start, and make sure to stick to the word limit.

    Learn to manage your time

    Make sure you allocate enough time to read and understand the task and to plan and write your answer, leaving time to review and edit your work. Practise writing some compositions and time yourself to make sure you can finish the tasks within the time limits.

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