NARRATIVE - FCE

That day my life change forever. Our local children’s hospital needed to raise money or it would close, so I decided to take part in a six-day sponsored walk along 90km of the Great Wall of China. At the time I didn’t realise what an incredible challenge it would be.

Before I went I thought that I would be walking on a flat surface but when I saw the Great Wall my heart sank. Part of the time we would be trekking up hundreds of 60cm high steps, some of the paths were 30cm wide with steep falls either side and there was nowhere else to go because we were surrounded by mountains and forests. I was terrified, and at the end of the first day my body ached all over. However, on the third day I started to love the experience. I was in one of the most amazing places on earth and the views were incredible.

Every year now I challenge myself to do something that I wouldn’t normally do and this year I’m planning to cycle across Cuba!

INFORMAL LETTER - FCE

Dear Ana

I hear you’re looking for a pen friend and so am I! Let me tell you a little bit about myself and my family.

My name is Ivan and I live in Prague. I used to work for a chemical company but now I’m learning to be a salesman. In the future I want a job where I can travel for my work. I’ve already been to a few places in Europe, but I’ve never been to your country.

I live at home with my parents, which is comfortable as I don’t have to do much housework. My younger brother is studying at university. Although he is four years younger than me , we get on quite well. We both enjoy snow-boarding and music.

What about you? Do you ever get the chance to travel? It would be great to meet you one day. Why don´t you come to Prague next summer? Next time I write I’ll send you a photo.

Best wishes

Ivan

FORMAL LETTER – FCE

LETTER OF APPLICATION
Dear Sir or madam

I am looking for outdoor work during the summer holidays and I would like to apply for the 

position of hotel lifeguard which I saw advertised in my university’s  student newspaper.

I am 20 years old and at present  I  am studying Physical Education. I am a strong swimmer and have recently had first aid training. I very much enjoy working with people and for the last two 

summers I have been working as an assistant ranger in a National Park, where I had to provide 

information to the public about using the park and provide emergency assistance to the users.

Now I am looking for something different.

I think I would be a suitable candidate for the position because I have been described as calm in a crisis an someone who works well with others.

I am available for the whole of August and would be happy to attend an interview at any time. 

I look forward to hearing  from you in the near future.

Yours faithfully

Michael Charles

TRANSACTIONAL LETTER – FORMAL - FCE

Dear Sir or Madam

I am the secretary of my college Science Club. I saw your advertisement for the exhibition “The Next 100 Years” and I am interested in organising a group visit. I was wondering if I could ask you some questions about it.

I would be grateful if you could let me know whether we need to book, and if so, how far in advance do we need to say that we will be coming? Our group is quite large, so I would also like to know if there is a maximum size for a group.

Since we will probably coming for the whole day, I would like to know if there is anywhere to buy snacks, or if there is a picnic area where we can eat our own food.

I look forward to hearing from you and visiting your museum.

Yours faithfully

Toni Hidalgo (Ms)

TRANSACTIONAL LETTER – INFORMAL - FCE

Dear Sue,

It was great to hear from you and I’m really excited that you’re coming to visit me. You and Tom don’t need to stay in a hotel – you can both stay at my house.

It’s quite easy to get here from the conference centre as there’s a fast train every hour and it’s only 20 minutes away. If you call me I’ll pick you up at the station.

My town’s fairly small so there isn’t much to do but you really must visit the castle, which is incredibly old. There’s quite a large park, which is a lovely place for a picnic in the summer.

It tends to be very hot here in July, so just bring a few casual clothes such as shorts and T-shirts.

Let me know if there’s anything else you’d like to know – just call or email. I can’t wait to see you again.

Love

Daisy

MORE USEFUL PHRASES

OFFERING A TENTATIVE OPINION
I'm not sure...
Probably...
Perhaps...
Maybe...
It's very difficult..., but I think...
It's not something I feel very strongly about, but...


DEVELOPING THE DISCUSSION
I'd like to add something...
There's something else I'd like to say...
I couldn't have put it better myself.


OFFERING A STRONG OPINION
Actually, I feel quite strongly that...
I'm quite certain that...
I know for a fact that...
I really don't think it is right that...


EXPRESSING AGREEMENT
Could I just add that...?
Exactly!

SPEAKING - HOW TO START

INITIATING/FOCUSING
So we have to...
Shall we talk about...first?
Shall we start with this picture?
I think we need to...
We have to choose...
What do you think about...?


OPINIONS/VIEWS/IDEAS
What do you think about...?
It seems to me that...
I think...
What do you think?
From what I know...
In my opinion...
As far as I'm concerned...
Personally speaking...
Could I just add that...?
If I might come in here...
Don`t you think...?
I've heard...
I'm sure...


AGREEING
That's a good point.
I think you are right about that.
I hadn't (really) thought of that.
That's a good idea!
That's exactly what I think.


DISAGREEING
I see what you mean, but don't you think...?
Yes, but isn't it true that...?
I'm not so sure about that. Do you think...?
I don't really agree with you about that because...
But do you really think it's a good idea to...?
That's a good point but I think...beacuse...


CONCLUDING
So, what shall we say...?
So, what do you think?
I think this is the best idea because...
Ok, shall we say...?
Do you agree? 

SPEAKING -USEFUL PHRASES

COMPARING AND CONTRASTING


Both of these...
Neither of these...
One of these...., while the other...
This one......, but on the other hand that one...
This picture..., whereas the other...


SPECULATING


It's hard to say, but I think...
It looks like...
I'd say...
It must be...
It might be...
It could be...
It can't be...
I don't think it...., because


EXPRESSING OPINIONS


Personally, I...
I've never thought about it, but I suppose...
I don't really like...but if I had to choose...
It seems to me that...

SPEAKING - FCE- Pictures

BE PREPARED TO UNDERSTAND AND ANSWER THIS KIND OF QUESTIONS:

Why do you think...is important to the different groups of people?

What do you think the people will...?

How successful might these suggestions be?

Which two would attract more people?

SPEAKING - FCE

YOU MAY BE ASKED:

What do you like about living in your country?

Do you like going to parties?

What kind of work would you like to do in the future?

Do you use the internet to learn new things?

Are you happier doing mental or physical work?

BE PREPARED TO ANSWER QUESTIONS ABOUT:

• LIKES AND DISLIKES
• EDUCATION AND BRINGING-UP
• LEISURE TIME
• HOLIDAYS AND TRAVEL
• THE MEDIA AND ADVERTISING
• LIFESTYLES
• ART
• SPORT
• FAMILY LIFE
• JOBS AND PROFESSIONS
• RELATIONSHIPS
• LIFE IN DIFFERENT PLACES
• TECHNOLOGY
• CHALLLENGES

SPEAKING - FCE

BE PREPARED TO:

• TALK ABOUT YOURSELF
• GIVE OPINIONS
• ASK SOMEONE TO REPEAT OR EXPLAIN
• AGREE AND DISAGREE

SPEAKING - CAE -pictures

BE PREPARED TO UNDERSTAND AND ANSWER THIS KIND OF QUESTIONS:

What different aspects of.....do these pictures show?

How might the people be feeling in each situation?

How do these pictures show........?

Which picture best reflects.....?

Who is/seems to be enjoying the most?

Who seems to need/be needing.....the most?

How important is......in each situation?

Which picture best convey the idea of...?

How difficult may it be for each of them to...?

What might these people's motivation to....be?

What might the occation for.......be?

Which situation would you prefer to be in?

Which picture is the most appropriate to ...?

Which photos are not appropriate to...?

SPEAKING - CAE

THINK ALSO ABOUT YOU IN THE FOLLOWING AREAS

You should have something to say about each

SPORTS

LEISURE INTERESTS

WORK AND STUDY

FAMILY

TRAVEL AND HOLIDAYS ENTERTAINMENT

EXPERIENCES

DAILY LIFE

FUTURE PLANS

SPEAKING - CAE

Where are you from?

How long have you been studying English?

What do you enjoy most about learning English?

What are your interests and leisure activities?

What's your happiest memory of school?

If you had the opportunity to learn something new, what would you choose?

Would you consider living abroad permanently?

Are you someone who likes to plan for the future or do you prefer to let things happen?

What part of the day do you enjoy most?

What do you like to do at weekends?

FORMAL LETTER - CAE

LETTER TO THE EDITOR

I saw your recent editorial about the Uluru National Park and I am writing to say I cannot agree with your criticisms of the Anangu policy of restricting tourism. Uluru is a sacred site for the Anangu, who have been there for over 20,000 years, and while 400,000 tourists a year may not be huge numbers in national terms, it is still a lot.

I agree that tourism is important to the Anangu, but it needs to be managed so that its sacred sites are respected. For example, the Anangu themselves never climb the rock, and in my view, tourists should be prevented from doing so out of respect for the Anangu's traditions.

I also think the Anangu should have a much greater role in how the site is promoted and in tour organisation. At the moment, most Anangu are only able to get low-paid seasonal employment, and the profits from tourism go to outsiders. However, they are trying, through the Culture Centre, to encourage a greater understanding of all aspects of their culture, not just the rock.

If the Government wants to increase tourism to Uluru, which seems to be its aim, it must do so with the Anangu and implement measures to reduce environmental damage.

REPORT - CAE

JULY FUND-RAISING DAY

INTRODUCTION

This report is intended to:

1 give an overview of our recent fund-raising dayfor your charity;

2 indicate who raised the money and how;

3 make recommendations for next year.

OVERVIEW

On 22 july this year, a substantial sum of money was raised for the charity. The total raised for disadvantaged children exceeded the sum achieved last year. In the main, the day was very successful.

PARTICIPATION

Most of the 50 volunteers were students from university.

HOW THE MONEY WAS RAISED

The largest part of the total raised (40%) came from visiting houses and knocking on doors.

Collections were also carried out in the street,accounting for 30%, and we raised a further 20% from a jumble sale. The remainder came from a variety of sources.

RECOMMENDATIONS

In the light of this year's experience, I would make the following recommendations:

1 that we organise a wider variety of activities, including street parties (if we could make them work successfully);

2 since some members of the public thought our street collectors were not legitimate fund raisers, we should, in future, issue them with special badges to avoid misunderstanding-

CONCLUSION

To sum up, I would say that this year's fund-raising day was a great success and that we could make it even more successful next year.