Writing an article for the First exam – B2 English writing
Writing an article for the First exam
In Part 2 of the B2 First (FCE) Writing paper, one of your options is to write an article. Unlike an essay, which is more formal and objective, an article gives you the chance to be creative and express your personality. You can talk directly to the reader, ask questions, and use a friendly, natural tone.
Articles are usually written for a school magazine, blog, or website, and they should both inform and entertain. A successful article answers every question in the task, but also keeps the reader interested from beginning to end with clear organisation, lively language, and personal examples.
Sample article tasks (Cambridge First)
Here are some typical tasks you might find in the exam. Remember to answer every question in the task — missing a point can lower your score for content.
What’s the best way to spend a weekend in your town?
Write about:
- what people can do
- why it’s enjoyable
Write your article.
What’s the best way to improve your English outside the classroom?
Write about:
- what you do
- why it works well
Write your article answering these questions.
House parties
What makes a great house party?
Which house parties have you been to, and what was special about them?
Write your article answering these questions. The best articles will be published on our website!
Sample article
Have you ever been to a party where everything just felt right? The music, the people, the food — it all came together perfectly. Guess what: a great house party isn’t about how big your house is, but about creating the right atmosphere.
In my view, the best parties don’t need hundreds of guests, just the right mix of people who get along. Good music sets the mood, and so does food that everyone can share. Even simple snacks work if there’s a friendly, relaxed vibe. For example, I once went to a party where everyone helped make pizzas together, and it turned into the highlight of the evening!
A bit of creativity also makes a big difference. Fairy lights, themed playlists, or even a small game such as a quiz can bring people together and keep the energy high. The more personal touches, the better.
All in all, a perfect house party is one where everyone feels welcome, comfortable, and happy to stay until the very end. If you can manage that, your party will be the one everyone remembers!
➟ Use a question or friendly expression to catch the reader’s attention and make your article engaging.
➟ Give your opinions to make your article more personal and expressive.
➟ Give examples to support your ideas and make them clearer.
➟ Use linking expressions to organise your ideas and connect paragraphs.
➟ Use lively, descriptive language and idioms to make your writing more vivid.
Writing guide – Step by step
1️⃣ Step 1: Read and understand the task
Before you start writing, make sure you know:
- what the topic is
- which questions you must answer
For example, in the House parties task:
What makes a great house party?
Which house parties have you been to, and what was special about them?
If you don’t answer both questions, you can lose marks for content.
Also, brainstorm useful vocabulary before you start writing (e.g. music, guests, decorations, vice, playlists, set the mood).
2️⃣ Step 2: Create a catchy title
Your title should make readers want to read your article. A question or a ‘what/how’ phrase often works well.
- Why We All Need a Hobby
- Could You Live Without Your Phone?
- What Makes a Festival Unforgettable?
3️⃣ Step 3: Write an engaging introduction
Start with something that catches attention — a question, an exclamation, or a short story.
Have you ever been to a party where everything just felt right?
Your aim is to make readers curious about what comes next.
4️⃣ Step 4: Develop the body
Write two or three paragraphs explaining your main ideas. Answer all the task questions, give opinions, and include examples from your own experience.
In my view, the best parties don’t need hundreds of guests, just the right mix of people who get along. For example, I once went to a party where everyone helped make pizzas together, and it turned into the highlight of the evening!
5️⃣ Step 5: Finish with a strong conclusion
End with a short paragraph that sums up your main idea or gives advice.
All in all, a perfect house party is one where everyone feels relaxed and included.
Useful language for articles
To engage the reader:
- Have you ever…?
- Do you think…?
- Let’s be honest…
- Guess what!
- Imagine…
To give examples:
- For example…
- Such as…
- For instance…
- One good example is…
To express opinions:
- In my view…
- I believe that…
- Personally, I think…
- From my experience…
To link ideas:
- First of all…
- On top of that…
- Another reason is…
- As a result…
- What’s more…
To conclude:
- All in all…
- To sum up…
- In conclusion…
- Overall, I’d say…
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