Writing Part 1
More Essay Questions

C1 Advanced Exam

Essay

Here are some more essay questions that you can practice with.

You must answer this question. Write your answer in 140–190 words in an appropriate style on the separate answer sheet.

Prompt 1

Write your answer in 220-260 words in an appropriate style.

You have attended a presentation at your college entitled 'The rise in popularity of online shopping'. The presenter included some comments she received during interviews with consumers. You have made the notes below. 

Reasons people shop online: 

Some comments made by consumers: 

'Online shopping means avoiding parking fees and crowds.' 

'Goods are more reasonably priced on the Internet. 

'I love shopping and trying things on.'

Write an essay for your tutor discussing two of the areas in your notes. You should explain which area you think most influences how people shop and provide reasons to support your opinion. 

You may if you wish, refer to the consumers' comments, but you should use your own words as far as possible.

Prompt 2

Write your answer in 220-260 words in an appropriate style.

You have attended a panel discussion at a local university about how to get more people to study science. During the event, a few presenters' opinions were highlighted by the panel moderator. You have made the notes below. 

Ways of encouraging young people to study science: 

Some opinions expressed in the discussion: 

"You never see positive images of young scientists on TV, just pop stars or actors."

"Science lessons should be more practical and fun."

"If young people see science as a career, they'll want to study it."

Write an essay discussing two of the areas in your notes. You should explain which is the most effective way to encourage people to study science and provide reasons to support your opinion. 

You may if you wish, refer to the comments expressed during the discussion, but you should use your own words as far as possible.

Prompt 3

Write your answer in 220-260 words in an appropriate style.

Your class has watched a TV programme on ways of keeping the urban environment clean and tidy. You have made the notes below:

Ways of keeping the urban environment clean and tidy:

Some opinions expressed in the programme:

"Laws against polluting should be tougher."

"The media need to encourage people to act responsibly."

"The government needs to spend more on keeping our cities clean."

Write an essay for your tutor discussing two of the ways in your notes. You should explain which way of keeping the urban environment clean and tidy is more important and provide reasons to support your opinion.

You may, if you wish, make use of the opinions expressed in the programme, but you should use your own words as far as possible.

Prompt 4

Write your answer in 220-260 words in an appropriate style.

You have attended a panel discussion on the secret to success in life. You have made the notes below:

Factors which lead to success:

Some opinions expressed in the discussion 

"Quiet people are never going to be as successful as those who are confident."

"Studying hard is always the key to a successful life."

"Success is not about what you know but who you know."

Write an essay discussing two of the factors which lead to success in life in your notes. You should explain which factor is more important in achieving success, giving reasons in support of your answer.

You may, if you wish, make use of the opinions expressed in the discussion, but you should use your own words as far as possible.

Prompt 5

Write your answer in 220-260 words in an appropriate style.

Your class has watched a documentary about how workplaces can be made more people friendly. You have made the notes below:

How can workplaces be made mare people friendly?

Some opinions pressed in the discussions:

"I find it difficult to see my computer screen." 

"Our office is so much better with these plants,"

"There's nowhere to have a coffee except at our desks."

Write an essay discussing two of the ways that workplaces can be made more people friendly. You should explain which way you think is more effective, giving reasons to support your opinion. 

You may, if you wish, make use of the opinions expressed in the discussion, but you should use your own words as far as possible.

Prompt 6

Write your answer in 220-260 words in an appropriate style.

Your school has received a grant from the local authorities. You have ended a school free to discuss how the money should be be spent. You have made the notes below:

How should the money be spent?

Some opinions expressed in the discussion:

"The children need shade in the playground"

"Children already spend too much time with screens""

"The library hasn't got enough reading books."

Write an essay discussing two of the possible ways spend the grant from your names. You should explain which improvement is more important for your pupils, giving reasons in support of your answer.

Prompt 7

Write your answer in 220-260 words in an appropriate style.

Your class has watched a television discussion on the areas of research that governments should spend money on. You made the notes below:

Areas of research that governments should spend money on:

Some opinions expressed in the discussion:

"Space research is really important for the future."

"Only governments have enough money for energy research." 

"People's health depends on having good food."

Write an essay discussing two of the areas of research in your notes. You should explain which area of research is more important for governments to spend money on, giving reasons to support your answer. 

You may, if you wish, make use of the opinions expressed in the discussion, but you should use your own words as far as possible.

Prompt 8

Write your answer in 220-260 words in an appropriate style.

You have listened to the radio programme about what kind of facilities should receive planning permission to be built on the seafront of a seaside town. You have made the notes below:

What kind of facilities should be allowed to be built on the seafront of a seaside town? 

Some opinions expressed in the discussion: 

"More open space is needed and not big hotels"

"Sports facilities are always welcome."

"New hotels can provide jobs to local people."

Write an essay discussing two of the facilities in your notes. 

You should explain which facility should receive planning permission to be built on the seafront, giving reasons in support of your answer.

Prompt 9

Write your answer in 220-260 words in an appropriate style.

Your class has just watched a TV documentary about endangered animal species. You have made the notes below:

What can be done to protect endangered species around the world?

Some opinions expressed in the documentary:

"If people understood from a young age the importance of protecting animals, we could improve the situation."

"There just isn't enough money to save these species."

"Large corporations are so rich that fines don't bother them or change their behaviour."

Write an essay discussing two of the ideas in your notes. You should explain which way would be the most effective one to be taken to protect endangered species, giving reasons in support of you answer.

You may, if you wish, make use of the opinions expressed in the documentary, but you should use your own words as far as possible.

Prompt 10

Write your answer in 220-260 words in an appropriate style.

Your class has listened to a radio discussion about the benefits of learning languages You have made the notes below:

Benefits of learning languages: 

Some opinions expressed in the discussion

"When you learn a language you learn a lot more than just words."

"You can apply for great jobs if you speak other languages."

"Learning languages is good for the brain."

Write an essay for your tutor discussing two of the benefits of learning languages in your notes. You should explain which benefit is more important, giving reasons to support your opinion.

You may. If you wish, make use of the opinions expressed in the discussion, but you should use your own words as far as possible.