CPE Writing Practice
CPE Writing tests near-native written English. Part 1 is a discursive essay summarising and evaluating two short source texts (240–280 words). Part 2 is your choice of article, letter, report or review (280–320 words). Bands 0–5 per criterion at C2 — accuracy must be near-flawless and language range very wide.
CPE Writing: part by part
- Part 1 — Compulsory discursive essay (240–280 words): two short texts on a topic are given. Summarise both in your own words and evaluate the points.
- Part 2 — Choose ONE (280–320 words): article, letter, report, or review. Genre conventions and register must be near-perfect.
How CPE Writing is scored
Bands 0–5 per criterion. Band 5 at C2 = sophisticated, near-flawless writing; complex grammar used naturally and precisely; very wide vocabulary including idiom and rare collocations; strong personal voice appropriate to the genre. Band 3 = competent C1-level writing falling short of full C2 control. Band 1 = significantly below the C2 threshold.
Sample CPE Writing item
A typical writing task you'd see in a CPE mock exam.
Write an article for an international magazine answering the question: 'Has technology made our lives better or worse?' Give specific examples and reach a clear conclusion.
What examiners look for
- In Part 1, do NOT quote the source texts verbatim — paraphrase. Verbatim copying caps your Language score.
- Range matters more than length — pack one well-built C2 sentence (cleft + concessive + nominalisation) rather than three flat ones.
- Idiom is rewarded but only when it's natural. One mis-used idiom hurts more than three correct C1 sentences.
- Evaluate, don't just summarise. Part 1 explicitly asks for your view supported by reasons.
Practise CPE Writing now
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