STRUCTURE
What must the final paragraph always include in a CAE Review?
A clear recommendation stating who it’s for and whether it’s worth reading/watching/visiting etc.
Give one expression used to make a clear recommendation at the end of a review.
“I would highly recommend it to…”
“Overall, it’s definitely worth checking out.”
Should contractions be used?
Yes, occasionally — they sound natural in reviews
What’s the word limit for CAE writing?
220–260 words
Give a C1 adjective you can use in a review instead of boring.
underwhelming, monotonous, uninspired
What must the first paragraph do to engage the reader immediately?
Introduce the item, give context, and include a hook such as a question, bold opinion, or brief background.
Give two adjectives you can use in a review instead of good or interesting
engaging, impressive, captivating, thought-provoking, etc.
Name something that makes a review too informal.
Slang, emojis
What is the risk of writing fewer than 220 words?
Not fully developing ideas → lower score.
Should you include a title in your review?
Yes — a short, engaging title helps set the tone.
What should you avoid in an introduction?
Spoilers and unnecessary detail
Replace with a better phrase: “The ending was bad.”
“The ending felt rushed and lacked impact.”
What tone is most appropriate for a review?
Semi-formal, lively, engaging
What is the biggest risk when giving too much background information?
Running out of space for evaluation and recommendations. If you only summarize and don’t evaluate, you lose marks for Task Achievement and Communicative Achievement.
In a review you only include positive features. TRUE or FALSE?
FALSE
Name one effective way to structure the body of a review.
By features (plot, acting, characters) OR by pros/cons
Replace this with a C1 phrase: “It was good.”
“It exceeded my expectations.”
“It was remarkably well executed.”
Give one element that makes a review interesting to read.
An engaging hook / personal reaction
Why must a recommendation be specific?
It shows awareness of the target audience.
Give a phrase you can use to show a balanced opinion (one positive + one negative).
“Despite its flaws, it remains…”
“Although it occasionally drags, it ultimately delivers…”
What are the four essential parts of a well-structured C1 Review?
1. Introduction
2. Summary of the item
3. Evaluation (strengths/weaknesses)
4. Recommendation/Conclusion
What phrase can you use to express mild criticism politely?
“One thing that could have been improved was…”
How can you maintain reader engagement throughout?
Vary sentence structure + use vivid descriptive vocabulary
What should you always identify before planning?
Audience
purpose
tone
bullet points
Transform this sentence using more sophisticated language:
“The plot is good but the characters are bad.”
“While the plot is engaging and well-structured, the characterization feels noticeably weak.”
“The narrative works effectively, though the characters lack depth.”