Writing — Register Task (Part 2) for the CPE Exam

Common failure modes

These are the patterns that cause most candidates to lose marks on this topic. Recognising them in advance is half the work.

• !Generic writing that could be any genre — not exploiting the specific conventions of the chosen type
• !Inconsistent register: formal language followed by colloquial expressions
• !Reviews that only summarise content rather than critically evaluating quality and impact

Study tips

• 1Collect model texts for each genre: read 5 real examples of each — professional reviews, formal letters, business proposals.
• 2Practise "register transformation": take one text and rewrite it for a different audience and purpose.
• 3For proposals, practise the language of justification and persuasion: "This measure would inevitably lead to...", "The long-term benefits are self-evident...".

Sample CPE Writing — Register Task (Part 2) questions

These sample items mirror the format and difficulty of real CPE questions. Practice with thousands more on the free Koydo question bank.

1. 1

   A CPE Writing Part 2 review of a novel should NOT include:

   • ACritical evaluation of the author's technique
   • BA plot summary that replaces evaluationCorrect
   • CYour recommendation to potential readers
   • DAnalysis of specific language and imagery
   Why this answer?

   A literary review at C2 level is an evaluative genre — it should assess quality, technique, and impact, not simply retell the plot. A plot summary substituting for evaluation is a genre error that signals the candidate does not understand the purpose of a review. Brief reference to plot is acceptable as context, but it should not dominate the piece.