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Writing - B2 Letter

Essential strategies and common pitfalls to help you ace the Letter for Cambridge B2 Writing exam.

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How to write a B2 Letter

Formal letters are letters that are written in a strict and specific format. Formal letters are naturally much more official in style than informal/friendly letters and are written to an individual or to an organisation.

The purpose may be, for example,

to apply for part-time or holiday work (application letter)
to apply for study or scholarship opportunity (application letter)
to complain about something (complaint letter)
to make suggestions about something
to request information (enquiry letter)

There are only two types of formal email or letter you may be asked to write in the B2 First exam – a letter of application and a letter of complaint.

Check our Writing Guide in this article below to see how to write a formal letter

B2 First Certificate (FCE) Letter: Structure

StepDetails
1. SalutationDear…
2. Opening paragraphExplain why you are writing and clearly state the subject of the letter.
3. The next paragraphs (main content) Organise all the essential information in paragraphs.
Use linking structures to make your letter flow.
4. The last paragraphAsk any questions and highlight a form of action you want them to take.
5. Closing and signing offYours ………
Full name

B2 First Certificate (FCE) Letter: Writing Guide

We will use the example FCE formal letter topic below:

You have seen the following advertisement in a newspaper:

VOLUNTEERS NEEDED!

We are the National Diabetes Organisation and we are organising a camp for diabetic children. We need volunteers to work with us during the camp. Your responsibilities will include:

  • Teaching children about diabetes
  • Playing games with them

Also, you should speak several languages because it’s an international camp

Write a letter applying to become a volunteer (between 140–190 words).

We need to start by finding the important information, the reason, topic and the person to whom you are writing:

Reason: applying to become a volunteer

Topic: They are looking for volunteers (camp for diabetic children)

Important information:

  1. teaching children about diabetes
  2. playing games with them
  3. knowledge of several languages

Person: the specific recipient is unknown

Step 1: Salutation

If you don’t know the name of the person you are writing to, use “Dear Sir or Madam,”, whereas if you know the person’s name you write “Dear Mr Smith” or “Dear Ms Smith”. Use the title “Ms” if you don’t know if the woman is married or unmarried.

Dear Sir / Madam, (if you don’t know the name)

Dear Mr or Mrs X (if you do know the name)

To whom it may concern

Our task..

Because in our task there is no specific recipient given to whom we are writing, we will use the formula:

Example:

Dear Sir / Madam,

Step 2: The Opening Paragraph

When beginning your formal email/letter, it’s essential that you explain to your reader your reasons for writing.

Here are some suitable phrases to do that:

I am writing to apply for the position / role of ..

I am writing in reference to your recent advertisement..

I am writing to complain about…

I am writing to express my dissatisfaction with…

Our task..

Example:

I am writing in reference to the advertisement(the reason) posted in yesterday’s newspaper about the camp for diabetic children. I would like to(polite forms) take part as a volunteer if it is possible.

We began the letter by explaining why we are writing and referred to the topic of the letter. This way, the person reading the letter will understand our motives right away.

Step 3: The next paragraphs (main content)

In the next paragraphs, you give more details about why you are writing. Give relevant information, but don’t expand too much.

Our task..

Here we need to mention all the other important details that were provided in the assignment.

  • teaching children about diabetes
  • playing games with them
  • knowledge of several languages

Example:

As you can see in my résumé, I completed a degree in nursing, so I am qualified to teach children about it. Besides, I suffer from diabetes, so I am quite familiar with this illness (point 1) and how to deal with it.

[first key point answered]

Furthermore, I have some experience organising entertaining events for children, (point 2) as I worked at a regular camp for children last summer. For this reason, I am capable of organising and playing fun games with children.

[second key point answered]

Finally, I must say that I can speak 3 languages, (point 3) since I have spent some time abroad, in England and Germany. Therefore, apart from Spanish, I am fluent in English and German.

[third key point answered]

Use linking structures to make your letter flow. “Moreover”, “Furthermore”, “In addition” are all good examples of words that can be used to link sentences together.

Use formal vocabulary – avoid simple obvious words and look for more advanced vocabulary and formal phrases.

TIP:Divide the text into paragraphs!

Using formal language means that the writing should be clear and easy to read, so organizing the content is really essential.

Each paragraph should focus on one specific topic.

Step 4: The Last Paragraph

Here is where you want to create a lasting impression on your reader. You can ask any questions but also highlight some form of action you want them to take. Take a look at these different ways to do that:

I very much hope you will…

I look forward to hearing from you soon.

I would appreciate it/ be grateful if…

I trust you will…

Our task..

Example:

Can I ask about the duration of the camp? What is the daily timetable? (ask questions) I look forward to hearing from you. (call to action)

Step 5: Closing and signing off

When signing off, look at how you started your email. If you don’t know the name of a person you can sign off with “Yours faithfully,”, and if you do know the name of the person you should use “Yours sincerely,”. Your full name, a surname, should then be written under this.

Yours sincerely, (if you know the name of the recipient)

Yours faithfully, (if you don’t know the name of the recipient)

Our task..

Example:

Yours faithfully, – you don’t know the name of the recipient
Mark Smith – remember to write your full name beneath

See Full Letter

Dear Sir or Madam,

I am writing with regard to the advertisement posted in yesterday’s newspaper about the camp for diabetic children. I would like to take part as a volunteer if it is possible.

I am writing with regard to the advertisement posted in yesterday’s newspaper about the camp for diabetic children. I would like to take part as a volunteer if it is possible.

Furthermore, I have some experience organising entertaining events for children, as I worked at a regular camp for children last summer. For this reason, I am capable of organising and playing fun games with children.

Finally, I must say that I can speak 3 languages, since I have spent some time abroad, in England and Germany. Therefore, apart from Spanish, I am fuent in English and German.

Can I ask about the duration of the camp? What is the daily timetable?I look forward to hearing from you.

Yours faithfully,
Mark

B2 First Certificate (FCE) Letter: Writing Checklist

After writing your letter, you can check it yourself using the writing checklist below.

Content

Communicative Achievement

Organisation

Language

B2 First Certificate (FCE) Letter: Tips

Begin your letter by saying why you are writing.
Remember, the letter uses formal language.
Try to avoid using exactly the same words that appear in the notes.
Make sure you have included all the points from the notes.
Use an appropriate closing formula.
Decide what each paragraph will say before you start writing; each paragraph should have a specific purpose.
Imagine you are really writing the letter and put yourself into the writer’s position.
Check your work for accuracy, punctuation and spelling.

A good formal letter should be:

Clear – plain, simple language
Concise – short, straight to the point
Correct – error-free (grammar, spelling, punctuation, content)

Keep your readers in mind when writing:

Set the correct tone
Use appropriate language
Give only relevant facts or information which is easy to understand, clear and precise

B2 First Certificate (FCE) Letter: Useful Phrases & Expressions

We'll wrap up with some useful vocabulary commonly used to organize ideas. While it might feel like taking a shortcut, learning a few key expressions for each paragraph type can help you produce a well-structured and cohesive text in your exam.

Application Letters

Greetings

Dear Sir

Dear Madam

Dear Sir/Madam

Dear Mr Brown

Dear Ms Jones etc

Reason for writing

I am writing in response to your article/advertisement/letter...

I am writing with regard to your article/advertisement/letter...

I am writing regarding your article/advertisement/letter...

I am writing on behalf of...

Referring to their letter

As you stated in your letter...

Regarding... Concerning... With regard to...

Ending the letter

I look forward to receiving your reply.

I look forward to your reply.

I look to hearing from you.

Closing

I am, yours faithfully (if you don’t know the name of the person you are writing to).

I am, yours sincerely (if you know the name of the person you are writing to).

Yours faithfully

Yours sincerely

Letters of Complain

Reasons for writing

I am writing in order to complain about.

I am writing to complain about

Introducing the complaint

Firstly...

In the first place...

First of all...

My first complaint is...

The first problem is...

The first thing I would like to draw your attention to is....

My first concern is...

Introducing further complaints

Secondly...

In the second place...

Not only... but also...

In addition.

In addition to this...

Added to this...

….was also unacceptable

Demanding action

I suggest that you replace the item...

I therefore suggest that I be given a full refund...

I would be grateful if my money was refunded...

I would be grateful if you could give me a full refund...

Letters to Request Information

Reason for writing

I am writing to receive further information about...

I am writing to enquire about. I am writing to receive more detailed information about...

I am writing to receive further details about...

Requesting first piece of information

The first thing I would like to know is.

First of all I would like to know

I wonder if you would mind telling me first of all ….?

Requesting further information

Could you also tell me...?

Could you also inform me...?

Would you also mind informing me...?

Would you also mind telling me...?

Do you know...?

I would also like to know if...

I would also like to know whether...

I hope you might also let me know about...

Thanking for information

I would like to thank you in advance for this information.

Thanking you in advance for this information.

B2 First Certificate (FCE) Letter: FAQ

What is the purpose of the letter?

The task will tell you exactly what you have to do. This may include: application letters, asking for or giving information; initiating action or responding to a request; giving feedback on suggestions; making complaints, suggestions, or corrections.

Who will read it?

Probably someone who you do not know well, if at all. This may be a named individual, or an unnamed representative of an organisation, possibly a person in a position of authority or responsibility.

What style should I use?

Be polite. Use indirect expressions, formal linking phrases and set phrases wherever appropriate. Avoid being too familiar, or using contractions and colloquial language.

What information should I include?

In a transactional letter, you will need to read all the information you are given. This will include the task itself, plus one or more additional texts, such as letters, memos, adverts, and handwritten notes. You must respond to all the questions and points in the texts or notes.