Writing - LanguageCert B1 Achiever
Writing is a 50-minute paper in the LanguageCert B1 Achiever written exam. It has two tasks: a shorter informal or transactional message, and a longer text such as an article, story or letter. You are assessed on task achievement, organisation and language. At B1, clear communication matters more than ambitious vocabulary, but errors must not block meaning.
Core rules
- Plan for three to five minutes: identify the reader, purpose and each bullet point you must cover.
- Use paragraphs with a clear function: greeting and purpose, details, action or closing.
- Match register: informal emails can use contractions and friendly phrases; an article needs a clear introduction and conclusion.
- Use linkers such as ‘however’, ‘so’, ‘although’ and ‘first of all’ to connect ideas.
- Leave time to check subject–verb agreement, past simple forms, articles and word count.
Worked example
Task: Write an email to an English friend inviting them to visit your town. Plan: greet; state purpose; give two reasons to visit; suggest dates; invite a reply. Model lines: ‘Hi Sam, How are you? I’m writing to invite you to my town next month. There’s a great market on Saturdays, and the new sports centre is opening. Would you like to come on the weekend of 12 May? Let me know.’ Reasoning: the email covers purpose, details and invitation; ‘Would you like to come?’ is more appropriate than ‘I want you come’; the final question gives a reason to reply. Each sentence has a job.
Traps that cost marks
- Copying the prompt instead of developing it.
- Missing one bullet point, which limits task achievement.
- Mixing formal and informal language in the same message.
- Writing a long introduction and no conclusion.