Cambridge English: Proficiency

Writing Task (go to Checklist)

Writing Paper Part 2. Task Type: Set Text - Letter
Nick Hornby's 'About a Boy'

Question
The book club that you belong to is looking for recommendations based novels with the following theme:

Write a letter to the chief librarian recommending Nick Hornby's 'About a Boy' for consideration in their future reading programme. You should discuss the significance of this theme with reference to ONE of the characters in the novel. (around 280 - 320 words)

What you need to do to pass
Read our checklist first to understand what the examiner is looking for in a good answer.

Ideas for writing
Ask yourself the following questions to help you get started:

• Begin your letter with reference to the exhibition.
• Introduce the letter by giving a very brief account of the general topic of the novel.
• Make sure you make clear the key characters and relationships in the novel. Make sure you make clear the key characters and relationships in the novel. In terms of 'dealing with vulnerability' you could examine how various relationships or life events affect the character you choose to examine.
  

Drafting and proofreading your work

You should look at your first draft of the task and decide:

• Have you answered the question fully?
• Is the layout and organisation appropriate for a letter of this kind?
• Is the language accurate with a good range of structures?
• Is the style appropriate and consistent for your letter?
• Will it have a positive effect on the reader?

If the answer is 'no' to any of these questions then you will need to do some more drafting!