C1 Advanced Writing Part 2: How to Choose the Best Task

C1 Advanced Writing Part 2 can be confusing for many learners because you are given a choice. At first, this may sound like good news. However, when you are sitting in the exam and looking at three different tasks, it can suddenly feel difficult to decide which one to write.

• Should you choose the review because it looks more creative?
• Should you choose the report because it has clear headings?
• Should you choose the proposal because you know some useful formal phrases?
• Or should you choose the letter or email because it feels more natural?

In this lesson, we will look at C1 Advanced Writing Part 2, the possible task types, how to choose the best task for you, and what mistakes to avoid.

---

What is C1 Advanced Writing Part 2?

In the C1 Advanced Writing paper, Part 1 is compulsory. You must write an essay.

Part 2 is different. You are given a choice of three tasks, and you choose one. The possible task types are:

• letter or email
• proposal
• report
• review

You must write between 220 and 260 words.

The important thing to remember is this: the best task is not always the easiest-looking task. The best task is the one you can answer clearly, fully and accurately.

---

What Should You Think about Before Choosing a Task?

Before you start writing, take a minute to read all three options carefully. Do not choose too quickly. Many students lose marks because they choose the task that looks familiar, but then realise they do not have enough ideas.

Ask yourself these questions:

• Do I understand exactly what I have to write?
• Do I know who the target reader is?
• Can I organise my answer clearly?
• Do I have enough ideas for all parts of the task?
• Do I know what style and tone to use?
• Can I use suitable vocabulary for this topic?

If the answer is yes, that task may be a good choice.

---

Task type 1: Letter or Email

A letter or email in C1 Advanced can be formal, semi-formal or informal. This depends on the target reader and the situation.

You may need to write to:

• a manager
• a college director
• an editor
• a friend
• a member of a club
• an organiser of an event

The biggest challenge with letters and emails is tone. You need to decide how formal your writing should be.

When Should You Choose a Letter or Email?

Choose this task if:

• you are confident with formal and semi-formal language
• you understand who you are writing to
• you can organise your ideas into clear paragraphs
• you know how to open and close the letter or email appropriately
• the topic gives you enough to say

A letter or email can be a good choice because it often feels more natural than a report or proposal. However, you must be careful not to make it too conversational if the situation is formal.

Useful Phrases for Formal Letters and Emails

• I am writing in response to…
• I would like to express my concern about…
• I would be grateful if you could…
• I would like to suggest that…
• I hope you will take these comments into consideration.
• I look forward to hearing from you.

Common Mistakes in Letters and Emails

One common mistake is using the wrong tone. For example, if you are writing to the director of a college, you should not sound too casual.

Too informal:

Hi there,

I just wanted to tell you that the course was not great.

Better:

Dear Sir or Madam,

I am writing to express my concerns about the course I attended recently.

Another mistake is forgetting the purpose of the task. A letter or email is not just a friendly message. In the exam, it usually has a clear purpose: to complain, suggest, explain, recommend, apologise or give information.

---

Task type 2: Report

A report is a formal or semi-formal piece of writing. It usually describes a situation, evaluates information and sometimes makes recommendations.

Reports are often written for:

• a teacher
• a manager
• a committee
• a college director
• an organisation

A report should be clearly organised with headings. This makes it easier for the reader to follow your ideas.

When Should You Choose a Report?

Choose a report if:

• you like organised writing
• you are good at using headings
• you can describe and evaluate a situation
• you can make practical recommendations
• you prefer clear structure to creative writing

Reports are a good choice for students who like order. There is no need to be dramatic or poetic. You need to be clear, logical and useful.

A typical report structure might be:

• Introduction
• Current situation
• Main findings
• Recommendations
• Conclusion

Useful Phrases for Reports

• The aim of this report is to…
• This report is based on…
• The majority of students said that…
• One of the main issues is…
• It is clear that…
• It would be advisable to…
• On balance, I would recommend…

Common Mistakes in Reports

One common mistake is writing a report like an essay. A report should not be one long text with no headings. It should be divided into clear sections.

Another mistake is giving opinions without evidence or explanation.

Weak:

• The facilities are bad.

Better:

• Many students have complained that the facilities are outdated, particularly the computers and study areas.

A report should sound professional and balanced. You can give opinions, but they should be supported by reasons.

---

Task type 3: Proposal

A proposal is similar to a report, but the purpose is slightly different. A report often describes and evaluates a situation. A proposal focuses more strongly on suggestions for future action.

In other words:

• A report explains what the situation is.
• A proposal explains what should happen next.

You may be asked to write a proposal about:

• improving a school facility
• organising a new event
• attracting more people to a club
• improving a service
• solving a problem in a local community
• introducing new activities

When Should You Choose a Proposal?

Choose a proposal if:

• you can think of practical suggestions quickly
• you are good at explaining benefits
• you can use formal recommendation phrases
• you like structured writing
• the task asks you to suggest improvements or future changes

A proposal is a strong choice if you know how to organise it. It is not difficult once you understand the structure.

A useful proposal structure is:

• Introduction
• Current situation
• Recommendations
• Expected results
• Conclusion

Useful Phrases for Proposals

• The aim of this proposal is to…
• This proposal outlines several ways to…
• It would be advisable to…
• One possible solution would be to…
• I would recommend introducing…
• This would lead to…
• As a result, students would be more likely to…
• For these reasons, I strongly recommend that…

Common Mistakes in Proposals

One common mistake is giving suggestions without explaining why they are useful.

Weak:

• The school should organise more activities.

Better:

• The school should organise more speaking activities, as this would give students regular opportunities to practise English in a relaxed and supportive environment.

Another mistake is being too informal.

Too informal:

• We should get some better stuff for the club.

Better:

• It is recommended that the club should invest in more suitable equipment and provide a wider range of activities.

A proposal should sound polite, practical and persuasive.

---

Task type 4: Review

A review is different from the other task types because it is more opinion-based. You may be asked to review:

• a book
• a film
• a play
• a website
• a course
• a restaurant
• an event
• a hotel
• a product
• an exhibition

The purpose of a review is to describe something, evaluate it and usually recommend it or not recommend it.

When Should You Choose a Review?

Choose a review if:

• you enjoy giving opinions
• you can describe experiences clearly
• you have enough vocabulary for the topic
• you can make your writing interesting
• you understand who the review is for

A review can be enjoyable to write, but do not treat it as a casual social media comment. At C1 level, your writing should be rich, organised and precise.

Useful Phrases for Reviews

• The story is set in…
• One of the most impressive features is…
• What makes this book particularly engaging is…
• The main strength of the film is…
• However, one weakness is…
• I would highly recommend this to anyone who…
• Despite a few minor weaknesses, it is well worth…

Common Mistakes in Reviews

One mistake is only describing the thing without evaluating it.

For example, if you are reviewing a film, do not simply retell the story. You need to comment on the acting, plot, atmosphere, characters, message or overall effect.

Weak:

• The film is about a young man who moves to London and meets new people.

Better:

• Although the plot is fairly simple, the film is highly engaging because of its realistic characters, sharp dialogue and emotional depth.

Another mistake is using language that is too simple.

Too simple:

• The book was good and I liked it.

Better:

• The book was both thought-provoking and beautifully written, with characters who felt convincing from the very first chapter.

---

Which C1 Advanced Writing Part 2 task is the easiest?

There is no single easiest task for everyone. It depends on your strengths.

If you like structure, you may prefer reports and proposals.

If you enjoy expressing opinions, you may prefer reviews.

If you are good at tone and polite language, you may prefer letters and emails.

However, many students find reports and proposals easier to organise because they can use headings. Headings help you plan your answer and make your writing clearer.

On the other hand, reviews can be easier if you have a strong vocabulary and enjoy writing in a more engaging style.

The best advice is simple: practise all four task types before the exam. Then, in the exam, choose the task that gives you the clearest ideas.

How to Choose the Best Task in the Exam

When you open the Writing paper, do not panic. Read the three Part 2 tasks slowly and compare them.

Here is a simple method:

1. Read the context

Ask yourself: What is the situation?

Are you writing for a school, a company, a magazine, a website, a club or a friend?

2. Identify the target reader

Ask yourself: Who will read this?

The target reader affects your tone. A message to a friend will sound different from a proposal for a college director.

3. Underline the main points

Most tasks include several things you must cover. Underline them so you do not forget anything.

For example, the task may ask you to:

• describe a problem
• suggest two solutions
• explain the benefits
• give your opinion
• make a recommendation

You must answer all parts of the task.

4. Think of ideas quickly

Before choosing, ask yourself: Can I think of enough ideas?

If you can only think of one weak idea, choose another task.

5. Choose the task with the clearest structure

The best task is usually the one you can organise most clearly. At C1 level, organisation is extremely important.

---

A Quick Comparison of the Task Types

Letter or email

Best for students who are confident with tone and polite language.

Main challenge: choosing the right level of formality.

Report

Best for students who like facts, organisation and clear headings.

Main challenge: sounding professional and not too personal.

Proposal

Best for students who can suggest practical improvements and explain benefits.

Main challenge: making recommendations specific and persuasive.

Review

Best for students who enjoy giving opinions and using descriptive language.

Main challenge: evaluating, not just describing.

---

Common Mistakes in C1 Advanced Writing Part 2

1. Choosing too quickly

Do not choose the first task that looks familiar. Read all three options first. Sometimes the easiest-looking task has a topic you cannot write about well.

2. Ignoring the target reader

The target reader tells you how formal your writing should be. If you ignore the reader, your tone may be wrong.

For example, a review for a student magazine can be lively and engaging. A report for a college director should be more formal and objective.

3. Not answering all parts of the task

This is a serious mistake. If the task asks you to describe a problem, suggest solutions and explain benefits, you must do all three.

Do not focus only on the part you like.

4. Using simple vocabulary

At C1 level, you should show a good range of vocabulary. This does not mean using long, unnatural words. It means using precise and appropriate language.

Instead of:

• The course was good.

You could write:

• The course was well organised, highly practical and particularly useful for students preparing for international exams.

5. Writing without paragraphs

Clear paragraphs are essential. Each paragraph should have a clear purpose.

Avoid writing one long block of text. It is difficult to read and makes your answer look poorly organised.

6. Forgetting headings in reports and proposals

Reports and proposals are usually easier to read when they have headings. Headings also help you organise your answer quickly in the exam.

Useful headings include:

• Introduction
• Current Situation
• Main Problems
• Recommendations
• Expected Benefits
• Conclusion

7. Being too informal

C1 Advanced does not mean you must always sound extremely formal, but you should avoid language that is too casual unless the task clearly allows it.

Avoid expressions such as:

• loads of
• stuff
• things are rubbish
• it was super nice
• I really, really liked it

Use more precise language instead.

8. Memorising whole answers

Learning useful phrases is helpful. Memorising whole answers is not.

The exam task will be specific, so you need to adapt your language to the situation. Examiners want to see that you can communicate naturally and effectively, not that you have copied a prepared answer.

---

How to practise C1 Advanced Writing Part 2

The best way to prepare is to practise one task type at a time.

For example:

Week 1: letters and emails

Week 2: reports

Week 3: proposals

Week 4: reviews

For each task type, learn:

• the purpose
• the typical structure
• useful phrases
• common mistakes
• one or two model answers

After that, practise choosing between different tasks. Give yourself three possible tasks and choose the one you would write in the exam. Explain why you chose it.

This will help you become faster and more confident.

---

Exam Tip: Choose Clarity over Creativity

Many students think they must write something very original to get a high mark. This is not true.

In C1 Advanced Writing Part 2, clarity is more important than dramatic creativity. Your answer should be well organised, relevant, accurate and suitable for the reader.

A simple idea explained well is much better than a complicated idea expressed badly.

---

Final thoughts

C1 Advanced Writing Part 2 gives you a choice, but that choice should be made carefully. Do not simply choose the task that looks easiest. Choose the task you can answer most clearly, with suitable language, good organisation and enough relevant ideas.

If you enjoy structured writing, reports and proposals may be a good choice. If you like giving opinions, reviews may suit you better. If you are confident with tone and polite expressions, letters and emails can work well.

Before the exam, practise all four task types: letter or email, proposal, report and review. Then, when exam day comes, you will not waste time worrying about which task to choose. You will know exactly what to look for — and you will be ready to write with confidence.

---

Practice Task

Look at the four situations below. Decide which task type would be most suitable: letter/email, report, proposal or review.

1. Your college wants to improve its study facilities. You have been asked to suggest practical changes and explain how students would benefit.
2. A website for English learners has asked readers to write about a language learning app they have used.
3. Your manager has asked you to describe the success of a recent training day and suggest improvements for future events.
4. You recently attended a course, but you were disappointed with several aspects of it. You want to write to the course organiser and explain your concerns.

Suggested answers

1. Proposal
2. Review
3. Report
4. Letter or email

Remember: in the exam, the task type is usually given to you. However, this exercise helps you understand the purpose of each type of writing.

Related posts:

How to Write a C1 Advanced Essay 

How to Write a Proposal in English

How to Write an Article for C1 Advanced 

Writing a Letter of Complaint 

How to Write a Good Essay Introduction

How to Write a Good Essay Conclusion 

How to Use Discourse Markers

Visit our bookshop for more