Writing is an essential skill for anyone learning a new language, and it’s no different for English learners.
Whether you’re studying English for work, education, or personal growth, improving your writing abilities is crucial for success.
Unfortunately, many learners struggle with knowing what writing tasks they should be able to complete at different levels, as well as the grammar topics and vocabulary they need to master in order to write effectively.
That’s why I’ve put together this table, which outlines the writing tasks, grammar topics, and vocabulary needed for each level of the Cambridge tests. Whether you’re just starting out at A2 (pre-intermediate) or are working towards C2 proficiency (high-advanced), this table will help you identify the skills you need to improve your writing and achieve your language learning goals.
| Exam name | Level | Writing Tasks | Grammar Topics | Vocabulary | Specific Writing Task |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| A2 Key | A2 Pre-intermediate | Short messages and notes; Form filling; Informal emails or letters | Simple present and past tenses; Be, do, have, can, and other auxiliary verbs; Personal pronouns; Basic prepositions and conjunctions | Everyday vocabulary (e.g. family, hobbies, weather, shopping); Common verbs and adjectives; Basic question words (e.g. who, what, where, when, why) | Write a postcard to a friend about your holiday plans. Write a short email to your teacher asking for information about an assignment Write a short email to your friend telling him/her what you did on your last holidays |
| B1 Preliminary | B1 Intermediate | Descriptive texts (e.g. postcards, blog entries); Emails, letters, or reports giving information, opinions, and suggestions | Present, past, and future tenses; Modal verbs (e.g. can, could, should, would); Adjectives and adverbs; Relative clauses; Indirect speech | Common expressions and idioms; Academic vocabulary (e.g. education, environment, technology); Phrases for giving opinions and making suggestions | Write a letter to a pen pal describing your city. Write an email to a colleague about a project proposal. Write a short story using the narrative tenses. |
| B2 First | B2 High-Intermediate | Essays or articles expressing opinions or presenting arguments; Reports or reviews summarizing and evaluating information | Passive voice; Conditionals; Reported speech; Gerunds and infinitives; Phrasal verbs | Advanced vocabulary related to specific topics (e.g. politics, economics, culture); Formal and informal vocabulary (e.g. synonyms for common words); Technical terms and jargon | Write a report on the advantages and disadvantages of social media. Write a review of a book you’ve recently read. Write an essay arguing for or against the use of technology in education. Write a report evaluating the effectiveness of a new marketing campaign Write a review of a book or movie. |
| C1 Advanced | C1 Advanced | Discursive essays, proposals, or letters arguing a point of view; Reports, reviews, or critiques analyzing and evaluating complex information | Subjunctive mood; Complex sentence structures (e.g. cleft sentences, inversion, fronting); Conjunctions and connectors (e.g. however, despite, furthermore); Reduced relative clauses; Indirect questions | Advanced and specialized vocabulary for academic and professional contexts; Register and style appropriate to the audience and purpose | Write a formal letter to a government official addressing a social issue. Write an essay analyzing a literary work. Write a research paper on the effects of climate change. Write a report analyzing the impact of social media on society. |
| C2 Proficiency | C2 High-advanced | Essays or research papers on complex topics with an original thesis and well-supported arguments; Formal reports, proposals, or reviews demonstrating advanced research skills and academic rigor. | Advanced grammar structures (e.g. conditional perfect, passive with two objects); Complex noun phrases and sentence patterns; Discourse markers and cohesive devices; Register and style (e.g. formal and informal language, hedging, and mitigation) | Sophisticated and precise vocabulary appropriate for academic and professional contexts; Nuanced and idiomatic expressions; Terminology and jargon specific to a field of study or profession | Write a research article on a topic in your field of study. Write a professional report on a business proposal. Write a thesis statement for a masters/doctoral dissertation. |
With this table, you now have a clear roadmap of the writing tasks, grammar topics, and vocabulary needed for each level of the Cambridge tests. Use it as a guide to focus your studies and improve your writing skills in English.
Remember, practice makes progress, so don’t be afraid to write, revise, and get feedback from qualified English teachers or tutors. With dedication and hard work, you can become a proficient writer in English and open up new opportunities for personal and professional growth.
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*Created with the help of AI
Pro tips for writing informal emails
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Watch the following video to learn more vocabulary to talk about advantages and disadvantages
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