Students' questions

Here are some questions that students have asked recently, with my answers:

1. Can we get a higher score by using punctuation like semicolons?

My advice is that it's best not to focus on 'special' punctuation or grammar. You should be thinking about expressing good ideas to answer the question, rather than thinking about how you can use a complex structure. Of course you can use semicolons if they fit the context, but they are not something that you should be trying to use on purpose.

2. Is it wrong to write "Some people believe..." and "In contrast, others think..." for "agree or disagree" questions?

The simple answer is yes. "Agree or disagree" questions are asking for your opinion, not the opinions of other people. Have a look through my lessons to see examples of this type of essay.

3. If I miss the conclusion for task 2, will I lose points?

If you have already written 250 words, missing the conclusion will not affect your score. It's nice to have a conclusion, but it only repeats or summarises your ideas. The main body paragraphs are much more important.

4. Do we lose marks for writing too much?

No, you can write as many words as you want.

5. If I write "true" instead of "yes", will it be marked wrong?

I'm not 100% sure about this. Examiners are only trained to mark the writing and speaking tests, so I don't have any inside information about how they mark the reading and listening tests. I'll try to contact Cambridge to ask. For now, my advice is to check the instruction carefully and write what it tells you to write.