Philo and Sophia guide learners through the standalone Writing paper.
Writing paper: 45 minutes2 partsReading is a separate paper — see our Reading guide
Philo
Sophia, at A2 Key, Writing shared its paper with Reading. Does that continue at B1 Preliminary?
Sophia
No — this is the first level where Writing stands entirely on its own, Philo, in its own 45-minute paper with just two parts. And the tasks grow up a little too: real emails, real choices between an article or a story.
Philo
A choice already — that feels like real responsibility for a young writer.
Sophia
It is, and it's worth thinking about in advance rather than deciding on the day. Let's look at both parts.
Part 1Compulsory: write an email replying to four given content points, about 100 words
Part 2Choice: write an article or a story, about 100 words
1 The Compulsory Email
A short email is shown from a friend, containing several pieces of information and, usually, four things the friend wants to know or wants done. The task is to reply to that email, responding to all four content points, in around 100 words.
Example prompt
An email from a friend asks: what you did last weekend, whether you liked the film you saw, what you are doing next weekend, and whether they can join you.
Tip: Underline or number the four points in the original email before writing — a reply that clearly answers all four scores far better than one that answers only two or three well.
2 Article or Story: A Real Choice
Two options are offered, and only one needs to be written, in around 100 words.
The article usually responds to a question from a magazine or website — for example, describing a favourite place, or giving an opinion on a simple topic — written in a slightly more engaging, reader-friendly style than a plain answer.
The story must begin with a sentence that is given, and continue from there, telling a short, complete story that follows on naturally from that opening line.
Strategy: Choose whichever task you can picture finishing confidently in the time available — a simple, complete story beats an ambitious, unfinished article, and the reverse is equally true.
How Writing Is Scored
Each part is marked using four subscales, each out of 5: Content (does it cover what was asked, and would the reader be fully informed), Communicative Achievement (is the style and tone right for who is reading it), Organisation (does it flow logically, using suitable linking words), and Language (is the grammar and vocabulary varied and accurate). Minor slips that don't get in the way of understanding are not heavily penalised — it's errors that confuse the reader that cost the most.
0–5Content
0–5Communicative Achievement
0–5Organisation
0–5Language
Tip: Both parts are weighted equally, so spending roughly equal time and care on the compulsory email and the chosen Part 2 task matters just as much as getting either one individually perfect.