B2 First
Sample Test 2
Writing sample answers
Please note the sample answers given here show just one of many different approaches.
Part 1
Question 1
Sample answer:
All cultures have their own musical traditions, and most human beings enjoy music of one kind or
another. In many societies, music is something that people enjoy as a group and is something that
people love to share.
At celebrations of all kinds, like weddings, for instance, music is often an important part of the event.
Depending on the type of celebration, people can sing and dance, or just listen. The fact that everyone
is together, hearing the same thing, helps to make people feel closer and part of a community.
However, what sounds wonderful to one person may sound awful to another. Some people love rock,
while others hate it. Some people are carried away by the beauty of classical music, whereas others
simply feel bored.
In everyday life, though, music is often something that friends enjoy together, either as listeners or
players. People also can learn about other cultures all over the world by listening to their music and
understanding each other better. Therefore, despite the fact that not everyone has the same musical
tastes, I think that music is a great way to bring people together.
Part 2
Question 2
Sample answer:
Dear Ms Barri,
I am writing in response to your advertisement asking for people to work as tour guides. I am a
student at college and am very interested in doing this work during the summer holidays.
At college, I have learned a lot about the history of this area, and have already visited most of the
places where tourists like to go when they come here. I have always enjoyed finding out about these
beautiful sights and would love to be able to share my enthusiasm for them with people coming here
for the first time.
I am very sociable and outgoing, and my friends tell me that I am good at making even quite shy
people feel comfortable and relaxed. I am also very patient and never lose my temper. I therefore feel
confident that I could handle any difficult situations that might arise.
My English is of intermediate level, and my teacher says I am a good communicator, so I believe I would
be suitable for this position.
I hope that you will consider my application, and I look forward to hearing from you.
Yours sincerely,
Leo Jumai
1 © Cambridge University Press and UCLES 2021
B2 First Writing Sample Test 2 Sample Answers
Question 3
Sample answer:
The nightmare of plastic waste
I saw an excellent documentary last week about plastic pollution. All the plastic waste in the world’s
oceans is a huge issue nowadays and it’s important that people should be aware of this.
The film not only explained the terrible impact of plastic pollution on sea creatures, but also
showed that there are solutions to this problem. However, it made it clear that people need to take
responsibility and change their lifestyles urgently, before it’s too late.
The director and camera crew travelled all over the world to make the film, and the photography was
excellent. There were lots of interviews with international experts. The only thing that I didn’t like
so much was the music. Not everyone would agree with me, of course, but I don’t think that it was
necessary in many of the scenes. I actually found it a bit irritating at times.
I would definitely recommend this film, especially to other people my age. We are the younger
generation, and though we did not cause these problems, we are going to have to do our best to clear
the world up!
Question 4
Sample answer:
Happiness
What makes you happy? Spending time with friends? Shopping? Walking on the beach? A wide variety
of things make me feel good, and they range from sharing experiences with other people to being
completely alone with a good book.
Being with family and friends makes me happy because I can laugh and relax with the people I love best,
and reading quietly makes me happy too. This is because I can enjoy becoming completely absorbed in
another world, one often very different from my own.
Most of the things I like require little or no money, and I don’t believe that happiness depends on how
much money you have. Although money makes life easier, and I know I’m lucky to have enough not to
ever be hungry or cold, I think it’s still possible to enjoy life without being rich.
I don’t know whether people can actually learn to be happy, but it’s important to try and appreciate
the good things that we have. Maybe being content with our daily lives, appreciating small things, is
almost a skill. Some people have it naturally, while others can try to acquire it.
© Cambridge University Press and UCLES 2021 2
