Useful language for a report
Stating the purpose of the report
The principal aim/objective/purpose of this report is to provide a description of... / to
provide/to present results of /to assess the importance of ...
In this report I will provide a description of ... / I will provide/present results of .../ I
will assess the importance of...
This report describes/provides an assessment of... / describes/provides/presents
results of...
Describing how you got the information
I conducted a survey of / I conducted interviews with local council officers ...
... responded to an online questionnaire.
I visited three of the most popular ...
... were invited to attend a focus group...
Reporting your results
Most of those responding to the survey stated that/expressed the opinion that ...
According to ...
A large/considerable/significant/ proportion of respondents/informants/those
surveyed said that ...
Nearly three quarters of the ...
Presenting a list
The arguments against ... are the following:
1. ...
2. ...
The following were the main reasons given for supporting ...: firstly, ..., secondly, ...
Points our informants mentioned in favour of/against ... were:
1. ...
2. ...
There are several ways in which ... might be ... :
1. ...
2. ...
Making recommendations
Taking all the factors mentioned into account/
In the light of the results of the survery/questionnaire, ... would appear to be the
most viable solution/option/approach.
I would therefore recommend ....
Clearly, more could be done to .... I would make the following recommendations:
...
...
...
CAE - report
Paper 2 Part 2 - Report
A REPORT may be written for a superior (e.g. a boss or college principal) or a peer group
(e.g. club members or colleagues). The content of a report is to some extent factual and
draws on the prompt material, but there will be scope for candidates to make use of their
own ideas and experience.
Candidates will be asked to do more than describe a situation; they may be asked to
evaluate to what extent a particular aim has been achieved, or to suggest an alternative
course of action.
Hints
Begin by stating the purpose of your report.
You may use invented statistics to provide a succinct summary of your results.
Use a clear layout with:
Headings. They will make it clear that your report is not an essay or review.
Lists of numbered points or bullets where appropriate. (DON'T overdo it,
though. If you use them in more than one section, you won't be able to
show the full range of structures and vocabulary you know.)
Develop the ideas according to the task.
Include a sentence summarising your opinion at the beginning of the final
section of your report.
Use an impersonal, formal style.
