Writing an Article for the First Exam - B2 English Writing — Explanation

In Part 2 of the Cambridge B2 First Writing exam, you may choose to write an article for a magazine, website or school publication. A successful B2 article answers every part of the task while entertaining the reader with a catchy title, a lively opening, personal opinions and specific examples.

What makes a B2 First article different?

An essay normally uses a neutral or formal tone. An article is more personal and direct. You can address the reader, ask questions, use contractions and share experiences. However, it still needs accurate B2 grammar, logical paragraphs and a clear response to the task.

Example B2 First article task

Articles wanted: A day without screens

Could you spend a whole day without your phone, computer or television? What would you do instead, and how might the experience benefit you?

Write your article. The most interesting articles will appear in our international student magazine.

The task has two content points: what you would do and how the experience could help. Both must be developed. The audience is a student magazine, so a friendly, energetic style is appropriate.

Plan your article

1. Underline every question or bullet point in the task.
2. Choose one main idea for each body paragraph.
3. Add a personal example or vivid detail.
4. Decide on an engaging opening and a memorable final thought.
5. Create your title after planning so that it reflects the whole article.

Write a title that attracts attention

A good title is short, relevant and interesting. Questions and surprising claims often work well:

• Could You Survive a Screen-Free Saturday?
• The Day My Phone Stayed Silent
• Switch Off and Get Your Day Back

Avoid broad titles such as Technology or My Article.

Catch the reader in the introduction

The first two sentences should create curiosity and establish the topic. You can ask a direct question, make a surprising statement or begin with a brief scene.

When was the last time you spent an entire day without looking at a screen? If your honest answer is “I can’t remember”, you are definitely not alone.

Develop the body with opinions and examples

Use two or three focused paragraphs. Explain rather than list. A concrete detail makes an idea convincing and memorable.

Personally, I would start by cycling to the lake with a few friends. Without messages interrupting us every minute, we could actually finish a conversation. I once left my phone at home during a hiking trip, and by lunchtime I had stopped wondering what I was missing online.

A screen-free day would also make space for activities that demand real concentration, such as cooking a complicated meal or learning a song on an instrument. These experiences may seem slower than scrolling through videos, but the feeling of achievement lasts much longer.

Finish with impact

Do not merely repeat the introduction. Sum up your central message, offer advice or challenge the reader.

All in all, switching off for one day would not make life boring; it might remind us how much is happening beyond the screen. Why not try it next weekend and see what you notice?

Complete model article

Could You Survive a Screen-Free Saturday?

When was the last time you spent an entire day without looking at a screen? If your honest answer is “I can’t remember”, you are definitely not alone. Still, I believe one screen-free day could be exactly what many of us need.

Personally, I would start by cycling to the lake with a few friends. Without messages interrupting us every minute, we could actually finish a conversation. I once left my phone at home during a hiking trip and, guess what, by lunchtime I had stopped wondering what I was missing online.

I would also choose an activity that requires full attention, such as cooking a complicated meal or learning a song on the guitar. From my experience, making something yourself produces a far deeper sense of satisfaction than watching someone else do it in a short video.

All in all, switching off for one day would not make life boring; it might remind us how much is happening beyond the screen. Why not try it next weekend and see what you notice?

Useful language for a B2 article

• Engaging the reader: Have you ever…?; Imagine…; Let’s be honest…; You might be surprised to learn…
• Giving opinions: Personally, I think…; In my view…; From my experience…
• Adding ideas: What’s more…; On top of that…; Another reason is…
• Giving examples: For example…; For instance…; One good example is…; such as…
• Concluding: All in all…; Overall, I’d say…; To sum up…

Language that keeps readers interested

Use precise adjectives, strong verbs and varied sentence lengths. Instead of It was good, write The atmosphere was welcoming. Instead of I went quickly, use I rushed. One short sentence after a longer description can create emphasis: Then everything went silent.

Rhetorical questions and direct address are useful, but do not overuse them. Two or three reader-focused moments are usually enough.

Common article-writing mistakes

• Missing one of the questions in the task.
• Using an essay-like title and a distant, formal voice.
• Writing a lively introduction but giving no real examples.
• Using informal language that becomes careless or inaccurate.
• Repeating the same linking phrase in every paragraph.
• Ending suddenly without a summary, recommendation or final thought.

B2 First article checklist

• Does the title make the topic appealing?
• Have you answered every content point?
• Does the introduction catch attention immediately?
• Have you included opinions and specific examples?
• Is the tone lively but appropriate for the target reader?
• Does the final paragraph leave the reader with a clear message?
• Is the article within the required word limit?

Complete the three exercises below to practise engaging expressions, article organisation and cohesive language.