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Paper 2 Part 2 – Review
A REVIEW may be about a book, magazine, film, play or concert; it may also be about a product or a service. A review in the Cambridge English: Advanced Writing paper does not merely ask for a general description of the thing reviewed, but requires an evaluation of its suitability for a particular purpose or audience. The target reader is specified in the task, and candidates should be encouraged to use this information when choosing appropriate ideas and language to include in their response.
Hints
- A title is advisable.
- Think what your are trying to achieve and, in the introduction, DO give your reader and indication of the structure of your review. You should also raise a question in your reader’s mind.
- Start a new paragraph for every item/aspect you are addressing in your review.
- Try to make it interesting by using a wide range of vocabulary: colourful, lively language; comparisons to describe something; specialised topic vocabulary.
- DO give your assessment of what you are reviewing and DO NOT forget to cover all the points mentioned in the task input.
- DO include a final recommendation or evaluation in the final paragraph.
Don’t forget!
- The target reader is specified in the question, so the candidate knows not only what register is appropriate, but also has an idea about the kind of information to include.
- Language of opinion (positive, negative), recommendation, description is necessary.
Useful language for a review
What I liked
- What I liked most was …..
- The thing I liked most was ….
- I was pleasantly surprised by …..
- ….. would appeal to …..
- If you get a chance to ….
What I disliked
- What I disliked most was …..
- I was disappointed by/with ……
Reviews of books
- main character
- is set in
- Fiction: science fiction / thriller / fantasy / mystery / historical / romance …
- Non-fiction: cook book / travel book / textbook / manual / coffee-table book …
- atmosphere / plot
- author
- written by
- chapter
- factual
- unbelievable
- bestseller
- ending
Reviews of concerts
- artist / band / musician / (bass/lead/rhythm) guitarist / (backing/lead) singer / drummer / soloist / trio / orchestra
- auditorium / hall / venue / lyrics / (catchy) tune / score / gig
Reviews of exhibitions
- painting / sculpture / handicrafts
- gallery / catalogue / display
Reviews of films
- lead role
- star role
- star
- star actor/actress
- starring
- secondary role
- He plays a …….
- written by ….
- cast / director / producer
- is set in …..
- based on a true story …..
- believable
- true to life
- not very believable
- far-fetched
- (As for fiction books +): animation / adaptation / comedy
- Costumes / design / photography / script / special effects / soundtrack
- ending
Reviews of plays
- scene / act / set / stage / interval
Reviews of TV programmes
- Chat shows / current affairs programme / debate / documentary / series / soap opera/ sitcom (situation comedy)
- Host / presenter
Reviews of hotels, restaurants, etc
- location
- service
- setting
- attractive / disappointing setting
- owned by
- run by
- head chef (restaurant)
- waiters (restaurant)
- staff …….
- staff at reception …….(hotel)
- hotel facilities ….
- reasonable prices …..
- good/excellent/poor value for money …..
- (a bit/somehow) expensive
- overpriced
- not worth the money
- always fully booked
- book in advance
Criticism
- The script seemed rather conventional/predictable to me.
- The plot struck me as completely bizarre/absurd/incomprehensible
- The characters are appealing and true to life
- The dancers were quite brilliant/amateurish
Recommendations
- I would strongly encourage you not to miss/not to waste your money on…
- I would definitely recommend seeing/visiting/reading/having a look at …