This is a high-scoring sample answer for the following Cambridge B2 First writing Part 1 essay question: What are the most important things we need to do to make and keep friends? Collocations about the relationships can be found here. Below, also, is a list of less common vocabulary with definitions. Read the sample answer, then send me your essay in the comments. I will give you a quick score and also some comments if I have time. Why not start today?
B2 First Part 1 Essay Sample Answer
You must answer this question. Write your answer in 140-190 words in an appropriate style.
In your English class you have been talking about the importance of friendship. Now your English teacher has asked you to write an essay. Write an essay using all the notes and give reasons for your point of view.
What are the most important things we need to do to make and keep friends?
Notes
Write about:
- keep in touch regularly
- always tell a friend the truth
- (your own idea)
To start and maintain friendships, it is essential to realise there are times when to make friends, how to stay in contact with them and be honest.
Meeting new friends is usually complex and often problematic. Meeting someone at a party or in a bar is great at the time, but if alcohol is involved, maybe the other person is exaggerating or just lying. Meeting them again or on a regular basis is a firmer foundation for friendship.
However, a friend who only gets in touch when they need something and who disappears when the roles are reversed, is not a true friend, Friends should be able to share details of their lives and help each other make decisions. Communication is the key, even if they live far away.
This communication should also be honest and reliable. Friends should be able to tell each other the truth even if it is harsh or difficult to hear. If friends will not tell you, there are not many others who will, apart from your mother.
In conclusion, there are various ways to make friends and continue the relationship.
Remember to post your essay in the comments at the bottom of this page so I can give you a score!
Less Common Vocabulary for B2 First Writing
maintain – to preserve from failure or decline
problematic – constituting or presenting a problem
exaggerating – to make something seem larger, more important, better, or worse than it really is
on a regular basis – regularly
a firm foundation – a good place to start building a building, relationship or business
the roles are reversed – where the parts people play become the opposite
Even more vocabulary on relationships is available here.
Remember to post your essay in the comments at the bottom of this page so I can give you a score!
Related Content
B2 First Writing Part 2 Quiz
Test your knowledge of B2 First writing Part 2 by taking this extensive quiz. Do you know all the answers? Will you get a perfect score? Try it and see!
B2 First Writing Part 1 Quiz
Make sure you know as much as you should for your B2 First Writing Part 1 by taking this quiz. It could make the difference between success and failure!
B2 First Writing Part 2 Information and Advice
Many students seem to miss basic facts about B2 First Writing Part 2, so this page is to fill in some of that missing information. There are also separate pages…
B2 First Writing Part 1 Information and Advice
Many students seem to miss basic facts about B2 First Writing Part 1, so this page is to fill in some of that missing information. There are also separate pages…
B2 First Writing Information and Advice
Many students seem to miss basic facts about the B2 First Writing test, so this page is to fill in some of that missing information. There are also separate pages…
How to Avoid Making Sweeping Statements
Sweeping statements are statements which cover a broad topic in a concise or even terse manner. They make it seem as if everybody does something. This is really common in…
Writing a B2 First Report
Writing a B2 First report is one of the options in the second part of the B2 First Writing exam. You must always write an essay in the first section;…
Tone / Formality for Better Letters and Emails – B2 First
Emails are considered to be less formal than letters, but these days letters are not used very often, so formal emails are common too. As a result, the tone /…
Essay Planning for a High Score in B2 First
Essay planning starts long before you take your writing test. You should know your strengths and weaknesses as well as your preferred ways to write essays. If you have practiced…
First of all, Marianna, I’m really sorry for such a late reply.
There is a lot I could say about this essay but basically, it boils down to two main points. There are far too many simple errors here for the standard of your writing, it makes me think you wrote it in a rush. ALWAYS read what you have written so you can correct little errors such as these. Here, they include wrong spacing ‘I tis’, issues with apostrophes ‘it”s’ and spelling mistakes ‘Allways’ and ‘perserving’.
The other issue is that it is too long, at 236 words, when it should between 140 and 190 words. It is obvious to me that you can write well, but you must learn to write according to the task. The time you took to write the extra words could have been used to proofread your essay, which would have improved the score. This would still mean you would probably just make the C1 level at 180.
Hi Rafa,
Really good essay, well done. It is well structured, coherent throughout and uses good vocabulary. However, there a few times when that vocabulary is too informal. ‘In my book’ and ‘buddies’ in particular. A few other minor points are, ‘it is needles to say’ seems to have been pushed in to show what you can do, while the goal is to be as natural as possible. ‘ In conclusion and having considered all of the above’ is more or less saying the same thing twice. Overall a great essay that would have no problem passing the B2 First Writing test. You would probably come very close to getting full marks for this, an 18 or 19 test score, which equates to a Cambridge score of around 180, which is C1 level.
In my book, the pillars for making and maintaining friendships are as follows.
First and foremost, meeting buddies again or on a regular basis is a firmer foundation for long-lasting relationships. On the other hand, a person who only gets in touch when they need something and who disappears when the roles are reversed is not a true friend at all.
Secondly, it is needless to say that honest and transparent communications are essential for any companionship. In addition, this dialogue should also be reliable. Friends should be able to tell each other the truth even if it is harsh or difficult to hear. If friends will not tell you, there are not many others who will, apart from your mother.
Last but not least, friendship plays a crucial role in our well-being, as it provides emotional support and a deep sense of belonging. This encourages personal growth and contributes significantly to our overall happiness.
In conclusion and having considered all of the above, there are several reasons why making friends and continuing the relationship are so important. They provide partnership, support, and countless opportunities for great personal development.
As humans are social creatures, it comes naturally for them to search for new freinds and build strong, long-lasting relationships. It is needless to say that it could eventually be challenging to form a new friendship and maintain it as well. Therefore many discussions on how to make friends and maintain the bond are currently being held.
First and foremost, i tis essential for friends to keep in touch. This way, enough opportunities to catch up on each other“s lives will be provided. I is also important to create memorable and heart-warming memories and that is only possible through spending a sufficient amount of time together.
Furthermore, honesty should be not forgotten. Allways telling the truth is the key to building trust in any relationship, regardless of it“s kind. What is more, knowing that one is trust-worthy is going to help that person create meaningful friendships that are easier to mainain.
Additionally, it is believed that realiability poses a rather important factor regarding friendships. One will allways highly evaluate when they can rely on a person. Therefore being allways there for others is going to be appreciated.
Having taken everything into consideration, it is my firm belief that the most important factors in making and keeping friends include spending time together regularly and showing honesty and reliability. Should these recommendations be carried out, the issue of creating and perserving a friendship is bound to be a resounding success.