Module 5 · Reviews, Multiple Matching & Discussion · Lesson 17
Writing the Review
A review describes, evaluates and recommends — with personality. Learn the structure Cambridge examiners reward: engaging opening, balanced evaluation, clear recommendation, and a voice that sounds like a real person, not a form.
Get talking · Section 1
5 minThink of the last restaurant, film or app you tried. In one sentence, would you recommend it? Why?
A film gets 3/5 stars. What ONE sentence could explain that rating so a friend understands it instantly?
Read aloud: 'Frankly, I've had better coffee from a machine.' What makes this sound like a REAL opinion rather than a report?
Grammar focus · Section 2
8–10 minThe review structure: hook → describe → evaluate → recommend
A good review isn't a list of facts — it's an opinion with evidence. Cambridge examiners reward reviews that sound like a real person talking, with clear positives, negatives, and a final verdict.
Examples
→ HOOK: 'Ever wondered if a restaurant can be too popular for its own good?' — not 'I want to talk about a restaurant.'
→ DESCRIBE: 'Tucked away near the station, Bella Vita opened six months ago.'
→ EVALUATE (positive): 'The pasta was outstanding — rich, fresh, clearly homemade.'
→ EVALUATE (negative): 'Service, however, was painfully slow, even on a quiet Tuesday.'
→ RECOMMEND: 'If you don't mind waiting, it's well worth the visit — just don't go if you're in a hurry.'
Question 1.Which opening is a strong HOOK for a review?
Question 2.What comes after the hook?
Question 3.What is the EVALUATE stage for?
Question 4.A strong RECOMMEND sentence should…
Question 5.Which is marked under 'Communicative Achievement'?
Quick check 1.Reviews should sound like…
Quick check 2.Balance in the EVALUATE stage means…
Quick check 3.The final paragraph should always include…
Vocabulary · Section 3
5–7 minWords & phrases to own
outstanding
extremely good; exceptional.
"The acting was outstanding, easily the best part of the film."
Use 'outstanding' to describe something you rate highly right now.
disappointing
not as good as expected.
"The sequel was disappointing compared to the original."
Name something recent that was disappointing and say why.
overpriced
costing more than it's worth.
"At £30 a plate, it felt seriously overpriced."
Think of something you'd call overpriced.
value for money
worth what you pay for it.
"It's not cheap, but it's excellent value for money."
Is your phone/laptop good value for money? Why?
to fall short (of expectations)
to not meet the standard hoped for.
"The hotel fell short of what the photos promised."
Describe something that fell short of your expectations.
gripping
exciting and holding your attention completely.
"A gripping thriller that kept me up past midnight."
Name a gripping book, film or show.
underwhelming
not impressive; less exciting than expected.
"The much-hyped finale was underwhelming."
Recall something underwhelming you experienced recently.
atmosphere
the overall mood or feel of a place.
"The candlelit tables created a romantic atmosphere."
Describe the atmosphere of your favourite café.
to live up to (the hype)
to be as good as people say.
"The film lived up to the hype completely."
Did a recent release live up to the hype?
verdict
a final judgement or conclusion.
"My verdict: worth watching once, not twice."
Give your verdict on something in one short sentence.
Activate · use it within minutes
Complete each sentence with your own honest opinion.
The last film I watched was… because…
If you like [genre/food/activity], you'll probably enjoy… because…
I wouldn't recommend… mainly because…
The best thing about… was…
On balance, I'd give it ___ out of 5 because…
Tick each word as you use it
Give a spoken 60-second review of something you tried recently — hook, describe, evaluate, recommend.
Pick a restaurant, app, film or place.
Open with a question or bold claim.
End with a clear recommendation.
Tap an item on the left, then tap its match on the right.
Pronunciation · Section 4
3–4 minStress on evaluative adjectives — making opinions land
Say it aloud
- • Say aloud with heavy stress: 'The food was ABSOLUTELY outSTANDing.'
- • Contrast: 'It was fine.' (flat, low commitment) vs 'It was UNforgettable.' (strong, memorable).
- • Practise fronting the adjective: 'Disappointing — that's the only word for the service.'
- • Read aloud: 'Frankly, I've had better coffee from a machine.' — notice the dry, confident tone.
- • Drill contrastive stress: 'The STARTER was great, but the MAIN course really let it down.'
Reading · Section 5
8–10 minWhy examiners can spot a fake review in one paragraph
Read the passageTap to openTap to hide
Examiners marking FCE Writing Part 2 reviews read hundreds of scripts a season, and the weakest ones share a fingerprint: they read like reports, not opinions. 'This restaurant is located in the city centre. It serves Italian food. The prices are medium.' Every sentence is true. Every sentence is also lifeless — no reviewer voice, no evidence, no verdict a reader could act on.
Strong reviews, by contrast, commit to an opinion early and defend it with specific, sensory detail. Instead of 'the food was good', a high-scoring script says 'the risotto arrived still steaming, rich with parmesan, clearly made to order rather than reheated'. The difference is not vocabulary range alone — it's the willingness to make a judgement and back it with a concrete example, exactly what a reader deciding whether to visit needs.
Balance matters just as much as commitment. A review that only praises reads like an advertisement; a review that only criticises reads like a complaint letter. Examiners reward candidates who weigh both sides genuinely — 'the food was superb, though service was slow enough to test anyone's patience' — because that balance is what real reviews, and real recommendations, sound like.
The recommendation itself is the most commonly rushed element. Many candidates run out of time and end with a vague closing line ('Overall it was quite nice'). A strong final paragraph instead speaks directly to the reader: who should go, under what conditions, and why. 'If you're after a quick lunch, look elsewhere; if you have two hours to spare, it's a genuine treat.' That sentence alone often separates a Band 4 review from a Band 5.
The practical lesson is simple: plan the verdict before writing the opening line. Once you know your overall judgement, the hook, the balance, and the closing recommendation all follow logically — and the whole review reads like one confident opinion rather than four disconnected paragraphs.
Question 1.What do the weakest review scripts read like, according to the writer?
Question 2.What makes 'the risotto arrived still steaming, rich with parmesan' stronger than 'the food was good'?
Question 3.Why does balance matter in a review?
Question 4.What is 'most commonly rushed', according to the writer?
Question 5.What does the writer suggest planning FIRST?
Q1.Report-style writing scores highly in FCE reviews.
Q2.Specific sensory detail strengthens a judgement.
Q3.A one-sided review is considered stronger by examiners.
Q4.Planning the verdict first helps the whole review stay consistent.
Listening · Section 6
8–10 minTwo friends compare notes after seeing the same film
Listening audio
Tap play to listen. Drag the timeline to jump anywhere.
Show transcript
Chloe:So, be honest — what did you think of the film?
Daniel:Honestly? I went in expecting a lot, given the hype, and I came out a bit underwhelmed.
Chloe:Really? I loved the first hour. The visuals were outstanding — that chase scene alone was worth the ticket.
Daniel:I'll give you that — visually it was gripping. My problem was the story. It just fell apart in the second half.
Chloe:Fair point. The ending did feel rushed, like they ran out of budget or time.
Daniel:Exactly. And the lead actress was great, but her character made no sense by the end.
Chloe:So would you recommend it or not?
Daniel:If you go for the spectacle and don't think too hard about the plot, sure. If you want a tight story, wait for it to come out for free.
Chloe:That's basically my verdict too, just with more enthusiasm for the first hour.
Daniel:Fair — three stars from me. Maybe three and a half from you.
Chloe:Four, actually. I'm generous when the visuals are that good.
Daniel:Noted. I'll trust your rating more for action films from now on.
Question 1.What was Daniel's overall reaction?
Question 2.What did both agree was strong?
Question 3.What was Daniel's main criticism?
Question 4.What rating does Daniel give?
Question 5.What is Daniel's final recommendation?
Question 1.Which phrase does Chloe use to justify her HIGHER rating?
Exam skills · Section 7
5 minFCE Writing Part 2 — Review
🎯 Writing a Review
140–190 words. Hook → describe → evaluate (balanced) → recommend.
- Open with a question or bold claim, never 'I am going to write about…'
- Describe briefly — what/where/who
- Evaluate with BALANCE and specific evidence
- End with a clear, direct recommendation to the reader
Open the FCE Exam Practice block below for the full Writing Part 2 task.
Quick Tip
Plan your verdict before you write the first line — it keeps every paragraph pointing the same direction.
Exam Hack
Use one specific detail per opinion ('the risotto arrived steaming') instead of vague adjectives alone.
Common Mistake
Don't write only positives or only negatives — examiners expect genuine balance.
Your task
Plan and write a 140–190 word review using the hook–describe–evaluate–recommend structure.
Example
Hook: 'Ever wondered if a burger can really be worth queuing forty minutes for?' Verdict decided first: yes, but only if you're not in a rush.
Practice · Section 8
8–10 minFill in the blank
Question 1.A strong review opens with a ___ , not a plain statement of intent.
Question 2.'The food was ___' is stronger than 'the food was good'.
Question 3.Examiners reward ___ evaluation — both strengths and weaknesses.
Question 4.The final paragraph should give a clear ___.
Question 5.FCE Writing Part 2 reviews are usually ___ words.
Question 6.'The risotto arrived still steaming' is an example of ___ detail.
Q1.One word meaning 'extremely good':
Q2.One word meaning 'not as good as hoped':
Q3.Two words meaning 'worth the price':
Writing · Section 9
5 minPut it in writing
Your task
Write a 140–190 word review of a restaurant, film, app or place you know well. Use hook → describe → evaluate (balanced) → recommend.
Show model answer
Ever wondered if a burger can really be worth a forty-minute queue? At Bun & Co, the answer is: almost. Tucked behind the market, this small burger place has built a cult following in under a year. The burgers themselves are genuinely outstanding — thick, juicy, clearly made with care, and the fries are seasoned in a way I haven't tasted elsewhere. The drawback is the wait. On a Saturday, forty minutes is normal, and there's nowhere comfortable to sit while you wait. Staff are friendly, but even they admit the queue is 'a bit much'. If you're planning a relaxed weekday lunch, this is a genuine treat. If you're in a hurry, or hate queuing, save it for a day when you have time to spare — the burgers are worth it, but only if you're patient.
Speaking · Section 10
10–15 minMake it a real conversation
Roleplay
1:1 online task. Student gives a 90-second spoken review of something real (café, app, series). Teacher listens for hook, balance, and a clear final recommendation, then gives quick feedback.
Useful phrases
- • Ever wondered if…?
- • What surprised me was…
- • On the plus side… / On the downside…
- • I'd recommend it if… / I'd avoid it if…
- • My honest verdict is…
- ChloeSo, be honest — what did you think of the new café downtown?
- Daniel_______________
- ChloeWould you go back?
- Daniel_______________
Teacher notes
Optional · Teacher-led
Teacher Activities
Two short drills that build reviewer voice and balance. Both work 1:1 online. ~14 min total
FCE Exam Practice · Section 11
20–30 minReal FCE tasks
Cambridge B2 First · Writing · Part 2 · Review. Full task with planning template, success criteria, model answer and examiner commentary.
Exam task
You see this announcement on an English-language lifestyle website: Reviews wanted! Tell us about a restaurant or café you have visited recently. What was the food and atmosphere like? Would you recommend it to other readers? Why / why not? We will publish the best reviews next month. Write your review.
- What was the food and atmosphere like?
- Would you recommend it to other readers?
- Why / why not?
Planning template
- Decide your overall verdict before writing anything else.
- Write an engaging hook (question or bold claim).
- Describe the place briefly — what/where.
- Evaluate with balance: one clear strength, one honest weakness, each with a specific detail.
- Close with a direct recommendation: who should go, and under what conditions.
Success criteria (Cambridge band descriptors)
- Content: Covers food, atmosphere and a clear recommendation with reasons.
- Communicative achievement: Engaging, semi-formal register suited to a lifestyle website; holds the reader's interest.
- Organisation: Clear four-part structure (hook, description, evaluation, recommendation) with linking devices.
- Language: Range of evaluative vocabulary and varied sentence structures; accurate grammar.
0 words · saved automatically
Show upper-band model answer
Ever wondered if a café can be too popular for its own good? The Copper Spoon, tucked down a side street near the station, might be exactly that. Opened only four months ago, it's already the busiest brunch spot in town. The food is genuinely outstanding — the sourdough is baked in-house, and the eggs benedict is easily the best I've had locally. The atmosphere is warm, with mismatched furniture and soft jazz that makes you want to linger. The drawback is the wait. Without a booking, thirty minutes is typical, even on weekdays, and the small space gets uncomfortably crowded by midday. Would I recommend it? Absolutely — but book ahead, or go early. If you value your food more than a fast table, The Copper Spoon is well worth seeking out.
Examiner commentary
This script would score at the top of the band. The hook avoids stating intent directly; the evaluation is balanced with concrete, specific detail ('sourdough baked in-house', 'thirty minutes'); and the recommendation is direct, naming a condition ('book ahead, or go early') rather than a vague closing line. Range includes 'outstanding', 'linger', 'seeking out' — precise, natural vocabulary rather than repeated simple adjectives.
Homework · Section 12
Take-homeTake it home
Review draft — plan and write
Plan and write a full 140–190 word review using the four-move structure.
Choose something you know well. Plan your verdict first, then write hook → describe → evaluate (balanced) → recommend.
Evaluative language bank
Learn 10 evaluative adjectives and use each in one sentence.
Use the VOCAB list. Write one original sentence per word.
- outstanding
- disappointing
- overpriced
- value for money
- gripping
- underwhelming
- atmosphere
- verdict
- to fall short of
- to live up to the hype
Find a real review
Find an online review (film, restaurant, product) and identify its four moves.
Copy the review. Label the hook, description, evaluation (positive/negative) and recommendation.
Questions
- What is the hook?
- Where is the description?
- What balance of positive/negative do you find?
- What is the final recommendation?
Recap · Section 13
2–3 minWhat you've learned
- Reviews follow four moves: HOOK → DESCRIBE → EVALUATE (balanced) → RECOMMEND.
- Never open with 'I am going to write about…' — use a question or bold claim.
- Back every opinion with a specific, sensory detail.
- Balance strengths and weaknesses — one-sided reviews score lower.
- The recommendation should speak directly to the reader: who, when, why.
- FCE Writing Part 2 reviews are 140–190 words.