B2 First Article Guide
Cambridge B2 First — Writing Part 2 · 140–190 Words
Master the article format for B2 First Writing Part 2 — engaging readers with a clear structure, vivid language, and a memorable personal voice, all within the tight word limit.
- Task requirements — what B2 First article tasks ask for and how to decode them
- Article structure — headline, introduction, body paragraphs, conclusion
- Engaging language — vocabulary and style to hook and hold readers
- Personal voice — using your own experience as required by the task
- C–A–P analysis — context, audience, and purpose as your planning compass
- Word count management — hitting 140–190 precisely
Time management
Planning: 5 min · Writing: 30–35 min · Checking: 5 min · Total: ~40 minutes
Use ← → arrow keys or the buttons below to navigate
Understanding the Task
B2 First Writing Part 2 gives you a choice of tasks. If you choose the article, you will be responding to a notice, prompt, or situation from a specific publication asking you to contribute.
Example task
You have seen this notice in an international magazine.
Inventions have affected all our lives! Write us an article about one invention, explaining why you think it is important and saying how it has affected your own life.
The best article will be published in the magazine.
- Choose one specific invention — don't try to cover several
- Explain why it is important — a reasoned argument, not just description
- Say how it has affected your own life — personal experience is explicitly required
B2 First articles are shorter (140–190 vs 450–600 words) and often ask you to write for a real international readership — so your tone must be engaging and accessible, not academic.
C–A–P: Your Planning Compass
Before writing a word, understand your Context, Audience, and Purpose. Every choice you make flows from here.
C — Context
International magazine
A general-interest publication for a global audience of mixed ages. Semi-formal, accessible, designed to be read for interest rather than study.
A — Audience
General readers worldwide
Not specialists. They may be unfamiliar with your chosen invention, so you need to explain clearly — but don't be condescending.
P — Purpose
Inform + persuade + engage
Inform about the invention, persuade readers it matters, and engage them personally so they keep reading — and maybe see their own life differently.
Semi-formal register (friendly but not sloppy) · accessible vocabulary (no jargon without explanation) · personal voice · engaging opening · clear argument throughout
Article Structure at B2 First
A B2 First article has the same components as any article, but compressed into 140–190 words. Every sentence must earn its place.
Headline
Catchy, specific, makes readers want to read. Not counted in word total.
Introduction
~25–30 words · hook + introduce the invention
Why it's important
~50–60 words · your reasoned argument
Personal impact
~40–50 words · how it has affected your own life
Conclusion
~20–25 words · memorable final thought
Total: 140–190 words (headline not counted)
Aim for 160–175 as a comfortable target zone — enough to develop ideas without padding.
Choose your invention before you start planning. Pick something you genuinely know and care about — authentic enthusiasm shows in the writing and impresses examiners.
The Headline: Your First Impression
Your headline is the first thing readers see. At B2 First it should be specific, catchy, and relevant — not a label ("Smartphones") but a hook ("The Device That Changed How We See the World").
Strong headlines ✓
"The Invention That Fits in Your Pocket and Changed Everything"
"Why the Internet Remains the Most Powerful Tool Ever Created"
"How One Small Device Transformed My Daily Life"
Specific, intriguing, promise something worth readingWeak headlines ✗
"Smartphones"
"An Important Invention"
"My Article About Technology"
Generic labels — tell readers nothing, spark no curiosityQuestions ("Could You Live Without It?") · bold statements ("The Invention That Changed Everything") · numbers ("One Invention, One Billion Lives Changed") · personal angle ("How the Internet Made Me a Better Student")
The Introduction: Hook Your Reader
Your introduction must grab readers in the first sentence. With only 140–190 words total, you cannot afford a slow start.
Surprising fact: "Before 1990, over 90% of people had never sent a message that arrived instantly."
Rhetorical question: "Can you imagine planning a journey without looking it up first?"
Bold statement: "The internet is not a convenience — it is the infrastructure of modern life."
Personal anecdote: "I was twelve years old when I first used the internet, and nothing was ever quite the same again."
"In this article I am going to write about…" — this wastes precious words and signals nothing interesting is coming. Dive straight in.
Practice: Write your introduction (25–30 words)
Why It's Important: Build Your Argument
This paragraph answers the question's first requirement: explain why you think it is important. You need a reason — or two — developed with an example or consequence.
"The internet has transformed the way knowledge is accessed. For the first time in human history, anyone with a connection can learn almost anything, from any location, at no cost. This has democratised education in a way that no previous invention has managed, giving opportunities to people who were previously excluded from them."
Strong connectors for this paragraph
Starting the reason: Above all… / The most significant impact is… / What makes it truly remarkable is…
Adding development: Furthermore, · In addition, · What is more,
Showing consequences: As a result, · This means that… / Consequently,
Practice: Write the "why important" paragraph (50–60 words)
Personal Impact: Your Own Voice
The task explicitly asks how the invention has affected your own life. This is where B2 First articles differ from academic writing — personal experience is required, not optional.
"In my own life, the internet has been transformative in ways I did not anticipate. As a student, I rely on it daily — for research, for communication with classmates, and increasingly for learning languages through apps and video calls with native speakers around the world."
- Be specific — "I use it to study Japanese vocabulary" beats "I use it for many things"
- Be honest — examiners respond to authenticity, not perfection
- Connect it back to importance — show the personal and the universal together
- Use first person freely here — "I", "my", "for me"
Practice: Write your personal paragraph (40–50 words)
The Conclusion: Leave a Lasting Impression
Your conclusion is short (20–25 words) but must feel like a satisfying end — not a summary, but a final thought that gives readers something to carry away.
Thought-provoking question: "Could any of us truly imagine life without it? I suspect not — and that, perhaps, is the most powerful measure of its importance."
Future vision: "Whatever comes next, the internet has permanently changed what human potential looks like — and that is a legacy no other invention can rival."
Circular ending (returning to your hook): "That twelve-year-old who first connected to the world online could not have predicted how completely it would reshape their future."
Bold final claim: "It is not simply an invention — it is the defining infrastructure of our century."
"In conclusion, I have shown that…" → Too mechanical. Your conclusion should feel like the natural end of a conversation, not a recap of bullet points.
Complete Model Article
Internet as the chosen invention — 169 words ✓
The Invention That Connects Eight Billion People
By a student contributor
Can you imagine planning a journey, finishing an essay, or simply settling an argument without looking something up first? For most of us, that world is difficult to picture — and that difficulty is itself the measure of the internet's importance.
What makes the internet truly remarkable is not what it does, but what it makes possible. For the first time in human history, anyone with a connection can access almost any knowledge, from any location, at no cost. This has transformed education, commerce, medicine, and communication in ways that previous inventions took centuries to achieve. It is not a convenience — it is infrastructure.
In my own life, the impact has been profound and personal. As a language learner, I use it daily to practise with native speakers, access authentic materials, and join communities of people who share my interests across three continents.
Whatever replaces it, the internet has permanently expanded the boundaries of what an ordinary person can know, do, and become. That is a remarkable legacy.
Specific headline (not just "The Internet") · rhetorical question as hook · clear argument in "why important" paragraph · concrete personal example · short, memorable conclusion · no contractions · semi-formal but engaging throughout
Language & Style at B2 Level
B2 First articles reward range, accuracy, and engagement. You need to sound like a confident writer — not a textbook, and not a casual chat.
B1 — avoid ✗
"The internet is very good. Many people use it. I use it every day for school. It helps me a lot."
Short sentences · basic vocabulary · no developmentB2–C1 — aim for ✓
"What makes the internet truly remarkable is not what it does, but what it makes possible — transforming education, commerce, and communication simultaneously."
Varied structure · precise vocabulary · developed ideaVocabulary upgrades for B2 articles
Instead of "important": transformative, significant, remarkable, invaluable, revolutionary
Instead of "changed": transformed, reshaped, redefined, revolutionised, altered permanently
Instead of "use": rely on, utilise, take advantage of, harness, apply
Instead of "big effect": profound impact, far-reaching consequences, lasting legacy
Semi-formal = professional but personable. No contractions (it is, not it's) · no slang · but also no stiff academic phrases ("It can be said that…"). Write as a confident, informed person speaking to other informed people.
Revision Task 1: Fix This Introduction
Identify problems and rewrite
Weak introduction:
"In this article I'm going to write about smartphones. Smartphones are very popular. Lots of people have them. They are important in modern life. I will explain why."
List at least 4 problems:
Rewrite it as a strong B2 First introduction:
Problems:
- Mechanical opener ("In this article I am going to…") — wastes words
- Contraction ("I'm") — not appropriate in this register
- Vague and repetitive ("very popular," "lots of people")
- No hook — nothing to make readers want to continue
- No specific claim or argument to carry the article forward
Improved version:
"Think about the last hour of your life. How many times did you reach for your phone? For most people reading this, the answer is striking — and that instinct alone tells us something important about the device that has reshaped modern life more completely than any other invention."
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Choosing a vague or overused topic
"Technology" or "the telephone" is too broad or too obvious. Choose one specific invention — the more precise, the more original your article will feel.
Missing the personal requirement
The task explicitly says "how it has affected your own life." If you forget the personal paragraph, you have not completed the task — and Content marks drop significantly.
Using contractions
"It's clear that…" / "you'll find that…" → always write "It is clear that…" / "you will find that…" throughout.
Mechanical opening
"In this article I will discuss…" → No. Open with a hook. Every word counts in 140–190.
Describing instead of arguing
The task asks why it is important — not what it does. Don't just list features. Explain significance.
Under or over the word count
Under 140 — ideas are underdeveloped. Over 190 — you have padded. Aim for 160–175 as a comfortable zone.
Practice Questions
Choose one and write a complete article (140–190 words, ~40 minutes)
Q1 — Inventions: An international magazine asks you to write about one invention, explaining why you think it is important and saying how it has affected your own life.
Q2 — Food: A food magazine asks readers to write an article about a dish from their country or region, explaining why it is special and describing a personal memory connected to it.
Q3 — Travel: A travel website invites readers to write an article about a place worth visiting, explaining what makes it special and describing how a visit there affected you personally.
Q4 — Books: A literary magazine asks readers to write an article about a book that had a significant impact on them, explaining why they found it important and what effect reading it had.
Write your complete article here
How Your Article is Marked
B2 First Writing is marked on four equal criteria, each worth 5 points.
Content
- Both requirements addressed (why important + personal impact)
- Specific, developed ideas — not vague statements
- Reader is fully informed and engaged
- Stays on topic throughout
Communicative Achievement
- Appropriate semi-formal register
- Engaging from first sentence to last
- Reads naturally for an international magazine
- No contractions or slang
Organisation
- Clear structure: intro, argument, personal, conclusion
- Effective headline that draws readers in
- Smooth transitions between ideas
- Coherent flow from first to last sentence
Language
- Range of vocabulary (B2–C1)
- Variety of grammatical structures
- Accurate spelling and punctuation
- Errors are minor and don't impede
Missing the personal paragraph (Content) · contractions (Communicative Achievement) · mechanical "In this article…" opener (Communicative Achievement) · single sentence structures throughout (Language)
Checking Your Work
1. Count words — 140–190?
2. Both requirements addressed — why important AND personal impact?
3. Scan for contractions — replace every one
4. Read your headline — specific and engaging?
5. Read your opening — does it hook without "In this article I will…"?
6. Grammar and spelling — subject-verb agreement, article use, spelling
Common grammar errors to fix
✗ "The internet it has changed our lives" → ✓ "The internet has changed our lives"
✗ "It's the most important invention" → ✓ "It is the most important invention"
✗ "I use it for learn languages" → ✓ "I use it to learn languages"
✗ "Informations are available everywhere" → ✓ "Information is available everywhere"
Quick Reference Guide
Headline: Specific, catchy, promises something worth reading (not counted)
Introduction (25–30 words): Hook (question / bold statement / anecdote / fact) + introduce the invention
Why important (50–60 words): Reason + development + consequence · use formal connectors
Personal impact (40–50 words): Specific personal examples · use first person freely here
Conclusion (20–25 words): Memorable final thought — not a summary
Total: 140–190 words · aim 160–175
Essential language for B2 articles
Starting the argument: What makes it truly remarkable is… / Above all, / The most significant impact is…
Adding development: Furthermore, · Moreover, · What is more,
Showing consequences: As a result, · Consequently, · This means that…
Personal paragraph: In my own life, / For me personally, / I rely on it daily to…
Concluding: Whatever comes next, / Ultimately, / That, perhaps, is its greatest legacy.
Must-do checklist
- Specific, catchy headline (not a label)
- Hook opens the article — no "In this article I will…"
- Why it's important — reasoned argument, not just description
- Personal impact — specific concrete examples
- No contractions anywhere
- 140–190 words — aim for 160–175
Pro Tips for Success
Choose your invention before you plan
Pick something you know and care about. Authenticity shows — and you'll write faster if you're not inventing facts as you go.
Open with a hook, not a topic sentence
Your first sentence should make readers want to keep reading. A question, bold claim, or surprising fact works far better than announcing what you'll discuss.
Argue, don't describe
"The smartphone has a camera, GPS, and internet access" is description. "The smartphone collapsed three industries into one pocket-sized device, permanently altering how we navigate, communicate, and record our lives" is argument.
Be specific in the personal paragraph
"I use the internet to learn Spanish vocabulary, practise with speakers in Mexico, and access films without subtitles" is far more convincing than "I use it for many things every day."
End with impact, not recap
Your conclusion should feel like the satisfying end of a conversation. A thought-provoking question or bold final claim works far better than "In conclusion, I have shown that…"
Vary your sentence length
Short sentences punch. Longer sentences allow you to develop ideas, add nuance, and demonstrate grammatical range — both of which matter to examiners assessing your language score.
Self-Assessment Checklist
Content
- I chose one specific invention (not a vague category)
- I explained clearly why it is important with a developed argument
- I described how it has affected my own life with specific examples
- Both requirements are clearly addressed
Communicative achievement
- My register is consistently semi-formal throughout
- I used no contractions anywhere
- My opening hooks the reader without "In this article I will…"
- The article reads naturally for an international magazine audience
Organisation
- My headline is specific and engaging
- The structure flows logically: intro → argument → personal → conclusion
- I used a range of discourse markers correctly
- My conclusion feels like a satisfying end, not a summary
Language
- My word count is between 140–190 (ideally 160–175)
- I used varied, precise vocabulary throughout
- I used a range of sentence structures
- My spelling and punctuation are accurate
Final Tips for Success
Week 1–2: Practice headlines and hooks for different inventions (10 min daily)
Week 3–4: Write complete articles without a time limit — focus on quality
Week 5–6: Timed practice: 40 minutes per article, then self-assess against the four criteria
Week 7–8: Exam conditions — 40 minutes, no dictionary, strict word count
Good luck with your Cambridge B2 First exam.