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 mystery / orchestr believabl
historical a e
What I / auditoriu true to
liked romance m / hall / life
most ... venue / not very
was .. Non- lyrics / believabl
The fiction: (catchy) e
thing I cook tune / far-
liked book / score / fetched
most travel gig (As for
was . book / fiction
I was textbook Reviews of books +):
pleasantl / exhibitions animatio
y manual / n/
surprised coffee- painting / adaptatio
by .. table sculpture n/
.. book ... / comedy
would atmosph handicraf Costume
appeal to ere / plot ts s/
.. author gallery / design /
If you get written catalogu photogra
a chance by e/ phy /
to . chapter display script /
factual special
What I disliked unbeliev Reviews of effects /
able films soundtra
What I bestselle ck
disliked r lead role ending
most ending star role
was .. star Reviews of
I was Reviews of star plays
disappoi concerts actor/act
nted ress scene /
by/with artist / starring act / set /
band / secondar stage /
musician y role interval
Reviews of / He plays
books (bass/lea a . Reviews of TV
d/rhythm written programmes
main ) guitarist by .
characte / cast / Chat
r (backing/ director / shows /
is set in lead) producer current
Fiction: singer / is set in affairs
science drummer .. program
fiction / / soloist / based on me /
thriller / trio / a true debate /
fantasy / story .. documen
 tary / or value were
series / for quite
soap money brilliant/a
opera/ .. mateuris
sitcom (a h
(situation bit/some
comedy) how) Recommendati
Host / expensiv ons
presente e
r overprice I would
d strongly
Reviews of not worth encoura
hotels, the ge you
restaurants, etc money not to
always miss/not
location fully to waste
service booked your
setting book in money
attractive advance on...
/ I would
disappoi Criticism definitely
nting recomm
setting The end
owned script seeing/vi
by seemed siting/rea
run by rather ding/havi
head conventi ng a look
chef onal/pre at ..
(restaura dictable
nt) to me.
waiters The plot
(restaura struck
nt) me as
staff complete
. ly
staff at bizarre/a
reception bsurd/inc
. omprehe
(hotel) nsible
hotel The
facilities characte
. rs are
reasona appealin
ble g and
prices true to
.. life
good/exc The
ellent/po dancers