ENGLISH B HL · TRAINING

Write sharp.
Read smart.
Speak clear.

Everything you need to nail Paper 1, Paper 2 Reading & Listening. Structured templates, theme vocab, and proven strategies.

7 May
P1 Writing · 13h00-14h30 · 1h30
7 May
P2 Reading · 15h30-16h30 · 1h
8 May
P2 Listening · 9h00-10h00 · 1h

Paper 1 · Productive writing

1 task out of 3. Each task = theme + text type. Write 450-600 words in 1h30. 30 marks.

The scoring grid — 30 marks total

Criterion A: Language · 10 marks Criterion B: Message · 10 marks Criterion C: Conceptual (format) · 10 marks

Criterion C is where most students lose points. Get the text type conventions right and you save 3-4 marks easily.

Text types · The conventions that score

Click any card to see the must-have elements.

📰 Article

Magazine, newspaper, blog
  • Catchy headline (not a question)
  • Sub-heading / introduction paragraph
  • Author byline (« By... »)
  • Short paragraphs with sub-headings
  • Direct quotes or interviews
  • Strong conclusion with call-to-action

✉️ Formal letter

Application, complaint, proposal
  • Your address (top right)
  • Recipient's address (left)
  • Date
  • « Dear Mr/Mrs X » (not « Hi »)
  • Paragraph 1: purpose of the letter
  • « Yours sincerely » + signature

💬 Blog post

Personal, informal, online
  • Title + date + author tag
  • Direct address to reader (« you »)
  • Personal tone, contractions OK
  • Hashtags, emojis (sparingly)
  • Comments section prompt at the end
  • Share / like call-to-action

🎙️ Speech

Public audience, spoken
  • Direct address: « Ladies and gentlemen »
  • Rhetorical questions
  • Anaphora (repetition for emphasis)
  • Personal pronouns « we », « us »
  • Anecdotes, concrete examples
  • Strong closing: a quote or a call

📋 Proposal / Report

Formal, structured, factual
  • Title + « To: », « From: », « Date: »
  • Section headings (Intro, Findings, Rec.)
  • Bullet points for data
  • Neutral, impersonal tone
  • Recommendations section
  • Conclusion summarizing action points

⭐ Review

Film, book, product, event
  • Title + star rating / verdict
  • Introduction (what + when + why review)
  • Summary (no spoilers!)
  • Opinion with justification
  • Target audience recommendation
  • Final verdict (« I would recommend... »)

📣 Interview

Q&A format
  • Introduction of interviewee
  • Context: who, why, when
  • Clear Q: / A: structure
  • Balanced questions (not all same length)
  • Follow-up questions showing listening
  • Closing line thanking interviewee

✒️ Essay

Argumentative, discursive
  • Clear title (optional)
  • Introduction with thesis
  • Paragraphs with topic sentence
  • Arguments + counter-arguments
  • Evidence / examples in each paragraph
  • Conclusion with personal stance

Your writing structure · 5 steps

Before writing a single sentence, spend 5 minutes planning. Trust me.

  1. Read the prompt 3 times (2 min) Underline: theme · audience · purpose · text type. Missing one = losing 3-5 marks.
  2. Brainstorm 4 main ideas (3 min) One idea per paragraph. If you can't think of 4, your thesis is too narrow.
  3. Set up the format (1 min) Is it a letter? Write the address. An article? Write the headline. Format FIRST.
  4. Write continuously (60-70 min) 450-600 words for HL. Aim for 500. Don't overthink vocab — clear is better than fancy.
  5. Proofread (10-15 min) Check: verbs (tense consistency), articles (a/an/the), prepositions, spelling. Focus on errors you know you make.

The 5 themes · With signature vocab

The prompts always tie back to one of these 5 themes. Know them cold with their vocabulary.

01

Identities

Culture, values, beliefs, gender, language.

Key vocab: heritage, roots, sense of belonging, self-expression, stereotype, bilingual, cultural background, upbringing, to identify with, to embrace one's culture.
02

Experiences

Travel, migration, traditions, life journeys.

Key vocab: rite of passage, turning point, coming of age, milestone, life-changing, immersion, to adapt to, to embark on, a journey of self-discovery, resilience.
03

Human Ingenuity

Technology, science, art, innovation, media.

Key vocab: breakthrough, cutting-edge, to innovate, ethical concerns, artificial intelligence, digital divide, to shape our lives, creative expression, a double-edged sword.
04

Social Organization

Education, work, community, justice.

Key vocab: social cohesion, inequality, the workforce, to tackle an issue, policy, civic engagement, to bridge the gap, the common good, inclusive, marginalized.
05

Sharing the Planet

Environment, rights, peace, sustainability.

Key vocab: sustainability, carbon footprint, to phase out, biodiversity, to raise awareness, global warming, human rights, to take action, stewardship, renewable.

Linking words that impress examiners

Varied connectors = higher Criterion A score. Avoid repeating « and », « but », « so ».

Adding

moreover furthermore in addition besides what is more not only... but also

Contrasting

however nevertheless on the other hand in contrast whereas despite the fact that

Cause / Effect

therefore consequently as a result thus hence owing to

Illustrating

for instance to illustrate namely such as a case in point

Emphasizing

indeed in fact above all most importantly undoubtedly

Concluding

in conclusion all in all to sum up in the final analysis ultimately

Sample prompts · Paper 1

These are the styles of prompts you'll see on the real exam.

THEME 01 · Identities

Your school has asked students to share their experience of growing up bilingual. Write a blog post describing the challenges and benefits of having two cultural identities. (450-600 words)

Text type: blog post · Purpose: inform + reflect · Audience: students

Outline
Title: « Two Languages, One Me: Growing Up Between Worlds »

Para 1 — Hook: Personal anecdote (first moment I realized I was « different »).
Para 2 — Challenges: Feeling caught between two cultures, code-switching, identity crisis.
Para 3 — Benefits: Cognitive flexibility, empathy, wider worldview, more opportunities.
Para 4 — My take-away: Identity as a bridge, not a battle.
Close: « Have you ever felt torn between two worlds? Drop your story below. »

Format cues: Title + date + « Posted by », first-person, emoji OK sparingly, comment prompt at end.
THEME 05 · Sharing the Planet

Your local council is planning to ban single-use plastics. Write a formal letter to the mayor expressing your views and suggesting additional measures. (450-600 words)

Text type: formal letter · Purpose: persuade · Audience: authority figure

Outline
Format: Your address (top right) → Mayor's address (left) → Date → « Dear Mr/Mrs Mayor »

Para 1 — Purpose: State clearly why you're writing (support ban + suggest more).
Para 2 — Agreement: Back the ban with 2-3 strong reasons (environmental, economic, health).
Para 3 — Additional measures: Suggest 3 concrete actions (deposit scheme, ban on plastic packaging, education in schools).
Para 4 — Call to action: Urge the council to act boldly.

Close: « I look forward to your response. Yours sincerely, [Your name] »
THEME 03 · Human Ingenuity

A magazine has asked students to write about the impact of social media on young people. Write an article discussing both positive and negative effects. (450-600 words)

Text type: article · Purpose: analyze · Audience: general readers

Outline
Headline: « Plugged In, Burnt Out? The Double Life of Gen Z Online »

Sub-heading: How social media shapes minds, moods, and movements.
Para 1 — Hook: Shocking stat or anecdote.
Para 2 — The Bright Side: Community, activism, creativity, learning.
Para 3 — The Dark Side: Anxiety, FOMO, misinformation, comparison culture.
Para 4 — Nuance: It's not the tool, it's how we use it.

Close: « The question isn't whether to log off — it's how to log on mindfully. »

Paper 2 · Reading (1h)

3 texts of increasing difficulty. Variety of question types. 40 marks.

  1. Skim first, detail second Read the whole text quickly (1-2 min) to get the gist. Then read the questions. Then return to find specifics.
  2. True/False with justification Justification MUST come from the text. Copy the exact phrase. « Because I think » = 0 marks.
  3. Multiple choice Eliminate the two clearly wrong answers first. Then pick between the two remaining by checking the text.
  4. Short answers Paraphrase from the text. Don't invent. Be specific, not vague.
  5. Reference / pronoun questions « To what does "it" refer on line 12? » → find the noun before the pronoun that « it » replaces.
  6. Vocab in context Don't trust dictionary meanings — trust the SENTENCE. What meaning fits here?
  7. Timing · 20 min per text Text 1 is easiest: 15 min. Text 2 and 3 need more: 22-23 min each. Don't get stuck.

Paper 2 · Listening (1h)

3 audio recordings. Questions in increasing difficulty. Played twice.

🎧 Before listening

Read ALL questions first. Identify what you're listening for: a name, a date, a reason, an opinion. Prepare your ear.

✍️ During 1st listening

Jot down key words, numbers, names. Don't try to write full sentences. Focus on capturing answers.

🔍 Between listenings

Quickly review your notes. Identify questions you missed. Focus on those during the 2nd playthrough.

🎯 During 2nd listening

Verify your answers. Fill in the blanks. Check spelling of names and proper nouns.

🧠 Watch out for traps

Distractors are common: speakers say something, then correct themselves. The 2nd version is usually the right one.

💡 If you miss it

Guess with logic. An empty answer = 0 points. A logical guess = a chance at the mark.

On exam day · Your English B HL playbook

  1. 7 May 13:00 — Paper 1. Hit the format first. Plan 5 min. Write 70 min. Proofread 15 min.
  2. 7 May 15:30 — Paper 2 Reading. Skim, scan, select. Don't leave blanks.
  3. 8 May 9:00 — Paper 2 Listening. Read questions first. Trust your ears.
  4. Between exams — Don't cram. Eat. Hydrate. Rest. Your brain needs recovery.