B2 First Review
Guía completa para describir, evaluar y recomendar de forma clara: análisis del enunciado, estructura, criterios, lenguaje útil, plantilla, checklist y diez modelos completos.
Consultar el formato oficial de Cambridge English
¿Qué es una review?
Es una reseña escrita normalmente para una revista, periódico, sitio web o blog. Su finalidad es describir una experiencia, obra, lugar, producto o servicio y expresar una opinión personal que ayude al lector a decidir si merece la pena.
Una buena review no se limita a contar lo sucedido. Selecciona detalles relevantes, explica qué funcionó bien o mal y termina con una recomendación adecuada para un público concreto.
Cómo analizar el enunciado
| Pregunta | Qué debes identificar | Cómo afecta a tu respuesta |
|---|---|---|
| What are you reviewing? | Libro, película, lugar, aplicación, evento, servicio… | Determina el vocabulario descriptivo que necesitarás. |
| Who will read it? | Estudiantes, viajeros, familias, público general… | Condiciona el tono y la información relevante. |
| What must you discuss? | Los dos o tres aspectos concretos de la consigna. | Evita una respuesta general o incompleta. |
| What recommendation is needed? | A quién lo recomendarías y con qué condiciones. | Da una finalidad clara al párrafo final. |
Estructura recomendada
| Sección | Función | Ejemplos |
|---|---|---|
| Title | Identificar el tema y despertar interés. | A Great Day Out? / More Than Just a Sports Film |
| Opening | Presentar brevemente lo que estás valorando. | I recently visited… / The story follows… |
| Description | Dar el contexto necesario sin extenderte demasiado. | The main feature is… / Visitors can… |
| Evaluation | Explicar fortalezas y limitaciones con ejemplos. | What impressed me most was… / One drawback was… |
| Recommendation | Decir claramente para quién es apropiado. | I would recommend it to… / It may not suit people who… |
Cómo se evalúa
Content
Respondes a todos los puntos y proporcionas la información que el lector necesita.
Communicative Achievement
Utilizas las convenciones de una review y mantienes un tono adecuado para interesar y orientar al lector.
Organisation
Ordenas las ideas en párrafos claros y conectas descripción, evaluación y recomendación.
Language
Empleas vocabulario variado y estructuras sencillas y complejas con un buen nivel de control.
Lenguaje útil
Presentar
The story follows…
I recently had the chance to…
This is a place where…
Valorar positivamente
What impressed me most was…
One of its greatest strengths is…
It was well worth…
Expresar limitaciones
The main drawback is…
I was slightly disappointed by…
It would have been better if…
Recomendar
I would definitely recommend it to…
It is ideal for people who…
It may not suit anyone who…
Plantilla flexible
[Introduce what you are reviewing and give the essential context.]
[Describe the most relevant features or experience.]
[Evaluate its strengths and any important weaknesses, using examples.]
[Give a clear recommendation and identify the most suitable audience.]
Lista de comprobación
- He identificado la publicación y el lector.
- He respondido a todos los puntos del enunciado.
- He incluido un título apropiado.
- La descripción no ocupa toda la respuesta.
- Mis opiniones tienen ejemplos o explicaciones.
- He mencionado alguna limitación cuando era relevante.
- La recomendación indica claramente para quién es adecuado.
- El tono se mantiene coherente.
- He revisado conectores, gramática y puntuación.
- El cuerpo tiene entre 140 y 190 palabras.
B2 First Review: 10 modelos completos
Los modelos abarcan películas, libros, restaurantes, aplicaciones, conciertos, museos, alojamiento, cursos, juegos y atracciones. Los recuentos corresponden al cuerpo de la review y excluyen el título.
Review B2 – Ejemplo 01
Writing Part 2
You see this announcement in an English-language student magazine: We are looking for reviews of films about sport. Describe the film, explain what made it effective, and say whether you would recommend it to teenagers. Write your review.
Second Chance follows a talented young runner who loses her confidence after an injury. At first, the story seems predictable, but it soon becomes more interesting because the film focuses on her relationships with her coach and family rather than only on competitions.
The strongest aspect is the main actor’s performance. She shows frustration, fear and determination in a believable way, so it is easy to care about what happens to her. The training scenes are exciting without being too long, and the music adds energy at the right moments.
However, some of the supporting characters are not fully developed, especially the runner’s rival. A little more background would have made the final race more powerful.
Overall, I would recommend Second Chance to teenagers, even if they are not interested in sport. It is entertaining, but it also has a positive message about patience, failure and learning to trust yourself again.
Review B2 – Ejemplo 02
Writing Part 2
Your school website is collecting reviews of books students could read during the holidays. Write a review of a book, describe its main strengths and weaknesses, and explain who would enjoy it most.
The Last Room is a mystery novel about three friends who discover a locked room in an old seaside hotel. Inside, they find letters connected to a disappearance that took place twenty years earlier.
The plot moves quickly and every chapter ends with a new question, which makes the book difficult to put down. I particularly enjoyed the setting. The empty hotel, stormy weather and narrow corridors create a tense atmosphere without relying on violence. The friendship between the three main characters is also convincing because they disagree and make mistakes.
My only criticism is that the ending feels slightly rushed. The final explanation is clever, but some important details are revealed too quickly and deserve more attention.
Despite this, I would recommend the novel to readers who enjoy suspense, secrets and unexpected discoveries. It is not extremely frightening, so it would also suit younger teenagers. It is an ideal holiday read: exciting, easy to follow and just mysterious enough to keep you guessing.
Review B2 – Ejemplo 03
Writing Part 2
An international travel website wants reviews of affordable restaurants. Write a review of a restaurant you have visited, commenting on the food, service and atmosphere, and say whether you would recommend it.
Last weekend I visited Green Table, a small restaurant near the city centre that serves affordable vegetarian food. The place has simple wooden furniture, plenty of plants and a relaxed atmosphere, making it suitable for both families and groups of friends.
The menu is not huge, but there is a good variety of dishes. I ordered a vegetable curry with rice, which was fresh, well-seasoned and large enough to share. My friend’s mushroom burger was equally impressive, and the homemade lemonade was excellent. Prices were reasonable, especially considering the quality of the ingredients.
The main weakness was the service. Although the staff were friendly, we waited nearly forty minutes for our food, and nobody explained the delay. The restaurant was busy, but better communication would have improved the experience.
Overall, I would recommend Green Table for its tasty food, welcoming atmosphere and good value. However, I would avoid going there when you are in a hurry. With faster service, it could easily become one of the best budget restaurants in the area.
Review B2 – Ejemplo 04
Writing Part 2
Your college blog is publishing reviews of digital tools for students. Write a review of an app or website, explaining how it works, what is useful about it and whether you would recommend it.
FocusTrack is a study app designed to help users organise tasks and avoid distractions. You create a list of assignments, choose how long you want to work, and start a timer. During each study session, the app blocks selected notifications and records how much time you spend on different subjects.
Its best feature is its simplicity. The screen is clear, and setting up a session takes less than a minute. I also liked the weekly report, which shows when you were most productive and which tasks took longer than expected. This can help students plan more realistically.
There are a few disadvantages. Some useful statistics are only available in the paid version, and the reminder sound is rather annoying. In addition, the app cannot stop you from opening every distracting website.
Even so, I would recommend FocusTrack to students who often delay starting their work or lose track of time. It will not create good habits by itself, but it provides a clear structure and makes progress easier to see.
Review B2 – Ejemplo 05
Writing Part 2
You recently attended a live music event. Write a review for an English-language entertainment website, describing the performance and venue, evaluating the experience and saying who would enjoy it.
Last Friday I saw Northern Lights perform at the Riverside Hall, a medium-sized venue close to the station. The band plays a mixture of pop and rock, and the concert attracted people of many different ages.
From the opening song, the atmosphere was excellent. The singer communicated naturally with the audience, and the whole band performed with impressive energy. The slower songs were just as effective as the louder ones because the lighting changed to match the mood. The sound quality was generally clear, and the final song had almost everyone singing together.
The venue itself was comfortable and easy to reach, although the queues for drinks were far too long. Another small problem was that the supporting act started late, so the main concert finished later than advertised.
Despite these issues, the evening was memorable and well worth the ticket price. I would recommend Northern Lights to anyone who enjoys lively performances and catchy songs. Fans who prefer quiet, formal concerts might find it too noisy, but most music lovers would have a fantastic time.
Review B2 – Ejemplo 06
Writing Part 2
Your teacher has asked you to review a museum or exhibition for the school magazine. Describe what visitors can see or do, evaluate the experience and say whether it is suitable for students.
The City Time Museum is not a traditional museum where visitors simply look at objects behind glass. Its new exhibition, Life in 1920, uses reconstructed rooms, recordings and interactive displays to show how ordinary people lived a century ago.
The most successful section is a complete old-fashioned shop where visitors can handle copies of products, compare prices and use a mechanical till. There is also a short film based on real diaries, which makes the historical information feel personal. The explanations are clear and not too long, so it is easy to move through the exhibition without becoming tired.
One disappointing feature is the mobile quiz. Several questions did not load properly, and staff were unable to fix the problem during my visit. Fortunately, the rest of the exhibition does not depend on the app.
I would definitely recommend the museum to students, especially those who think history is boring. It is educational without feeling like a lesson, and most visitors will leave with a much clearer picture of everyday life in the past.
Review B2 – Ejemplo 07
Writing Part 2
A travel magazine is asking readers to review places to stay. Write a review of a hotel, hostel or other accommodation, commenting on the room, facilities and location, and explain whether you would recommend it.
I stayed at Harbour House Hostel for three nights during a weekend trip with two friends. It is located about ten minutes from the old town and only five minutes from a bus stop, so getting around was simple.
Our four-bed room was basic but clean, with comfortable mattresses, large lockers and enough charging points for everyone. The shared kitchen was well equipped, and the common room made it easy to meet other travellers. Breakfast was included and offered bread, fruit, cereal and hot drinks, which was more than I expected for the price.
There were two minor problems. The bathroom became crowded in the morning, and noise from the street could be heard through the windows. Light sleepers may therefore need earplugs.
Overall, Harbour House provides excellent value for students and budget travellers. It is friendly, central and practical rather than luxurious. I would happily stay there again, although people looking for complete privacy or hotel-style service would probably prefer somewhere else.
Review B2 – Ejemplo 08
Writing Part 2
Your school newsletter wants reviews of short courses and workshops. Write a review of one you attended, explaining what you learned, what could be improved and whether you would recommend it.
I recently attended a two-day public-speaking workshop organised by our community centre. The course was aimed at students who feel nervous when giving presentations, and it included practical exercises rather than long lectures.
The instructor began by showing us how posture, breathing and eye contact affect an audience. We then prepared short talks in pairs and received specific feedback. The most useful activity involved speaking for one minute about an unexpected topic. It was difficult at first, but it taught us how to organise ideas quickly and continue even after making a mistake.
The group was friendly and supportive, although there were eighteen participants, which meant that individual speaking time was limited. A smaller group or an extra afternoon session would have improved the course.
I would strongly recommend this workshop to students who need to present projects or attend interviews. It does not remove every fear in two days, but it gives practical techniques and plenty of encouragement. I left feeling more confident and much better prepared.
Review B2 – Ejemplo 09
Writing Part 2
An online magazine is publishing reviews of games suitable for friends and families. Write a review of a game, describing how it is played, evaluating it and saying who would enjoy it.
City Builder is a strategy board game in which players compete to create the most successful town. Each turn, you choose a building card, pay for it with coins and place it beside your other cards. Different combinations earn extra points, so planning ahead is essential.
The rules are easy to understand, and a first game takes about forty minutes. What makes it enjoyable is that every decision matters. You may want to build a park, for example, but another player might take the card before your turn. The colourful illustrations also make each town look different by the end.
However, luck plays a noticeable part because the available cards change randomly. Experienced players may find this frustrating, especially when a perfect plan becomes impossible.
Overall, I would recommend City Builder to families and groups of friends who enjoy thoughtful games without extremely complicated instructions. It works best with three or four players. Younger children may need help at first, but after one round most people will be ready to play independently.
Review B2 – Ejemplo 10
Writing Part 2
A tourism website is looking for reviews of attractions for young visitors. Write a review of a place you visited, describing the experience, evaluating its advantages and disadvantages, and giving a recommendation.
Sky Tower is one of the city’s most popular attractions, mainly because its viewing platform offers a complete view of the river, historic centre and surrounding hills. I visited near sunset, when the light made the whole city look especially impressive.
The lift reaches the top in less than a minute, and information screens help visitors identify important buildings. There is also a glass section in the floor, which is exciting if you are brave enough to stand on it. Staff were helpful, and the platform never felt overcrowded.
The main disadvantage is the price. The visit lasts about an hour, yet the ticket costs almost as much as some full-day attractions. The café at the top is also expensive, so it is better to eat elsewhere.
I would recommend Sky Tower to first-time visitors and anyone interested in photography. Choose a clear day and book a sunset time if possible. It may not be the cheapest activity in the city, but the view is unforgettable and provides an excellent introduction to the area.
