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Aptis General · Writing · Part 4 · B2→C1

The 5 levers that separate B2 from C1 in Aptis Writing

Inversion, phrasal verbs, linkers, hedging and nominalisation: theory, video by sections and mini-quizzes to lift your Aptis Writing from B2 to C1.

16 min video (Spanish narration)5 mini-quizzesB2→C1

1/5Inversion

When you begin a sentence with a negative or restrictive expression (never, rarely, not only, at no time), the auxiliary verb goes before the subject, as in a question. It can also replace if in formal conditionals.

Use it once or twice per text. More than that sounds forced.

  • Not only did they …, but they also …
  • Rarely have I seen …
  • Had I known … (= If I had known)
  • Should you need … (= If you need)
B2I have rarely seen such a poorly organised event.
C1Rarely have I seen such a poorly organised event.

Check what you have learnt

You need 2 out of 3
1.Rarely ___ such a convincing argument.
2.Which one is equivalent to “If I had known about the delay…”?
3.Not only ___ the deadline, but they also ignored our emails.
▶ Short for this chapterInversion

2/5Precise phrasal verbs

At C1 the point is not to stuff in colloquial phrasal verbs, but to choose the exact verb for the idea. A few work very well even in a formal register.

They replace all-purpose verbs such as make, do, get or cause.

  • come up with a solution
  • carry out research / a survey
  • bring about change
  • put forward a proposal
  • rule out an option
B2The council made a new proposal to cause change.
C1The council put forward a proposal that could bring about real change.

Check what you have learnt

You need 2 out of 3
1.The committee ___ a proposal to extend opening hours.
2.We need to ___ a solution before Friday.
3.The new policy could ___ significant change.
▶ Short for this chapterPrecise phrasal verbs

3/5Advanced linkers

B2 connects with but, because, also, so. C1 varies them and, above all, uses linkers that require a specific structure after them: a noun or a full clause.

Pay attention to what follows each one. That is where the most frequent mistake lies.

  • Despite / In spite of + noun or -ing
  • Although / Even though + clause
  • Owing to / Due to + noun
  • Given that + clause
  • Nevertheless / Furthermore / Consequently at the start of a sentence
B2The plan is good but it is expensive, so people don't like it.
C1The plan has clear merits. Nevertheless, its cost has made it unpopular.

Check what you have learnt

You need 2 out of 3
1.___ the high price, the course was fully booked.
2.The event was cancelled ___ the storm.
3.Which sentence is correctly built?

4/5Hedging

A C1 text does not state everything in absolute terms. It qualifies claims to sound reasonable and precise, especially in opinions and in the forum.

It is not about sounding unsure: it is about showing that you control the degree of certainty.

  • It could be argued that …
  • Arguably, …
  • … tends to …
  • to some extent / to a certain degree
  • seems / appears to …
B2Technology makes people less sociable.
C1Technology arguably tends to make people less sociable, at least to some extent.

Check what you have learnt

You need 2 out of 3
1.Which sentence is hedged?
2.It ___ argued that tourism does more harm than good.
3.Young people ___ spend more time online than older generations.
▶ Short for this chapterHedging

5/5Nominalisation

Turning verbs or adjectives into nouns makes the text denser and more formal. It is typical of academic register and of the formal emails in Part 4.

It usually goes with an adjective and a preposition: a sharp increase in, the decision to.

  • decide → the decision to
  • increase → an increase in
  • reduce → a reduction in
  • available → the availability of
B2Prices increased a lot, so people complained.
C1The sharp increase in prices led to a wave of complaints.

Check what you have learnt

You need 2 out of 3
1.Nominalise: “The government reduced taxes.”
2.The ___ to close the library was unpopular.
3.Which version is more C1?
Put it together

Now, practise

Rewrite the middle paragraph of a formal complaint email using at least 3 of the 5 levers.

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