10 Report Practice Questions with Answers | Cambridge C1 Advanced
In Part 2 of the Cambridge C1 Advanced (CAE) Writing paper, you choose one task from a list, and a report is one of the options. You read a situation, then write a report of 220 to 260 words that evaluates it, identifies problems, and recommends action. This post gives you 10 C1 Advanced report practice questions with model answers. Each answer is written at C1 level and shows how to use clear section headings, keep a formal and analytical tone, and finish with justified recommendations.
Report 1
Your college has replaced fixed annual course handbooks with live digital documents that staff can update throughout the year. Write a report for the academic quality committee evaluating their accuracy and usability, identifying problems caused by changes or access, and recommending controls for future use.
Write your report in 220 to 260 words.
Model answer
Introduction
The purpose of this report is to evaluate the college's move from printed annual course handbooks to live digital documents that staff can update at any time. It assesses their accuracy and usability, identifies the main problems that have emerged, and recommends controls for future use.
Accuracy and usability
On the whole, the digital handbooks have improved accuracy. Because staff can correct mistakes immediately, out-of-date information no longer remains in circulation for a whole year, and students generally report that the documents are easier to search than the old printed versions.
Problems with changes and access
Several problems have nevertheless become apparent. Because any member of staff can edit a document at any time, changes are sometimes made without review, and important details have occasionally been altered or deleted by mistake. In addition, students who downloaded a document early may be working from a version that has since changed, which causes confusion when the guidance no longer matches what they remember. Access has also been unreliable during periods of high demand.
Recommendations
I would recommend introducing clear controls. Each document should have a named owner who is responsible for approving changes, and every edit should be dated so that readers can see when the information was last updated. The college should also keep a short record of previous versions, so that important changes can be traced. These measures would preserve the flexibility of the digital system while protecting its reliability.
Report 2
Your local council has piloted removable shade canopies at outdoor taxi ranks, clinic queues and public service points during the hottest months. Write a report for the public-realm committee evaluating effects on comfort and operation, identifying siting or maintenance problems, and recommending where and how the canopies should be used next year.
Write your report in 220 to 260 words.
Model answer
Introduction
The purpose of this report is to evaluate the council’s pilot of removable shade canopies at taxi ranks, clinic queues and other outdoor service points during the hottest months. It assesses their effect on comfort and operation, identifies the main problems, and recommends how they should be used next year.
Comfort and operation
The canopies clearly improved comfort. People waiting in the sun reported far less discomfort, and staff at clinics noticed that fewer visitors left queues or became unwell in the heat. The canopies were also quick to put up and take down, so they did not interfere with normal operations.
Siting and maintenance problems
Several problems nevertheless emerged. At some sites the canopies were poorly placed, so they cast shade on empty ground rather than on the waiting area itself. In addition, a few came loose in strong wind, and because no clear maintenance routine existed, damaged canopies were sometimes left in place for several days.
Recommendations
I would recommend keeping the canopies but choosing each location more carefully, using the summer's records to identify the busiest waiting points. Each site should also have a named person responsible for regular checks, and the fixings should be strengthened so that the canopies remain safe in windy conditions. In addition, a small number of spare canopies should be stored nearby, so that a damaged one can be replaced quickly without leaving a site unprotected.
Report 3
A wholesale market has trialled shared reusable packing crates using deposits and a central return point. Write a report for the sustainability manager evaluating waste reduction and trader experience, identifying problems involving lost crates, cleaning or deposit records, and recommending whether and how the scheme should continue.
Write your report in 220 to 260 words.
Model answer
Introduction
The purpose of this report is to evaluate the trial of shared reusable packing crates at the wholesale market, which used deposits and a central return point. It assesses the effect on waste and on traders’ experience, identifies the main problems, and recommends whether the scheme should continue.
Waste and trader experience
The scheme reduced waste significantly. Far fewer cardboard boxes were thrown away, and most traders welcomed the sturdy crates, which protected goods better than disposable packaging. The central return point was generally convenient, and the deposit encouraged people to bring the crates back. Several traders also noted that customers responded positively to the market’s more environmentally responsible image.
Problems with crates and records
Some difficulties nevertheless appeared. A number of crates were lost or kept by traders who forgot to return them, and the deposit records were not always accurate, which led to disputes over refunds. Cleaning was another concern, because crates were sometimes returned dirty and had to be washed before reuse.
Recommendations
I would recommend continuing the scheme, because its benefits clearly outweigh these problems. However, each crate should be given a simple identification code so that losses can be traced, and the deposit records should be moved to a shared digital system. A regular cleaning routine at the return point would also ensure that crates are ready for immediate reuse.
Report 4
Your organisation has completed a pilot week in which employees observed colleagues in other departments. The staff-development director has asked you to write a report describing participation and what employees learned, identifying any limitations, and recommending whether and how the scheme should be repeated.
Write your report in 220 to 260 words.
Model answer
Introduction
The purpose of this report is to describe the recent pilot week in which employees observed colleagues in other departments. It outlines participation and what staff learned, identifies the main limitations, and recommends whether the scheme should be repeated.
Participation and learning
Participation was high, with most departments taking part. Employees said the experience was valuable: many gained a clearer understanding of how their own work affects other teams, and several returned with practical ideas for reducing delays between departments. The scheme also improved communication, because staff now know whom to contact in other areas. Managers valued the experience too, because it gave them a chance to explain their own teams’ work and to hear fresh questions from outside their department.
Limitations
The pilot had some limitations. A single week was too short for observers to understand complex tasks in depth, so some visits produced only a general impression. In addition, the departments that were busiest struggled to host visitors, which meant that participation was uneven across the organisation.
Recommendations
I would recommend repeating the scheme, because the benefits for understanding and communication were clear. However, future rounds should be spread across the year, so that busy departments are not overloaded at one time. Longer or repeated visits would also allow observers to learn more, and a short written summary from each participant would help the organisation collect the ideas that emerge.
Report 5
An international charity has trialled remote simultaneous interpreting during small hybrid project meetings. Write a report for the operations director evaluating comprehension and participation, identifying technical or turn-taking problems, and recommending whether and how the service should be used in future.
Write your report in 220 to 260 words.
Model answer
Introduction
The purpose of this report is to evaluate the charity’s trial of remote simultaneous interpreting during small hybrid project meetings. It assesses the effect on comprehension and participation, identifies the main problems, and recommends whether the service should be used in future.
Comprehension and participation
The service improved both comprehension and participation. Team members who do not share a common language were able to follow discussions in real time, and several contributed actively for the first time. Meetings that had previously depended on written translation afterwards became genuinely shared conversations. Participants also reported feeling more included, because the meeting no longer assumed that everyone was comfortable working in a second language.
Technical and turn-taking problems
Some problems nevertheless arose. The interpreting occasionally lagged behind the speaker, which caused confusion when decisions were made quickly. Turn-taking was also difficult, because participants could not always tell when the interpreter had finished, so people sometimes spoke over one another. Poor internet connections made these problems worse.
Recommendations
I would recommend using the service for important multilingual meetings, where its benefits are greatest. However, meetings should be chaired more firmly, with clear pauses so that interpreters can keep up and everyone can take their turn. The charity should also test connections in advance and, where the internet is unreliable, provide a written summary as a backup. A brief introduction to the technology at the start of each meeting would also help newcomers use it confidently.
Report 6
Your local council allowed cafés to use selected parking bays for outdoor seating during one winter. Write a report for the town-centre committee evaluating how the spaces were used and their effects on nearby businesses and pedestrians, identifying operational problems, and recommending whether and under what conditions the scheme should continue.
Write your report in 220 to 260 words.
Model answer
Introduction
The purpose of this report is to evaluate the council’s winter scheme that allowed cafés to use selected parking bays for outdoor seating. It assesses how the spaces were used and their effect on nearby businesses and pedestrians, identifies operational problems, and recommends whether the scheme should continue.
Use and effects
The seating areas were well used, even in cold weather, and they gave the town centre a livelier atmosphere. Most nearby businesses reported no loss of trade, and some said the extra visitors benefited them too. Pedestrians generally welcomed the change, because the seating was set back from the pavement and did not block their way. The seating was especially popular in the early evening, when the extra tables attracted people who might otherwise have gone straight home.
Operational problems
Some problems appeared during the trial. The loss of parking bays annoyed a few drivers and delivery companies, who found it harder to stop nearby. In addition, some seating areas were poorly separated from the road, which raised safety concerns, and a few cafés left furniture out overnight, where it obstructed cleaning.
Recommendations
I would recommend continuing the scheme, but only under clear conditions. Each seating area should be properly fenced from traffic, and furniture should be removed at night. The council should also keep a few nearby bays for deliveries, so that businesses are not disadvantaged.
Report 7
An adult education centre has tested offering two possible start times for each evening class so that learners with different work and travel schedules can attend. Write a report for the programme director evaluating effects on attendance and learning, identifying coordination problems, and recommending whether and how the system should continue.
Write your report in 220 to 260 words.
Model answer
Introduction
The purpose of this report is to evaluate the adult education centre’s trial of two possible start times for each evening class, which was intended to suit learners with different work and travel schedules. It assesses the effect on attendance and learning, identifies coordination problems, and recommends whether the system should continue.
Attendance and learning
The two start times had a clear positive effect on attendance. Learners who had previously arrived late, or missed classes entirely, were now able to choose a time that fitted their schedule, and overall attendance rose. Most learners felt that this reduced stress and helped them concentrate, because they no longer had to rush from work. Tutors also noticed that punctual, relaxed learners took part more readily in class discussion.
Coordination problems
The system did, however, create difficulties. Running each class twice increased the demand on tutors and rooms, and a few classes with low numbers became uneconomical to offer at both times. In addition, learners who switched between the two times sometimes missed continuous content, which made it harder for tutors to plan lessons.
Recommendations
I would recommend keeping the two start times only for popular classes with strong demand. Smaller classes should offer a single time chosen by the learners. Tutors should also be asked to repeat key information at both sessions, so that learners who move between them are not left behind.
Report 8
Several university departments have completed an eight-week pilot using one booking system for specialist equipment. The research-facilities director has asked you to report on changes in access and use, identify problems involving missed bookings or user training, and recommend how a permanent system should operate.
Write your report in 220 to 260 words.
Model answer
Introduction
The purpose of this report is to review the eight-week pilot in which several university departments used a single booking system for specialist equipment. It describes the changes in access and use, identifies the main problems, and recommends how a permanent system should operate.
Access and use
The shared system improved access considerably. Researchers could now see all available equipment in one place and book it directly, rather than contacting each department separately. As a result, expensive equipment was used more often, and idle time fell noticeably during the pilot. Departments that had rarely shared equipment before began to cooperate, which reduced unnecessary duplicate purchases.
Problems with bookings and training
Some problems limited these benefits. A number of researchers booked equipment and then failed to appear, which blocked others from using it. This happened partly because the system did not send reminders, and partly because some users had received no training and were unsure how to cancel. Staff also reported that a few bookings clashed when two departments claimed the same slot.
Recommendations
I would recommend making the system permanent, because it clearly increased access. However, it should send automatic reminders and allow easy cancellation, and repeated no-shows should lose priority. A short training session for all new users, together with clear rules for resolving clashes, would prevent most of the remaining problems.
Report 9
Your library has piloted short appointments in which a librarian helps researchers plan their work before they enter a specialist archive. Write a report for the head of research services evaluating effects on preparation and use of the archive, identifying access or staff-workload problems, and recommending whether and for whom the service should continue.
Write your report in 220 to 260 words.
Model answer
Introduction
The purpose of this report is to evaluate the library’s pilot of short appointments in which a librarian helps researchers plan their work before they enter the specialist archive. It assesses the effect on preparation and on use of the archive, identifies problems with access and staff workload, and recommends whether the service should continue.
Preparation and archive use
The appointments clearly improved preparation. Researchers arrived with a clearer plan, so they found the material they needed more quickly and handled fragile documents more confidently. Archive staff noticed that visits were more focused, and that fewer items had to be fetched and returned unused, which protected the collection. Several researchers said the guidance had saved them a wasted first visit, which they would previously have spent simply learning how the archive worked.
Access and workload problems
The service also created some difficulties. Because appointments were limited, researchers sometimes waited several days for one, which delayed urgent work. The appointments also added significantly to the librarians' workload, and during busy periods staff struggled to offer them alongside their other duties.
Recommendations
I would recommend continuing the service, but focusing it on first-time visitors and those using the most delicate materials, who benefit most. Experienced researchers could be offered a short written guide instead. Employing or training an additional member of staff would also help the library meet demand without overloading existing librarians.
Report 10
A council installed individual water meters at two community allotment sites for one growing season. Write a report for the community-land officer evaluating changes in water use and gardeners' behaviour, identifying practical or fairness problems, and recommending whether and how the system should continue.
Write your report in 220 to 260 words.
Model answer
Introduction
The purpose of this report is to evaluate the installation of individual water meters at two community allotment sites during one growing season. It assesses the changes in water use and in gardeners’ behaviour, identifies practical and fairness problems, and recommends whether the system should continue.
Water use and behaviour
The meters clearly reduced water use. Once gardeners could see how much water they were using, many watered more carefully, collected rainwater, and chose plants that needed less water. Overall consumption at both sites fell noticeably, which lowered costs and eased pressure on the supply during dry weeks. Several gardeners also began sharing water-saving tips with one another, which spread good habits across the site.
Practical and fairness problems
Some problems nevertheless emerged. A few meters were difficult to read or leaked, and older gardeners found the new system confusing. There were also fairness concerns: plots vary in size and in the crops grown, so charging everyone by the same method meant that some gardeners paid far more than others for reasons beyond their control.
Recommendations
I would recommend keeping the meters, because they encouraged responsible water use. However, the council should replace the faulty meters and offer simple guidance on reading them. It should also review the charging method, so that plot size and type of use are taken into account and every gardener is treated fairly.