Skip to main content
Exam guide & reading text

C2 Paper 09 — Essay: Read the two texts about public apologies by institutions and public figures — Writing

"C2 Paper 09 — Essay: Read the two texts about public apologies by institutions and public figures" is a C2 Proficiency Writing practice task (Essay). Cambridge assesses content, communicative achievement, organisation and language on a scale from 0 to 5 per criterion. Plan before you write: identify the target reader, the required register and the number of points you must address. At C2, examiners expect sophisticated vocabulary used accurately, varied sentence structures and clear paragraphing.

Read the full Writing strategy guide →

How should I approach this C2 writing task?

Plan the Essay before writing, address every prompt point, keep the expected register, respect the word limit, and use feedback to improve content, organisation, grammar range, and vocabulary precision.

Task prompt

Write an essay summarising and evaluating the key points in both texts. Integrate the arguments rather than discussing the texts separately, and use your own ideas to explain what makes a public apology meaningful and how it should relate to accountability and repair.

Word limit: 280 words

Input texts

An Apology Can Begin Repair

A credible public apology does not erase harm, but it can establish facts, recognise those affected and clarify who accepts responsibility. This matters because institutions often protect their reputation through vague language that leaves injured groups feeling invisible. An apology also creates a standard against which later action can be judged: once failure is acknowledged, repeated excuses become harder to defend. Sincerity cannot be measured directly, so audiences should focus on specificity, willingness to accept consequences and evidence of change. Words are insufficient on their own, yet refusing to speak honestly can make practical repair impossible.

The Performance of Remorse

Public apologies have become predictable ceremonies managed by advisers who understand that appearing accountable can limit financial or reputational damage. Carefully chosen phrases express regret without admitting responsibility, while emotional delivery attracts more attention than the structures that allowed failure. Audiences may then reward the performance and move on before compensation, reform or independent investigation occurs. In some cases, silence combined with immediate corrective action would be more honest than a polished statement. The demand for apology can therefore serve institutions as much as victims, converting a complex process of accountability into a brief test of tone.

Assessment criteria

  • Content: All points addressed with relevant detail and examples.
  • Communicative achievement: Appropriate register and tone for the target reader.
  • Organisation: Clear paragraphing with cohesive devices linking ideas.
  • Language: Wide range of vocabulary and structures used with control and accuracy.