Write a Review of a Film, Book or Restaurant B1 Writing Practice Tests Rules & Examples

How to Write a Review of a Film, Book or Restaurant

A review is a piece of writing in which you describe and evaluate something — such as a film you have seen, a book you have read, or a restaurant you have visited. Reviews are very common in everyday life. You might read them in magazines, on websites, or in school newspapers. The purpose of a review is not just to describe something, but to give your opinion, support it with clear reasons, and make a recommendation to the reader.

In the Cambridge B1 Preliminary (PET) exam, a review is one of the Task 2 writing options. You are expected to write 100–120 words in 3–4 clear paragraphs. A strong review includes an engaging introduction, specific details and opinions in the body paragraphs, and a clear recommendation at the end.

Here are some real-life situations where people write reviews:

• Writing a film review for a school magazine or website
• Leaving a restaurant review on a travel or food website
• Recommending a book to other readers in an online community
• Posting a review of a concert or show for a local newspaper

Essential Writing Rules and Sentence Structure

1. Organise Your Review into Clear Paragraphs

A well-structured B1 review follows this four-paragraph plan:

• Paragraph 1 – Introduction: Name the film, book, or restaurant. Give basic background information (what type it is, where it is, who made it, etc.).
• Paragraph 2 – Positive Points: Describe what you liked and why, using specific details and linking words.
• Paragraph 3 – Negative Points or Further Details: Mention any weaknesses or add more detail about your experience. Use contrast linkers such as however and although.
• Paragraph 4 – Recommendation: Give a clear recommendation and say who would enjoy it most.

2. Use Complex and Compound Sentences

Avoid writing only short, simple sentences. At B1 level, you should combine ideas using subordinate clauses, relative clauses, and participle phrases.

Instead of writing: The food was good. It was fresh. I enjoyed it.

Write: The food, which was incredibly fresh, was one of the highlights of the evening.

Use relative clauses with who, which, that, and where to add detail inside a sentence:

• The restaurant, which is located in the city centre, has a warm and welcoming atmosphere.
• The main character, who is played by a young British actress, is absolutely convincing.
• It is the kind of book that you simply cannot put down.

3. Use a Neutral but Engaging Register

A review uses a neutral register — not as informal as a letter to a friend, and not as formal as a business letter. You can use personal opinions, but you should write in full, clear sentences. Avoid slang, abbreviations, or overly casual expressions.

• ❌ The food was like, SO good, you have to try it!!
• ✅ The food was absolutely delicious, and I would strongly recommend the pasta dishes in particular.

4. Use Evaluative Language

A review must contain your opinion and evaluation. Use adjectives and adverbs that express degrees of quality:

• Positive: outstanding, impressive, convincing, delicious, entertaining, atmospheric, gripping, well-written
• Negative: disappointing, slow-paced, overpriced, predictable, poorly written, crowded, noisy
• Modifying adverbs: absolutely, particularly, slightly, rather, extremely, quite, definitely

5. Accurate Spelling of Key Review Vocabulary

These words are commonly misspelled at B1 level. Learn them carefully:

• recommend (not recomend)
• definitely (not definately)
• disappointed (not dissapointed)
• comfortable (not confortable)
• environment (not enviroment)
• necessary (not necesary)

Useful Linking Words (Connectors)

Connectors are essential for making your review flow naturally. Study the table below and learn how each connector is used in a review context.

Important: Knowing the Difference Between although and however

Although is a conjunction. It connects two parts of the same sentence and cannot start a new sentence on its own in the same way however can.

However is a linking adverb. It connects two separate sentences and is always followed by a comma.

• ✅ Although the film was long, I never felt bored. (one sentence)
• ✅ The film was long. However, I never felt bored. (two sentences)
• ❌ Although the film was long. However, I never felt bored. (incorrect — do not use both together)

Model Writing Sample: A Review of a Restaurant

Read this complete model review carefully. Notice how it is structured, how connectors are used, and how the writer gives opinions with clear reasons.

Model Text: "A Memorable Meal at La Piazza"

(Word count: 115 words)

[Introduction — names the restaurant and gives background]
Last weekend, I visited La Piazza, an Italian restaurant which recently opened in the city centre. It was recommended to me by a friend, and I had been looking forward to going there for several weeks.

[Positive points — specific details with linking words]
The atmosphere was warm and welcoming, and the staff, who were extremely friendly, made us feel at home immediately. In addition, the pasta dishes were absolutely delicious — particularly the homemade carbonara, which I would definitely order again.

[Negative points — contrast linkers used correctly]
However, the dessert menu was rather limited, and although the prices were reasonable, the portions were slightly small.

[Recommendation — clear and direct]
Overall, I would strongly recommend La Piazza to anyone who enjoys authentic Italian food. It is a wonderful place for a special evening out.

Annotated Breakdown of the Model Text

Model Writing Sample: A Review of a Film

Here is a second model text reviewing a film, so you can see how the same structure works for a different topic.

Model Text: "A Surprising Thriller — 'The Last Signal'"

(Word count: 112 words)

[Introduction]
'The Last Signal' is a British thriller which was released last year and has already received excellent reviews worldwide. I watched it last Saturday and was immediately impressed.

[Positive points]
The storyline, which follows a young detective investigating a mysterious disappearance, is gripping from start to finish. Furthermore, the performances are outstanding — particularly the lead actress, who is completely convincing throughout.

[Negative points]
Although the first thirty minutes are slightly slow, the film builds tension brilliantly. On the other hand, some viewers might find the ending a little confusing.

[Recommendation]
Overall, I would definitely recommend 'The Last Signal' to anyone who enjoys exciting, thought-provoking cinema.

Key Phrases and Sentence Starters

Use these ready-made phrases to help you write your own review confidently. You can adapt them for a film, book, or restaurant.

Introducing the Subject

• ... is a [type of film / restaurant / novel] which / that ...
• I recently visited / watched / read ...
• ... was recommended to me by a friend, and I decided to give it a try.
• ... has recently opened / been published / been released ...
• I have wanted to visit / watch / read ... for a long time.

Describing Positive Points

• One of the highlights was definitely ...
• I was particularly impressed by ...
• The [food / acting / writing], which was ..., really stood out.
• In addition, the [atmosphere / plot / characters] were absolutely ...
• What I enjoyed most was ...

Describing Negative Points

• However, I was slightly disappointed by ...
• Although the ... was impressive, the ... was rather ...
• On the other hand, some people might find ... a little ...
• The only real weakness was ...
• While the ... was excellent, the ... could have been better.

Making a Recommendation

• Overall, I would strongly recommend ... to anyone who enjoys ...
• I would definitely suggest ... to ...
• If you are looking for ..., this is the perfect choice.
• I would not hesitate to recommend ... to ...
• Whether you enjoy ... or ..., I think you will love ...

Giving Your Overall Opinion

• All in all, ...
• On the whole, ...
• Overall, ...
• To sum up, ...
• In my opinion, this is one of the best ...

Common Writing Mistakes to Avoid

Study these typical B1 mistakes carefully. Make sure you do not repeat them in your own writing.

Mistake 1: Confusing although and however

❌ Although the food was expensive. However, it was worth it.
✅ Although the food was expensive, it was worth it. — Use although within one sentence, not together with however in the same construction. Alternatively, write: The food was expensive. However, it was worth it.

Mistake 2: Missing the Comma After a Linking Adverb

❌ However the service was very slow and we waited for forty minutes.
✅ However, the service was very slow and we waited for forty minutes. — Always place a comma directly after However, Therefore, In addition, Furthermore, and As a result, when they begin a sentence.

Mistake 3: Weak or Vague Adjectives Without Support

❌ The film was good. The acting was nice. The story was interesting.
✅ The film was genuinely gripping, thanks to its outstanding performances and an unpredictable storyline. — Avoid repeating simple adjectives like good, nice, and interesting. Use stronger, more precise evaluative vocabulary and give reasons.

Mistake 4: Forgetting to Make a Clear Recommendation

❌ I think the restaurant was OK. Some things were nice and some things were not so good.
✅ Overall, I would recommend this restaurant to anyone who enjoys relaxed, informal dining, although I would suggest booking a table in advance to avoid long queues. — A review must end with a clear and specific recommendation. Vague conclusions do not fulfil the task requirements at B1 level.

Mistake 5: Spelling Errors in Common Review Words

❌ I would definately recomend it. The service was excelent and the enviroment was confortable.
✅ I would definitely recommend it. The service was excellent and the environment was comfortable. — Double-check the spelling of these key words every time you write a review.

Writing Checklist and Practice Task

Writing Checklist

Before you submit your review, go through this checklist carefully. Tick each point when you are confident it is correct.

• ✅ Did you write 100–120 words in 3–4 clear paragraphs?
• ✅ Did you name and briefly introduce the film, book, or restaurant in the first paragraph?
• ✅ Did you describe at least one positive point with a specific reason or detail?
• ✅ Did you describe at least one negative point using a contrast linker (however, although, on the other hand)?
• ✅ Did you end with a clear recommendation and say who would enjoy it most?
• ✅ Did you use at least two different linking words from the connector table?
• ✅ Did you use at least one relative clause with who, which, that, or where?
• ✅ Did you use evaluative adjectives (outstanding, disappointing, gripping, delicious) instead of only basic words like good and nice?
• ✅ Did you check the spelling of recommend, definitely, disappointed, comfortable, and environment?
• ✅ Did you place a comma after However, In addition, Therefore, and Furthermore, at the start of a sentence?
• ✅ Is your register neutral (not too informal or too formal)?

Your Practice Task

Now write your own review of 100–120 words. Choose one of the following options:

• Option A — Film Review: Write a review of a film you have seen recently for an English-language website. Include what type of film it is, what you enjoyed most, anything you were disappointed by, and whether you would recommend it.
• Option B — Book Review: Write a review of a book you have read for a school magazine. Include the type of book, what the story is about, your opinion of the writing and characters, and a recommendation.
• Option C — Restaurant Review: Write a review of a restaurant you have visited for a travel website. Include the type of food, what impressed you, anything that could be improved, and who you would recommend it to.

Use the four-paragraph structure, include at least two linking words from the connector table, and write at least one relative clause. When you have finished, use the checklist above to check your work.

Now test your writing mechanics and sentence skills in the exercises below.