Question 1

It is semi-academic

Answer

no official APA / MLA formatting, quoting, bibliography, etc.
no sourcing of statistics or back-up info (you have no access to the internet in the test); however, you can invent:

e.g.

Hardly a week goes by without another report of … appearing in the media.
Over the past ten years or so the media have frequently carried reports of … .
(maybe this isn't scientific or true, but the examiner will never know/check)

Question 2

It is formal

Answer

no contractions (don't --> do not)
but / and --> however / furthermore

Question 3

The aim is to PARAPHRASE the two texts (say what they say using different words) and EVALUATE (a.k.a. give your opinion)

Answer

if you only paraphrase, then it's a summary / rewording
if you only give your opinion, then it's an article / review

Question 4

Organisation

Answer

No one-size-fits-all (e.g. some do 4 paragraphs, some 5).

Look at the handbook to see how widely different the essays are (and the examiners graded them positively despite their structure).

Question 5

Suggestion

Answer

The "easiest" format to follow is the 4-paragraph structure:

introduction (contextualising the topic)
paragraph 1 (evaluate and give opinion on text 1 - implicitly or explicitly referencing it)
paragraph 2 (evaluate and give opinion on text 1 - implicitly or explicitly referencing it)
conclusion (reiterate your view + give rounding up sentence and/or food for thought)

Question 6

Some general suggestions

Answer

However, a lot of (many) people doubt
Technological advances in other (spheres) domains / fields
[zero article] the space → space travel to space, work in space

Question 7

"A college magazine editor has invited contributions to a special feature entitled 'Getting around: motorbike or scooter?'
Write a 280-320 word article for the feature."