FCE

READING & USE OF

ENGLISH
GUIDE
Exam structure and tasks
Tips and activities

FCE TIPS FOR READING & USE OF ENGLISH PAPER

(1 h 15 min)

DO
Part 1 Modified cloze text, multiple choice
Read the title and the whole text to get the general meaning.
Some of the questions will ask you to choose a word from a set of words with
similar meanings.
The word you need may be part of a collocation, an idiom, an expression, fixed
phrase, phrasal verb or linking word. You may need a preposition, which is part
of a phrasal verb or a linker.
Read the words following the gaps as they may have an effect on the answer.
If you are not sure which of the options fits best, say the sentence to yourself and
use the one that sounds best.
When you have finished, read the text again to make sure it makes sense.
Make sure that you transfer your answers to the answer sheet accurately.
Part 2 Modified open cloze text
Read the whole text to get the general meaning.
Decide what kind of word is needed (verb, pronoun, article, determiner,
quantifier, comparative, linker or preposition)
Read the words following the gaps as they may have an effect on the answer.
Remember you can only use one word in each gap.
You cannot use contracted forms (Ive, hes, mustnt, etc.) to fill in the gaps.
Say the phrase or sentence to yourself and see which word sounds right in each
gap.
Read the text when you have finished and check that it makes sense.
Make sure that you transfer your answers to the answer sheet accurately.
Part 3 Text with gaps (Word formation)
Read the whole text to get the general meaning.
Decide what type of word (noun, adjective, verb, etc.) you need for each gap.
Look at the context carefully. The word may be negative or positive; singular or
plural.
You may need to add a prefix or suffix to the prompt word.
If the word is a noun, check if you need the singular or plural form.
You may need to make two changes to the word (add a prefix and a suffix, add
two suffixes, etc)
Check the spelling of each word carefully.
Make sure that you transfer your answers to the answer sheet accurately.

Part 4 Separate questions (Key word transformations)

You must use between two and five words in the gap. Contractions (didnt,
were, its, etc.) count as two words.
Check that you have used all the information from the first sentence, and that
you havent added any more information.
Make sure you dont change the word given in any way.
Decide what structure you need to use (passive voice, indirect speech, etc.) by
looking at what comes before and after the gap.
Remember to check your spelling carefully.
Make sure that you transfer your answers to the answer sheet accurately.
Part 5 Text multiple choice questions
Read the text first to get the general meaning. Dont worry about individual
words that you dont know.
Read the questions carefully and check each option against the text before
rejecting it (Part 5).
The questions follow the same order as the relevant information in the text.
Underline the key words in each question and in the four options.
Look in the text for information that supports one of these options, but dont
expect to find exactly the same word.
Make sure that you transfer your answers to the answer sheet accurately.
Part 6 Text, sentences removed
Look at the text to see what it is about. Even without the missing sentences, you
can understand the general meaning.
Read the text before and after each gap. The missing word(s) may be forming
part of an idiom, fixed phrase or collocation. Try to guess what the missing
information is.
Go through the gapped sentences. Try to find a link between the text and the
gapped sentences.
The text and the gapped sentence will be on the same topic.
Re-read the whole text to make sure it makes sense.
Make sure that you transfer your answers to the answer sheet accurately.
Part 7 short texts, multiple-matching questions
Skim through the whole text to get a general idea.
Read the questions and underline the key words. Make sure you understand the
exact meaning of each question.
Look quickly through the text for information about the key words in each
question. Remember that the key words might not be in the text at all, but there
will be other words or expressions with that meaning.
If you find a text where the key words are mentioned, look through the other
texts as well to make sure you have got the correct answer.
Make sure that you transfer your answers to the answer sheet accurately.

DON'T

Dont try to answer any questions without referring carefully to the text.
Dont spend too much time on any one part of the paper.
Dont forget to record your answers on the separate answer sheet.
Dont assume that if the same word appears in the text as well as in an option,
this means you have located the answer.
Dont write the answers to any of the examples on your answer sheets.
Dont choose your answer in Part 1 before you have read all the options.
Dont write out the full sentence when answering the questions in Part 4.
Dont leave the base word in Part 3 unchanged.
Dont decide on your answer before reading the whole of a sentence in all parts.
Dont give alternative answers for any questions.