FCE Test
FCE Test
FCE Test
There are four parts to this paper and they are always in the same order. Each part contains a
text and a comprehension task. The texts used are semi-authentic, they come from newspaper
and magazine articles, guidebooks, advertisements, fiction, reports and manuals,
Part 1
Multiple matching - you must read a text preceded by multiple matching questions.
The prompts are either headings or summary sentences. There is one extra heading or
summary sentence which you do not have to use.
Part 2
Multiple choice - you must read a text followed by multiple choice questions with four
options A,B,C or D. You have to choose the answer which you think fits best according to the
text.
Part 3
Gapped text - you must read a text with sentences or paragraphs removed. You need to use
the missing paragraphs or sentences to complete the text. There is one extra sentence or
paragraph which you do not need to use.
Part 4
Multiple matching/multiple choice - you must answer the questions by finding the relevant
information in the text or texts.
You are going to read a magazine article in which people are interviewed about shopping. For
Questions 22-35, choose from the people (A-I). The people may be chosen more than once.
When more than one answer is required, these may be given in any order. There is an example
at the beginning (0). Mark your answers on the separate answer sheet.
Love it or hate it, we all go shopping. But there are different types of shopper. Do you know
which kind you are? Abby Edwards asked around ...
I'm an addict - I can't spend enough money! When I have the cash I'm out there and then I
don't get miserable. I definitely have difficulty walking past sale signs. My boyfriend's exactly
the same, so we often drag each other around the shops. We're an addicted couple!
I'm a reluctant shopper. My husband does most of the food shopping because he does the
cooking and knows what he likes. I don't spend much time shopping for clothes... I do take
my 6-year-old son and 14-year-old daughter out to get clothes, but I don't enjoy that either, as
we all have different tastes. I don't spend money on myself regularly, so when I do splash out
I tend to feel guilty and rarely tell my husband how much I've spent - I always knock the price
down a bit! The real price always sounds so shocking.
I only shop for essentials - I hate shopping and only go when I really have to. When I do, I
know what I want and I won't settle for anything else. I find shopping tiring and there's always
something I'd rather be doing.
I like a good look round every now and then but I tend to know what I want, and where to
find it. I don't waste time and I get in and out as quickly as I can. I do have hidden mistakes at
the back of my wardrobe though - so maybe I'm a careful shopper who sometimes gets
particular purchases wrong!
I'm probably a happy shopper. Sometimes I'll go out for a look around the shops with my
girlfriends - and we'll often end up spending. I don't usually go out with a certain item in
mind, but if something catches my eye I'll buy it.
I'm a careful shopper - I like going, but I don't really buy very much. I usually know what I
want and I seldom go crazy. I do sometimes shop to cheer myself up - but I usually end up
feeling much worse because I've spent too much!
I love shopping - but only on certain days and never on a Saturday, as it's far too busy. I'd say
I'm a careful shopper ... I always set off with a fair idea of what I want, and I never snap
things up immediately. I have to look in other shops, in case I can find a better bargain - I take
ages!
I'm an unwilling shopper - maybe because I work in the city centre, the shops have lost their
attraction for me. When I have to, I'll drag myself out - but I don't bother to try things on, it's
far too much trouble. Clothes I buy don't always fit, but I don't mind too much and I'd rather
make a few mistakes than have to go into shops and make a lot of effort!
Part 1.
A transactional letter (formal or informal). You are given a situation which you need to
respond to by letter. You may be given two or three different types of information which you
need to use in your answer.
You are staying in Britain and have recently been to a local art exhibition. You enjoyed the
exhibition but you have some suggestions to make so that the next one will be better orga-
nised. Read the advertisement for the exhibition and the notes you have made beside it. Then
write a letter to the organiser, giving your opinion of this year's exhibition and making your
suggestions for next year.
Write a letter of between 120 and 180 words in an appropriate style. Do not write any
addresses.
Write an answer to one of the questions 2-5 in this part. Write your answer in 120-180 words
in an appropriate style on the opposite page. Put the question number in the box.
COMPETITION
Write and tell us what you think makes a perfect friendship. The winning article will be
published in our international magazine and the winner will receive a prize of 100 pounds.
If you don't make music yourself, you can't enjoy other people's music.
Your teacher has now asked you to write a composition, giving your own views on the
statement.
Guess what? Now my exams are over, I've decided I'm going to imprrove my fitness and
health. The only problem is I don't know how to start. I know you're very fit - what do you
suggest?
Either (a) If you could make a film of the book or of one of the short stories you
have read, which events would you concentrate on? Write a composition, describing these
events briefly and explaining their importance to the film.
Or (b) In most stories, there is at least one place which readers remember well. From the
book or short story you have read, choose one place which stays in your memory. Write a
composition, describing the place and explaining why it is so special.
Part 1
Multiple choice gap-fill mainly testing vocabulary . You must choose which word from four
answers completes each of the 15 gaps in a text.
For Questions 1-15, read the text below and decide which answer, A, B, C or D best fits each
space. There is an example at the beginning (0). Mark your answers on the separate answer
sheet.
British families started going (0) .... holiday to the seaside around the middle of the l9th
century. The invention of the railways (1) .... this possible. The first holidaymakers were quite
rich and went for their health and education. The seaside was a place to be (2) .... of illness,
and doctors recommended bathing in the sea and drinking sea water. Also to (3) .... their
knowledge, families attended concerts and read books from the library.
At that time, ordinary working people had very little time (4) .... work. However, in 1871, the
gov-ernment (5) .... four `Bank Holidays' - national holiday days. This (6) .... people to have a
day or two out (7) .... , which gave them a (8) .... for leisure and the seaside. At first, they went
on day-trips, taking (9) .... of special cheap tickets on the railways.
Part 2
Open gap-fill, testing mainly grammar. You must complete a text with 15 gaps.
For Questions 16-30, read the text below and think of the word which best fits each space.
Use only one word in each space. There is an example at the beginning (0). Write your
answers on the separate answer sheet.
Example: 0 in
In 1863, the first underground passenger railway (0) .......... the world opened in London.
Called the Metropolitan, (16) .......... ran for just under seven kilometres and allowed people
(17) .......... avoid the terrible crowds on the roads above as (18) .......... travelled to and from
work. It took three years to complete and (19) .......... built using an interesting method. This
involved digging up the road, laying the track and then building (20) ........ strong roof over
the top. When all (21) .......... had been done, the road surface was replaced.
Steam engines were used to pull the carriages and it must (22) .......... been fairly un pleasant
(23) .......... the passengers, with all the smoke and noise. However, the railway quickly proved
to (24) .......... a great success and within six months more (25) .......... 25,000 people were
using it every day.
Part 3
'Key' word transformations testing grammar and vocabulary. You must complete a sentence
with a given word, so that it means the same as the first sentence.
For questions 31-40, complete the second sentence so that it has a similar meaning to the first
sentence, using the word given. Do not change the word given. You must use between two
and five words, including the word given.
Example:
carry
The gap can be filled by the words 'carry out the manager's' so you write:
better
must
me
34 The journey will be about nine hours, whichever route you take.
matter
Part 4
Error correction mainly testing grammar. You need to identify any extra words, which are
wrong, in a text containing some wrong lines and some correct lines.
For questions 41-51, read the text below and look carefully at each line. Some of the lines are
correct, and some have a word which should not be there.
If a line is correct, put a tick ( ) by the number on the separate answer sheet. If a line
has a word which should not be there, write the word on the separate answer sheet.
Examples:
0 off
00
CONGRATULATIONS
41 What are you going to spend it on? You could even buy a new car
42 with all that money! You should have be in great shape after all the
43 training you have been doing. It must be so very hard work, practising
44 all those hours for every day, but it is worth it in the end, isn't it?
45 Perhaps you are thinking of going on holiday so that you can have
46 a break from tennis and relax. Can you tell me exactly what is kind of
47 tennis racquet you chose for the competition? If I would get the same,
49 your great victory! I'm still studying English every single day and the
50 course has three months to go. I have moved house, as if you can see
51 from my new address. Make sure you reply back to the right address!
Part 5 Word formation. You need to use the right form of a given word to fill the gaps in a
text containing 10 gaps.
For Questions 56-65, read the text below. Use the word given in capitals at the end of
each line to form a word that fits in the space in the same line. There is an example at
the beginning (0). Write your answers on the separate answer sheet.
Example: 0 closure
Following the unexpected (0) closure last year of a number of factories CLOSE in and around
Bradstone, leading to a sharp rise in local (56) ..... EMPLOY it is very good to hear that the
(57)..... of a new high-technology CONSTRUCT centre will begin (58) ..... on the site of one
of the old factories. SHORT
Network UK, the company responsible, made the (59) ..... yesterday. ANNOUNCE They said
they would soon start (60) ..... for two hundred new staff. ADVERTISE who are suitably (61)
..... for the new jobs available. The management QUALIFY said it was also their (62) ..... to
offer fifty job-training positions for INTEND young people who have (63) ..... left school.
They want to build up a RECENT dynamic, well-trained and (64) ..... team and believe that
they can ENTHUSIASM contribute to making Bradstone a happy and (65) ..... town once
again. WEALTH
Part 1
Multiple choice. You hear 8 short unrelated extracts, each about 30 seconds with either one or
two speakers. You must choose an answer from A, B or C.
You will hear people talking in eight different situations. For Questions 1-8, choose the best
answer A, B or C.
1. Listen to this girl talking about her new boss. How did she feel after she met him?
Girl: So there I was in my best clothes, arrived extra early to make a good impression and
guess what? When he turned up I recognized him - yes, we were at school together. The only
thing is I couldn't stand him then, he was awful and I bet he hasn't changed. It's going to be
really dreadful working under him. I was so looking forward to having a new boss as well.
A delighted
B disappointed
C relieved
....../1
Boy 1: It was a real shock 'cos I hadn't expected anything nearly so expensive!
Boy 1: -Well, the reception's quite bad on that side, you get a much better picture at the front.
A a television
B a cassette player
C a computer
...../2
3. You ovehear two friends talking about a garden party they attended. What was the
problem?
Woman 2: I know, and it's such a pity because we were all really looking forward to it.
Woman 1: When everyone had to come rushing in absolutely soaking wet I couldn't believe
it!
Woman 2: It came down so quickly and it had been such a lovely bright morning.
Woman 1: And that amazing place, the garden and the lovely bright marquee.
Woman 2: Her family were furious. All that money.
A the people
B the weather
C the place
...../3
4 On a visit to a college, you overhear part of a lesson. What is the subject of the lesson?
Woman: When you're very young, eating is a hands-on experience. Food is not just a matter
of taste and smell, it's feel too. Babies learn by feeling things. It's a way of double-checking
on what their eyes can see. So, next time your baby sister splatters you with her dinner,
remember it's all part of the learning experience.
B child development
C food preparation
......./4
Part 2
Note-taking or sentence completion. You hear either one or two speakers and this part lasts
about 3 minutes. You must write a word or short phrase to complete the notes or sentences.
Paper 4, part 2
You will hear a telephone conversation where a woman asks for information about different
study aids for the blind. For Questions 9-18, complete the Enquiries Record.
Man: Good morning, Banshire Blind Society, how can I help you ?
Woman: Oh good morning. I'm ringing to make enquiries about equipment that might be
useful for my studies. I've been blind for three years.
Man: Right.
Woman: and I'm just starting a degree course and I wondered if you have any
recommendations for equipment that might be useful.
Man: Yes, certainly madam what we normally like to do is to take down some details and
then we investigate what might be suitable and get back to you.
Woman: It's Paula Jakes. I'll just spell that for j-a-k-es
Man: History and Politics. OK. And can I just ask about your ability to use Braille? Would
you say you were a very good user, a partial user or a non-user?
Man: OK, that's no problem. I'll put down 'non-user'. That'll do. What about computers? Have
you got many skills in that area?
Man: Right, well that's certainly helpful. OK then, now did you have any particular types of
equipment in mind?
Woman: Well I don't know much about it but I was wondering about speaking dictionaries.
Man: OK. I'll put that down too. And what sort of price range were you thinking of?
Woman: Well, I thought around three hundred pounds to start with, but if I have to I'm pretty
sure I could get a further two hundred pounds if necessary so up to five hundred pounds
really.
Man: Oh that's fine. There are one or two good products on the market in your range. Now
what I'll do is look through our files and talk to a couple of people and give you a call
What's your number?
Woman: Well I don't think you can contact me very easily during the day'cos I'll be at
college I tell you what, could you call my tutor?
Man: Yes .... sure... no problem, but I'd better have his name.
Man: Fine, I've got that... right... I'll be getting the information to you in the next couple of
days.
Woman: Thanks ever so much.
Man: Before you go, can I just check how you found out about our enquiry service?
Woman: Bye
and ......... 14
Contact
Tel number:......... 17
Part 3
Multiple matching. You hear five unrelated extracts with a common theme. Each lasts about
30 seconds. You must choose the correct answer from a list of six.
You will hear an advert for a travel insurance company where five people talk about bad
experiences they have had whilst travelling. For Questions 19-23, choose from the list A-F
what each speaker is describing. Use the letters only once. There is one extra letter which you
do not need to use.
Speaker 1: It was an old car but it had never broken down... well except of the odd puncture
or problem with the brakes... but never when it mattered ... so anyway we were really upset
when they took it and we had a lot of problems reporting it.
Speaker 2: My wife and I were on a driving holiday in Europe and we were walking along
when suddenly we were surrounded by people. When they'd gone, I checked my pocket and
somehow they'd managed to take it. It was such a pain spending days trying to get the right
papers form the Embassy, and of course we couldn't move on until it was sorted out.
Speakers 3: We were driving up this really steep road and suddenly the engine just stopped
for no reason and we were stuck. Luckily, of all things, a police car came past and they
organised a pick-up truck and we managed to get down but it was really expensive.
Speaker 4: It was really hot and so... stupidly we just left a crack in the window... but that
was enough and the whole lot was gone when we got back. Luckily we had all our important
documents and wallets with us in the restaurant and we just had to buy some new things to
wear and stuff but that was still pretty expensive.
Speaker 5: It was one of those things that really upset you 'cos you don't know exactly when
and where it happened. At some stage I realized it had gone. Anyway, I didn't have any
insurance so I just had to forget about it but I had to spend ages trying to contact my bank to
send me out some more.
Speaker 1 ......../19
Speaker 2I ......../20
Speaker 3 ......../21
Speaker 4 ......../22
Speaker 5I ......../23
Part 4
Choosing from 2 or 3 possible answers. You hear either one or more speakers talking For
about 3 minutes . Task types may include yes/no, true/false, 3-option multiple choice, who
said what etc.
You will hear part of a radio programme about a problem caused by birds in a seaside
town. For Questions 24-30, decide whether the statements are TRUE or FALSE. Write T
Interviewer: A seaside town is at war with a part of its population. The attackers are sea birds
who have got a taste for fast food. Anything, in fact, they can get form the tourists enjoying an
open-air lunch on the seafront. I spoke to some people who'd been attacked.
Tourist: My husband had just got me a burger, and I'd had one bite out of it, and a bird came
right up close and whipped it away from me, from my hand. And then there was a little boy,
they'd just got him some fish and chips and that, and the bird came and whipped it all away,
the whole tray, and the poor little kid, I felt so sorry for him, because it was a horrible
experience, even for me, you know.
Interviewer: All around the harbour here, you'll hear the same stories. The Town Council
have been trying to do something about the problem, Malcolm Vales is the Town Clerk and
he's with me now. So is Jenny Samson, an expert on sea birds. Malcolm, hasn't this always
been a problem?
Malcolm: Unfortunately, it's a problem that's developed over a long time. Once upon a time
the birds were encouraged by fishermen to come in and clean their nets. The town has always
been a source of food for them; they steal from rubbish bins, some people used to feed them.
Malcolm: We've had signs put up asking the public not to feed them. The more people that
feed them, the more birds we're going to have and the more this will become a way of life for
them. We've got the rubbish bins securely covered to deny that as a food source.
Jenny: Well, the intention's good, but unfortunately if you take away the birds' source of food
that may make them more aggressive and certainly it appears that they are getting more
desperate to get hold of food, and that's what we are seeing now .
Malcolm: Well, we borrowed an electronic system from an airport which is meant to keep
birds away. Just to see if it would work, because they're expensive to buy. And when we first
started using it, it was extremely effective, but to a certain extent I think their need for food is
probably greater than their sense of danger, because they soon got used to it and seemed not to
take much notice.
Malcolm: Oh, yes, but remember these birds can live for up to 32 years, so that's a long-term
measure. We need something that's going to help us now. It's a very difficult question. We are
watching the situation again this summer and we'll be discussing it again, but we may have to
find a more direct method of reducing numbers.
Part 1
The interviewer asks each candidate some questions. You are asked to give information about
yourself. You may be asked about 'your home town' , 'your interests', 'your plans' etc.
Part 2
Each candidate talks to the interviewer for about 1 minute. You have to talk about
Part 3
You are given some material - diagrams, pictures etc. to discuss with the other candidate. You
may be asked to solve a problem or try to come to a decision about something. The examiner
does not join in the conversation.
Example:
Look at the picture together. It shows a living room which doesn't have enough furniture in it.
Talk about the problems with the room and decide together on which three things you would
buy to improve it. (Objective First Certificate, Annette Capel i Wendy Sharp, Cambridge
University Press 2000)
Part 4
Candidates offer opinions relating to the task they have just completed. The interviewer will
join in with your discussion, asks some further questions but you and your partner are also
expected to develop the conversation.
The Speaking Test is an opportunity to demonstrate your level of English . Don't be too
worried about making mistakes - you are not only assessed on your accuracy, but on your
range of grammar and vocabulary, your pronunciation and ability to communicate with other
people in discussion.
Advice
- Don't be afraid to spend a few seconds thinking in order to plan what you are going to say.
- Give detailed answers in Part 1, rather than answering the examiners questions in a single
word.
- Listen carefully to the other candidate's long turn in Part 2 , so that you can make a comment
when asked.
- Keep going during your own long turn, remembering to compare and contrast, rather than
describe an individual picture.
- Be sensitive to the other candidate in Part 3 and use turn-taking skills to ensure you both
work towards completion of the task.
- Interact both with the other candidate and the examiner in Part 4. Here you have the chance to
broaden the discussion, so take the initiative and show them what you know.
(Objective First Certificate, Annette Capel i Wendy Sharp, Cambridge University Press 2000)