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Cambridge Exam
Spring 2014
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The Common European Framework
of Reference
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Exam overview
Reading & Use of English, 1 hour 30 minutes, 8 parts
Writing, 1 hour 30 minutes, 2 texts 220-260 words
Listening, 40 min, 4 parts
Speaking, 15 minutes, 4 parts
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cFdGudT4Wu0&list=PLHXxw_fD9hAeQs7D26CFYB1fPw6heRsky
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Your CAE result
Each of the listed components of the test counts for 25% of
your total score.
To be awarded the Certificate in Advanced English you have to
receive a pass grade (A, B or C).
Passing grade
Grade A: 80% or more
Grade B: 75-79%
Grade C: 60-74%
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Reading and Use of English
Part 1: Multiple choice cloze. Choose the correct word out of
4 alternatives. Phrases, collocations, idioms, linkers etc.
Part 2: Open cloze. Fill gaps in a text of about. Mainly “form
words” such as prepositions, linkers etc. Tests grammatical and
lexio-grammatical knowledge
Part 3: Word formation. Form words from a stem.
Grammatical and lexical knowledge.
Part 4: Key word transformation. Transform information from
one sentence to another using a given word.
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Reading and Use of English
Part 5: Multiple choice. Understanding opinions and details.
Longer text with 6 questions.
Part 6: Cross text multiple matching: Match 4 statements
with 4 shorter texts. Test ability of understanding opinion and
attitude (NEW)
Part 7: Gapped texts. Decide where paragraphs belong in a
text. Difficult. Tests understanding of text structure. Look for
linking words and nouns before and after the gaps.
Part 8: Multiple matching. Match prompts to sections in the
text. Understanding specific information
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How to practice: Reading
Read extensively in your spare time; focus on non-fiction and
articles.
Tips: Bookmark English newspapers and read at least one article a day
(e.g. www.guardian.com, www.huffingtonpost.com etc)
Install Stumbleupon to find English texts and articles about topics that
interest you
Get accustomed to how the different parts are structured and what
it is they test.
Different ways of reading; Scanning for specific information,
skimming a text to get the general meaning or detail reading to
thoroughly understand a text.
Prediction-techniques; title, sub-title, key words give you ideas of
what to expect from the text.
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How to practice: Use of English
Read, read, read and surround yourself with English to get
more familiar with expressions and sayings. This will practice
your natural sense of the language.
Widen your vocabulary. Play Selingua (PC) and freerice
(www.freerice.com) 10 min/day .
Practice grammar, in the textbook and online (see list of useful
links). I can also provide advanced working sheets.
Learn about prefixes, suffixes and word stems to easier predict
what a word means.
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Writing (5 different texts)
Part 1: An Essay with a discursive focus
Write an essay based on two points given in an
input text. Explain which point is most important and
give reasons for your opinions.
220-260 words
Part 2: Letter/email, proposal, report or review.
Choose one out of five tasks. Clear context,
topic, purpose and audience is given.
220-260 words
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How to practice: Writing
Write a diary in English to get used to being able to express
yourself quickly in English.
Study the different text types (see compendium). Form, style, tone
etc.
Use linking words! Memorize them and learn how to properly use
them creating flow and coherence in your texts.
Practice using a more complex language. If you make mistakes
you still get extra credits for trying. Vary your sentence structure!
Practice writing texts within the word limit since counting words in
the examination wastes time.
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W – Who is the target reader
R – Reason for writing
I – Include what?
T – Task type
E – Edit (and check) your work
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Listening
Part 1: Short extracts. Multiple-choice questions.
Part 2: Sentence completion. Write a word or a short phrase
heard in the monologue. Test ability to understand specific
information.
Part 3: Multiple choice. Choose the best answer. Ability to
understand opinions and attitude.
Part 4: Multiple matching. Select the correct answer form a list
of eight options. Understand attitude, main points and context.
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How to practice: Listening
Get familiar with the different parts to know what to expect and
listen for (specific information, opinion, attitude, primary
meaning etc.)
Listen to English podcasts. Download them to your phone and
listen on the way to school. Listen to an audiobook.
Always read the question carefully and try to predict what will
come.
Don’t get stuck if you don’t understand everything straight
away. You will hear it twice.
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Speaking
Part 1: Conversation between candidate and interlocutor about
personal questions.
Part 2: Individual long turns and brief responses. Talk for about
one minute on your own about a set of pictures.
Part 3: Two way interaction between candidates. Discuss a
problem solving task. Tests ability to interact, exchange ideas,
agree or disagree etc.
Part 4: Conversation between candidate and interlocutor about
wider issues connected to topic in part 3.
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How to practice: Speaking
Learn how the test is constructed and what is demanded of you
in the different parts. If it’s expressing opinions, give responses,
interact etc.
Practice to express yourself freely in English. Have discussions
with your friends in English from time to time discussing
pictures and “staging” old speaking exams.
Try using more complex language. Write down phrases and
synonyms that might be useful.
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Dos and DON’Ts: Reading
DO Don’t
Skim through the text for
general understanding. Don’t spend too much time
on any one part of the paper.
Read the instructions very
carefully – they set the scene Don’t forget to transfer all
and give you initial orientation.
your answers to the answer
Highlight or underline sheet.
important words in the
questions. Don’t be put off by or get
stuck on difficult
Decide what type of question
you are answering and then vocabulary – it may become
employ the correct reading skill, clear by reading on or by later
especially in the multiple-choice rereading.
part.
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Dos and DON’Ts: Use of English
DO DON’T
Check your spelling in all parts Don’t leave any questions
of the test.
unanswered.
Read the surrounding
context before giving an answer. Don’t give alternative
answers for any questions.
Read the instructions, the
information about the texts, the Don’t wait until the end to
titles and the texts before starting copy all your answers on to
to answer. your answer sheet.
Read the texts again to check
your answers make sense.
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Dos and DON’Ts: Writing
DO DON’T
Read the task carefully and
plan an answer which addresses Don’t write answers that are
all the content points of the task. much longer than the word
Try to develop each point fully limit as this means you may
have included a lot of irrelevant
Demonstrate a good range of
vocabulary and structures as material. Plan your answer
well as writing accurately to get a carefully to avoid this.
good mark.
Don’t spend to much time on
Consider who the ‘target
reader’ is and the genre (e.g. the first question
newspaper article, formal letter)
for each question and try to write Don’t use a pencil.
in an appropriate style and tone.
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Dos and DON’Ts: Listening
DO DON’T
Listen to and read the Don’t worry if you miss a question.
instructions to understand what you Continue with the next question then
have to do. listen again for the missing
information when you hear the
Think about the topic, the recording for the second time.
speaker(s) and the context as you
read the questions.
Don’t leave a blank space on the
Use the pause to read the answer sheet. If you are not sure,
questions and try to predict the guess.
answers
Don’t repeat information which is
Check that your answer is correctly already in the sentences. (Part 2)
spelled. (Part 2)
Don’t panic. There is plenty of time to
Copy only the missing words on to write your answers as you listen. (Part
the answer sheet. (Part 2) 2)
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Dos and DON’Ts: Speaking
DO DON’T
Show you can communicate
effectively. Don’t panic if you cannot
remember, or do not know, a
Give full and extended responses. particular word. Just keep going
and paraphrase instead.
Raise the level of your language above
the mundane.
Don’t merely describe the
Listen carefully to what the examiner visuals.
has asked you to do.
Don’t let your partner always
Speculate on the content of the visual ‘take the lead’. You also must
material, even if you are unsure about
what they are illustrating. initiate at times.
Involve your partner in the Don’t waste your
conversation and create opportunities opportunities to show the
for them to speak.
examiners what you can do
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More information
More Dos and DON’Ts, FAQ and general tips:
http://www.cambridgeenglish.org/exams-and-
qualifications/advanced/how-to-prepare/
My collection of links regarding CAE:
https://www.evernote.com/shard/s112/sh/1a052d5c-ef6a-4a38-
9266-e608c6e8bbb1/d318bebcd2e0d64091cb38cbeacb0dc6
Don’t underestimate GOOGLE to find useful grammar, spelling,
listening pages/exercises. Have a look on YouTube. Use
search terms such as ESL (English as a Second Language),
Advanced, CAE.
