FCE Exam Techniques

ALLC International House

June 2015

General Techniques

Know how much time youre going to spend on each part of the test. Time is everything here!

Never leave any answers blank. If you dont know, guess!

Remember, options can confuse as much as help. Its always best to have a good idea of the text before you look at the options.

General Techniques Paper 1

For this paper, before anything else, you should

Read the ntroduction at the top of the page.

Read the itle - what does it tell us?

kim the text for the general idea.

Paper 1, Part 5 Multiple Choice

Read the questions, but not the options they

will try to confuse you! Underline keywords in the questions.

Now read the text more carefully. When you find the part that answers each question, mark it. How would you answer?

Now look at the options. Which one is closest to your answer?

Think about why the other options are wrong, and cancel them.

Paper 1, Part 6 Gapped Text

Dont look at sentences A-F As you skim the text, give a short heading to each

paragraph. Now look at the sentences before and after 37-42. What

words link sentences together? (eg. it, they, however, etc.) What might they refer to/indicate?

Guess what the sentence in the blank might say. Now look at A-F. Are any of them like your guesses?

Remember to look at linking words in A-F. Answer the easy questions first, come back to the hard

ones.

Paper 1, Part 7 Multiple Matching

Underline keywords in each question. Closely re-read paragraph A. Answer all the

questions you think relate to A. Repeat for B, C and D. If you have any questions unanswered, go

through again. If youre torn between two, compare the

paragraphs to see which is closest.

Paper 1, Part 1 Multiple Choice Cloze

Guess the answers for each gap without looking at the options.

Now look at the options, and choose the ones you guessed.

Re-read the sentences before and after the gaps. Does it make sense?

Dont take too much time here. If you dont know, guess.

Paper 1, Part 2 Open Cloze

Fill in the gaps. Pay attention to the words before or after the gap.

If youre still not sure, think about the function of the word in the sentence. Phrasal verb? Auxiliary verb? Article? Pronoun?

Use only one word. (Remember: In spite is two words!)

Paper 1, Part 3 Word Formation

Every word must be changed. Nothing stays the same.

There is usually at least one word that has to be made negative. Context!

Re-read. Do you need to make any other changes? Does it need to be plural?

Spelling counts here, so be careful!

Paper 1, Part 4 Key Word Transformation

Make sure you leave fifteen minutes for this part. Use 2-5 words. Do not change the given word. What is the same about the two sentences? What is

different? What does it want you to do? Use a passive? Reported

speech? An idiom? When youve finished all six, go back and read through

again. Is the meaning the same? Are you missing any prepositions? Articles?

Remember, you can get one point for part of an answer.

Take a Break!

Well check answers at the end of the day.

Listening General Tips

This isnt just a listening test, but a reading test too.

Use the preparation time before each part to read questions and options.

As you read the options, think about which ones are similar. How are they different?

Think about the overall meaning of the speaker, not just single sentences.

Dont leave any blanks. A guess is better than nothing.

Paper 3, Part 1 Multiple Choice

For each question, which options are similar? How are they a little bit different?

As you listen the first time, mark an answer, even if its just a hunch.

Also, cross off any answers you are sure are incorrect.

The second time you listen, check your answer and make your final decision.

Paper 3, Part 2 Gapped Text

Read the introduction. Who is speaking? In the preparation time before you listen,

decide what kind of word you need for each gap- noun, verb, adjective.

Use only one or two words- never more than three.

Write only the missing information, nothing more.

If theres more than one word, leave a space.

Make sure your answers are grammatically correct.

Common Distractors

Mentions a couple of answers together

But usually, especially, etc.

Some people think

But I,actually

I was going to

But then

Paper 3, Part 3 Multiple Matching

In your preparation time: Read the introduction. What are they all

talking about? Read the options. Are any of them

similar? How are they different? Can you think of any synonyms for the

words or phrases given?

The speaker will mention more than one of the options.

Listen for their main point- often they wont mention the option directly.

Common Distractors

Speaker mentions exact phrase

Almostdefinitely not the answer

Some people think

But infact

Paper 3, Part 4 Multiple Choice Interview

Read the introduction. Who is speaking? About what?

Read the questions and underline the most important words.

Mark the answer you think is right. If youre not sure, go with your instinct. You can change later!

Also, cross off any answers you are sure are incorrect.

The second time you listen, check your answer and make your final decision.