Invata engleza/ The Cambridge FCE test

START ENGLISH. Watch, listen, speak. Tips and tricks about English.

Presently I will offer some information about the Reading paper for the First Certificate in English exam. In my article Sample Test for the FCE Exam I have introduced tasks for the Use of English test, the Writing test and the Speaking test.

For completing the Reading Paper the time frame is an hour. The task consists of three parts.

The Reading Paper part 1 consists of a multiple choice test. So, there will be a rather long text, which you will have to read carefully and try to circle the right choice. Technically speaking this is an easier task compared with the Listening and (maybe) the Speaking papers, but you need a lot of attention for details. Many students make mistakes about this because they do not mind the details.

Firstly read the questions (they are usually 8). Frequently the gist of the task is in the question. And this applies to all tasks. You cannot do right if you do not know/understand what you are supposed to do. It is very simple in theory, but in practice students sometimes do not really pay attention and lose valuable points.

Read also the alternatives and if you decide to circle something, find reasons in the text to do so. And this is the difficult part about this text because the alternatives are often confusing and you might think that more than one is appropriate. Students seldom find two alternatives that can match the context. How to choose between them?
Scan the fragment which the task is about and find tips in the text in favor of your choice. Chose the alternative for which there are more reasons.

I could not help but noticing another type of mistake; imaginative students circle the wrong answer because they think it is a possible continuation of the fragment/text. So, do not forget, you circle something because of hard evidence in the text and not because you feel it might be alright.

As a conclusion, I need to remind you to pay attention to the time for this paper: you must complete all 3 parts of the Reading Paper in an hour, so time management is of utmost importance!

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The FCE exam

START ENGLISH. Watch, listen, speak. Tips and tricks about English.

(www.engleza-de-afaceri.ro)

I have been very busy lately trying to help my students get the highest scores for the international certificates CAE, FCE and IELTS at the exams being held this weekend and the last.

I would like to share some tips with the contestants with a view to the issues that students find the most difficult.

The outline of the FCE exam is the following:

• Reading: 1 hour
• Writing: 1 hour 20 minutes
• Use of English: 45 minutes
• Listening: 40 minutes (aprox.)
• Speaking: 14 minutes (aprox.)

-The most important thing that ensures the success is attention, so, all the time, read the questions carefully and underline keywords.

-For the FCE Speaking test Part 2, the students are supposed to speak about pictures which are rather unappealing. You should try to “squeeze’’ them of all useful information. It is advisable to build your speech around some vocabulary items that you can choose, based upon the pictures.

-Never forget to compare two of the pictures while answering the question(s).

-Pay attention to your partner’s pictures, because you will be asked a question based upon them.

To be continued.

Contact:

• Web: www.cursinengleza.ro I  www.engleza-de-afaceri.ro
• Tel: 0722.841.053
• E-mail: engleza_de_afaceri@yahoo.ro

Tips for the Cambridge FCE exam

START ENGLISH. Watch, listen, speak. Tips and tricks about English.
http://www.cursinengleza.ro/engleza_examene.htm

Presently I will offer some information about the Reading paper for the First Certificate in English exam. In my article Sample Test for the FCE Exam I have introduced tasks for the Use of English test, the Writing test and the Speaking test.

For completing the Reading Paper the time frame is an hour. The task consists of three parts.

The Reading Paper part 1 consists of a multiple choice test. So, there will be a rather long text, which you will have to read carefully and try to circle the right choice. Technically speaking this is an easier task compared with the Listening and (maybe) the Speaking papers, but you need a lot of attention for details. Many students make mistakes about this because they do not mind the details.

Firstly read the questions (they are usually 8). Frequently the gist of the task is in the question. And this applies to all tasks. You cannot do right if you do not know/understand what you are supposed to do. It is very simple in theory, but in practice students sometimes do not really pay attention and lose valuable points.

Read also the alternatives and if you decide to circle something, find reasons in the text to do so. And this is the difficult part about this text because the alternatives are often confusing and you might think that more than one is appropriate. Students seldom find two alternatives that can match the context. How to choose between them?

Scan the fragment which the task is about and find tips in the text in favor of your choice. Chose the alternative for which there are more reasons.


I couldn’t help but noticing another type of mistake; imaginative students circle the wrong answer because they think it is a possible continuation of the fragment/text. So, do not forget, you circle something because of hard evidence in the text and not because you feel it might be correct.

As a conclusion, I need to remind you to pay attention to the time for this paper: you must complete all 3 parts of the Reading Paper in an hour, so time management is of utmost importance!

Start FCE for 300 lei a month.

• Web: www.cursinengleza.ro I  www.engleza-de-afaceri.ro
• Tel: 0722.841.053
• E-mail: engleza_de_afaceri@yahoo.ro

 

Sample test for CAE

START ENGLISH. Watch, listen, speak. Tips and tricks about English.

The tasks for the Cambridge CAE exam are structured as following:

Paper 1 Reading

Paper 2 Writing

Paper 3 Use of English

Paper 4 Listening

Paper 5 Speaking.

This test includes tasks for the Writing, the Use of English and the Speaking Papers. The complete tests will be performed in class. You are welcome to join a group for the preparation for the CAE exam.

Paper 2 WRITING
Choose one of the following writing tasks. Your answer should follow exactly the instructions given. Write approximately 220-260 words.

1.A technology magazine, International Technology Today, has asked its readers to submit articles on the impact of mobile phones on modern society. In your article, you should discuss the different personal and business uses of mobile phones and assess the advantages and disadvantages of this technology.

Write your article.

2.Your town is hoping to host a sport event next year, which will attract competitors from other countries. The organizers of this sports event need to ensure that the chosen venue has an adequate range of facilities for visitors. Write a proposal to the organizing committee to persuade them that your town is a suitable venue. Your proposal should include information on accommodation, transport and entertainment.

Write your proposal.

3.You have been asked to write an information sheet giving advice to students from abroad about how to get the most out of studying in your college. The title is Studying and Student Life and the information sheet must include advice relating to:

-methods of study

-suitable types of accommodation

-social life

Write your information sheet.

Paper 2 USE OF ENGLISH
For questions 1-5, think of one word only which can used appropriately in all three sentences. Here is an example (0).

Example:


0 The committee decided to ……………… the money equally between the two charities.


I can’t believe that john and Maggie have decided to ………… up after 20 years of marriage.


To serve a watermelon you need to …………. it down the center with a sharp knife.

Example: 0 SPLIT

Write only the missing word IN CAPITAL LETTERS on the separate answer sheet.

1 Once the management has decided on the ………of events for the training day, a letter will be sent to all the staff.

The President gave the ………….. for a holiday to be declared to celebrate the birth of his son.

I’d asked them to deliver the fridge but it never arrived, and when I inquired the company said they had no trace of my……………… .


2 After months of intensive training, Glyn thought he was in with a …………. chance of winning a medal at the games.


The manager made a ………… argument for lowering the price of the company’s product.


The …………. currents in the bay make sailing tricky even in perfect weather conditions.


3. They had a long wait at the airport so they ……… the time doing puzzles.


Jan …………. the contract to me so that I could check its accuracy.


The car that ……………. us on the motorway was going too fast.

4.  You need to …………. on the right side of Mrs Smith – she can be very difficult if she gets annoyed with you.


The doctor says I’ll need to …………… on taking tablets for at least a week.


You can ……… that bicycle for as long as you want – I never use it these days.

5.  The film examines the theme of what it is like to live in a strange ……….far from home.


He owned a large amount of ………..in the north of the country, and was said to be extremely rich.


The ……………..in that area is very fertile and supports a wide variety of crops.


Paper 5 SPEAKING


There are two examiners. One (the interlocutor) conducts the test, providing you with the necessary materials and explaining you what you have to do. The other examiner (the assessor) is introduced to you, but then takes no further part in the interaction.


Part 1 (3 minutes)
The interlocutor first asks you and your partner a few questions. The interlocutor asks candidates for some information about themselves, then widens the scope of the questions by asking about, e.g. candidates’ leisure activities, studies, travel and daily life. Candidates are expected to respond to the interlocutor’s questions, and listen to what their partner has to say.


Part 2 (a one-minute ’long turn’ for each candidate, plus 30-second response from the second candidate)


You are each given the opportunity to talk for about a minute, and to comment briefly after your partner has spoken.

The interlocutor gives you a set of pictures and asks you to talk about them for about one minute. It is important to listen carefully to the interlocutor’s instructions. The interlocutor then asks your partner a question about your pictures and your partner responds briefly.


You are then given another set of pictures to look at. Your partner talks about these pictures for about one minute. This time the interlocutor asks you a question about your partner’s pictures and you respond briefly.


Part 3 (approximately 4 minutes)

In this part of the test you and your partner are asked to talk together. The interlocutor places a new set of pictures on the table between you. This stimulus provides the basis for a discussion. The interlocutor explains what you have to do.


Part 4 (approximately 4 minutes)

The interlocutor asks some further questions, which leads to a more general discussion of what you have talked about in Part 3. You may comment on your partner’s answers if you wish.


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Sample Test for Cambridge FCE/ Test engleza pentru examenul Cambridge FCE

The tasks for the Cambridge exam FCE are structured as following: Paper 1 Reading, Paper 2 Writing, Paper 3 Use of English, Paper 4 Listening, Paper 5 Speaking.

This test includes tasks for the Writing, the Use of English and the Speaking Papers. The complete tests will be performed in class. You can join a group for the preparation for the FCE exam here and here.

Paper 2 WRITING

Write an answer to one of the questions 1-3 in this part. Write your answer in 120-180 words in an appropriate style.

1. Your class wants to go out at the end of the course. Your English teacher has asked you to write a review of a restaurant you like. Include information about the food and the atmosphere and explain why it should be suitable for your class.

Write your review.

2. Your English teacher has asked you to write a story for the college magazine. The story must begin with following words:

Simon turned on the television and was amazed to see his own face on the screen.

Write your story.

3. You have had a class discussion on how to improve your English in your free time after school. Now your English teacher has asked you to write a report describing different ways to improve your English in your free time and saying which one you think is the best and why.

Write your report.

Paper 3 THE USE OF ENGLISH

For questions 1-8, complete the second sentence so that it has a similar meaning to the first sentence, using the words given. Do not change the word given. You must use between two to five words, including the word given. Here is an example (0)

Example:

0   A very friendly taxi driver drove us into town.

     DRIVEN

     We ………………………………………… a very friendly taxi driver.

The gap can be filled by the words ‘were driven into town by’.

Write only the missing words IN CAPITAL LETTERS on the separate answer sheet.

1    The last time I saw Tom was the day he got married in 1995.

      WEDDING  

      I haven’t ………………………………………………………… day in 1995.

2    Although the main actor performed well, the critics didn’t like the play. 

      GOOD

      In spite ……………………………………………. by the main actor, the critics

      didn’t like the play.

3    My uncle lives quite near the sea.

      AWAY

      My uncle does ………………………… from the sea.

4    Chess was more complicated than the children had expected.

      SUCH 

      The children had not expected chess to …………………….. complicated         

      game.  

5    John only lost his way because he’d forgotten his map.

      LOST

      If John hadn’t forgotten his map, …………………………… his way.

6    It was up to Melissa to decide where the family would go for their

      holiday.

      TAKE

      Melissa had ……………………………… about where the family would go for

      their holiday.

7    Everyone said it had been only my fault that we lost the match.

      BLAMED

      Everyone ………………………………….. fact that we lost the match.

8    Peter regretted selling his sports car so cheaply.

      WISHED

      Peter ………………………………………… his sports car for more money.

Paper 5 SPEAKING 

You take the Speaking test with another candidate (possibly two candidates), referred to here as your partner. There are two examiners. One will speak to you and your partner and the other will be listening. Both examiners will award marks.

Part 1 (3 minutes)

The examiner asks you and your partner questions about yourselves. You may be asked about things like ‘your home town’, ‘your interests’, ‘your career plans’, etc.

Part 2 (approximately 3 minutes)

The examiner asks you and your partner to talk together. You may be asked to solve a problem or try to come to a decision about something. For example, you might be asked to decide the best way to use some rooms in a language school. The examiner gives you a picture to help you but does not join in the conversation.

(There are two more parts for this paper and they involve talking about pictures, which are best to be done in class.)

Web: www.cursinengleza.ro I www.engleza-de-afaceri.ro
Tel: 0722.841.053
E-mail: contact@engleza-de-afaceri.ro.