CAE

Reading Comprehension Paper

Parts 1 and 3

Both parts 1 and 3 consist of texts followed by multiple choice

questions which focus on a variety of aspects including:

• Details• Style• Attitudes• Author’s purpose or opinion• The meaning of certain words or phrases.

In Part 1 you will have to read three short passages.

The passages will all be on a theme, and will include different types of text. You have to answer two questions on each text.

In Part 3, you read a long text and then answer 7 four-option questions which test your detailed understanding of the main ideas in the text, as well as the attitude and opinion of the writer.

The questions follow the order of the text and may focus on the meaning of whole paragraphs, on points of detail or the use of particular expressions.

Before you look at the questions, quickly read through the whole text to get an idea of the content.

Read each question stem carefully but don’t read the options yet.

Mark the general area of the text which is relevant to each question.

Read the text carefully. When you reach a part you have marked, look at the question stem and the options.

Eliminate the options which are clearly wrong and choose the best answer.

Underline key phrases or sentences which help you make your choice.

Many of the wrong options or distractors express ideas which are similar to, but not the same as, those expressed in the text.

Re-read the questions.

Do the options you have chosen accurately reflect the information you have underlined in the text?

During both your quick read and your more detailed read, you will need to use context to help you guess the meaning of unknown vocabulary.

In Part 2 you will read a text from which 6 paragraphs have been removed and placed in jumbled order after the text.

This task tests your understanding of text structure and your ability to predict how

a text will develop.

Read the base text through, ignoring the options for the moment.

Most of the information you need to follow the story or argument is in the base text.

As you read, pay attention to the information and ideas before and after each gap- start to think about what might be missing.

Underline the words and expressions that make direct reference to what has gone before, e.g. so, next, it, though, etc.

Read paragraphs A-G to get a general idea of their content.

Underline any words or expressions that make direct reference to what has gone before.

Go through the base text again.

Stop at each gap and check whether each option fits it or not.

Look for vocabulary and grammar links.

If you can’t decide between two paragraphs, write both letters and come back to it later.

When you’ve finished, read the whole text with your answers in place. Does it make sense?

Remember, there’s one option which does not fit any gap.

Part 4 consists of a text or several short texts preceded by 15 questions or statements which you have to match with the corresponding information in the text.

Read the instructions carefully.

Read all the questions, highlighting key words and phrases.

Read the whole text quickly to get an idea of the content of each section.

Look at each question in turn. Find and highlight the pieces of text which talk about these ideas (there will probably be more than one).

Read the sections carefully to decide which is the best match.

If you are not sure of an answer, move on to the next question –this will save time. Go back to those you’re not sure about at the end.

If you are still unsure of some answers, then guess. Remember, there are no penalties for wrong answers, and your instinct may be right!

Sources: Ready for CAE, CB. CAE Gold Plus, CB.