fce use of english preparation

FIRST CERTIFICATE IN ENGLISH PREPARATION

© L. Petoud - https://www.facebook.com/CambridgeExamsPreparation?ref_type=bookmark P a g e 2 | 27

Intervenant

Laurence Petoud

Executive Assistant

Formatrice en Entreprise

ECDL Expert

[email protected]

http://fce-cae.blog4ever.com/

This support has been developed as part of my

revisions for exams First Certificate in English.

https://www.facebook.com/CambridgeExamsPreparation?ref_type=bookmark

mailto:[email protected]





Part one

Introduction to FCE Paper 3 Part One

a 200 word article

12 gaps in the article

multi-choice answers A, B, C or D for each gap

10 minutes to do Part One

Typical Questions

5 collocations (e.g. a brief glimpse)

4 vocabulary questions, especially words with similar meaning but different uses (e.g. advantage,

benefit, gain, profit)

1-2 phrasal verbs (e.g. bring about)

0-1 preposition combinations (e.g. keen on, interested in)

0-1 linking words (e.g. although, despite)

Training Exercises

COLLOCATIONS

What are collocations? Collocations are words which typically go together. For example we typically "admire a painting" as opposed to "watch". Learning to recognise and adopt the use of collocations helps people learning English as a foreign language to make their written English easier to read. How can we study collocations for the exam? Remember that on average 5 out of the 12 gaps are collocations. I have prepared a list of typical collocations from Part One. Study the list and then do the online exercise. There is also an exercise about "do & make" collocations which are very common. Lastly, we have to remember that the texts are articles, very often with a travel or historical theme. In the exam, we have to recognise the collocations, not reproduce them - which is much easier of course. So, the best way to become familiar with collocations is to read articles. First Certificate uses British English so I have included links where you can find articles in British English full of collocations.

COLLOCATIONS LIST COLLOCATIONS EXERCISE DO & MAKE EXERCISE

ARTICLES YOU NEED TO READ

BBC WORLD NEWS THE GUARDIAN THE DAILY TELEGRAPH

VOCABULARY

What kind of vocabulary questions? These questions are about synonyms and words with a similar meaning but different use and example would be "recognise, recommend, remember and remind". There are normally five questions like this. How can we study these for the exam? How can we prepare ourselves for these? I have found an exercise of typical questions, plus two more exercises on specific words. Also, I put a link to a web page of notes and exercises on more than forty sets of words with similar meaning. If you did three of these exercises a day, you would soon have an impressive knowledge about words with similar meanings.

PART 1 VOCABULARY JOB & WORK

REMEMBER &

REMIND

TRAVEL & TRIP

EXERCISES & NOTES ON COMMONLY CONFUSED WORDS


http://www.autoenglish.org/FCEUse/CollocationsList.pdf

http://www.autoenglish.org/FCEUse/CollocationsExercise.htm

http://www.autoenglish.org/trickywords/DoandMakeExercise.htm

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/

http://www.guardian.co.uk/

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/

http://www.autoenglish.org/FCEUse/Part1VocabularyExercise.htm

http://www.autoenglish.org/trickywords/JobandWorkExercise.htm

http://www.autoenglish.org/trickywords/RememberandRemindExercise.htm


http://www.autoenglish.org/trickywords/TravelandTripExercise.htm

http://www.autoenglish.org/trickywords.htm

http://www.autoenglish.org/FCEUse/CollocationsList.pdf

http://www.autoenglish.org/FCEUse/CollocationsExercise.htm


http://www.autoenglish.org/FCEUse/Part1VocabularyExercise.htm

http://www.autoenglish.org/trickywords/JobandWorkExercise.htm


http://www.autoenglish.org/trickywords/TravelandTripExercise.htm

http://www.autoenglish.org/trickywords.htm


PHRASAL VERBS

What are phrasal verbs? Phrasal verbs are the combination of a verb with a preposition resulting in a big change in meaning e.g. "bring" means to take something with you whereas "bring about" means to make something happen. They are very difficult to remember because their meanings are not clear from the words. What are phrasal verbs do I need to study? Fortunately, phrasal verbs are most frequently used in speech and informal English. Only a limited number are used in articles. I have found an exercise of typical Part One phrasal verbs. I have also provided a link to my phrasal verbs page where you can find notes, a list of common phrasal verbs and 18 exercises on different phrasal verbs.

PART 1 PHRASAL VERBS EXERCISE

PHRASAL VERBS LIST, NOTES & EXERCISES

PREPOSITION COMBINATIONS

You may or may not get a question on preposition combinations in Paper 3 Part 1. Do the two exercises below and you should be okay.

ADJECTIVE PLUS PREPOSITION EXERCISE

VERB PLUS PREPOSITION EXERCISE

LINKING WORDS

You may or may not get a question about linking words. Do the three exercises below and you should be okay.

CONNECTORS ALTHOUGH & DESPITE

AS LONG AS, PROVIDING THAT &

UNLESS

EXAMPLE QUESTION-TIMED!

PAPER 3 PART 1

ONLINE PRINTABLE


http://www.autoenglish.org/phrasals/writingphrasalverbs.htm

http://www.autoenglish.org/picnic.htm

http://www.autoenglish.org/prepositions/PrepositionAdjectiveCombinations.htm

http://www.autoenglish.org/prepositions/PrepositionVerbCombinations.htm

http://www.autoenglish.org/generalgrammar/ConnectorsExercise.htm

http://www.autoenglish.org/generalgrammar/AlthoughandDespiteExercise.htm

http://www.autoenglish.org/generalgrammar/UnlessExercise.htm


http://www.autoenglish.org/FCEUse/UseofEnglishPart1.htm

http://www.autoenglish.org/FCEUse/BreastfeedingExercise.pdf

http://www.autoenglish.org/phrasals/writingphrasalverbs.htm

http://www.autoenglish.org/picnic.htm

http://www.autoenglish.org/prepositions/PrepositionAdjectiveCombinations.htm

http://www.autoenglish.org/prepositions/PrepositionVerbCombinations.htm

http://www.autoenglish.org/generalgrammar/ConnectorsExercise.htm

http://www.autoenglish.org/generalgrammar/AlthoughandDespiteExercise.htm



http://www.autoenglish.org/FCEUse/BreastfeedingExercise.pdf


PART TWO

Introduction to FCE Paper 3 Part Two

a 200 word article


Each gap must be filled with one word. There are no clues.

10 minutes to do Part Two

Typical Questions

2-3 conjunctions and linkers (e.g. as well as)

2-3 prepositions (e.g. famous for ...)

2 determiners (articles & quantifiers e.g. Few people knew about it.)

1-2 pronouns especially non defining relative pronouns (e.g. The castle, which is very old, is ...)

1-2 auxiliary and modal verbs (e.g. He had to find a new job.)

1 multi-word verb (e.g. She took part in the charity event)

Training Exercises

CONJUNCTIONS AND LINKERS

The most frequently recurring answers in these type of gaps are IF, ALTHOUGH, THOUGH and WELL. Do the online exercises below to help you prepare. CONJUNCTIONS & LINKERS EXERCISEAS SOON AS, IF & UNLESS EXERCISE PURPOSE (FOR, SO THAT & TO). Do the online exercises below to help you prepare.

CONJUNCTIONS & LINKERS

EXERCISE

AS SOON AS, IF & UNLESS

EXERCISE

PURPOSE(FOR, SO THAT &

TO) EXERCISE

PREPOSITIONS

The most frequently occurring prepositions to fill the gaps are OF, FOR, TO and WITH. Do the online exercises

below to help you prepare.

FCE PREPOSITIONS EXERCISE FOR & TO EXERCISE FROM & OF EXERCISE

BIG COLLECTION OF PREPOSITION EXERCISES

DETERMINERS (articles & quantifiers)

The most frequently occurring determiners to fill the gaps are A, THE and EACH. Do the online exercises below

to help you prepare.

DETERMINERS

EXERCISE

A, AN & THE

EXERCISE

ALL & EVERY FEW & A FEW

EXERCISES & NOTES ON DETERMINERS


http://www.autoenglish.org/generalgrammar/LinkersExercise.htm


http://www.autoenglish.org/generalgrammar/AssoonasExercise.htm


http://www.autoenglish.org/generalgrammar/PurposeExercise.htm


http://www.autoenglish.org/prepositions/FCEPrepositions.htm

http://www.autoenglish.org/prepositions/ForandToExercise.htm

http://www.autoenglish.org/prepositions/FromandOfExercise.htm

http://www.autoenglish.org/prepositions.htm

http://www.autoenglish.org/generalgrammar/Determiners.htm


http://www.autoenglish.org/generalgrammar/ArticlesExercise.htm


http://www.autoenglish.org/generalgrammar/AllandEveryExercise.htm

http://www.autoenglish.org/generalgrammar/FewandAFewExercise.htm

http://www.autoenglish.org/generalgrammar.htm




http://www.autoenglish.org/prepositions/FCEPrepositions.htm

http://www.autoenglish.org/prepositions/ForandToExercise.htm

http://www.autoenglish.org/prepositions/FromandOfExercise.htm

http://www.autoenglish.org/prepositions.htm



http://www.autoenglish.org/generalgrammar/AllandEveryExercise.htm

http://www.autoenglish.org/generalgrammar/FewandAFewExercise.htm



PRONOUNS

The most frequently occurring pronouns to fill the gaps are WHICH, IT and ONE. Do the online exercises below to help you prepare. FCE PRONOUNS EXERCISENON-DEFINING RELATIVE CLAUSESINDEFINITE PRONOUNS

FCE PRONOUNS EXERCISE

NON-DEFINING RELATIVE

CLAUSES

INDEFINITE PRONOUNS

AUXILIARY AND MODAL VERBS

The most frequently occurring auxiliary and modal verbs to fill the gaps are WOULD and HAD (sometimes from

the past perfect and sometimes from HAVE TO). Do the online exercises below to help you prepare.

FCE AUXILIARY &

MODAL VERBS

THE PAST PERFECT

THE SECOND

CONDITIONAL

HAVE TO

EXERCISES & NOTES ON VERB TENSES EXERCISES & NOTES ON MODAL VERBS

MULTI-WORD VERBS

The most frequently occurring multi-word is "to take part in". Do the exercise below to learn more about FCE

multi-word verbs.

MULTI-WORD VERBS EXERCISE

EXAMPLE QUESTION-TIMED!

PAPER 3 PART 2

ONLINE PRINTABLE


http://www.autoenglish.org/generalgrammar/FCEPronouns.htm

http://www.autoenglish.org/generalgrammar/nondefiningexercise.htm


http://www.autoenglish.org/generalgrammar/IndefinitePronounsExercise.htm

http://www.autoenglish.org/tenses/auxiliarymodals.htm


http://www.autoenglish.org/tenses/PastPerfect.htm

http://www.autoenglish.org/tenses/con2pal/con2pal.html


http://www.autoenglish.org/modalverbs/ModalsObligation.htm

http://www.autoenglish.org/tenses.htm

http://www.autoenglish.org/modalverbs.htm

http://www.autoenglish.org/phrasals/multiwordverbs.htm

http://www.autoenglish.org/generalgrammar/FCEPronouns.htm


http://www.autoenglish.org/generalgrammar/IndefinitePronounsExercise.htm


http://www.autoenglish.org/tenses/PastPerfect.htm


http://www.autoenglish.org/modalverbs/ModalsObligation.htm


http://www.autoenglish.org/modalverbs.htm

http://www.autoenglish.org/phrasals/multiwordverbs.htm

http://www.autoenglish.org/listening/paellaexercise.htm

http://www.autoenglish.org/listening/Paellaexercise.pdf

http://www.autoenglish.org/listening/paellaexercise.htm

http://www.autoenglish.org/listening/Paellaexercise.pdf


PART THREE-WORD FORMATION

Introduction to FCE Paper 3 Part Three

a 200 word article


each gap must be filled with one word made from a stem word shown at the end of the line


Typical Questions

4 conversions from verb to noun (e.g choose to choice)

2 conversions from noun to adjective (e.g. energy to energetic)

1-2 conversions from adjective to adverb (e.g. extreme to extremely)

1 conversion from verb to adjective (e.g. rely to reliable)

1 conversion from a positive meaning to a negative meaning (e.g. suitable to unsuitable)

0-1 internal change (e.g. long to length)

Training Exercises

VERBS TO NOUNS

The most frequently recurring conversions are:-

The online exercise will help you prepare. VERB TO NOUN CONVERSIONS

NOUNS TO ADJECTIVES

The most frequently recurring conversions involve adding:-

-al -ful -ous -ic

addition to additional delight to delightful anxiety to anxious economy to economic

coast to coastal doubt to doubtful danger to dangerous energy to energetic

industry to industrial harm to harmful poison to poisonous science to scientific

The online exercise will help you prepare.

NOUN TO ADJECTIVE CONVERSIONS

ADJECTIVES TO ADVERBS

These are easy to form. Look at the examples and do the online exercise:- Regular to regularly punctual to punctually easy to easily increase to increasingly ADJECTIVE TO ADVERB CONVERSIONS

regular to regularly punctual to punctually easy to easily increase to increasingly

ADJECTIVE TO ADVERB CONVERSIONS

appear to appearance choose to choice grow to growth prove to proof

assist to assistance employ to un/employment or employee improve to improvement


http://www.autoenglish.org/FCEUse/verbs2nouns.htm

http://www.autoenglish.org/FCEUse/nouns2adjectives.htm

http://www.autoenglish.org/FCEUse/adjectives2adverbs.htm





VERB TO ADJECTIVE


comfort to comfortable impress to impressive rely to reliable

VERB TO ADJECTIVE CONVERSIONS

POSITIVE MEANING TO NEGATIVE MEANING

Common example conversions are:-

able to unable fortunate to unfortunately like to unlike

POSITIVE MEANING TO NEGATIVE CONVERSIONS

INTERNAL CHANGE


choose to choice fly to flight hot to heat long to length

Example question-timed!

PAPER 3 PART 3

ONLINE PRINTABLE


http://www.autoenglish.org/FCEUse/verbs2adjectives.htm

http://www.autoenglish.org/FCEUse/positive2negative.htm


http://www.autoenglish.org/listening/TheVanishingInventionExercise.pdf






P A R T 4 KEY WORD TRANSFORMATIONS

Introduction to FCE Paper 3 Part Four

8 questions worth a maximum of 2 marks

You are given an original sentence, a single word in capitals and in bold and a second sentence with a

gap. You have to use the single word, without changing it, plus up to four more words to fill the gap, so

that the second sentence means the same as the first.

* The Irish man insisted on paying for our drinks.

Many students consider this to be the hardest part of the exam.

15 minutes to do Part Four

Typical Questions

1-2 questions on modal verbs and semi-modal verbs

1-2 questions on phrasal verbs and multi-word verbs

1-2 transformations from the active voice to the passive

1-2 questions on verb patterns such as verb + preposition + -ing

1 transformation from direct speech to reported speech

occasional questions involving:-

common idioms linking words

the third conditional look like and seem

do and make regret and wish

Training Exercises

MODAL VERBS AND SEMI-MODAL VERBS

The most frequently recurring modal verb transformations are:-

PREFER to WOULD RATHER BE ALLOWED TO to LET

I prefer to arrive an hour early.

RATHER

I would rather arrive an hour early.

He wasn't allowed to go because of his parents.

LET

His parents would not let him go.

OUGHT

It was bad of you to use my mobile without my permission

OUGHT

You ought to have asked before you used my mobile.

This online exercise will help you to prepare:-

MODAL VERB KEY WORD TRANSFORMATIONS

PHRASAL VERBS AND MULTI-WORD VERBS

Unfortunately, a wide variety of these verbs can turn up in the exam. Here are some examples:- CARRY ON to continue PAY ATTENTION TO to take notice of CARRY OUT to do or follow instructions or orders PUT OFF to postpone or delay COME UP WITH to have an idea SET UP to establish GET IN TOUCH WITH to contact TAKE CARE OF to look after LOOK UP TO to admire TURN UP to arrive or attend

This online exercise will help you to prepare:-

PHRASAL VERB TRANSFORMATIONS


http://www.autoenglish.org/FCEUse/modaltransformations.htm

http://www.autoenglish.org/FCEUse/PhrasalVerbTransformations.htm

http://www.autoenglish.org/FCEUse/modaltransformations.htm

http://www.autoenglish.org/FCEUse/PhrasalVerbTransformations.htm


ACTIVE VOICE TO PASSIVE TRANSFORMATIONS

The most frequent type of passive transformation use the key word SAID, which to a native speaker sounds rather contrived and belongs more to the narrative genre than standard English use. Nevermind. See an example below:-

They say he eats snakes. SAID He is said to eat snakes.

This online exercise will help you with active to passive voice transitions:-

ACTIVE TO PASSIVE TRANSFORMATIONS

A strange type of passive which you sometimes get in Part 4 is TO HAVE SOMETHING DONE. I have some exercises on this:-

Notes Online exercise Printable exercise Youtube video

If you require further practice with the passive, I have more exercises available here:- http://www.autoenglish.org/tenses.htm

VERB PATTERNS (VERB + PREPOSITION + -ING) TRANSFORMATIONS

For these type of transformations you need to study verb patterns. Here is a list of some patterns which have turned up in the exam:- ACCUSE He accused me OF using his phone. APOLIGISE I apoligised FOR forgetting her birthday. FEEL LIKE I didn't feel LIKE watching TV. INSIST He insisted ON going out in the rain. PREVENT Her parents prevented her FROM going camping. SUCCEED She succeeded IN getting her degree. This online exercise will help you prepare:-

VERB WITH PREPOSITIONS AND GERUNDS

REPORTED SPEECH TRANSFORMATIONS

Here is an example:-

'How far is Madrid from here?' Pepe asked Almudena. FAR Pepe asked Almudena how far Madrid was from there.

This online exercise will help you with direct speech to reported speech transformations:-

DIRECT TO REPORTED SPEECH TRANSFORMATIONS

If you require further practice with the reported speech, I have more exercises available here:-


OTHER AREAS YOU SHOULD STUDY

Click on the topics to find the resources:-

common idioms linking words

the third conditional look like and seem

do and make regret and wish

Example question-timed!

PAPER 3 PART 4

ONLINE PRINTABLE


http://www.autoenglish.org/FCEUse/Active2PassiveTransformations.htm

http://www.englishgrammarsecrets.com/havesomethingdone/menu.php

http://www.autoenglish.org/modalverbs/havedone.htm

http://www.autoenglish.org/modalverbs/gr.havedone.pdf

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OR_lDtxp-zI


http://www.autoenglish.org/FCEUse/VerbPrepositionGerund.htm

http://www.autoenglish.org/FCEUse/ReportedSpeechTransformations.htm


http://www.autoenglish.org/idioms/commonidioms/commonidioms.html


http://www.autoenglish.org/tenses/thirdconditional.htm

http://www.autoenglish.org/trickywords/looklikeandseem.htm


http://www.autoenglish.org/trickywords/RegretandWish.htm


http://www.autoenglish.org/FCEUse/UsePart4.pdf

http://www.autoenglish.org/FCEUse/Active2PassiveTransformations.htm

http://www.englishgrammarsecrets.com/havesomethingdone/menu.php

http://www.autoenglish.org/modalverbs/havedone.htm

http://www.autoenglish.org/modalverbs/gr.havedone.pdf

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OR_lDtxp-zI

http://www.autoenglish.org/FCEUse/VerbPrepositionGerund.htm

http://www.autoenglish.org/FCEUse/ReportedSpeechTransformations.htm


http://www.autoenglish.org/FCEUse/UsePart4.pdf


FCE PAPER 1 READING

FCE PAPER 1 READING lasts exactly 1 Hour

It consists of 3 parts

Part 1 Multiple choice

INFORMATION

The text length is around 650 words

There are 8 questions in chronological order

The questions are often about extracting main ideas & understanding feelings & opinions

TECHNIQUE

Don't read the questions first (to avoid overloading your working memory)

Read the first paragraph and then, go to the first question.

Read the second paragraph and then,

Go to the second question and so on

ONLINE EXERCISES

Exercise One

Exercise Two

Part 2 Gapped Text

INFORMATION


There are 7 gaps in the text

There are 8 sentences, 7 of which must be placed into the right gaps

The questions are often about being able to follow a long text.

TECHNIQUE

Don't read the 8 sentences first or you will overload your working memory

Read the text to the first gap and one sentence beyond

Read the 8 sentences and remember they are often very very similar

Write the question number next to possible sentences for the first gap

Read to just beyond the second gap and write the next gap number by the possible sentences

Carry on doing this and decide your final answers by elimination

ONLINE EXERCISES

Exercise One

Exercise Two

Part 3 Multiple Matching

INFORMATION

Sometimes there is one long text or several short texts with about 700 words in total. Typically it involves

5 or 6 people talking about a common theme.

There are 15 questions

The questions are often about opinions and detailed information


http://www.autoenglish.org/listening/plasticReading.htm

http://www.autoenglish.org/listening/crisisReading.htm

http://www.autoenglish.org/listening/TQMReading.htm

http://www.autoenglish.org/listening/emissionsREADING.htm


TECHNIQUE

Read the instructions very carefully. Sometimes they are a bit strange.


Read text A first. Use a highlighter pen or underline important points and phrasal verbs. Why phrasal

verbs? Because the correct answer often depends on understanding the meaning of a phrasal verb.

Now read through the 15 questions and write the letter A next to possible correct questions.

Now read text B and reread the questions, writing a B next to possible correct questions.

Repeat this process until you have finished the text.

Where you only have one letter next to a question, accept the letter as the correct answer.

Where you have 2 letters next to a question, AND ONLY ONE ANSWER IS POSSIBLE, reread the two texts

and decide on the most probable answer.

ONLINE EXERCISES

Exercise


http://www.autoenglish.org/listening/FCEReadingPart3.htm


FCE SPEAKING

SECTIONS

questions about you (FCE Part 1)

describing pictures (FCE Part 2)

key phrases for describing pictures (FCE Part 2)

example descriptions (FCE Part 2)

Gallery 1 and Games (FCE Part 2)

Gallery 2 (FCE Part 2)

discussions (FCE Parts 3 & 4)

Part I (Interview)

In Part One of the First Certificate oral exam you will be asked three or four questions about yourself. The kinds

of questions typically asked are listed below.

Instructions: click onto hear the pronunciation

English How long have you been learning English?

How useful do you think English is?

Family Describe your relationship with your family?

Do you have much contact with your cousins?

What do you most enjoy doing with your family?

Holidays Where did you go for your last holidays?

What do you dislike doing when you are on

holiday?

Where do you plan to go for your next holiday?

Leisure How often do you go to the cinema?

What was the last film you saw'?

Location Describe the area where you live.

What do you like and dislike about where you

live?

Would you like to live in another place?

Sport Do you play any sports?

What sports do you like watching on tv?

Which sports do you find boring?

Transport How did you get here today?

Which type of public transport do you use most

often?

Which is your favourite way to travel?

Print out the worksheet and prepare your answers to the questions:-


http://www.autoenglish.org/oralexams/mp3s/English.mp3

http://www.autoenglish.org/oralexams/mp3s/Family.mp3

http://www.autoenglish.org/oralexams/mp3s/holidays.mp3

http://www.autoenglish.org/oralexams/mp3s/Leisure.mp3

http://www.autoenglish.org/oralexams/mp3s/location.mp3

http://www.autoenglish.org/oralexams/mp3s/sport.mp3

http://www.autoenglish.org/oralexams/mp3s/transport.mp3

http://www.autoenglish.org/oralexams/Part1.pdf


Part 2 (Long Turn)

In Part Two of the First Certificate exam you have to describe two photographs for one minute. I divided the

task into the following sections:-

DURATIONS Describing the first photo 10 seconds

Describing the second photo 10 seconds

Comparing the photos 10 seconds

Contrasting the photos 10 seconds

Speculating or using your imagination 10 seconds

Your personal feelings and opinions 10 seconds

Key phrases

Instructions: click on to listen and repeat

Describing the photographs

The first photograph shows a woman reading a book

In the background we can see a family sitting around a table

outside a café

Comparing the photographs

Both pictures are about being a parent

I think the common theme here is communication

Contrasting

In contrast, the people in the second image look worried

On the other hand, the scene looks much more modern

Unlike the first photo, this looks like a happy occasion

Speculating

Perhaps they are celebrating something

Maybe the reason they look so serious is because ...

She might be a busy working mother

Personal feelings

I wouldn't like to be in their shoes

The first photo reminds me of my own childhood

Personally, I'd love to visit a place like that

The fol lowing phrases are for helping you while you speak.

Rephrasing

What I really mean is that ...

I take that back

What I am trying to say is that ...

Hesitators (gaining time)

Well, ...

Hmmm... let me see

Print out a check list of the expressions.


http://www.autoenglish.org/oralexams/mp3s/describingthephotos.mp3

http://www.autoenglish.org/oralexams/mp3s/comparing.mp3

http://www.autoenglish.org/oralexams/mp3s/contrasting.mp3

http://www.autoenglish.org/oralexams/mp3s/speculating.mp3

http://www.autoenglish.org/oralexams/mp3s/personalfeelings.mp3

http://www.autoenglish.org/oralexams/mp3s/hesitators.mp3

http://www.autoenglish.org/oralexams/mp3s/rephrasing.mp3


Example descriptions

Listen to Bob describing the pictures

Games for practising describing photos :-

JUST A MINUTE TEN SECONDS EACH HOG THE CONVERSATION Someone has 60 seconds to describe two photos while someone else scores them using the score sheet below.

This game is for large classes Divide the class into groups of 6 with someone keeping score with the score sheet below and someone else shouting "Change" every 10 secs. Student #1 has 10 secs to describe the first photo Student #2 has 10 secs to describe the second photo Student #3 has 10 secs to compare the photos Student #4 has 10 secs to contrast the photos Student #5 has 10 secs to speculate Student #6 has 10 secs to express personal feelings

Similar to 'Just a minute' except that students can interrupt for: grammar and pronunciation mistakes; 3+ second hesitations; repetitions and irrelevance. If the referee considers the interruption valid, the interruptor then takes over the remaining minute. One complete minute = 3 points A robbed minute = 1 point

Timings for the oral exam DURATIONS

Describing the first photo 10 seconds

Describing the second photo 10 seconds

Comparing the photos 10 seconds

Contrasting the photos 10 seconds

Speculating or using your imagination 10 seconds

Your personal feelings and opinions 10 seconds

Score Sheet for the Games


http://www.autoenglish.org/oralexams/scoresheet.pdf

http://www.autoenglish.org/oralexams/exampledescription1.pdf

http://www.autoenglish.org/oralexams/mp3s/describingphotos2.mp3

http://www.autoenglish.org/oralexams/exampledescription2.pdf

http://www.autoenglish.org/oralexams/mp3s/describingphotos1.mp3


Gallery #1 Set #1

First Picture Second Picture

Gallery #1 Set #2


Gallery #2 Set #1


Gallery #2 Set #2




Gallery #2 Set #3


Part 3 (collaborative Task)

Part 3 consists of a conversation between the two (or sometimes, three) test takers. The interlocutor will again show the test takers some photos. As with Part 2 of the exam, the photographs will share a common theme. Unlike Part 2, the students will not take turns. Instead, the students will be asked to talk about the photographs together for three minutes. The interlocutor will ask for the students to do two things. First, he or she will ask the students to discuss the photographs. Then, they will be asked a question regarding the theme of the photographs. Students will have to choose one photo to answer the question. Top Tips for Cambridge CAE and FCE Speaking Test Part 3

This part of the test scores your ability to interact with your partner. In this section, the interlocutor is

looking for the language people use when interacting: asking yes/no questions, open-ended questions,

tag questions, etc. Make sure that you know each of these formats well!

Students typically agree that this is the most awkward section of the test. One person must begin the

conversation, and typically, one person seems to “control” the conversation throughout the three

minutes. It is important that you find a balance and do not speak too much or too little: do your best to

keep the conversation going and make it an active dialogue, and hope that your partner does the same.

Remember that you are given your partner’s name before the test, so you can always get together and

practice beforehand. This is highly recommended!

When responding, avoid one word answers. A “yes” or “no” is never good enough: expand and impress

the test givers with your awesome English skills! A good trick is to first acknowledge what your partner

said, and then move on to another point or question. For example, “I agree that the people in the first

two photos do not look like they are having a very good time. What do you think about the third and

fourth photos though? They both seem incredibly happy. Do you agree?”

As with each section of this test, it is incredibly important that you use every second of the time you are

given. Students sometimes become nervous and do not use the full time. If you have discussed all of the

questions, then go back and do a “review” of each of the photos before you make your choice. Or, spend

a lot more time explaining to the interlocutor why you have chosen the particular photo. If you still have

time, then explain why the other photos were NOT chosen.



Cambridge CAE and FCE Speaking Test Part 3 Example

Interlocutor: I would like you talk about something together for three minutes. The following are photos from

different forms of exercise. Discuss the importance of exercise in our lives. Then, decide which of these types of

exercise require the most discipline.


http://cisl.edu/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2013/08/football.jpg

http://cisl.edu/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2013/04/rooftopyoga.jpg

http://cisl.edu/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2013/08/Tennis.jpg

http://cisl.edu/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2013/08/weight-lifting.jpg

http://cisl.edu/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2013/08/running.jpg


Part 4 (Discussion)

FCE Speaking Part Four on the topic of minds

Take turns being the examiner and asking questions from below to two or three candidates.

You can extend the discussion of each question as much as you like before moving onto another by using

follow up questions and “devil’s advocate” statements.

Do you think children should be forced to study music?

Do you think it’s good for boys and girls to be taught different ways?

Why do you think sudoku is popular?

How important are genes in deciding someone’s intelligence, do you think?

What can you do to improve your memory?

More and more people are learning languages from very young ages these days. Why do you think this

is?

What is the best way to improve your IQ?

Is it a good thing for child prodigies to study with older children and adults?

Do you think being forced to mix with people is always a good thing for people who lack social skills?

Do you think it’s a good idea to expose yourself to things you are afraid of?

Are there times when it’s better to just accept stress rather than try to fight it?

What do you think the disadvantages of being optimistic are?

What do you think the advantages of daydreaming are?

At what age do you think children should be put into different classes depending on their academic

ability?

Why do you think some people are so interested in what they dream about?

Discuss the last question as a class.

Make more questions for each other using the question stems above, on the same topic of “mind” if you

can.



FCE Tips - Part 4: Paper 5 - Speaking

A. What's in the Speaking Test?

Part 1: conversation with the examiner in which you give personal

information and opinions.

Part 2: you compare 2 photographs and answer a question.

Part 3: you discuss some pictures with the other candidate and reach a

decision.

Part 4: further discussion with the examiner about the task from Part 3

Time: 15 minutes per pair of candidates

Your speaking is assessed on:

grammar and vocabulary

discourse management (= development of ideas)

pronunciation

interactive communication

global achievement

B. General Tips for Speaking

Don't worry if the examiner stops you before you have finished everything that you want to say. You

and your partner will be given the exact time set out in the test.

Always speak clearly so that the examiner can hear you and understand what you say.

Don't worry if you make some grammatical mistakes. That's only a part of the assessment.

Do NOT prepare sentences or short speeches before the test!! Just react naturally to what your partner

and the examiner say to you.

Do NOT write anything down as part of your preparation for the test. Remember! This is a speaking test.

In Part 2 and Part 3, the task is written at the top of the page, but if you aren't sure what to do, ask the

examiner to repeat the instructions before you start. You can also check what you have to do with your

partner.

Don't try to talk all the time. Don't interrupt your partner while they are speaking. Wait till they have

finished.

Do NOT use slang e.g. I'm a bit pissed off with school. Say something like: I sometimes find school boring

Last but not least, relax, don't be too nervous and enjoy the experience!

SOURCE: The Official Top Tips for FCE - Cambridge ESOL Examinations - UCLES 2008



FCE PAPER 1 READING

FCE PAPER 1 READING lasts exactly 1 Hour

It consists of 3 parts

Part 1 Multiple choice

INFORMATION


There are 8 questions in chronological order

The questions are often about extracting main ideas & understanding feelings & opinions

TECHNIQUE

Don't read the questions first (to avoid overloading your working memory)

Read the first paragraph and then,

go to the first question.

Read the second paragraph and then,

Go to the second question and so on

ONLINE EXERCISES

Exercise One Exercise Two

Part 2 Gapped Text

INFORMATION


There are 7 gaps in the text

There are 8 sentences, 7 of which must be placed into the right gaps

The questions are often about being able to follow a long text.

TECHNIQUE


Read the text to the first gap and one sentence beyond

Read the 8 sentences and remember they are often very very similar

Write the question number next to possible sentences for the first gap

Read to just beyond the second gap and write the next gap number by the possible sentences

Carry on doing this and decide your final answers by elimination

ONLINE EXERCISES

Exercise One Exercise Two

Part 3 Multiple Matching

INFORMATION

Sometimes there is one long text or several short texts with about 700 words in total. Typically it involves

5 or 6 people talking about a common theme.

There are 15 questions

The questions are often about opinions and detailed information

TECHNIQUE

Read the instructions very carefully. Sometimes they are a bit strange.


Read text A first. Use a highlighter pen or underline important points and phrasal verbs. Why phrasal

verbs? Because the correct answer often depends on understanding the meaning of a phrasal verb.

Now read through the 15 questions and write the letter A next to possible correct questions.

Now read text B and reread the questions, writing a B next to possible correct questions.

Repeat this process until you have finished the text.

Where you only have one letter next to a question, accept the letter as the correct answer.

Where you have 2 letters next to a question, AND ONLY ONE ANSWER IS POSSIBLE, reread the two texts

and decide on the most probable answer.

ONLINE EXERCISES

Exercise


http://www.autoenglish.org/listening/plasticReading.htm

http://www.autoenglish.org/listening/crisisReading.htm

http://www.autoenglish.org/listening/emissionsREADING.htm

http://www.autoenglish.org/listening/FCEReadingPart3.htm


PART THREE-WORD FORMATION

Introduction to FCE Paper 3 Part Three

a 200 word article


each gap must be filled with one word made from a stem word shown at the end of the line


Typical Questions

4 conversions from verb to noun (e.g choose to choice)

2 conversions from noun to adjective (e.g. energy to energetic)

1-2 conversions from adjective to adverb (e.g. extreme to extremely)

1 conversion from verb to adjective (e.g. rely to reliable)

1 conversion from a positive meaning to a negative meaning (e.g. suitable to unsuitable)

0-1 internal change (e.g. long to length)

Training Exercises

VERBS TO NOUNS


appear to appearance choose to choice grow to growth prove to proof

assist to assistance employ to un/employment or employee improve to improvement


VERB TO NOUN CONVERSIONS

NOUNS TO ADJECTIVES

The most frequently recurring conversions involve adding:-

-al -ful -ous -ic

addition to additional delight to delightful anxiety to anxious economy to economic

coast to coastal doubt to doubtful danger to dangerous energy to energetic

industry to industrial harm to harmful poison to poisonous science to scientific


NOUN TO ADJECTIVE CONVERSIONS

ADJECTIVES TO ADVERBS

These are easy to form. Look at the examples and do the online exercise:-

regular to regularly punctual to punctually easy to easily increase to increasingly ADJECTIVE TO ADVERB CONVERSIONS

VERB TO ADJECTIVE


comfort to comfortable impress to impressive rely to reliable

VERB TO ADJECTIVE CONVERSIONS











POSITIVE MEANING TO NEGATIVE MEANING

able to unable fortunate to unfortunately like to unlike POSITIVE MEANING TO NEGATIVE CONVERSIONS

INTERNAL CHANGE


choose to choice fly to flight hot to heat long to length Example question-timed!

PAPER 3 PART 3

ONLINE PRINTABLE









Preparation material

Useful links

Official Site

Facebook's page for FCE

Grammar & vocabulary

Tests

Tests with keys

Sources

http://www.autoenglish.org/


http://www.cambridgeenglish.org/exams/general-english/fce.html/


https://www.dropbox.com/sh/4dre0fq5iewob5u/AACW29li3hG5EpssW8Mjn1RJa

http://www.autoenglish.org/

https://www.dropbox.com/s/x15mrujy2x8763q/Top-Tips-for-FCE.pdf

https://www.dropbox.com/s/oxrz8gq8pwkxwe5/Common%20Mistakes%20At%20First%20Certificate%20Cambridge-startimes2-com.pdf

https://www.dropbox.com/s/cl677865aqw9whj/Grammar-and-Vocabulary-for-FCE-Longman.pdf

https://www.dropbox.com/sh/4dre0fq5iewob5u/AACW29li3hG5EpssW8Mjn1RJa


Table of Content

PART ONE 3

INTRODUCTION TO FCE PAPER 3 PART ONE........................................................................................................... 3

TYPICAL QUESTIONS ........................................................................................................................................ 3

TRAINING EXERCISES ........................................................................................................................................ 3

COLLOCATIONS ........................................................................................................................................................ 3

VOCABULARY ........................................................................................................................................................... 3

PHRASAL VERBS ....................................................................................................................................................... 4

PREPOSITION COMBINATIONS ................................................................................................................................ 4

LINKING WORDS ...................................................................................................................................................... 4

EXAMPLE QUESTION-TIMED! .................................................................................................................................. 4

PART TWO 5

INTRODUCTION TO FCE PAPER 3 PART TWO .......................................................................................................... 5



CONJUNCTIONS AND LINKERS ................................................................................................................................. 5

PREPOSITIONS ......................................................................................................................................................... 5

DETERMINERS (ARTICLES & QUANTIFIERS) .................................................................................................................... 5

PRONOUNS .............................................................................................................................................................. 6

AUXILIARY AND MODAL VERBS ................................................................................................................................ 6

MULTI-WORD VERBS ............................................................................................................................................... 6

EXAMPLE QUESTION-TIMED! .................................................................................................................................. 6

PART THREE-WORD FORMATION ................................................................................................................. 7

INTRODUCTION TO FCE PAPER 3 PART THREE ........................................................................................................ 7



VERBS TO NOUNS .................................................................................................................................................... 7

NOUNS TO ADJECTIVES ............................................................................................................................................ 7

ADJECTIVES TO ADVERBS ......................................................................................................................................... 7

VERB TO ADJECTIVE ................................................................................................................................................. 8

POSITIVE MEANING TO NEGATIVE MEANING .......................................................................................................... 8

INTERNAL CHANGE .................................................................................................................................................. 8

EXAMPLE QUESTION-TIMED! .............................................................................................................................. 8

P A R T 4 KEY WORD TRANSFORMATIONS 9

INTRODUCTION TO FCE PAPER 3 PART FOUR ......................................................................................................... 9



MODAL VERBS AND SEMI-MODAL VERBS ................................................................................................................ 9

PHRASAL VERBS AND MULTI-WORD VERBS ............................................................................................................. 9

ACTIVE VOICE TO PASSIVE TRANSFORMATIONS.................................................................................................... 10

VERB PATTERNS (VERB + PREPOSITION + -ING) TRANSFORMATIONS ........................................................... 10

REPORTED SPEECH TRANSFORMATIONS .................................................................................................... 10

OTHER AREAS YOU SHOULD STUDY ............................................................................................................ 10

EXAMPLE QUESTION-TIMED! ............................................................................................................................ 10

FCE PAPER 1 READING 11

PART 1 MULTIPLE CHOICE ............................................................................................................................... 11

INFORMATION .......................................................................................................................................... 11

TECHNIQUE ............................................................................................................................................... 11

ONLINE EXERCISES .................................................................................................................................... 11



PART 2 GAPPED TEXT ..................................................................................................................................... 11

INFORMATION .......................................................................................................................................... 11

TECHNIQUE ............................................................................................................................................... 11


PART 3 MULTIPLE MATCHING .......................................................................................................................... 11

INFORMATION .......................................................................................................................................... 11

TECHNIQUE ............................................................................................................................................... 12


FCE SPEAKING 13

SECTIONS .................................................................................................................................................. 13

PART I (INTERVIEW) ....................................................................................................................................... 13

INSTRUCTIONS: CLICK ONTO HEAR THE PRONUNCIATION .......................................................................................... 13

PART 2 (LONG TURN) ..................................................................................................................................... 14

KEY PHRASES ................................................................................................................................................ 14

EXAMPLE DESCRIPTIONS .................................................................................................................................. 15

GAMES FOR PRACTISING DESCRIBING PHOTOS :- .................................................................................................... 15

TIMINGS FOR THE ORAL EXAM .......................................................................................................................... 15

GALLERY #1 SET #1 ....................................................................................................................................... 16

GALLERY #1 SET #2 ....................................................................................................................................... 16

GALLERY #2 SET #1 ....................................................................................................................................... 16

GALLERY #2 SET #2 ....................................................................................................................................... 16

GALLERY #2 SET #3 ....................................................................................................................................... 17

PART 3 (COLLABORATIVE TASK) ........................................................................................................................ 17

TOP TIPS FOR CAMBRIDGE CAE AND FCE SPEAKING TEST PART 3 ............................................................................. 17

CAMBRIDGE CAE AND FCE SPEAKING TEST PART 3 EXAMPLE .................................................................................. 18

PART 4 (DISCUSSION) .................................................................................................................................... 19

FCE SPEAKING PART FOUR ON THE TOPIC OF MINDS .............................................................................................. 19

FCE TIPS - PART 4: PAPER 5 - SPEAKING 20

A. WHAT'S IN THE SPEAKING TEST? .............................................................................................................................. 20

B. GENERAL TIPS FOR SPEAKING ................................................................................................................................... 20

FCE PAPER 1 READING 21

PART 1 MULTIPLE CHOICE ........................................................................................................................................... 21

INFORMATION ....................................................................................................................................................... 21

TECHNIQUE ............................................................................................................................................................ 21

ONLINE EXERCISES ................................................................................................................................................. 21

PART 2 GAPPED TEXT ................................................................................................................................................. 21

INFORMATION ....................................................................................................................................................... 21

TECHNIQUE ............................................................................................................................................................ 21


PART 3 MULTIPLE MATCHING ...................................................................................................................................... 21

INFORMATION ....................................................................................................................................................... 21

TECHNIQUE ............................................................................................................................................................ 21


PART THREE-WORD FORMATION 22

INTRODUCTION TO FCE PAPER 3 PART THREE................................................................................................................. 22

TYPICAL QUESTIONS ................................................................................................................................................... 22

TRAINING EXERCISES ................................................................................................................................................... 22

ADJECTIVES TO ADVERBS ....................................................................................................................................... 22

VERB TO ADJECTIVE ............................................................................................................................................... 22



POSITIVE MEANING TO NEGATIVE MEANING ........................................................................................................ 23

INTERNAL CHANGE ................................................................................................................................................ 23

PAPER 3 PART 3 ...................................................................................................................................................... 23

PREPARATION MATERIAL 24

USEFUL LINKS 24

GRAMMAR & VOCABULARY 24

TESTS 24

TABLE OF CONTENT 25


fce use of english preparation

Education

stem word shown

underline important points

frequently recurring conversions

pepe asked almudena

practising describing photos

unlike positive meaning

reported speech transformations

training exercises verbs