This short guide from intercambioiomas will give candidates the necessary tools to pass the use of English section of the B2 First. It offers study tips and exam technique as well as authentic practice for all the tasks in this section of the exam.
The use of English and reading parts of the exams are joined. This part of the exam lasts 1.15 minutes. You can do them in any order and it is important to take into account the number of sections and the amount of points that each section is worth. Our suggestion is to begin with what you find easiest; this will motivate you and also help you if you run out of time and cannot complete the whole part of the test.
The exam:
The B2 FIRST, formally named Cambridge English: First certificate (FCE) is the Intermediate level of Cambridge English Qualifications by Cambridge Exam English. As it is an intermediate (B2) level certificate, it is an in depth, high-level qualification that demonstrates that the candidates able to achieve this level have the language skills to live and work independently. More than 8,000 educational institutions and businesses around the world currently accept the B2 FIRST and this number is increasing daily.
Key Data:
CEFR level: B2
Scale score: 160-179
Test format: Computer or paper based
Number of parts: 4
Exam length: 3.5 hours
The B2 First demonstrates that you can:
- live and work independently
- Communicate with confidence
- Be part of a workforce
- Express yourself fluently
Exam outline:
| USE OF ENGLISH AND READING |
| (PART 1) For questions 1-8 read the text and decide which word (A-D) best completes the gap 8 POINTS
(PART 2) For questions 9-16 read the text and fill on the gap with one word. USE ONLY ONE WORD 8 POINTS (PART 3) For questions 17-24 read the text and use the (root) word given to form the correct word that best completes the sentence 8 POINTS (PART 4) For questions 25-30 complete the sentences with 2-5 words so that it has a similar meaning to the first, include the word given. DO NOT CHANGE THE WORD. 12 POINTS (PART 5) For questions 31-6 read the extract of a text and answer the questions with the best option (A-D) 12 POINTS (PART 6) For questions 37-42 read the text and fill in the gaps with the best option (A-G). There is one extra option that is not to be used 12 POINTS (PART 7) For questions 43-52 read the text (A-D) and answer the questions with the best option (A-D) 10 POINTS |
| WRITING |
| (PART 1) An essay of 140- 190 words
(PART 2) choose one of three options (a letter, review, an email, and article or a report) and write 140-190 words |
| LISTENING |
| (PART 1) For questions 1-8 you need to listen to the situations and choose the correct option (A-C) to answer the questions. There is one question for each situation 8 POINTS
(PART 2) For questions 9-18 listen to the dialogue and fill in the gaps with a short phrase. 1-3 WORDS 10 POINTS (PART 3) For questions 19-23 you will listen to 5 short extracts on the same topic. Choose the best option according to what you hear A-H. There are 3 you do not use 5 POINTS (PART 4) For questions 24-30 you will listen to an interview. Answer the questions with the correct option A-D 7 POINTS |
| SPEAKING |
| (PART 1) Interview: answer questions with personal information
(PART 2) Long turn: compare images and answer a question (PART 3 Collaborative task: talk about a situation with a partner (PART 4) Discussion |
Part 4: Key word transformations (rephrasing)
In this part of the exam the candidate must read a sentence and then complete a second sentence with 2-5 words so that it has the same meaning as the first sentence. The task provided you with a word that you must use in the exact form. If the word is SAID, you must use SAID and not say or saying. DO NOT CHANGE THE WORD PROVIDED! It is a test of your grammatical and lexical knowledge. Sometimes the sentence can be completed with only 1 word or more than 5, but these answers are not valid as the task states that you must use 2-6 words, in other words, the word provided + 1, 2, 3, or 4 more words.
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCk-1TkfZ8zBU97QqER85bgw
Try the Deleting Technique. You take the sentence transformation, for example:
You´ll have a great time no matter where you go
REGARDLESS You´ll have a great time ________ where you go
YOU MUST CONSIDER WHAT IS THE SAME IN BOTH SENTENCES AND THEN DELETE WHAT IS THE SAME IN THE FIRST SENTENCE
You´ll have a great time no matter where you go
REGARDLESS You´ll have a great time ________ where you go
YOU ARE LEFT WITH NO MATTER AND ALL YOU NEED TO DO IS THINK OF THE SYNONYM FOR IT.
Answer: regardless of
Each question in this part of the exam is worth two points. At first it seems difficult, but it becomes easier with practice. You will notice that the vocabulary and grammar structures repeat.
Check out our PDF booklets on:
110 EXPRESSIONS FOR SENTENCE TRANSFORMATIONS
