An introduction to the Cambridge CPE exam
Time allowed: 1 hour 30 minutes
Part | Task type | Focus | Questions |
---|---|---|---|
1: Multiple Choice Cloze | Read one text with eight gaps. Choose the correct word from four options to complete each gap. | Use the following language items correctly: vocabulary (idioms and fixed phrases, collocations, phrasal verbs, complementation). | 8 |
2: Open cloze | Read one text with eight gaps. | Use the following language items correctly: grammar and vocabulary. | 8 |
3: Word formation | Read a text with 8 gaps, and form the missing word from a given 'stem' word. | Know how words are formed through prefixes, suffixes and compounding. | 8 |
4: Key word transformation | Read a sentence and complete another gapped sentence using a key word. Candidates complete the second sentence in three to eight words, and must include the 'key word'. | use lexical and lexico-grammatical items. | 6 |
5: Multiple choice | Read one text. Choose the correct word from four options to complete each gap. | Understand text purpose, main idea(s) and detail(s), opinion, tone, implication and attitude, text organisation. | 6 |
6. Gapped text | Read one text with seven missing paragraphs. Choose the correct paragraph order from a list of eight paragraphs: A-H. | Understand text structure, cohesion and coherence, overall meaning. | 7 |
7. Multiple choice | One Read one or more texts preceded by ten multiple matching prompts. Match the prompt to the relevant section of the text(s). | Understand opinion and attitude, detail and specific information. | 10 |
Table: CPE Paper 1 Reading and Use of English