Reading Tasks:

Parts 1 and 5-7

Reading - All tasks

Tasks taken from Sample CAE exams

Full Practice test McMillian English: Find here

Old reading test (still useful!): Find at learning institute

10 practice tests for all 8 parts of Reading + Use of English

Find it at: EngExam.info

(Text and advice on this page are largely credited to www.caeexamtips.com)

Reading Part 1

Multiple Choice Cloze

Part 1 is about vocabulary with some grammar. You are given a text with some words missing - you must rebuild the text by choosing the correct word from a choice of 4. To make it even more fun, the 4 choices are usually quite similar.

Great Tips! -From FCE Exam Tips

More great tips:

From Wordpress Blog !

Examples of Collocations

Reading Part 1: From English Revealed.co.uk

Practice Exercises–From Today School ESL

Advanced Multiple Choice Cloze – Test 1

Advanced Multiple Choice Cloze – Test 2

Advanced Multiple Choice Cloze – Test 3

Tips for Part 1

Tip #1: Read the paragraph firstRead the title and try to predict the meaning of the paragraph. Then read through the paragraph with its missing words. Try to understand the main points of the paragraph. Do not look at the possible answers.
Tip #2: Read each sentenceAfter reading the paragraph, go back and read each sentence and try to understand the sentence’s main point. Remember that a sentence’s meaning can be changed depending on the content of the sentences before and after it.
Tip #3: Identify the missing word’s part of speechWhat part of speech is the missing word? Is it a verb? Adjective? Noun? Phrasal verb? Identify the parts of speech of all of the other words in the sentence and you will be able to identify the missing word easier.

Tip #4: Try to guess the missing wordWithout reading the multiple choice options, try to guess the missing word. Then look to see what the options are for your answer.
Tip #5: Remember that differences can be slightDo not be surprised if two words seem very similar in meaning: this portion of the exam is made to test your vocabulary. Remember that collocations, idioms, fixed expressions, and phrasal verbs play a large part in this section: try to study both as best you can.
Tip #6: Never leave an answer blankYou will not miss points because you marked an answer wrong: always guess! You have a 25% chance of getting the question right.
Tip #7: Make sure the answer creates a grammatically correct sentenceAfter choosing an answer, make sure that it completes the sentence so that it is grammatically correct.

Reading Part 5

Long Read

Part 5 is a long text with six comprehension questions. Each correct answer is worth 2 points. The text is loooong, the answers all seem to be the same.... it's a test of concentration, understanding, and of your patience

Reading Part 5

Kat's tutorial

General Tips: read from FCE Tips

The answers are the same order as the questions - so the answer to question 1 is near the beginning of the article, and answer 2 ALWAYS comes after answer 1. Sometimes question 6 is about the whole text.

Read the text BEFORE the multiple choice. This is the most efficient way to do it. Don't argue with me. Just do it.

* Be careful of TRAPS! If a word in an answer is also in the text, it's probably NOT the answer. Example:

Practice Papers (These are advanced!!! These are CAE level but it's the same technique!)

Story about a guide dog trainer

Story about the Sahara Film Festival

Story about the man who wants to teach the world

Madrid my home sweet home

Reading Part 6

Cambridge calls part 6 a 'gapped text' activity. You get a long text with six paragraphs removed (leaving 6 gaps, hence the name of the task). Your job to is put the paragraphs back into the right place. It's quite hard, and Cambridge make it harder by including an extra paragraph that doesn't fit into any of the spaces.

Part 6 is a hard part of the exam that gets easier the more you practice.