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Summary for FCE Exam Summary for FCE Exam Updated JANUARY 2015Updated JANUARY 2015

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FCEby Matifmarin

Here are the main changes to the Cambridge English: First exam that start from January 2015:

□ The exam will be about 30 minutes shorter. But it still covers all the same language skills and tests at the same level as the current version.

□ The exam will have four papers, not five.

□ The Reading and Use of English papers are now combined into a single paper that looks at language knowledge and reading skills.

LET’S SEE THE DIFFERENT PARTS!

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Summary for FCE Exam Summary for FCE Exam Updated JANUARY 2015Updated JANUARY 2015

Paper 1: Reading and Paper 3: Use of English (now combined)

1 hour 15 minutes

A total of 52 questions

LENGTH OF TEXTSApproximately 2,200-2,500 words in total to read.

7 parts

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FCEby Matifmarin

Part 1 Part 2 Part 3 Part 4 Part 5 Part 6 Part 7

Parts 1, 2, 3 and 7 receive 1 mark per correct answer.Part 4 receives up to 2 marks per correct answer.Parts 5 and 6 receive 2 marks per correct answer.

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Task typesMultiple-choice cloze, open cloze, word formation, key word transformation, multiple choice, gapped text, multiple matching.

Structure and TasksPart 1Task type Multiple-choice cloze

Focus The main focus is on vocabulary, e.g. idioms, collocations, fixed phrases, complementation, phrasal verbs, semantic precision.

Format A modified cloze test containing eight gaps. There are 4-option multiple-choice items for each gap.Number of

questions8

Task type Open cloze

Part 2

Focus The main focus is on awareness and control of grammar with some focus on vocabulary.

Format A modified cloze test containing eight gaps.Number of

questions8

Task type Multiple-choice clozePart 3

Focus The main focus is on vocabulary, in particular the use of affixation, internal changes and compounding in word formation.

Format A text containing eight gaps. Each gap corresponds to a word. The stem of the missing word is given beside the text and must be changed to form the missing word.

Number of questions

8

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Part 4Task type Key word transformation

Focus The focus is on grammar, vocabulary and collocation.

FormatSix separate items, each with a lead-in sentence and a gapped second sentence to be completed in two to five words, one of which is a given ‘key’ word.

Number of questions

6

Task type Multiple choicePart 5

Format A text followed by six 4-option multiple‑choice questions.Number of

questions6

Task type Gapped textPart 6

Focus Detail, opinion, attitude, tone, purpose, main idea, gist, meaning from context, implication, text organisation features (exemplification, reference).

Format A text from which sentences have been removed and placed in jumbled order after the text. Candidates must decide from which part of the text the sentences have been removed.

Number of questions

6

Part 7Task type Multiple matching

Focus Cohesion, coherence, text structure.

Focus Detail, opinion, specific information, implication.

Format A text or several short texts, preceded by multiple-matching questions. Candidates must match a prompt to elements in the text.Number of

questions10

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Summary for FCE Exam Summary for FCE Exam Updated JANUARY 2015Updated JANUARY 2015

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The Writing Test

1 hour and 20 minutes long2 parts

● Candidates are required to complete two tasks: a compulsory task in Part 1 and one task from a choice of three in Part 2.

Task types A range from the following: article; email/letter; essay; report; review.

Marks Each question on this paper carries equal marks.

Let’s see the structure and tasks on next pages!

Candidates have to show that they can produce two different pieces of writing:a compulsory task in Part 1, and one from a choice of three in Part 2.

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The Writing TestPart 1

Format Candidates are required to write an essay giving their opinion on the essay title using the ideas given and providing an idea of their own. The essay title will be on a subject of general interest with no requirement of specialised knowledge.

Length 140–190 words

Part 2Task type and focus Writing one from a number of possible text types based on a contextualised writing

task.

Format

Candidates have a choice of task. In questions 2–4, the tasks provide candidates with a clear context, topic, purpose and target reader for their writing. The output text types are:  - article  - email / letter  - report  - review.

Length 140–190 words

Question TypesQuestion TypesTask type and focus Compulsory task: Writing an essay giving opinion and providing reasons for the opinion.

Read more information on next page!!

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It is advisable to master at least two categories of writings from the range required for FCE before you take the exam.

(1) An article in the FCE is a writing in which the author expresses his opinion and ideas about a particular topic in a magazine, newspaper or website. The main purpose of an article is to interest and engage the reader, so there should be some opinion or comment, and an eye-catching heading will help.

(2) An email/letter is written in response to the situation outlined in the input material. Candidates should be aware that they will be expected to write grammatically correct sentences with accurate spelling and punctuation in a style suited to the situation and target reader.

(3) An essay is usually written for a teacher and may be written as a follow up to a class activity. It should be well organised, with an introduction, clear development and an appropriate conclusion. The main purpose of this task is the development of an argument and/or discussion of issues surrounding a certain topic. In an essay you are expected to present a convincing argument, which is developed in a logical sequence.

(4) A Report has a formalised structure (i.e. executive summary, scope, discussion, recommendations) and it is written with a specific purpose in mind, or with a particular focus. A report may be written for a superior (e.g. a boss or college principal) or a peer group (e.g. club members or colleagues). The content of a report is to some extent factual and draws on the prompt material, but there will be scope for candidates to make use of their own ideas and experience.

(5) A review is usually written for an English language magazine, newspaper or website. The main purpose is to describe and express a personal opinion about something which the writer has experienced (e.g. a film, a product, a holiday, a website etc.). The target reader is specified in the task, and candidates should be encouraged to use this information when choosing appropriate ideas and language to include in their response.

Read the following information below and practise:

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Listening TestListening Test

Aprox. 40 minutes long 30 Questions

4 partsEach part contains a recorded text or texts and corresponding comprehension tasks. Each part is heard twice.

Marks Each correct answer receives 1 mark.

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Listening TestListening Test

Task typesMultiple choice, sentence completion, multiple matching.

Text typesMonologues: answer phone messages, radio broadcasts and features, news, public announcements, stories and anecdotes, lectures and talks. Interacting speakers: conversations, interviews, discussions, radio plays.

Answer format

Candidates are advised to write their answers in the spaces provided on the question paper while listening. There will be 5 minutes at the end of the test to copy the answers onto a separate answer sheet. Candidates indicate their answers by shading the correct lozenges or writing the required word or words in capital letters in a box on the answer sheet.

Recording information

The instructions for each task are given in the question paper, and are also heard on the recording. These instructions include the announcement of pauses of specified lengths, during which candidates can familiarise themselves with the task and, for some items, predict some of the things they are likely to hear. A variety of voices and styles of delivery are heard in each Listening paper to reflect the various contexts presented in the recordings, as appropriate to the international contexts of the test takers. 

Let’s see the structure on next pageLet’s see the structure on next page

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Listening Structure of the TasksPart 1

Task type Multiple choice

Focus The focus is on genre, identifying speaker feeling, attitude, opinion, purpose, agreement between speakers, gist and detail. 

FormatEight short, unrelated extracts of approximately 30 seconds each, from a series of either monologues or exchanges between interacting speakers. There is one multiple choice question per extract, each with three options.

Number of questions

8

Part 2Task type Sentence completion

Focus The focus is on identifying detail, specific information and stated opinion.

Format A monologue lasting 3–4 minutes. Candidates are required to complete the sentences with information heard on the recording.

Number of questions

10

Part 3Task type Multiple matching

Focus The focus is on identifying attitude, opinion, gist, purpose, feeling, main points and detail.

FormatFive short, related monologues of approximately 30 seconds each. There are five questions which require the selection of the correct option from a list of eight.

Number of questions

5

Part 4Task type Multiple choice

Focus The focus is on identifying opinion, attitude, detail, gist, main idea and specific information.

Format An interview or an exchange between two speakers lasting 3–4 minutes. There are seven 3-option multiple-choice questions.

Number of questions

7

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Summary for FCE Exam Summary for FCE Exam Updated JANUARY 2015Updated JANUARY 2015

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Speaking TestSpeaking Test

2 or 3 candidates

4 parts

14 minutes longPart 1 = 2 minutesParts 2-3-4 = 4 minutes each

2 ExaminersOnly one speaksMarks Each correct answer receives 1 mark.

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Parts 1 and 2Parts 1 and 2Part 1: InterviewConversation between the examiner and the two candidates in turns. The focus is on general interactional and social language. 2 minutes

Part 2: Long turn.Candidates A and B speak in turns.An individual ‘long turn’ by each candidate, with a response from the second candidate. In turn, the candidates are given a pair of photographs to talk about.The focus is on organising a larger unit of discourse, comparing, describing and expressing opinions.It’s a 1-minute ‘long turn’ for each candidate, plus a 30-second response from the second candidate. The total time for Part 2 is 4 minutes.

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Parts 3 and 4Parts 3 and 4Part 3: Collaborative Task A two-way conversation between the candidates. The candidates are given spoken instructions with written stimuli, which are used in discussion and decision-making tasks.The focus is on sustaining an interaction, exchanging ideas, expressing and justifying opinions, agreeing and/or disagreeing, suggesting, speculating, evaluating, reaching a decision through negotiation, etc.It’s a 2-minute discussion followed by a 1‑minute decision-making task. The total time for Part 3 is 4 minutes.

Part 4: DiscussionA discussion on topics related to the collaborative task (spoken questions).The examiner asks further questions to both candidates. The focus is on expressing and justifying opinions, agreeing and/or disagreeing and speculating.4 minutes

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FCEby Matifmarin Summary for FCE Exam Summary for FCE Exam Updated JANUARY 2015Updated JANUARY 2015

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That’s all!!That’s all!!

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