FCE Use of English

What is the FCE Use of English test like?The test has four sections and takes 45 minutes:

1. Part 1 - multiple choice cloze
2. Part 2 - open cloze, text with gaps
3. Part 3 - word formation
4. Part 4 - key word transformations

How to prepare for the FCE Use of English test

• The Use of English paper tests your knowledge of vocabulary and grammar.
• Read as much as possible, and use a dictionary to help you learn new words
• Use a grammar book to help you understand sentence structure
• Read the instructions carefully before you start each section
• Look at the example question at the beginning of each section
• Correct spelling is necessary. Get into the habit of checking the spelling of words. For example, a common mistake is spelling - WICH ..... No, no, no! W-H-I-C-H is how it should be spelt!

Here is a document that contains 50 exercises to practise with

Phrasal verbs for FCE: 

1. http://quizlet.com/64061806/phrasal-verb-list-ready-for-fce-flash-cards/
2. http://www.flo-joe.com/fce/students/wordbank/pverb.htm

Over 30 photocopiable worksheets, ideal for classroom use or for homework tasks:

Worksheets: Part One: Multiple Choice Cloze

Worksheet 1 Synonyms
Worksheet 2 Collocation
Worksheet 3 Phrasal Verbs
Worksheet 4 Phrases and Expressions
Worksheet 5 Linking Words

Worksheets: Part Two: Open Cloze

Worksheet 1 Parts Of Speech
Worksheet 2 Pronouns/Relative Pronouns
Worksheet 3 Articles/Quantifiers
Worksheet 4 Modal/Auxiliary Verbs
Worksheet 5 Conjunctions 
Worksheet 6 Prepositions
Worksheet 7 Sentence level practice

Worksheets: Part Three: Word Formation

Worksheet 1 Forming nouns from verbs
Worksheet 2 Forming nouns
Worksheet 3 Forming opposite meanings
Worksheet 4 Forming verbs
Worksheet 5 Forming adjectives & adverbs 
Worksheet 6 Difficult spellings 

Worksheets: Part Four: 'Key' Word Transformation

Worksheet 1 Comparative/Superlative
Worksheet 2 Passive
Worksheet 3 Direct and Indirect Speech
Worksheet 4 Auxiliary verbs
Worksheet 5 Conditionals
Worksheet 6 'Unreal' past tenses
Worksheet 7 Verb patterns
Worksheet 8 Phrasal Verb
Worksheet 9 Sentences requiring two changes

FCE Unit 19 - Health

Grammar for advice and suggestions:

Should and ought to.

Should and have to have similar meanings and are often interchangeable:

You ought to / should do what you can.
You should /ought to go and see that film. It's really good.
María should have done it / ought to have done it.

Advice and obligation.

Should / Ought to + infinitive is used to give strong advice or talk about obligation in the present or future:

She should / ought to leave straight away.
We should / ought to do it now.
They shouldn't / oughtn't to leave tomorrow; they haven't finished yet.

 

Vocabulary:

http://www.autoenglish.org/vocab/v.health.pdf

http://www.fcepracticetests.com/fce-vocabulary-vocabulary-building-6/

Test your vocabulary:

http://www.flo-joe.co.uk/preliminaryenglish/vocabulary/health-problems.htm

http://www.flo-joe.co.uk/preliminaryenglish/vocabulary/health-treatment.htm

FCE writing for 2015 exam

For the new 2015 FCE exam, writing an essay is compulsory for part 1.

This page shows a very informative video on how to form an essay at FCE level:

http://englishaula.com/en/writing-part-2-exam-1-fce-cambridge-first-certificate-english-practice-test-exercise-essay.html

An easy way to understand ESSAY WRITING is as follows:

SAY WHAT YOU ARE GOING TO SAY - THE INTRODUCTION.

SAY WHAT YOU WANT TO SAY - THE DEVELOPMENT.

SAY WHAT YOU JUST SAID - THE CONCLUSION

Es muy importante en el ensayo conectar los argumentos en un orden determinado. 
Te dejo ejemplos de frases que te serán útiles para este propósito.

- Many people/Some people argue... Mucha gente, alguna gente argumenta....

- It is often said.. Se dice frecuentemente que...

- However, in my opinion view ...No obstante, en mi opinión...

- Firstly, it is true (clear) that... En primer lugar, es verdad (está claro) que....

- While it is true that...Aunque es verdad que...

- On the one hand, and on the other hand 
(Cuidado: utilízalo siempre para contrastar opiniones desde dos ángulos distintos (no iguales). 
For example: On the one hand it is true that most teenagers watch videos all day, 
but on the other hand they learn many new skills through those videos. 
Por un lado, es verdad que la mayoría de los adolescentes 

ven vídeos todo el día, pero por otro lado, aprenden nuevas habilidades a través de esos vídeos).

- Finally, it is important to take into account that.... Finalmente es importante tener en cuenta que...

Important page: FCE Essay writing exaplined in spanish

Dos and DONTs: http://www.rubenvalero.com/english/content/dos-and-donts

Useful words and phrases: 

http://www.rubenvalero.com/english/content/writing-useful-words-and-phrases-fce

Writing an essay for FCE important points

How to write articles, reports and letters for Part 2 of FCE writing exam here

FCE Unit 18 - Books

Vocabulary


Grammar

TOO / ENOUGH

Too and Enough are used with adjectives and indicate degree. Here we have provide you the different usages of Too and Enough, So and Such.

This is too big for me!

A. Too means ‘more is necessary or desirable.’

1. To + adjective / adverb

Ex: This jumper’s too big. Can I try a smaller size?

2. Too much / Too many (+ noun) 

Ex: I can’t eat this. There is too much salt in it.

Ex: There are too many people here. Let’s go outside.

3. Too + adverb / adjective (+ for + object) + infinitive

Ex: It’s too cold to play tennis today.

Ex: He spoke too quickly for me to understand him.

B. Enough means ‘as much as is necessary’

1. Adjective / Adverb + enough

Ex: Are you warm enough or shall I turn the heating on?

2. Enough + noun

Ex: We’ll have to stand because there aren’t enough chairs.

3. Enough (+ for + object) + infinitive with to

Ex: I haven’t got enough time to see you today.

EXERCISE 1
EXERCISE 2
EXERCISE 3
EXERCISE 4

So / such

These ‘intensifiers’ are used to give emphasis.

A. So is used before:

1. adjectives and adverbs without nouns.

Ex: I’m so tired. I’ll have to go to bed.

2. much, many, little, few

Ex: You shouldn’t eat so much, Jack.

B. Such is used with or without an adjective before:

1. singular countable nouns ( the indefinite article a/an is also needed).

Ex: She’s got such a wonderful voice.

2. uncountable nouns and plural countable nouns (the article is not needed).

Ex: Our neighbors are such friendly people.

C. So and such can both be used with a that clause to talk about the results or consequences.

Ex: It was such a boring place that we decided to leave.

Ex: It was raining so hard we had to stop the car.

EXERCISE 1
EXERCISE 2
EXERCISE 3
EXERCISE 4

PRACTICE MORE:

GRAMMAR AND EXERCISES

EXERCISE 5

EXERCISE 6

EXERCISE 7

FCE 2015 speaking

FCE Writing question for homework

FCE Writing Question:

You have received the following letter from your English-speaking friend.

.............Thanks for inviting me to stay with you when I visit your country next month. I'm not sure how to get to your apartment from the airport. Could you write back giving me some basic instructions? What would be the best method of transport for me? I'd prefer one that isn't too expensive! Just one other thing - what will the weather be like when I get there? (Just so I'll know what clothes to pack!) .........

Write your letter of reply to your friend (around 120-180 words).