CAE Exam Help: READING AND USE OF ENGLISH

• English
• Middelbare school
• havo, vwo
• Leerjaar 2-4

Part 1 – multiple choice cloze (a text with gaps)

You read a short text with eight gaps. For each gap, there are four possible words to choose from (A-D). This part tests your vocabulary skills, or more specifically your knowledge of idioms, collocations, fixed phrases, etc.

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About Part 2 - Open Cloze

In Part 2, you read a short text with eight gaps, but this time, there are no options to choose from. Instead, you need to analyse the gaps and decide by yourself what is missing in each gap. The focus shifts from vocabulary, as in Part 1, towards grammar and you need to demonstrate your knowledge of the control of different grammatical structures.

Pronouns

Pronouns will often be gapped. In particular look out for reflexive pronouns such as 'ourselves', 'yourself' etc. and relative pronouns - 'who', 'where', 'when' etc. 

Articles and quantifiers

Articles and quantifiers like 'much', 'more', 'some', 'many', 'any', etc. will sometimes be required. 

Modal verbs

Modal verbs, like 'will', 'would', 'must', 'can' etc and the auxiliary verbs 'be', 'do', and 'have' are often tested

Conjunctions

Conjunctions like 'although', 'yet', 'still' or 'because' will sometimes be gapped.

Prepositions

Prepositions, especially those in set expressions like 'on the contrary' or 'in the meantime' will sometimes be gapped.

Dos and don'ts

Make sure your handwriting is clear. Look at the text before and after the gap. Don't leave the answer sheet blank for any question. If you don't know the correct answer you should always make a guess.

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About Part 3 Word Formation

Another short text with eight gaps. Next to each gap, you find a word which you have to transform in order to make it fit the grammatical context. Knowing your prefixes and suffixes is key to success here.

Exam tips

 As always, read the complete text first to get a global understanding of the content.

Examine the sentence structure to identify the part of speech required, such as a noun, verb, adjective or adverb.

Use your understanding of the context to decide if the missing word is positive or negative.

Good luck !