FCE exam preparation

• Engels
• Middelbare school
• havo
• Leerjaar 3,4

FCE EXAM PREPARATION

speaking

Part 1 A conversation between the interlocutor and each candidate (spoken questions).  Candidates are expected to be able to respond to questions and to interact in conversational English. 

Part 2 An individual ‘long turn’ for each candidate, followed by a response from the second candidate (visual and written stimuli with spoken instructions). 

Part 3 A two-way conversation between the candidates (written stimuli, with spoken instructions). 

Part 4 A discussion on topics related to Part 3 (spoken questions).

preparing for speaking exam.

General tips:

Practise with a partner.

Answer in FULL sentences. No mono-syllables 

Avoid fillers; ''like, very, really, ok or uh''

Keep talking until the examiner stops you. Try to avoid silences. 

Repeat the question back to the examiner to avoid misunderstandings.

top tips

Part 1: Repeat the question back and try to answer as broadly as you can. 

Part 2: Use your imagination when presented with visual stimuli; make up a (believable) story about the picture. This will help ease the flow of speech

Part 3& 4

- Leave room to speak for your partner & be sure to take that same space in the conversation

- Look at your partner, ask them questions or about their opinion

- Keep the conversation going until your examiner stops you. 

- Use all of the prompts if needed.

handbook FCE

https://www.lttc.ntu.edu.tw/Cambridge/MS/Handbook/FCE/en/cambridge-english-first-handbook-2015.pdf

In this book you find a lot of information about the exam and extra practice tests.

writing 1.20 hrs

Part 1 One compulsory question. Candidates are given input in the form of an essay title to respond to, along with accompanying notes to guide their writing. 

Part 2 Candidates choose one task from a choice of three questions.  Candidates are expected to be able to write non-specialised text types such as an article, an informal letter or email, a review or a report.  

part 1: essay

TASK TYPE  AND FOCUS  Question 1 Writing an essay.

Focus on agreeing or disagreeing with a statement, giving information, giving opinion, giving reasons, comparing and contrasting ideas and opinions, drawing a conclusion.

FORMAT Candidates are required to deal with input of up to 120 words.

There is an opening rubric to set the scene, and then an essay question with two given prompts, plus a prompt requiring candidates to write about their own additional idea.

NO. OF TASKS AND LENGTH One compulsory task.  140–190 words. 

essay: structure

paragraph 1: introduction and thesis sentence

paragraph 2:  topic sentence + supporting evidence for argument for

paragraph 3: topic sentence + supporting evidence for argument against

paragraph 4: conclusion, repeat thesis and arguments of paragraphs 2 and 3 in different! words,

Use P.E.E

Point

Evidence

Explain

part 2

PART 2 TASK TYPE AND FOCUS  Questions 2–4 Writing one of the following: an article, an informal email or letter, a formal email or letter, a report, a review.

FORMAT A situationally based writing task specified in no more than 70 words.

NO. OF TASKS AND LENGTH One task to be selected from a choice of three. 140–190 words.

he different task types are intended to provide frameworks for candidates so that they can put together and develop their ideas on a topic with a purpose for writing and a target reader in mind. These indications of readership and purpose are not comprehensive, but are intended to provide some guidance about the different task types.

AN ARTICLE is usually written for an English-language magazine or newsletter, and the reader is assumed to have similar interests to the writer. The main purpose is to interest and engage the reader, so there should be some opinion or comment. 

AN EMAIL/A LETTER is written in response to the situation outlined in the question. Letters and emails in the Cambridge English: First Writing paper will require a response which is consistently appropriate in register and tone for the specified target reader. Candidates can expect to be asked to write letters or emails to, for example, an English-speaking friend or colleague, a potential employer, a college principal or a magazine editor. 

AN ESSAY is always written for the teacher. It should answer the question given by addressing both content points and providing a new content point of the writer’s own. The essay should be well organised, with an introduction and an appropriate conclusion and should be written in an appropriate register and tone.  Take  care to read every part of each question, and not to omit any required development of the topic

REPORT is usually written for a superior (e.g. a teacher) or a peer group (e.g. members of an English club). Candidates are expected to give some factual information and make suggestions or recommendations. A report should be clearly organised and may include headings. 

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 holiday, a product, a website etc.) and to give the reader a clear impression of what the item discussed is like. Description and explanation are key functions for this task, and a review will normally include a recommendation to the reader.  

FCE listening

You have practised this in class and know what to do. You can practise online or go to your handout and do the listening test.

practise listening test

reading test

You know the reading test from practising reading in the FCE book and you can practise it online.

Use of English

Read in the handbook what kind of words you need to fill in (and need to learn). 

Do the practise test in the handbook and your handout.

the exam

• be on time
• bring your confirmation of entry
• bring your ID
• read the rules and stick to them
• passed or not? Keep your CoE because the password you need to check your results  is on it as well as the date of the results.

some sites for practising for the exam

http://www.onestopenglish.com/exams/cambridge-esol-exams/fce/

https://www.flo-joe.co.uk/fce/students/tests/

https://www.examenglish.com/FCE/fce_grammar.htm