FCE Sample Proficiency 2   
 
Reading FCE Paper 1
Part 1 Multiple matching
You are going to read an magazine article about a local trading system. Choose the most suitable heading
from the list A–I for each part (1–7) of the article. There is one extra heading which you do not need to use.
There is an example at the beginning (0).
A Escape the routine
B A growing trend
C Back to nature
D Old and young
E Who needs money?
F Save the world
G Help with the kids
H Learn about yourself
I Anything and everything
0 E
1
2
3
4
5
6
7

LETS do it!
0 E
In Totnes, they use ‘acorns’, in Manchester ‘bobbins’ and in Cambridge ‘cams’. What on earth are these you may ask? These are all currency units used in the Local Exchange Trading Systems (LETS), a scheme that avoids the need to pay cash for goods and service, working instead on a bartering exchange system.
1
If you’ve never heard of LETS (Local Exchange Trading Systems) you might wonder what the fuss is all about. With more than 400 schemes in the UK, it’s obvious that more and more people are catching on to the idea. And if you are tired of seeing your cash disappear in taxes, here’s a way of keeping your cash and exchanging your skills
instead.
2
Sean Kelly, who edits his local LETS newsletter, lives in a village in Bedfordshire. He works part-time for the BBC as a vision engineer. He and his wife, who works part-time at the Open University, moved to the village from London eight years ago. They wanted ‘to spend time doing what we wanted to do,’ explains Steve, and LETS fits very well into that plan.
3
They joined the LETS scheme when it began after attending a public meeting advertised in a local newspaper. When, 18 months ago, their first son arrived, the LETS scheme became a godsend. Not only have they acquired everything necessary for a baby, they have found the idea of baby-sitting helpful too. ‘We’ve made more friends locally through LETS than anything else’.
4
One of the most popular things on offer as part of the scheme is fresh fruit and vegetables – especially if it’s organic. But there all sorts of skills and goods that people can offer. One member renovates old computers and another member has a selection of ballgowns for hire – not really an everyday service, but she was surprised at the demand.
5
Occasionally the members set up a gardening or decorating gang, where a group gets together and tackles a bigger job in someone’s garden or home. There are a lot of gardeners with years of experience. This becomes a social event too and you can hear the laughter from one of these gangs a long way off. Even children become involved in the scheme – car-washing is a particular favourite.
6
Probably around a third of the members come to the scheme through green or social beliefs. Some may be members of organizations such as Greenpeace or Friends of the Earth. They are attracted to LETS by the fact that many goods get recycled. One LETS group was started by a single mother on a council estate who saw the benefits for those on lower incomes.
7
But the most important thing, if you do decide to join, is to get involved. Don’t just sit around waiting for it to happen; you need to be active. Go to meetings and social events, get to know people, and soon you could be swapping skills you did not know you had!

Part 2 Multiple choice
You are going to read an extract from an article about receptionists. For questions 8–14, choose the answer A, B, C or D you think fits best according to the text.

Smile please
While you are reading this I would like you to smile. And why am I asking you to force a smile while you are in the office or on the train, or while pouring out your cornflakes?
Because I would like you to understand what it is like to be a receptionist. I would like you to have some idea of how it feels to smile continually for most of the day.
But beneath this happy exterior, the life of the receptionist is supposedly a miserable affair. It is like a famous actress hiding her tragedy behind a glittering showbiz persona. For receptionists are bored, isolated and, to be honest, want a little respect. Or so says a survey conducted by recruitment consultants Maine-Tucker. A third of surveyed receptionists complained that they were bored with their job. One hesitates to point out that being bored in your job is rather par for the course. It is like going to school and hating the double maths lessons even if you are the maths teacher. That said, of course, the receptionist has the responsibility of not looking bored at all. All yawns must be hidden. The receptionist simply does not have the luxury of being able to put her head in her hands, and swear loudly in the middle of the afternoon.
One fifth claimed that they felt cut off from the rest of the company, especially those working in larger organizations. All they get is a touch of the hat and a brief hello as the rest of the company walks past first thing in the morning and the last thing at night. There is no chatting about last night’s excitement.
The receptionist is often viewed as the face of a company. She or he is more than likely the first person visitors will meet when they enter the building. Therefore the receptionist has to look smartly turned out. There can’t be any spilled food on your blouse or spinach stuck between your teeth. Some large firms even give their receptionists a clothing allowance to ensure that they always look presentable. Most importantly, the receptionist has to appear approachable. It is the absolute opposite of the snobbish reception you get in designer clothing stores. This is where the smiling comes in. A genuine open-lipped smile suggests warmth and openness.
But being a receptionist is not merely about answering telephones and calling up to the fourth floor to say ‘Mr Jones, Mr Garfunkel is in reception’. It is often about dealing with customers or clients who are upset, or annoyed, or  downright livid. The receptionist might have to listen to a visitor’s dissatisfaction with the company as a whole, or about having to wait to speak to somebody in the firm, or even that he missed his train to work this morning and had to pay for a cab. Some customers may be violent or threatening. Indeed the Maine-Tucker report found that 28% of
those surveyed wanted to be treated with more respect by both staff and visitors.
At a time when the role of secretary is viewed as increasingly important, where a business can not work without someone who understands the technology and all the detail of running the office, receptionists are feeling particularly overlooked. The potential for promotion from a secretarial position is ever more likely. But for a receptionist to go quickly up the career ladder is a much more difficult task.
It is in smaller companies, especially in start-ups, that receptionists feel their role is more valued. In such organizations everyone, whatever their job, gets to contribute to a project. In this way, receptionists may get the chance to show that they have skills beyond the front desk, and are eligible for promotion. Now that is a reason for smiling.
8 Where is the article taken from?
A a business survey
B a fashion magazine
C a daily newspaper
D a career guidance leaflet
9 According to the survey which is not true of receptionists?
A They sometimes feel undervalued.
B They sometimes feel isolated.
C They sometimes feel bored.
D They sometimes feel tired.
10 The writer suggests that
A all jobs are sometimes boring.
B only maths is a boring subject.
C being a receptionist is very boring.
D receptionists always look bored.
11 Some receptionists are given a clothing allowance because
A they need to tip their hat to the staff.
B they buy clothes in designer stores.
C it’s easy to spill food on their clothes.
D they need to make a good first impression.
12 The phrase ‘downright livid’ means
A lively.
B very angry.
C they feel they are right.
D extremely violent.
13 The writer says that secretaries
A know a little about technology.
B have better career prospects than receptionists.
C often look down on receptionists.
D have similar problems to receptionists.
14 Receptionists are happier in smaller companies because
A they get the chance to start up new projects.
B they have more opportunities to smile.
C they don’t have to sit at the front desk.
D they are more involved in decision making.

Part 3 Gapped text
You are going to read a newspaper article about a Spanish design student in London. Eight sentences have been removed from the article. Choose from the sentences A–I the one which fits each gap (15–21). There is one extra sentence which you do not need to use. There is an example at the beginning (0).
Designer living
It is hard to tell whether Héctor Serrano is very serious or just has a dry sense of humour. When you enter his flat you are greeted in two languages. ‘Hallo,’ he says in a thick Spanish accent, as he opens the front door in his green glasses, brown woolly jumper, and orange leather slippers. 0 F Serrano graduated from the RCA’s Product Design MA course that year. While he was still there he won the £16,000 Peugeot Design Award, beating his tutor Roberto Feo. 15 It is difficult to get into the house because the hall is cluttered with their bikes and there are piles of books and papers everywhere. 16 The walls are all brightly coloured, paper bags are used as lampshades and unusual self-built furniture fills every room. Serrano’s workshop is in his bedroom. 17 ‘They are Mr Potatohead’s glasses’, I am informed. Was it Mr Potatohead, then that gave him the idea for his succesful design, a soft, squeezable lamp that won him the Peugeot award? ‘No’ he replies, picking up and squeezing a red stress ball. ‘This was’. Serrano has other designs on display such as his new but unfinished ‘top secret’ design on his wardrobe clothes rail. 18 It is made from strips of plastic stuffed into a clear nylon net, which hangs from the ceiling. There’s a drinking bottle based on the traditional Spanish botijos. It looks like a plastic bottle but is made in white pottery and has a spout and handle. ‘It can be used as a drinking bottle’ says Serrano, raising it to his lips, ‘or as a jug’. He bends over and pours the water into a glass.
Serrano has only been in London two years. 19 Someone had told him design was nice and easy, and he was fed up with studying physics, maths and literature. 20 Unsurprisingly, though, poor Serrano misses the Spanish sun and paella. Otherwise, he’s very happy. The only thing that upsets him are those open-backed buses in London. ‘It might be a tradition but they are very, very dangerous’. 21 * RCA stands for the Royal College of Art
A On the bench, there’s a tiny pair of glasses similar to Serrano’s own.
B He arrived here from Valencia with good reports of the RCA from a friend.
C He still lives with two RCA student friends in a rented house in Queen’s Park.
D In the corner, there is a strange looking hanging lamp.
E It is not clear if he is being serious or not.
F ‘Bonjour’ reads the doormat.
G It’s obvious that this is the flat of design students.
H He wanted to study something more creative.
I This design won him the Peugeot award.
0 F
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
Part 4 Multiple matching
You are going to read a newspaper article, in which journalists have chosen one important book from their childhood. For questions 22–35, choose from the books (A–F). The books may be chosen more than once. When more than one answer is required, these may be given in any order. There is an example at the beginning (0).
Which of the books
has main characters from different social backgrounds? 0 F
has a battle between good and evil? 22
has a girl who is unpleasant? 23
has real animals? 24
has children who argue? 25 26
gave the reader self-belief? 27
is funny and sad? 28
helped influence the reader to become an artist? 29
are historical novels? 30 31
has boys and girls as the main characters? 32
has a girl who changes character? 33
has a semi-visible person? 34
was published once a year? 35
0 F
22
23
24
25
27
28
29
30
32
33
26
31
34
35

The Secret Garden
by Frances Hodgson Burnett chosen by Gillian Cross
The best books have a way of getting inside you and affecting the way you think and see. The Secret Garden is like that for me. It is a book that has everything: a mysterious voice, a boy who tames animals, a lovely, hidden garden and a clever portrait of a heroine who is lovable even when she is a selfish, badtempered victim. She becomes even more loveable as she develops into a healthy, confident girl. All my life – possibly because of Mary – I have known that everyone needs love and work and hope.
Chicks’ Own Annual chosen by Quentin Blake
I was given this book for my fourth birthday; it may have been my first ever book. Chick’s Own was one of those weekly comics with some stories in strip cartoon form and other simple stories of a page each – the Annual
was the same. The hero was Rupert, a little yellow chick. He had a red beak, his friend was to the same design, but black with a yellow beak. The interesting thing to me in retrospect is that I am sure that I was aware that some of the drawings were better than others. Many were very flat but those for the Rupert stories had substantial forms; the wheels on Rupert’s train really looked as though they would go round.
The Silver Chair by CS Lewis chosen by Malorie Blackman
Books can change your life. I know because that’s what my favourite book, The Silver Chair, did for me. Do you know that feeling when you learn something new and you’re instantly aware of its truth for you at that moment and for the rest of your life? That’s how I felt when I read chapter 12, in which the wicked Queen tries to seduce the main
characters into believing that her world is the only real world. And there is no sun, no Narnia and no Aslan. It was Puddleglum’s words that spoke to me. If there’s no sun and no country and no Aslan, he’ll still go on believing in them, because it’s better than the alternative. I realize now that that chapter gave me the courage to believe in myself.
The Woolpack by Cynthia Harnett chosen by Kevin Crossley-Holland
I’m going for The Woolpack because it’s the first book that I bought for myself. The author’s knowledge of late 15th century life and the Cotswold wool trade is lightly worn but wonderfully convincing. She has very little to do with old-tyme speeche: the dialogue is largely simple and clean, if now slightly dated. Harnett likes human beings,
even with their faults. She is, above all, at home with childhood – its honesty, playfulness, joys and fears. And she sees it like another country. In 1953, aged 12, all I knew was that it was thrilling to read a story about smuggling and crime. The author certainly knew how to tell a story.
Half Magic by Edgar Eager chosen by Francesca Simon
I was nine or ten when I first discovered Edward Eager’s fantastic books about a group of children’s magic adventures. Half Magic was the first. The four children pick up a coin on the way to the library. They think
it’s an ordinary coin but after a series of problems they realize it’s a magic coin. However, it only grants half your wish. So when the youngest is fed up with being bossed around by her brothers and sisters she wishes she wasn’t there. Half of her remains and the other half floats about unseen causing chaos. The children were unlike the usual storybook children; they fought and argued. If magic could happen to an ordinary family, it could happen to
anyone. Even to me!
A White Sail Gleams by Valentin Katayev chosen by Michael Rosen
My mother found unusual and absorbing books for me, and my father used to read Charles Dickens novels to us on holiday. The book that most drew me into its imaginative space was Russian. A White Sail Gleams was written in 1936. It’s an intriguing mix of realism and expressionism, telling the story of two boys caught up in the 1905 Revolution. Petya is middle-class and Gavrik is a street-kid. Both are faced with the problem of what to do with a sailor on the run from the Battleship Potemkin mutiny. The dialogue is sharp and humorous. The scenes move beautifully from tension to sadness. The relationship between the two boys is full of anxiety and annoyance.

Writing FCE Paper 2
Part 1 Transactional letter
You must answer this question.
1 You and four of your classmates hired a car for seven days to travel around England after your course at a school. The school that you attended recommended the company whose advertisement is below but you were not happy with the company. Using the notes you have made, write to the school suggesting that they do not recommend the company again.
Write a letter of between 120 and 180 words in an appropriate style. Do not write any addresses.
HIRACAR
Hire the Drive of your Life
• Competitive all-inclusive
rates
• Full insurance
• Business or private user
• Roof box hire
• Flexible rates (daily,
weekly, weekend rates)
didn’t mention
mileage charge
or cleaning
charge
first £50 not
covered by the
insurance
very expensive
no discount for
six-day hire
not flexible with
means of payment
Part 2
Write an answer to one of the questions 2–5 in this part. Write your answer in 120–180 words in an
appropriate style.
2 There is a school narrative competition. The story must include the line:
When he/she told me I was speechless.
Write your story.
3 A friend is intending to stay in your town. She will be the group leader of ten teenagers from her
swimming club.
She would like you to write a report for her club about the swimming facilities in your area, both
outdoor and indoor, with your recommendations.
Write your report.
4 Last month you enjoyed helping to look after a children’s summer camp and your friend Catherine
would like to hear about this experience. Write a letter to Catherine, describing what you did to help
and explaining what you particularly liked about the experience.
Write your letter. Do not write any postal addresses.
5 Answer one of the following two questions based on your reading of one of the set books.
Either: (a) ‘Sometimes there is a character that you are not sure you like because they have
good points and bad points.’ Is this true of a book that you have read? Write a
composition explaining your views, with reference to the book or one of the short
stories you have read.
or: (b) ‘This is such an interesting book that you will want to read it again.’ Write an article
for your college magazine, saying whether you think this is true of the book or one of
the short stories you have read.

FCE Paper 3
Use of English
Part 1 Multiple choice cloze
For questions 1–15, read the text below and decide which answer A, B, C, or D best fits each space. There is an example at the beginning (0).
Example:
0 Amanage B succeed C try D want
Bears
Scientists in the United States have found that hibernating bears (0) ___________ to keep fit in their sleep. The (1) ___________ that over 130 days of winter hibernation bears (2) ___________ only a quarter of their muscle power was made by (3) ___________ from the University of Wyoming. The scientists (4) ___________
samples from black bears at the start and finish of the hibernation. The researchers had to (5) ___________ attach devices to the bears and this meant (6) ___________ into the caves (7) ___________ the autumn and spring. They attached a machine to the bears’ legs for (8) ___________ muscle strength. The device was (9) ___________ to a computer and very small electric (10) ___________ were sent to the bears’ nerves causing the legs to move suddenly and the measurement was then taken.
The scientists are (11) ___________ that their research will enable them to help humans that are confined (12) ___________ bed for a long time. Human beings that are (13) ___________ for 130 days lose a/an (14) ___________ 90% of their body strength. Furthermore, in the future there might be long-distance space
(15) ___________ and the effects of lack of muscle movement will need to be considered.
1 A discovery B invention C exploration D experiment
2 A waste B lose C gain D spend
3 A investigators B detectives C researchers D discoverers
4 A made B took C did D gained
5 A accurately B steadily C slowly D carefully
6 A climbing B running C creeping D sliding
7 A at B in C on D over
8 A measuring B guessing C adding D estimating
9 A stuck B tied C transmitted D connected
10 A wires B messages C signals D shocks
11 A optimistic B enthusiastic C sympathetic D pessimistic
12 A to B in C at D with
13 A inactive B unenergetic C lazy D unmovable
14 A guessed B estimated C predicted D measured
15 A journey B trip C voyage D travel
Part 2 Open cloze
For questions 16–30, read the text below and think of the word which best fits each space. Use only one word in each space. There is an example at the beginning (0).
The Model T Ford
The age of the car started (0) on the 12th August 1908, when the first Model T Ford rolled off (16) ___________ world’s first assembly line. From the beginning demand was high and orders came in from all (17) ___________ the world. Henry Ford quickly realized that the company (18) ___________ have to expand quickly to meet demand. As a result, he introduced the idea (19) ___________ ‘the mass production
line’. However, the company still (20) ___________ problems meeting the orders so he (21) ___________ to open another branch in Kansas City. Two years later, the company (22) ___________ producing cars on a moving assembly line. An official history of Ford says ‘In October 1913 mass production (23) ___________ the
automobile began’. Before this, Ford (24) ___________ only been able to organize men and components in order (25) ___________ improve the efficiency of the Model, but the moving assembly line improved the speed of chassis assembly (26) ___________ 12 hours to only 1 hour 33 minutes. In 1914 Ford (27) ___________ 308,162 cars in his factories, (28) ___________ was more than all the other manufacturers
combined. The age of (29) ___________ car had definitely arrived and the car would become the most (30) ___________ means of transport in the 20th century.
Part 3 Transformations
For questions 31–40, complete the second sentence so that it has a similar meaning to the first sentence, using the word given. Do not change the word given. You must use between two and five words, including the word given. There is an example at the beginning (0).
Example:
(0) I’d rather you didn’t chew gum in the classroom.
prefer
I’d prefer you not to chew gum in the classroom.
31 It really wasn’t easy to find a flat in Rome.
difficulty
I had ______________________________________ a flat in Rome.
32 He said to me, ‘Don’t bring the dog again’.
told
He ______________________________________ bring the dog again.
33 There were more accidents last year than this year.
as
This year, there were not ______________________________________ last year.
34 Despite his inability to speak the language well, he was understood.
although
He was understood ______________________________________ the language well.
35 There’s very little possibility of his failing the exam.
chance
There is a good ______________________________________ passing the exam.
36 They only gave him the job because his uncle worked there.
given
He ______________________________________ the job if his uncle had not worked there.
37 The firemen managed to extinguish the fire quickly.
put
The fire ______________________________________ by the firemen.
38 There’s little point in travelling if you expect every place to be like home.
worth
It’s ______________________________________ if you expect every place to be like home.
39 I’m sure it was John.
been
It ______________________________________ John.
40 When he was forty he finally got the job he wanted.
until
It ______________________________________ was forty that he got the job he wanted.
Part 4 Error correction
For questions 41–55, read the text below and look carefully at each line. Some of the lines are correct, and some have a word which should not be there. If a line is correct, put a tick (3) at the end of the line. If a line has a word which should not be there, write the word. There are two examples at the beginning (0 and 00).
0 A colleague at work had a small boat in which every weekend 3   
00 he used to go for sailing. He invited myself and a friend to go for
41 with him on a sailing trip. We imagined that ourselves sitting on ________
42 the deck of the boat, near a beach, sunbathing and doing what we ________
43 wanted. But the reality was much more different. Our friend, who ________
44 owned it the boat, wanted to do some real sailing and was only ________
45 happy with at sea. As a result, we were actually at sea most ________
46 of the time. To make matters the worse our friend spent a loT ________
47 of the time shouting orders at us. Whatever was the weather ________
48 we sailed on and on. We did get a tan but not from the sun, ________
49 it was from the strong winds in which blew cold sea water ________
50 in our faces all day. We had been imagined a relaxing time ________
51 doing for nothing but it was not the case. Unfortunately, when ________
52 we got back to home our friends were very envious and ________
53 would not believe that we had had such a demanding time. ________
54 We were considered to be very lucky people indeed and ________
55 they could not understand why we were complaining about. ________
Part 5 Word formation
For questions 56–65, read the text below. Use the word given in capitals at the end of each line to form a word that fits in the space in each line. There is an example at the beginning (0).
Every weekend in Britain thousands of walkers head off into the (0) countryside COUNTRY
with the necessary (56) _______________ to enjoy their hiking. One thing they will EQUIP
not leave behind because it is considered an absolute (57) _______________ is their Ordnance NECESSARY
Survey Map. These maps are (58) _______________ to the hiker as they are VALUE
very (59) _______________ , with up-to-date details about every part of the country. INFORM
The Ordnance Survey (60) _______________ in the eighteenth century BEGIN
and was (61) _______________ intended to provide the army of the time with ORIGIN
maps. Before this, most maps were inaccurate and (62) _______________ . Better maps RELY
were thought to be important because the country felt (63) _______________ by invasion THREAT
from abroad or (64) _______________ at home. The organization is still wholly owned REBEL
by the Government, but it was recently (65) _______________ trading fund status, which GIVE
allows it to reinvest any profits.

Answer Key
Reading FCE Paper 1
Part 1 Multiple matching
1 B 2 A 3 G 4 I 5 D 6 F 7 H
Part 2 Multiple choice
8 C 9 D 10 A 11 D 12 B 13 B 14 D
Part 3 Gapped text
15 C 16 G 17 A 18 D 19 B 20 H 21 E
Part 4 Multiple matching
22 C 23 E 24 A 25 E/F 26 E/F
27 C 28 F 29 B 30 D/F 31 D/F
32 E 33 A 34 E 35 B
Answer Key
Writing FCE Paper 2
Part 1 Transactional letter
Sample plan
Intro: when I attended
problem
Details: mileage
cleaning
window broken
expensive roofbox
payment problems
Conclusion
Model answer
I attended the school at the beginning of the year and maybe you can remember that I asked you about hiring a car to travel around England with four classmates. I am now writing to you to suggest that you do not recommend ‘hiracar’ again.
Firstly, all the rates were not included as was mentioned in the advertisement. In fact, we had to pay for the mileage as well as for the cleaning of the car. Then, unfortunately we had one of our car windows broken. The first £50 of
the repair was not covered by the insurance although ‘Full insurance’ is advertised. We also hired a roof box for our bags and it cost us £100 for just a week, which was very expensive. I was disappointed not to get a discount for
more than six days, and we could not pay by credit card.
Despite these problems we had a good time but I think it is important for your school to recommend more reliable companies. I hope my information has been useful.
173 words
Part 2: 2 Story
Sample plan
¥ James’ party Ð didn’t want to go
¥ Seeing Kate Ð speechless
¥ Introductions
¥ After the party
¥ Ending Ð married
Model answer
When James, my English teacher, invited me to a party I was reluctant to go but I did not have a good reason to not accept the invitation so I attended. As I had expected I did not enjoy the party at first because I did not know anyone there. Then I saw Kate. The only thing I could do was stare at her. She was absolutely stunning. I had never seen anybody so beautiful. James saw my reaction and decided to introduce me to her. I was speechless.
Before the party finished, I had a chance to talk to her. I was now able to talk normally. Surprisingly, we had a lot in common, such as favourite films and books. We promised to see each other in the near future and exchanged mobile numbers.
To my amazement, she called me three days later and we went to the cinema that night. After that we spent a lot of time together. Naturally, she became my wife.
164 words
Part 2: 3 Report
Sample plan
Aim of report
General: Ð three pools
Temple Meads Ð city centre, new, costs
St Helens Ð old, beautiful, cold, cost
Scartho Ð outdoor, big, summer times
Recommendations
Model answer
The aim of this report is to provide information about the swimming facilities in the town of Bamford.
General
There are three swimming pools in Bamford; the
Temple Meads Pool, the St Helens Pool and the
Scartho Pool (outdoor).
Temple Meads Pool
This pool is located in the city centre. There are eight lanes and there is also a pool for children. The pool facilities are all new. The admission costs are the highest as it costs £3.00 per session and £1.50 for under 12s.
St Helens Pool
This pool was built over 100 years ago and the architecture is very beautiful. The pool is colder than the Temple Meads pool. The admission cost is only £2.00 and £1.00 for under 10s.
Scartho Pool
This outdoor pool is open from the 1st June to 15th September. It is a very big pool and it is extremely popular on hot summer days (It is sometimes full). It also opens to 9.00 on summer evenings. It is the same price as Temple Meads.
Recommendations
I really think your group would enjoy Scartho Pool but if itÕs raining or full Temple Meads would be fine.
176 words
Part 2: 4 Letter
Sample plan
Intro.
¥ Summer camp Ð great
¥ Why? Ð worried before
¥ Kids Ð funny; activities; nice present
¥ Maybe become a teacher
Model answer
Dear Catherine,
I hope you are well and IÕve finally got round to
writing to you (sorry it took so long).
IÕve just got back from the summer camp that I
told you about. What a great experience! We
were looking after 50 kids between the ages of
10 and 13. I was really worried before I went. I
thought they would ignore me and just do what
they wanted. IÕd heard so many stories about
naughty kids on these camps that I was ready to
leave before I started. But the kids were great.
They really made me laugh and as long as you
keep them active they are fine. I took them
canoeing, pot-holing and horse-riding and didnÕt
lose any. On the final night, they sang a song
they had written about me and gave me a lovely
present. It was a necklace they had made
themselves. Yes, I started crying!
ItÕs made me think about becoming a teacher,
when I leave college. Anyway, bye for now and
keep in touch.
Love,
Sarah
168 words
Part 2: 5 (a) Composition
Sample plan
Intro: Poirot Ð why
Detail: book references
irritating habits Ð jokes, moustache
Conclusion
Model answer
A character that I am not sure whether I like or not is Hercules Poirot in Agatha Christie’s detective stories. I know he is the hero but unfortunately I do not admire him because of his bad points.
He is obviously a brilliant detective, who can solve a crime while he is not even at the scene of the crime as he does in ‘The Mystery of Hunters Lodge’. He can also work out who committed the crime with very little evidence as
in ‘The Million Dollar Bond Robbery’. In this story he only meets the suspects very briefly.
However, I think that his arrogance is not always funny and that he does not appreciate Captain Hastings, who works hard. Poirot is very vain and he also laughs at his own jokes too much.
When I am reading the stories I get annoyed by Poirot’s irritating habits such as the attention he pays to his  moustache. Sometimes I want him to be proven wrong, but of course this never happens.
170 words
Part 2: 5 (b) Article
Sample plan
Intro: classic
why I like it?
Plot summary: Cathy and Heathcliff
HeathcliffÕs character Ð fascinating, why?
My feelings
Model answer
This is definitely true of ‘Wuthering Heights’ by Emily Bront.. The book is considered a classic of English Literature. It is full of powerful emotions and because the characters are unpredictable the plot is full of surprises.
The two main characters are Cathy and Heathcliff, who grow up together. They both have very strong personalities and they love each other. However, they do not marry because Heathcliff is an uneducated orphan and Cathy
marries somebody from her class, Edgar.
Because Heathcliff is mistreated as a child he is capable of a lot of anger and seems to want revenge on the world. He seems capable of almost anything and his behaviour towards Cathy and the other characters is sometimes shocking. Heathcliff is a romantic villain, who is always fascinating.
When I was reading the novel, I felt very strongly about the characters and scenes. Sometimes, I felt sympathy or sadness and sometimes anger. I think this is why the book is still popular and people read it many times
169 words
Answer Key
Paper 3 Use of English
Part 1 Multiple choice cloze
1 A 2 B 3 C 4 B 5 D
6 C 7 B 8 A 9 D 10 D
11 A 12 A 13 A 14 B 15 D
Part 2 Open cloze
16 the
17 over
18 would/might
19 of
20 had/faced
21 decided/had
22 started/began/were
23 of
24 had
25 to
26 from
27 made/produced
28 which
29 the
30 important/popular/common
Part 3 Transformations
31 difficulty in finding
32 told me not to
33 as many accidents as
34 although he could not speak
35 chance of his
36 would not have been given
37 was quickly put out
38 not worth travelling
39 must have been
40 was not until he
Part 4 Error correction
41 that 42 correct 43 more
44 it 45 with 46 the
47 was 48 correct 49 in
50 been 51 for 52 to
53 correct 54 correct 55 about
Part 5 Word transformation
56 equipment 61 originally
57 necessity 62 unreliable
58 valuable 63 threatened
59 informative 64 rebellion
60 began 65 given

FCE Sample Proficiency 1  
 
Reading FCE Paper 1

Part 1 Multiple matching
You are going to read a magazine article about ice hockey in Northern Ireland. Choose from the list A–I the sentence which best summarizes each part (1–7) of the article. There is one summary sentence that you do not need to use. There is an example at the beginning (0).
A New possibilities
B Clever salesmanship
C The kids love it
D A battle of the giants
E Future heroes
F Not like football
G Traditional heroes
H A surprise success
I A great game to watch
0 A
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
Giant strides
0 A
Eamon and Dean are among a group of children of all religions and none, on a visit organized by the local police as part of a community relations project. Before the arrival of the Giants, a crosscommunity trip to a sporting event would have been near impossible. Traditional sport in Northern Ireland has been split by tribal divisions. But the arrival of ice-hockey has changed this.
1
The Belfast Giants were formed last year to play in the UK’s ice hockey Superleague. The team started slowly but rallied in December when the arena opened and the Giants started playing at home. Support for the team surged. At present, attendance has exceeded all expectations – the average 6,500 crowd makes the Giants the best-supported team in the league.
2
At the merchandizing kiosk queues have built as fans snap up goods ranging from rubber pucks to Giants’ shirts, hats and jackets. Kiosk supervisor Marion Livingstone says ‘Belfast has been crying out for something like this. Soccer teams have always had either Catholic or Protestant supporters. But this is a sport for all.’
3
The universal popularity is not an accident but the result of a carefully orchestrated marketing campaign. The team’s communications director has worked hard at selling ice hockey as a game for everyone. A telling slogan ‘In the land of the Giants everyone is equal’ appears on the cover of the programme sold at each game as well as on the team’s website.
4
The team’s name is also a clever piece of marketing. It refers to the legendary Finn McCool, whose footsteps, so the story goes, created the extraordinary geological formation which is known as the Giant’s Causeway – one of Northern Ireland’s top tourist attractions. As a Scottish-Irish hero, McCool is an icon embraced by both communities.
5
The family-friendly environment created at the Odyssey, the home arena, along with the game’s fast and furious qualities, have also been factors in the sport’s soaring popularity. ‘The puck can travel at 95–100 miles an hour, the players can skate at 35 miles per hour’ says Collins. The speed, aggression and showmanship can draw you into the game.
6
Since the Giants began playing at home, children have been flocking to Northern Ireland’s only public ice-rink at Dundonald, on the edge of Belfast. The Giants run weekly coaching sessions for young people. ‘It’s amazing’ says Steve Roberts, who plays left wing for the Giants. ‘We started out with about 25 and now there are 127 children that come regularly.’
7
It will probably be many years before the Belfast team is fielding any home-grown players. At present they are all North American. Jerry Keefe, a Bostonian of Irish extraction who plays centre for the Giants, says ‘All of the team started when we were three or four but eventually I think we will see some good players coming out of Northern Ireland.’
Part 2 Multiple choice
You are going to read an extract from an article about an asteroid or comet hitting the earth. For questions 8–15 choose the answer A, B, C or D, which you think fits best according to the text.

Killer Comet
In a discovery with frightening implications for human’s dominance of the Earth,  scientists have discovered that a massive comet or asteroid, similar to the one that killed off the dinosaurs, wiped out the giant reptile’s predecessors about 200 million years earlier. The finding suggests that regular collisions between our planet and large objects act as an evolutionary dice-shaker. They send dominant species back to the starting square and advance other species to a dominant position. We could be next.
Students of the fossil record have long wondered about the greatest catastrophe ever to strike life on Earth, which they call ‘The Great Dying’. This happened 251 million years ago, when suddenly 90% of all marine animals and 70% of land vertebrates perished. The impact of a comet or asteroid similar to that which brought doom to the
dinosaurs 65 million years ago was suspected. However, the latest edition of the journal Science reports on the first evidence that such a collision actually happened. Scientists at the Universities of Washington and Rochester in the US have found that molecules of helium and argon gas, which have been locked in since ‘The Great Dying’ are present in such proportions that they must have come from space. As in the later impact, the strike came from a
body between 6 and 12 kilometres wide. Researcher Robert Poreda said yesterday the effect would have been to release energy one million times greater than the biggest earthquake of the past century. The crash coincided with volcanic activity on an unimaginable scale in what is now Siberia. Over a million years – a relatively short
time in geological terms – 1.6 million cubic kilometres of lava poured out of the ground, covering the entire planet in a layer ten metres thick. Said Robert Poreda, ‘We’re not sure of all the environmental consequences but with the impact and the volcanic activity, we do know that Earth was not a happy place. It may be that the combined
effects of impact and volcanism are necessary to cause such a tremendous extinction.’ The end of the dinosaurs also coincided with an eruption of lava from below the Earth’s crust, in what is now India. In both cases, the impact of the
comet or asteroid may have caused the eruption. The dinosaur-killing impact has been tied to a crater on the Yucatan peninsula in Mexico, but it is not known where the earlier collision happened. At the time all the Earth’s land made up a single continent, Pangea.
The age immediately prior to the dinosaurs was called the Permian. Although there were reptiles living in land and water (earlier versions of the dinosaurs), the dominant life form was the trilobite. This creature is visually somewhere between the woodlouse and the armadillo. At their peak, there were 15,000 kinds of trilobite. Around the time of
the impact they disappeared. Something similar happened to the dinosaurs 65 million years ago. In the same way that the earlier impact seems to have cleared the way for them, the later crash made room for our ancestors, the mammals. ‘The two extinctions are like bookends for the age of the dinosaurs’, said Dr Peroda. ‘The first boundary helped the dinosaurs to establish themselves and the second extinguished it.’ Although it is likely to be millions of years before the next big asteroid or comet impact, there is a growing call for a defence system to be put in place.
8 Scientists have discovered that a huge comet or asteroid wiped out …..
A the dinosaurs.
B giant reptiles.
C creatures before the dinosaurs.
D creatures similar to the dinosaurs.
9 The ‘Great Dying’ happened …..
A 200 million years ago.
B 251 million years ago.
C 65 million years ago.
D 265 million years ago.
10 The ‘Great Dying’ killed …..
A a few land vertebrates.
B all the dinosaurs.
C most marine animals.
D some mammals.
11 Which statement is not true of the asteroid or comet?
A It was under 12 kilometres in diameter.
B It contained helium and argon.
C It contained lava.
D It was over six kilometres in diameter.
12 Where did the first massive comet or asteroid hit the earth?
A it is not known
B in Siberia
C in India
D in Mexico
13 Which statement is not true of the lava that covered the planet?
A It was caused by the impact of the asteroid.
B It was 1.6 cubic kilometres in volume.
C It was ten metres thick.
D It happened over one million years.
14 Which creatures lived at the same time as the trilobites?
A reptiles
B armadillos
C mammals
D dinosaurs
15 According to the article, which of the following statements is true?
A There will be another giant asteroid.
B There is unlikely to be another ever.
C Humans will dominate the earth.
D It is time to expect another asteroid.
Part 3 Gapped text
You are going to read a magazine article about acupuncture treatment. Seven paragraphs have been removed from the article. Choose from the paragraphs A–H the one which fits each space (16–21). There is one extra paragraph which you do not need to use. There is an example at the beginning (0).

Pins and needles
I was curious to find out more about acupuncture as I’d heard a lot about its beneficial effects. However, I didn’t feel in any particular need of treatment myself so I decided to ask a friend of mine if I could observe her receiving treatment.
0
The Traditional Acupuncture Centre was just as you’d expect: the incense, rubber plants and charts on the wall. These mapped out the body’s energy channels. They seem to be the typical wall coverings of an alternative health centre.
16
Nina returned and explained that she needed to ask Joan questions about her health, lifestyle, diet and personal history. She began by asking why Joan wanted acupuncture. Joan described the shoulder stiffness and backache that had bothered her for years.
17
Nina then explained that in Chinese medicine, physical and emotional aspects are not distinct. An imbalance of either manifests itself in the same way. The division between mind and body is a Western idea.
18
Nina opened a sachet of sterile 4 cm long needles. They were fine and flexible, but Joan was still apprehensive. Nina took a pulse at six points on each of Joan’s wrists, looking for certain ‘qualities’ that she would then treat.
19
Nina inserted the first needle into Joan’s shin. It went in a surprisingly long way before she twisted it to the right and Joan’s leg shot up suddenly. ‘Ow!’ she exclaimed. She was visibly tense, but as Nina inserted the next needle it wasn’t so bad.
20
When the time came to remove the needles, Joan was more relaxed, though she flinched as they came out. All the time Nina was reassuring her. She informed Joan that the shocks she felt were due to blockages of the energy channels.
21
I asked Joan the next day about how she felt. She said that she felt a little more relaxed and that she had slept deeply that night. However, she really felt that she needed a course of treatment to be able to assess its effectiveness.
0 H
16
17
18
19
20
21
A Nina said that she felt Joan’s problems with her back and her shoulder stiffness came from her office job. She recommended that Joan do yoga exercises at work, as this kind of relaxation had many benefits for mind and body.
B Nina finished with a pressure point massage on Joan’s shoulders and back. ‘I’m looking forward to seeing you again,’ Nina said, as she bade a relieved Joan a fond farewell. Nina left the decision to Joan about arranging another
appointment.
C Our health apparently depends on the motivating energy, or chi, made up of the equal and opposite qualities of Yin and Yang. When these are unbalanced, one can become ill. By inserting needles into points on the energy channels, healing responses are stimulated and the balance is restored.
D Surprisingly, these questions went on for a whole hour. Joan was asked about her attitudes to many things, including work and relationships. She was also asked about her attitude to herself on several occasions.
E Nina Doughty, the acupuncturist, introduced herself and then slipped away to prepare the treatment room. Joan was anxious. ‘I hope this doesn’t hurt too much,’ she murmured.
F She also looked at Joan’s tongue, an indicator of her general state of health. At this point, Joan felt that the experience was rather like being at the dentist. However, at the dentist one usually knows where the needle will be inserted.
G She placed more needles in Joan’s ankles, feet, lower back and forearms. She tweaked them as she put them in, regularly checking Joan’s pulse, then left them for 20 minutes. Joan lay on the bed all this time.
H I asked Joan Hughes, who I knew had been complaining of muscular stiffness for some time. She agreed, so excitedly we attended her first appointment at the local centre.
Part 4 Multiple matching
You are going to read an article in which various parents talk about punishment for teenagers. For questions 22–35 choose from the parents (A–F). The parents may be chosen more than once. When more than one answer is required, these may be given in any order. There is an example at the beginning (0).
A Madeline Portwood, educational psychologist and mother
B Theresa Gill, mother and nursery nurse
C Grant McNally, social worker and father
D David Spellman, father and psychologist working with disturbed teenagers
E John Peel, father and radio presenter
F Tim Burke, spokesman for the National Youth Agency
Which of the parents:
believes that parents must carry out threats? 20
get annoyed with teenage laziness? 20 23
does not deal with youngsters professionally? 24
believes we must remember that all teenagers are individuals? 25
is happy with the way his/her children have turned out? 26
believes we should expect arguments between teenagers and parents? 27
is happy with the upbringing that he/she had? 28
has a son who can be very naughty? 29
has a written agreement with his/her children? 30
thinks we should focus on the good things about our children? 31
believes that punishment only works with younger children? 32
have teenage sons? 33 34
believes it is important for teenagers to set their own limits? 35
0 A
22
24
25
26
27
28
29
30
31
32
23
34 33
35
 

Madeline Portwood
Educational psychologist and mother
The first thing a parent has to decide is what’s going to be meaningful to a teenager. If you ground them but they can stay in and play computer games, it won’t necessarily be that meaningful to them. Parents make endless threats, but they must carry them out and they must be realistic. It’s also important for teenagers to see sanctions as just. If the
teacher behaves the same way to all pupils, they accept it. If there is more than one child in the family, parents have to apply sanctions equally. As children get older, sanctions often become meaningless to them.
Theresa Gill
Mother and nursery nurse
My oldest son is just thirteen and he has not really stepped out of line so far, but if he did get to that lazy and argumentative stage, I would withdraw luxuries such as his mobile phone, computer and football training. While
he lives in my house he has to obey the rules. Once he’s 18 and out of the house, he can do as he pleases. My siblings and I were given quite a lot of freedom by our parents and their reasoning was that if we were going to
do something anyway, they would rather we did it at home – and we’ve all turned out to be quite well-balanced.
Grant McNally
Social worker and father
I operate a contract system with my two boys: one is eleven and the other two years older. We have all signed it and breaches of behaviour result in loss of privileges such as stopping of pocket money or grounding. Some flexibility is important, but if the contract is altered too much, the boundaries start collapsing. My older son works well with it, but my younger son has behavioural problems and that makes things harder to manage. It is difficult when you try to be a non-authoritarian and inclusive parent and recognize children’s rights. But parents have rights too – like the right to a stress-free life.
David Spellman
Father and psychologist working with disturbed teenagers
I think you can turn sanctions round and offer rewards instead, which can motivate teenagers. Parents should reward the behaviour they want to see. There does seem to be a great preoccupation with punishment. It’s quite clear to me that parents’ relationships with teenagers are much better if they focus on the positive and acknowledge and appreciate their children. It is quite easy to get into a negative, punitive position as a parent, which is often selfdefeating. Every teenager is different and they can’t just be lumped together into one group and all treated the same.
John Peel
Father and radio presenter
I don’t think we really employed sanctions with our children because I just don’t think they work. They are sullen, unhelpful and resentful if you do that. I think that, actually, their reluctance to help out with things caused us more anxiety than things they did that we wish they hadn’t. It was more about motivating them into some sort of action.
One of the things I always tried to avoid was drawing a line in the sand. If a child has any sort of character, he or she will want to step over it. They are all nice people and we like being with them – you can’t ask for more than that.
Tim Burke
Spokesman for the National Youth Agency
Applying sanctions to a young person can be a bit like prison: it may work for some people on some occasions, but for may others it is counter-productive, especially when used inappropriately. Some degree of conflict between parents and teenagers is inevitable; young people need to push the boundaries – it’s part of growing up and
finding out who they are. Self-imposed boundaries that they have arrived at through their own experience and reflection are more effective. Our organization supports youth workers who help young people learn about themselves and about how to be members of their communities.
 
Writing FCE Paper 2
Part 1 Transactional letter
You must answer this question.
1 You saw an advertisement in the newspaper for a weekend away and you have telephoned the travel
agency for more details, making the notes below. You have decided to book the weekend break with two
friends. You would like to invite a fourth friend to join you.
Read the advertisement and the notes carefully. Then write a letter to a friend that you all know well,
giving the necessary information about the holiday break and trying to persuade the friend to join you.
Write a letter of between 120 and 180 words in an appropriate style. Do not write any addresses.
DUBLIN
Three days by air
including superb hotel
and FREE hire car
from only £139
Telephone:
0871 871 0071

Notes:
Cheaper flights leave on Tuesday and
Thursday morning
¥ Friday to Sunday costs £185
The hotel is a 3 star hotel near the centre
¥ the price is for a double room (2 beds)
¥ breakfast not included
Flight leaves in the morning at 9:00
Return flight to London at 9:00 in the
evening
Really good night life in Dublin!
Part 2
Write an answer to one of the questions 2–5 in this part. Write your answer in 120–180 words in an
appropriate style.
2 You have been discussing travel experiences in your class. Your teacher has asked you to give your
opinions on the following statement:
Travelling is not always enjoyable.
Write your composition.
3 You have a part-time job in a record shop. The manager wants to make the shop more popular with
young people and has asked you to look at other record shops and write a report making some
recommendations.
Write your report for your manager.
4 You see this announcement in a university magazine.
STUDY ABROAD
COMPETITION
Write an article about the best learning experience
you have had in any school or college.
The best article will win one week’s free tuition at a school in Britain.
Write your article for the competition.
5 Answer one of the following two questions based on your reading of one of the set books.
Either: (a) ‘This is such a wonderful book that you will want to read it again.’ Write an article
for your college magazine, saying whether you think this is true of one of the books
or short stories that you have read.
or: (b) ‘Great books or stories often have an important message to tell.’ Is this true of any of
the stories or books that you have read? Write a composition explaining your views,
with reference to the book or one of the short stories you have read.

Use of English FCE Paper 3
 
Part 1 Multiple choice cloze
For questions 1–15, read the text below and decide which answer A, B, C, or D best fits each space. There is an example at the beginning (0).
Example:
0 Alatest B newest C freshest D last
Mirrors
Antique mirrors are the (0) ___________ trend in high fashion according to Bridget de Breanski of the Old French Mirror company. There is a great (1) ___________ at the moment. If you pick (2) __________ a magazine with pictures showing (3) __________ decorating you will see antique mirrors on the wall. There are several (4) ___________ for this but the main ones are that they offer a cheap (5) ___________ to expensive paintings, they (6) __________ to light up a room or make a room look bigger. The value is (7) ___________ by the quality of the glass and the reputation of the maker. Mirrors consistently remain in (8) ___________ and the sky is the limit in terms of price. However you do not always need to have (9) ___________ pockets – and you can buy a Victorian mirror at a reasonable (10) ___________. The earliest forms of mirror developed over a long time (11) ___________ . Around 4000 BC, Aztecs and Incas polished mica. North American Indians (12) ___________ by reflecting mica, while the Greeks studied mirrors (13) ___________ . Socrates believed the human face was shaped (14) ___________ one’s actions and used mirrors for moral instruction. During the Han period in China mirrors were (15) ___________ to influence the heavens magically.
1 A demand  B want   C need   D popularity
2 A out   B over   C through  D up
3 A internal B inside C interior D inwards
4 A causes B reasons C excuses D answers
5 Asubstitute B alternative C replacement D alteration
6 A help B assist C try D manage
7 A raised B risen C increased D improved
8 A trend B common C popularity D fashion
9 A deep B long C wide D narrow
10 A worth B cost C value D price
11 A era B duration C phase D period
12 A talked B communicated C signalled D signed
13 A chemically B biologically C scientifically D physically
14 A by B through C in D of
15 A hoped B believed C supposed D alleged

Part 2 Open cloze
For questions 16–30, read the text below and think of the word which best fits each space. Use only one word in each space. There is an example at the beginning (0).
Abraham Lincoln One of the most famous men in American history is Abraham Lincoln, (0) who was President of the USA from 1861 to 1865. The fact that he became president is surprising (16) ___________ he was from a very poor family and had less (17) ___________ a year of proper schooling. When he was 22, Lincoln went to Illinois, (18) ___________ he qualified as a lawyer. It was there that he became involved (19) ___________ politics, eventually serving a term in the US Congress. He first became famous as one of (20) ___________ leaders of the anti-slavery movement. His popularity resulted in (21) ___________ being elected President in 1861. However, on his election many Southern States, (22) ___________ wanted to keep slavery,
reorganized (23) ___________ into an independent nation. This division led (24) ___________ the American Civil War. The war lasted (25) ___________ 1865, (26) ___________ the Northern armies defeated the Southern armies. After the war, Lincoln (27) ___________ plans for healing the division but was killed before he (28) ___________ carry them out. Tragically, Lincoln (29) ___________ shot dead while leaving the theatre by John Wilkes Booth, a supporter (30) ___________ the Southern States.

Part 3 Transformations
For questions 31–40, complete the second sentence so that it has a similar meaning to the first sentence, using the word given. Do not change the word given. You must use between two and five words, including the word given. There is an example at the beginning (0).
Example:
0 I’d rather you didn’t chew gum in the classroom.
prefer
I’d prefer you not to chew gum in the classroom.
31 I regret not bringing my umbrella to England.
wish
I ______________________________ my umbrella to England.
32 My teachers didn’t let me wear jeans at school.
allowed
I ______________________________ jeans at school.
33 How long was your drive from Edinburgh to London?
take
How long ______________________________ drive from Edinburgh to London?
34 I haven’t been to the theatre since I was in London.
last
The ______________________________ the theatre was when I was in London.
35 The price of the course includes the cost of accommodation.
is
The cost of accommodation ______________________________ the price of the course.
36 You ought to get your car serviced as soon as you can.
better
You ______________________________ your car serviced as soon as you can.
37 I would be happier if nobody else was told about the bonus.
want
I don’t ______________________________ about the bonus.
38 He hit the ball so hard that nobody could catch it.
too
The ball was hit ______________________________ caught.
39 They are going to start a new business in Manchester.
set
A new business ______________________________ up in Manchester.
40 My aunt began her career as a professional singer thirty years ago.
singing
My aunt ______________________________ for thirty years.

Part 4 Error correction
For questions 41–55, read the text below and look carefully at each line. Some of the lines are correct, and some have a word which should not be there. If a line is correct, put a tick (3) at the end of the line. If a line has a word which should not be there, write the word. There are two examples at the beginning (0 and 00).
0 When I was very young I used to think golf was a boring game 3   
00 played by the middle-aged businessmen. When I saw golf the
41 being played on television I could not understand that why the ________
42 spectators did not pay themselves to watch a more exciting ________
43 game such as the football. My uncle was quite a good golfer and ________
44 one day when my uncle asked me to caddy for him, which ________
45 means to carry his golf clubs around the golf course. Although ________
46 I was not keen I am agreed to do this for him, especially as he ________
47 promised to pay me for doing with it. We set off at two o’clock ________
48 and a few hours later my uncle and his friends were finished ________
49 their round of golf. I had not enjoyed it and I told my uncle ________
50 that it looked like easy. He gave me a golf club and a ball and asked ________
51 me to try by hitting it. He fully expected me to miss. I swung ________
52 the club behind my head as I had been seen the players on the ________
53 television. I still remember the beautiful sound as I hit it the ball. ________
54 Ever since at that moment I have been in love with the game of golf ________
55 and I can never thank my uncle enough for that offer to caddy. ________
Part 5 Word formation
For questions 56–65, read the text below. Use the word given in capitals at the end of each line to form
a word that fits in the space in each line. There is an example at the beginning (0).
The most (0) effective salesmen usually have a natural talent for the job EFFECT
but we can all learn (56) ______________ techniques from them that we might need USE
at some time in our careers. Firstly, they are always (57) ______________ about ENTHUSIASM
the (58) ______________ that they are selling. This is because they cannot expect PRODUCE
the buyer to be keen if they are not keen (59) ______________ . Secondly, they will THEM
have (60) ______________ in their product. They believe that the product is CONFIDENT
very good value for money. Thirdly, they must have (61) ______________ and DETERMINE
not be put off by a customer who is opposed to their (62) ______________ . SUGGEST
(63) ______________ , salesmen do have a bad public image because nobody FORTUNATE
enjoys (64) ______________ pressurized into buying something that they do not FEEL
want. Although we have all (65) ______________ for good sales talk at some time, FELL
we must remember that is highly improbable that we have never tried to sell
something at some time in our past.
 
 

Answer Key
Reading FCE Paper 1
Part 1 Multiple matching
1 H 2 F 3 B 4 G 5 I 6 C 7 E
Part 2 Multiple choice
8 C 9 B 10 C 11 C 12 A 13 B 14 A 15 A
Part 3 Gapped text
16 E 17 D 18 C 19 F 20 G 21 B
Part 4 Multiple matching
22 B/E 23 E/B 24 E 25 D 26 E 27 F 28 B 29 C 30 C 31 D 32 A 33 B/C 34 C/B 35 F
Answer Key
Writing FCE Paper 2
Part 1 Transactional letter
Sample plan
Introduction
Details: cost
Hotel details
Flight
Persuade Ð night life
Model answer
Dear Michael,
How are you? I hope everything is alright.
Do you fancy getting away next month? I saw an advertisement for a weekend in Dublin and I called them. It’s a three-day trip with a threestar hotel near the city centre. The flights leave at 9 o’clock in the morning and come back at 9 o’clock in the evening. I’m going with Mark and Julie and it would be great if you could come with us.
Leaving on Friday costs £185 but on Tuesday and Thursday morning it’s cheaper. It’s up to you when we go because we don’t have any definite plans for next month. Oh, and the price also includes a hire car.
We do hope you can come. Dublin’s got a great night life and we can meet up with Stephan, who’s been living there for the last five months. Please think about it and let me know by the weekend.
All the best
Corinne
157 words
Part 2:
2 Composition
Sample plan
Introduction
Pleasure or ordeal
What you expect Ð relax
Problems Ð flight delay, lost suitcases
Good things Ð sea and sand
Food poisoning!
 
Model answer
Travelling can be one of life’s greatest pleasures, however it can be an ordeal. When
you start your holiday and you do the packing you never imagine the problems you might have. You only have one idea in mind and that is relaxation.
The nightmare begins when you arrive at the airport and realize that your flight is delayed. You have decided to go on holiday on the 1st of August like everybody else. Not only do you arrive late at your hotel on a Caribbean island but someone has lost your suitcase! You decide not to get angry and to enjoy the wonderful weather and beautiful scenery. The sea is clear and there is white sand. While having a paddle
you notice an open-air terrace, and decide to try the traditional dish that you read about in the brochure: fresh oysters. Shortly afterwards you feel sick. You spend the
rest of the week in bed because of the contaminated seafood and have plenty of time
to remember that travelling is not always enjoyable.
172 words
Part 2:
3 Report
Sample plan
Aim
General: our shop Ð good points
Listening booths: queues, more needed
Events: live concerts, autographs
Internet
Conclusion
 
Model answer
In order to prepare this report, I visited some
record shops in London which are very popular
with young people.
General
Our record shop has a welcoming atmosphere.
There are also good displays so customers can
easily find the CD that they want. However, in
order to attract more people, we need to have
more attractions.
Listening booths
Although we provide some listening booths,
compared to the shops that I visited they do not
seem to be enough. Even though customers want
to listen to CDs, they usually have to wait their
turn and people do not always have the time.
Events
In record shops in London they sometimes hold
events, such as mini live concerts and autograph
sessions. Apparently, they can attract a lot of
people and help sales.
Internet space
When one record shop provided Internet space
they succeeded in getting more customers. Most
young people want computer access at any time.
Conclusion
To conclude, our customer service is
satisfactory but I recommend providing extra
services such as more listening booths, holding
events and having an area for Internet access.
182 words
Part 2: 4 Article
Sample plan
Title: eye-catching Ð The Day I Stopped
Looking out of the Window
Intro: great teacher Ð why?
challenge, interest
Good ending?
 
Model answer
The Day I Stopped Looking out of the Window At school I spent a lot of time looking out of the window. It always seemed more interesting than what was going on in the classroom. I looked forward to leaving school and getting a job. That was until my first English lesson. I can still remember the day that Mrs Harte came into the classroom. She started speaking English all the time. I really had to concentrate on everything that she was saying to understand, but I enjoyed the challenge. Her enthusiasm and energy kept us interested and also she had maps of England, and some wonderful funny English TV programmes. I begged my parents to send me to England to improve my English accent. I became more confident and studied really hard. I am now studying English Literature at university. I am really enjoying my course and when I look out of the window I try to name everything I see in English!
156 words
Part 2:
5 (a) Article
Sample plan
Title of article
Intro: my expectations
Plot summary: pigs, Boxer
ideals abandoned
Conclusion: why is it worth reading again?
 
Model answer
A Book Worth Reading Again (and again) Most people have heard of the book by George Orwell called “Animal Farm” as it is considered a twentieth century classic. Because of its reputation as a great book, to be honest, I expected to be disappointed. But I wasn’t.
It is the story of a “successful” revolution where the animals take over the farm from the humans. They have great plans to make a classless society but the leaders begin a power struggle. The two pigs, Snowball and Napoleon, represent Trotsky and Stalin after the Russian Revolution. The working classes are represented by the old horse, Boxer, who does not complain.
The animals dream of a world of equality but as time progresses, the ideals of the revolution are abandoned and finally the animals have less freedom than before.
Although the book is originally based on the Russian Revolution, I think the reason the book is so profound is that it is really about how power will always corrupt. We need to be reminded of this and the book is worth reading
again.
174 words
Part 2:
5 (b) Composition
Sample plan
Intro: Merchant of Venice
Plot summary: Shylock Ð pound of flesh
Portia pleads
Conclusion: message
for people and politicians
Model answer
When I was reading the tale of the “Merchant of Venice” I thought that there was an
important message for us. It is the story of a moneylender called Shylock. He agrees to lend money to Antonio, a merchant, on the basis that he should have “a pound of
flesh” if Antonio is unable to return the money. Sadly, Antonio loses his boats in a storm and Shylock demands his pound of flesh which he hopes will kill Antonio. The case goes to court and Antionio is defended by Portia, who loves a friend of AntonioÕs called Bassanio. Portia pleads for mercy but Shylock refuses. However, cutting the pound of flesh from Antonio would mean that he would bleed and the contract does
not include blood. Shylock loses the case and most of his wealth. The message, I feel, is that if we cannot give mercy then we are not humans. If we live for revenge then we become obsessed and our lives are not worth living. This message applies to
people in the street and the people who run our countries.
182 words
Answer Key
Paper 3 Use of English
Part 1: Multiple choice cloze
1 A 2 D 3 C 4 B 5 B 6 A 7 C 8 D 9 A 10 D 11 D 12 B 13 C 14 A 15 B
Part 2: Open cloze
16 because/as
17 than
18 where
19 in
20 the
21 his
22 which/that
23 themselves
24 to
25 until
26 when
27 had/made
28 could
29 was
30 of
Part 3: Transformations
31 wish I had/I’d brought
32 was not/wasn’t allowed to wear
33 does it take to
34 last time I went to
35 is included in
36 had better get
37 want anybody else told
38 too hard to be
39 is going to be set
40 has been singing professionally for
Part 4: Error correction
41 that 42 themselves 43 the
44 correct 45 correct 46 am
47 with 48 were 49 correct
50 like 51 by 52 been
53 it 54 at 55 correct
Part 5: Word transformation
56 useful 61 determination
57 enthusiastic 62 suggestions
58 product 63 Unfortunately
59 themselves 64 feeling
60 confidence 65 fallen