fce techniques
DESCRIPTION
These are tips and strategies for FCE students on the ALLC International House Beirut D-RASATI 2 English Language Training Project.TRANSCRIPT
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FCE Exam Techniques
ALLC International House
June 2015
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General Techniques
Know how much time youre going to spend on each part of the test. Time is everything here!
Never leave any answers blank. If you dont know, guess!
Remember, options can confuse as much as help. Its always best to have a good idea of the text before you look at the options.
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General Techniques Paper 1
For this paper, before anything else, you should
Read the ntroduction at the top of the page.
Read the itle - what does it tell us?
kim the text for the general idea.
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Paper 1, Part 5 Multiple Choice
Read the questions, but not the options they
will try to confuse you! Underline keywords in the questions.
Now read the text more carefully. When you find the part that answers each question, mark it. How would you answer?
Now look at the options. Which one is closest to your answer?
Think about why the other options are wrong, and cancel them.
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Paper 1, Part 6 Gapped Text
Dont look at sentences A-F As you skim the text, give a short heading to each
paragraph. Now look at the sentences before and after 37-42. What
words link sentences together? (eg. it, they, however, etc.) What might they refer to/indicate?
Guess what the sentence in the blank might say. Now look at A-F. Are any of them like your guesses?
Remember to look at linking words in A-F. Answer the easy questions first, come back to the hard
ones.
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Paper 1, Part 7 Multiple Matching
Underline keywords in each question. Closely re-read paragraph A. Answer all the
questions you think relate to A. Repeat for B, C and D. If you have any questions unanswered, go
through again. If youre torn between two, compare the
paragraphs to see which is closest.
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Paper 1, Part 1 Multiple Choice Cloze
Guess the answers for each gap without looking at the options.
Now look at the options, and choose the ones you guessed.
Re-read the sentences before and after the gaps. Does it make sense?
Dont take too much time here. If you dont know, guess.
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Paper 1, Part 2 Open Cloze
Fill in the gaps. Pay attention to the words before or after the gap.
If youre still not sure, think about the function of the word in the sentence. Phrasal verb? Auxiliary verb? Article? Pronoun?
Use only one word. (Remember: In spite is two words!)
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Paper 1, Part 3 Word Formation
Every word must be changed. Nothing stays the same.
There is usually at least one word that has to be made negative. Context!
Re-read. Do you need to make any other changes? Does it need to be plural?
Spelling counts here, so be careful!
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Paper 1, Part 4 Key Word Transformation
Make sure you leave fifteen minutes for this part. Use 2-5 words. Do not change the given word. What is the same about the two sentences? What is
different? What does it want you to do? Use a passive? Reported
speech? An idiom? When youve finished all six, go back and read through
again. Is the meaning the same? Are you missing any prepositions? Articles?
Remember, you can get one point for part of an answer.
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Take a Break!
Well check answers at the end of the day.
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Listening General Tips
This isnt just a listening test, but a reading test too.
Use the preparation time before each part to read questions and options.
As you read the options, think about which ones are similar. How are they different?
Think about the overall meaning of the speaker, not just single sentences.
Dont leave any blanks. A guess is better than nothing.
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Paper 3, Part 1 Multiple Choice
For each question, which options are similar? How are they a little bit different?
As you listen the first time, mark an answer, even if its just a hunch.
Also, cross off any answers you are sure are incorrect.
The second time you listen, check your answer and make your final decision.
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Paper 3, Part 2 Gapped Text
Read the introduction. Who is speaking? In the preparation time before you listen,
decide what kind of word you need for each gap- noun, verb, adjective.
Use only one or two words- never more than three.
Write only the missing information, nothing more.
If theres more than one word, leave a space.
Make sure your answers are grammatically correct.
Common Distractors
Mentions a couple of answers together
But usually, especially, etc.
Some people think
But I,actually
I was going to
But then
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Paper 3, Part 3 Multiple Matching
In your preparation time: Read the introduction. What are they all
talking about? Read the options. Are any of them
similar? How are they different? Can you think of any synonyms for the
words or phrases given?
The speaker will mention more than one of the options.
Listen for their main point- often they wont mention the option directly.
Common Distractors
Speaker mentions exact phrase
Almostdefinitely not the answer
Some people think
But infact
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Paper 3, Part 4 Multiple Choice Interview
Read the introduction. Who is speaking? About what?
Read the questions and underline the most important words.
Mark the answer you think is right. If youre not sure, go with your instinct. You can change later!
Also, cross off any answers you are sure are incorrect.
The second time you listen, check your answer and make your final decision.