FCE Practice test 1

You have 45 minutes to complete this section.

FCE Use of English Practice Test

Part 1: Multiple-choice Cloze

For questions 1-8, read the text below and decide which answer (A, B, C or D) best fits each gap.

One of the best ways to learn English is to immerse yourself in the language. When you (1) ___ new vocabulary, it’s important to use it frequently. If you (2) ___ using new words regularly, you’ll (3) ___ them more quickly. Additionally, (4) ___ conversations with native speakers can significantly (5) ___ your fluency. Another effective method is (6) ___ watching English films or reading books, as these activities help you understand how words (7) ___ naturally in context. Above all, patience and (8) ___ are essential for mastering any language.

	A	B	C	D
1	come up	come out	come across	come around
2	keep	stay	hold	maintain
3	pick up	bring up	put up	give up
4	keeping	taking	doing	having
5	build	improve	lift	rise
6	by	for	through	on
7	appear	sound	happen	behave
8	constancy	consistency	continuity	regularity

Part 2: Open Cloze

For questions 9-16, read the text below and think of the word which best fits each gap. Use only one word in each gap.

English has become a global language, spoken (9) ___ millions of people worldwide. Many learners find (10) ___ challenging at first, but there (11) ___ many strategies to help overcome initial difficulties. Practising regularly (12) ___ the key to improvement. Moreover, learners should try to expose themselves to authentic content as (13) ___ as possible. This approach allows them (14) ___ gain real-world experience of how the language is actually used. Even though it might seem difficult initially, dedication and patience make (15) ___ possible to achieve fluency in a shorter time (16) ___ you might expect.

Part 3: Word Formation

For questions 17-24, read the text below. Use the word given in capitals at the end of some lines to form a word that fits the gap.

One of the most (17) ___ (EFFECT) methods of learning languages is through immersion. Many (18) ___ (STUDY) find that living abroad greatly enhances their (19) ___ (CONFIDENT). Regular (20) ___ (CONVERSE) with native speakers helps learners understand linguistic nuances. It also provides (21) ___ (INSIGHTFUL) into cultural contexts. However, even without travelling, significant language (22) ___ (DEVELOP) can occur through consistent practice. Ultimately, language learning requires (23) ___ (PERSISTENT), and learners who remain (24) ___ (MOTIVATE) achieve the greatest success.

Part 4: Key Word Transformation

For questions 25-30, 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.

25. It was difficult for me to understand his accent. DIFFICULTY I ___ his accent.

26. She regrets not studying harder for the exam. WISHES She ___ harder for the exam.

27. They cancelled the match because it was raining heavily. OFF The match ___ due to heavy rain.

28. I have never seen such a beautiful painting. MOST It’s ___ painting I have ever seen.

29. “Did you enjoy the film?” my friend asked me. IF My friend asked me ___ the film.

30. She is too young to travel alone. ENOUGH She is ___ travel alone.

Answer key

FCE Use of English Practice Test

Part 1: Multiple-choice Cloze

Answers: 1. C (come across)

2. A (keep)

3. A (pick up)

4. D (having)

5. B (improve)

6. C (through)

7. A (appear)

8. B (consistency)

Part 2: Open Cloze

Answers: 9. by

10. it

11. are

12. is

13. much

14. to

15. it

16. than

Part 3: Word Formation

Answers: 17. effective

18. students

19. confidence

20. conversation

21. insight

22. development

23. persistence

24. motivated

Part 4: Key Word Transformation

Answers: 25. had difficulty understanding

26. wishes she had studied

27. was called off

28. the most beautiful

29. if I had enjoyed

30. not old enough to