Reading and Use of English

The Reading section of the FCE (B2 First) is combined with the Use of English paper. Together, they last 75 minutes and consist of 7 parts with 52 questions in total.

This part tests your ability to:

Understand authentic written texts

  • Identify main ideas and specific details

  • Infer meaning and attitude

Follow text organization and coherence



Breakdown of the Reading Tasks:

Part Task Type What's in? Link to Understand
1 (Use of English) Multiple-choice cloze A text with some multiple-choice questions. Each question has four options (A, B, C or D) – you have to decide which is the correct answer. Link
2 (Use of English) Open cloze A text in which there are some gaps, each of which represents one missing word. You have to think of the correct word for each gap. Link
3 (Use of English) Word formation A text containing eight gaps. Each gap represents a word. At the end of the line is a ‘prompt’ word which you have to change in some way to complete the sentence correctly. Link
4 (Use of English) Key word transformations Each question consists of a sentence followed by a ‘key’ word and a second sentence with a gap in the middle. You have to use this key word to complete the second sentence so that it has a similar meaning to the first sentence. Link
5 (Reading) Multiple choice A text with some multiple-choice questions. For each question, there are four options and you have to choose A, B, C or D. Link
6 (Reading) Gapped text A single page of text with some numbered gaps which represent missing sentences. After the text there are some sentences which are not in the right order. You have to read the text and the sentences and decide which sentence best fits each gap. Link
7 (Reading) Multiple matching A series of statements followed by a text divided into sections or several short texts. You have to match each statement to the section or text in which you can find the information. Link


Use of English

Use of English is sections 1 to 4 of the Reading and Use of English test. It assesses your grammar, vocabulary, collocations, word formation, and sentence structure. When completing Part 4, all sections have eight questions. In the final section, Use of English, although it only has six questions, all answers count double.

TIPS & STRATEGIES

Part 1: Multiple-Choice Cloze

  • Focus on meaning & collocation: Learn which words go naturally together (e.g., make a decision, do homework).

  • Watch for phrasal verbs: e.g. “give up,” “take off.”

  • Read the full sentence before choosing – sometimes the next clause gives context.

TIP: 

Learn groups like:

  • make/do/have/take

  • get/be/come/go

  • prepositions after adjectives (e.g., interested in, good at)

Link to Practice

Part 2: Open Cloze

  • Tests grammar and small words like:

    • Articles (a, an, the)

    • Prepositions (in, at, on, for, to)

    • Linking words (although, however, because)

    • Modal verbs & auxiliaries (have, will, can, could)

TIP: Focus on sentence logic. Read it aloud to "hear" what’s missing. It often sounds wrong without the missing word.

Link to Practice

Part 3: Word Formation

  • You’re given a base word and must transform it into a different form (noun, verb, adjective, adverb).

Example:

Word: happy → Sentence: She smiled with great happiness.

TIP: Learn common prefixes and suffixes:

  • Prefixes: un-, dis-, in-, im-, re-

  • Suffixes: -ment, -ness, -ity, -ous, -ly, -able, -en

Part 4: Key Word Transformations

  • Rewrite the sentence using a given word, keeping the meaning exactly the same.

  • You must use between 2 and 5 words, including the given word.

Example:

He started working here three years ago.

HAS

He has been working here for three years.

TIP: Practice passive voice, conditionals, reported speech, comparatives, modal verbs.

Link to Practice


Reading

Part 5: Multiple Choice

  • Read the questions before the text to know what to look for.

  • Underline key words and phrases in each question.

  • Scan and skim effectively – read fast for general meaning, then scan for details.

  • Answers may be paraphrased, not exact – look for similar meaning, not the same words.

  • Eliminate incorrect options: cross out those that clearly don’t match.

TIP: Practice reading blog posts, magazine articles, and short stories to get used to different tones and purposes.

Link to Practice

Part 6: Gapped Text

  • Look for logical connections, such as:

    • Referents: this, these, such an idea, he/she/they

    • Time markers: first, then, finally

    • Contrasts: however, but, nevertheless

  • Pay attention to style and topic of each paragraph.

  • Read the sentences before and after each gap for context.

  • One paragraph won’t be used, so don’t force-fit all 7.

TIP: Practice connecting sentences and understanding how ideas flow in a text (e.g. article structures).

Link to Practice

Part 7: Multiple Matching

  • Read all the statements first and underline keywords.

  • Skim each paragraph and summarize it mentally (e.g. “John focuses on the importance of teamwork.”)

  • Don’t spend too long on one question — move on and come back later.

  • Be aware of synonyms and rephrasing. The text won’t repeat the same words from the question.

TIP: Focus on understanding who says what, rather than every detail. This task rewards speed and strategy.

Link to Practice

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