CAE CAE Exam Strategies 1 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: In the CAE Reading and Use of English paper, how should a candidate approach Part 5 (multiple choice) most effectively?
- Read all four options first and then skim the text quickly
- Read the text carefully, then locate the answer area for each question before choosing (Correct answer)
- Select the option that contains the most words from the text
- Always choose option C if unsure, as it is statistically most common
Correct answer: Read the text carefully, then locate the answer area for each question before choosing
Reading the text and then locating the relevant paragraph for each question prevents distraction and ensures answers are evidence-based rather than guessed.
Question 2: What is the best strategy for CAE Reading Part 7 (gapped paragraphs)?
- Insert paragraphs in the order they appear in the options box
- Use text cohesion clues (pronouns, lexical chains, time references) to identify logical fit (Correct answer)
- Choose the paragraph with the most words matching the surrounding text
- Read only the first line of each paragraph option
Correct answer: Use text cohesion clues (pronouns, lexical chains, time references) to identify logical fit
Cohesion clues — such as pronouns referring back, topic words linking forward, and logical sequencing — are the most reliable tools for matching gapped paragraphs.
Question 3: During the CAE exam, a candidate is running out of time in the Reading paper. What is the best approach?
- Leave all remaining questions blank
- Guess the remaining answers rather than leaving them blank (Correct answer)
- Go back to easier questions and skip hard ones
- Ask the invigilator for extra time
Correct answer: Guess the remaining answers rather than leaving them blank
Since there is no negative marking in CAE, guessing remaining answers is better than leaving blanks — a guess always has a chance of being correct.
Question 4: How should candidates manage their time in the CAE Writing paper?
- Spend all available time on Part 1 as it is compulsory
- Divide time equally: plan, write, and check for each task (Correct answer)
- Write Part 2 first since it gives a choice of topics
- Skip planning and write as much as possible
Correct answer: Divide time equally: plan, write, and check for each task
Planning (5 min), writing (30–35 min), and checking (5 min) for each task ensures structured responses and time to catch errors.
Question 5: In CAE Use of English Part 4 (key word transformations), what is the maximum number of words allowed?
- Two words
- Three words
- Four words
- Six words (Correct answer)
Correct answer: Six words
Part 4 key word transformations allow between two and six words (including the key word) to complete the transformation; contractions count as two words.
Question 6: What is a key strategy for answering CAE Reading Part 6 (cross-text multiple matching)?
- Find the answer in the longest paragraph of each text
- Identify the writer's specific attitude or opinion and compare it across texts (Correct answer)
- Focus only on the introduction and conclusion of each text
- Match answers based on the number of words shared with the question
Correct answer: Identify the writer's specific attitude or opinion and compare it across texts
Part 6 requires comparing writers' opinions and attitudes across multiple texts, so identifying each writer's specific stance is the core skill tested.
CAE CAE Exam Strategies 1
In the CAE Reading and Use of English paper, how should a candidate approach Part 5 (multiple choice) most effectively?