CAE Cheat Sheet 2026

The 30 highest-yield CAE facts, distilled from real exam questions. Print it, save it as a PDF, or study it here — free, no sign-up.

1. What does the CAE-level idiom 'to beat around the bush' mean? → To avoid getting to the main point
2. Identify the correct use of a relative clause: 'The scientist, _______ research was published last year, has won an award.' → whose
3. Which of these is a characteristic of an effective CAE essay introduction? → Presenting background context and outlining what the essay will discuss
4. The word 'exhaustive' in 'an exhaustive study was conducted' means: → A thorough and complete study covering all aspects
5. Which sentence correctly uses an adverbial clause of concession? → Although it was raining, we went for a walk.
6. In CAE Writing, 'range' refers to which of the following? → The variety of vocabulary and grammatical structures
7. Which word correctly fills the gap: 'The new software has several _______ features that the old version lacked'? → innovative
8. Which linking phrase is most appropriate to introduce a counter-argument in a CAE essay? → On the other hand
9. Which of the following best describes the purpose of the preparation time given before each recording in CAE Listening? → To read questions and predict the kind of information needed
10. Which of the following phrases would be inappropriate in a formal CAE proposal? → Honestly, this plan is going to work out great for everyone involved.
11. A CAE candidate is writing a review of a film for a student magazine. Which sentence best matches the expected register? → The film's stunning visuals make it a must-see for anyone who loves great cinema.
12. In the CAE Reading and Use of English paper, how should a candidate approach Part 5 (multiple choice) most effectively? → Read the text carefully, then locate the answer area for each question before choosing
13. CAE Listening Part 4 is typically a longer interview or discussion. What is one key skill tested? → Understanding speakers' opinions, attitudes, and agreement/disagreement
14. Which of the following demonstrates an inappropriate mixing of registers in academic writing? → In conclusion, the experiment was totally a success and the results are great.
15. In CAE Speaking, what is the assessor's role during the test? → To observe and mark the candidates without joining the conversation
16. Which of the following is a characteristic of formal written English? → Nominalization, such as using 'investigation' instead of 'investigate'
17. Which of the following is true about the CAE exam scoring? → There is no negative marking — wrong answers score zero, not negative
18. Choose the correct phrasal verb: 'She had to _______ the meeting until next week due to a conflict.' → put off
19. What is a key strategy for answering CAE Reading Part 6 (cross-text multiple matching)? → Identify the writer's specific attitude or opinion and compare it across texts
20. In CAE Speaking Part 2, what must each candidate do? → Talk about two photographs for one minute, then comment on their partner's turn
21. Which word correctly completes the collocation: 'She made a _______ decision to leave her job'? → snap
22. What does 'coherence' mean in the context of CAE Writing assessment? → Ideas being logically connected and easy to follow
23. In the CAE Writing paper, how many tasks must candidates complete? → Two tasks: one compulsory and one from a choice
24. What does 'attitude' mean in the context of CAE Listening questions? → The speaker's feelings or opinions about a subject
25. What is meant by 'task achievement' in CAE Writing marking criteria? → Fully addressing all aspects of the given task prompt
26. In CAE Listening sentence completion, what should candidates do if they are unsure of a word's spelling? → Write their best phonetic approximation
27. Which word has a similar meaning to 'meticulous' at C1 level? → Thorough
28. Which opening is most appropriate for a CAE-style formal letter of application? → I am writing with reference to the position advertised in...
29. How long does the CAE Listening paper approximately last? → 40 minutes
30. Which of the following could be regarded as a source of doubt? → A webpage with a.com