CAE Exam Strategies Flashcards

In the CAE Reading and Use of English paper, how should a candidate approach Part 5 (multiple choice) most effectively?

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.

What is the best strategy for CAE Reading Part 7 (gapped paragraphs)?

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.

During the CAE exam, a candidate is running out of time in the Reading paper. What is the best approach?

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.

How should candidates manage their time in the CAE Writing paper?

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.

In CAE Use of English Part 4 (key word transformations), what is the maximum number of words allowed?

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.

What is a key strategy for answering CAE Reading Part 6 (cross-text multiple matching)?

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.