CAE Reading 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: In a CAE cross-text multiple matching task, a writer states that 'the proposal has merit but its implementation timeline is unrealistic.' Which attitude does this best reflect?
- Unconditional support
- Qualified endorsement (Correct answer)
- Outright rejection
- Cautious neutrality
Correct answer: Qualified endorsement
The writer acknowledges merit (positive) but raises a specific objection, which constitutes qualified endorsement rather than full agreement or rejection.
Question 2: A CAE Reading Part 5 passage uses the phrase 'no small feat' to describe an achievement. What does this phrase convey?
- The achievement was minor
- The achievement was surprisingly easy
- The achievement was significantly difficult (Correct answer)
- The achievement went unnoticed
Correct answer: The achievement was significantly difficult
'No small feat' is an understatement used to emphasize that something was genuinely challenging and impressive.
Question 3: In a CAE gapped text task, the missing paragraph begins with 'This was not the first time such criticism had been levelled at the organization.' What does this sentence most likely refer to back to?
- A compliment mentioned in the preceding paragraph
- A criticism described in the preceding paragraph (Correct answer)
- A solution proposed in the following paragraph
- A historical event from decades earlier
Correct answer: A criticism described in the preceding paragraph
The anaphoric reference 'such criticism' links directly to a criticism that must have been mentioned just before the gap.
Question 4: A CAE multiple-choice question asks about the author's use of irony in a paragraph. The author writes that a politician's plan was 'predictably original.' What is implied?
- The plan was genuinely creative and surprising
- The plan was repetitive and unoriginal despite claims otherwise (Correct answer)
- The plan was original but expected to fail
- The plan was original and well-received
Correct answer: The plan was repetitive and unoriginal despite claims otherwise
'Predictably original' is oxymoronic irony suggesting the supposed originality was so formulaic it was entirely predictable.
Question 5: In CAE Reading Part 6 (cross-text multiple matching), you must match opinions across four short texts. Reviewer A says a novel 'rewards patient readers,' while Reviewer B calls it 'impenetrable.' What is true?
- Both reviewers agree the novel is difficult
- Both reviewers recommend the novel without reservation
- Reviewer A is more positive about the novel's accessibility than Reviewer B (Correct answer)
- Reviewer B found the novel more rewarding than Reviewer A
Correct answer: Reviewer A is more positive about the novel's accessibility than Reviewer B
'Rewards patient readers' implies difficulty but ultimate payoff, while 'impenetrable' suggests no reward, making A more positive about accessibility.
Question 6: A CAE passage states: 'The findings, while preliminary, challenge long-held assumptions.' What is the writer suggesting about the research?
- The research is complete and definitive
- The research is flawed and should be dismissed
- The research is early-stage but potentially significant (Correct answer)
- The research confirms existing beliefs
Correct answer: The research is early-stage but potentially significant
'Preliminary' acknowledges the research is not yet conclusive, but 'challenge long-held assumptions' signals its potential importance.
Question 7: In a CAE gapped text, a sentence reads: 'It was only later that the full consequences became apparent.' What type of cohesive device does 'It was only later' primarily serve?
- Contrast
- Temporal reference (Correct answer)
- Exemplification
- Cause and effect
Correct answer: Temporal reference
'Only later' establishes a time reference that links events chronologically, making it a temporal cohesive device.
CAE Reading 2
In a CAE cross-text multiple matching task, a writer states that 'the proposal has merit but its implementation timeline is unrealistic.' Which attitude does this best reflect?