Cambridge C2 Proficiency (CPE) Exam — Questions and Answers

Question 1: Which CPE Speaking strategy best demonstrates C2-level proficiency?

Memorizing model answers and reciting them
Developing ideas with examples, elaborating on opinions, and responding to the partner's points (Correct answer)
Giving yes/no answers without elaboration
Speaking only about topics you have rehearsed in advance

Correct answer: Developing ideas with examples, elaborating on opinions, and responding to the partner's points

C2-level speaking involves spontaneous, extended responses that develop ideas fully, include relevant examples, and engage genuinely with the interlocutor.

Question 2: What listening sub-skill is most critical for CPE Listening Part 2 sentence completion?

Listening for specific factual information (Correct answer)
Identifying the main theme of the monologue
Counting the number of times a word appears
Detecting speakers' contrasting opinions

Correct answer: Listening for specific factual information

Part 2 sentence completion requires listening for specific facts, names, numbers, or phrases to fill in each blank accurately.

Question 3: In CPE writing, what is a 'thesis statement' in an essay?

A list of all sources used
A definition of the essay topic
The concluding sentence of the final paragraph
A clear statement of the essay's main argument or position (Correct answer)

Correct answer: A clear statement of the essay's main argument or position

A thesis statement presents the central argument or position of the essay, typically appearing in the introduction.

Question 4: Which of the following listening skills is particularly tested in CPE Listening Part 3?

Understanding a long interview or discussion in detail (Correct answer)
Listening for gist in very short clips
Identifying accents from different countries
Spelling single words from a dictation

Correct answer: Understanding a long interview or discussion in detail

CPE Part 3 is a long interview or conversation with multiple-choice questions testing detailed understanding and the ability to follow complex interactions.

Question 5: What is the meaning of 'ambiguous' in academic English at CPE level?

Having a very strong and decisive meaning
Open to more than one interpretation; unclear in meaning (Correct answer)
Extremely clear and easy to understand
Relating to both the left and right side equally

Correct answer: Open to more than one interpretation; unclear in meaning

'Ambiguous' describes language, a situation, or meaning that can be understood in more than one way, creating uncertainty.

Question 6: Which option correctly completes the sentence: 'After years of struggling, the business finally _____ its competitors.'?

pulled through on
pulled off of
pulled ahead of (Correct answer)
pulled down on

Correct answer: pulled ahead of

'Pull ahead of' means to move into a leading position, making it the correct choice for surpassing competitors.

Question 7: What does 'discourse management' mean in CPE Speaking assessment?

Correcting your own grammar mid-sentence constantly
Memorizing and reproducing prepared speeches
Speaking very quickly without stopping
Organizing and developing ideas coherently over extended turns (Correct answer)

Correct answer: Organizing and developing ideas coherently over extended turns

Discourse management assesses the ability to produce extended, coherent speech using linking devices, logical sequencing, and idea development.

Question 8: In CPE Use of English Part 2 (open cloze), how many words can be written in each gap?

Two to three words
Exactly one word only (Correct answer)
A full phrase from a given list
Any number of words

Correct answer: Exactly one word only

CPE Part 2 open cloze requires exactly one word per gap, testing grammatical and lexical knowledge without multiple-choice options.

Question 9: Which reading strategy is most useful for CPE Part 6 (cross-text multiple matching)?

Reading only the first sentence of each paragraph
Scanning for numbers and dates only
Focusing on the title and subheadings
Comparing opinions and attitudes across multiple texts (Correct answer)

Correct answer: Comparing opinions and attitudes across multiple texts

CPE Part 6 requires candidates to compare how different writers express opinions and attitudes across four short texts.

Question 10: Which of the following best describes 'inferring' in CPE Listening tasks?

Translating the audio into your first language
Writing down every word you hear
Identifying the speaker's nationality
Deducing meaning or intention not directly stated by the speaker (Correct answer)

Correct answer: Deducing meaning or intention not directly stated by the speaker

Inferring in listening means using contextual clues and tone to understand what a speaker implies or suggests beyond their literal words.

Question 11: What does the idiom 'to be on the fence' mean?

To be in a physically precarious or dangerous position
To be undecided or neutral about an issue (Correct answer)
To be overly protective or territorial about one's property
To be engaged in an ongoing dispute with neighbors

Correct answer: To be undecided or neutral about an issue

'On the fence' means being undecided or uncommitted, unable to choose one side of an argument or issue.

Question 12: The President resigned; the whiff of scandal remained _______

nevertheless (Correct answer)
therefore
immediately
otherwise

Correct answer: nevertheless

'Nevertheless' means 'in spite of that' or 'even so,' which correctly expresses the contrast between the resignation (expected to end the scandal) and the scandal's persistence. 'Therefore' would imply the scandal remained as a result of the resignation, 'otherwise' would mean 'in a different way,' and 'immediately' is an adverb of time that doesn't capture the contrast.

Question 13: Which feature of academic texts makes CPE reading particularly challenging?

Dense vocabulary and complex syntactic structures (Correct answer)
Repetition of the same ideas
Short, simple sentences
Frequent use of pictures and diagrams

Correct answer: Dense vocabulary and complex syntactic structures

Academic and literary texts used in CPE feature advanced vocabulary and complex sentence structures that demand C2-level reading skills.

Question 14: In such a plight ________ that we had no choice but to radio for help.

did we ourselves find
We ourselves found
did we find ourselves (Correct answer)
We found ourselves

Correct answer: did we find ourselves

When a sentence opens with a negative or emphatic adverbial phrase like 'In such a plight,' subject-auxiliary inversion is required. The correct inverted form is 'did we find ourselves,' mirroring question word order. 'We ourselves found' and 'We found ourselves' use normal word order, which is ungrammatical here, and 'did we ourselves find' incorrectly places 'ourselves' before the main verb.

Question 15: What is the meaning of the idiom 'to cost an arm and a leg'?

To cause serious physical harm to someone
To be extremely expensive (Correct answer)
To be priceless in emotional or sentimental terms
To require a great deal of physical effort or labor

Correct answer: To be extremely expensive

'To cost an arm and a leg' is an idiom meaning that something is very expensive or costs a great deal of money.

Question 16: Which sentence correctly demonstrates the use of 'get over' to mean 'to recover from something difficult'?

She couldn't get over the tall fence without assistance.
The speaker struggled to get over his message to the large audience.
They tried to get over to the other side of the city as quickly as possible.
It took him several months to get over the loss of his job. (Correct answer)

Correct answer: It took him several months to get over the loss of his job.

'Get over' meaning to recover is correctly used in B, where someone is moving past the emotional difficulty of losing a job.

Question 17: What does 'elision' in natural spoken English mean?

Repeating a word for dramatic effect
Using a foreign accent intentionally
Speaking very loudly for emphasis
The omission of sounds or syllables in rapid connected speech (Correct answer)

Correct answer: The omission of sounds or syllables in rapid connected speech

Elision occurs when sounds or syllables are dropped in natural speech, such as 'next door' sounding like 'nex' door' in fast speech.

Question 18: In the sentence 'The new manager really rubbed her colleagues up the wrong way,' what does the underlined phrase mean?

She disagreed with her colleagues about the direction of a project.
She gave her colleagues unsolicited physical massages.
She accidentally offended her colleagues with a physical gesture.
She irritated or annoyed her colleagues. (Correct answer)

Correct answer: She irritated or annoyed her colleagues.

'Rub someone up the wrong way' means to annoy or irritate them, often without intending to.

Question 19: What is the approximate word count required for the CPE Part 1 essay?

100–150 words
200–250 words
350–400 words
240–280 words (Correct answer)

Correct answer: 240–280 words

The CPE Part 1 essay requires approximately 240–280 words and must engage critically with the topic given.

Question 20: Which of the following is an example of a 'discourse marker' used in CPE essay writing?

Quickly
Beautiful
The
Furthermore (Correct answer)

Correct answer: Furthermore

Discourse markers like 'furthermore,' 'however,' and 'consequently' link ideas and signal relationships between arguments in a text.

Question 21: What does the phrasal verb 'look into' mean?

To concentrate on minor visual details
To physically gaze inside a container or box
To investigate or examine something more closely (Correct answer)
To overlook or disregard a problem entirely

Correct answer: To investigate or examine something more closely

'Look into' means to investigate or examine a matter, often used in professional or academic contexts.

Question 22: Why is understanding 'hedging' language important in CPE Listening?

It reveals the speaker's nationality
It shows which grammar structure the speaker is using
It helps identify what the speaker is certain about versus uncertain about (Correct answer)
It tells you the exact time the speaker recorded the audio

Correct answer: It helps identify what the speaker is certain about versus uncertain about

Recognizing hedging expressions (e.g., 'it seems,' 'I suppose,' 'possibly') helps you accurately interpret the degree of certainty in what speakers say.

Question 23: What does 'mitigate' mean in formal CPE vocabulary?

To misrepresent information deliberately
To make something less severe, serious, or painful (Correct answer)
To completely eliminate a problem
To cause significant harm to something

Correct answer: To make something less severe, serious, or painful

'Mitigate' means to lessen the severity or impact of something negative, though not necessarily eliminate it entirely.

Question 24: What does CPE Listening Part 4 (multiple matching) require candidates to do?

Answer questions about one long interview
Listen and correct written errors in a script
Match five speakers to two different sets of options (Correct answer)
Write a paragraph summarizing a conversation

Correct answer: Match five speakers to two different sets of options

CPE Listening Part 4 features five short monologues and requires matching each speaker to two sets of options (task one and task two).

Question 25: Which of the following is an example of a 'reporting verb' used in CPE writing and grammar?

Jump
Allege (Correct answer)
Consume
Run

Correct answer: Allege

Reporting verbs like 'allege,' 'claim,' 'assert,' and 'acknowledge' introduce reported speech or ideas and convey the speaker's attitude.

Question 26: I benefited a great deal _______ taking that online training course.

from (Correct answer)
off
for
with

Correct answer: from

'Benefit from' is the standard English collocation, where 'from' indicates the source or origin of the advantage gained. 'Benefit for,' 'benefit with,' and 'benefit off' are not correct collocations in standard English and would be grammatically or idiomatically wrong in this context.

Question 27: How long does the CPE Speaking test typically last per pair of candidates?

16 minutes (Correct answer)
10 minutes
45 minutes
25 minutes

Correct answer: 16 minutes

The CPE Speaking test typically lasts around 16 minutes for a pair of candidates, covering all three parts.

Question 28: In CPE reading, what does 'text cohesion' refer to?

The length of a text
How sentences and paragraphs are logically linked together (Correct answer)
The font size used in the text
Whether the text has illustrations

Correct answer: How sentences and paragraphs are logically linked together

Text cohesion refers to the logical and grammatical connections between sentences and paragraphs that make a text flow coherently.

Question 29: What is the meaning of 'pragmatic' in academic English at CPE level?

Relating to dreams and imagination
Concerned with historical precedent
Focused on emotional rather than logical responses
Dealing with things in a practical, sensible way rather than theoretical ideals (Correct answer)

Correct answer: Dealing with things in a practical, sensible way rather than theoretical ideals

'Pragmatic' refers to a practical approach that focuses on realistic outcomes rather than idealistic or theoretical considerations.

Question 30: In the CPE Reading and Use of English paper, how many parts are there in total?

5
6
8
7 (Correct answer)

Correct answer: 7

The CPE Reading and Use of English paper contains 7 parts that test a range of reading and language skills.

Question 31: What does the idiom 'to bite off more than you can chew' mean?

To attempt to eat a portion of food that is far too large
To argue aggressively with someone more powerful than oneself
To take on more work or responsibility than one is able to handle (Correct answer)
To make promises that one has no intention of keeping

Correct answer: To take on more work or responsibility than one is able to handle

'Bite off more than you can chew' means to take on a task or level of responsibility that exceeds one's capacity to manage.

Question 32: What is a 'participle clause' used for in advanced English writing tested at CPE level?

To list items in a series with commas
To express future plans only
To form yes/no questions
To add information about an action concisely without using a full clause (Correct answer)

Correct answer: To add information about an action concisely without using a full clause

Participle clauses (e.g., 'Having finished the report, she left the office') provide additional information concisely, typically sharing the same subject as the main clause.

Question 33: Which task type is NOT a typical option in CPE Writing Part 2?

Article
Gap-fill grammar exercise (Correct answer)
Letter or email
Report or proposal

Correct answer: Gap-fill grammar exercise

CPE Writing Part 2 options include letters/emails, articles, reports, proposals, and reviews — not grammar gap-fill exercises.

Question 34: What does the idiom 'to bite the bullet' mean?

To eat something extremely hard or crunchy
To endure a painful or difficult situation with courage (Correct answer)
To make a hasty, impulsive decision
To fire a weapon recklessly

Correct answer: To endure a painful or difficult situation with courage

'Bite the bullet' means to stoically endure a painful or difficult situation rather than avoid it.

Question 35: What is assessed under 'interactive communication' in CPE Speaking?

The ability to speak in a British accent
The ability to speak without any pauses
Only grammatical accuracy of long monologues
The ability to initiate, maintain, and develop interaction with the other candidate (Correct answer)

Correct answer: The ability to initiate, maintain, and develop interaction with the other candidate

Interactive communication assesses how effectively candidates initiate, respond to, and develop conversation, including asking and answering questions naturally.

Question 36: What does the CPE Speaking assessor evaluate during the test?

Only whether the candidate answered every question
Only grammatical accuracy
Only whether the candidate spoke at length
Grammatical resource, lexical resource, discourse management, pronunciation, and interactive communication (Correct answer)

Correct answer: Grammatical resource, lexical resource, discourse management, pronunciation, and interactive communication

The CPE assessor evaluates five criteria: grammatical resource, lexical resource, discourse management, pronunciation, and interactive communication.

Question 37: What does 'juxtaposition' mean in CPE reading and writing contexts?

Using very long sentences consecutively
Removing irrelevant information from a text
Placing two contrasting things side by side to highlight their differences (Correct answer)
Combining two synonyms to add emphasis

Correct answer: Placing two contrasting things side by side to highlight their differences

Juxtaposition involves placing contrasting ideas, images, or characters next to each other to highlight their differences for rhetorical or stylistic effect.

Question 38: What does 'fronting' mean as a grammatical device in CPE-level English?

Using the first letter of each word to form an acronym
Writing the conclusion before the introduction
Moving an element to the front of a sentence for emphasis (Correct answer)
Adding a prefix to a word

Correct answer: Moving an element to the front of a sentence for emphasis

Fronting places an element — such as an adverbial, object, or complement — at the beginning of a sentence for stylistic emphasis.

Question 39: What makes a 'compelling introduction' in a CPE essay?

Starting with 'In this essay I will write about…'
Beginning with a relevant hook, context, and a clear thesis statement (Correct answer)
Writing only one sentence to save space
Listing all the points you will make in numbered form

Correct answer: Beginning with a relevant hook, context, and a clear thesis statement

A strong CPE introduction engages the reader with a hook, provides context for the topic, and ends with a clear thesis statement.

Question 40: How many parts does the CPE Speaking test have?

4 (Correct answer)
2
3
5

Correct answer: 4

The CPE Speaking test has 3 parts: an interview, a collaborative task, and a discussion — each testing different speaking skills.

Question 41: What are the kids doing?

They are playing basketball
They are playing soccer (Correct answer)
They are eating pizza
They are studying English

Correct answer: They are playing soccer

The image shows children playing soccer, identifiable by the round ball and field. Basketball uses a different ball and court, pizza-eating and English study are unrelated to outdoor play shown in the image.

Question 42: What does 'prosody' mean in the context of spoken English at CPE level?

The use of formal vocabulary in presentations
The rules for forming plural nouns
The patterns of stress, rhythm, and intonation in speech (Correct answer)
The study of written poetry forms

Correct answer: The patterns of stress, rhythm, and intonation in speech

Prosody encompasses the musical qualities of speech — stress, rhythm, and intonation — which convey emphasis, emotion, and meaning.

Question 43: In CPE Listening Part 2, what task do candidates complete?

Write a summary of a radio broadcast
Complete gaps in sentences using information from a monologue (Correct answer)
Match statements to five speakers
Answer true/false questions about a dialogue

Correct answer: Complete gaps in sentences using information from a monologue

CPE Listening Part 2 is a sentence completion task based on a long monologue, requiring candidates to write specific words heard in the recording.

Question 44: What does the phrasal verb 'fall through' mean?

To pass through a narrow or small opening
To physically collapse or fall onto a lower surface
To fail to happen or be completed as planned (Correct answer)
To descend rapidly from a considerable height

Correct answer: To fail to happen or be completed as planned

'Fall through' means that a plan, deal, or arrangement fails to be completed or realized.

Question 45: What does 'register' mean in CPE writing tasks?

The number of words written
The handwriting style used
The level of formality appropriate to the task and audience (Correct answer)
The topic of the essay

Correct answer: The level of formality appropriate to the task and audience

Register refers to the appropriate level of formality — formal, semi-formal, or informal — that matches the writing task's context and audience.

Question 46: What is 'hedging language' in CPE academic writing?

Using very complex vocabulary to impress markers
Repeating the same point in different words
Language that softens claims and acknowledges uncertainty (Correct answer)
Using very short sentences for clarity

Correct answer: Language that softens claims and acknowledges uncertainty

Hedging language (e.g., 'it could be argued,' 'this may suggest') softens assertions and shows awareness that claims are not absolute.

Question 47: In CPE writing, what is the function of a 'counterargument' in a discursive essay?

To confuse the reader intentionally
To acknowledge an opposing view before refuting or conceding it (Correct answer)
To repeat the introduction in different words
To list all possible solutions without analysis

Correct answer: To acknowledge an opposing view before refuting or conceding it

Including a counterargument shows balanced thinking; you present the opposing view and then explain why your argument is still stronger.

Question 48: In CPE writing assessment, what does 'task achievement' refer to?

Whether the handwriting is neat
The total number of paragraphs written
How well the content addresses all aspects of the task prompt (Correct answer)
Whether you finished the task within the time limit

Correct answer: How well the content addresses all aspects of the task prompt

Task achievement assesses how fully and appropriately the writing responds to all the requirements set out in the prompt.

Question 49: What distinguishes a CPE-level 'proposal' from a 'report' in Writing Part 2?

A proposal recommends future action while a report describes current or past situations (Correct answer)
A proposal is always shorter than a report
There is no difference between them
A proposal uses bullet points; a report uses paragraphs

Correct answer: A proposal recommends future action while a report describes current or past situations

A proposal focuses on recommending future actions or changes, while a report typically describes a current situation or analyzes past events.

Question 50: What does CPE Use of English Part 1 (multiple choice cloze) primarily test?

Vocabulary knowledge including collocations, phrasal verbs, and idioms (Correct answer)
Spelling of common words
Punctuation rules
Sentence structure transformation

Correct answer: Vocabulary knowledge including collocations, phrasal verbs, and idioms

CPE Part 1 multiple choice cloze tests lexical knowledge, including collocations, fixed phrases, phrasal verbs, and idiomatic expressions.

Question 51: What does 'lexical range' refer to in CPE writing assessment?

The length of each paragraph
The variety and sophistication of vocabulary used (Correct answer)
The number of sentences in the essay
The number of spelling errors found

Correct answer: The variety and sophistication of vocabulary used

Lexical range assesses the breadth and sophistication of the vocabulary a candidate uses, rewarding precise and varied word choices.

Question 52: In CPE Part 5 (Reading), candidates are tested on their ability to do which of the following?

Match headings to paragraphs
Fill gaps with single words
Complete a summary with given words
Answer multiple-choice questions about a long text (Correct answer)

Correct answer: Answer multiple-choice questions about a long text

CPE Part 5 requires candidates to read a long text and answer multiple-choice questions demonstrating detailed comprehension.

Question 53: What task type is used in CPE Listening Part 1?

Multiple choice with three short extracts (Correct answer)
Multiple matching with five speakers
Long monologue with gap-fill
Sentence completion

Correct answer: Multiple choice with three short extracts

CPE Listening Part 1 features three short unrelated extracts, each followed by two multiple-choice questions with three options.

Question 54: What is the importance of 'pausing' during CPE Listening before and between recordings?

To check your answer sheet for spelling errors in other sections
To adjust the volume of the recording equipment
To read questions and prepare listening focus before the audio plays (Correct answer)
To rest and reduce exam anxiety only

Correct answer: To read questions and prepare listening focus before the audio plays

The preparation time before each recording allows candidates to read questions carefully and decide what specific information to listen for.

Question 55: In CPE Speaking Part 2, what are candidates asked to do?

Discuss a topic with a visual prompt and answer a follow-up question (Correct answer)
Translate a passage into their first language
Listen to audio and answer comprehension questions
Read aloud a written text provided by the examiner

Correct answer: Discuss a topic with a visual prompt and answer a follow-up question

CPE Speaking Part 2 involves discussing a topic using a visual prompt (such as a diagram or written input) followed by a focused question.

Question 56: What challenge do speakers in CPE Listening recordings typically present?

They speak unusually slowly and clearly at all times
They repeat every sentence twice for clarity
They use natural speech features like hesitation, correction, and overlapping (Correct answer)
They only use formal academic language

Correct answer: They use natural speech features like hesitation, correction, and overlapping

CPE audio recordings reflect authentic spoken English, including natural features like false starts, hesitations, and overlapping speech.

Question 57: Why is it important to 'speculate' in CPE Speaking tasks?

Because many prompts require you to explore possibilities and hypotheticals, demonstrating range (Correct answer)
Because factual information is penalized in speaking tests
Because it allows you to speak longer without knowing the answer
Because guessing without reason earns bonus points

Correct answer: Because many prompts require you to explore possibilities and hypotheticals, demonstrating range

CPE prompts often ask candidates to explore hypothetical situations, which requires using language of speculation and modal verbs to demonstrate range.

Question 58: What is the format of CPE Speaking Part 1 (interview)?

The examiner asks each candidate questions about themselves and personal topics (Correct answer)
Candidates give a long prepared speech
Candidates debate a controversial topic with each other
Candidates describe a photograph in detail

Correct answer: The examiner asks each candidate questions about themselves and personal topics

CPE Speaking Part 1 is a brief interview where the examiner asks each candidate questions about their life, interests, and opinions.

Question 59: What are the kids doing?

They are cooking pasta
They are studying English
They are eating pizza (Correct answer)
They are playing soccer

Correct answer: They are eating pizza

The correct answer is "They are eating pizza." This answer is supported by the fact that the question asks what the kids are doing, and the given answer states that they are eating pizza.

Question 60: Which structural element is essential in a CPE formal letter?

Emoji and informal abbreviations
A poem at the end
Appropriate salutation, body paragraphs, and formal close (Correct answer)
A bullet-point list in every paragraph

Correct answer: Appropriate salutation, body paragraphs, and formal close

A formal CPE letter requires a proper salutation (e.g., 'Dear Sir/Madam'), well-organized paragraphs, and a formal closing (e.g., 'Yours faithfully').

Question 61: What is a useful strategy when preparing for CPE Listening Part 2 sentence completion?

Read the sentences carefully before listening to predict word types needed (Correct answer)
Guess answers randomly if unsure
Write entire sentences rather than the specific words heard
Only listen to the first 30 seconds of the audio

Correct answer: Read the sentences carefully before listening to predict word types needed

Previewing the sentences before the audio plays helps candidates predict the type of information (e.g., a number, noun, or adjective) needed for each gap.

Question 62: In CPE Writing Part 1, candidates must write an essay based on which of the following?

A grammar exercise correcting errors
A description of a photograph
Two input texts with different perspectives on a topic (Correct answer)
A personal diary entry about their life

Correct answer: Two input texts with different perspectives on a topic

CPE Part 1 provides two short input texts with contrasting viewpoints, and candidates must write an essay discussing the topic.

Question 63: Which language function is important to demonstrate in CPE Speaking Part 3 (collaborative task)?

Expressing agreement, disagreement, suggestions, and reaching consensus collaboratively (Correct answer)
Monologuing without allowing the partner to respond
Correcting the partner's grammar explicitly during the discussion
Reading aloud from the visual prompt provided

Correct answer: Expressing agreement, disagreement, suggestions, and reaching consensus collaboratively

Part 3 assesses collaborative communication, including agreeing, disagreeing diplomatically, making suggestions, and working toward a joint decision.

Question 64: What is the 'subjunctive mood' in English, sometimes tested at CPE level?

A structure used only in questions
A mood used to express hypothetical or wished-for situations (Correct answer)
The past tense of irregular verbs
A tense used only for future events

Correct answer: A mood used to express hypothetical or wished-for situations

The subjunctive expresses wishes, recommendations, or hypotheticals, as in 'It is essential that he be informed immediately.'

Question 65: What is a 'distractor' in CPE multiple-choice listening questions?

Background noise in the recording
A plausible but incorrect answer option designed to mislead (Correct answer)
A word that is difficult to pronounce
A speaker who interrupts the main speaker

Correct answer: A plausible but incorrect answer option designed to mislead

Distractors are answer options that sound plausible or are mentioned in the audio but are ultimately incorrect answers to the question.

Question 66: Which of the following best describes an 'implicit' idea in a CPE reading text?

An idea that is factually wrong
An idea repeated multiple times
An idea suggested but not directly stated (Correct answer)
An idea directly and clearly stated

Correct answer: An idea suggested but not directly stated

An implicit idea is one that the author suggests through language and context without directly stating it.

Question 67: Which type of spoken text might appear in CPE Listening Part 1 extracts?

Only scripted theatrical performances
Only news broadcasts
Only formal academic lectures
A variety including conversations, interviews, and monologues (Correct answer)

Correct answer: A variety including conversations, interviews, and monologues

CPE Listening Part 1 uses a variety of spoken text types including informal conversations, interviews, discussions, and monologues.

Question 68: It was the collapse of the dotcom boom that finally did _______ him.

for (Correct answer)
off
out
with

Correct answer: for

The correct phrase is 'did for him,' a fixed English idiom meaning to ruin, destroy, or finish someone off — here, the dotcom collapse was what finally ruined him. 'Do out,' 'do with,' and 'do off' are either different idioms with unrelated meanings or not standard fixed expressions in this context, making them incorrect completions of this specific phrase.

Question 69: Which sentence correctly uses 'put off' to mean 'to postpone or delay'?

He put off a great performance on stage.
They put off the meeting until next week. (Correct answer)
The strong smell put off everyone in the room.
She put off her coat before entering the house.

Correct answer: They put off the meeting until next week.

'Put off' meaning to postpone is correctly used in C, where a meeting is delayed to a later date.

Question 70: In CPE Listening, what does 'listening for attitude' mean?

Identifying the speaker's feelings, opinions, or emotional stance (Correct answer)
Counting how many times a word is repeated
Listening only to the first and last sentences
Focusing on technical vocabulary

Correct answer: Identifying the speaker's feelings, opinions, or emotional stance

Listening for attitude involves detecting the speaker's emotional tone, opinions, and feelings expressed through intonation, word choice, and emphasis.

Question 71: What skill is primarily tested in CPE Part 5 questions that ask about the writer's purpose?

Spelling accuracy
Understanding authorial intent and perspective (Correct answer)
Knowledge of grammar rules
Ability to summarize in one word

Correct answer: Understanding authorial intent and perspective

Questions about the writer's purpose test your ability to understand why the author wrote a passage and what effect they intended.

Question 72: Today we have ________ wind. It is so nice!

Mild (Correct answer)
Chilled
Nasty
Mield

Correct answer: Mild

The given correct answer is "mild" because it indicates that the wind is gentle and pleasant. This implies that the weather is enjoyable and comfortable.

Question 73: In CPE writing, 'collocation' refers to which of the following?

Words that naturally and frequently appear together in English (Correct answer)
Words that are spelled the same but have different meanings
Words borrowed from other languages
Words that have opposite meanings

Correct answer: Words that naturally and frequently appear together in English

Collocations are word combinations that native speakers naturally use together, such as 'make a decision' or 'reach a conclusion.'

Question 74: How many parts does the CPE Writing paper consist of?

1
2 (Correct answer)
3
4

Correct answer: 2

The CPE Writing paper has 2 parts: Part 1 is a compulsory essay, and Part 2 offers a choice of task types.

Question 75: Which of the following best demonstrates 'grammatical accuracy and range' at CPE level?

Avoiding all punctuation to save time
Correctly using a variety of complex structures such as conditionals, passives, and inversions (Correct answer)
Repeating the same sentence structure in every paragraph
Using only present simple tense throughout

Correct answer: Correctly using a variety of complex structures such as conditionals, passives, and inversions

CPE-level grammar involves accurate use of a wide range of complex structures, demonstrating mastery of the language.

Question 76: In CPE Speaking, what does 'range of vocabulary' assess?

Whether you can spell words correctly when speaking
How many different topics you mention
The breadth and precision of vocabulary used in spoken responses (Correct answer)
Whether you use only formal vocabulary at all times

Correct answer: The breadth and precision of vocabulary used in spoken responses

Vocabulary range in speaking assesses how varied, precise, and appropriate the candidate's word choices are across different topics.

Question 77: What does 'turn-taking' mean in the context of CPE Speaking Part 3?

Taking turns to read aloud from a text
Alternating between formal and informal language
Managing the flow of conversation by inviting others to speak and knowing when to contribute (Correct answer)
Taking turns to answer separate unrelated questions

Correct answer: Managing the flow of conversation by inviting others to speak and knowing when to contribute

Turn-taking involves using conversational conventions — such as inviting opinions, yielding the floor, and interrupting appropriately — to manage dialogue effectively.

Question 78: In CPE Listening Part 4, why is it challenging to complete both matching tasks simultaneously?

The audio plays only once with no repetition
The answer options are in a foreign language
The speakers talk too quickly to understand
You must process two different categories of meaning from each speaker while listening (Correct answer)

Correct answer: You must process two different categories of meaning from each speaker while listening

Part 4 requires you to simultaneously identify both the speaker's main purpose and another specific aspect (e.g., feeling), demanding divided attention.

Question 79: What is the primary purpose of a 'review' in CPE Writing Part 2?

To evaluate and give an opinion about a book, film, or experience (Correct answer)
To summarize a news article
To complain formally about a product
To describe a person's biography

Correct answer: To evaluate and give an opinion about a book, film, or experience

A review evaluates a book, film, restaurant, or experience, sharing the writer's informed opinion with a specific audience.

Question 80: All their children are allowed ________ exactly what the like.

to do (Correct answer)
do
for doing
doing

Correct answer: to do

'Allow' followed by an object requires the full infinitive (to + verb): 'allow someone to do something.' The bare infinitive 'do' is used after modals, not after 'allow.' The gerund 'doing' and the preposition 'for doing' are both grammatically incorrect with this verb pattern.

Question 81: We have a _______nasty weather. It is awful!

Spall of
Spel of
Speal of
Spell of (Correct answer)

Correct answer: Spell of

The correct answer is "spell of." In this context, "spell of" is used to describe a period or duration of something, in this case, nasty weather. The phrase "spell of" implies that the weather has been consistently bad or unpleasant for a certain period of time. The word "spell" in this context means a period of stretch of time. Therefore, the correct phrase to use is "spell of" to convey the idea of a prolonged duration of nasty weather.

Question 82: How many times do candidates hear each audio recording in the CPE Listening paper?

Twice (Correct answer)
As many times as needed
Three times
Once only

Correct answer: Twice

Each audio recording in the CPE Listening paper is played twice, giving candidates two opportunities to gather information.

Question 83: What is the meaning of the idiom 'once in a blue moon'?

Only during nighttime hours or after dark
Very rarely or extremely infrequently (Correct answer)
Exactly once per calendar month
During a rare but predictable astronomical event

Correct answer: Very rarely or extremely infrequently

'Once in a blue moon' is an idiom used to describe something that happens very rarely or almost never.

Cambridge C2 Proficiency (CPE) Exam

The Cambridge C2 Proficiency (CPE) exam certifies the highest level of English language mastery, assessing reading, writing, listening, speaking, and use of English at the C2 CEFR level.

Questions

236 min

Time Limit

60%

To Pass

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Exam Rules

You can skip questions and return to them later
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No feedback shown until you submit the entire exam
Unanswered questions count as wrong — answer everything
10 pretest questions are mixed in and don't affect your score
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