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Hi everybody! Welcome to the new episode of the FCE series presented by ABC English Levels and Valentine. Today’s audio lesson is dedicated to the Reading & Use of English, Part 2. You’ll learn how it’s different from Part 1, how it’s marked, you’ll pick up some idioms and tricks to do better.
Let’s get to the point!
What is Reading & Use of English Part 2 like
It is very similar to the Reading & Use of English Part 1: it’s a text of 150-160-word length with 8 gaps which you have to fill in. But unlike the first part, the Reading & Use of English Part 2 doesn’t have any options to choose from. You must find the right word yourself.
What does the Reading & Use of English Part 2 test?
The Reading and Use of English part 2 tests your knowledge of the collocations and the grammar related to certain words. The words to fit the gaps might be pronouns, prepositions, grammar forms of the verbs, tenses, articles, parts of collocations and common phrasal verbs. To put it in a nutshell, small words that are normally evident from the context. As a rule, there are no 2 possible options, only one word is suitable.
How is the Reading & Use of English Part 2 marked?
You get one mark for each correct answer.
Tips
Generally, the tips for this part are the same as for the first part.
- The more you do such types of tasks as in the Reading and Use of English Part 2, the more confident you feel. At the end of the day, structures, phrases, collocations, phrasal verbs, etc. are repeated. At the end of the day means finally, in conclusion. We use it before saying something important. So, completing this exercise again and again will help you to learn more structures and grammar connections between words.
- Apart from the context, which always matters, pay close attention to the words before and after the gaps as it’s they which tell you about grammar relations with the missing words.
Example
E.g.: We’ll … to leave at the crack of dawn. At the crack of dawn means very early in the morning, when the sun first appears.
What do you think the missing word is here? Let’s analyse.
- We have will before the gap.
- We have to+infinitive after it.
- After will, we must use a bare infinitive, that is to say, infinitive without to.
- We use to+infinitive after certain verbs, as one of the rules.
- Conclusion: we need the verb which fits best after will, goes with to leave and makes the sentence meaningful.
- What could the sentence mean? Something connected with advice or obligation. The context always gives you a tip about the meaning.
- Do you remember such a verb? The right answer is ‘have’. Have to do sth expresses obligation. We’ll have to leave at the crack of dawn.
Practice
Now let’s have some practice.
We’ll take a piece of the text called ‘How animals communicate’. It has 4 gaps. When there’s a missing word, I’ll say ‘mmm’.
Some animals have developed amazing ways of communication with 1) … another. When animals make a sound, such 2) … a bark or a call, it is in reaction to 3) … is happening around them. Zoologists have done some experiments to teach human language to animals. However, having them to learn it takes a huge 4) … of training.
Key: 1) one (another): similar to expression each other 2) (such) as: comparison, similar to like 3) what: is used as the subject 4) amount: the meaning implied concerns how much it takes to train them.
Well, that is all for today. You’re more than welcome to leave your comments if you find the lesson useful. Remember that you can always contact ABC English Levels and ask your questions. We have a lot of highly personalized courses designed for your needs as well as the new interactive eLive courses for those who want to study independently.
This was ABC English Levels and your Valentine. Take care!
