Información CPE - PAPER 5

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PAPER V : Speaking

 What’s in the Speaking paper?

The Cambridge English: Proficiency Speaking test contains three parts and you take it together with another candidate. There are two examiners. One of the examiners (the interlocutor) conducts the test and the other examiner (the assessor) listens to what you say and takes notes.

Summary

Time allowed: 19 minutes per pair of candidates
Number of parts: 3
Marks: 20% of total
You have to talk: with the examiner
with the other candidate
on your own

Parts 1–3

Part 1 (Interview)


What's in Part 1? 		Conversation between the interlocutor and each candidate. The examiner asks each of you a series of questions, addressing a question to each of you in turn, to give you an opportunity to talk about yourselves.
What do I have to practise? Giving information about yourself and expressing your opinion or speculating about various topics.
How long do I have to speak? 3 minutes

Part 2 (Collaborative task)


What's in Part 2? 		The interlocutor gives you some spoken instructions and one or more pictures to look at. First, you have to answer a question which focuses on your reaction to aspects of one or more pictures (1 minute). The second part is a decision-making task which you have to do with the other candidate.
What do I have to practise? Sustaining an interaction; exchanging ideas, expressing and justifying opinions, agreeing and/or disagreeing, suggesting, speculating, evaluating, reaching a decision through negotiation, etc.
How long do I have to speak? 4 minutes

Part 3 (Long turn and discussion)


What's in Part 3? 		The interlocutor gives you a card with a question and some ideas on it and you have to speak for about 2 minutes on your own. After you finish, your partner has to comment and the interlocutor then asks you both a question on the same topic. The interlocutor follows the same procedure with your partner and then leads a discussion with both of you.
What do I have to practise? Speaking on your own for a longer time, expressing and justifying opinions, developing topics.
How long do we have to speak? 12 minutes (2-minute long turn for each candidate and then approximately 8 minutes for the discussion)

DOs and DON’Ts

DOs

  1. Make sure you know what you have to do in each part of the test and the timing involved.
  2. Raise the level of the conversation and discussion above the everyday and purely descriptive.
  3. Make sure you listen to the instructions carefully and focus on the task set.
  4. Listen actively to your partner, develop their ideas and opinions and work with them.
  5. Show interest in and respect for your partner's ideas and views.
  6. Make use of the prompts in your long turn if you want to.
  7. Respond as fully as possible and extend your ideas and opinions, giving reasons where possible.
  8. Remember your partner's name and use it when referring to them.

DON'Ts

  1. Don't let your partner always 'take the lead' – you also must initiate.
  2. Don't waffle – be direct, get to the point and say what you mean.
  3. Don't speak during your partner's long turn.
  4. Don't waste your opportunities to show the examiners what you can do.
  5. Don't ask the examiners how you have done.
  6. Don't use all the time given for the introductory phase – share the time with your partner. (Part 2)
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Información CPE - PAPER 4

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PAPER 4 : Listening

 What’s in the Listening paper?

The Cambridge English: Proficiency Listening paper has four parts. For each part you have to listen to a recorded text or texts and answer some questions. You hear each recording twice.  

Summary

Time allowed: about 40 minutes
Number of parts: 4
Number of questions: 28
Marks: 20% of total

Parts 1–4

Part 1 (Multiple choice)


What's in Part 1? 		Four short, unrelated recordings lasting approximately 1 minute each. You have to listen to the recordings and answer two multiple-choice questions for each recording. Each question has three options (A, B or C).
What do I have to practise? Listening for gist, detail, function, purpose, topic, speaker, addressee, feeling, attitude, opinion, etc.
How many questions are there? 8
How many marks are there? One mark for each correct answer.

Part 2 (Sentence completion)


What's in Part 2? 		A monologue or prompted monologue lasting 3–4 minutes. The questions are a series of incomplete sentences. You have to listen to the recording and identify the information you need (one to three words) to fill each gap.
What do I have to practise? Listening for specific information, stated opinion.
How many questions are there? 9
How many marks are there? One mark for each correct answer.

Part 3 (Multiple choice)


What's in Part 3? 		A recording involving interacting speakers lasting 3–4 minutes. You have to listen to the recording and answer a series of multiple-choice questions, each with four options (A, B, C or D).
What do I have to practise? Listening for opinion, gist, detail, inference.
How many questions are there? 5
How many marks are there? One mark for each correct answer.

Part 4 (Multiple matching)


What's in Part 4? 		A recording with interacting speakers which lasts 2–3 minutes in which the speakers exchange opinions and agree/disagree. The questions are a series of statements which summarise the main points of the recording. For each statement, you have to say which speaker agrees with it or indicate if both speakers agree.
What do I have to practise? Listening for agreement, disagreement, stated and non-stated opinion.
How many questions are there? 6
How many marks are there? One mark for each correct answer.

DOs and DON’Ts

DOs

  1. Listen to and read the instructions. Make sure you know what kind of text you will hear, what it is about and what you have to do in each part.
  2. Think about the topic, the development of ideas and the context as you read the questions. This will help you when you listen.
  3. Answer all the questions. Even if you are not 100% sure, you have probably understood enough to make a good attempt!
  4. Be careful of 'word-spotting' (when answers in options appear on the recording but in a different context).
  5. Remember to pay attention to the role of stress and intonation in supporting meaning.
  6. Write the actual word you hear. (Part 2)
  7. Remember to check your spelling. (Part 2)
  8. Look carefully at what is printed before and after the gap and think about the words which could fit both logically and grammatically. (Part 2)

DON'Ts

  1. Don't spend too much time on a difficult question. Move on to the next question and come back to the difficult one again later.
  2. Don't complicate an answer by changing or adding extra information. (Part 2)
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Información CPE - PAPER 3

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PAPER 3 : Use of English

What’s in the Use of English paper?

The Cambridge English: Proficiency Use of English paper has four parts with different types of tasks which test grammar and vocabulary.  

Summary

Time allowed: 1 hour 30 minutes
Number of parts: 5
Number of questions: 44
Marks: 20% of total

Parts 1–5

Part 1 (Open cloze)


What's in Part 1? 		A text in which there are some numbered gaps. You have to identify the right single word to fill each gap.
What do I have to practise? Grammar and vocabulary.
How many questions are there? 15
How many marks are there? One mark for each correct answer.

Part 2 (Word formation)


What's in Part 2? 		A text containing numbered gaps, each of which represents a word. At the end of the line is a ‘prompt’ word which you have to change in some way to complete the sentence correctly.
What do I have to practise? Vocabulary – word-building.
How many questions are there? 10
How many marks are there? One mark for each correct answer.

Part 3 (Gapped sentences)


What's in Part 3? 		Each question contains three sentences, each with a missing word which you have to identify. For all three sentences the missing word is the same and it must be the same part of speech.
What do I have to practise? Vocabulary – collocation, phrasal verbs and word combinations.
How many questions are there? 6
How many marks are there? Two marks for each correct answer.

Part 4 (Key word transformations)


What's in Part 4? 		For each question, you have a ‘lead-in’ sentence followed by a key word. There is then a response sentence with a gap. Using the key word, you have to complete the response sentence in 3–8 words so that it means the same as the ‘lead-in’ sentence.
What do I have to practise? Grammar and vocabulary.
How many questions are there? 8
How many marks are there? Up to two marks for each correct answer.

Part 5 (Comprehension questions and summary writing task)


What's in Part 5? 		Two texts with two comprehension questions (Questions 40–43) for each text. For the last question (Question 44) you have to write a summary of both texts in 50–70 words.
What do I have to practise? Questions 40–43: vocabulary, recognising and understanding rhetorical and stylistic devices and referencing. Question 44: selecting information, linking and sentence construction.
How many questions are there? 4 + 1 summary writing task
How many marks are there? Questions 40–43: two marks for each correct answer. Question 44: a total of 14 marks (up to 4 marks for content and up to 10 marks for summary writing skills).

DOs and DON’Ts

DOs

  1. Read the instructions, texts and questions very carefully.
  2. Decide on one answer and avoid writing alternative answers to a question.
  3. Check your spelling in all parts.
  4. Feel free to do the parts of the paper in the order that suits you best.
  5. Re-read all your gap-filling work and check that the sentences you have created sound natural.
  6. Re-read your summary, paying particular attention to the errors you know you make.
  7. Read the whole text to make sure you understand the writer's arguments before trying to answer questions. (Part 1, 2 & 5)
  8. Remember that the missing words are more likely to have a grammatical focus rather than a lexical one. (Part 1)
  9. Make sure you transfer your answers accurately from the question paper to the answer sheet; correct spelling is essential. (Parts 1, 2, 3 & 4)
  10. Use the local and global context to help you decide what fills the gaps. (Parts 1, 2, 3 & 4)
  11. Make sure that you think about all the changes a word may require: suffix, prefix, internal, more than one, singular, plural or negative, change of word class. (Part 2)
  12. Make sure the same word fits all three sentences. (Part 3)
  13. Make sure you haven't left out any information from the prompt sentence. (Part 4)
  14. Look carefully at the kind of question you are being asked to answer, especially if the question has more than one focus to it (Part 5).
  15. Select relevant information from the texts for your summary. (Part 5)
  16. Plan your summary before you write it. (Part 5)

DON'Ts

  1. Don't write too little or too much when answering the summary question.
  2. Don't only include three content points in your summary.
  3. Don't write a draft of the summary if you are running out of time.
  4. Don't copy from the texts when writing the summary or answering a question that tells you to write 'in your own words'.
  5. Don't include examples in your summary.
  6. Don't use too many linking devices in your summary because of the word limit.
  7. Don't leave any question unanswered – you don't lose marks for incorrect answers.
  8. Don't alter the word given. (Part 4)
  9. Don't write more than eight words, including the given word. (Part 4)
  10. Don't write out the full sentence. (Part 4)
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Información CPE - PAPER 2

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PAPER 2: Writing
Fuente: http://www.cambridgeesol.org/exams/cpe/index.html#wr

What’s in the Writing paper?

In the two parts of the Cambridge English: Proficiency Writing paper, you have to show that you can write different types of text in English. 

Summary

Time allowed: 2 hours
Number of parts: 2
Number of questions: Part 1: one compulsory question
Part 2: one question from a choice of four
Marks: 20% of total

Set texts

Set texts for Cambridge English: Proficiency until December 2011:
  1. Marc Norman and Tom Stoppard: Shakespeare in Love: A Screenplay (1998); film directed by John Madden.
You can prepare for questions on this set text by studying the film as well as, or instead of, the screenplay.
  1. Philip K. Dick: Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep? (1968)
The film Blade Runner (1982), directed by Ridley Scott, is based on this novel, but is very different from the original text and should not be studied instead of the novel as preparation for questions in the Writing paper.
Set texts for Cambridge English: Proficiency until December 2013:
  1. Sue Monk Kidd: The Secret Life of Bees (2002); film directed by Gina Prince-Byrewood (2008)
    Teachers may choose to prepare candidates for questions on this set text by studying the film as well as, or instead of, the novel.
  2. Harold Pinter: The Birthday Party (1958)

Parts 1–2

Part 1


What's in Part 1? 		Some material to read (approximately 100 words). Using the information in this material, you have to write an article, an essay, a letter or a proposal.
What do I have to practise? Writing a discursive text in which you may have to present and defend an argument, express and justify an opinion, explain a problem and suggest a solution or evaluate ideas and express recommendations.
How many questions are there? One compulsory question.
How much do I have to write? 300–350 words

Part 2


What's in Part 2? 		A choice of four questions (2–5). For Questions 2–4, you may have to write an article, letter, proposal, report or review.
What about Question 5? If you read one of the set books and want to write about it, you may decide to try Question 5. You have a choice of three tasks 5 (a), 5 (b) or 5 (c) for this question. You may have to write an article, essay, letter, report or review.
What do I have to practise? Writing different types of text as specified above, based on a given context.
How many questions are there? One question from a choice of four.
How much do I have to write? 300–350 words

DOs and DON’Ts

DOs

  1. Read each question very carefully.
  2. Remember that Question 1 is compulsory.
  3. Choose Part 2 questions on the basis of what interests you the most but also bear in mind the task type.
  4. Decide exactly what information you are being asked to give.
  5. Identify the target reader, your role as writer and your purpose in writing.
  6. Check which task type you are being asked to write.
  7. Organise your ideas and make a plan before you write.
  8. Use a pen, not a pencil.
  9. Write your answers in the booklet provided.
  10. Write in an appropriate style.
  11. Remember in Part 1 to use all the content points and to add your own ideas.
  12. Make sure in Part 2 that you deal with all parts of the question.
  13. Calculate how many words on average you write on a line and multiply this average by the number of lines to estimate how much you have written – don't waste time counting words individually.
  14. Follow the plan and keep in mind your purpose for writing.
  15. Use as wide a range of structure and vocabulary as you can but think carefully about when to use idioms.
  16. Use paragraphs and indent when you start a new paragraph.
  17. Check for spelling errors and the use of punctuation such as capital letters, apostrophes, commas, etc.
  18. Cross out errors with a single line through the word/s.
  19. Check structures: subject-verb agreement, tenses, word order, singular and plural nouns.
  20. Make sure that your handwriting can be read by the examiner.

DON'Ts

  1. Don't attempt a set text question if you have not read the book.
  2. Don't attempt a question if you feel unsure about the format.
  3. Don't include irrelevant material.
  4. Don't write out a rough version and then try to write a good copy – you will not have time.
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Información CPE - PAPER 1

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PAPER I : READING
Fuente: http://www.cambridgeesol.org/exams/cpe/index.html#rd

What’s in the Reading paper?

The Cambridge English: Proficiency Reading paper has different types of text and questions. In one part, you may have to read one long text or two or more shorter, related texts. 

Summary

Time allowed: 1 hour 30 minutes
Number of parts: 4
Number of questions: 40
Marks: 20% of total
Lengths of texts: 2,475–3,350 words to read in total
Texts may be from: Books, non-specialist articles from journals, magazines and newspapers, promotional and informational materials (e.g. advertisements, guide books, manuals)

Parts 1–4

Part 1 (Multiple-choice lexical cloze)


What's in Part 1? 		Three unrelated texts from a range of sources, each with six gaps. You must choose one word or phrase from a set of four (A, B, C or D) to fill each gap.
What do I have to practise? Idioms, collocations, fixed phrases, complementation, phrasal verbs, semantic precision.
How many questions are there? 18
How many marks do I get? One mark for each correct answer.

Part 2 (Multiple choice)


What's in Part 2? 		Four texts on the same theme from a range of sources. Each text is followed by two multiple-choice questions. You have to choose the correct answer from four options (A, B, C or D).
What do I have to practise? How to identify detail, opinion, attitude, tone, purpose, main idea, implication, text organisation features (exemplification, comparison, reference).
How many questions are there? 8
How many marks do I get? Two marks for each correct answer.

Part 3 (Gapped text)


What's in Part 3? 		A text from which some paragraphs have been removed and placed in jumbled order after the text. You have to identify the correct paragraph for each gap.
What do I have to practise? How to understand the structure, development, and global meaning of a text.
How many questions are there? 7
How many marks do I get? Two marks for each correct answer.

Part 4 (Multiple choice)


What's in Part 4? 		A long text followed by some multiple-choice questions, each with four options (A, B, C or D).
What do I have to practise? Identifying detail, opinion, attitude, tone, purpose, main idea, implication and how a text is organised.
How many questions are there? 7
How many marks do I get? Two marks for each correct answer.

DOs and DON’Ts

DOs

  1. Read the sources, titles and subtitles of the texts where given; they are there to help you.
  2. Read each text carefully before you answer the questions to get an overall impression and understanding of it. This includes Part 3, the gapped text task. (Parts 1 & 3)
  3. Remember, the missing word(s) may be forming part of an idiom, fixed phrase or collocation, so always check the words around the gap carefully. (Part 1)
  4. Remember, the missing word(s) must fit the context of the passage, so always check that the completed sentence makes sense in the passage as a whole. (Part 1)
  5. Read the questions carefully and check each option against the text before rejecting it. (Parts 2 & 4)
  6. Keep an overall idea of the development of the text. You will need to check that the extracts chosen to fit the gaps in the base text fit the progression of the argument or narrative as a whole. (Part 3)

DON'Ts

  1. Don't try to answer any questions without referring carefully to the text.
  2. Don't spend too much time on any one part of the paper.
  3. Don't forget to record your answers on the separate answer sheet.
  4. Don't assume that if the same word appears in the text as well as in an option, this means you have located the answer. (Parts 2 & 4)
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Información CAE - PAPER 5

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PARTE V: Speaking

The Speaking test

The Speaking test uses a paired format where two candidates are assessed by two trained Cambridge ESOL examiners. One examiner acts as an ‘interlocutor’ and conducts the test, while the second examiner acts as an assessor and does not join in the conversation.
The Speaking test requires candidates to carry out a range of speaking tasks:
Each candidate has a short conversation with the interlocutor about themselves and subjects from daily life.
Each candidate then has a 1-minute turn where they are asked to make comparisons, express opinions, describe and speculate about visual stimuli.
Both candidates are asked to engage in conversation together while completing a collaborative task. They must then engage with the interlocutor in a wider discussion about the completed task.

Test focus

The paired Speaking test format offers candidates the opportunity to demonstrate their ability to use spoken language skills effectively in a range of contexts.
By using a face-to-face test with paired candidates, we reduce the anxiety experienced by candidates, create a more authentic exercise in communication and thereby get a more reliable measure of their ability to use English.
At Level C1, candidates are required to show their ability to organise their thoughts and ideas and express themselves coherently using appropriate language.
Candidates need to show they can exchange information, express and justify their opinions, and agree or disagree with one another.
They must also demonstrate that they are capable of discussing topics and certain issues in depth.


Fuente: http://cambridge-english-advanced.cambridgeesol.org/exam-overview/format-exam/speaking-test
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Información CAE - PAPER 4

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PARTE IV : ESCUCHAR Y ENTENDER EL INGLÉS

The Listening test

The Listening test consists of 30 questions in four sections.
Types of task used include multiple choice, sentence completion and multiple matching. Candidates must answer questions after listening to either short monologues or interacting speakers.

Test focus

Different parts of the test focus on different types of listening experience and comprehension. The candidate is required to be able to follow and understand a range of spoken materials such as: lectures, speeches, interviews, discussions and anecdotes.
Candidates must demonstrate understanding of gist and detail, feeling, attitude, opinion and purpose expressed.
A variety of voices, styles of delivery and accents are heard in each paper to reflect the international contexts of the test takers.

Fuente: http://cambridge-english-advanced.cambridgeesol.org/exam-overview/format-exam/listening-test
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Información CAE - PAPER 3

23:08 , , ,

 

Parte III - Uso del Inglés

The Use of English test

The Use of English test consists of 50 questions over five parts.
The test uses a variety of tasks: multiple choice, gap-fill, word formation, key word transformation and gapped sentences.

Test focus

The Use of English test requires candidates to demonstrate their ability to apply their knowledge of English vocabulary and grammatical structures appropriate to the C1 level.

Fuente: http://cambridge-english-advanced.cambridgeesol.org/exam-overview/format-exam/use-english-test
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Información CAE - PAPER 2

23:06 , , ,

Parte II - Redacción avanzada

 The Writing test

The Writing test consists of two tasks which require candidates to be able to write a variety of different text types such as essays, proposals, reports and reviews.

Part 1 consists of one compulsory task. Candidates write an article, a report, a proposal, or a letter based on material of up to 150 words.
In Part 2, candidates must complete one task from a choice of five. Two of the five questions are based on set reading texts.
Test focus
Candidates must show they can write non-specialised types of English language text, such as an article, an essay, a letter, a proposal or a report.
Candidate responses are evaluated in relation to their choice and management of content and their control of organisation and cohesion, the range of structures and vocabulary used, and their use of register and format.
Candidates are required to show that they can use writing to communicate effectively, demonstrating ability to advise, persuade, compare, evaluate, express opinions, hypothesise and justify.

Set texts 2011

One or both of the following texts may be read as preparation for the two optional set text tasks:
John Steinbeck: Of Mice and Men
Donna Leon: Through a Glass, Darkly

Set texts 2012

One or both of the following texts may be read as preparation for the two optional set text tasks:
William Golding: Lord of the Flies
(Teachers may choose to prepare candidates for questions on this set text by studying a film version as well as, or instead of, the novel.)
P.D. James: The Lighthouse
(There is currently no film version of this book.)
Candidates should be made aware that they should not attempt the set text question unless they have the necessary vocabulary and understanding of the text to answer the task set. Teachers are best placed to make a judgement as to which, if any, of the set texts and/or film versions may be appropriate and stimulating for a given teaching situation.

Fuente: http://cambridge-english-advanced.cambridgeesol.org/exam-overview/format-exam/writing-test

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Información CAE - PAPER 1

23:04 , , ,

 

Parte I - Comprensión de Lectura

The Reading test

The Reading test consists of 34 questions over four sections. The Reading paper lasts for 1 hour 15 minutes.
A variety of text types are used including articles from newspapers, magazines, journals, extracts from books (fiction and non-fiction), promotional and informational materials.
The types of tasks used include multiple choice, matching and a gapped text task where candidates read a text from which six paragraphs have been removed and placed in a jumbled order.

Test focus

The Reading Test requires candidates to show they can understand and deal confidently with different types of English language text.
It tests ability to understand the main ideas and detail of written text along with the opinion, tone, purpose, attitude, and text organisation features (such as exemplification, comparison, reference).


Fuente: http://cambridge-english-advanced.cambridgeesol.org/exam-overview/format-exam/reading-test
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