B2 First (FCE) Reading and Use of English – Practice Test 1 — Explanation

Welcome to this free Cambridge B2 First (FCE) Reading and Use of English practice test. It follows the real exam format exactly — the same seven parts, the same question types and the same number of questions — so you always know what to expect on exam day. Every exercise gives you instant answers with short explanations, so you learn from your mistakes straight away.

The B2 First Reading and Use of English paper lasts 1 hour 15 minutes, has 52 questions and is worth 40% of your total mark. Work through the seven exercises below in order, or jump straight to the part you want to practise.

What is the B2 First (FCE) Reading and Use of English exam?

B2 First is Cambridge English's upper-intermediate exam. This paper tests both your reading — understanding articles, reviews, stories and factual texts in detail — and your use of English — your control of grammar, vocabulary and word-building. You need accuracy as well as understanding, so read carefully and check your spelling.

The seven parts, one by one

• Part 1 (Questions 1–8) — Multiple-choice cloze. Read a text with eight gaps and choose the correct word (A, B, C or D) for each. This tests vocabulary, especially collocation and phrasal verbs.
• Part 2 (Questions 9–16) — Open cloze. Read a text with eight gaps and write one word in each. This tests grammar words such as articles, prepositions, pronouns and linkers.
• Part 3 (Questions 17–24) — Word formation. Change the word in capitals to form a word that fits the gap (for example, a noun, an adjective or a negative form).
• Part 4 (Questions 25–30) — Key word transformation. Rewrite a sentence so it means the same, using a given word. Use two to five words and do not change the key word.
• Part 5 (Questions 31–36) — Multiple choice. Read one longer text and answer six questions (A, B, C or D) about detail, opinion, attitude and meaning.
• Part 6 (Questions 37–42) — Gapped text. Six sentences have been removed from a text. Choose the sentence that fits each gap. There is one extra sentence.
• Part 7 (Questions 43–52) — Multiple matching. Match ten questions to the correct section (A–E) of a text. Some sections are used more than once.

How to get a good score

• In Parts 1–4, accuracy matters. One wrong letter can cost the mark, so check spelling and the exact form of each word.
• In Part 4, count your words. Contractions like "don't" count as two words, and you must use between two and five.
• In Part 5, find evidence in the text for every answer, and beware of options that repeat words but change the meaning.
• In Part 6, look at what comes before and after the gap — pronouns, linkers and references such as this, they and however tell you which sentence fits.
• In Part 7, underline key words in the questions and scan the sections for the same idea in different words.
• Answer every question. There is no penalty for a wrong answer, so never leave a blank.

Ready? Start with Part 1 below and work through all seven exercises.