PAPER 1 - RUE

PART 1 pag. 48 student’s book

This part tests your knowledge of phrasal verbs, complementations, fixed phrases, idioms,
collocations and semantic precision.
TIPS:
- read the whole text first.
- think carefully: you’re not only tested in choosing the right thing grammatically, but also the
word that fits best the sense and the tone of the text.
- ALWAYS PUT AN ANSWER even if you have no clue!

PART 2
Complete a text which has eight numbered gaps. The missing words will have a mainly
grammatical focus, although there might be a few vocabulary items. Each gap must be filled with
one word only.
It is very important to read through the whole text carefully before you decide to write anything
down. Some answers may be dependent on a sentence which comes later in the text (as
awareness of the writer’s train of thought and logical argument is often tested at Proficiency
level). The areas which are often tested are:
 FIXED PHRASES (as a rule, to all extent and purposes)
 RELATIVE PRONOUNS (who, which )
 LINKERS (moreover, let alone )
 PREPOSITIONAL PHRASES (out of order)
 PHRASAL VERBS (to turn up, to take over )
 PREPOSITIONS (result in, regardless of )
 COLLOCATIONS (seriously interesting, widely read )
 REFLEXIVE PRONOUNS (myself, himself )
 ARTICLES ( the, a)
 COMPARISON (fewer, many )
First – read the whole thing and decide which kind of word goes in each gap. Make sure each word
makes sense and fits grammatically. Write your answer on the answer sheet.
PART 3
There are 3 main categories of changes tested here: AFFIXATION, COMPOUND and GRAMMATICAL
CHANGE.
Read the text carefully – ONE SPACE MAY REQUIRE A PLURAL OR A NEGATIVE FORM.

AFFIXES
- Noun to adjective: flaw → flawless - Verb to noun: act → interaction
- Noun to negative adverb: effect → - Verb to plural noun: apply →
ineffectively applicants
- Adjective to negative adverb: definite - Adjective to verb: deep → deepened
→ indefinitely
EXAM ADVICE:
- Read through the text and decide which form of the given word you need to use
- Be careful as you will need to use a negative prefix or another form of prefix at least once
- Check to see if a noun needs to be plural
- All words must be correctly spelled (American spelling is accepted)
- Write your answer in capital letters.
Checklist to follow:
- Do you need to make the word plural?
- Is a prefix needed
- Does any prefix need to be negative

PART 4 key word transformation

 Read both sentences carefully
 Make sure that you actually use the word given and that you don’t change its form in any
way.
 Don’t add anything which isn’t necessary.
 Make sure your sentence means the same as the first sentence.
 You will often need to use the words in the first sentence in a different form. For
example, you may have to change a verb to a noun. (don’t use different verbs!!)
 Remember to count the number of words you write. Contractions count as two words.

PART 5
There are 6 multiple choice questions.
You should read the text and THE QUESTIONS TOO (wrong answers are often very close in
meaning to the text).
- Read the text carefully
- Read questions VERY carefully and underline your answers in the text
- choose option A to D which best fits the answer.
- Read the text again to make sure you’re correct. DON’T SPEND TOO MUCH TIME
WORRYING ABOUT A WORD YOU CANT GUESS THE MEANING OF.
PART 6 Page 50 Student’s book + 82 (12 minutes)
It is a text which. Has had 7 paragraphs removed and placed in jumbled order after the text. You
must decide from where in the text they were removed. This part tests cohesion, text structure
and global meaning.
EXAM ADVICE:
- Read through the base text for general meaning and then read. The removed paragraphs
very carefully. Go back and read the text more carefully.
- Highlight any words which will help you to find which paragraph goes where.
- You need to fully understand what is going on in each paragraph to be able to do this task.
However, both subject and grammatical links are important.
- Try to find a suitable paragraph for each gap. Check if it fits by reading both the paragraph
before and the one after.
- Go back at the end and check that the whole passage makes sense.
- As a last check, make sure the extra paragraph wouldn’t fit in any of the gaps. If it would,
you will need to check your answer carefully again to see where you have gone wrong.

PART 7 (12 min circa)

Finding in which of the 5 texts, the 10 pieces of information are mentioned.
There is a long text divided into sections. You read them well and then look at the questions.
underline the parts in the text that FULLY answer the question.
EXAM ADVICE:
- Read the title and if present the subtitle, carefully
- Skim the sections quickly to get an idea of the subject matter. Don’t worry abt vocabulary
you’re not familiar with
- Read through the questions carefully
- Scan the text for specific information that answers the question: When you find an answer
in the text, underline it and put the question number next to it.
- Don’t spend too much time looking for an answer. Leave it until the end and move on to
the next one.
- At the end, go back to the questions you have no answer to or the ones youre unsure abt.
Never leave a blank answer.
- The question ask you to locate words/phrases/sentences that mean the same as the ones
used in the question – a paraphrase. Often, an idea will be repeated in more than one
section, but only one section really answers the question.
- Don’t just look for a word in the question to be repeated in the text. This will not be the
answer, just a distractor.
- Check to make sure that the part of the text where you think the answer is fully answers
the question. Sometimes the question comes in two parts, for example “a surprising view
held on the integrity of a subject”.
PAPER 3 - LISTENING
PART 1
Three short extracts, each with two multiple choice questions. Read through the questions
BEFORE you listen!!

EXAM ADVICE
• You have 15 seconds to read the questions before you hear each extract. Make good use of this
time.
• Use the first hearing to get a general idea of what the extract is about. The questions are in the
order in which you will hear the answer on the recording. However, you sometimes need to hear
the whole extract to answer some questions.
• Always keep the questions in mind when you answer. Some of the choices for each question
may look correct, but not answer the question.
• The second time you hear the extract, mark your answer on your answer sheet.
• Always put an answer, even if you aren't sure. You have a 33% chance of getting it right.
• Points aren't deducted for wrong answers.

PART 2
You need to complete nine sentences with information you hear. You only need to write one word
or a short phrase. DO NOT USE YOUR OWN WORDS: you should write down the words you hear.

EXAM ADVICE:
• You have 45 seconds to read through the questions before you hear the piece. Make good use of
this time.
• Make sure you read ahead or else you will get lost and begin to panic. Always know the topic of
the next question.
• You should write what you hear; there is no need to change the words into a
different form. Make sure the word or short phrase you write fits the sense of the sentence to be
completed.
• Look out for clues - e.g. an before the space; the use of a particular preposition, in, on, etc; the
use of many rather than much to show a countable noun is needed.
You shouldn't write a whole sentence.

PART 3: multiple choice task

You must understand detail and infer meaning. This will include identifying attitude and opinion in
what is said. Read the five questions carefully before the recording starts and read them again
before the second listening. They provide clues on what to listen out for.
EXAM ADVICE:
- You have one minute to read the questions and possible anwers.
- Don’t get stuck on one question – make sure you are always reading ahead so you don’t
get lost
- See exam advice for Part 1
PART 4
You are tested on whether you can identify gist, attitude, main points and interpret context. You
need to complete TWO TASKS as you listen. Sometimes you will hear the answer to task 2 before
the answer to task 1. You can hear the recording twice.

EXAM ADVICE:
- Make good use of the 45 seconds you must read through both tasks.
- Always put an answer.
- Check your answers carefully during the 2nd listening.
- Don’t put an answer just because you hear the same word that you find in the answer. It is
probably a distraction.
Paper 4 - SPEAKING
PART 1
2 minutes to speak about yourself and express personal opinions

PART2
4 minutes – two-way conversation
You have a written or visual prompt:
- 1 minute to discuss which picture interests you the most/relate to most
- 3 minutes for a more specific task related to the pictures (talk together and decide
something – related to the pictures obv).

PART 3 pag.104 SB,

Each candidate has an individual long turn of two minutes. You will be given a prompt card
containing the question you have to speak about. Below the question, there are three ideas, which
you can include or not, as you wish.
The emphasis is on your ability to speak fluently and to organize your ideas into a coherent whole.
Before you start speaking, USE THE 10 SECONDS ALLOWED TO ORDER YOUR THOUGHTS.

Following each long turn, the second candidate is asked a question by the interlocutor that relates
to what they have been listening to, so you must pay attention during the two minutes when your
partner is speaking, and listen carefully.
One minute is allowed for your response to the interlocutor’s question and further discussion with
the other candidate.

Here are some expressions that can be used while talking (example: implications of scientific
research today. Career opportunities, commercial interests and moral issues).

Basic expressions Advanced language

At the cutting edge In the vanguard
Having advantages and disadvantages Double edged sword
Non-expert The lay person
As an end in itself For its own sake
Effectively controlled by law Subject to enough regulations
The benefit of society at large The greater good

While speaking stress important words and slow down / pause when making an important point.
Might also help in thinking about what you want to say next.
PAPER 2: WRITING
PART 1 – THE ESSAY
- It’s a discursive task – expresses an - Impersonal tone – no reference to
argument personal experience
- Register: unmarked - REFROMULATION!!

 In the two texts presented there are TWO MAIN POINTS EACH, which you need to identify (and
underline when possible).
 Decide if you agree or not with the points made
 Plan your answer in 4/5 paragraphs. You answer must contain:
1) A summary + an evaluation of the four points
2) Some relevant ideas of mine
3) Concept expressed with my own words where possible

TIPS:
1. spend 5 minutes before starting to list thing/own examples to support your argument.
2. Summarizing means not using many of the words given to you. It’s important to
manipulate words. One way of doing it is using negative adjectives.
3. Refer to the 4 points CLEARLY.
4. Introduce the main argument at the outset (=all’inizio)
5. Organize in logical paragraphs
6. Make sure argument is coherent
7. Include an effective conclusion
8. Use sentence openers and linkers.
9. Unmarked register and impersonal tone.

! – Un essay può cominciare anche con “The first text examines…” e parla in modo diretto dei due
testi. In questo caso si può poi proseguire con “in contrast to/according to the former position, the
second text…”.

*USE OF RETHORICAL QUESTIONS

SENTENCE OPENERS

GENERALISING
It is often said that
It is usually the case that RAISING AN ARGUMENT
People tend to regard Considering…
The reality is that On the question of…
No one would dispute…
SPECIFYING
From the classical performer’s point of view GIVING ONE SIDE
Professional musicians are seen as.. One argument in favor of this…
In terms of the school curriculum itself… In support of…
As far as parents are concerned It is true that…
GIVING THE OTHER SIDE ADRESSING TEXTS DIRECTLY + PERSONAL
At the same time OPINION
In actual fact According to the first passage
On the other hand The two texts contrast differing views of…
In contrast to Personally, I…
Set /Weighed against this is… The second text puts forward…
This is not to say that… I believe that…
In conclusion, it is my opinion that…

LINKING DEVICES
In an essay you need to choose your linkng devices carefully. Don’t start sentences with AND, OR,
BUT. Link your points together using:

INTRODUCING
First of all,..
Firstly,… CONCEDING
Secondly,… However
At the same time,… Even though
Although
ADDING On the other hand
Besides, Then again
Moreover,
In addition, RESULT
Additionally, Therefore
Above all, Thus
Not only,… but also… Consequently
So
SUMMARISING
Finally, TO CONTRAST INFORMATION
In short/brief, Be that as it may
In conclusion, Conversely
To conclude, Despite this
Even so
EQUATION Nonetheless
Equally, On the other hand
Likewise, Whereas
Similarly,
In the same way,
USEFUL LANGUAGE

LINKING POINTS AND ARGUMENTS

As opposed to
In the sense that
For this reason ATTITUDE
personally
MAKING GENERALISATIONS unfortunately
On the whole obviously
In general evidently
For the most part presumably
As a rule naturally
fortunately
BEING SPECIFIC
With respect to QUANTITY
In the case of A great deal of
As regards To some/a large extent
In terms of A large number of
With the exception of
PART 2
The Essay
Remember, writing an essay in part 2 requires a FORMAL register.

The Article
- It has an eye-catching title
- Opens with a thought-provoking statement
- Uses stylistic devices to hold the reader’s attention and interest throughout

TIPS:
1) Read question carefully
2) Spend few minutes making notes of your ideas to include
3) Order your ideas logically and to best effect
4) Present a balanced argument or a personal view
5) Use rhetorical questions to keep interest
6) Write in an appropriate register
7) Include a punchy final message

EXPRESSIONS IN JOURNALISTIC STYLE. USED TO UNDERLINE AN OPNION

When all is said and done

In the final analysis
At the end of the day USE IN ARTICLES, REVIEWS
All things considered AND LETTERS (addressed to
When you come to think of it newspapers)
In the clear light of day
All in all

*USE OF RETHORICAL QUESTIONS

The Review
You’re asked to review a film, a book, a concert or a media event. You are likely to have to
comment in a more general way.

EXAMPLE: Review of a film with special effects; why do you think they are an important feature.
 Lead into the revies
 Introduce the movie by its title
 Describe its special effects
 Evaluate the importance of special FX in general.

ADVICE:
1. Balance information and opinion
2. Do NOT describe whole plot
3. Mention the title EARLY in the review
4. Introduce your opinion with the suitable linkers
5. Use rhetorical questions to preface opinions and ideas
6. Show your vocabulary, especially specialists terms

USEFUL VOCABULARY FOR MOVIES:

- Blockbuster
- Budget
- Sub-plot
- Kick-in
- Portrayed by
- Stars / starring
- Outstanding
- Cuts to
- Prerequisite
- Digital imaging
- Action
- Cinematography
- Producer
- Scene setting
- Script writer
- Cast
- Crew
- Screenplay
- Props department
- Wardrobe manager
The Report
- Impersonal language
- Neutral tone
- PASSIVE STRUCTURES in order to achieve the overstated!
- Sub-headings and organising devices such as bullets will make the report easier to read.

 Use SIGNPOSTING DEVICES to help the reader process what they’re reading:
This report summarises
The first point
This is dealt with in the final section Returning to pure science
Here are…
As already discussed
Alongside this decision
Below is a different interpretation of..
The previous statement confirms that…
Further ideas will be elaborated in the next two sections
As mentioned in the outset…
It should be now be considered whether
It would appear then that
The aspects covered earlier suggest
This does not necessarily mean that

EXAM ADVICE:
1. Make a detailed plan. To plan your report, make a spider diagram like this.
think of what to include under each area
2. Draft suitable sub-headings for each section.
3. Add bullets when listing information
4. Signpost the information clearly
5. Write in a neutral, impersonal style
6. Include passive structures
7. Use a range of relevant vocabulary.

EXAMPLE OF EXAM TASK:

You belong to an international film club and have been asked to write the club's annual report this
year. This report is written for club members and has to include information about the main
events held over the last twelve months, to present plans for activities in the coming year and to
summarise the current financial position of the club in respect of money received and
payments made.
The Letter
- Formal register
- Target reader: editor of a newspaper or magazine, ecc.
- Don’t include postal addresses
- Should be paragraphed and have suitable OPENING + CLOSE.

EXAM ADVICE:
Read the question carefully to understand the scenario.
Think about the purpose of the letter – what should it achieve?
Use a suitably polite tone for the target reader specified.
Write consistently in a formal register.
Use paragraphs and cohesive devices.
State your reason for writing in the outset.
Conclude your letter clearly and add a formal close, such as “Yours faithfully”.

START WITH:
Dear Sir or Madam OPPURE To the editor
I am writing with regards to (the feature in your magazine that concerns *topic*).

END WITH: We look forward to hearing from you in due course. YOURS FAITHFULLY,…

What would be your opinion on this?

EXPRESSIONS USEFUL WHEN ARGUING FOR/AGAINST A COURSE OF ACTION:

DO SOMETHING POSITIVE DEAL WITH, AT SOME STAGE, STOP WORKING ON

WITHOUT DELAY
Give priority to
Take initiative in
Set in motion immediately
Back the establishment of
Sanction major investment in
BUT LOW PRIORITY
Place less emphasis on Put on hold
Allocate minimal resources to Freeze the development of
Pull out of

1.
Set text question
You are asked to write a review, article, report, essay or formal letter. You need to
- Refer clearly to the text studied
- Include detail and if possible brief quotations
- Don’t just narrate the plot: you’ll be asked to describe, compare and/or evaluate
- USE APPROPRIATE RESITER BASED ON THE ASSIGNMENT: unmarked or formal (for essay).
- Summarise your views in a conclusion.

EXAM ADVICE
• When answering a set text question, decide what language functions the question requires.
• List ideas for each paragraph.
• Decide on key information to include about the book.
• Note down brief quotations (only if they are relevant).
• Vary your linking devices.
• Introduce the book in different ways.
• Use as wide a range of language as you can.

SENTENCE OPENERS THEIR FUNCTION

UP TO THIS POINT,… For reference to the book
IN MUCH THE SAME WAY For comparison
EVENTUALLY For reference to the book
BY AND LARGE (“IN GENERALE”) For evaluation
BY THE SAME TOKEN For comparison
SUBSEQUENT TO THIS, For reference to the book
TO A CERTAIN EXTENT For evaluation
WITHIN A MATTER OF HOURS, For reference to the book
ON BALANCE For evaluation
AS IT TURNS OUT For reference to the book
FOR THE MOST PART For evaluation