FCE Use of English Part 1: Multiple Choice
Discover FCE Use of English Part 1 in this article, download EXERCISES IN PDF and do Use of English B2 Exercises online.
Table of contents
As we have previously seen on other occasions, the Use of English B2 is one of the 5 papers that make the B2 First (FCE) test. This paper will test your capacity to put your lexical and grammatical understanding of the language to use. It’s a creative mix of vocabulary and grammar exercises that assesses your ability to use English features in writing. However, in this article we will focus specifically in Use of English B2 Part 1, which is a multiple choice type of task. Let’s dive in now to learn more about this part of the FCE exam.
Description of B2 First Reading and Use of English Part 1
B2 Use of English Part 1 consists of a short text with eight gaps in it (plus one gap as an example). Each gap represents a word or phrase that is missing. The text is then followed by eight groups of four words or phrases (A, B, C or D), each of which corresponds to a gap. You must decide which of the four words or sentences in the set correctly fills the gap.
In order to complete the gaps, you ought to draw on your lexical knowledge and understanding of the text. In general, you will need to prove that you’re familiar with upper-intermediate vocabulary, collocations, set phrases, phrasal verbs, dependent prepositions, etc.
Here’s sample Use of English Part 1 for B2 First:
On the pages above we have:
- Gapped text on the left: 8 gaps (1-8) and a sample gap (0)
- Possible answers on the right: 8 sets (1-8) of 4 options (A, B, C or D)
[amazon box=»B09YNX5H3V» description=»This book contains ten practice tests for the Use of English of the B2 First test, formerly known as First Certificate in English (FCE), an examination developed by Cambridge Assessment English.»]
It is important to note that, in 2015, Reading and Use of English were combined into one single paper of the B2 First, and when this happened, Use of English Part 1 – Multiple Choice officially became part of Reading instead of Use of English, despite maintaining its original format. However, due to the nature and features of this task, I have decided to include it as part of the Use of English, as it has more to do with the way the English language is used than with reading comprehension itself.
10 FCE Use of English Exercises Online
What follows is a compilation of Use of English Part 1 activities for B2 First (FCE). I have compiled and adapted these exercises from the internet over the years, but do not know who the writer/creator/publisher is. So please, if you are aware of who created these texts or know the original source, do not hesitate to contact me. I’ll be happy to either reference them appropriately or remove them to prevent copyright infringement.
B2 Use of English Part 1 – Exercise 1: Fabric Designer
B2 Use of English Part 1 – Exercise 2: The Art of Forgetting
B2 Use of English Part 1 – Exercise 3: From fiction to reality
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B2 Use of English Part 1 – Exercise 4: Where to Go Whale Watching
B2 Use of English Part 1 – Exercise 5: What Is a Coincidence?
B2 Use of English Part 1 – Exercise 6: Messages from the Stone Age
B2 Use of English Part 1 – Exercise 7: Drumming Up Business
B2 Use of English Part 1 – Exercise 8: Multitasking Children
B2 Use of English Part 1 – Exercise 9: First Shopping Centre
B2 Use of English Part 1 – Exercise 10: Working for Navy
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Download Use of English B2 Exercises in PDF for Free
The following are Use of English Part 1 handouts in PDF that I have created for my students. They’re a few years old, so the format may not be perfect, but they’re still great practice resources.
- Use of English Part 1: Georgia Floods
- Use of English Part 1: Introduction to Sociology
- Use of English Part 1: Only When I Laugh
- Use of English Part 1: Star Wars Plane
FAQ: Use of English Part 1 – B2 First
Here’s a few frequently asked questions about the first part of the Use of English in the FCE test.
In B2 Use of English Part 1, can there be more than one correct answer?
No, there’s always only one possible answer in Part 1. While sometimes you will encounter similar options and even options that are not grammatically incorrect, there is always one that suits the gap better, more naturally, than the others. That’s sometimes where the difficulty lies in this part.
Will incorrect answers penalise me in FCE Use of English Part 1?
No, they won’t. Incorrect answers simply don’t add points to your score, but they won’t make you lose any marks. So it’s always best not to leave any questions unanswered.
How long are the texts in B2 First Use of English Part 1?
These texts are usually 140-180 words long, and are normally divided into two or three short paragraphs.
Use of English B2: 10 Use of English Tests for B2 First (FCE)
If you need more resources to prepare the Use of English, make sure you check out my latest book for this part of the exam. In this book you will find:
- Description of the Use of English paper in the FCE test by Cambridge English.
- Frequently asked questions (FAQ).
- 10 practice tests (including parts 1 to 4 from the Reading & Use of English paper).
- A photocopiable answer sheet per test.
- Instructions to calculate your own score.
- The key for each B2 Use of English test.
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>> Next Part: Use of English Part 2 – Open Cloze