Reading and Use of English

Shows you can deal confidently with different types of text, such as fiction, newspapers and magazines. Tests your use of English with different types of exercise that show how well you can control your grammar and vocabulary.

Time allowed: 1 hour 30 minutes

Number of parts: 8

Number of questions: 56

Marks: 40% of total

Length of texts: 3,000–3,500 words to read in total.

Texts may be from: Newspapers and magazines, journals, books (fiction and non-fiction), promotional and informational materials; Vocabulary – idioms, collocations, shades of meaning, phrasal verbs, fixed phrases etc.; Reading for detail, opinion, tone, purpose, main idea, implication, attitude; Understanding and comparing opinions and attitudes across texts;How to understand the structure and development of a text.

What do I have to practise? Grammar and Vocabulary – idioms, collocations, shades of meaning, phrasal verbs, fixed phrases etc; reading for detail, opinion, tone, purpose, main idea, implication, attitude; how to understand the structure and development of a text; reading for specific information, detail, opinion and attitude.

"Teacher, I really want a grammar book that I can use as a reference. Can you recommend one?"

Dear students, I don't think you need to buy a grammar book just for the FCE, but if you really wish to use one, here are some books I recommend for B2 level:

Advanced English Grammar in Use Book With Answers - Raymond Murphy
MacMillan English Grammar in Context - Michael Vince
Oxford English Grammar Course: Advanced - Michael Swan, Catherine Walter
Oxford Practice Grammar: Advanced - John Eastwood
English Idioms in Use Advanced Book with Answers: Vocabulary Reference and Practice - Michael McCarthy, Felicity O'Dell
English Collocations in Use Advanced Book with Answers: How Words Work Together for Fluent and Natural English - Michael McCarthy, Felicity O'Dell
English Phrasal Verbs in Use Advanced Book with Answers: Vocabulary Reference and Practice - Michael McCarthy, Felicity O'Dell