New, online version of this test :: Answer Keys :: Vocabulary
CAE Reading and Use of English Part 1
For questions 1-8, read the text below and decide which answer (А, В, C or D) best fits each gap. There is an example at the beginning (0).
Example:
Example:
A keeping В holding C clutching D grabbing
I wish I’d known that before
I’ve always tried to be a supportive friend, 0 keeping my own counsel on my true opinions. I’ve lied to 1 _______ a friend’s face and gone to parties with people I couldn’t stand 2 _______ upset them. But now I’m older I have realised that being permanently sympathetic is not the way to hold on to your integrity and well-being. Armed with this understanding, I planned to 3 _______ on a policy of being totally honest at all times. I came across research that 4 _______ me up, claiming that often people don’t actually want the truth and that being honest reduces the stress that inevitably accompanies 5 _______ so-called white lies. So I decided to 6 _______ ahead. Some people hated me, others were angry, but my real friends valued my honesty. 7 _______, I was aware of the damage bluntness can do but I’ve learned that true friendship survives on sincerity and a few 8 _______ truths won’t ruin it. I wish I’d known that before!
| 1 | A rescue | B save | C recover | D retain |
| 2 | A instead of | B in place of | C in preference to | D rather than |
| 3 | A begin | В embark | C commence | D engage |
| 4 | A backed | В supported | C held | D took |
| 5 | A saying | В speaking | C recounting | D telling |
| 6 | A go | В move | C got | D push |
| 7 | A Although | В Obviously | C Conversely | D At last |
| 8 | A house | B home | C base | D foundation |
CAE Reading and Use of English Part 2
For questions 9-16, read the text below and think of the word which best fits each gap. Use only one word in each gap. There is an example at the beginning (0).
Write your answers IN CAPITAL LETTERS on the separate answer sheet
Example: (0) THE
Happiness is a state of mind
Research undertaken into 0 the pursuit of happiness has produced some interesting ideas. Apparently, our level of happiness depends on 9 _______ much we invest in it. The hypothesis is that happiness resembles a skill and can therefore be learned — if people are willing to put time and effort 10 _______ perfecting it. Meditation seems to be a key factor and this 11 _______ be scientifically demonstrated. MRI scans performed on people who meditated regularly showed raised levels of positivity in the left-hand side of 12 _______ brains, the part usually connected with happiness. At the same time, they managed to keep the more negative right side 13 _______ check. Does this mean only specialist meditators can be happy? Apparently 14_______, as even people who only meditated occasionally demonstrated greater positivity. This could indicate that tweaking the 15 _______ we channel out thoughts, modifying our perception of things around us, can 16 _______ a big difference to our sense of well-being. If true, isn’t it worth putting in some effort?
CAE Reading and Use of English Part 3
For questions 17-24, read the text below. Use the word given in capitals at the end of some of the lines to form a word that fits in the gap in the same line. There is an example at the beginning (0).
Write your answers IN CAPITAL LETTERS on the separate answer sheet.
Example: (0) PERSONALITY
The route to perfection
| Can there be perfection without pain for those who are 0 successful in the world of dance? Achieving excellence depends on many different things, including physique and luck. However,it is 17 _______ that those who dance professionally must also follow a 18 _______ training regime, combining this with complete 19 _______ to their art – and this can certainly be painful. Dancers have to be like 20 _______ athletes but they also have to combine fitness with elegance and 21 _______. It’s said that giving a professional dance performance is not 22 _______ to playing a football game as dancers have to combine periods of sustained activity with short bursts of 23 _______ energy, while also being able to recover quickly. In the past dancers trained mostly by going through 24 _______ routines but in the modern world, with its high standards of fitness, they use additional techniques such as gym routines to gain muscle strength and stamina. Their ultimate aim is perfection. | 0 SUCCESS 17 DISPUTE 18 RIGOUR 19 DEDICATE 20 ENDURE 21 MUSIC 22 SIMILAR 23 EXPLODE 24 REPEAT |
Click to download this CAE Reading and Use of English worksheet in PDF
Of course, angle brackets are no good. Once again:
Ad 39-A
I think the answer is here, on the very end of paragraph A:
“[…] if they use the practical techniques learned in drama school they will be better equipped to […] face their critics knowing they have performed well”
To put this into context:
B – “When a performance is a revelation, and completely truthful in what it says about life, it lifts both audience and the actors on to a different level.”
C – “The audience must believe in their characters and understand a greater truth.”
D – “[…] the aim of the actor is to convey his or her version of the truth of the play to the audience. Every actor wants to achieve a performance that really reaches an audience and helps them look at something in a new way.”
Hope it helped!
JS
Josef, thank you so much for clearing this up! I have included your explanation in the answer key sheet, I hope you don’t mind me mentioning your name there!:)
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