FCE Use of English 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:

Dopamine

From your biochemistry classes, you might remember that dopamine is a neurotransmitter, something that helps the brain 0 _____ with other parts of our body.

What it effectively does is 1 AAABBBCCCDDD you for doing things that it sees as beneficial to you. Exercising, eating healthily, and spending time outdoors – activities that 2 AAABBBCCCDDD your well-being. However, there is a way to ‘fool’ your body into 3 AAABBBCCCDDD additional dopamine – many highly-addictive 4 AAABBBCCCDDD like alcohol and tobacco do exactly that. Is too much dopamine a bad thing, then?

The idea of ‘more is better’, however, does not 5 AAABBBCCCDDD to dopamine. If there is too much of it in our body, either naturally or artificially, you become less responsive to it. This results in higher levels of dopamine required to feel the same pleasure. The person then ends up 6 AAABBBCCCDDD more of the drug or whatever else to reach the desired effect. Additionally, an increased amount of dopamine can 7 AAABBBCCCDDD to hallucinations and even schizophrenia.

Similarly, 8 AAABBBCCCDDD levels of dopamine can cause depression, anxiety, dullness, or even Parkinson’s disease. Remedies for that can differ – for some, a change in lifestyle is enough, while others might have no other option than to resort to medication.

Click to download this FCE Use of English Part 1 Worksheet in PDF.

Answers with explanations

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:

Sleep

Simply put, sleep is a 0 _____ of lowered consciousness and awareness. The biological reasons for sleep are many. To begin with, sleeping helps to process and organise 1 lastingprolongedextendedlong-term memory. Secondly, when you are asleep, your brain activity is reduced significantly, 2 enablingactivatingsuggestingforcing the mind as well as the body to get the much-needed rest.

Sleep deprivation, or lack of sleep, impairs both physical and 3 intellectualbrainmentalthinking performance. Most of us have 4 experiencedtriedattemptedgot it at some point in our lives. The causes of that might vary from 5 irregularabruptrandomplanned sleep schedule to a poor sleeping environment. Not getting enough sleep systematically leads to accumulation of so-called sleep debt. This inevitably leads to drastic reduction in one’s 6 happinessvaluequalitywill of life.

In the past, the process of sleeping in general and dreaming in particular was 7 associatedsurroundedconnectedbound by legends and superstitions. People believed that dreams could bestow the ability to foresee the 8 pastyesterdaytomorrowfuture. Even today, some cultures have retained mystic beliefs and rituals associated with sleep.

Click to download this FCE Use of English Part 1 Worksheet in PDF.

Answers with explanations

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:

Night Vision

Night animals such as cats, wolves, foxes and many others rely on their 0 _____ to see in the dark. Let’s take a look at how they do it.

Naturally, nocturnal creatures are most active at night, so their eyes have changed over the 1 timeperiodprocesscourse of evolution. Owing to the way their eyes function, they have more developed vision in dim light at the 2 expensecostlossabsence of colour vision. From nature’s perspective this is perfectly justified, as seeing clearly at night is essential to their 3 comfortbreedingsurvivalfitness as a tool to track down and catch their 4 victimpreyfoodenemy. Another difference is a layer called ‘tapetum’ that helps reflect additional light back to the retina to 5 findputmakelet use of the more scarce light levels in darker environments. It explains why a cat’s eyes may be seen glowing in the dark.

Aside from that, 6 changingadjustingfocusingmoving to various light conditions is no different from a human’s. Pupil, the black part of the eye, contracts and expands to allow less or more light in, 7 respectivelyaccordinglyrelativelyobviously. It is worth noting that in pitch-black conditions, it is impossible to 8 watch outlook outmake outsee out anything, even for the most adapted species; a certain minimum of light is required for that.

Click to download this FCE Use of English Part 1 Worksheet in PDF.

Answers with explanations

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:

Sea Water

What do we know about sea water? For one, 97% of all water on Earth is saline. A popular question is whether it is drinkable. It is, but it will not make your thirst go 0 _____. That is largely due to the fluid your body will need to get rid of 1 harmfulexcessiveextremehigher salt that finds its way into your system.

If you ask a person about the 2 reasonpurposeresultconsequence for why sea water is salty, you might get many different responses. The salinity comes from rainwater washing down salt deposits from rocky surfaces on 3 earthsoildgroundland. Another 4 helpingassistingcontributingcollaborating factor is chloride eruptions from the floor of the sea.

Sea water possesses some rather interesting 5 propertiesvaluesspecialtiesaspects. For one, it does not freeze as easily because salt lowers the freezing point. However, when it does freeze at a temperature of around -21° C, the ice can be thawed back to drinkable water, as most of the sodium chloride will have escaped the frozen water. Similar 6 thesistheoryhypothesisprinciple is used with salt sprinkled on roads in winter to help get rid of ice and make the roads less 7 slipperysmoothriskycold.

Another peculiar feature it has is sound conductivity. Because of saline water’s increased density, the speed of sound there is almost five times 8 biggerquickerfasterhigher than in the air.

Click to download this FCE Use of English Part 1 Worksheet in PDF.

Answers with explanations

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:

Safari

The 0 _____ element that sets safari apart from the more regular sightseeing is getting to see the wildlife. Translated 1 withfromtoon Swahili, safari means ‘path’ or ‘journey’, and it perfectly captures the idea of walking or driving around the vast spaces of African savannah.

In the past, it would usually involve shooting big game—animals like lions, elephants, rhinos and others. Over the years, the focus of safari has naturally shifted 2 toforbyaway more humane and civilised activities. Hunting rifles have now been 3 changedtakenseizedreplaced with cameras, and the participants are now keen on watching the animals rather rather hurting them. 4 SoMoreoverHoweverAlthough, hunting most animals in Africa is now strictly forbidden. Another change is to make the trip more eco-oriented and sustainable, so tourist are encouraged to 5 take easyleave offgo backcut down down on things like plastic bags or other disposable items.

While the practice of 6 joiningdrivinggoingcoming on a safari comes from Africa, many places around the world offer similar experience. However, the only 7 imitationsimilaritydifferencelikeness might be driving and looking at animals, while the rest of the package can vary considerably.

When you embark on an adventure like that, keep in mind that the journey is more important than the 8 triptraveldestinationarrival.

Click to download this FCE Use of English Part 1 Worksheet in PDF.

Answers with explanations

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:

Thai Massage

A tradition as old as the country itself, Thai massage is a 0 _____ of acupressure techniques and elements of yoga. In 1 differencecontrastvariationalteration with traditional massage, the person undergoing the procedure normally 2 putsholdskeepsstays their clothes on. Partly because of that, no 3 liquidswatersadditivestreatments such as oil and lotions are used.

Another important aspect that makes Thai massage stand 4 inawayoffout is the amount of training an aspiring masseuse has to undergo. They say that it takes almost a thousand hours to become a licenced Thai massage practitioner. When you think of it, this makes sense, as these people have to work 5 aroundatwithfor vital parts of the human body, where no mistake should be made.

Like with most 6 shapeswaysformsoptions of massage, it helps to relax, relieve pain and improve your mood. Professional doctors say that most of these effects are 7 timedlastingbrieftemporary and usually go away within the day. Because this type of massage is more intense, it is recommended to 8 lookseekasksearch doctor’s advice before deciding on having it. This is especially true for people with various heart problems.

Click to download this FCE Use of English Part 1 Worksheet in PDF.

Answers with explanations

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:

Hot dog

The famous hot dog. No matter where you come from, you must have heard of this 0 _____. Some people 1 quarrelstrugglearguefight that it was invented in the United States, but that is not quite accurate. Most sources 2 showsayclaimpoint to Germany as the source country. This is where many immigrants came from at the time, 3 bringingcarryinghaulingtransporting bringing with them many new things, including some of their own cuisine.

The reason for hot dogs unparalleled popularity is probably the simplicity of making and eating it. New York, the original hot dog city, is known to have a very fast 4 pacespeedvelocityactivity of life. They can be bought at the nearest hot dog stand and are easy to eat, even as you go about your business.

As for the name itself, this is where it gets a bit confusing. The name of the sausage is Frankfurter, 5 lookingshowingguessinghinting at its place of origin. Because of the elongated 6 sizeshapefigurelook, it is called dachsund, a dog breed whose body is unusually long. This is what gave 7 lifeideabirththought to the name ‘hot dog’.

The annual hot dog eating contest, which is said to have contributed to its popularity, is a 8 practicetraditionhabitroutine that is preserved to this day.

Click to download this FCE Use of English Part 1 Worksheet in PDF.

Answers with explanations

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:

The Wonder Fruit

The variety of the fruit world is astouding: there are as 0 ____ as 5000. If we look at the data available to the general 1 audiencepeoplecrowdpublic, the top three include bananas, watermelons, and, surprisingly, tomatoes. However, if one were to ask about a person’s 2 favouritechosenlovedbest fruit, most would probably choose apples.

The fruit’s health 3 bonusesadvantagesbenefitsprofits are numerous.They are 4 largeusefulrichinfluential in vitamin B and C, have high fibre and potassium content. The latter is essential to regulation of fluid levels inside our body cells.

Yet another advantage is its nutrional 5 valuecostpricerate. Among other benefits, the fruit helps to battle fatigue, both chronic and acute. If you are trying to 6 decreasedroplowerlose weight, apples are a great choice thanks to their low calorific content.

Dietologists encourage people to keep the skin of the apple 7 awayoffonout as it is believed to contain the majority of beneficial elements apples are praised for.

Finally, the wondrous properties of apples extend to the most dangerous of conditions: cancer. Several researches indicate that they contribute to a lower risk of cancer development. So to keep the doctor away, 8 curetreathealaid yourself to an apple whenever you get a chance.

Click to download this FCE Use of English Part 1 Worksheet in PDF.

Answers with explanations

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:

Photo Album

Last month, I was doing some spring cleaning at my family’s house. They had moved 0 _____ to live further away from the city centre and allowed me to stay here until I buy a place of my own. By 1 chancemistakeaccidentoccasion, I stumbled upon an old book that looked very much like a photo album.

The curiousity got the better of me, so I sat down to find out what was inside. 2 FlickingScrollingCheckingScanning through the pages, I found lots of things – old photos, folded pieces of paper, even an 3 outdatedexpiredold-fashionedobsolete credit card with a name I didn’t know.

One photo in particular caught my interest. It was taken just before I was about to leave for college. The photographer did a good job 4 seizinggettingcapturingshooting the bittersweet mood that was in the room that night. My mother’s 5 lookfaceemotiongrimace of uncertainty still makes me feel a bit uneasy. In the picture, father seems to be less nervous, but the way he stands really gives 6 offupoutaway how he felt then – sad to see me leave.

Another thing I found there was a note from my younger cousin, who was only 5 years old at the 7 momentperiodtimepresent. In it, there was an awkwardly written message that 8 promisedsentgavewished me luck and in which she also hoped I would write home often.

Click to download this FCE Use of English Part 1 Worksheet in PDF.

Answers with explanations

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:

Cats

Cats have accompanied people since the 0 dawn. They are affectionate, independent and said to 1 makebecometransformturn their owners more calm. A cat does not require much looking 2 onafterforabout, so they won’t take much of your time, unlike dogs. Their two favourite 3 actionsjobsbusinessesactivities are snoozing and grooming themselves.

Keen and curious by nature, cats often 4 set outgo outmiss outwalk out to explore the environment they live in, whether it is a small flat or a huge house with a garden. Freedom of such exploration is crucial to a cat’s well-being and therefore they shouldn’t be 5 deprivedtakenconfiscateddenied of it.

Because of their solitary personality, cats are not always in the 6 planfeelingmoodright for playing or lying in your lap. Be prepared that your pet will not always purr or rub against your leg. Don’t be alarmed if they disappear for no 7 causereasoneventexcuse. After all, they are nocturnal creatures, and therefore are most active during the night.

Finally, a fun piece of trivia. A group of cats is 8 callednamedaddressedreferred to as ‘a kindle’.

Click to download this FCE Use of English Part 1 Worksheet in PDF.

Answers with explanations