Introduction to the updated Cambridge English: First for Schools from 2015

4Y01

INTRODUCTION TO THE UPDATED CAMBRIDGE ENGLISH: FIRST FOR SCHOOLS FROM 2015 4Y01 2

INTRODUCTION TO THE UPDATED CAMBRIDGE ENGLISH: FIRST FOR SCHOOLS FROM 2015 4Y01 3

Handout: What is Cambridge English: First for Schools?

Working with a partner, try to answer the questions below.

1) What level is Cambridge English: First for Schools on the Common European

Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR)? Is it A2, B1, B2, C1 or C2?

2) What kind of candidates take this test? Can you describe a typical candidate?

3) Do you know which Cambridge English exam you would take before Cambridge

English: First for Schools and which you would take after it?

4) How does Cambridge English Language Assessment ensure that Cambridge

English: First for Schools is a quality exam?

5) Who recognises Cambridge English exams?

6) Do you take this exam as a paper-based or computer-based test?

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Handout: Task types

Below are descriptions of the task types in the Cambridge English: First for Schools

Reading and Use of English paper. Match the descriptions of the task types in

Section A with the question rubrics in Section B.

SECTION A

Part 1

A modified cloze test containing eight gaps followed by eight sets of multiple-choice

options.

Part 2

A modified cloze test containing eight gaps.

Part 3

A text containing eight gaps. Each gap corresponds to a word. The stem of the

missing word is given beside the text and must be changed to form the missing word.

Part 4

Six separate questions, each with a lead-in sentence and a gapped second sentence

to be completed in two to five words, one of which is a given ‘key’ word.

Part 5

A text followed by six 4-option multiple-choice questions.

Part 6

A text from which six sentences have been removed and placed in jumbled order,

together with an additional sentence, after the text.

Part 7

A text or several short texts, preceded by 10 multiple-matching questions.

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SECTION B

TASK A 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).

Example (0): Skilful TASK B Complete the second sentence so that it has a similar meaning to the first sentence, using the word given. Do not change the word given. You must use between two and five words, including the word given. Here is an example (0).

TASK C

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TASK D

TASK E

TASK F

TASK G

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Handout: Cambridge English: First for Schools overview

Paper Timing Parts Task types Qs

Reading and

Use of English

1 hour

15 minutes 7

multiple-choice cloze

open cloze

word formation

key word transformation

multiple choice

gapped text

multiple matching

52

Writing 1 hour

20 minutes 2

Part 1: compulsory

essay with two given content

points; candidates provide one

additional content point of their

own

140–190 words

Part 2

Choose one from four options

(including one set text)

article

letter/email

essay

review

story

140–190 words

2

Listening 40 minutes 4

multiple choice (x2)

sentence completion

multiple matching

30

Speaking 14 minutes 4

spoken questions

individual long turn

two-way conversation with

decision-making task

discussion

n/a

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Notes