Everything You Need to Know About English Tests B2 (Graded Multiple Choice): Format, Tips, and Resources
English tests B2 (graded multiple choice) pdf
If you want to prove your level of English to study or work in an English-speaking country, you might want to take an English test B2. This is one of the most popular exams offered by Cambridge English, a leading provider of language assessment. In this article, we will tell you everything you need to know about English tests B2, including what they are, what they assess, how they are scored, and how you can prepare for them. We will also provide you with some links to free practice tests that you can download as pdf files.
ENGLISH TESTS B2 (GRADED MULTIPLE CHOICE) pdf
Introduction
English tests B2, also known as B2 First or FCE (First Certificate in English), are designed to test your ability to communicate effectively in English at an upper-intermediate level. They are recognised by thousands of employers, universities, and government agencies around the world as proof of your English proficiency. They can also help you achieve your personal and professional goals, such as applying for a job, studying abroad, or travelling.
English tests B2 assess your skills in four areas: reading, writing, listening, and speaking. They also include a use of English section that tests your knowledge of grammar and vocabulary. The exam lasts about 3 hours and 30 minutes in total, and it is scored on a scale from 160 to 190. You need at least 160 points to pass the exam and receive a certificate. The certificate is valid for life, but some institutions may require a more recent proof of your level.
To prepare for English tests B2, you need to practice all the skills that are tested in the exam. You also need to familiarise yourself with the format and types of questions that you will encounter. There are many resources available online and offline that can help you with your preparation. For example, you can use official Cambridge English materials, such as sample papers, online practice tests, handbooks for teachers and learners, lesson plans, teacher guides, mock test toolkits, etc. You can also use other websites that offer free practice tests (online or pdf), such as engxam.com or examenglish.com.
Use of English
The use of English section tests your ability to use correct grammar and vocabulary in different contexts. It consists of four parts: multiple choice cloze, open cloze, word formation, and key word transformations. There are 42 questions in total in this section, and you have 45 minutes to complete it.
In part 1, you have to read a text with eight gaps and choose the correct word or phrase from four options to fill each gap. In part 2, you have to read a text with eight gaps and write one word to fill each gap. In part 3, you have to read a text with eight gaps and write a word that is derived from a given stem word to fill each gap. In part 4, you have to rewrite a sentence using a given key word, without changing the meaning of the original sentence.
To improve your performance in this section, you need to study grammar rules and vocabulary lists that are relevant for the B2 level. You also need to practice different types of exercises that test your use of English skills, such as cloze tests, word formation exercises, sentence transformations, etc. You can find many of these exercises online or in books. You should also read a lot of texts in English and pay attention to how words and structures are used in different situations.
Reading
The reading section tests your ability to understand different types of texts and locate specific information. It consists of three parts: multiple choice, gapped text, and multiple matching. There are 28 questions in total in this section, and you have 60 minutes to complete it.
In part 5, you have to read a text and answer six multiple-choice questions that test your understanding of content and text organisation. The text may be taken from a modern novel or an article. In part 6, you have to read a text from which six sentences have been removed and placed in jumbled order after the text. You have to decide where each sentence fits in the text. There is also a seventh sentence that does not fit in any of the gaps. In part 7, you have to read one long text or up to six shorter texts, and match them with 10 questions that test your ability to locate specific information.
To improve your performance in this section, you need to practice different types of reading comprehension exercises that test your skills in skimming, scanning, inferring, deducing, etc. You also need to expand your vocabulary and learn how to deal with unfamiliar words using context clues or word formation rules. You should also read a variety of texts in English on different topics and genres, such as newspapers, magazines, blogs, novels, etc.
Listening
The listening section tests your ability to understand different types of spoken texts and identify specific information. It consists of four parts: multiple choice, sentence completion, multiple matching, and multiple choice. There are 30 questions in total in this section, and you have about 40 minutes to complete it.
In part 1, you have to listen to eight short extracts from monologues or dialogues and answer one multiple-choice question for each extract. The extracts may be taken from radio broadcasts, announcements, interviews, etc. In part 2, you have to listen to a monologue or dialogue and complete ten sentences with information from the recording. The recording may be taken from a lecture, a talk, a presentation, etc. In part 3, you have to listen to five short monologues on the same topic and match them with eight statements that describe what each speaker says or does. The monologues may be taken from commentaries, reviews, reports, etc. In part 4, you have to listen to a monologue or dialogue and answer seven multiple-choice questions that test your understanding of attitude, opinion, detail, etc. The recording may be taken from a discussion, an interview, a conversation, etc.
To improve your performance in this section, you need to practice different types of listening comprehension exercises that test your skills in listening for gist, detail, attitude, opinion, etc. You also need to improve your pronunciation and intonation skills and learn how to recognise different accents and varieties of English. You should also listen to a variety of spoken texts in English on different topics and genres, such as podcasts, videos, documentaries, audiobooks, etc.
Writing
The writing section tests your ability to produce two different types of texts for different purposes and audiences. It consists of two parts: an essay and an article/letter/email/report/review/story. You have to write between 140 and 190 words for each part. You have 80 minutes to complete this section.
Speaking
The speaking section tests your ability to interact with other speakers and express yourself clearly and effectively in English. It consists of four parts: interview, individual long turn, collaborative task, and discussion. The section lasts about 14 minutes and you have to speak with one or two examiners and one other candidate.
In part 1, you have to answer some questions about yourself, your family, your hobbies, your studies, your work, etc. The examiner will ask you and the other candidate some questions in turn. In part 2, you have to talk for one minute about two photographs that you are given. You have to compare the photographs and say why they might interest people. The other candidate will then be asked a short question about your photographs. In part 3, you have to talk with the other candidate for about three minutes about a topic that you are given. You have to discuss some questions and reach a decision or express an opinion. The examiner will give you some written prompts to help you. In part 4, you have to talk with the other candidate for about four minutes about some more questions related to the topic in part 3. The examiner will join the conversation and ask you some questions.
To improve your performance in this section, you need to practice different types of speaking skills that test your fluency, accuracy, range, interaction, coherence, pronunciation, etc. You also need to expand your vocabulary and learn how to use different functions and expressions in English, such as agreeing, disagreeing, giving opinions, asking for clarification, etc. You should also speak with other people in English as much as possible and record yourself to check your mistakes and progress.
Conclusion
In conclusion, English tests B2 are a great way to demonstrate your level of English and achieve your personal and professional goals. They test your skills in reading, writing, listening, speaking, and use of English at an upper-intermediate level. They are scored on a scale from 160 to 190 and you need at least 160 points to pass the exam and receive a certificate. To prepare for them, you need to practice all the skills that are tested in the exam and familiarise yourself with the format and types of questions that you will encounter. You can use many resources available online and offline that can help you with your preparation.
If you want to take an English test B2 soon, we recommend that you check out the official Cambridge English website for more information and materials. You can also use other websites that offer free practice tests (online or pdf), such as engxam.com or examenglish.com. We hope that this article has been useful for you and that you feel more confident about taking the exam. Good luck!
FAQs
Q: How can I register for an English test B2?
A: You can register for an English test B2 through an authorised exam centre in your country. You can find a list of exam centres on the Cambridge English website.
Q: How much does it cost to take an English test B2?
A: The cost of taking an English test B2 varies depending on the country and the exam centre. You can check the fees on the Cambridge English website or contact your exam centre directly.
Q: When can I take an English test B2?
A: You can take an English test B2 on various dates throughout the year. You can check the dates on the Cambridge English website or contact your exam centre directly.
Q: How can I get my results and certificate for an English test B2?
A: You can get your results for an English test B2 online about two weeks after taking the computer-based exam or four weeks after taking the paper-based exam. You can also get a paper certificate from your exam centre about three weeks after getting your results online.
Q: How can I improve my score for an English test B2?
A: You can improve your score for an English test B2 by practicing all the skills that are tested in the exam regularly and using various resources available online and offline that can help you with your preparation. You can also review your mistakes and feedback from previous exams or practice tests and learn from them.
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