Are you planning to take the Cambridge Certificate of Advanced English (CAE) test soon? The CAE test has different sections (called “modules”): Listening, Speaking, Writing, and Reading and Use of English. Each of these modules has different sections. We are focusing on Part 1 of the CAE Reading and Use of English module. With these tips, you will be prepared for this short yet important (and difficult) part of the test!

CAE Reading and Use of English Part 1 Tips

Overview of Part 1

The CAE Reading and Use of English Part 1 is “multiple choice cloze”: a paragraph with eight words missing. For each missing word, you have four choices. You must choose one of the four words to correctly complete the sentence.

This is the official practice test provided by Cambridge.

Tips for CAE Reading and Use of English Part 1

Tip #1: Read the paragraph first

Read the title and try to predict the meaning of the paragraph. Then read through the paragraph with its missing words. Try to understand the main points of the paragraph. Do not look at the possible answers.

Tip #2: Read each sentence

After reading the paragraph, go back and read each sentence and try to understand the sentence’s main point. Remember that a sentence’s meaning can be changed depending on the content of the sentences before and after it.

Tip #3: Identify the missing word’s part of speech

What part of speech is the missing word? Is it a verb? Adjective? Noun? Phrasal verb? Identify the parts of speech of all of the other words in the sentence and you will be able to identify the missing word easier.

Tip #4: Try to guess the missing word

Without reading the multiple choice options, try to guess the missing word. Then look to see what the options are for your answer.

Tip #5: Remember that differences can be slight

Do not be surprised if two words seem very similar in meaning: this portion of the exam is made to test your vocabulary. Remember that collocations, idioms, fixed expressions, and phrasal verbs play a large part in this section: try to study both as best you can.

Tip #6: Never leave an answer blank

You will not miss points because you marked an answer wrong: always guess! You have a 25% chance of getting the question right.

Tip #7: Make sure the answer creates a grammatically correct sentence

After choosing an answer, make sure that it completes the sentence so that it is grammatically correct.

CAE Reading and Use of English Part 1 Practice

Practicing tip #1: Read the paragraph first

Read the title and the paragraph. What do you think the main meanings are?

The title is “Studying Black Bears.” Maybe this is about a person who studies black bears? Or maybe it’s a group of researchers who studies them? The paragraph will most likely contain information about bear behavior and perhaps some information about a person who studies black bears. Perhaps this person is a scientist; perhaps this person (or persons) is a nature lover.

Now read the paragraph.

After years studying North America’s black bears in the (0) …….. way, wildlife biologist Luke Robertson felt no closer to understanding the creatures. He realised that he had to (1) …….. their trust. Abandoning scientific detachment, he took the daring step of forming relationships with the animals, bringing them food to gain their acceptance. The (2) …….. this has given him into their behaviour has allowed him to dispel certain myths about bears. (3) …….. to popular belief, he contends that bears do not (4) …….. as much for fruit as previously supposed. He also (5) …….. claims that they are ferocious. He says that people should not be (6) …….. by behaviour such as swatting paws on the ground, as this is a defensive, rather than an aggressive, act. However, Robertson is no sentimentalist. After devoting years of his life to the bears, he is under no (7) …….. about their feelings for him. It is clear that their interest in him does not (8) …….. beyond the food he brings.

We know that this paragraph is about a scientist who studies bears.

Practicing tip #2: Read each sentence

Read each sentence. What do they mean?

After years studying North America’s black bears in the (0) …….. way, wildlife biologist Luke Robertson felt no closer to understanding the creatures.

• This paragraph is about a scientist named Luke Robertson who is in North America. Luke studied bears for years, so he must be older.

He realised that he had to (1) …….. their trust. Abandoning scientific detachment, he took the daring step of forming relationships with the animals, bringing them food to gain their acceptance.

• Robertson’s scientific methods weren’t working so he tried something new: befriending the bears.

The (2) …….. this has given him into their behaviour has allowed him to dispel certain myths about bears.

• He learned some truths about bear behavior through this new method.

(3) …….. to popular belief, he contends that bears do not (4) …….. as much for fruit as previously supposed.

• Robinson learned something new about bears and their desire for fruit.

He also (5) …….. claims that they are ferocious.

• Robinson does not agree with the claims that bears are “ferocious” (angry and aggressive).

He says that people should not be (6) …….. by behaviour such as swatting paws on the ground, as this is a defensive, rather than an aggressive, act.

• Robinson has an interpretation of bear behavior that is different from many people’s. Typical bear behavior is not aggression: this is the bear’s way of defending itself.

However, Robertson is no sentimentalist. After devoting years of his life to the bears, he is under no (7) …….. about their feelings for him.

• The word “however” shows us a relationship between this sentence and the sentence before. In the sentence before, Robinson says bear behavior should be interpreted as defensive and not aggressive. The next sentence begins with “however” so it will probably contain information about bear behavior and aggression. “Robertson is no sentimentalist” means that he has rational feelings toward bears.

It is clear that their interest in him does not (8) …….. beyond the food he brings.

• Who is “their” and who is “him” in this sentence? This sentence states that the bears are interested in Robinson because he brings them food.

Practicing tip #3: Identify the missing word’s part of speech

Identify the parts of speech of all of the other words in the sentence and you will be able to identify the missing word easier.

Studying black bears

After years studying North America’s black bears in the (0) …….. way, wildlife biologist Luke Robertson felt no closer to understanding the creatures.

• This sentence uses the construction the + X + way. The missing word is probably an adjective that modifies the word “way.”

He realised that he had to (1) …….. their trust.

• This sentence uses the construction had to + X. The missing word is probably a base verb (verb without “to”).

The (2) …….. this has given him into their behaviour has allowed him to dispel certain myths about bears.

• This sentence uses the construction the + X. The missing word is probably a noun because most nouns have A, AN, or THE before them.
• This sentence also is missing a subject. This is another reason we can guess the missing word is a noun.

(3) …….. to popular belief, he contends that bears do not (4) …….. as much for fruit as previously supposed.

• What could this first word be? It is followed by “to.” It could be a word that is always followed by to. (The same way that “in order to” and “due to” use the word “to.”)
• The second missing word is part of the construction do not + X. It is probably a base verb: “do” is a helping verb that always comes with another verb.

He also (5) …….. claims that they are ferocious.

• The missing word is a verb. What verbs do we use with “claim?” The word “claim” is the object of this sentence.

He says that people should not be (6) …….. by behaviour such as swatting paws on the ground, as this is a defensive, rather than an aggressive, act.

• This missing word is part of the construction “should + not + be + X.” What comes next in this construction? It is probably an adjective/past participle. Here are some examples:
  • You should not be scared by bees.
  • Cars should not be driven without gas.

However, Robertson is no sentimentalist. After devoting years of his life to the bears, he is under no (7) …….. about their feelings for him.

• This one is difficult. It is followed by a preposition: could it be a phrasal verb? Or maybe it’s part of an expression? Do you know any expressions with “under no + X?”

It is clear that their interest in him does not (8) …….. beyond the food he brings.

• This is another sentence with the construction does + not + X. It is probably a base verb. However, notice that it is followed by a preposition. Therefore, it could also be a phrasal verb.

Practicing tip #4: Try to guess the missing word

Without reading the multiple choice options, try to guess the missing word. Then look to see what the options are for your answer.

#1 He realised that he had to (1) …….. their trust.

A catch

B win

C achieve

D receive

#2 The (2) …….. this has given him into their behaviour has allowed him to dispel certain myths about bears.

A perception

B awareness

C insight

D vision

(3) …….. to popular belief, he contends that bears do not (4) …….. as much for fruit as previously supposed.

#3

A Opposite

B Opposed

C Contrary

D Contradictory

#4

A care

B bother

C desire

D hope

#5 He also (5) …….. claims that they are ferocious.

A concludes

B disputes

C reasons

D argues

#6 He says that people should not be (6) …….. by behaviour such as swatting paws on the ground, as this is a defensive, rather than an aggressive, act.

A misguided

B misled

C misdirected

D misinformed

#7 However, Robertson is no sentimentalist. After devoting years of his life to the bears, he is under no (7) …….. about their feelings for him.

A error

B doubt

C illusion

D impression

#8 It is clear that their interest in him does not (8) …….. beyond the food he brings.

A expand

B spread

C widen

D extend

Practicing tip #5: Remember that differences can be slight

The exam will try to trick you: do not be surprised if two words seem very similar in meaning:. this portion of the exam is made to test your vocabulary. Remember that collocations, idioms, fixed expressions, and phrasal verbs play a large part in this section: try to study both as best you can.

What are the differences between:

• catch, win, achieve, and receive?
• Perception, awareness, insight, and vision?
• Opposite, Opposed, Contrary, and Contradictory?
• care, bother, desire, and hope?
• Concludes, disputes, reasons, and argues?
• Misguided, misled, misdirected, and misinformed?
• Error, doubt, illusion, and impression?
• expand, spread, widen, and extend?

Practicing tip #6: Never leave an answer blank

You will not miss points because you marked an answer wrong: always guess! You have a 25% chance of getting the question right.

Practicing tip #7: Make sure the answer creates a grammatically correct sentence

After choosing an answer, make sure that it completes the sentence so that it is grammatically correct.

More CAE practice

For more study tips and practice, check out our other articles:

• Cambridge CAE Listening Part 1
• Cambridge CAE Listening Part 2
• Cambridge CAE Listening Part 3
• Cambridge CAE Listening Part 4
• 5 Things You Need to Know Before Taking A Cambridge Exam
• Useful Expressions and Vocabulary for Cambridge CAE Speaking Part 1
• Cambridge CAE Writing Tips: the Essay Prompt