Useful links for online practice for both CAE and CPE

*CPE Official  site:

http://www.cambridgeesol.org/exams/cpe/index.html#tab1

*Online Practice for all Papers:

Practice CPE Tests: Flo-Joe: Online Practice Tests to take with answer key online
http://www.flo-joe.co.uk/cpe/students/tests/index.htm

Flo-Joe CPE web page: With tips and resources such as word banks and a forum
http://www.flo-joe.co.uk/cpe/students/index.htm

More practice tests to do online: 

Exam English: Online Practice Tests to take with answer key online
http://www.examenglish.com/cpe/index.php

Esl Lounge: Online Practice Tests to take with answer key online

https://www.esl-lounge.com/proficiency.php#use-of-english

English Revealed: Online Practice Tests to take with answer key online

https://www.englishrevealed.co.uk/cpe.php

*Reading Papers Practice:
Oxford House

https://oxfordhousebcn.com/en/passing-c2-proficiency-a-guide-to-reading-part-5/

https://oxfordhousebcn.com/en/passing-c2-proficiency-a-guide-to-reading-part-6/


*Grammar Practice:

https://www.examenglish.com/cpe/CPE_grammar.htm

https://www.esl-lounge.com/reference-grammar.php


https://englishexams.co.uk/englishexams/test-my-english





*CAE ONLINE PRACTICE LINKS:
*Official site:https://www.cambridgeenglish.org/exams-and-tests/advanced/preparation/ 
*Practice Tests: 
https://www.examenglish.com/CAE/cae_use_of_english1.htm
https://www.flo-joe.co.uk/cae/students/tests/
https://www.englishrevealed.co.uk/cae.php
http://www.hibernia-institute.cz/on_line_testy/cae/
https://www.english-in-chester.co.uk/e-learning/lesson/cambridge-exam-practice-cae/
https://www.esl-lounge.com/student/advanced.php
https://www.greenwichcollege.edu.au/cambridge-cae-use-of-english-task-1


*Links to some online Newspapers for everyone: 

http://www.carmenlu.com/sixth/reading/newspapers6.htm

Why take CPE?

Cambridge Proficiency Exam

This exam will prove to the world that you have achieved a native-like level of mastery of the language. You are able to deploy a subtle, nuanced English vocabulary in a senior management professional or academic position. You would cope on a Masters or PhD course delivered in English.  Cambridge University accepts this exam as proof of your English language competence. This is the highest level qualification available in the Cambridge and it shows you have perfected English to an exceptional level. It demonstrates your ability to communicate with the fluency and ease of a highly competent English speaker.

C2 Proficiency shows you can:

Study complex subjects at the highest level, such as postgraduate and PhD programmes

Work effectively at senior management level in international business settings

Discuss detailed or sensitive issues and handle difficult situations with ease

Reasons to choose C2 Proficiency:

This is the highest-level exam in Cambridge English. Passing it is proof that you have perfected English to an exceptional level

Enables you to develop the English skills required to succeed in a high level academic or professional environment

---

Pros:  Certifies a very high level of English 

Cons: Not many language schools run these courses due to a lack of demand

Best suited to:  Overseas students wishing to teach English as a Foreign Language or make a language-based career in English 

CEFR Level: C2

Useful link for vocabulary

  A good site for expressions and  idioms with some very useful animation videos by way of illustration is The Free Dictionary by Farlex: 

Link: https://idioms.thefreedictionary.com

Examples of vocabulary seen in class:

a life of its own

https://idioms.thefreedictionary.com/a+life+of+its+own

can't be bothered

https://idioms.thefreedictionary.com/can%27t+be+bothered

it goes without saying

It is unambiguous, perfectly clear, or self-evident (that something is the case); it is already widely acknowledged,established, or accepted (that something is the case).I know it goes without saying, but the staff restrooms are not to be used by students or visitors.It should go without saying, but you will receive an automatic zero if you are caught cheating on the exam.

i.e.

abbr. Latin

id est (that is)

namely

 – i.e.

Namely and i.e. are both used to give more information about something that you have just mentioned.

1. 'namely'

You use namely to say exactly what you mean when you have just referred to something in a general or indirect way.

One group of people seems to be forgotten, namely pensioners.

This virus was shown to be responsible for causing a very common illness, namely glandular fever.

2. 'i.e.'

You use i.e. when you are giving an explanation of a word or expression that you have just used.

You must be an amateur, i.e. someone who has never competed for prize money in athletics.

A good pass in French (i.e. at least grade B) is desirable.

Focus on Writing, Part 1

  

  When writing (and listening and speaking) at Proficiency level, you are expected to give proof, i.e.evidence, of an exceptional level of English.

In Part 1 of the CPE writing exam,you are required to write a formal essay which summarises and evaluates two other texts.

Let's revise the steps you should follow:

Step 1 – Text analysis

Read both texts and decide if they are complementary or contrasting.

Underline the two key content points in each text.

Step 2 – Paraphrasing and summarising

Brainstorm different ways to paraphrase and summarise the key points.

What impressive structures can you use? Connectors, inversions, passives, collocations, expressions are expected at CPE level.

Step 3 – Evaluate and react

Decide which points you agree and disagree with.

Brainstorm your own thoughts (and experiences) on the subject.

You are required to summarise in your own words and using a formal register and style, evaluate and react :

Introduction: Main topic dealt with in both texts to summarise

Summary of 2 main views in text 1 through paraphrase (exemplification is not required)

Your own opinion on the summarised views in text 1 (Evaluation)

Summary of 2 main views in text 2 through paraphrase (exemplification is not required)

Your own opinion on the summarised views in text 2

Conclusion: your final and overall reaction to all the ideas presented in your essay.

The Assessment Scales state that in order to get full marks in Language you need to show "precision, sophistication & style": "Any inaccuracies occur only as slips".

Further practice: https://www.cambridgeenglish.org/images/182344-how-to-teach-the-compulsory-essay-handout.pdf

Writing Mock # 4: Common Errors

*Think of possible and effective paraphrases for the following words:

1. happy:

2. happiness:

3. clothes:

4. national occasions:

5. feel intimidated:

6. lawyers, doctors and the like:

7. feeling of distance:

8. dress style:

9. formal clothes:

10. feel vulnerable:

*Spot and correct the error in the following sentences from some of your own writing. Then consider what band of the Language criterion from the Assessment Scales each sentence reflects.

1. I do not believe this, in spite the hypothesis presented has been scientifically proved.

2. Some outfits need to be appropriate for the occasion.

3. As it is true that uniforms makes us feel that we are in good hands, the ambiguity projected by the clothes use by some professionals may put us off.

4. This has both it's pros and cons. On one hand, using a uniform distinguishes workers from the others so it may be reassuring.

5. Clothes that are used for differents ocassions in working environments are able to convey a sense of competence.