CAE
Reading Paper

Parts 1 and 3
Both parts 1 and 3 consist of texts
followed by multiple choice
questions which focus on a variety
of aspects including:
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•
•
•
•
Details
Style
Attitudes
Author’s purpose or opinion
The meaning of certain words or phrases.

In Part 1 you will have to read three
short passages.
The passages will all be on a theme,
and will include different types of
text. You have to answer two
questions on each text.

In Part 3, you read a long text and
then answer 7 four-option questions
which test your detailed
understanding of the main ideas in
the text, as well as the attitude and
opinion of the writer.

The questions follow the order of the
text and may focus on the meaning
of whole paragraphs, on points of
detail or the use of particular
expressions.

Tip:
Before you look at the questions,
quickly read through the whole text
to get an idea of the content.

Read each question stem carefully
but don’t read the options yet.
Mark the general area of the text
which is relevant to each question.

Read the text carefully. When you
reach a part you have marked, look
at the question stem and the
options.
Eliminate the options which are
clearly wrong and choose the best
answer.

Underline key phrases or
sentences which help you
make your choice.

Many of the wrong options or
distractors express ideas which are
similar to, but not the same as,
those expressed in the text.

Re-read the questions.
Do the options you have chosen
accurately reflect the information
you have underlined in the text?

During both your quick read and
your more detailed read, you will
need to use context to help you
guess the meaning of unknown
vocabulary.

In Part 2 you will read a text from
which 6 paragraphs have been
removed and placed in jumbled
order after the text.

This task tests your understanding
of text structure and your ability to
predict how a text will develop.

Tip:
Read the base text through, ignoring
the options for the moment.
Most of the information you need to
follow the story or argument is in
the base text.

As you read, pay attention to the
information and ideas before and
after each gap- start to think about
what might be missing.
Underline the words and expressions
that make direct reference to what
has gone before, e.g. so, next, it,
though, etc.

Read paragraphs A-G to get a
general idea of their content.
Underline any words or expressions
that make direct reference to what
has gone before.

Go through the base text again.
Stop at each gap and check whether
each option fits it or not.
Look for vocabulary and grammar links.
If you can’t decide between two
paragraphs, write both letters and come
back to it later.

When you’ve finished, read the
whole text with your answers in
place. Does it make sense?
Remember, there’s one option which
does not fit any gap.

Part 4 consists of a text or several
short texts preceded by 15
questions or statements which you
have to match with the
corresponding information in the
text.

Tip:
Read the instructions carefully.
Read all the questions, highlighting
key words and phrases.
Read the whole text quickly to get
an idea of the content of each
section.

Look at each question in turn. Find
and highlight the pieces of text
which talk about these ideas (there
will probably be more than one).
Read the sections carefully to decide
which is the best match.

If you are not sure of an answer,
move on to the next question –this
will save time. Go back to those
you’re not sure about at the end.

If you are still unsure of some
answers, then guess.
Remember, there are no penalties
for wrong answers, and your instinct
may be right!

Sources: Ready for CAE, CB. CAE Gold Plus, CB.