Passing Cambridge C2 Proficiency: Reading and Use of English Part 4

Are you studying for the Cambridge Proficiency Exam? Like many students, perhaps you find Reading and Use of English Part 4 daunting.

Is it any wonder people often struggle with this section? Part 4 requires you to demonstrate a deep understanding and mastery of all the subtle nuances of the English language. Even small errors in word choices can lead to inaccurate responses and lost points.

There’s no need to resign yourself to low marks, though. Anyone can get all the answers with enough practice and the right exam strategy. Keep reading to learn more about Reading and Use of English Part 4, what skills it involves, and how to guarantee a good score.

What’s in Reading and Use of English Part 4?

Part 4 is made of six items which all have the following format:

(The answer here is ‘how hard she tried’.)

All the items in Part 4 are worth two points, giving you a maximum possible score of 12. That means it counts for around a sixth of the exam.

How should I answer the questions?

Using the word in bold, complete the gapped sentence so that it has the same meaning as the first sentence. You can only use three to eight words including the word in bold.

There may be multiple possible answers. Say you get the item below:

You could fill the gap with any of the following and they’d be correct:

There’s no telling how long the trip will take.

There’s no way of telling how long the trip will take.

There’s no means of telling how long the trip will take.

What are they testing me on in Part 4?

Like other sections in the Use of English section, Part 4 tests your proficiency in English grammar, vocabulary and syntax. It specifically looks at your understanding and accurate use of different structures.

You may have noticed there are lots of different ways to express the same idea in English. Here’s an example where four sentences have the same meaning:

Tom and Will are the same height.

Tom is as tall as Will.

Will is not shorter than Tom.

Tom matches Will in height.

Truly proficient English speakers should be able to grasp the meaning, no matter how it’s expressed. By getting you to reformulate sentences, Part 4 assesses your ability to do this.

Strategies for getting the answer right

Here are some ways to ensure you get top marks in Part 4 of the test:

Allocate yourself enough time

This section may seem quite short, especially compared to Use of English Part 2 and Part 3. You may be tempted to spend less time on it.

However, Part 4 is more challenging than other sections and worth extra points. You should spend as much time on it as the other sections. That’s around ten minutes, give or take.

Focus on the keyword

The word in bold is usually the main element in a complex structure. Its meaning and form should give you important clues. For example:

‘Event’ is a noun which usually means an activity or occasion. However, we can see the common definition doesn’t fit here. We’re not being asked to reformulate the part of the sentence about the plan.

The word ‘if’ would fit but we can’t use it. That tells us we’re looking for a conditional structure. Quickly brainstorming grammar structures with the word ‘event’ should bring us to the answer: ‘in the event’.

Try working backwards

If you can’t figure out what belongs in the gap, look at the first sentence instead. Consider different ways to express the same idea. One of the ones you think of may be the correct answer – or at least put you on the right track.

Say the sentence to yourself

By now, you should have developed a good instinct. You can tell when a structure sounds unnatural and therefore wrong.

Read your answer to yourself in your head before you write it down. If it’s incorrect, you’ll probably hear it. You may even get some inspiration about the right answer.

Top tips for preparation

The following activities can help familiarise you with Part 4 and give you the best chance at success:

Wrapping Up

If you baulk at Part 4 of the Use of English test, that’s understandable. It’s supposed to challenge you.

Most of the phrases should come to you. You’ve probably heard them in a different format before and you need a moment to realise. The main obstacle is building confidence in your abilities which is more than possible with a good teacher.

Think you need help preparing for your test? Explore the exam courses at Oxford House.

Glossary for Language Learners

Find the following words in the article and then write down any new ones you didn’t know.

Nuance (n): a small difference that makes something distinct.

Resign (v): accept unhappily.

Syntax (n): the order of words in a phrase or sentence.

Reformulate (v): change the shape of something.

Give or take (phr): approximately.

Put someone on the right track (id): ensure progress toward a solution or outcome.

baulk (v): hesitate or be reluctant to do something.

Key

n = noun

v = verb

phr = phrase

id = idiom