FCE Practice Test

Paper 1 Reading

Part 1

You are going to read an article about public speaking. Choose from the list A–I the most suitable heading
for each part (1–7) of the article. There is one extra heading which you do not need to use. There is an
example at the beginning (0).

Mark your answers on the separate answer sheet.

A Facing your fear

B The structure of your speech
C Some final DOs and DON’Ts
D Get ready for the inevitable
E Practical tips for calming your nerves
F Look confident
G Listen to the audience
H Know your audience
I Don’t leave it to the last minute

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 Top Tips for Public Speaking
0 D
Whatever your stage in life, the chances are that
sooner or later you’re going to be asked (some
might say forced) to give a talk. Whether it’s to a
class of students at school, to a group of people at
work or to a big family gathering, there are a few
basic things that you should always remember.
Even if they don’t turn you into the world’s best
presenter, these tips will help you on your way.
1 Having said that, there are several things that you
One of the simplest and most obvious pieces of
advice is that you have to have a good awareness
of who you’re talking to. You’re all there for a
reason, and it’s your job to find out why the
audience are there. Ask yourself who they are,
what they will be thinking and what they are
expecting to hear from you. The details will
change from place to place and talk to talk, but as
long as you know what they want, there is a much
better chance that you will be able to deliver.
2
However long your talk, if you think you’re just
going to be able to turn up on the day and give a
speech, FORGET IT. That is a truly impossible
task, and on the day you will be so scared of the
audience that you’ll probably be unable to say
anything at all. All good speakers plan their talks
days or weeks in advance and know almost exactly
what they are going to say. This doesn’t mean that
they know their talk by heart (not recommended),
but they will have a few notes and a very clear idea
of the content of the talk.
3
When you are organising your talk, make sure that
it has a clear beginning, middle and end. There is
an old saying which goes ‘First I tell them what I
am going to say, then I tell them, then I tell them
what I’ve told them.’ A good way of going about
things is to think of what you are going to say in
the last minute of your talk. Note down the main
points. When you have finished, you will just have
written the beginning of your talk, so all you need
to do is fill in the middle.
4
Mark Twain once said, ‘There are two types of
speakers: those that are nervous and those that are
liars.’ The simple fact is that 99% of the population
feel nervous about speaking in public, so if you are
worried, that is absolutely normal. Accept the fact
that you will feel anxious, but realise also that this
can actually be very helpful. Your body will produce
the chemical adrenalin, and this will make you more
alert. You will be able to concentrate better, and will
be able to deliver your message more clearly.
5
can do to help you relax a bit. Apart from making
sure that your speech is properly prepared, make
sure you have any equipment or photographs you
are going to need and that everything is working
properly. Get to the room early so that you can
walk around and make any changes you need. And
finally, when people start arriving, go and talk to
some of them before they sit down. If you
recognise a few friendly faces when you start, you
will feel much more at ease.
6
This is probably the most important tip of all, and
almost certainly requires you to put on an act. If you
look miserable, timid and frightened (which is
probably how you feel) you will be heading for
disaster. Instead, as you get up to talk, tell yourself
that this is the one place in the world that you really
want to be. You feel fantastic and full of self
assurance. The audience wants to hear you, and they
want you to succeed. Show them with a smile and a
clear strong voice that you are relaxed and happy,
and if you start off like that, you’ll be successful.
7
If you’ve got off to a good start, there are still a few
points to remember. If you are in a big room, you
need to make sure that everyone can hear you, so
speak fairly loudly – you can always ask the
audience if they can hear. Look at the people you
are talking to – pick out a few faces and keep up
eye contact with them, as this helps to create a good
atmosphere. And lastly, don’t move around all the
time – if you pace up and down or wave your hands
about too much, it will show that you are nervous.
So the next time you are asked to give a talk –
don’t worry. Follow these simple guidelines and
you may even find that you have a really good
time.
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 Part 2
You are going to read an article about graffiti (the words or pictures that are sometimes painted onto walls
or trains in cities.) For questions 8–15, choose the answer (A, B, C, or D) which you think fits best
according to the text.
Mark your answers on the separate answer sheet.
SUBWAY ART
Graffiti has come a long way since it first began to appear in the streets of New York.
The history of subway graffiti in New York dates
back to the 1960s, when teenagers in the city
began to write their names on neighbourhood
walls. However, instead of using their given names,
they chose nicknames, creating a public identity
for the street. Initially, this name graffiti had a
territorial function, and it showed which parts of
the city belonged to particular gangs.
Taki 183 was the nickname of a young man who
lived on 183rd Street in the Washington Heights
section of Manhattan. He worked as a messenger
and travelled by subway to all five districts of the
city. In his travels he wrote his name everywhere,
including inside and outside trains and on every
station. A reporter from the New York Times
tracked him down to interview him, and the
resulting article in the paper made him famous
throughout the city.
The competition for fame began in earnest as
hundreds of youngsters, emulating Taki 183,
began to put their names on trains and public
buildings all over the city. As the available space
on walls and trains filled up, it was necessary for
writers to develop a distinctive style to make a
name stand out from the rest. In addition, they
began experimenting with size and colour. They
discovered that they could paint large areas
quickly with spray paint, and a new form, the
line 29 ‘piece’ was introduced. Short for masterpiece,
these paintings grew in size until the entire side of
a subway carriage, windows and all, was painted
in 1975.
Graffiti writing was an extremely dangerous
pastime, and the writers faced many obstacles in
pursuit of their goal. They worked in darkness,
surrounded by heavy machinery and live electrical
rails or balanced on narrow ledges high above the
street. Painting their names on the subway trains
was illegal and they had to be ready at any
moment to dash down the tracks to safety if the
police arrived. In addition, they had to face their
parents’ anger at home and attacks of hostile rivals
in the street.
There was also opposition to the writers from the
public. To many people in New York, graffiti was
linked to crime and vandalism. At times there was
so much graffiti on the subway system that it
seemed as if the authorities had lost control. The
police created special squads of detectives to raid
the yards and tunnels to catch writers, but they
had only limited success in bringing the problem
under control.
The Transport Authority, faced with a seemingly
endless battle, brought in a new programme to get
rid of the graffiti. The aim was to remove it within
two hours so that the writers would never get the
chance to see their work. This involved getting
teams of cleaners to work at the end of the train
lines, immediately removing any new graffiti. If a
carriage was covered in graffiti, it was not allowed
on the transport system at all until everything had
been cleaned off. Over a period of a few years, this
approach slowed down and then stopped the
graffiti almost completely.
Graffiti, however, has not died out; instead, it has
become mainstream. Sotero Ortiz, who once ran
away from the police in the New York subways,
now specialises in graffiti for companies,
decorating the sides of shops or painting huge
advertisements. His clients include Coca Cola and
Reebok, and the company he has set up makes a
profit of about half a million dollars a year. Even
the police have begun to see graffiti writers in a
new light. ‘I think their work is excellent,’ says
Detective Sotolongo of the 41st Precinct. ‘They’re
artists, to say the least.’
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8 According to the article, the first items of graffiti
A were limited to street names.
B appeared in one neighbourhood.
C indicated which gangs were dominant in an area.
D gave the full names of the graffiti writers.

9 Taki 183 became well known mainly because

A he invented a new style of graffiti.
B he appeared in the newspaper.
C he had an unusual job.
D he wrote his name on trains.

10 What is meant by ‘piece’ in line 29?

A a large painting
B a carriage of a train
C a can of spray paint
D a painting on a window

11 Graffiti writers were in danger because

A they were often chased by the police.
B they worked in unsafe conditions.
C the tunnels were dark.
D they were breaking the law.

12 Many members of the public thought that

A graffiti was connected with crime.
B there were not enough transport police.
C the graffiti writers were not punished hard enough.
D the Transport Authority did not mind the graffiti.

13 What was the effect of the Transport Authority’s programme?

A It caused delays to the system.
B It solved the problem within a few hours.
C The trains were always free of litter.
D It slowly made things better.

14 Sotero Ortiz
A is in trouble with police.
B runs an advertising agency.
C owns his own company.
D works in the 41st Precinct.

15 Detective Solongo’s comments show that

A the police’s attitude to graffiti has changed.
B graffiti writers work for the police department.
C graffiti writing is a good way to make money.
D there are fewer graffiti artists than there used to be.

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 Part 3

You are going to read an article about a woman who owns a circus. Eight sentences have been removed
from the article. Choose from the sentences A–I the one which fits each gap (16–22). There is one extra
sentence which you do not need to use. There is an example at the beginning (0).

Mark your answers on the separate answer sheet.

Life in the big top with Giffords Circus

Nell Gifford lives a childhood fantasy – as a ringmaster.

The drum rolls, the curtains open, and a horse
rears into the spotlight. Nell Gifford, a statuesque
27-year-old, is riding the horse. The crowd cheers
and, with a thumping heart, she begins: ‘Ladies
and gentlemen, boys and girls welcome to Giffords
Circus’. The ringmistress, Nell Gifford, is the only
female circus owner in Europe. She and her
husband Toti started the business just a few years
ago. (0) I . Their performances are always
sold out, and they recently so impressed their
colleagues that they were awarded the prestigious
Jerwood circus award.
If the word ‘circus’ conjures up images of
aggressive clowns and sick-looking lions, think
again. (16) . The other acts are a mixture of
theatre, dance and traditional circus skills such as
juggling and acrobatics, all accompanied by a
circus band.
The show is based on old circuses from the 1930s
and much of its appeal comes from its size.
(17) . The ring is also fairly small, and the
audience can almost reach out and touch the
performers as they move around. This creates a
real feeling of belonging; as Nell points out ‘There
are no tricks, no hiding behind lights. It’s all pretty
raw.’
From May to September, the circus travels around
the countryside, stopping in small villages all over
the south of England. ‘Villages today need live
entertainment,’ says Nell ‘and a good circus in a
village provides a focal point for everyone.
(18) . And we know from people’s reactions
tha villagers really appreciate what we are trying
to do.’
Nell’s route into the business was an unusual one.
She had an idyllic childhood in the English
countryside, growing up with horses and ponies.
Later she went to Oxford University, where she
studied English Literature. (19) .
That all changed when she went to America at the
age of 18 and joined Circus Flora, which was
owned by a distant relative. ‘I went there for no
other reason than the promise of adventure in the
USA,’ says Nell. ‘but from day one, there was no
question that this was what I wanted to do.
(20) . It felt as if the rest of my life had just
started.
From then on she spent all her free time working
in circuses, learning as much as she could about
the business. When she was back in Europe, she
joined the acclaimed Circus Roncalli to develop
her riding skills even more. (21) . Her fiance
Toti frequently visited and became entranced by
the lifestyle, and it was then that they began to
make plans to set up a circus of their own.
For Nell and Toti, the success of their circus is a
dream come true, but it also involves a great deal
of work. Summer is filled with the challenges of
keeping the show on the road, moving every
few days, keeping the performers happy, and
managing the day to day aspects of the business.
(22) .
There are no definite plans for the future, but why
should there be, as life on the road is only just
beginning? Gifford’s circus is going from strength
to strength, and promises many exciting summers
for years to come.

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A It was there that she learned the skill of haute
ecole – making a horse perform on its back
legs.
B The tent can only hold a maximum of 250
people, so the atmosphere is close and
intimate.
C Entering the ring for the first time as a
performer was a fantastic thrill.
D We feel we are putting something back into
these communities that has been missing for
some time.
E We always look for the best of new and
traditional circus, but the problem is that
many of the best acts go abroad.
F There were very few signs that this fairly
traditional upbringing would lead to a rather
shy young girl to career in the circus.
G But winter is also a busy time, and is in fact
when Nell is at her most frantic, researching,
designing and preparing the next show.
H There are no wild animals, but horses play a
leading role in the performances, and Nell
herself is an expert rider.
I Since then, they have together created one
of the most successful shows in the country.
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 Part 4

You are going to read some short reports that former students from a school in Britain have written for the
careers office. For questions 23–35, choose from one of the reports A–E. When more than one answer is
required, these may be given in any order. There is an example at the beginning.

Mark your answers on the separate answer sheet.

Which person

helps people to exceed their expectations? 0 D

achieved a childhood ambition? 23

has changed careers? 24

spent time working abroad? 25 26

could easily find work in another part of the world? 27

is in charge of a team? 28

had a part-time job when they were at university? 29

had to study abroad? 30

has obtained an extra qualification since starting work? 31

works to tight deadlines? 32

works with young people? 33

lived in the countryside as a child? 34 35

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 MY CAREER SO FAR
We asked five former students to tell us about their world of work.
Here’s what they had to say ....
A Since I was at primary school I’ve known I
wanted to make jewellery. You get a real sense
of satisfaction out of jewellery-making because
you work on something from the start to the
finish, and at the end can see what you’ve done.
I work together with eight to ten other people
at a company which specialises in silver
jewellery and I’m the foreman, which I enjoy. It
also helps if you have an interest outside of
work, like collecting antique pieces, because
then your job becomes a part of what you like
doing anyway.
B I was bought up on a farm and that’s basically
how I got into being a pig farmer. I worked on
a pig farm for a couple of years in Derbyshire
in England. I then moved to New Zealand, and
I had a job on a farm there for a couple of
years. I’ve been at this farm since I came back.
I like the fact that you’re doing something
different everyday and it’s very rewarding. I
also think it’s important for me to keep learning
and that’s why I completed a National Diploma
in Agri-Business Management last year.
Farming is a competitive business and you need
to stay ahead.
C I’ve been working as a television journalist for
six months now and I love it. I studied Spanish
and Maths at university and then worked as a
translator in Spain. After eight years or so, I
decided to do something new and came home.
Journalism seemed really interesting, so I
worked for a range of newspapers and
magazines, and eventually got a job as a
television reporter. A lot of my time is spent in
the car, travelling up and down the country to
get stories. We have to go back to the office
though to work on putting the story together.
We look at the camera footage and write a
script to go with it. There’s a lot of time
pressure involved in this job and sometimes we
can still be editing a story one or two minutes
before it is actually shown on television.
D I’m an outdoor recreation guide, and I guess
that’s partly because I grew up in the mountains
and had an upbringing that included lots of
rock climbing. While I was doing my degree in
tourism and management at university, I also
organised outdoor recreation courses for a local
youth group. I enjoy teaching teenagers, and
I’m now a qualified instructor in canoeing, rock
climbing, and ice climbing. I also teach
avalanche awareness, and run mountain safety
courses at schools. Instructing is about giving
people the skills to go out and achieve
something by themselves. It’s great when you
witness them doing something they never
thought they were capable of.
E I’m a winemaker, and really enjoy working in
rural Britain. When I was at school, I worked in
a winery during the holidays, and then after I
left, I spent a month with a local winemaker. It
was my time with him that made me decide to
pursue winemaking as a career. I had to go to
France to study winemaking because in those
days there weren’t any courses available in
Britain. But it was an interesting time, and I met
lots of people from different wine-making
countries like the USA and Australia. When I
graduated, I came back to the UK to this
winery, and I’ve been working here ever since.
The good thing about this job is the fact that
you can work practically anywhere in the world
– lots of countries produce wine now.
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FCE Practice Test
Paper 2 Writing

Part 1

You must answer this question.

1 Your English friend Jane and her parents are coming to visit for a day. Unfortunately you will be away
at the time, and will not be able to show them round. Read Jane’s letter and the notes you have made
on it. Then using all your notes write a letter to Jane.

I was so sorry to hear you won’t be there when we

come, but maybe we can meet up when I come over
next time, probably in September. Anyway, it would
be great if you could give us some advice and
suggestions. We’re arriving on Friday morning and
staying where? leaving early on Saturday, so we haven’t got much
time. I’ve spoken to Mum and Dad, and there are a
few things we’d like to do.

yes, have a Friday morning – a trip to a nice tourist site would

couple of ideas be fun, but nowhere too far.

Lunch – we’d all like to try some traditional local

say where to go food. Any ideas?
and what to have
Friday afternoon – Mum wants to do something
‘cultural’. Any good museums/art galleries, etc you
Tell her can suggest?

Evening – can you think of anything to do in the

Suggest an evening? (My parents are over 60, so nothing too
evening activity noisy!)

Hope to hear from you soon,

Love,

Jane

Write a letter of between 120 and 180 words in an appropriate style. Do not write any postal
addresses.

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 Part 2

Write an answer to one of the questions 2–5 in this part. Write your answer in 120–180 words in an
appropriate style.

2 You recently took part in a class discussion about taking care of elderly people. Your teacher has now
asked you to write a composition answering the following question and giving your reasons.

What is the best way of looking after elderly relatives?

Write your composition.

3 An English language magazine has invited readers to contribute articles to the magazine. Read this
information.

We are going to publish a collection of articles about great places for young people to visit. If you have
enjoyed a visit somewhere, we’d love to hear from you. Tell us about:

* where it is and the best time to go

* what you did on your visit
* what young people can do there

Write your article.

4 Your teacher has asked you to write a short story. Your story must begin or end with these words.

Everybody makes mistakes.

Write your story.

5 Answer one of the following questions based on your reading of one of the set books. Write the letter
(a) or (b) as well as the number 5 in the question box, and the title of the book next to the box.

Either (a) Would the book you have read make a good film? You have been asked to write an article
for your college magazine answering this question. Explain your views, and say what would work well
in a film and what might be more difficult.

Or (b) You have had a class discussion about the characters in the book you have read. Now your
teacher has asked you to write a composition in which you describe which character changes the
most during the course of the book.

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FCE Practice Test
Paper 3 Use of English

Part 1

For questions 1–15, read the text below and decide which answer (A, B, C or D) best fits each space.
There is an example at the beginning (0).

Mark your answers on the separate answer sheet.

Example:

0 A capable B managing C able D possible

0 A B C D
■ ■ ■ ■

THE STORY OF FLIGHT

From the very start of recorded history, people have always dreamed of being (0) to fly. The earliest

ideas were (1) on the movements of birds, and an (2) Greek legend tells the story of Icarus, whose

man-made wings melted when he flew (3) close to the sun.

It was not (4) the 18th century that the dream of flying was (5) achieved. Two brothers, Joseph and

Etienne Montgolfier decided to take a completely different (6) to the problem; (7) of trying to build a

machine that imitated a bird, they designed a balloon that was (8) than air.

The first (9) demonstration of manned flight took (10) in Paris in November 1793 in front of

thousands of spectators. The first passengers were Jean-Francois de Rozier and the Marquis d’Arlandes,

who (11) off from a location just outside the city. The flight (12) for 25 minutes, and the two men

landed (13) after covering a (14) of approximately 8 kilometres.

The success of the Montgolfiers’ balloon (15) others to try out new designs. In the space of just a few

months, a hydrogen balloon had been built, and a new chapter in aviation history had begun.

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 1 A set B designed C based D placed

2 A ancient B antique C aged D elderly

3 A more B much C too D so

4 A until B while C in D after

5 A lastly B subsequently C finally D consequently

6 A approach B plan C look D method

7 A instead B better C rather D apart

8 A looser B lesser C lighter D lower

9 A common B shared C general D public

10 A place B part C hold D up

11 A rose B climbed C raised D took

12 A lasted B longed C stayed D remained

13 A reliably B surely C safely D wholly

14 A distance B range C length D measure

15 A urged B suggested C proposed D encouraged

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 Part 2

For questions 16–30, read the text below and think of the word which best fits each space. Use only one
word in each space. There is an example at the beginning (0).

Write your answers on the separate answer sheet.

Example: 0 of

UNESCO’S WORLD HERITAGE SITES

The UNESCO list of World Heritage Sites has details (0) of nearly a thousand places (16) are of

special cultural importance. The project has been going (17) 1972, and helps countries to look after

sites that are valuable (18) just to the local community, but to the whole world.

The list covers a wide range of different places. Some, such (19) the Pyramids of Egypt or the

Acropolis in Athens, are thousands of years (20) . There are also buildings like Cologne Cathedral in

Germany, which was started in 1248 but was not completed (21) 1880. Sometimes whole districts

of a city – the centre of St Petersburg, (22) example – are classified as a single site. As (23)

as buildings, the UNESCO list mentions some areas (24) outstanding natural beauty like the Great

Barrier Reef in Australia.

Experts from UNESCO meet (25) time to time to look at any new sites that people (26)

recommended and to discuss whether they should (27) added to the list. If a site is chosen,

UNESCO may provide money (28) that conservation work can be carried out. (29) this way,

every country is encouraged to take (30) of its treasures for future generations.

*UNESCO = United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization

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 Part 3

For questions 31–40, complete the second sentence so that it has a similar meaning to the first sentence,
using the word given. Do not change the word given. You must use between two and five words, including
the word given. Here is an example (0).

Write only the missing words on the separate answer sheet.

Example:

0 You must do exactly what the teacher tells you.

carry

You must instructions exactly.

The space can be filled by the words ‘carry out the teacher’s’, so you write:

0 carry out the teacher’s

31 The sea isn’t warm enough to swim in at the beginning of April.

too

The sea is in at the beginning of April.

32 The guide told us that going into the river was dangerous.

warned

The guide go into the river.

33 You were wrong to finish the exam early and leave.

should

You the exam so early and left.

34 I’ve had a talk with her but I don’t think it will change the way she behaves.

difference

I’ve had a talk with her, but I don’t think it will the way she behaves.

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35 Remember that the final bill for the house will probably be higher than you think.

likely

Remember that the final bill for the house higher than you think.

36 I’ll give you my phone number because you might need to ring me.

case

I’ll give you my phone number ring me.

37 It started raining three days ago.

been

It three days.

38 I almost never see my cousin any more.

ever

I my cousin any more.

39 The teacher said she was going to record the lesson.

make

The teacher said she was going to the lesson.

40 How many teams participated in the race?

part

How many teams the race?

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 Part 4

For questions 41–55, read the text below and look carefully ate each line. Some of the lines are correct,
and some have a word which should not be there.
If a line is correct, put a tick (✓) by the number on the separate answer sheet. If a line has a word which
should not be there, write the word on the separate answer sheet. There are two examples at the
beginning (0 and 00)

0 ✓
Examples:
00 in

THE VISIT

0 I was so happy to get your email, and we’re all so excited that

00 you’re coming back to England in next summer. It has been such

41 a long time since you were last here and I do hope that you can

42 to stay with us for a few weeks, because we’ve got a

43 lot of catching up to do. We’re already been planning some of the

44 things that we can do when you come to here. As I think

45 I said you in my last email, Alice has taken up sailing,

46 and she would love for to take you out for a trip on the boat. We

47 normally go down to a small village in Cornwall for a few days,

48 so if you would like to join us, that it would be great. The other

49 bit of news is that we now have had a tennis court in the village.

50 David has been playing regularly, and he is now getting good

51 quite. He’s already looking forward to playing with you, but

52 I have warned him that you were a professional and he doesn’t

53 stand much of chance of beating you. Anyway, if you can think

54 of anything else that you would like to do while you’re here,

55 please let me know it, and I’ll see what we can sort out.

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 Part 5

For questions 56–65, read the text below. Use the word given in capitals at the end of each line to form a
word that fits in the space in the same line. There is an example at the beginning (0).

Write your answers on the separate answer sheet.

Example: 0 youngest

PLAYSTATION THUMB

A 13-year-old girl from Durban has become the (0) youngest YOUNG

person to have had a (56) accepted by the CONTRIBUTE

(57) respected South African Medical Journal. INTERNATIONAL

Safura Karim (58) did her research into ‘Playstation Thumb’ ORIGIN

as part of a school project. It gives details of the (59) that INJURE

many of her schoolmates (60) suffer from, and which are REGULAR

caused by the (61) use of computer games for hours and hours. INTERRUPT

Safura thinks that computer games are (62) and does not own POINT

a Playstation herself.

She said that she was (63) to hear that her article had been DELIGHT

accepted by the journal. She comes from a (64) family – her SCIENCE

parents are both (65) , and she is hoping to become a doctor. RESEARCH

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FCE Practice Test
Paper 4 Listening

Part 1

You will hear people talking in eight different situations. For questions 1–8, choose the best answer A,
B or C.

1 You hear a man talking on the phone. He is calling

A to make an invitation.

B to cancel an arrangement. 1

C to make an apology.

2 You hear a woman talking to a friend about a tennis tournament. What does she advise her friend to
do?

A to take the car

B to park in a different location 2

C to go by train

3 You hear a woman talking on the phone. Where is the person she is talking to going?

A to an airport

B to a bus station 3

C to a train station

4 You hear a man talking about buying a computer. Why does he prefer to use his local computer shop?

A Its machines are more reliable.

B The prices are lower. 4

C The after-sales service is better.

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5 A commentator is talking about a football match. What does he think of the fans’ behaviour?

A It is disappointing.

B It is understandable. 5

C It is surprising.

6 You will hear a man talking about a diet. What does he say about it?

A He can not eat cream or cheese.

B He must avoid fruit. 6

C He must only have two main meals a day.

7 You turn on the radio and hear a woman talking about a new film. What does she think about it?

A It was better than the first film.

B The main actress’ performance was disappointing. 7

C It was badly written.

8 You hear someone talking to a friend. What is she talking about?

A a cinema

B an art gallery 8

C a theatre

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 Part 2

You will hear part of an interview with Jenny Langton, a marine archaeologist. For questions 9–18,
complete the sentences.

She decided to become a marine archaeologist when she was 9

As a child, she wanted to 10

The family spent 11 in Cornwall.

Jenny’s grandparents were both 12

She studied 13 at Exeter University.

One part of her job involves making 14 for nautical charts.

She uses some of the information she collects to locate 15

The study of the Titanic showed it was being damaged by 16

Later this year she will be working with a historian to look for 17

Some people believe that this ship’s cargo contained 18

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 Part 3

You will hear five students talking about their experiences with Volunteers Abroad, an organisation that
allows volunteers to take part in aid and conservation projects around the world. For questions 19–23,
choose which problem or difficulty (A–F) each speaker mentions. Use the letters only once. There is one
extra letter which you do not need to use.

A I had trouble sleeping.

Speaker 1 19

B I felt that I was in a dangerous situation.

Speaker 2 20

C I had trouble communicating with colleagues.

Speaker 3 21

D I did not have the chance to explore the countryside.

Speaker 4 22

E I was seriously ill.

Speaker 5 23

F I was delayed by bad weather.

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 Part 4

You will hear an interview with a Scottish classical guitarist, David Russell. For questions 24–30, choose
the best answer (A, B or C).

24 When he was a young child, David says that he

A listened to his father playing the guitar.

B learned how to play the guitar from his father.
D worked hard to develop his musical skills.

25 At the Royal Academy, David

A did not get on well with his first teacher.

B learned a great deal from his first teacher.
C admired the way his first teacher played.

26 The second teacher

A taught David for many years.

B took away David’s confidence.
C had a positive effect on David.

27 After his meetings with Segovia, David

A was full of enthusiasm.

B did not want to practise.
C felt very nervous.

28 In his classes, David

A tries to inspire his students.

B makes his students work very hard.
C concentrates on his students’ technique.

29 David gets most pleasure from

A learning new music.

B travelling to new places.
C performing for an audience.

30 What does David say about the people who came to the concert in Africa?

A They were rude and aggressive.

B They behaved in an unexpected way.
C They really liked his singing.

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FCE Practice Test
Paper 5 Speaking

Part 2

Candidate A

Candidate B

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Part 3

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