The Cambridge Reading exam has six parts, 35 questions in total. In each part, there are different types of texts and questions that requires different reading skills to answer correctly and show your understanding of the texts which could be clippings and articles from magazines, newspapers, signs, etc.
You will have to read short texts that will have an instruction, a notice, or message of some sort, and you have to choose either A, B, or C.
There are 5 questions in total for this part. Underlining the key points in the text will help when choosing the correct answer.
For this part, you are going to read 8 (A-H) short descriptions of a topic or activity. Each description will be slightly different.
Then you will have to read 5 statements from different people expressing their preferences. You then need to choose which description is most suitable for each statement.
Everyone’s need is required to be met. If the person needs parking for the car but the option has no parking…then that is not the correct answer. So sure it matches up as possible.
In part 3, you will have a longer text to read, around 3 to 4 paragraphs. The text will have a topic where the writer will give a detailed description and state an overall opinion about the subject.
Then there are 5 questions in total to answer, similar to the image on the left. Each question will ask for the writer’s opinion or to clarify his points by answering A, B, C, or D. Think of synonyms while answering the question as in the reading, it won’t be exactly the same word.
You will have another long text to read, which will have five sentences removed.
You then need to choose which sentence best completes the text. There are 8 (A-H) sentences to choose from. 3 sentences will not be needed to use. When selecting your answer, always reread it afterwards to check that it connects together and makes sense. If it sounds slightly wrong or doesn’t make sense, then it is most likely incorrect.
For this part, there will be a text with 6 gaps/spaces. Each gap requires one word which you can choose from a list.
You will be given the option of 4 words A, B, C, or D. This will challenge your vocabulary cohesion. Some of the available words are similar, however, think about the word before and after the gaps. Some verbs have a certain preposition they use.
And for the last part of the reading exam, you will be given another text with gaps to fill in. You will not be given any options, this time you need to think of and write a word in the gaps.
The answer will test your grammar skills. Not about vocabulary so the answer will never be words like films or umbrellas.
Common answers are prepositions, pronouns, articles and comparisons (more than).
- Point out keys words in the reading texts or answers. This will enable you to think about what you are looking for
- Don’t worry if you do not understand the text fully, just try to understand the context/gist
- Reread and check your answers
- Practice reading as much as possible and finding synonyms
You will score 1 mark for each correct answer.
When the exam has been completed, your score will be scaled and added to the rest of the Cambridge exam scores. Your overall average scale will determine which level you have achieved.
Feel like you need to practice some exercises? Or want to try out the other parts of the exam?
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