At B1 level for the Cambridge PET exam, more complex grammar starts to become a factor. Conditionals are one of those grammatical areas that definitely fall into the complex category. B1 level candidates are expected to have control over simple grammar and have some control or at least attempt complex grammar. With these 14 PET […]
Preliminary (PET) Transformations – Conditionals Read More »
The Use of English paper in the Cambridge First (FCE) exam is a challenge. It’s a challenge for students, but it can sometimes be a challenge for teachers to train for as well. Of all the activities in the paper, it’s FCE Use of English Part 2, also known as the open cloze, which consistently
How to do First (FCE) Use of English Part 2 “Open Cloze” Read More »
Word formation is probably the easiest part of Cambridge exams to gamify (from the root word GAME of course). Use any of these word formation games as a quick intro or filler for your classes. Most of them require little to no preparation so you can keep them in your bag of TEFL tricks for
Word Formation Games Read More »
Once your students get to a high C1 level, there isn’t much grammar left to surprise or challenge them. It’s often more important to focus on accuracy than to introduce things that are completely new. However, there are still a few nice, juicy grammar points that we can teach our Advanced students. Inversion is one
Advanced (CAE) C1 Key Word Transformations – Inversion Read More »
The passive is one of Cambridge’s favourite grammar points to test in Writing Part 1 of the PET exam. I’d go as far as to say that of the 5 questions in the exam 1 of them will probably test the passive. In short, in PET transformations, passive is practically guaranteed to show up. This
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Fixed expressions are a huge part of the Cambridge Advanced exam, coming into play far more frequently than in lower levels. The difficulty with CAE fixed expressions is that learners will often recognise them and understand them when seen in context. However, making them part of of their active vocabulary is a much greater challenge.
Advanced (CAE) – Fixed Expressions Read More »
The Preliminary (PET) exam doesn’t have a Use of English section, but it does still have key-word transformations. They appear as Writing Part 1 and they are often a challenge for candidates. However, one of the advantages teachers and students have at B1 level is that Cambridge provides a clear list of grammatical structures necessary
Preliminary (PET) Transformations – Comparatives and Superlatives Read More »
Reporting verbs is a challenging grammar point at B2 level, but doing plenty of reporting verbs exercises can help. This grammar combines reported speech, which is nobody’s favourite, with verb patterns, which is really nobody’s favourite. Throw in using the reporting verbs in the past and you’ve got a messy lesson on your hands. In
First (FCE) B2 Key Word Transformations – Reporting Verbs Exercise Read More »
Advanced (CAE) C1 key word transformations can be a huge challenge for students. These fixed expressions CAE transformations use expressions that can be difficult to remember. Fixed expressions like “make up your mind” or “taken aback” can pop up at C1 level and you need to be prepared not only to recognise them in a
Advanced (CAE) C1 Key Word Transformations – Fixed Expressions Read More »
Advanced (CAE) word formation gets to be quite tricky. You might occasionally get an easy word, but you’ll also get multiple changes and uncommon vocabulary thrown at you. You can do lessons on negative prefixes, lessons on uncommon suffixes and many other Advanced (CAE) word formation strategies. However, the fact remains that one of the best
Advanced (CAE) Word Formation Board Game Read More »
