General Tips for Reading & Use of English C1 & C2

Here is the definitive strategy guide specifically for the Reading & Use of English paper (C1 Advanced & C2 Proficiency).

This paper is a marathon (90 minutes). It tests your grammar speed and your reading endurance.

⏱️ Time Management Strategy: The "45/45 Split"

You have 90 minutes for 8 parts. Do not just start at Part 1 and finish at Part 8.

• First 15-20 Minutes: Do Parts 1, 2, 3, and 4 (Use of English). These require fast, grammatical thinking. You either know the answer or you don't. Don't waste time staring.

• Next 60 Minutes: Do Parts 5, 6, 7, and 8 (Reading). These require deep focus and re-reading.

• Last 10 Minutes: Transfer your answers to the sheet. Do not wait until the final second.

  
  

🟢 Section 1: Use of English (Parts 1–4)

Focus: Precision, Grammar, and Vocabulary.

Part 1: Multiple Choice Cloze (Idioms & Collocations)

• The "Masking" Technique: Before you look at options A, B, C, D, cover them with your thumb. Read the sentence and guess the missing word. Then look at the options. If your guess is there, it's 95% likely to be correct.

• Collocation vs. Definition: The options often have the same meaning but only one fits grammatically.

  • Example: "He _____ a crime." (Options: did, made, committed, performed). All mean "do," but only committed collocates with "crime."

Part 2: Open Cloze (Grammar Words)

• What goes here? It is almost never a noun or a main adjective. It is usually:

  • Prepositions (depend on, interested in)

  • Relative Pronouns (who, which, that, what)

  • Auxiliary Verbs (has, been, was, did)

  • Linkers (despite, although, unless)

• The "Double Check": Read the whole sentence again after filling the gap. Does it sound natural?

Part 3: Word Formation (Root Words)

• The "Negative" Trap: This is the most common way to lose points. If the word is APPEAR and the sentence is "The magician made the rabbit vanish," the answer is DISAPPEARANCE, not Appearance. Always check if the meaning needs to be negative.

• Spelling Counts: In C1/C2, if you misspell the word (e.g., comitment instead of commitment), you get zero points.

Part 4: Key Word Transformation (The "Math" Problem)

• The 3-6 Word Rule: Contractions (don't, can't) count as two words.

• Don't change the keyword: Never change the form of the word given (e.g., if given STRONG, don't write STRONGLY).

• The "Vertical" Check: Write your new sentence under the old one. Match the parts that stay the same. The parts that are different must mean exactly the same thing.

  
  

🟣 Section 2: Reading Comprehension (Parts 5–8)

Focus: Inference, Structure, and Detail.

Part 5: Multiple Choice (Long Text)

• The "Order" Rule: The questions follow the text chronologically. Question 31 is in paragraph 1 or 2; Question 36 is in the final paragraph.

• Distractors: The text will mention keywords from all the options (A, B, C, D). You are looking for the option that matches the meaning, not just the vocabulary.

• Inference: If the question asks "What does the writer imply...", the answer is not explicitly written. Look for adjectives that show attitude (e.g., ironically, surprisingly, unfortunately).

Part 6: Cross-Text Matching (4 Experts)

• Don't Read Deeply Yet: First, read the questions (37-40). Identify the topic (e.g., "Nuclear Safety").

• The Matrix Method: Go to Expert A. What is their opinion on Safety? (Positive/Negative?). Write a + or - next to Text A. Do the same for B, C, D. Then match them to the question (e.g., "Who shares Expert A's opinion?").

Part 7: Gapped Text (Missing Paragraphs)

• The "Linker" Hunt: This is a puzzle, not a reading test. Look for "hooks" at the end of the text paragraph and the start of the option paragraph.

  • Pronouns: Text says: "He was angry." Option says: "This anger stemmed from..."

  • Contrast: Text says: "It was a sunny day." Option says: "However, clouds soon gathered."

  • Names: Text says: "Dr. Smith disagreed." Option says: "She argued that..."

• Getty Images

Part 8: Multiple Matching (Scanning)

• Reverse Strategy: Do NOT read the texts first. Read the questions first.

• Underline Keywords: If the question asks "Which person had an unexpected career change?", underline unexpected and career.

• Scan for Synonyms: Look at the texts. You won't find the word "unexpected." You might find "I never planned to do this" or "It happened by accident."