1. CAE
Reading Comprehension Paper

2. Parts 1 and 3
Both parts 1 and 3 consist of texts
followed by multiple choice
questions which focus on a variety
of aspects including:
•
•
•
•
•
Details
Style
Attitudes
Author’s purpose or opinion
The meaning of certain words or phrases.

3. In Part 1 you will have to
read three short passages.
The passages will all be on a
theme, and will include
different types of text. You
have to answer two questions
on each text.

4. In Part 3, you read a long
text and then answer 7 fouroption questions which test
your detailed understanding
of the main ideas in the text,
as well as the attitude and
opinion of the writer.

5. The questions follow the
order of the text and may
focus on the meaning of
whole paragraphs, on points
of detail or the use of
particular expressions.

6. Before you look at the
questions, quickly read
through the whole text to get
an idea of the content.

7. Read each question stem
carefully but don’t read the
options yet.
Mark the general area of the
text which is relevant to each
question.

8. Read the text carefully. When
you reach a part you have
marked, look at the question
stem and the options.
Eliminate the options which are
clearly wrong and choose the
best answer.

9. Underline key phrases or
sentences which help you
make your choice.

10. Many of the wrong options or
distractors express ideas
which are similar to, but not
the same as, those
expressed in the text.

11. Re-read the questions.
Do the options you have
chosen accurately reflect the
information you have
underlined in the text?

12. During both your quick read
and your more detailed read,
you will need to use context
to help you guess the
meaning of unknown
vocabulary.

13. In Part 2 you will read a text
from which 6 paragraphs
have been removed and
placed in jumbled order after
the text.

14. This task tests your
understanding of text structure
and your ability to predict how
a text will develop.

15. Read the base text through,
ignoring the options for the
moment.
Most of the information you
need to follow the story or
argument is in the base text.

16. As you read, pay attention to
the information and ideas before
and after each gap- start to
think about what might be
missing.
Underline the words and
expressions that make direct
reference to what has gone
before, e.g. so, next, it, though,
etc.

17. Read paragraphs A-G to get
a general idea of their
content.
Underline any words or
expressions that make direct
reference to what has gone
before.

18. Go through the base text again.
Stop at each gap and check whether
each option fits it or not.
Look for vocabulary and grammar
links.
If you can’t decide between two
paragraphs, write both letters and
come back to it later.

19. When you’ve finished, read
the whole text with your
answers in place. Does it
make sense?
Remember, there’s one
option which does not fit any
gap.

20. Part 4 consists of a text or
several short texts preceded
by 15 questions or
statements which you have
to match with the
corresponding information in
the text.

21. Read the instructions carefully.
Read all the questions,
highlighting key words and
phrases.
Read the whole text quickly to
get an idea of the content of
each section.

22. Look at each question in turn.
Find and highlight the pieces of
text which talk about these
ideas (there will probably be
more than one).
Read the sections carefully to
decide which is the best match.

23. If you are not sure of an
answer, move on to the next
question –this will save time.
Go back to those you’re not
sure about at the end.

24. If you are still unsure of
some answers, then guess.
Remember, there are no
penalties for wrong answers,
and your instinct may be
right!

25. Sources: Ready for CAE, CB. CAE Gold Plus, CB.