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Proficiency
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Handbook for teachers

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Exam content and overview

Paper/timing Test content Test focus

Part 1 Gapped text with eight multiple-choice cloze questions. Assessment of candidates’ ability to
understand the meaning of written
Part 2 Modified open cloze with eight questions. English at word, phrase, sentence,
paragraph and whole-text level, and
demonstrate knowledge and control of the
Part 3 One short text with eight word-formation questions.
language system.
READING AND
Part 4 Six key word transformations.
USE OF ENGLISH
1 hr 30 mins Part 5 Long text with six 4-option multiple-choice questions.

Part 6 Gapped text with seven questions.

Part 7 One long text or several short texts with 10 multiple-

matching questions.

Part 1 One compulsory question. Assessment of candidates’ ability to

WRITING write specified text types with a range
1 hr 30 mins Part 2 Candidates answer one question from a of functions.
choice of five (including the set text option).

Part 1 Three short extracts with two 3-option Assessment of candidates’ ability to
multiple-choice questions on each. understand the meaning of spoken
English, to extract information from a text
Part 2 One long text with nine sentence-completion questions. and to understand speakers’ attitudes
LISTENING and opinions.
Approx. 40 mins Part 3 One long text with five 4-option multiple-
choice questions.

Part 4 Five short themed monologues with 10 multiple-

matching questions.

Part 1 Interview. Assessment of candidates’ ability to

produce spoken English using a range of
SPEAKING Part 2 Collaborative task. functions in a variety of tasks.
16 mins
Part 3 Individual long turns and follow-up discussion.
 CONTENTS

Preface
This handbook is for teachers who are preparing candidates for Cambridge English: Proficiency, also known as Certificate of Proficiency in English
(CPE). The introduction gives an overview of the exam and its place within Cambridge English Language Assessment. This is followed by a
focus on each paper and includes content, advice on preparation and example papers.

If you need further copies of this handbook, please email [email protected]

Contents
About Cambridge English Language Assessment 2 Writing 21
The world’s most valuable range of English qualifications 2 General description 21
Key features of Cambridge English exams 2 Structure and tasks 21
Proven quality 3 The two parts of the Writing paper 22
Cambridge English: Proficiency – an overview 3 Preparation 23
Exam formats 3 Sample paper 25
Who is the exam for? 3 Assessment of Writing 26
Who recognises the exam? 3 Sample scripts and examiner comments 30
What level is the exam? 3
Listening 39
About the exam 4 General description 39
A thorough test of all areas of language ability 4 Structure and tasks 39
Marks and results 5 The four parts of the Listening paper 40
Exam support 6 Preparation 41
Support for teachers 6 Sample paper 42
Support for candidates 6 Answer key 49
Candidate answer sheet 50
Reading and Use of English 7
General description 7 Speaking 51
Structure and tasks 7 General description 51
The seven parts of the Reading and Use of English paper 8 Structure and tasks 51
Preparation 10 The three parts of the Speaking test 52
Sample paper 13 Preparation 53
Answer key 19 Sample paper 54
Candidate answer sheet 19 Assessment of Speaking 57

Cambridge English: Proficiency glossary 62

CAMBRIDGE ENGLISH: PROFICIENCY HANDBOOK FOR TEACHERS 1

ABOUT CAMBRIDGE ENGLISH LANGUAGE ASSESSMENT

About Cambridge English The world’s most valuable range of English

qualifications
Language Assessment Cambridge English Language Assessment offers the world’s leading
range of qualifications for learners and teachers of English. Over
Cambridge English: Proficiency is developed by Cambridge English 5 million Cambridge English exams are taken each year in more than
Language Assessment, part of the University of Cambridge. 130 countries.
We are one of three major exam boards which form the Cambridge We offer assessments across the full spectrum of language ability –
Assessment Group (Cambridge Assessment). More than 8 million for general communication, for professional and academic purposes,
Cambridge Assessment exams are taken in over 170 countries and also for specific business English qualifications. All of our exams
around the world every year. are aligned to the principles and approach of the Common European
Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR).

To find out more about Cambridge English exams and the CEFR, go to
www.cambridgeenglish.org/cefr
Cambridge English
A range of exams to meet different needs
One of the oldest universities in the world
and one of the largest in the United Kingdom Proficiency
(CPE)
C2 C2

Proficient user
Common European Framework of Reference (CEFR)
9
90
8
Advanced Business BULATS IELTS
Departments of the University (CAE) Higher
C1 (BEC)
7.5
7
C1
75
6.5
First First Business

Independent user
(FCE) for (FCE) Vantage 6
B2 Schools (BEC)
5.5
B2
60
5
Preliminary Preliminary Business
(PET) for (PET) Preliminary 4.5
B1 Schools (BEC)
4
B1
40
Flyers Key (KET) Key
(YLE Flyers) for Schools (KET)
A2 A2
Basic user

20
Movers
(YLE Movers)

Cambridge Assessment: the trading name for the

A1 A1
University of Cambridge Local Examinations Syndicate (UCLES) Starters
(YLE Starters)

Departments (exam boards)

Key features of Cambridge English exams
Cambridge English exams:
Cambridge English Language
Assessment • are based on realistic tasks and situations so that preparing for
Provider of the world’s most
valuable range of qualifications for
their exam gives learners real-life language skills
learners and teachers of English • accurately and consistently test all four language skills – reading,
writing, listening and speaking
• encourage positive learning experiences, and seek to achieve a
Cambridge International
Examinations positive impact on teaching wherever possible
Prepares school students for life, • are as fair as possible to all candidates, whatever their national,
helping them develop an
informed curiosity and a lasting ethnic and linguistic background, gender or disability.
passion for learning

OCR: Oxford Cambridge and RSA

Examinations
One of the UK’s leading providers
Oxford Cambridge and RSA
of qualifications

2 CAMBRIDGE ENGLISH: PROFICIENCY HANDBOOK FOR TEACHERS

 CAMBRIDGE ENGLISH: PROFICIENCY – AN OVERVIEW

Proven quality What level is the exam?

Our commitment to providing exams of the highest possible quality is Cambridge English: Proficiency is targeted at Level C2 on the CEFR
underpinned by an extensive programme of research and evaluation. and provides universities and employers with detailed evidence that
Question papers are produced and pretested using rigorous successful candidates are able to use English at near-native levels in a
procedures to ensure accuracy and fairness, and the marking and wide range of situations.
grading of our exams is continuously monitored for consistency. More
Achieving a certificate at this level proves that a candidate has
details can be found in our publication Principles of Good Practice,
reached a highly advanced level of English required in a wide range of
which can be downloaded free from
academic and professional settings.
www.cambridgeenglish.org/principles

Cambridge English: Proficiency –

an overview
Cambridge English: Proficiency was originally introduced in 1913 and is
a high-level qualification that is officially recognised by universities,
employers and governments around the world. It proves that a
candidate has an extremely high level of English for use in academic
or professional settings.

Exam formats
Cambridge English: Proficiency can be taken as either a paper-based or
a computer-based exam.

Who is the exam for?

Cambridge English: Proficiency is aimed at learners who have achieved
an extremely high level of skill in the English language, who want to
show they can:

• study demanding subjects at the highest levels, including

postgraduate and PhD programmes
• actively engage in academic life by participating confidently in
tutorials and seminars
• lead on complex and challenging research projects
• negotiate and persuade effectively at senior management level in
international business settings.

Who recognises the exam?

• Cambridge English: Proficiency is a truly international exam,
recognised by thousands of employers globally as a qualification
demonstrating an exceptional level of English. Cambridge English
exams are recognised by 20,000 institutions and employers.
• It is also accepted by a wide range of educational institutions for
study purposes.
• The UK’s Universities and Colleges Admissions Service
(UCAS) now allows students applying to UK universities
to gain UCAS Tariff points by achieving certain grades in
Cambridge English: Proficiency. For more information visit
www.cambridgeenglish.org/ucas-points
• The exam is regulated by Ofqual, the statutory regulatory
authority for external qualifications in England and its
counterparts in Wales and Northern Ireland.

For more information about recognition go to

www.cambridgeenglish.org/recognition

CAMBRIDGE ENGLISH: PROFICIENCY HANDBOOK FOR TEACHERS 3

ABOUT THE EXAM

What can candidates do at Level C2?

About the exam
The Association of Language Testers in Europe (ALTE) has
researched what language learners can typically do at each CEFR
Cambridge English: Proficiency is a rigorous and thorough test of
level. They have described each level of ability using Can Do
English at Level C2. It covers all four language skills – reading, writing,
statements, with examples taken from everyday life. Cambridge
listening and speaking – and includes a fifth element focusing on the
English Language Assessment, as one of the founding members
candidate’s understanding of the structure of the language.
of ALTE, uses this framework to ensure its exams reflect real-life
language skills.
A thorough test of all areas of language ability
Typical Reading and Writing Listening and Speaking There are four papers: Reading and Use of English, Writing, Listening
abilities and Speaking. The overall performance is calculated by averaging
Overall CAN understand documents, CAN advise on or talk about the scores achieved in Reading, Writing, Listening, Speaking and Use
general correspondence and reports, sensitive issues, understanding of English. The weighting of each of the four skills and Use of English
ability including the finer points of colloquial references and dealing is equal.
complex texts. confidently with hostile questions.
Detailed information on each test paper is provided later in this
CAN write letters on any subject
and full notes of meetings or handbook, but the overall focus of each test is as follows:
seminars with good expression
and accuracy. Reading and Use of English: 1 hour 30 minutes
Social & CAN (for example, when looking CAN talk about complex Candidates need to be able to understand texts from
Tourist for accommodation) understand or sensitive issues without publications such as fiction and non-fiction books, journals,
a tenancy agreement in detail, awkwardness. newspapers and magazines. Candidates’ use of English is tested
including its main implications. by tasks which show how well they can control their grammar
CAN write letters on any subject and vocabulary.
with good expression and
accuracy. Writing: 1 hour 30 minutes

Work CAN understand reports and CAN advise on/handle complex, Candidates have to show that they can produce two different
articles likely to be encountered delicate or contentious issues, pieces of writing: a compulsory essay in Part 1, and one from a
during his/her work, including such as legal or financial matters, choice of four tasks in Part 2.
complex ideas expressed in to the extent that he/she has the
Listening: 40 minutes (approximately)
complex language. necessary specialist knowledge.
CAN make full and accurate notes Candidates need to show they can understand the meaning of
and continue to participate in a a range of spoken material, including conversations, lectures,
meeting or seminar. seminars, broadcasts and talks.
Study CAN access all sources of CAN understand colloquial asides Speaking: 16 minutes
information quickly and reliably. and cultural allusions.
Candidates take the Speaking test with another candidate or in
CAN make accurate and complete
a group of three, and are tested on their ability to take part in
notes during the course of a
different types of interaction: with the examiner, with the other
lecture, seminar or tutorial.
candidate and by themselves.

Each of the four test components contributes to a profile which

defines the candidates’ overall communicative language ability at
this level.

4 CAMBRIDGE ENGLISH: PROFICIENCY HANDBOOK FOR TEACHERS