Use of English

Exam Preparation

Many students preparing for a B2 English exam quickly discover that success depends on more than grammar alone. In the Reading and Use of English paper, candidates are often (0) EXPECTED to show a strong awareness of vocabulary in context, especially fixed phrases, collocations and words with similar meanings. One reason this task can be difficult is that all four options may look possible at first (1) .......... . However, only one answer will fit both the meaning of the sentence and the surrounding grammar. Good preparation usually (2) .......... more than memorising long lists of words. Students need to read widely and notice how words are actually used. It also helps to (3) .......... attention to common expressions, because many questions test whether learners recognise natural combinations of words. In addition, successful candidates often learn to (4) .......... out options that are grammatically possible but do not sound natural. Another useful strategy is to look carefully at the whole sentence before choosing an answer, rather than focusing only (5) .......... the gap itself. This can prevent careless mistakes and improve overall accuracy. Above all, regular practice can build (6) .......... and help students work at a steady pace. By the day of the exam, they should feel familiar (7) .......... the task and ready to deal (8) .......... unfamiliar vocabulary calmly and logically.