FCE Reading and Use of English Test 1: shared tools, bird calls and theatre ushers
FCE Reading and Use of English Test 1 is a free B2 First practice paper: 52 questions in seven parts, timed at 75 minutes, with 2,231 words of text. You read about shared tools, birdsong, quieter flats, theatre visitors, drawing lessons and practical skills passed between generations.
- Free, no sign-up to start
- Layout modelled on the computer-based exam
- Estimated Cambridge English Scale score
What is in FCE Reading and Use of English Test 1
| Part | Task | Questions | What you read | Words |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Multiple-choice cloze | 1–8 | “A cupboard worth sharing” | 152 |
| 2 | Open cloze | 9–16 | “Listening for birds” | 156 |
| 3 | Word formation | 17–24 | “A quieter flat” | 152 |
| 4 | Key word transformations | 25–30 | Six sentences to rewrite, 2–5 words each | — |
| 5 | Multiple choice | 31–36 | “The view from the doorway”: an article about a volunteer theatre usher. Nadia describes her first season helping audiences at a small theatre. | 656 |
| 6 | Gapped text | 37–42 | “A different view”: an article about a drawing class. | 551 |
| 7 | Multiple matching | 43–52 | “Lessons close to home”: an article in which four people talk about learning a skill from an older relative. Ravi (repairing clothes), Marta (growing herbs), Jonas (making a wooden box), Aisha (using a sewing machine). | 564 |
| Total | Within Cambridge’s 2,200–2,500 words (questions not counted) | 2,231 | ||
How the long texts begin
- Part 5: I applied to become an usher because I wanted a reason to go out on Thursday evenings. My friends assumed I was hoping to meet actors, but I had no particular interest in what happened backstage.
- Part 6: For several summers, illustrator Daniel had taught a Saturday drawing class beside the river. Participants liked choosing their own subject: a boat, a bridge or perhaps a row of distant roofs.
Examples (0), shown answered in the test
Part 1
When a neighbour asked to borrow her drill, Leena had an (0).
- idea
- opinion
- view
- belief
Answer: A, idea
Part 2
Birds, (0) are often hidden by leaves, can be easier to hear than to see.
Answer: which
Part 3
The (0) way to make a small flat more peaceful is not always the most expensive. SIMPLE
Answer: simplest
Part 4
Mina started working at this company three years ago. FOR
Mina has worked (0) at this company.
Answer: for three years (3 words)
Marking and review notes
FCE Reading and Use of English marking
Reading (Parts 1, 5–7) is out of 42 and Use of English (Parts 2–4) out of 28; Part 4 gives up to 2 marks per question and spelling must be correct. 24/42 Reading is about 160. Scores are estimates.
From our review
Our reviewer rated Part 1 and the Part 4 transformations at the easier end of B2.
More FCE Reading and Use of English tests
FCE Reading and Use of English practice tests · FCE Mock Test 1 · Updated 15 November 2026
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