CAE Reading and Use of English Practice Test 8 Printable

CAE Reading and Use of English Practice Test 8 Printable and PDF version
New, online version of this test :: Answer Keys :: Vocabulary

CAE Reading and Use of English Part 1

For questions 1-8, read the text below and decide which answer (А, В, C or D) best fits each gap. There is an example at the beginning (0).


keeping В holding C clutching D grabbing

I wish I’d known that before

I’ve always tried to be a supportive friend, 0 keeping my own counsel on my true opinions. I’ve lied to 1 _______ a friend’s face and gone to parties with people I couldn’t stand 2 _______ upset them. But now I’m older I have realised that being permanently sympathetic is not the way to hold on to your integrity and well-being. Armed with this understanding, I planned to 3 _______ on a policy of being totally honest at all times. I came across research that 4 _______ me up, claiming that often people don’t actually want the truth and that being honest reduces the stress that inevitably accompanies 5 _______ so-called white lies. So I decided to 6 _______ ahead. Some people hated me, others were angry, but my real friends valued my honesty. 7 _______, I was aware of the damage bluntness can do but I’ve learned that true friendship survives on sincerity and a few 8 _______ truths won’t ruin it. I wish I’d known that before!

1A rescueB saveC recoverD retain
2A instead ofB in place ofC in preference toD rather than
3A beginВ embarkC commenceD engage
4A backedВ supportedC heldD took
5A sayingВ speakingC recountingD telling
6A goВ moveC gotD push
7A AlthoughВ ObviouslyC ConverselyD At last
8A houseB homeC baseD foundation

CAE Reading and Use of English Part 2

For questions 9-16, read the text below and think of the word which best fits each gap. Use only one word in each gap. There is an example at the beginning (0).

Write your answers IN CAPITAL LETTERS on the separate answer sheet

Example: (0) THE

Happiness is a state of mind

Research undertaken into 0 the pursuit of happiness has produced some interesting ideas. Apparently, our level of happiness depends on 9 _______ much we invest in it. The hypothesis is that happiness resembles a skill and can therefore be learned — if people are willing to put time and effort 10 _______ perfecting it. Meditation seems to be a key factor and this 11 _______ be scientifically demonstrated. MRI scans performed on people who meditated regularly showed raised levels of positivity in the left-hand side of 12 _______ brains, the part usually connected with happiness. At the same time, they managed to keep the more negative right side 13 _______ check. Does this mean only specialist meditators can be happy? Apparently 14_______, as even people who only meditated occasionally demonstrated greater positivity. This could indicate that tweaking the 15 _______ we channel out thoughts, modifying our perception of things around us, can 16 _______ a big difference to our sense of well-being. If true, isn’t it worth putting in some effort?

CAE Reading and Use of English Part 3

For questions 17-24, read the text below. Use the word given in capitals at the end of some of the lines to form a word that fits in the gap in the same line. There is an example at the beginning (0).

Write your answers IN CAPITAL LETTERS on the separate answer sheet.

Example: (0) PERSONALITY

The route to perfection

Can there be perfection without pain for those who are 0 successful in the world of dance? Achieving excellence depends on many different things, including physique and luck. However,it is 17 _______ that those who dance professionally must also follow a 18 _______ training regime, combining this with complete 19 _______ to their art – and this can certainly be painful. Dancers have to be like 20 _______ athletes but they also have to combine fitness with elegance and 21 _______. It’s said that giving a professional dance performance is not 22 _______ to playing a football game as dancers have to combine periods of sustained activity with short bursts of 23 _______ energy, while also being able to recover quickly. In the past dancers trained mostly by going through 24 _______ routines but in the modern world, with its high standards of fitness, they use additional techniques such as gym routines to gain muscle strength and stamina. Their ultimate aim is perfection.0 SUCCESS
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