Cambridge B2 First - Use of English paper (an overview)

The Use of English paper is designed to test your ability to manipulate English with accuracy and flexibility. Each part tests a different skill, focusing on specific aspects of vocabulary and grammar. In this article, you'll get an overview of the Use of English paper so that you know what to expect.

If you want a more detailed guide, with step-by-step tips, practice strategies, and revision pages, you can download the full Exam Support Pack here. This blog is just an introduction, but the Support Pack goes deeper into each part and helps you prepare with confidence.

Part One: Multiple Choice Cloze

Part one focuses on content words. Content words (verbs, nouns, adjectives, and adverbs) carry the main meaning of a sentence. This part of the exam tests your semantic precision with these content words.

Semantic (adj): relating to meaning in language.

Precision (n): the ability to be accurate or exact about something.

Semantic precision means choosing words that are exactly right for the meaning of the sentence.

The multiple-choice options may seem like synonyms, but each has subtle differences and only one fits perfectly with the surrounding grammar and meaning. This part tests your ability to choose the word that conveys exactly what is intended, showing both understanding of vocabulary and awareness of context.

Part Two: Open Cloze

Part two focuses on grammar words. Unlike content words, they do not carry meaning in the same way. Instead, they provide the structure that holds sentences together and ensures grammatical accuracy. Only one answer fits each gap. While content words give a sentence its meaning, grammar words create the framework that makes it work. Mastering this part means understanding how these small words ensure grammatical precision and keep sentences correct.

You will need to revise pronouns (including relative pronouns/adverbs), prepositions, determiners (articles, demonstratives, quantifiers, and possessive adjectives), conjunctions and other linking words. Pay attention to how they connect ideas and fit into sentences. You can find more guidance on this in the full support pack.

Part Three: Word Formation

Part three tests your flexibility with vocabulary. You are given a root word and must create the correct form using prefixes, suffixes, and sometimes an internal spelling change.

• Prefixes usually change the meaning of a word: regular, irregular.

• Suffixes change the word type: happy (adj), happiness (n), happily (adv)

• Internal changes adjust spelling to form a correct new word: choose - choice

Success in this part relies on recognising the word type required and applying the correct formation rules. Revise common suffixes for different word types as well as common prefixes. Systematic thinking is really useful here.

Part Four: Key Word Transformations

In part 4, you are given a sentence and a key word, and you must rewrite a second sentence to keep the meaning the same while using the key word. This tests a mix of grammar, vocabulary, and sentence structure together. You need to know how ideas link, how verb forms change, and which structures allow you to express the same idea accurately. Precision and flexibility are crucial to get full marks.

Note: in the full exam, there are 6 questions in this part.

Putting it all together

As you can see, the Use of English paper asks you to work with a range of different skills. It is not just about what you know but how you use it.

Understanding the exam and what the examiner is looking for is key to success.

To prepare, focus on revising the right vocabulary and grammar, practise spotting the patterns in sentences, and build your flexibility in manipulating language.

What next? You might want to check out my Exam Support Pack which takes you through everything you need to approach the paper with confidence. Here's what you can expect:

• A detailed breakdown of each part and what to expect.

• Step-by-step guides and top tips on how to approach each task.

• Key areas to revise to prepare.

• Common mistakes to avoid.

• A range of useful revision aids including understanding collocations (for part 1), common dependent prepositional phrases (for part 2), common suffixes (for part 3), a 'what to revise' guide for part 4.

Download the full support pack for the Use of English paper here:

Cambridge B2 First - Use of English Support Pack