Interactive preparation course for the B2 First level of the Cambridge English exams.
The B2 level of Cambridge English Qualifications. At this level, students will be prepared to live and work independently in an English-speaking country or study courses taught in English. The course is organised into modules that mimic the different parts of the Cambridge English B2 First exam to enable students to become familiar with the format and question styles. Each part contains useful advice and strategies as well as relevant grammar points and resources to use to get more practice. Some parts also contain tutorial videos with specific tips for that exam part.
This homework course introduces students to the format and requirements of the B2 First exam. They will have the opportunity to practice past exam questions and receive feedback on their performance.
When a student finishes the Cambridge B2 First level preparation course and followed the advice for extra practice they will be ready to sit the exam, which shows that they have achieved a high level of English in the four language skills: listening, speaking, reading, and writing. The qualification shows that the student has the language skills they need to communicate in an English-speaking environment. It shows the student is able to:
They will have also developed their confidence in using English and will be ready to progress to the next level of the Cambridge English Qualifications, which is the C1 Advanced level.
The reading component of the course focuses on developing students' ability to read and understand various types of texts, including articles, advertisements, and short stories. This involves improving vocabulary, developing reading strategies, practising how to understand the structure and follow the development of a text.
The course covers the 7 parts of the Reading and Use of English part of the B2 First exam. Each part is explained and there are multiple interactive homework modules to complete to practice the skills needed for the following tasks:
Part 1: Choosing the correct word or phrase (from four options) to complete a text.
Part 2: Choosing the correct word or phrase (without a list of options to choose from) to complete a text.
Part 3: Complete a text containing eight gaps. Each gap represents a word. At the end of the line is a ‘prompt’ word which the student has to change in some way to make the correct missing word and complete the sentence correctly.
Part 4: Students have to use a provided key word to complete a sentence so that it is similar in meaning to another sentence.
Part 5: A text with some multiple-choice questions. Each question has four options (A, B, C or D), and students have to decide which is the correct answer.
Part 6: A text with some empty spaces (gaps). After the text there are some sentences taken from the text. Students have to choose the correct sentence for each gap.
Part 7: A series of questions and a long text or several short texts to read. For each question, students have to decide which text or part of the text mentions this.
The listening component of the course focuses on developing students' ability to listen and understand spoken English. Students will practice listening to different types of recordings, such as news broadcasts, conversations, and interviews. They will also learn how to take notes and identify key information.
The course covers the 4 parts of the Listening part of the B2 First exam. Each part is explained and there are multiple interactive homework modules to complete to practice the skills needed to complete the following tasks:
Part 1: A series of short, unrelated recordings of approximately 30 seconds each. Students have to listen to the recordings and answer one multiple-choice question for each.
Part 2: A monologue lasting 3–4 minutes. Students have to complete the sentences on the question paper with information they hear on the recording.
Part 3: Five short related monologues of approximately 30 seconds each. Students listen to the recordings and choose which statement from a list of eight best matches what each speaker says.
Part 4: An interview or exchange between two speakers and lasting 3–4 minutes. Students have to listen to the recording and answer seven multiple-choice questions. Each question has three options (A, B or C).
The writing component of the course focuses on developing students' ability to write different types of texts, such as emails, letters, and short essays. Students will learn how to structure their writing, develop ideas, and use appropriate grammar and vocabulary.
The course covers the 2 parts of the Writing part of the B2 First exam. Each part is explained and there are multiple interactive homework modules to complete to practice the following skills:
Part 1: Students are given an essay title and two ideas. They write an essay giving their opinion about the title, using the ideas given and adding an idea of their own. The title will be a subject of general interest – students won’t need any specialised knowledge.
Part 2: Writing different types of text: articles, essays, letters/emails, reviews. Depending on the question, students will have to advise, compare, describe, explain, express opinions, justify and/or recommend something.
The speaking component of the course focuses on giving students advice and guidelines to improve their ability to speak confidently and fluently in English. Students will be instructed to practice speaking in different contexts, such as giving presentations, participating in discussions, and expressing opinions.
The course covers the 4 parts of the Speaking part of the B2 First exam. Each part is explained and there are multiple interactive homework modules to complete practice the following skills:
Part 1: Give information about themselves, talk about past experiences, present circumstances and future plans.
Part 2: Speak for 1 minute without interruption about 2 photographs. The questions about the photographs are written at the top of the page to remind the student what they should talk about. When they have finished speaking, the student’s partner then has to answer a short question from the examiner about their photographs.
Part 3: Exchanging ideas, expressing and justifying opinions, agreeing and/or disagreeing, suggesting, speculating, evaluating, reaching a decision through negotiation, etc.
Part 4: Expressing and justifying opinions, agreeing and/or disagreeing.