FCE Use of English Part 2 Open Cloze Tips and Tricks
Try our practice exercise at the bottom of this article.
What is FCE Use of English Part 2?
FCE Use of English Part 2 is the Open Cloze exercise in the B2 First Reading and Use of English paper.
You read a short text with eight gaps. For each gap, you must write one missing word. There are no options to choose from, so you need to understand the grammar and meaning of the sentence.
This part of the exam mainly tests your control of English structure. The missing word is usually not a difficult noun, verb or adjective. It is more often a small but important grammar word, such as a preposition, pronoun, article, auxiliary verb or linker.
At FCE level, the language is upper-intermediate. This means the text may include natural B2 vocabulary and some longer sentences, but the missing words usually come from common grammar patterns that a strong B2 learner should know.
What kind of language appears at FCE level?
FCE Open Cloze is not as advanced or idiomatic as CAE or CPE. You are not usually expected to know very rare expressions or highly formal structures.
However, the task is still demanding because the answer must be exact. A small word can completely change the grammar of the sentence.
At FCE level, you should expect:
Common grammar areas
articles: a, an, the
quantifiers: much, many, few
pronouns: it, they, them
relative words: who, which, where
auxiliaries: be, have, do
modals: can, could, should
Common structure areas
dependent prepositions
phrasal verb particles
basic linkers
comparison structures
passive forms
fixed expressions
negative structures
The important point is that the missing word normally belongs to a structure. You are not just guessing a word; you are completing a pattern.
Typical FCE Open Cloze answers
Here are some common answer types.
Prepositions
good at
interested in
responsible for
depend on
similar to
afraid of
Linkers
because
although
while
if
unless
so
Regular pronouns and relative pronouns
who
which
that
where
it
them
Comparison patterns
as … as
more … than
less … than
so … that
too … to
enough … to
For example:
The film was not as interesting ___ I expected.
Answer: as
This is a common FCE-level comparison structure: not as … as.
Another example:
She is very good ___ explaining difficult ideas clearly.
Answer: at
This tests the pattern good at doing something.
How difficult are the sentences?
The sentences in FCE Open Cloze are usually clear, but they may contain more than one clause. You need to read both sides of the gap.
For example:
I did not realise ___ important the meeting was until I arrived.
Answer: how
This is not a rare word, but the structure requires accuracy: how + adjective + clause.
At B2 level, you may also see simple passive forms:
The new sports centre has ___ built near the station.
Answer: been
The structure is has been built, a present perfect passive form.
You may also see common fixed expressions:
On the other ___, the journey was cheaper than expected.
Answer: hand
The expression is on the other hand.
How to approach the task
Use a simple method.
Before answering
Read the title.
Read the whole text quickly.
Notice the topic and general meaning.
Then return to the first gap.
For each gap
Read before and after the gap.
Identify the grammar pattern.
Think of one word only.
Check meaning and spelling.
Do not look only at the words before the gap. The answer is often controlled by what comes after it.
Example:
I am looking forward ___ seeing you.
Answer: to
The word after the gap, seeing, helps you recognise the pattern look forward to + -ing.
Common mistakes in FCE Open Cloze
Mistake
- writing two words
- ignoring the next word
- choosing the wrong preposition
- forgetting passive forms
- missing fixed expressions
Better habit
- write one word only
- read the whole sentence
- learn full patterns
- check auxiliary verbs
- record phrases, not single words
For example, do not only learn interested. Learn the full pattern:
- interested in somethinginterested in doing something
This is much more useful for Open Cloze.
Final advice for FCE students
FCE Open Cloze is a test of accuracy. The missing words are often short and familiar, but they are essential to the sentence.
- When you practise, focus on patterns:
- What word normally follows this adjective?
- Is this a relative clause?
- Is this a passive structure?
- Is this a comparison?
- Is this part of a fixed phrase?
At B2 level, you do not need extremely advanced language to do well in this part. You need a solid command of common grammar, common prepositions and common sentence patterns.
If you train yourself to notice these structures, Part 2 becomes much more manageable.
FCE Use of English Part 2 Open Cloze Tips and Tricks:
Test yourself with our B2 Exercise
Do the exercise, check the answers and if an answer comes out in red, try again. If it comes out green, then well done. When you are finished, click on the answer sheet below and check your answers, using the answer sheet as a revision tool.
B2 Test Practice:
Open Choice Gapfill
Complete each sentence with one word only.
1. The museum is open every day Mondays.
2. I have never been particularly good remembering names.
3. This is the hotel we stayed last summer.
4. She has very time to finish the report.
5. The film was not as interesting I expected.
6. They arrived late because their car had broken .
7. I do not know he decided to leave so suddenly.
8. You should take an umbrella in it rains later.
Answer Key: Open Choice Gapfill
Tip: try the exercise first, check your score, then use this answer key to review the grammar, linking words and fixed expressions.
This is not official exam material, and is simply to help students in practice for various exams and general English.