CAE · Reading & Use of English Parts 6–7 · Germany
Reading & Use of English Parts 6–7 for the CAE Exam — German candidates
10% of the CAE test plan. Gapped text (Part 6) and multiple matching (Part 7) testing understanding of long, complex texts. Calibrated for German candidates.
Examiners do not award marks for content alone — they award them for the ability to demonstrate competency in the precise format the test demands. Reading & Use of English Parts 6–7 sits at roughly 10% of the Cambridge Advanced (C1) content distribution — Part 6 (gapped text: 6 paragraphs removed from an article, 1 extra) tests understanding of textual cohesion — how paragraphs link through reference, theme, and logical sequence. Part 7 (multiple matching: 4 short texts, 10 questions) tests the ability to locate specific information across multiple sources quickly. Pass rates for the CAE are published annually by the awarding body and vary by cohort and locale. For German candidates preparing for CAE, the calibration of study to local context matters: Germany operates Abitur for university entrance, Goethe / TestDaF for German proficiency, and various Cambridge tiers (FCE, CAE) for English.
Common failure modes
These are the patterns that cause most candidates to lose marks on this topic. Recognising them in advance is half the work.
- !Part 6: Matching based on single topic words rather than reference chains and logical flow
- !Part 7: Reading entire sections when scanning for specific information is faster
- !Part 6: Not checking that the extra paragraph clearly does NOT fit any gap
Study tips
- 1For Part 6, underline pronouns, demonstratives, and synonyms before the gap and after — they are the cohesion links.
- 2For Part 7, underline key words in the questions first, then scan each text only for those key words.
- 3After placing Part 6 paragraphs, read the whole article through to confirm the narrative flow is logical.
- 4Deutsche Kandidaten, die für die CAE lernen, profitieren von einem klaren Studienplan; deutsche Lerngewohnheiten (systematisches Vorgehen, Karteikartenarbeit) sind hier ein Vorteil.
Sample CAE Reading & Use of English Parts 6–7 questions
These sample items mirror the format and difficulty of real CAE questions. Practice with thousands more on the free Koydo question bank.
- 1
In CAE Reading Part 6 (gapped text), a removed paragraph begins "This was the turning point." The gap is most likely:
- AAfter a paragraph describing background information
- BAfter a paragraph describing a key event or changeCorrect
- CAt the beginning of the article
- DAfter a paragraph describing consequences
Why this answer?
"This was the turning point" uses "this" as a reference to a preceding event — it refers backward to something that has just been described as significant. The gap is most likely after a paragraph that describes a key event, which "this" refers to.
Frequently asked questions
How long are the texts in CAE Reading Parts 5–7?
What is the CAE pass rate for German candidates?
How long should German candidates study Reading & Use of English Parts 6–7 for the CAE?
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