FCE · Reading & Use of English Part 2 — Open Cloze · Lagos, Nigeria
Reading & Use of English Part 2 — Open Cloze for the FCE Exam — Lagos candidates
8% of the FCE test plan. Writing one word to fill each of 8 gaps in a text, testing grammatical and lexical knowledge. Calibrated for Lagosian 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 Part 2 — Open Cloze sits at roughly 8% of the Cambridge First Certificate (B2) content distribution — Part 2 tests grammar words (prepositions, auxiliary verbs, conjunctions, articles, pronouns, relative pronouns) in context. Unlike Part 1, there are no options — the candidate must supply the word independently. Functional words that are hard to produce without grammar automaticity cause the most errors. Pass rates for the FCE are published annually by the awarding body and vary by cohort and locale. For Lagos candidates preparing for FCE, the calibration of study to local context matters: Lagos is West Africa's densest exam centre — JAMB UTME, WAEC, IELTS, and TOEFL all operate large weekly sessions. Pearson VUE Lagos serves NCLEX, GRE, and GMAT candidates region-wide.
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.
- !Writing a content word when a function word is needed
- !Forgetting auxiliary verbs in perfect tenses (had, has, been)
- !Missing the fixed preposition in set phrases: "in spite of", "as a result of", "on behalf of"
Study tips
- 1Study the top 20 fixed preposition phrases that appear in FCE Part 2 practice papers.
- 2Practice identifying which gaps are likely grammar words (G) vs vocabulary words (V) — Part 2 is predominantly G.
- 3Review subordinating conjunctions: although, despite, in case, provided that, as long as.
- 4JAMB UTME is delivered as CBT only — book your nearest CBT centre (Yaba, Surulere, Ikeja) early; centres outside Lagos State require interstate travel.
- 5IELTS speaking and listening sessions in Victoria Island fill 6 weeks ahead during peak migration season (May–August). Book a Lekki or Ikeja slot if VI is full.
- 6For NCLEX/GRE/GMAT: the Pearson VUE Ikeja centre is the most reliable NG site; bring a backup ID and arrive 90 minutes early — Lagos traffic is the most common cause of missed slots.
Sample FCE Reading & Use of English Part 2 — Open Cloze questions
These sample items mirror the format and difficulty of real FCE questions. Practice with thousands more on the free Koydo question bank.
- 1
She succeeded _____ spite of the many challenges she faced.
- AinCorrect
- Bon
- Cat
- Dby
Why this answer?
"In spite of" is the fixed prepositional phrase meaning "despite." The preposition is always "in" — not "on," "at," or "by." FCE Part 2 frequently tests these fixed phrases because the correct preposition cannot be guessed from context alone.
Frequently asked questions
Is Part 2 grammar or vocabulary?
What is the FCE pass rate for Lagosian candidates?
How long should Lagosian candidates study Reading & Use of English Part 2 — Open Cloze for the FCE?
Practice Cambridge FCE (B2) free with Koydo.
B2 First — Use of English, Listening, Reading, Writing, Speaking.
Related study guides
- Reading & Use of English Part 1 — Multiple-Choice Cloze for FCE (Lagos, Nigeria)Another FCE topic for Lagosian candidates
- Reading & Use of English Part 3 — Word Formation for FCE (Lagos, Nigeria)Another FCE topic for Lagosian candidates
- Reading & Use of English Part 4 — Key Word Transformation for FCE (Lagos, Nigeria)Another FCE topic for Lagosian candidates
- Writing — Essay for FCE (Lagos, Nigeria)Another FCE topic for Lagosian candidates
- Writing — Article & Report for FCE (Lagos, Nigeria)Another FCE topic for Lagosian candidates
- Reading & Use of English Part 2 — Open Cloze for FCE — U.S. candidatesSame Reading & Use of English Part 2 — Open Cloze topic, different locale framing
- Reading & Use of English Part 2 — Open Cloze for FCE — U.K. candidatesSame Reading & Use of English Part 2 — Open Cloze topic, different locale framing
- Reading & Use of English Part 2 — Open Cloze for FCE — Indian candidatesSame Reading & Use of English Part 2 — Open Cloze topic, different locale framing