C1 Advanced Exam Guide: Key Word Transformations
Reading & Use of English Paper
Contents
Overview
Context: Part 4 of the Reading & Use of English paper challenges candidates with six key word transformation questions, focusing on both lexical and grammatical aspects.
Task: Each question includes a lead-in sentence, a key word, and a gapped sentence to complete. Candidates must use the key word to form a new sentence that has the same meaning as the lead-in sentence, writing between three to six words, including the key word.
Objective: To assess the ability to manipulate language structures and express a message in a different way, demonstrating flexibility and resourcefulness in language use.
Scoring & Marks: The six questions are worth twelve points, so two points for each. There are 78 points available for the whole Reading & Use of English paper.
How to Approach
- Paraphrasing Skills: Learn to express the same idea in different ways, which is crucial for this task.
- Word Limit Adherence: Remember that your response must be succinct, within the specified word limit, including the key word.
- Key Word Use: The key word provided must be used exactly as it is and should not be altered in any form.
- Sentence Structure Analysis: Focus on an understanding of sentence structures, as this will aid in forming a grammatically correct and semantically similar sentence to the lead-in.
Example Question
2. Please do those photocopies whenever you have the time.
happen
Please do those photocopies if ______________________________ the time.
Assessment Focus
This part tests a range of structures, focusing on the candidate's ability to understand and reconstruct sentences, demonstrating a high level of language control.
Tips
- Develop awareness of expressions with parallel meanings and synonyms, enhancing flexibility in language use.
- Engage in exercises focusing on synonyms and sentence reconstruction to build a deeper understanding of language nuances.
- Collaborate with peers in language transformation exercises, discussing the reasons behind different sentence structures.
- Practise transforming sentences, focusing on maintaining the original meaning while altering the structure.
How It Looks
Student Suggestion
"I would practise adding and taking away words from sentences to see how I could change the meanings." - Julia Schmidt
Practice Exercises
We have a page on the site to practise: C1 Advanced: Key Word Transformations Exercises
