First Foreign Language (English)
What is tested
The English paper combines reading comprehension, language in use, and writing. For reading, practise skimming for the main idea and scanning for detail; answers must be supported by the text, not by general knowledge. For language in use, revise tense and aspect (present simple versus present continuous, past simple versus present perfect, future forms), conditionals and wish clauses, modals and semi-modals, passive voice, reported speech, relative clauses, articles, prepositions, and gerund versus infinitive. Word formation and key-word transformations test both grammar and vocabulary range; learn common prefixes, suffixes, and collocations.
Traps
Typical traps include the present perfect with a finished time expression ('yesterday' requires past simple), false friends, and near-synonyms that do not fit the register. In transformations, students change the words but not the meaning, or add a word that changes the tense. In writing, check task achievement, paragraphing, linkers, and register; a grammatically correct text that answers only half the prompt loses marks. Do not overuse memorized phrases.
Worked example
Key-word transformation: 'I haven't seen him for three years.' Use LAST. Answer: 'I last saw him three years ago.' The rule of thumb is to identify the time relationship first - here, the last occurrence was three years before now - and then choose the structure that preserves it. Check that the transformed sentence has the same essential ideas, no extra negation, and a correct time expression.
Writing check
Allow five minutes to proofread for third-person -s, subject–verb agreement, articles, and spelling. In an essay, state a clear position, support it with one example per paragraph, and finish with a conclusion that answers the question.