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Cambridge B2 First study materials
Cambridge B2 First study resources

Cambridge B2 First practice questions

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Question 1Reading and Use of English

The team has ______ good progress since the new manager arrived.

  1. done
  2. made Correct answer.
  3. given
  4. taken

Explanation

Certain nouns form fixed partnerships with particular verbs, and 'progress' is one of them: English speakers say 'make progress'. The same pattern appears in 'make an effort', 'make a decision' and 'make arrangements'. The other verbs do not combine with 'progress' in this way.

Question 2Reading and Use of English

The match was ______ because of the heavy rain and will be replayed next month.

  1. called off Correct answer.
  2. broken up
  3. turned down
  4. put out

Explanation

'Call off' is the phrasal verb meaning to cancel an arranged event, which fits a match that will be replayed later. The other phrasal verbs have meanings that do not relate to cancelling an event.

Question 3Reading and Use of English

I'm not very keen ______ football, but I love watching tennis.

  1. with
  2. about
  3. on Correct answer.
  4. for

Explanation

The adjective 'keen' is followed by the preposition 'on' when it means enthusiastic about something: 'keen on football'. Other adjectives take different prepositions, so the choice depends on the adjective itself.

Question 4Reading and Use of English

______ the heavy traffic, we managed to arrive at the station on time.

  1. Although
  2. However
  3. Nevertheless
  4. Despite Correct answer.

Explanation

A noun phrase ('the heavy traffic') must follow a preposition, and 'despite' is the preposition here. 'Although' introduces a clause with a subject and verb, and 'however' and 'nevertheless' are adverbs that cannot take a noun phrase directly.

Question 5Reading and Use of English

The company's ______ in the region has grown steadily over the past decade.

  1. presence Correct answer.
  2. presentation
  3. present
  4. presently

Explanation

A possessive noun phrase ('the company's') must be followed by a noun, so the noun form 'presence' is needed. 'Presently' is an adverb and 'present' can be an adjective or verb here, neither of which fits the slot.

Question 6Reading and Use of English

She started working here three years ago. Rewrite with the key word FOR, keeping the meaning:

  1. She was working here for three years.
  2. She has worked here for three years. Correct answer.
  3. She is working here since three years.
  4. She works here for three years.

Explanation

A situation that began in the past and continues now is expressed with the present perfect, and 'for' introduces the length of time. The present simple cannot describe a period stretching up to now, and 'since' is used with a point in time, not a duration.

Question 7Reading and Use of English

The new intern is still wet behind the ______ and needs a lot of guidance.

  1. hands
  2. feet
  3. ears Correct answer.
  4. shoulders

Explanation

The fixed idiom is 'wet behind the ears', meaning young and inexperienced. Idioms of this kind cannot be varied, so only the standard word completes it.

Question 8Reading and Use of English

We've decided ______ the meeting until next week.

  1. postponing
  2. postpone
  3. to postpone Correct answer.
  4. to postponing

Explanation

The verb 'decide' is followed by a to-infinitive, so 'decide to do something' is the correct pattern. Gerunds follow verbs such as 'enjoy' or 'mind', and 'decide' is not one of them.

Question 9Reading and Use of English

I don't mind ______ early if it means we avoid the traffic.

  1. to leaving
  2. leave
  3. leaving Correct answer.
  4. to leave

Explanation

The verb 'mind' is followed by an -ing form, as in 'mind waiting' or 'mind opening the window'. Infinitives do not follow 'mind' in this pattern.

Question 10Reading and Use of English

There was ______ traffic on the motorway this morning, so the journey took twice as long.

  1. strong
  2. hard
  3. big
  4. heavy Correct answer.

Explanation

In English, traffic is described as 'heavy' when there is a lot of it, and this collocation is fixed. The other adjectives are used with different nouns, such as 'strong wind' or 'hard work'.

Question 11Reading and Use of English

The manager ______ our proposal because it was far too expensive.

  1. turned into
  2. turned up
  3. turned down Correct answer.
  4. turned over

Explanation

'Turn down' means to reject an offer, application or proposal. The other combinations of 'turn' with a particle carry unrelated meanings.

Question 12Reading and Use of English

When the local council announced plans to close the town's only public library, few residents expected the campaign to succeed. Petitions were signed, meetings were held, and for six months the issue dominated the letters page of the local newspaper. In the end, the library stayed open - but with reduced opening hours and half its staff. Campaigners called the outcome a victory; others were less sure. What does the writer suggest about the result of the campaign?

  1. It failed to achieve anything at all.
  2. It fully satisfied everyone involved.
  3. It was won without any public support.
  4. It came at a cost to the service. Correct answer.

Explanation

The library survived, but the text stresses that opening hours were cut and staffing halved, so the outcome involved a loss. The final sentence's contrast between campaigners and sceptical residents reinforces this mixed result.

Question 13Reading and Use of English

A study of 2,000 office workers found that those who took a short walk at lunchtime reported feeling more focused in the afternoon than those who stayed at their desks. However, the researchers warned that the effect disappeared when the walk lasted longer than 45 minutes, suggesting that gentle rather than strenuous exercise is the key. According to the study, what was true of the workers who walked at lunchtime?

  1. They worked longer hours than others.
  2. They preferred walking to working.
  3. They exercised for at least an hour.
  4. They concentrated better. Correct answer.

Explanation

The text states that these workers 'reported feeling more focused in the afternoon', which is restated as concentrating better. Every other claim adds information the passage does not contain.

Question 14Reading and Use of English

Many people believe that goldfish have a memory of only three seconds. ______ In fact, research has shown that they can remember things for months. Which sentence fits the gap best?

  1. Goldfish are popular pets.
  2. This claim has been repeated for decades.
  3. They are also cheap to keep.
  4. This is a complete myth. Correct answer.

Explanation

The sentence after the gap uses 'In fact' to contradict the belief, so the missing sentence must already signal that the belief is false. 'This is a complete myth' does exactly that and links back to the claim with 'This'.

Question 15Reading and Use of English

My brother enjoys cooking, ______ I prefer eating out.

  1. whereas Correct answer.
  2. in case
  3. despite
  4. so that

Explanation

'Whereas' is a conjunction used to contrast two parallel facts, which is exactly the relationship here. 'Despite' is a preposition needing a noun phrase, and the other two express purpose or precaution.

Question 16Reading and Use of English

There weren't ______ people at the concert, so we found seats easily.

  1. a little
  2. much
  3. a great deal of
  4. many Correct answer.

Explanation

'People' is a countable plural noun, and countable plurals are quantified with 'many' in negative and question forms. The other expressions are used with uncountable nouns or in positive statements.

Question 17Reading and Use of English

She's been in meetings all morning - she ______ have had time for lunch yet.

  1. needn't
  2. mustn't
  3. shouldn't
  4. can't Correct answer.

Explanation

To express strong certainty that something is impossible, English uses 'can't have' plus a past participle. 'Mustn't have' is not used for deduction in this way, and the other modals express obligation or lack of necessity.

Question 18Reading and Use of English

The technician said, 'I'll fix the printer tomorrow.' Reported: The technician said he ______ the printer the following day.

  1. would have fixed
  2. would fix Correct answer.
  3. will fix
  4. fixes

Explanation

In reported speech after a past reporting verb, 'will' changes to 'would' and 'tomorrow' becomes 'the following day'. The other forms change the time reference or the meaning of the original promise.

Question 19Reading and Use of English

The new bridge ______ last year and is now open to traffic.

  1. completed
  2. has been completing
  3. was completed Correct answer.
  4. was completing

Explanation

The bridge receives the action, so a passive form is required, and the finished time 'last year' calls for the past simple passive. Active and continuous forms would wrongly suggest the bridge performed the action or that the work is still going on.

Question 20Reading and Use of English

The evidence against him was entirely ______, so the case was dropped.

  1. circumstantially
  2. circumstances
  3. circumstance
  4. circumstantial Correct answer.

Explanation

After the verb 'was' a predicative adjective is needed to describe the evidence, and the adjective form is 'circumstantial'. The other forms are a noun, an adverb and a plural noun, none of which fits this position.

Question 21Reading and Use of English

Working from home was once seen as a luxury. ______ Now, for millions of employees, it has become an ordinary part of the working week. Companies have had to rethink how they measure productivity, and managers have discovered that supervision from a distance requires new skills. Which sentence fits the gap best?

  1. This arrangement suits everyone involved.
  2. Few expected that to change. Correct answer.
  3. Offices are expensive to rent in city centres.
  4. Employees often miss their colleagues.

Explanation

The paragraph contrasts the past with the present, so the missing sentence must refer back to the 'luxury' status and prepare the reader for 'Now'. Only 'Few expected that to change' performs this bridging function.

Question 22Reading and Use of English

When Maya was asked about the delays, she ______ and admitted that the team had underestimated the workload.

  1. took the biscuit
  2. beat about the bush
  3. let off steam
  4. came clean Correct answer.

Explanation

'Come clean' means to admit the truth about something, which matches the admission that follows. The other idioms describe avoiding the point, being outrageous, or releasing anger.

Question 23Reading and Use of English

In ______ of the bad weather forecast, the organisers moved the event indoors.

  1. spite
  2. view Correct answer.
  3. case
  4. place

Explanation

The fixed phrase 'in view of' means 'because of' or 'considering', which fits a decision taken because of a forecast. The other nouns form different phrases with different meanings.

Question 24Reading and Use of English

This year's exam was far ______ than last year's.

  1. easier Correct answer.
  2. easiest
  3. more easy
  4. so easy

Explanation

Short adjectives form the comparative with '-er', and 'far' can precede a comparative to strengthen it. 'More easy' is not the standard form, while the superlative and 'so easy' do not fit after 'than'.

Question 25Reading and Use of English

The council's new recycling scheme has been praised for its ambition. Yet ambition alone does not collect bins. Since the scheme began, collections have been missed in several streets, and the helpline has been overwhelmed. The council insists that these are temporary problems. Residents, who have spent weeks sorting rubbish into five separate containers, may be forgiven for wanting more than assurances. What is the writer's attitude towards the council?

  1. Confident the scheme will succeed eventually
  2. Completely opposed to recycling schemes in general
  3. Uninterested in local council matters
  4. Sympathetic to residents Correct answer.

Explanation

The phrase 'may be forgiven for wanting more than assurances' shows the writer understands the residents' irritation and doubts the council's promises. The passage criticises the scheme's delivery, not recycling itself.

Question 26Reading and Use of English

The noise from the building site was terrible, but the neighbours ______ it for months without complaining.

  1. put up with Correct answer.
  2. got away with
  3. made up for
  4. looked down on

Explanation

The phrasal verb 'put up with' means to tolerate or bear something unpleasant. The sentence stresses that the neighbours tolerated the noise without complaining, which is exactly the meaning required.

Question 27Reading and Use of English

You should avoid ______ caffeine late in the day if you have trouble sleeping.

  1. to drinking
  2. drinking Correct answer.
  3. drink
  4. to drink

Explanation

The verb 'avoid' is followed by a gerund (-ing form), never by a to-infinitive. Therefore 'drinking' is the only form that fits the pattern avoid + -ing.

Question 28Reading and Use of English

______ we leave, the sooner we'll arrive.

  1. More early
  2. Earliest
  3. The earlier Correct answer.
  4. Early

Explanation

The structure 'the + comparative ..., the + comparative ...' links two changes that happen together. 'The earlier' supplies the comparative form needed at the start of the sentence.

Question 29Reading and Use of English

The lights are off and the car has gone - they ______ left already.

  1. should have
  2. can have
  3. would have
  4. must have Correct answer.

Explanation

'Must have + past participle' expresses a strong logical deduction about a past event based on present evidence. The evidence in the first clause makes the deduction about them leaving.

Question 30Reading and Use of English

It was ______ a boring film that half the audience fell asleep.

  1. such Correct answer.
  2. so
  3. very
  4. too

Explanation

Before an adjective plus noun phrase ('a boring film'), the intensifier 'such' is used in the result structure 'such ... that'. 'So' would be used before an adjective on its own.

Question 31Reading and Use of English

We have ______ time left, so let's get straight to the point.

  1. little Correct answer.
  2. few
  3. a few
  4. many

Explanation

'Time' is an uncountable noun, so it takes 'little' rather than 'few'. 'Little time' means almost no time, which fits the warning in the sentence.

Question 32Reading and Use of English

The instructions were so ______ that nobody could follow them.

  1. confusing Correct answer.
  2. confusion
  3. confuse
  4. confused

Explanation

Adjectives ending in -ing describe the thing that causes a feeling, while -ed adjectives describe how a person feels. The instructions cause the feeling, so 'confusing' is correct.

Question 33Reading and Use of English

I'm sorry, I didn't spill the coffee ______ purpose - it was an accident.

  1. in
  2. on Correct answer.
  3. for
  4. by

Explanation

The fixed expression is 'on purpose', meaning deliberately. It contrasts here with 'it was an accident'.

Question 34Reading and Use of English

We waited over an hour for the plumber, but he never ______.

  1. turned over
  2. turned up Correct answer.
  3. turned down
  4. turned off

Explanation

'Turn up' means to arrive or appear, often when someone is expected. That meaning matches a plumber who was expected but never came.

Question 35Reading and Use of English

Remember ______ the door before you leave - the alarm is set.

  1. having locked
  2. locking
  3. lock
  4. to lock Correct answer.

Explanation

'Remember to do' means to remember a duty or task you must perform. 'Remember doing' refers to recalling a past action, which does not fit a future instruction.

Question 36Reading and Use of English

The old castle on the hill ______ to be haunted, and tourists come from miles around hoping to see a ghost.

  1. says
  2. is said Correct answer.
  3. has said
  4. is saying

Explanation

The passive structure 'be said to + infinitive' reports what people generally believe. The castle is the subject of the belief, so the passive 'is said' is required.

Question 37Reading and Use of English

She asked me ______ interested in the job, so I explained my reasons.

  1. was I
  2. that I was
  3. if was I
  4. if I was Correct answer.

Explanation

Reported yes/no questions use 'if' or 'whether' followed by statement word order, with no auxiliary inversion. The tense also shifts back from 'are you' to 'I was'.

Question 38Reading and Use of English

If I ______ about the roadworks, I would have left home earlier.

  1. knew
  2. have known
  3. would know
  4. had known Correct answer.

Explanation

The main clause uses 'would have + past participle', which signals the third conditional. The if-clause therefore needs the past perfect 'had known'.

Question 39Reading and Use of English

I'm really looking forward to ______ from you soon.

  1. hearing Correct answer.
  2. hear
  3. be heard
  4. have heard

Explanation

In 'look forward to', the word 'to' is a preposition, so it must be followed by a noun or gerund. The gerund 'hearing' is therefore the correct form.

Question 40Reading and Use of English

That's the journalist ______ article caused so much controversy.

  1. which
  2. whom
  3. whose Correct answer.
  4. who

Explanation

The relative pronoun replaces a possessive determiner ('the journalist's article'), and 'whose' is the possessive relative pronoun. It links the person to the thing possessed.

Question 41Reading and Use of English

You won't be allowed into the venue ______ you show your ticket.

  1. unless Correct answer.
  2. whether
  3. in case
  4. if

Explanation

'Unless' means 'if not' and introduces the only condition that would prevent the negative outcome. Showing the ticket is the exception to being refused entry.

Question 42Reading and Use of English

Over 300 runners ______ part in the charity race last Sunday.

  1. held
  2. took Correct answer.
  3. did
  4. made

Explanation

The fixed collocation is 'take part in' an event, meaning to participate. The past simple 'took' matches the past time reference 'last Sunday'.

Question 43Reading and Use of English

Her first novel was a huge ______, selling over a million copies.

  1. successful
  2. succeed
  3. success Correct answer.
  4. successfully

Explanation

The gap follows the article and adjective 'a huge', so a noun is needed. 'Success' is the noun form of the verb 'succeed'.

Question 44Reading and Use of English

The suitcase was ______ heavy for me to lift on my own.

  1. so
  2. too Correct answer.
  3. enough
  4. very

Explanation

The pattern 'too + adjective + for someone + to do' shows that something cannot be done because of an excess. 'Too heavy ... to lift' means it was impossible to lift.

Question 45Reading and Use of English

The company cut its prices ______ more customers would buy its products.

  1. for
  2. in order to
  3. so that Correct answer.
  4. so as to

Explanation

'So that' introduces a clause of purpose and is followed by a full clause with a subject and verb. Here the clause 'more customers would buy' follows the gap.

Question 46Reading and Use of English

I hadn't heard from Tom in years, and then, completely ______, he turned up at my door.

  1. under the thumb
  2. in hot water
  3. out of the blue Correct answer.
  4. off the hook

Explanation

The idiom 'out of the blue' means suddenly and unexpectedly, which matches an old friend appearing after years of silence.

Question 47Reading and Use of English

The committee recommended that the report ______ submitted by Friday.

  1. would be
  2. will be
  3. is
  4. be Correct answer.

Explanation

After verbs of recommending, demanding or insisting, formal English uses the subjunctive, which is the base form of the verb for all persons. The passive subjunctive is 'be submitted'.

Question 48Reading and Use of English

______ I known you were coming, I would have baked a cake.

  1. Had Correct answer.
  2. If
  3. Should
  4. Were

Explanation

This is an inverted third conditional: 'Had I known' replaces 'If I had known'. Inversion drops 'if' and places the auxiliary before the subject.

Question 49Reading and Use of English

It was not until the lights went out ______ we realised the power had failed.

  1. when
  2. which
  3. that Correct answer.
  4. then

Explanation

The structure 'It was not until ... that ...' is a cleft sentence used to focus on the time something happened. 'That' is the fixed connector in this pattern.

Question 50Reading and Use of English

It ______ me as strange that he never mentioned his brother.

  1. looked
  2. occurred
  3. appeared
  4. struck Correct answer.

Explanation

The verb 'strike' can be used in the pattern 'strike someone as + adjective', meaning to seem a particular way to someone. The past form 'struck' is needed here.