GAPPED TEXTS: DIFFERENT WAYS TO GET THE RIGHT ANSWER

In the gapped text exercise in FCE, CAE and CPE there are many ways to
identify the correct answer. Of course the first step involves reading the
base text before we do anything else. Once you have done that you
should look out for the following “markers”.

Pronouns

E.g. he/she, they etc. Can you say who or what the pronoun refers to?

Time references

E.g. In those days, then, later, that year. When do they refer to in the text?

Lexical groups i.e. words that naturally go together

E.g. car, road, windscreen. Is there a natural continuation in terms of subject ?

Synonyms

E.g. The house, my home, the place. Is the writer using synonyms to avoid repetition ?

Chronological order

E.g. In the morning, later that day, in the evening. Does the order make sense i.e. did the person eat breakfast then leave the house?

Cause and effect

E.g. as a result, then, as, since. Can we see that something is the result of
something else ? If so what? Sometimes these connections are clearly
signposted; on the other hand they may be implied.

Lists

E.g. First of all, next, lastly. Is there any ordering in the text?

Contrast

E.g. On the other hand, however, while. What follows? Can you see the opposite idea in the text?

Common sense

Don’t forget to use your common sense to make sense of the passage. You know how the world works so apply that to the text.