I used to teach English to teenagers when I lived in Spain, often working with candidates for tests to certify their level of English. One of the tests was the Cambridge University Certificate of Proficiency in English, designed for those with the highest level of skill.
This test became 100 years old in 2012, and to celebrate, it was redesigned. One part of the exam was eliminated, an advanced vocabulary test, the part that almost all my students hated passionately — and sometimes I found it difficult, too. It presented three sentences with blanks, and the exact same word could be used in each of the three blanks. Here are some examples. Can you get them right? (Scroll down for the answers.)
1.
The hospital would only give news to Trudy’s … family and not her friends and distant relatives.
The law will take place with … effect.
The patient reported experiencing … benefits following the operation and is not expected to need any further treatment.
2.
His employer … that he had been ill, and she did not penalize him for having been absent.
She never … the things he did for her.
He said that the value of the house had … considerably.
3.
When he was in his nineties, the famous writer’s health began to ….
If the potato crop were to …, it would create many problems for the local people.
Please do not … to check the safety precautions for this device.
4.
I thought I had a good solution to the problem, but my plan was … by the director, who said it would be too expensive.
In many parts of the country, black clouds completely … out the sun and whole towns were cast into darkness.
Enrico had to take a different route home because the main coast road was … by a lorry which had overturned.
5.
After lunch, we had a … of cards, just to pass the time.
His grandparents had a … in Luca’s upbringing, as his parents worked full time.
Mrs. Spencer opened the door and said, “If you lay a … on my son, there’ll be trouble.”
6.
I do not … with young people staying up until all hours.
How many books does this bag …?
Ben’s parents … shares in several major multinational companies.
7.
A mobile phone is almost an absolute … for this job, as you will need to be available at all times.
The summary of his findings is, of …, very brief, but it gives as much information as is relevant.
There was no … for her to give up her job — it was entirely her own choice.
8.
He thought that a few illustrations or anecdotes would add … to his report.
The fascinating old market is full of … and activity, and is well worth a visit.
You’re looking better today — you’ve got a bit more … than you had yesterday.
9.
She couldn’t … the pressures of her new job and eventually resigned.
He was unwilling to … the goods the two men offered him, as he suspected they were stolen.
It wasn’t very polite of you just to … off without saying goodbye to anyone.
10.
Angela gasped as she felt the … pain in her knee again.
There is a … bend in the road just after the post office, so don’t drive too fast.
The slightly … taste of the drink will not appeal to everyone.
A
N
S
W
E
R
S
1. immediate
2. appreciated
3. fail
4. blocked
5. hand
6. hold
7. necessity
8. color
9. take
10. sharp
Sue Burke 
I failed because I did not read the directions first and scrolled through it bewildered and wondering how it could be 102 years old! I am sure you passed it.
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The first lesson for the “How to Pass a Test” class: Read all the directions, then do what they say.
(This is actually one of the strategies I taught. Another strategy: Your first guess is probably a good guess. Third strategy: If you get points for correct answers on a multiple-choice test and no penalty for incorrect answers, and you’re about to run out of time, answer the remain questions at random.)
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9/10 so I’m feeling 90% smug. I failed on number 9, ‘take’. It would be a very difficult test for anyone who doesn’t have English as a first language.
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Scoring 90% is excellent. Feel smug. You deserve it.
This test is for the most advanced students who might be going on to an English-speaking university, working in the diplomatic services, or in a top business post. The testers study for years to prepare for the test. (I studied exclusively for two solid years for the equivalent for Spanish after many years of regular Spanish classes and living in Spain — I passed! I received a big, lovely certificate that I still have hanging over my desk and feel relief every time I look at it.)
Often teachers bemoan teaching to a test, and if it’s a bad test, they’re right. There are some very bad tests out there. Cambridge is a good test. The Spanish DELE is a good test. But they are hard tests.
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