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
![example Key Word Transformations question from C1 Advanced example Key Word Transformations question from C1 Advanced](../graphics/exam-section/c1-advanced-key-word-transformations.gif)
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