Exam Guides
Master every question type with strategies, tips, and practice
Cambridge English Guides
Strategies for A2 Key to C2 Proficiency question types
Practice Cambridge Tests →
Use of English
Multiple Choice Cloze
12 minFill in the gaps by choosing the correct word from four options. This tests your vocabulary, collocations, and understanding of context.
Open Cloze
12 minFill in the gaps with a suitable word - no options provided. Tests grammar and vocabulary knowledge.
Word Formation
12 minTransform the given base word to fit each gap. Tests your knowledge of prefixes, suffixes, and word families.
Key Word Transformation
15 minComplete the second sentence using a given key word while keeping the same meaning. Tests grammar and vocabulary.
Reading
Reading Multiple Choice
15 minRead a text and answer comprehension questions with multiple choice options. Tests detailed understanding.
Gapped Text
15 minPut missing sentences or paragraphs back into a long text. Tests how well you understand the way a text is organised.
Multiple Matching
15 minMatch questions or statements to different sections of text. Tests scanning and detailed understanding.
Cross-Text Multiple Matching
15 minCompare information across multiple texts and match statements to writers. Tests comparative reading.
Short Text Multiple Choice
10 minRead short texts and answer comprehension questions. Tests understanding of everyday texts.
Multiple Matching (A2 Key)
12 minRead three short texts on the same topic and decide which text each question is about.
Matching (B1 Preliminary)
12 minMatch five people to the text that best fits what each person needs.
Long Text Multiple Choice (B1 Preliminary)
18 minRead a longer text and answer five multiple-choice questions about detail, opinion and overall meaning.
Simple Gapped Text
12 minFill in missing sentences in a text from given options. Tests understanding of text structure.
Listening Multiple Choice with Pictures
10 minListen to short conversations and choose the picture that answers each question.
Listening Multiple Choice
12 minListen to conversations, interviews or short extracts and choose the correct answer.
Listening Gap Fill
10 minListen to one speaker and write the missing words or numbers in the notes.
Listening Sentence Completion
12 minListen to a talk and complete sentences with the exact words you hear.
Listening Matching
12 minListen to speakers or a conversation and match each item to the correct option.
Writing
Essay Writing
40 minWrite a structured essay on a given topic. Tests organization, argument development, and language range.
Writing Task Choice
40 minChoose one writing task from a set of options, such as an article, story, email, letter, report or review. Tests register and format.
Email Writing (B1 Preliminary)
25 minReply to an email using four notes as a guide. Write about 100 words.
Guided Writing (A2 Key)
25 minWrite a short email or note of 25 words or more that answers three points.
Picture Story (A2 Key)
20 minLook at three pictures and write a short story of 35 words or more.

Writing
IELTS Writing Task 1
20 minDescribe, summarise, or explain visual information such as graphs, charts, tables, or diagrams in at least 150 words.
IELTS Writing Task 2
40 minWrite a 250+ word essay responding to a point of view, argument, or problem on a general academic topic.

Reading
TOEFL iBT Reading Section
35 minComplete the full TOEFL iBT Reading section covering vocabulary, daily-life texts, and academic passages.
TOEFL Complete the Words
8 minComplete missing letters in words within a paragraph using vocabulary knowledge and context clues.
TOEFL Read in Daily Life
5 minRead short everyday texts like notices, messages, and ads, then answer multiple choice questions.
TOEFL Academic Passage
12 minRead an academic passage and answer comprehension questions about main idea, details, vocabulary, and inference.
Writing
TOEFL Build a Sentence
7 minComplete the reply in a short campus conversation by putting words and phrases in the right order.
TOEFL Write an Email
12 minWrite a short email in response to a situation, covering all the required points.
TOEFL Academic Discussion
10 minWrite a response contributing to an online academic discussion with your own ideas and reasoning.

Reading
TOEIC Incomplete Sentences
15 minChoose the best word or phrase to complete each sentence from four options.
TOEIC Text Completion
10 minComplete texts with missing words, phrases, or sentences by choosing from four options.
TOEIC Reading Comprehension
50 minRead passages and answer questions about details, inferences, and purpose.
PTE Academic Guides
Strategies for PTE Academic reading, writing and listening tasks
Practice PTE Academic Tests →
Reading
PTE Reading & Writing: Fill in the Blanks
10 minChoose the best word for each blank from dropdown choices to complete the text correctly.
PTE Multiple Choice, Multiple Answers
5 minRead a text and select all correct responses to the question — more than one answer is correct.
PTE Re-order Paragraphs
5 minDrag text boxes to arrange paragraphs into the correct logical order.
PTE Fill in the Blanks (Drag & Drop)
5 minDrag words from a word bank to fill the blanks in the text correctly.
PTE Multiple Choice, Single Answer
5 minRead a text and choose the one correct answer to the question.
Writing
PTE Summarize Spoken Text
10 minListen to a short lecture and write a summary of 50-70 words.
PTE Summarize Written Text
10 minWrite a one-sentence summary of a passage in 5-75 words capturing the main point.
PTE Write Essay
20 minWrite a 200-300 word essay responding to a given prompt, presenting and supporting your position.
Complete Guide to English Proficiency Exam Question Types
These guides cover the question types we have practice tests for in Cambridge English exams (A2 Key to C2 Proficiency), IELTS Academic, TOEFL iBT, TOEIC Reading and PTE Academic.
Cambridge Use of English Tasks
Multiple Choice Cloze, Open Cloze, Word Formation, and Key Word Transformation test vocabulary, grammar, and ability to paraphrase.
Reading Tasks
Reading Multiple Choice, Gapped Text, Multiple Matching, and Cross-Text Multiple Matching test comprehension and text analysis skills across Cambridge, IELTS, TOEFL, TOEIC, and PTE.
Writing Tasks
Essay Writing, IELTS Task 1 & 2, TOEFL Academic Discussion, and PTE Write Essay test your ability to communicate effectively in written English.