The Hidden Beach is practice for the Cambridge Assessment English B2 First (FCE) examination. For this task, the first sentence of the short story is ‘Although it was beautiful, I knew I didn’t want to stay much longer.
The main purpose is to engage the interest of the reader. You need to have an effective answer that has a clear storyline which links coherently to the prompt sentence and demonstrates a sound grasp of narrative tenses.
The Hidden Beach
B2 First Writing Section
You are required to produce two pieces of writing. The first piece is compulsory and will be an essay of 140-190 words. For the second, you can choose from an article, email/letter, essay, review or report (B2 First for schools the report is replaced with a story) of 140-190 words.
B2 First Use of English and Reading Section
You need to be able to understand a range of texts, including how they are organised and the opinions and attitudes expressed in them. The texts will be from sources familiar to you such as magazines, articles, fiction and advertisements, but targeted at the interests of students.
Students’ use of English will be tested by tasks which show how well they can control their grammar and vocabulary.
- Use of English Part 1
- Use of English Part 2
- Use of English Part 3
- Use of English Part 4
- Reading Part 5
- Reading Part 6
- Reading Part 7
For this part, you practice vocabulary by using words with similar meanings, collocations, linking phrases, phrasal verbs, etc.
For this part, you practice grammar and vocabulary.
For this part, you practice vocabulary word-building by changing different words using a base word.
For this part, you have to express a message in different ways showing flexibility and resource in the use of language.
- B2 First Use of English Part 4
- B2 Key Word Transformation 1
- B2 Key Word Transformation 10
- B2 Key Word Transformation 2
- B2 Key Word Transformation 3
- B2 Key Word Transformation 4
- B2 Key Word Transformation 5
- B2 Key Word Transformation 6
- B2 Key Word Transformation 7
- B2 Key Word Transformation 8
- B2 Key Word Transformation 9
For this part, you practice how to understand the details of a text, including opinions and attitudes.
For this part, you practice how to understand the structure and follow the development of a text.
For this part, you practice how to find specific information in a text or texts.
B2 First Listening and Speaking Section
Requires being able to follow and understand a range of familiar spoken materials, such as news programmes, public announcements and other sources, but targeted at the interests of the learners.
- Speaking Part 1
- Speaking Part 2
- Speaking Part 3
- Speaking Part 4
- Listening Part 1
- Listening Part 2
- Listening Part 3
- Listening Part 4
In this part you talk to the examiner about yourself and your life, e.g. your name, school, interests and future plans.
In this part, you talk about two photos on your own which you have to compare for about 1 minute. After you have finished, your partner will be asked a short question about your photo. When your partner has spoken about their photos for about 1 minute, you will be asked a question about their photos.
In this part you express ideas with your partner by looking at a discussion point that the examiner gives you.
This will be available soon.
In this part, you focus on general aspects of a topic with the examiner or you may involve your partner.
This will be available soon.
In this part, you will hear people talking in eight different situations.
In this part, you will hear someone being interviewed.
In this part, you will hear five people talking about different things.
In this part, you will hear an interview.
Especially helpful are exercises that are focussed on a theme or topic as these provide word retention practise so you can be confident to read, write, speak and listen successfully.
- Customs and Traditions
- Entertainment and Leisure
- Environmental and Nature
- Future Jobs and Education
- Identity and Well-being
- Travel and Adventure
Customs and Traditions explores how we celebrate our cultural identity across the globe.
Entertainment and Leisure explores how we spent our free time.
Environment and Nature explores the way humans and animals live, adapt and change on our planet.
Exploring how different societies create roles for people to develop their skills and knowledge.
Exploring how we learn and adjust to the world around us. .
Exploring how we experience the world through our life journeys
Cambridge English exams are designed for learners at all levels from the pre-intermediate level Cambridge English: Key (KET) to the very advanced level Cambridge English: Proficiency (CPE). These exams give candidates proof of their ability to use English in a wide variety of contexts, relevant to work, study and leisure activities.