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Gordon is impressed that Emma already knows some specific grammar components to focus on in her revision. He thinks it’s a good idea to expand on this with a conversation about the revision techniques of grammar and vocabulary.

GORDON: So, Emma. is there one part of the exam in particular that you are finding difficult?

EMMA: Yes, I’m struggling with what to revise for the word formation part. How did you handle that one Terry?

TERRY: I remember that I revised compounding of words, so things like prefixes and suffixes.

GORDON: What about vocabulary? How did you study vocabulary Terry?

TERRY: Um, well I made vocabulary banks related to lots of different topics.

EMMA: That sounds useful, I suppose I should study idioms and word classes as well.

GORDON: Yes, sounds good! Just to make sure you’re clear on what exactly to revise, I’m going to give you a revision checklist for each of the four parts of the Use of English section. So, for multiple-choice cloze, phrasal verbs are essential to study in addition to synonyms, linking words and collocations which are words that go together. If I were you, I would take a look at the difference between make and do, for example. So, as you can tell, in part 1, you are tested on your vocabulary. Whereas in part 2, open cloze, you are tested on your knowledge of grammar. You should study specific grammar points such as pronouns and relative pronouns, articles, quantifiers…

EMMA: Sorry to interrupt, but by articles, you mean ‘a’ and ‘the’, right?

GORDON: Yes, sure. So, it’s good to revise both the indefinite and definite article. Also, when I say quantifiers, I mean “much” and “many” and so forth. Then, be sure to study modal and auxiliary verbs and prepositions. And, as Terry suggested, linking words would be useful to look over too.

EMMA: Great, what about part 3?

GORDON: For part 3, the best things to revise are prefixes and suffixes. It would also be helpful to study the spelling of words and the extent to which the spelling changes when prefixes or suffixes are added. Finally, for part 4; your knowledge of both grammar and vocabulary will be tested here. Do you have any idea what type of things you should revise for this part Emma?

EMMA: I suppose I should review different verb patterns and the conditional tense.

GORDON: Excellent. I would also advise you to study comparatives, superlatives, direct and indirect speech, auxiliary verbs and phrasal verbs which are so necessary to feel comfortable with because they always come up in the Reading parts. Everything clear Emma?

EMMA: I think so, thanks for your help. And what about part 5, 6, and 7?

GORDON: I think you should practise reading lots of different types of texts, looking for main ideas, tone, and attitude, but also specific information, opinion, as well as how an idea can be developed and structured.

EMMA: By reading the news for instance?

GORDON: Yes, absolutely. But also specialist magazines, as well as fiction. And try to see the logic, the tone, and the way ideas are generally presented. To summarise:

•  in parts 1 to 4 you have to read a range of texts and complete grammar and vocabulary tasks.
•  and in parts 5 to 7 you are given a series of texts and questions to answer, to demonstrate you can deal with a variety of text types