Mock Exam 1 · Full CPE simulation
CPE Mock Exam 1 — Mid-course Diagnostic
A full Cambridge C2 Proficiency simulation in real paper order. Sit it after Exam Review Lab 5 or 6 to see which paper still drains time and which is already stable. Teacher Mode unlocks the full mark scheme and a per-paper band reading.
Best sat around Module 5–6 once Writing Parts 1–2 have been practised at least twice.
Paper 1 · Reading & Use of English
Paper 2 · Writing
Your class has watched a panel discussion on the future of work. The discussion focused on the three changes below. You have made the notes opposite. Write an essay discussing TWO of the three changes in your notes. You should explain which change you think will have the greater impact on workers, and provide reasons to support your opinion. You may, if you wish, make use of the opinions expressed during the discussion, but you should use your own words as far as possible. Changes in the workplace: • the rise of remote and hybrid working • the spread of artificial intelligence in routine jobs • the move to a shorter working week Some opinions expressed in the discussion: 'Remote work has redrawn the boundary between home and office.' 'AI will quietly eat the predictable parts of every profession.' 'A four-day week is the only honest response to burnout.'
Write your essay in 240–280 words.
You have seen the following advertisement in an international magazine: 'EuroLab Summer Festival is recruiting volunteer coordinators. Successful applicants will have strong intercultural communication skills, the ability to remain calm under pressure, and previous experience of leading a small team.' Write a letter of application to the Festival Director explaining why you are suitable for the role. Refer to your previous experience, the qualities that make you a good fit and what you hope to gain from the role.
Write your letter in 280–320 words.
An international website has asked readers to review a streaming service that they have used to learn or improve a foreign language. Write a review of a streaming service or platform you have used. Describe the platform briefly, comment on its strengths and weaknesses for language learners, and say who you would recommend it to and why.
Write your review in 280–320 words.
The city council in the town where you study has asked international students to submit short reports on a piece of urban land that could be turned into a new green space. Write a report describing the chosen location, the kind of green space you would propose, the benefits for residents and any drawbacks the council should consider.
Write your report in 280–320 words.
Paper 3 · Listening
Paper 4 · Speaking
Part 1 — Interview (~2 min · no visuals)
- Where are you from, and what do you like most about living there?
- Tell me about something you've started learning recently.
- How important is it for you to spend time outdoors? Why?
Part 2 — Collaborative task (~4 min)
Both candidates work together on ONE visual stimulus (one or several visuals). Stage 1: discuss the visuals together (~1 min). Stage 2: reach a joint decision (~1 min). The assessment focuses on collaborative discussion, not the decision itself.
Stage 1 · Discussion (~1 min)
Here are some things schools could do to help young people prepare for the world of work. Talk together for about two minutes about how useful each of these could be: • visits from professionals in different jobs • short work-experience placements • lessons on managing money • training in digital skills • mock interview practice
Now you have about a minute to decide which TWO would be the most useful for most young people.
Stage 2 · Joint decision (~1 min)
Encourage candidates to defend their two choices with reasons, not just preferences.
There is no correct answer. The examiner assesses how well you discuss together — inviting, hedging, agreeing, disagreeing, negotiating — not the decision itself.
Part 3 — Individual long turn (~1 min per candidate)
Each candidate is given three photographs, chooses any two to compare, and speaks for about one minute answering the examiner's question. The third photograph is not discussed.
Examiner's question
Two of these photographs show people at work in very different environments. Compare two of the photographs and say what the people might find rewarding about working in these ways, and what the difficulties might be.
Pick any two of the three photographs to compare. The third is not discussed.
Tap two photographs to choose which pair you'll compare.
Examiner follow-up (~30 sec)
Candidate B: Which of these working situations would you find more motivating, and why?
Useful language
Speculating on motivation
- • They may have chosen this because…
- • It's conceivable that…
- • One imagines that…
Weighing rewards & difficulties
- • What's undeniably rewarding is…
- • The obvious downside would be…
- • That said, it can't be easy to…
Signposting
- • Turning to the second image…
- • In stark contrast…
- • On balance…
Examiner tips
- Compare — don't describe each photo in turn.
- Answer BOTH halves: rewards AND difficulties.
- Reach for evaluative lexis ('gratifying', 'gruelling', 'monotonous') rather than 'good/bad'.
Self-assessment checklist
- I named the two photographs I chose.
- I compared them throughout, not sequentially.
- I speculated about the people's motivations.
- I addressed both rewards and difficulties.
- I finished within about one minute.
Examiner's question
Two of these photographs show people studying in different ways. Compare two of the photographs and say why the people might have chosen these approaches, and how effective each one might be.
Pick any two of the three photographs to compare. The third is not discussed.
Tap two photographs to choose which pair you'll compare.
Examiner follow-up (~30 sec)
Candidate A: Do you generally prefer studying with others or alone? Why?
Useful language
Comparing approaches
- • Whereas the first involves…, the second relies on…
- • Both share… but the crucial difference is…
Evaluating effectiveness
- • Arguably the more productive of the two…
- • The main drawback is that…
- • It works well provided that…
Speculating on choice
- • They may have opted for this because…
- • Presumably because…
- • One reason could well be…
Examiner tips
- Don't get stuck describing what you see — get to purpose and effectiveness quickly.
- Hedge your evaluations: 'arguably', 'presumably', 'on the whole'.
- Round off with a brief conclusion in your final ten seconds.
Self-assessment checklist
- I compared, not described.
- I speculated on why they might have chosen each approach.
- I evaluated effectiveness with examples.
- I used at least two hedging expressions.
- I concluded within one minute.
Part 4 — Discussion (~4–5 min · no visuals)
The examiner asks further questions connected to the theme introduced in Part 3. Candidates discuss the ideas together — no photographs or prompt cards are shown.
Topic
Helping young people prepare for the world of work
- Some people say schools should focus on academic subjects and leave employment skills to employers. What do you think?
- How much responsibility should governments take for preparing young people for work?
- Has technology made it easier or harder for young people to find work? Why?
- Do you think the kind of work people do shapes the kind of person they become?
- How important is it for young people to know what they want to do as a career before they finish school?
Mock Exam 1 complete
Go through your answers with your teacher. Move to the next mock or the Exit Test when you're ready.