Mock Exam 2 · Full CPE simulation
CPE Mock Exam 2 — Pre-exam Confidence Mock
A second full Cambridge C2 Proficiency simulation, deliberately pitched at exam-day difficulty. Sit it in the final fortnight: same paper order, same authentic timing, fuller mark scheme. Use the per-paper band readout to decide whether you are ready to enter for the real exam.
Best sat 7–14 days before the real exam, in one or two contiguous sittings.
Paper 1 · Reading & Use of English
Paper 2 · Writing
Your class has attended a public lecture on how trust in institutions can be rebuilt. The lecturer highlighted the three areas below. You have made the notes opposite. Write an essay discussing TWO of the three areas in your notes. You should explain which of the two areas you have chosen would do most to rebuild public trust, and give reasons for your view. You may use the opinions expressed during the lecture, but you should use your own words as far as possible. Areas where trust can be rebuilt: • the way governments communicate with the public • the transparency of large companies' business practices • the reliability of mainstream news media Some opinions expressed during the lecture: 'Plain language matters more than any policy promise.' 'Companies are judged less on what they say than on what they do under pressure.' 'News organisations need to show their working, not just their conclusions.'
Write your essay in 220–260 words.
The director of the international language school where you study has invited proposals from students for a small pilot project to improve the learning experience. Write a proposal describing the project you would propose, explaining how it would work and outlining the benefits for both students and teachers.
Write your proposal in 220–260 words.
You read the following short item in an international newspaper: 'Spending on public libraries has fallen across most of Europe for the seventh consecutive year. Some commentators argue that libraries are now an unaffordable luxury.' Write a letter to the editor expressing your view on the article. Explain whether you agree with the commentators' position, and support your view with examples.
Write your essay in 220–260 words.
An international magazine has asked readers to review a documentary that genuinely changed the way they think about an issue. Write a review of the documentary. Describe it briefly, explain how and why it changed your thinking, and say who else you would recommend it to.
Write your review in 220–260 words.
Paper 3 · Listening
Paper 4 · Speaking
Part 1 — Interview (2 min)
- • How would you describe your home town to someone who has never been there?
- • What's something you've changed your mind about recently? Why?
- • How do you usually spend a free Sunday?
Candidate A · Long turn
Compare these two photographs and say why technology might be more important in the first situation than in the second, and what difficulties each person might face.
Candidate B · Short response (≈30 sec)
Candidate B: Which of these situations is closer to how technology fits into your own life?
Candidate A · Long turn
Compare these two photographs and say what the people might be hoping to gain from each journey, and what they might be giving up.
Candidate B · Short response (≈30 sec)
Candidate A: Which of these journeys would you find more rewarding, and why?
Central question
Here are some changes a city could make to improve quality of life for residents. Talk together for about two minutes about how effective each change might be: • more pedestrian-only streets • free public transport for under-25s • stricter rules on short-term tourist lets • better-funded public libraries • new green spaces in every neighbourhood
Now you have about a minute to decide which TWO changes would make the biggest difference to most residents.
Decision stage · final minute
Encourage candidates to weigh trade-offs (cost, fairness, who benefits) rather than personal preferences.
Topic
Making cities better places to live
- Should city councils prioritise short-term improvements that residents notice immediately, or long-term plans that future generations will benefit from?
- How responsible is each citizen for the quality of life in their own neighbourhood?
- Some people argue that big cities are essentially impossible to make pleasant. Do you agree?
- How important is it to keep the historical character of a city when modernising it?
- What do you think your home city will be most criticised for in fifty years' time?
Mock Exam 2 complete
Go through your answers with your teacher. Move to the next mock or the Exit Test when you're ready.