Helpdesk Training Article
Some of our exams have optional set text questions as part of the Writing paper. These exams are:
- B2 First for Schools - previously known as Cambridge English: First for Schools (FCE for Schools)
- C2 Proficiency - previously known as Cambridge English: Proficiency (CPE)
The set text question is in Part 2 of the Writing paper for these exams and is one of four questions you can choose from during this part. Candidates should not attempt the optional set text question in Part 2 unless they have the necessary vocabulary and understanding of the text to answer the task set. Teachers are best placed to judge which, if any, of the set texts and/or film versions may be appropriate and stimulating for a given teaching situation.
B2 First (previously known as Cambridge English: First) and C1 Advanced (previously known as Cambridge English: Advanced) were updated in 2015 and set texts are no longer used.
Here are the set texts for 2020.
| Exam | 2020 Set Texts | Further information |
|---|---|---|
| B2 First for Schools |
Charles Dickens: Great Expectations1 |
Click here |
| C2 Proficiency |
Nick Hornby: About a Boy2 Dodie Smith: I Capture the Castle3
|
Click here |
1 Oxford Bookworms edition recommended. Teachers may choose to prepare candidates for questions on this set text by studying any film version of Great Expectations, as well as, or instead of, the book.
2 Any edition. Teachers may choose to prepare candidates for questions on this set text by studying the film directed by Chris Weitz and Paul Weitz (2002) as well as, or instead of, the novel.
3 Any edition. Teachers may choose to prepare candidates for questions on this set text by studying the film directed by Tim Fywell (2000) as well as, or instead of, the novel.
6 comments
Hello everyone,
I've just added the Cambridge English: Proficiency set texts for 2014. We'll be adding the _Cambridge English: First for Schools _as soon as we can.
I hope that helps.
Hi all,
I've added the 2014 Cambridge English: First for Schools set texts now. They're the same as the 2013 set texts.
I hope this helps.
Hi everybody,
We've updated this article to show the 2015 _Cambridge English: First for Schools _set texts. We'll add the _Cambridge English: Proficiency (CPE)
_set texts as soon as we can.
_Cambridge English: First (FCE) _and _Cambridge English: Advanced (CAE) _will no longer have set text questions from 2015.
I hope that helps.
Hello everyone,
We've now added the Cambridge English: Proficiency set texts for 2015, which are the same as the 2014 set texts.
I hope that helps.
Hi everyone,
We've updated this article today, with details of 2017 set texts.
I hope this helps.
Hello everyone,
We've just updated this article with details of the 2018 set texts.
I hope this helps.
Article is closed for comments.