Some of our exams have optional set text questions as part of the Writing paper. These exams are:
- Cambridge English: First for Schools (FCE for Schools)
- 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.
Cambridge English: First and Cambridge English: Advanced were updated in 2015 and set texts are no longer used. Information about the changes to the exams can be found in our article: Cambridge English: First and Cambridge English: Advanced are changing!
Here are the set texts for 2017 and 2018.
| Exam | 2017 Set Texts | 2018 Set Texts | Further information |
|---|---|---|---|
| FCE for Schools |
Treasure Island: Robert Louis-Stevenson1 |
Treasure Island: Robert Louis-Stevenson1 |
Click here |
| CPE |
Penelope Lively: Family Album F. Scott Fitzgerald: The Great Gatsby2 |
Colm Tóibín: Brooklyn3 M.L. Stedman: The Light Between Oceans4 |
Click here |
1 Oxford bookworms graded reader Stage 4 edition recommended. Teachers may choose to prepare candidates for questions on this set text by studying any film version of Treasure Island, as well as, or instead of, the book.
2 Screenplay and film directed by Baz Luhrmann (2013).
3 Screenplay directed by John Crowley (2015).
4 Screenplay directed by Derek Cianfrance (2016).
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.