3–6 words • key word unchanged • 1 + 1 splitL:0 | R:0Score: 0 / 40
📘 Reading & Use of English • Part 4 (Questions 25–30)
What Past Papers Actually Test in C2 Part 4
I audited 87 official & practice CPE Part 4 items across eight complete tests and Official Sample Paper 1 to see what examiners actually reward. The pattern is plain as day: over 60% of C2 transformations test Nominalisation (35.4% — turning a verb or adjective into an abstract noun + preposition) and Fixed Idiomatic Collocations (25.0%), usually layered over a passive shift (~25%) or phrasal verb (~22%).
1 · Strike Out the Echoes
Cross out every word from Sentence 1 that is already accounted for in Sentence 2. Isolate the exact missing meaning before you write a word.
2 · Check for Noun Shift
At C2, verbs & adjectives regularly become nouns: resemble → bear no resemblance to; clear → a lack of clarity.
3 · Check Prepositions
The second mark almost always hinges on the exact preposition + gerund: prospect of being, restricted to those who.
4 · Tense & Passive Layer
Even when the key word is an idiom or phrasal verb, check whether Sentence 2 has flipped the object into a passive subject.
📊 Empirical Frequency Across 87 CPE Part 4 Items
#1 Nominalisation & Noun + Preposition (35.4%):no intention of, little prospect of, bore no resemblance to, came as a surprise to
#2 Fixed Idioms & Expressions (25.0%):taken into account, at a complete loss, to the best of his knowledge, had no choice but to
#3 Phrasal Verbs & Preposition Shifts (~22%):coming up with, taken in by, restricted to, have any objection to + -ing
#4 C2 Grammar Shifts (~25%):But for + noun, Providing there is no…, At no time was there…, On no account are…, It was not until… that, is rumoured to have sustained
🎯 How the 2 Marks Work (The | Split)
Every Part 4 answer is divided into two halves worth 1 mark each (shown as | in the key): the opening structural/verbal frame on the left, and the dependent preposition or gerund on the right. Want to test where your grammar stands right now?
You do not need a 50-question grammar test to see where you stand. Because Cambridge splits every Part 4 answer down the middle (Left Half | Right Half), I can pinpoint your control across the five core C1/C2 grammar families in just three targeted sentences. Each question adapts to which half of the previous sentence you got right.
Question 1 of 3Question 2 of 3Question 3 of 3Starting Pivot: Inversion + Passive Idiom
Diagnostic Prompt 1 of 3
0 words
Diagnostic Complete • 3-Item Split-Mark Profile
Estimated Structural Ceiling: C1 Advanced
Pattern 1 of 10 • #1 Most Tested C2 Family (Part A)
Nominalisation: Negative Noun Frames (no / little + noun + prep)
Blueprintbear no resemblance to | show no sign of + noun | have no intention of + -ing
Cambridge loves turning a negative verb or adjective (didn't look like, didn't appear nervous, doesn't intend) into a verb + no + abstract noun + preposition.
Item 01 of 20 • Nominalisation (Verb → Noun + To)
The biographer argued that the television drama did not look at all like the real historical events.
RESEMBLANCE
The biographer argued that the television drama the real historical events.
0 words
The biographer argued that the television drama bore no | resemblance to the real historical events. (4 words · had no resemblance to also accepted)
Clara didn't appear nervous, even though she was performing the violin concerto without sheet music.
SIGN
Clara even though she was performing the violin concerto without sheet music.
0 words
Clara showed no sign | of nervousness even though she was performing the violin concerto without sheet music. (5 words · gave no sign of nervousness / being nervous also accepted)
Pattern 2 of 10 • #1 Most Tested C2 Family (Part B)
Nominalisation: Probability, Demand & Obligation
Blueprintsee little prospect of + -ing | under no obligation to + V | little demand for
Watch the preposition after probability nouns: little prospect of (being able to), chances of + -ing, and notice how everyday verbs like buy shift to formal collocations like make a purchase.
Item 03 of 20 • Probability Noun + Of + Gerund
Julian doubts he'll be able to join us in the Highlands next month.
PROSPECT
Julian sees to join us in the Highlands next month.
0 words
Julian sees little prospect | of being able to join us in the Highlands next month. (5 words · of him/his being able = 6)
Item 04 of 20 • Prepositional Noun Frame + Collocation
The antique dealer assured us that we didn't have to buy anything; we were welcome just to look around.
OBLIGATION
The antique dealer assured us that we a purchase; we were welcome just to look around.
0 words
…assured us that we were under no | obligation to make a purchase. (6 words · Notice buy → make a purchase!)
Pattern 3 of 10 • Nominalisation (Part C)
Clause-to-Noun Transformations & Abstract Nouns
Blueprint[Person's] + noun + came as a surprise to | There was a lack of + abstract noun
When Sentence 1 has a clause like "Nobody expected Helena to resign" or "was not very clear", turn the verb or adjective into an abstract noun: resignation, clarity.
Item 05 of 20 • Possessive + Nominalised Subject
Nobody on the editorial board expected Helena to resign.
CAME
Helena's everyone on the editorial board.
0 words
Helena's resignation came | as a surprise to everyone on the editorial board. (6 words)
Item 06 of 20 • Adjective → Abstract Noun (Clarity)
What the barrister argued in court was not very clear at times.
LACK
There in what the barrister argued in court at times.
0 words
There was a lack of | clarity in what the barrister argued in court at times. (5 words)
Pattern 4 of 10 • #2 Most Tested C2 Family (Part A)
Blueprintbe taken into account | be at a (complete) loss to understand | be put in charge of
Notice how idioms like take into account are tested inside a passive frame when the object moves to the front of Sentence 2.
Item 07 of 20 • Passive Idiomatic Collocation
I trust the planning council will consider these environmental findings when they vote on Thursday.
ACCOUNT
I trust these environmental findings when the planning council vote on Thursday.
0 words
I trust these environmental findings will be taken | into account when the planning council vote on Thursday. (5 words)
Item 08 of 20 • Fixed Prepositional Idiom + Infinitive
I have no idea why my grant application was turned down.
LOSS
I why my grant application was turned down.
0 words
I am at a loss | to understand why my grant application was turned down. (6 words · at a complete loss to know / explain also accepted)
Pattern 5 of 10 • #2 Most Tested C2 Family (Part B)
High-Frequency C2 Set Expressions
Blueprintto the best of one's knowledge | have no choice but to + V | take no notice of
Other recurring C2 favourites in this family: only time will tell, there is no telling how long, and at the height of her career.
Item 09 of 20 • Epistemic Set Phrase
The curator stated that, as far as he knows, the medieval charter is genuine.
BEST
The curator stated that the medieval charter is genuine.
0 words
The curator stated that to the best | of his knowledge the medieval charter is genuine. (6 words)
Item 10 of 20 • Fixed Frame (No Choice But To)
Although she disagreed with the tribunal's verdict, Fiona was forced to accept it.
CHOICE
Much as she disagreed with it, Fiona the tribunal's verdict.
0 words
Much as she disagreed with it, Fiona had no choice | but to accept the tribunal's verdict. (6 words)
Pattern 6 of 10 • Phrasal Verbs in C2 Frames
Phrasal Verbs Layered With Passives or Nouns
Blueprinthave no difficulty coming up with | let yourself be taken in by | be put off until
At C2, a phrasal verb is rarely tested alone—it is almost always tucked inside a passive (be taken in by, be singled out for, be put off until) or after a noun (difficulty coming up with).
Item 11 of 20 • Noun + Gerund Phrasal Verb + Noun
Marcus did not find it difficult to answer the panel's technical questions.
COMING
Marcus had no the panel's technical questions.
0 words
Marcus had no difficulty coming up | with answers to the panel's technical questions. (6 words)
Item 12 of 20 • Reflexive + Passive Phrasal Verb
Don't let Patrick's easy-going manner deceive you; he is an extraordinarily sharp negotiator.
TAKEN
Don't let Patrick's easy-going manner; he is an extraordinarily sharp negotiator.
0 words
Don't let yourself | be taken in by Patrick's easy-going manner. (5 words)
Pattern 7 of 10 • Dependent Prepositions & Verb Patterns
Verb & Adjective + Dependent Preposition Patterns
Blueprintbe restricted to + those who | have any objection to (my) + -ing | be dismissed as
Trap alert: in have any objection to, to is a preposition, so it must be followed by a possessive + -ing form (to my sketching), never an infinitive.
Researchers can only enter the archive if they have registered in advance.
RESTRICTED
Entrance to the archive have registered in advance.
0 words
Entrance to the archive is restricted to | those who have registered in advance. (5 words · researchers/people who also accepted)
Item 14 of 20 • Prepositional To + Possessive Gerund
Do you mind if I sketch you while you rehearse?
OBJECTION
Do you you while you rehearse?
0 words
Do you have any objection | to my sketching you while you rehearse? (6 words)
Pattern 8 of 10 • #1 Most Tested Grammar Pattern
C2 Conditionals: But for + Noun Phrase & Providing
BlueprintBut for + [possessive + noun phrase] + in + -ing | Providing there + is no + noun
Notice how C2 combines a conditional with nominalisation: "If Liam hadn't acted promptly to shut…" becomes "But for Liam's prompt action in shutting…"
Item 15 of 20 • But For + Nominalised Action + In + -ing
If Liam hadn't acted promptly to shut off the main valve, there might have been severe damage to the laboratory.
BUT
shutting off the main valve, there might have been severe damage to the laboratory.
0 words
But for Liam's prompt action | in shutting off the main valve, there might have been severe damage. (6 words)
Item 16 of 20 • Conditional Linker + Nominalisation
Unless Hannah's plans change over the weekend, we'll catch the early ferry on Monday morning.
NO
Providing there over the weekend, we'll catch the early ferry on Monday morning.
0 words
Providing there is no change | to Hannah's plans over the weekend… (6 words · in Hannah's plans also accepted)
Pattern 9 of 10 • Negative & Limiting Inversion
Negative & Limiting Inversion at C2
BlueprintAt no time + was there + noun | On no account + are + S + allowed | Only as a last resort + does + S
When a negative or limiting phrase opens the sentence (At no time, On no account), invert the auxiliary and subject—and watch for a noun or passive shift at the same time.