Cambridge C1 Advanced (CAE) Practice Test
Frequently asked questions
How many Cambridge C1 Advanced (CAE) Practice Questions practice questions are here?+
A full bank of original Cambridge C1 Advanced (CAE) Practice Questions practice questions across the official content areas, weighted like the real exam, with explanations. Free, no signup.
What is the Cambridge C1 Advanced (CAE) Practice Questions exam like?+
A multiple-choice exam. Practice by topic here, then take the full timed mock exam to gauge readiness.
Are these the real exam questions?+
No. Every question is 100% original, written from public primary sources with explanations. We never copy real exam questions or paid prep material.
Can I study in Chinese or Spanish?+
PrepPass practice is in English, 中文 and Español. The official exam is in English — switch the question language to English any time to rehearse the exact terminology you'll see on test day.
Sample practice questions
A few real questions from this free bank, with full explanations. Use the practice tool above for the whole set.
- 1. Grammar
Not only ___ the deadline, but he also exceeded every target.
- a.he met
- b.he did meet
- c.did he meet
- d.met he
Answer: c
Explanation: After the fronted negative 'Not only', subject-auxiliary inversion is obligatory: 'did he meet'. The plain word order 'he met' is incorrect here.
- 2. Grammar
___ impressed the panel was her ability to stay calm under pressure.
- a.That
- b.Which
- c.It that
- d.What
Answer: d
Explanation: This is a cleft sentence with a nominal relative: 'What impressed the panel was...'. 'What' introduces the clause acting as subject; 'that' and 'which' cannot begin it here.
- 3. Grammar
Rarely ___ such a compelling argument in a first draft.
- a.I have read
- b.have I read it
- c.have I read
- d.I read
Answer: c
Explanation: The fronted restrictive adverb 'Rarely' triggers inversion: 'have I read'. Adding 'it' is redundant because 'argument' is the object already stated.
- 4. Vocabulary in Context
To meet the budget, some suppliers were tempted to ___ corners on safety.
- a.cut down
- b.break
- c.turn
- d.cut
Answer: d
Explanation: 'Cut corners' means to do something cheaply or carelessly, omitting proper steps. The idiom uses 'cut', not 'cut down' or 'break'.
- 5. Vocabulary in Context
Losing that job turned out to be a blessing in ___.
- a.hiding
- b.secret
- c.disguise
- d.cover
Answer: c
Explanation: 'A blessing in disguise' describes something that seems bad but proves beneficial. The fixed noun is 'disguise'.
- 6. Word Formation
His ___ to the feelings of others cost him several friendships. (SENSE)
- a.sensible
- b.sensitivity
- c.sensitive
- d.insensitivity
Answer: d
Explanation: The context ('cost him friendships') needs a negative noun: 'in-' + 'sensitiv' + '-ity' → 'insensitivity'. A noun follows the possessive 'His'.
- 7. Word Formation
The new evidence could ___ the entire case against him. (STRONG)
- a.strongly
- b.strength
- c.strengthen
- d.stronger
Answer: c
Explanation: A verb is needed after the modal 'could'. The suffix -en turns the adjective 'strong' into the verb 'strengthen'.
- 8. Prepositions & Articles
New regulations were introduced ___ the wake of the scandal.
- a.on
- b.at
- c.in
- d.by
Answer: c
Explanation: 'In the wake of' means following or as a result of an event. The preposition is fixed as 'in'.
- 9. Prepositions & Articles
Her early novels show ___ remarkable understanding of human nature.
- a.the
- b.a
- c.an
- d.some
Answer: b
Explanation: When an abstract noun like 'understanding' is modified and countable in this sense, it takes the indefinite article: 'a remarkable understanding'. The adjective begins with a consonant sound, so 'a', not 'an'.
- 10. Error Correction
Which sentence is correct?
- a.Let's revert to the original plan.
- b.Let's revert back to the original plan.
- c.Let's revert back again to the original plan.
- d.Let's return back to the original plan.
Answer: a
Explanation: 'Revert' already means 'go back', so 'revert back' is redundant. The concise, correct form is simply 'revert to'.