Cambridge C2 Proficiency (CPE) Practice Test
Frequently asked questions
How many Cambridge C2 Proficiency (CPE) Practice Questions practice questions are here?+
A full bank of original Cambridge C2 Proficiency (CPE) Practice Questions practice questions across the official content areas, weighted like the real exam, with explanations. Free, no signup.
What is the Cambridge C2 Proficiency (CPE) 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
The board insisted that every proposal ___ reviewed by an independent auditor.
- a.is
- b.be
- c.was
- d.would be
Answer: b
Explanation: After the mandative verb 'insist that', the subjunctive uses the base form 'be' for all persons, regardless of the subject. 'Is' and 'was' are indicative and incorrect here.
- 2. Grammar
It's high time the authorities ___ something about the crumbling roads.
- a.did
- b.do
- c.have done
- d.will do
Answer: a
Explanation: 'It's high time' is followed by the unreal past (past simple) to express that action is overdue: 'It's high time they did something.' The present or future is incorrect.
- 3. Grammar
She speaks as though she ___ there herself, but in fact she only read about it.
- a.was
- b.had been
- c.has been
- d.would be
Answer: b
Explanation: 'As though/as if' describing something contrary to past fact takes the past perfect: 'as though she had been there'. This marks the unreal, hypothetical past.
- 4. Vocabulary in Context
By launching a week early, the firm managed to steal a ___ on its rivals.
- a.march
- b.lead
- c.step
- d.gain
Answer: a
Explanation: The idiom 'steal a march on someone' means to gain an advantage by acting before them. Only 'march' completes the fixed expression.
- 5. Vocabulary in Context
He raised the subject delicately, unsure how best to ___ such a sensitive matter.
- a.breach
- b.broach
- c.brooch
- d.breech
Answer: b
Explanation: To 'broach' a subject means to introduce or bring it up. The homophones 'breach' (break), 'brooch' (jewellery) and 'breech' are all incorrect.
- 6. Word Formation
Her ___ in the face of repeated setbacks eventually paid off. (PERSEVERE)
- a.perseverant
- b.perseverance
- c.persevering
- d.persevered
Answer: b
Explanation: A noun follows the possessive 'Her'. The verb 'persevere' nominalises to 'perseverance' (note the internal spelling).
- 7. Word Formation
The judge's ___ was never once in doubt throughout the trial. (PART)
- a.impartiality
- b.partiality
- c.partition
- d.parting
Answer: a
Explanation: A judge should be unbiased, so the needed noun is 'impartiality' (im- + partial + -ity). 'Partiality' means bias, the opposite meaning.
- 8. Prepositions & Articles
In terms of raw talent, the newcomer is very much ___ a par with the veterans.
- a.in
- b.at
- c.on
- d.to
Answer: c
Explanation: 'On a par with' means at an equal level with. The idiom fixes the preposition as 'on'.
- 9. Prepositions & Articles
When it comes to Renaissance art, she is ___ authority everyone consults.
- a.the
- b.an
- c.a
- d.-
Answer: a
Explanation: The emphatic, stressed 'the' marks her as the single pre-eminent authority. 'An'/'a' would reduce her to merely one of several.
- 10. Error Correction
Which sentence is correct?
- a.It is imperative that the report is submitted by Friday.
- b.It is imperative that the report will be submitted by Friday.
- c.It is imperative that the report submits by Friday.
- d.It is imperative that the report be submitted by Friday.
Answer: d
Explanation: After 'It is imperative that', formal English uses the mandative subjunctive 'be submitted'. The indicative 'is submitted' is a common but less accurate alternative at this register.