THE FCE BLOG by Claudia Ceraso

Wednesday, August 29, 2012

FCE Set Texts 2012

We have talked before here on the blog about the tips for the preparation of the set book option in the writing paper.

The set books for FCE 2012 are:

-Vanity Fair by William Makepeace Thakeray (Any edition)

-This Rough Magic by Mary Stewart. (OUP)

Some useful links on Vanity Fair
  • The Wikipedia entry on Vanity Fair provides a succint plot and characters overview. The links at the bottom of the page are a good way to start some finer research on it.
  • The Cliff notes. Although they are not meant to prepare for the FCE exam, the character analysis and sample essays are debate worthy and a good introduction to writing for the set book option of the Writing Paper.

You can get the book online for free or download it in pdf format here or here.

-Is there a film based on the book? -You ask.
-Yes, there is.

Trailer (2004)


This Rough Magic is a book which is copyright protected. So you'll have to get yourself a copy. Here is a pdf with a short test + answers to help you with the book comprehension.

To end, I'd like to say that the links here are meant to help you get into a world of fiction and by no means replace reading the original book. Let me remind you of what Borges used to say about reading: it's supposed to be for pleasure and not just because your teacher told you to do it for homework.

Attitude to reading is up to you.


Related posts


Labels: , ,

1 Comments:

  • I've received an email with a question about set texts which I would like to share with you.

    Patricia has granted me permission to quote her email. Thank you for allowing me to share!

    "Hi Claudia,

    Looking for FCE resources I found your interesting blog about the exam. I hope you can help me. FCE set texts 2012 is the same during 2013? If is not, where can I get 2013 list? The exam edition is the same over the world? (I'm from Barcelona).

    Thanks,

    Patricia"

    A valid question indeed. According to the Cambridge Esol website,
    http://www.cambridgeesol.org/exams/fce/index.html#wr
    the set texts mentioned in this post are going to be used until December 2013.

    Set texts are anounced on that page way in advance. If you are starting preparation this year and plan to sit for the test the following year, you'll be able to have plenty of time to read the set texts if they are to change.

    About the exam edition, I must say it is the same exam all over the world. Same dates and time to do the reading, writing, use of English and Listening -in that order.

    What will naturally vary is the exam version (they are identified with letters in the listening paper). Naturally, students doing the FCE in Barcelona in the morning will not be able to pass on text messages with answers to students in Buenos Aires barely waking up. There are different exam versions at the same level for the same day.

    Hope this helps.

    By Blogger Claudia Ceraso, At 3:15 pm  

Post a Comment

Subscribe to Post Comments [Atom]



<< Home