Today, I am sharing with you three B2 First Use of English-focused activities I have prepared for my dearest students to help them brush up on a topic we are working on this month – law and crime, as well as help them reach a higher score in the Cambridge B2 First exam.
These activities will help you better understand how B2 First Use of English Parts 2, 3, and 4 function.
Let’s be then in line with the B2 First exam rules!
For the time being, I am inviting you to play the role of an English teacher, or a Cambridge exams editor. Are you ready?!
B2 First Use of English Part 2: Open cloze
This is what the exam task says in the Reading and Use of English Part 2:
Read the text below and think of the word which best fits each gap. Use only one word for each gap.
Activity ONE
Read the text below. As you see, it is an already completed text, since no words are missing.
I invite you to think about which eight words could be taken out. Remember, they must be function words.
If you want to read more about function words, check out this article, What About Function Words?
Bank Robbery
Armed robbers have made off with an unknown quantity of cash in a daylight raid on a bank in California. It is thought that at least fifteen million dollars and other valuables, like diamonds and important documents, were taken, but the bank hasn’t yet revealed how much.
The police have sealed off a large area of the city, bringing traffic to a standstill. However, all the thieves managed to escape. One witness, a bank customer that day, told reporters, “They were wearing masques. They told us to lie on the floor and not move. They have threatened us with their guns”. Fortunately, there were no casualties.
The head of the police department later made a statement saying that no arrests had been made so far. But he was confident that the thieves would soon be found. He also thanked all the witnesses who agreed to come forward with important information. “The police are closely looking into the case. The thieves will not get away with it”, added the city mayor during a press conference.
Possible function words:
- LIKE (valuables, like diamonds)
- MUCH (how much)
- OFF (have sealed off)
- TO (managed to escape)
- WITH (threatened us with their guns)
- NO (no casualties)
- BE (would soon be found)
- FORWARD (come forward with)
B2 First Use of English Part 3: Word formation
This is what the exam task says in the Reading and Use of English Part 3:
Read the text below. Use the word given in capitals at the end of some of the lines to form a word that fits in the gap in the same line.
Activity TWO
Read the text below. Choose eight words from the text and write them down. These must be words whose structure is complex enough for you to be able to write their simple form.
Example: 0 ACCUSED (complex form) – ACCUSE (simple form)
Case solved!
Owen Peterson, the notorious accused in a trial that has attracted international attention, was today convicted of murder. The police investigation lasted for two years and during the trial, over 100 hours of evidence were heard. Peterson’s lawyers had all argued that he was not in the area at the time. Despite his solid alibi, they could not provide the necessary proof. Police described Peterson as a well-known thief who was responsible for many robberies in the local region. This is not Peterson’s first conviction. Ten years ago, he was found guilty of forgery and served four years in prison. The judge is expected to sentence Peterson to a period of imprisonment later this week.
Possible words from the text and their simple form:
- INVESTIGATION – INVESTIGATE
- ATTENTION – ATTENTIVE
- LAWYERS – LAW
- PROOF – PROVE
- ROBBERIES – ROB
- CONVICTION – CONVICT
- FORGERY – FORGE
- IMPRISONMENT – PRISON
B2 First Use of English Part 4: Key word transformations
This is what the exam task says in the Reading and Use of English Part 4:
Complete the second sentence so that it has a similar meaning to the first sentence, using the word given. Do not change the word. You must use between two and five words.
Activity THREE
Read and identify whether the answers provided are correct or not. There are six questions in the exam. To go the extra mile, I have prepared ten questions instead. Remember, it must meet the following THREE criteria:
- Do not change the form of the word given in CAPITAL LETTERS.
- Use between 2 and 5 words.
- Keep the meaning of the first sentence.
If the answer is incorrect, come up with the “legit” one.
1. The police will interview five witnesses who have offered help and information about the bank robbery. COME
The police will interview five witnesses who have ………………………………………………… to the bank robbery.
Candidate’s answer: COME UP WITH INFORMATION RELATING
2. The policeman followed the pickpocket, caught him and finally arrested the thief. AFTER
The policeman …………………………………………………, caught him and finally arrested the thief.
Candidate’s answer: HAS CHASED AFTER THE PICKPOCKET
3. The hooligans have escaped on a scooter. OFF
The hooligans ………………………………………………… on a scooter.
Candidate’s answer: HAVE RUN OFF
4. Having planned his escape, the Count of Monte Cristo finally escaped from prison. BROKE
Having planned his escape, the Count of Monte Cristo ………………………………………………… prison.
Candidate’s answer: HAD BROKEN OUT OF
5. Some people don’t respect the law. HAVE
Some people ………………………………………………… the law.
Candidate’s answer: HAVE NO RESPECT FOR
6. The bystander thought I was a thief, but realized that she was wrong. MISTOOK
The bystander ………………………………………………… , but realized that she was wrong.
Candidate’s answer: MISTOOK ME WITH THE THIEF
7. Although she had broken the law, the policeman decided not to punish her. OFF
Although she had broken the law, the policeman took the ………………………………………………… .
Candidate’s answer: PUNISHMENT OFF
8. The council have introduced new laws against young offenders committing minor crimes. BROUGHT
The council have ………………………………………………… against young offenders committing minor crimes.
Candidate’s answer: BROUGHT IN NEW LAWS
9. “Why are you blaming me?” asked the stranger. BLAME
The stranger asked why ………………………………………………… on him.
Candidate’s answer: WAS I TAKING THE BLAME
10. He didn’t intend to admit that he was guilty. PLEADING
He had no ………………………………………………… guilty.
Candidate’s answer: INTENTION TO PLEADING
- COME FORWARD WITH INFORMATION RELATING
- CHASED AFTER THE PICKPOCKET
- HAVE MADE OFF
- BROKE OUT OF
- correct
- MISTOOK ME FOR THE THIEF
- DECISION TO LET HER OFF
- correct
- I WAS PUTTING THE BLAME
- INTENTION OF PLEADING
The Supreme Court jury have given their verdict and pronounced their final decision: “You are ready to have a break!” 😉
I hope you have found today’s law-related inside-out activities useful.
Check out the following articles if you want to successfully take the B2 First exam by practising more with B2 Reading and First Use of English activities:
- Insights Into Past Tenses at B2 Level
- Use of English in Reverse
- Parts Of Speech And Their Position In The English Sentence
- Orthography And Cambridge Exams
Stay tuned for more words of advice and handy material!
