BEC Reading Part 6

BEC Preliminary Reading Part 6 Teachers Notes
Description
The teacher introduces prepositions, conjunctions and other linking words to the class, then
students do some matching exercises focusing on these words. They then do a gapfill
exercise similar to Reading Part 6, and finally sum up with an exercise on information and
advice on this part of the test.
Time required:
45 minutes
Materials
required:
Students Worksheet (one per student)
Sample Task for optional follow-up
Aims:
to familiarise students with the format of Reading Part 6
to help students to focus on some of the grammatical relationships

that are tested in that part
Procedure
1. Tell one student: Im giving you a million dollars. Its under my desk (or another
appropriate item of furniture in the room), and ask him/her to look in the appropriate
place. Repeat (with the same or different students) with Its above my desk, Its in my
desk, Its behind my desk, Its in front of my desk, Its beside my desk, Its near my
desk. (NB a million dollars, as an amount of money, is normally singular)
2. Ask What differences are there between those descriptions of where the money is?
[the words referring to the place in relation to the desk]. Ask How important are those
words? [very they could make the difference between finding the money and not
finding it]. Ask What type of words are they, e.g. noun, verb? [prepositions. in front
of is a compound preposition, or prepositional phrase]
3. Write on the board: I always buy ice cream my friends visit me. Write when next to
the sentence, and say: I always buy ice cream when my friends visit me. Check
understanding by asking Do I buy ice cream and my friends visit me around the same
time? [yes] Ask: Do my friends get any ice cream? [probably]
4. Write after next to the sentence and say: I always buy ice cream after my friends visit
me. Ask: Which happens first buying ice cream or my friends visiting me? [my
friends visiting me]. Ask: Do my friends get any ice cream? [no]
5. Write so next to the sentence and say: I always buy ice cream so my friends visit me.
Ask: Why do my friends visit me? [because I buy ice cream for them]. Ask: Do my
friends get any ice cream? [probably]
6. Write unless next to the sentence and say: I always buy ice cream unless my friends
visit me. Ask: Do I buy ice cream when my friends visit me? [no, only at other times].
Ask: Do my friends get any ice cream? [no]
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Page 1 of 13
7. Ask if theres a difference in meaning between the sentences [yes], and which words
make the difference [when, after, so, unless]. Ask what type of words they are, e.g.
nouns, prepositions [conjunctions they join two statements or other parts of a
sentence].
8. Tell students youre going to look at part of a staff newsletter of a company that
manufactures clothing. Elicit what a staff newsletter is [a magazine about the
company, sent as hard copy or electronically to all staff].
9. Write New appointment on the board, and ask what its two meanings are [someone
has just been given a job with the company, or its a new arrangement to meet].
10. Hand out Students Worksheet (one each). Ask students to read Exercise 1, then
ask them what New appointment means here [someone has just been given a job
with the company]. Remind them that the five sentences come from the clothing
manufacturers staff newsletter. Explain that the sentences about the new
appointment are in order, and make up a paragraph of the newsletter, but the
sentences have been broken into two.
11. Ask students, in pairs, to draw lines to connect the beginnings (1-5) and ends (A-E)
of the five sentences. Each ending should be used once only. (NB This should be
easy, both because the meanings of the two parts of each sentence are connected,
and because of the underlined words.)
12. Check the answers [see Key to Students Worksheet] and draw students attention
to the underlined words they often (but not always) occur together. Encourage
students to write them in their notebooks and learn them together [see Key to
Procedure steps].
13. Ask students to look at Exercise 2, telling them that the sentences also come from
the staff newsletter. Ask Which word means fixing equipment in position and making
it ready to use? [installation] Ask them to connect the beginnings and ends of the
sentences, focusing on the meaning of the small words (prepositions) at the
beginning of A-E. NB Although more than one ending is possible in some cases,
there is only one way of using all five endings.
14. Check the answers [see Key to Students Worksheet].
15. Write on the board: Please read this book by Thursday and Please read this book
until Thursday. Ask which one means read it all the time, and on Thursday stop
reading it even if you havent finished [the second, with until]. Ask if the first
sentence (with by) means the same [no]. Ask what it means [read the whole book,
finishing no later than Thursday Wednesday or Tuesday would also be OK]. Ask if
they know a word that means the latest time or day that something can be done [a
deadline]. Ask which word, by or until, gives a deadline [by].
16. Ask them to look at Exercise 2 again, and ask which preposition is used with months
[in], which one is used with days and dates [on]. Ask if they know the preposition
used with times, e.g. 10 oclock [at] [see Key to Students Worksheet].
Page 2 of 13
17. Ask students to do Exercise 3 in pairs, telling them that the sentences also come
from the staff newsletter. Explain that it focuses on linking two statements in various
ways. Theres only one way of using all five endings.
18. Check the answers [see Key to Students Worksheet].
19. Ask students to do Exercise 4 in pairs, telling them that the sentences also come
from the staff newsletter.
20. Check the answers [see Key to Students Worksheet]. Check students understand
the phrase in each sentence [see Key to Procedure steps].
21. Explain that Part 6 of BEC Preliminary Reading involves reading a text which has
some words taken out, and choosing the correct word to fill each gap. Many (but not
all) of the words are the type of words in Exercises 1-4. Explain that Exercise 5 is
fairly similar to Reading Part 6, but has 14 questions instead of 12, and only focuses
on the grammatical areas covered in Exercises 1-4. Ask them to look at the
instructions, and ask them how many right answers there are to each question [one
they must choose A, B or C].
22. Write on the board an event at which businesses can show their products to
potential customers, businesses which show their products there, people who go
there to look at the products and a structure or area used by one company at the
event. Ask students to find the word or phrase in the text that matches each
definition [an event: trade fair. Businesses which show: exhibitors. People who
go: visitors. A structure...: a stand].
23. Ask students to think about how to do this type of exercise. Is it better to start by just
looking at each gap, or is it better to read the text quickly first? Why? [Read the text
first, to get an idea of what it is about.] Point out that the clues to some gaps may
come after the gap, not just before it.
24. Ask them to do Exercise 5, and tell them they have up to 10 minutes to complete it.
Tell them to read the whole text again when theyve filled all the gaps, to check their
answers and make sure it makes sense.
25. Check the answers [see Key to Students Worksheet]. Ask which word is linked
with the words in gaps 1-6, 8, 9, 13, and ask students to write down these phrases in
their notebooks: 1: aim at, 2: provide with, 3: essential for, 4: as well as, 5: as many
as, 6: 25% of, 8: increase by, 9: take part in, 13: qualify for [see Key to Procedure
steps]. Encourage students to learn words in phrases, like this.
26. Tell students that Exercise 6 gives useful information and advice about Reading Part
6. Ask students to look at it, and elicit the answers [see Key to Students
Worksheet].
27. Finish by asking students for ideas about learning the small words in English [see
Key to Procedure steps].
Page 3 of 13
Suggested follow-up activities:

1. Give students the Sample Task (this is from a past paper) for homework or in another
lesson (answers are in Key to Students Worksheet).
2. See the preparation ideas in the BEC handbook, pages 10 (Reading, general) and 11
(Part 6) (online at
http://www.cambridgeesol.org/assets/pdf/resources/teacher/bec_hb.pdf), and in
Examination Reports on past papers.
3. Copy Part 6 in the BEC Handbook (page 18) and the answer sheet (page 25) and
ask students to do the task, aiming at spending 5-10 minutes on it. NB: the pages
from the handbook need to be enlarged.
Page 4 of 13
BEC Preliminary Reading Part 6 Answer Keys

Key to Procedure steps
Step 12:
to appoint someone as (job title) also correct without as; to work for (a company); to focus
on (something, or doing something); to reduce (an amount) by (another amount); to look
forward to (something, or doing something)
Step 20:
1: as many as refers to a quantity or number, so is used with a countable noun, here
employees and families.
2: as well as adds what comes before it (entertainment) to a list; sometimes what follows
(dancing and a buffet) is already known, more obvious and guessable, or less important.
3: as much as refers to a quantity and is used with uncountable nouns, e.g. money.
4: as long as means if but stresses that what follows is essential its similar to but only if.
5: as soon as refers to time.
Step 25:
aimed at people; provide visitors with information; to be essential for running; as many as
7,000 visitors; 25% of the exhibitors; increased their customer base by over 20; to take part
in this years event; for all five days; if you book [point out that after if a present tense is used
to refer to the future, so if you will book is wrong]; by 30 June; qualify for a discount
Step 27:
suggestions include keeping a notebook where they write phrases to help them remember,
under various headings:
verb + preposition (e.g. focus on, aim at, provide with)
2-word verb phrases (e.g. look forward to, take part in)
adjective + preposition (e.g. essential for)
time expressions (e.g. A party will be held on 3 January, The trade fair will last for
five days, Please reply by 30 June)
They could then add examples they read.
Encourage them not to translate prepositions into their own language, as theres unlikely to
be a one-to-one match.
Page 5 of 13
Key to Students Worksheet Exercise 1

1. E
2. A
3. D
4. B
5. C (NB: to in look forward to is a preposition, and so a verb following it must be in the
ing form, just as on in D means the verb is in the ing form: improving)

1. C in September means at some time in September. It can also be used with years,
decades, centuries, etc.
2. E on the 17th means on a particular date
3. B for three or four days gives the length of a time period, and the action continues
for the whole of that period
4. A by the end of October means no later than the end of October
5. D until the work is finished gives the end of a time period, and the action continues
for the whole of that period
6. by
7. for

1. C
2. A
3. E
4. D
5. B
6. while
7. as
8. unless (B would read if orders for our products dont rise)
Page 6 of 13

1. as many as
2. as well as
3. as much as
4. as long as
5. as soon as
1. B
2. C
3. A
4. B
5. C
6. B
7. C
8. A
9. C
10. B
11. A
12. A
13. C
14. A
1. 12
2. 3
3. 1
4. No
5. 5-10
6. about
7. after
8. grammar
9. guess
10. sense
Page 7 of 13
Key to Sample Task

1. B
2. C
3. A
4. C
5. C
6. A
7. C
8. B
9. A
10. C
11. B
12. B
Page 8 of 13
BEC Preliminary Reading Part 6 Students Worksheet

The sentences in Exercises 1-4 are all from the staff newsletter of a clothing manufacturer.
Exercise 1
Draw lines to complete each sentence 1-5 with the best ending, A-E.
Use each ending once only. The underlined words should help you.
New appointment
The company has appointed Jackie

Wells
Jackie currently works
She intends to focus
She also plans to reduce costs
Jackie is looking forward
for Jeremiah & Keith plc.
by 10%.
to taking up her new appointment at

the beginning of next year.
on improving the companys

financial systems.
as the new Finance Director.
Exercise 2
Use each ending once only. Youll need to think in particular about the meanings of
the first word in each ending.
Installation of new heating system
The problems with the heating

system first arose
Work on installing a new system will

begin
Work is expected to continue
Some offices will then be painted,

and this should be completed
Staff should be prepared for a lot of

noise
by the end of October.
for three or four days.
in September.
until the work is finished.
on the 17th of next month.
Which word from A-E
means no later than?
introduces a phrase that gives the length of a period of time?
Page 9 of 13
Exercise 3
Use each ending once only. Youll need to think in particular about the meanings of
the first word in each ending.
Sales of company products

1
Domestic sales are stable,
if we increase our advertising there.
Sales in Japan are expected to rise
unless orders for our products rise.
Exports to the USA have increased,
while exports have risen slightly.
We are planning a new range of

baby clothing,
as sales of the existing range are

beginning to fall.
Production will be reduced by 5% in

September
although the weakness of the dollar

has made them more expensive.
Which word in A-E could be replaced by

6
whereas?
because or since?
if dont?
Exercise 4
Complete each sentence with a different phrase from the box.
as long as
as many as
as much as
as soon as
as well as
Staff party
A party will be held on 3 January.
All employees and their families are invited, and we hope possible will
attend.
Entertainment will be provided, dancing and a buffet.
The company has decided to increase its contribution, so tickets will not cost
we announced last month.
Children are welcome, you keep an eye on them all evening.
we have confirmed the venue, we will let you know.
Page 10 of 13
Exercise 5
Read the advertisement below about an exhibition.
Choose the correct word to fill each gap, from A, B or C below.
Trade Fair of the Year, 1418 September

Does your firm help start-up businesses? 21st Century Business is a key event aimed
(1) people intending to set up a business. The trade fair will provide visitors
(2) valuable information on products and services essential (3) running a
small business. There will be advice on obtaining finance and using Information Technology,
as (4) as on health and safety.
Last year, 21st Century Business attracted as (5) as 7,000 visitors a day. 25%
(6) the exhibitors gained 50 or more new customers, (7) 70% increased
their customer base (8) over 20.
To take part (9) this years event, whether (10) all five days or just some,
call us now. And (11) you book a stand (12) 30 June, youll qualify
(13) a 25% discount. Remember, potential customers wont know you exist
(14) you have a stand at the trade fair!
A for
B at
C over
A after
B to
C with
A for
B with
C through
A far
B well
C long
A much
B far
C many
A to
B of
C by
A because
B if
C while
A by
B with
C into
A with
B of
C in
10
A in
B for
C under
11
A if
B although
C while
12
A by
B in
C at
13
A under
B to
C for
14
A unless
B if
C although
Page 11 of 13
Exercise 6
Facts about Part 6

Answer these questions with one word or a number.
How many questions are there?
How many options are there in each question?
How many right answers are there to each question?
Are the answers ever the same as each other?
Advice for Part 6

Choose the best word from the box to fit each gap.
meaning
about
15-20
sense
grammar
5-10
guess
after
You should spend about minutes on Part 6.
Read the whole text first, to get an idea of what it is .
Read both before and the gap, to see which option fits.
The word needs to fit both the meaning and the .
If you dont know the answer, .
10
Finally, read the whole text again, to make sure it makes .
Page 12 of 13
BEC Preliminary Reading Part 6 Sample Task
Read the minutes below from a Health and Safety committee meeting.
Choose the correct word to fill each gap, from A, B or C below.

Minutes
Lighting
Staff are complaining about the poor lighting in the main office. The Secretary of the
Committee recently obtained quotes (1) new lighting (2) we passed to the
management board. The committee is (3) waiting for (4) decision. We are
hoping the board will let us (5) within the next few weeks.
New drinks machine

Of the three types of machine we looked at, Maxcup appeared to be the best option. The
committee now has to find a new (6) , as our current machine causes problems
near the fire exit (7) several people use the machine at the same time. It was
decided to put (8) taking the decision, and we expect to have enough information
(9) the end of the month.
Conference attendance
John Cavendish (10) to be away at the conference from 1st to 8th of next month.
Rebecca Smith has agreed to assist us in his (11) . John has made a useful list of
contacts in (12) to help her research new safety equipment.
A from
B for
C of
A what
B when
C which
A still
B yet
C already
A your
B our
C their
A known
B knowing
C know
A location
B size
C design
A whether
B unless
C if
A through
B off
C up
A by
B until
C on
10
A believes
B thinks
C expects
11
A leave
B absence
C departure
12
A time
B order
C case
BEC Preliminary Reading Part 6 Sample Task
Page 13 of 13

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BEC Preliminary Reading Part 6 Teachers Notes

Students Worksheet (one per student)

Sample Task for optional follow-up

to familiarise students with the format of Reading Part 6

to help students to focus on some of the grammatical relationships

BEC Preliminary Reading Part 6 Teachers Notes

BEC Preliminary Reading Part 6 Teachers Notes

BEC Preliminary Reading Part 6 Teachers Notes

Suggested follow-up activities:

BEC Preliminary Reading Part 6 Teachers Notes

BEC Preliminary Reading Part 6 Answer Keys

BEC Preliminary Reading Part 6 Answer Keys

Key to Students Worksheet Exercise 1

Key to Students Worksheet Exercise 2

Key to Students Worksheet Exercise 3

BEC Preliminary Reading Part 6 Answer Keys

Key to Students Worksheet Exercise 4

BEC Preliminary Reading Part 6 Answer Keys

Key to Sample Task

BEC Preliminary Reading Part 6 Answer Keys

BEC Preliminary Reading Part 6 Students Worksheet

The company has appointed Jackie

Jackie currently works

She intends to focus

She also plans to reduce costs

Jackie is looking forward

for Jeremiah & Keith plc.

to taking up her new appointment at

on improving the companys

as the new Finance Director.

Installation of new heating system

The problems with the heating

Work on installing a new system will

Work is expected to continue

Some offices will then be painted,

Staff should be prepared for a lot of

by the end of October.

for three or four days.

until the work is finished.

on the 17th of next month.

Which word from A-E

means no later than?

introduces a phrase that gives the length of a period of time?

BEC Preliminary Reading Part 6 Students Worksheet

Sales of company products

Domestic sales are stable,

if we increase our advertising there.

Sales in Japan are expected to rise

unless orders for our products rise.

Exports to the USA have increased,

while exports have risen slightly.

We are planning a new range of

as sales of the existing range are

Production will be reduced by 5% in

although the weakness of the dollar

Which word in A-E could be replaced by

Entertainment will be provided, dancing and a buffet.

Children are welcome, you keep an eye on them all evening.

we have confirmed the venue, we will let you know.

BEC Preliminary Reading Part 6 Students Worksheet

Read the advertisement below about an exhibition.

Choose the correct word to fill each gap, from A, B or C below.

Trade Fair of the Year, 1418 September

BEC Preliminary Reading Part 6 Students Worksheet