FCE

Part 4 — Key Word Transformation

6 questions · rewrite the sentence using a given word · 2–5 words

What does Part 4 test?

You see a sentence, then a key word (in capitals), then a second sentence with a gap. Complete the gap so the second sentence has the SAME meaning as the first, using the key word. Do NOT change the key word. Use between 2 and 5 words including the key word.

Format

Sentence + key WORD + sentence with gap

Questions

6 (each worth up to 2 marks — half marks possible)

Time

~12 minutes (slower than other parts)

Skills tested

Grammar transformations, vocabulary, paraphrasing

Common transformation patterns

Reported speech

He said, I will help → He said he WOULD help

Passive

They built the house → The house WAS built

Comparative

No one is taller → Everyone is SHORTER THAN him

Modal of obligation

You have to leave → You MUST leave

Used to

I went swimming as a child → I USED TO go swimming

Wish/regret

I regret eating that → I WISH I had not eaten that

Strategy

Read both sentences carefully — what changed?
Identify the structure being tested (passive? conditional? comparative?)
Count your words — must be 2 to 5 INCLUDING the key word
Do NOT change the key word — use it exactly as given
You can earn HALF MARKS — even partial answers help
Contractions count as 2 words (do not = 2 words; doesn’t still counts as 2)

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