How to do the Preliminary reading Parts 5 and 6.

What is tested in parts 5 and 6?

Both of these parts of the exam test the students knowledge of grammar and vocabulary. Some key grammar elements which are tested here include:

Fixed phrases
A fixed phrase refers to a group of words used together with a specific meaning. 

be keen on – She’s really keen on learning to play the drums.
by the way – I saw your sister yesterday, by the way.
in general – In general, people are kind.
on purpose – I didn’t break the vase on purpose. It was an accident.
to be fond of – I am fond of animals, especially cats.

Dependent prepositions
Dependent prepositions can follow (and sometimes precede) adjectives, nouns or verbs.

apologise for – I want to apologise for being late to the meeting.
curious about – I’m curious about different cultures around the world.
good / bad at – She is good at playing the piano but bad at playing the guitar.
interested in – I’m interested in learning new languages.
proud of – I am proud of my sister for graduating.

In Reading Part 5, you must choose the correct option of four to fill a gap. If a preposition follows the gap, it can tell you the correct answer. In Reading Part 6, you must fill a gap with one word, which could easily be a dependent preposition because there wouldn’t be any other option that would make sense in the sentence.

Collocations
A collocation is a predictable combination of words which are frequently used in combination with each other.

cause problems – Talking loudly during the film can cause problems for others.
do exercise – It’s important to do exercise regularly for a healthy lifestyle.
keep fit – To be healthy, it’s important to keep fit.
make a decision – He finally made a decision about his future career.
take a break – After hours of work, it’s important to take a break and relax.