Let’s get today’s training in. Complete the sentence with ONE missing word. I have not spoken to her ___ we finished school. 👉 Comment your answer below. I will post the correct one and the explanation later today. Exam Coaching This type of question checks if you know time linkers that connect a past event to the present. The missing word must fit the grammar and meaning of the whole sentence. Ask yourself: - Does the action start in the past and continue now? - Which connector links those two points in time naturally? One small word makes the whole structure work. Pro tip If a sentence describes something that began in the past and continues today, think present perfect and the linkers that go with it.

💡 One of the hardest things in English is knowing when to use a, an, the, or nothing at all.That’s why Cambridge loves testing articles in Part 2 (Open Cloze) — especially when they sound optional. 🧠 Exam Coaching The article you choose changes the meaning. Look at these examples 👇 I saw ___ dog in the park. The ___ dog was barking loudly. ✅ a / the First mention = a (any dog) Second mention = the (specific dog) Or this one: She plays ___ piano every evening. ✅ the (used with musical instruments) 💡 Pro tip: When in doubt, ask two questions: 1️⃣ Is this noun specific or general? 2️⃣ Is it being mentioned for the first or second time? If it’s general or new, use a / an.If it’s known, use the. If it’s uncountable or plural, use no article (I like coffee. I love books.). 👉 Challenge:Write one sentence below using a, an, or the correctly — and I’ll tell you if Cambridge would accept it.

💡 Sometimes in Part 2, the missing word is not grammar or a linker. It’s a reference word — small but powerful words like it, they, one, those, this, or that. Cambridge loves testing whether you can follow what a sentence is referring to. 🧠 Exam Coaching These words keep your text connected and natural.Look at this example 👇 My parents bought a new car, but I prefer the old ___. ✅ Correct answer: one Why? Because “one” avoids repetition (the old car) and keeps the sentence smooth. Another example: I didn’t like the first option, but the second ___ seemed better. ✅ one again. 💡 Pro tip: If a sentence repeats a word awkwardly, the missing word might be a reference word like one, those, it, them.They glue sentences together — and that’s exactly what Part 2 checks. 👉 Challenge: Write your own example using one or those in the comments. I’ll pick a few and show how to make them sound more natural.

Let’s combine two tricky areas: linking words and question words.Fill in the two gaps below 👇 ______ (1) it was raining, we decided to go out. I can’t remember ______ (2) we left the umbrella. 👉 Post your answers for (1) and (2) in the comments!I’ll drop the correct answers and explanation tomorrow. 🧠 Exam Coaching This kind of question tests whether you can: - Use linking words to connect ideas logically. - Choose the correct question word for an indirect question. Cambridge loves pairing these grammar points because they look simple — but one small error breaks the sentence completely. 💡 Pro tip:Before you fill each gap, ask yourself: 1️⃣ Is it joining two ideas (linking word)? 2️⃣ Or introducing a question inside a sentence (question word)? That single decision gets you most Part 2 items right.

Let’s test one of the most common traps in Part 2 👇 Fill in the gap with the correct question word: I can’t remember ___ I left my phone. 👉 Drop your answer in the comments! 🧠 Exam Coaching In Part 2, question words (like where, what, when, why, how) often appear in reported or embedded questions — and that’s where many candidates slip. Notice this isn’t a direct question (Where did I leave my phone?) — it’s an indirect one.That means no inversion (no did I). ✅ I can’t remember where I left my phone.❌ I can’t remember where did I leave my phone. Cambridge loves this structure because it checks whether you understand how question words behave inside a statement. 💡 Pro tip:If you ever see “remember,” “know,” “wonder,” or “ask” followed by a gap, it’s probably an indirect question.Always check if it needs a question word (where, when, who…) or if/whether. 👉 Comment your answer below — and if you want extra credit, write your own example using a different question word!