Mastering Cambridge B2 First - Use of English Part 4: Key Word Transformations
Mastering Cambridge B2 First Use of English Part 4: Key Word Transformations
If there is one part of the Cambridge B2 First exam that students often find challenging, it’s Use of English Part 4, also called Key Word Transformations.
This section tests your ability to paraphrase a sentence so that it keeps the same meaning, using a given key word exactly as written. Answers usually must be 2–5 words.
In this article, we’ll break down a real-style example step by step and then provide 10 practice questions for students.
Why Part 4 Feels Difficult
Key Word Transformations combine:
- Grammar
- Vocabulary
- Fixed expressions
- Collocations
- Sentence structure
- Precision under time pressure
Students often know grammar rules but struggle to produce the correct sentence using the key word and combine different language elements together under timed conditions.
Example Analysis
Original sentence:
“I haven’t visited my grandparents for three months.”
Key word:
LAST
Complete the sentence:
“It is __________ visited my grandparents.”
Step 1: Understand the Meaning
The sentence describes the most recent occurrence of the action.
Step 2: Identify the Correct Structure
With the key word LAST, Cambridge expects a structure like:
It is + time period + since + subject + last + verb
Step 3: Complete the Sentence
Answer:
It is three months since I last visited my grandparents. ✅
Why it works:
- The key word “last” is included exactly.
- Expresses the most recent action.
- Word count fits the 2–5-word limit (5 words used).
Strategy Tips for Part 4
- Memorise and practise common transformation patterns
- Always include the key word exactly
- Check grammar and prepositions
- Count words
- Practice under timed conditions
10 Examples of common transformation patterns:
1. Regret not doing something → I wish + past perfect
Original: I regret not studying harder for the exam.
Transformation: I wish I had studied harder for the exam.
2. Too + adjective → not + adjective + enough + to
Original: It’s too cold to go swimming.
Transformation: It’s not warm enough to go swimming.
3. So + adjective → such + noun + that
Original: The film was so boring that we left early.
Transformation: It was such a boring film that we left early.
4. Forget → remember + gerund
Original: In 2019 I went to Hong Kong and I will never forget it.
Transformation: I will always remember going to Hong Kong in 2019.
5. Continue to → carry on + gerund
Original: The athletes continued to run the marathon even though it was raining.
Transformation: The athletes carried on running the marathon even though it was raining.
6. Past simple situation → third conditional
Original: I saw the match begin because I arrived at the stadium on time.
Transformation: If I hadn’t arrived at the stadium on time, I would have missed the beginning of the match.
7. Direct speech → reported speech
Original: “Are you going to the party?” Ingrid asked me.
Transformation: Ingrid asked me if I was going to the party.
8. Active → passive – have something done
Original: Somebody has painted the outside of our house.
Transformation: We have had the outside of our house painted.
9. Active → impersonal passive
Original: People believe he was the worst president in history.
Transformation: He is believed to have been the worst president in history.
10. Direct speech → indirect speech + lend→borrow
Original: Can you lend me your calculator, Maria?
Transformation: Chris asked Maria if he could borrow her calculator.
10 Practice Questions
Complete the second sentence so that it has a similar meaning to the first sentence using the word given. DO NOT CHANGE THE WORD GIVEN. You must use between two and five words, including the word given.
1.
Original sentence: I regret not applying for the course.
Key word: WISH
Complete: I ________________________ for the course.
2.
Original sentence: She started learning Spanish two years ago.
Key word: BEEN
Complete: She _____________________ two years.
3.
Original sentence: It’s a long time since I last saw my best friend.
Key word: LAST
Complete: I ________________________a long time ago.
4.
Original sentence: The lecture was so interesting that everyone stayed until the end.
Key word: SUCH
Complete: It ________________________that everyone stayed until the end.
5.
Original sentence: I think you ought to decide about the job offer today.
Key word: WERE
Complete: If I _____________________________ about the job offer today.
6.
Original sentence: If you don’t cut down on cakes and biscuits, you’ll never lose weight.
Key word: UNLESS
Complete: You’ll never lose weight, _________________________ cakes and biscuits.
7.
Original sentence: People rarely invite her to business meetings.
Key word: HARDLY
Complete: She is _____________________________ business meetings.
8.
Original sentence: “I didn’t wake up early enough to catch the train.”
Key word: TOO
Complete: “I ________________________ catch the train.”
9.
Original sentence: “Because of the storm, the football match was cancelled.”
Key word: DUE
Complete: “The football match ____________________ the storm.”
10.
Original sentence: “I used to live in London when I was a child.”
Key word: ANYMORE
Complete: “I don’t _____________________________.”
Answers
- I wish I had applied for the course.
- She has been learning Spanish for two years.
- I last saw my best friend a long time ago.
- It was such an interesting lecture that everyone stayed until the end.
- If I were you, I’d decide about the job offer today.
- You’ll never lose weight unless you cut down on cakes and biscuits.
- She is hardly ever invited to business meetings.
- I woke up too late to catch the train.
- The football match was cancelled due to the storm.
- I don’t live in London anymore.
Final Thoughts
Part 4 can seem intimidating, but with the right strategies and regular practice, you can master it.
Key points:
- Learn common transformation patterns
- Always include the key word exactly
- Check grammar and word count
- Practice under timed conditions
Stay tuned to find more exercises coming soon on KEY WORD TRANSFORMATIONS!
