Grammar & vocabulary6 min read
How to improve vocabulary for FCE: a method that sticks
To improve vocabulary for FCE, learn words in chunks (collocations, phrasal verbs and word families), not as single translations, then review them on a schedule and use them in your own speaking and writing. This post, part of the B2 First blog, explains a simple system and links to our B2 vocabulary topic lists.
By Eleanor BennettLast updated:
Why vocabulary matters in every paper
Vocabulary is not tested in one place in the B2 First. It's everywhere:
- Reading and Use of English tests it directly. Part 1 (multiple-choice cloze) is about choosing the word that fits a collocation or fixed phrase. Part 3 (word formation) tests word families. Part 4 (key word transformation) often tests phrasal verbs and fixed expressions.
- Writing and Speaking both reward a good range of vocabulary used accurately.
- Listening often depends on recognising paraphrase: the recording says the same idea as the question, but with different words.
So the aim is not just "know more words". It's knowing words well enough to recognise them in different forms and to use them correctly yourself.
A five-step vocabulary method
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1. Learn chunks, not single words
Don't write 'decision = decisión' and stop. Write the chunk you'll actually use: make a decision, a difficult decision, decide to do something. Collocations are what Use of English Part 1 tests, so our FCE collocations page is a good place to start.
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2. Learn the whole word family
When you learn succeed, also note success, successful, successfully and unsuccessful. This is exactly the skill tested in word formation. Use the word formation list and practise with the word formation trainer.
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3. Organise by topic
Group words around the topics that come up in the exam: education, work, the environment, technology, health, travel and so on. Our B2 vocabulary hub has lists for each one, such as education and environment. Topic groups are easier to remember and easier to use in Speaking.
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4. Review on a schedule
New words fade fast if you see them only once. Review them the next day, a few days later, then a week later, then a few weeks later. Flashcard apps with spaced repetition do this for you; a paper notebook works too if you mark review dates. The phrasal verb trainer uses the same idea.
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5. Use the words yourself
A word becomes yours when you use it. Each week, pick five new chunks and use them on purpose: in a practice essay, in a Speaking answer you record, or in a message to a friend. If you can't use a word naturally yet, you don't know it well enough for the exam.
Worked example: one word, five entries
The task
You meet the word 'rely' in a reading text: 'Many students rely on their phones to stay organised.' How should you record it?
- 1.
Write the chunk, not just the word: rely on something/someone (the preposition is part of the word).
- 2.
Add the word family: reliable, unreliable, reliability, reliance.
- 3.
Add a collocation or two: a reliable source, totally reliable, rely heavily on.
- 4.
Write your own example sentence on a familiar topic: 'I rely heavily on public transport to get to college.'
- 5.
Note where it might appear in the exam: word formation (unreliable), key word transformations (depend on → rely on), Speaking Part 4 about technology.
Answer
rely on (v.) · reliable / unreliable / reliability / reliance · a reliable source, rely heavily on · 'I rely heavily on public transport to get to college.'
Where to find good vocabulary
The best source of vocabulary is English you actually enjoy reading or listening to. Choose material that is a little challenging but not exhausting: news articles for teenagers or learners, magazine features, podcasts about your interests, series with English subtitles.
When you read, don't stop to look up every unknown word. Read a paragraph, then go back and choose two or three useful chunks: phrases you can imagine using yourself. Ignore rare words that you'd never need.
For exam-specific language, focus on these areas:
- Phrasal verbs, which appear across the exam.
- Collocations, especially with make, do, take, have and get.
- Linking words for Writing and Speaking.
- Idioms, but only common ones you're confident using.
Vocabulary habits that don't work well
Trap: Learning long alphabetical word lists.
Fix: Lists without context are quickly forgotten. Learn by topic and in chunks, with your own example sentences.
Trap: Learning only the translation.
Fix: A translation doesn't tell you the preposition, the collocation or the grammar. Always record how the word is used.
Trap: Using a 'big' word in an essay to impress.
Fix: Accuracy matters as much as range. Use advanced words only when you're sure of their meaning and collocations.
Trap: Never reviewing.
Fix: Book short review sessions into your week. Five minutes of review is worth more than thirty minutes of new words you'll forget.
Useful chunks to start with
| Use it to… | Phrases |
|---|---|
| Common collocations |
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| Phrasal verbs for opinions and discussion |
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| Word families worth knowing |
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| Linking phrases for writing |
|
Frequently asked questions
How many words do I need to know for the FCE?
There is no official word list for the B2 First, so be careful with exact numbers you see online. Focus on knowing common words well: their collocations, prepositions and word families. Depth helps more than a very long list.
What is the fastest way to improve vocabulary for FCE?
Learn chunks rather than single words, organise them by exam topics, review them on a schedule, and use them in your own writing and speaking. Daily short sessions work better than occasional long ones.
Should I learn phrasal verbs for the B2 First?
Yes. Phrasal verbs appear across the exam, especially in Use of English and Listening. Learn them in context and by topic, and practise with the phrasal verb trainer.
Are idioms important in the FCE?
A few common idioms can help in Speaking and informal writing, but they are less important than collocations and phrasal verbs. Only use idioms you're sure about. See our B2 idioms page.
How can I remember new words for longer?
Review them at increasing intervals and use them actively. Writing your own example sentence and saying it out loud helps a word stick much better than reading it in a list.
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