What are the four skills primarily assessed across the FCE?

• A. Reading, Writing, Listening, and Speaking (plus grammar and vocabulary use).
• B. Reading, Writing, Grammar, and Vocabulary
• C. Reading, Listening, Grammar, and Spelling
• D. Speaking, Writing, Vocabulary, and Pronunciation

Answer: (A)

The test is asking you to identify the four main language skills the FCE focuses on. In real communication you read, write, listen, and speak, and these are the four core abilities the exam assesses. In addition, the exam also checks how well you use grammar and vocabulary, typically through a separate Use of English component that tests grammar and vocabulary in context. So the best choice lists the four primary skills and notes that grammar and vocabulary use are tested as well. The other options introduce spelling or pronunciation, or treat grammar and vocabulary as separate primary skills, which isn’t how the FCE is organized.