For time suboptimal control of high order linear systems, low order system representation is frequently necessary in determining the optimal control gain matrix in the feedback control law. A simplification of Chen's (1974) model reduction technique of matrix continued fraction expansion is proposed. An augmented transfer function is introduced, so that with only first order expansion good system representation is obtained, making high order expansion unnecessary. Numerical examples show that dynamic characteristics of the original system are closely preserved and the open-loop response is predicted with good accuracy. Feedback control design based on such reduced model is found to provide good control of the original system.