B1 Listening, Reading, Writing & Speaking

Listening

Part 1: 7 multiple choice questions (each with 3 options)

Task: • Listen twice to 7 short sentences between 2 speakers, 1 being a formal

• Choose the appropriate response for each question

Part 2: 6 multiple choice questions (each with 3 options)

Task: • Listen twice to 3 short conversations between 2 speakers to identify: topic, purpose, context, speakers, gist, relationship between speakers, roles, functions, attitudes, feeling and opinions

• Choose the appropriate response for each question

Part 3: 7 questions (write notes on the message pad based on the information in the recording)

Task: • Listen twice to the recording to identify specific information

• Jot down answers consisting of 1 to 3 words

Part 4: 6 multiple choice questions (each with 3 options)

Task: • Listen twice to a discussion to identify gist, examples, fact, opinion, contrast, purpose, key ideas, attitude, cause and effect

• Choose the appropriate response for each question

Reading

Part 1: 5 multiple choice questions (each with 3 options)

Task: • 5 short texts each with one gap testing layout, lexis, cohesive devices, coherence

• Choose the appropriate response for each question

Part 2: 6 questions multiple choice options to fill in an incomplete text (1 option is a distractor)

Task: • Choose the appropriate sentence for each gap in the text

Part 3: 7 questions (4 texts provide the answers)

Task: • Read the 4 texts, e.g. email, article, advert, etc. and choose which text answers which question

Part 4: 8 questions (requiring short answers of 1 to 3 words)

Task: • A continuous text: narrative, descriptive, expository, biographical, instructive

Writing

Part 1: 70 – 100 words (respond appropriately to a given text in order to produce a formal response for an intended public audience)

Task: • Write a response to a letter, poster, diary, timetable, leaflet, etc. for a specified reader addressing a clearly defined number of content points.

Part 2: 100 – 120 words (produce an informal letter to a friend)

Task: • Write a letter on a given topic of personal interest

• Include 2 functions e.g. invite a friend to stay, describe what you will do

Speaking

Part 1

• Give and spell name
• State country of origin
• Answer 5 questions

Part 2

• 2 or 3 situations are presented by the interlocutor
• Candidates are expected to respond to questions and initiate interactions

Part 3

• Hold a short discussion to make a plan, arrange or decide something using visual prompts

Part 4

• Candidates are given 30 seconds preparation time
• Talk about a topic provided by the interlocutor for 1 and a half minutes
• Answer follow-up questions