MELAB Test Overview

The MELAB is a paper-based test. MELAB measures four basic language skills: writing,
listening, reading, and speaking. The entire exam takes about 3 hours (including
registration). The exam is made up of the following:

Part 1: a written composition/essay (30 minutes)

Part 2: a listening comprehension test (35 minutes)
Part 3: a multiple-choice test containing grammar, cloze, vocabulary, and reading
comprehension problems (80 minutes)
*An oral/interview/speaking test, if you need it. You will not take your oral test when you
do the written test. You will need to arrange to take the oral test separately
(approximately 15 minutes).

You can take the written test without taking the oral exam. You cannot take the oral exam
without taking the written test. If you need an oral test, make sure that you ask for one when
you register. You may need the oral interview to enter a teachers college or a co-op program
in an Ontario university. Some professional organizations require an oral test (for instance,
nursing and physiotherapy organizations). If you are applying for graduate school in Canada
or the U.S. and want to get a teaching assistantship, we strongly recommend taking the oral
exam. Check the admission requirements of your particular institution.

Writing Section (Part 1)

What to Expect

You will have 30 minutes to write an essay.

You will be given two topics to choose from.
Write on only one of the two topics.
If you do not understand the topics, ask the examiner to explain them.

Tips
1. Most MELAB essays are one or two pages long (about 200300 words). If your paper is
very short (150 words or less), it will get a lower mark.
2. Use the first few minutes to make an outline. Use the last few minutes to read and
correct your essay.
3. You will not be marked on your handwriting, but be sure your handwriting is readable.

Sample Questions
1. Machines now play an important role in most peoples lives. Computers, cars, and
household machines (such as washing machines) have become very common. What
are the advantages and disadvantages of having so many machines in peoples lives?
Use specific examples in your answer.
2. Some college and university degree programs require that students study abroad for a
time. What are the advantages and disadvantages of having students study in another
country? Support your opinion with examples.
3. There are many different energy sources (for example, sun, wind, oil, water, natural
gas, coal, nuclear fission, etc.). Pick one such source and discuss its advantages and
disadvantages. You might consider availability, safety, geographical location, etc.
4. It is often said that we learn more from our mistakes than our successes. Tell about a
mistake that you once made and learned something from.
5. In some countries, when people join a company, they are guaranteed life-long
employment with that firm. In these cases, people rarely change companies. In other
countries, where no such guarantee exists, workers can be dismissed from their jobs or
they can leave voluntarily to find another job. Which system do you think is better for a
countrys economy? Discuss, giving specific examples.

Listening Section (Part 2)

What to Expect

This is a multiple-choice test of 60 questions. It lasts about 35 minutes.

The test is played on CD. Sound is broadcast from speakers all around the room.
You will be given three possible answers for each question. Choose the best answer.
Only one answer is correct.
There are several kinds of problems: questions, short conversations, and two short talks
and one radio interview.

Tip

If you are not sure about an answer, guess.

Types of Listening Questions

You will hear a question. There are three answers printed in your
test booklet. You may pick only one. Choose the best answer.
You hear: Whens she going on vacation?
You read: a. last week
b. to England
c. tomorrow
The correct answer is c. tomorrow.

Type 1

You will hear a very short conversation. Choose the answer which
is true based on the conversation.
You hear: That movie was pretty bad.
You read: a. It was good.
b. It wasnt good.
c. It wasnt beautiful
The correct answer is b. It wasnt good.
Type 2

Type 3

You will hear two short talks and one radio interview. After each
talk and the radio interview are over, you will be asked questions
about them. You will have a place to take notes and you may
refer to your notes to answer the questions.

Sample Questions
Here is a short sample listening test. Answers are at the end. Do not look at the answers until
you have finished all the questions. Remember, there is a big difference between reading the
questions and listening to them on the CD. It may be helpful to have someone read the
questions and lecture to you. The actual listening test is recorded by native speakers of
English, speaking at a normal rate. A 10 to12 second pause will follow each problem. During
this pause, read the answers and select one.
There are 11 Listening questions in this sample test. For problems 13, choose the best
answer to the question.
1. Have you been to see the new movie yet?
a. Yes, I'm going tomorrow.
b. No, it wasn't very good.
c. Yes, I went yesterday.
2. I'm taking some clothes to the cleaners. Is there anything I can drop off for you?
a. No thanks, all my stuff's clean.
b. Be careful not to break it.
c. Please get me some, too.
3. How are things going so far?
a. They've already gone.
b. We've accomplished a lot.
c. It's not too far.
For questions 4-6, choose the answer that means about the same thing as the statement
you hear.
4. Frank never would've gone to the lecture if he'd known how boring it was.
a. He didn't want to go.
b. He didn't like it.
c. He never went.
5. We first thought we'd buy several paintings, but we settled for only one when we
found out how expensive they were.
a. We bought one.
b. We bought several.
c. We didn't buy any.
6. This'll be a fine essay with a little bit of polishing.
a. It's perfect now.
b. It needs a lot more work.
c. It's quite good already.

Now you will hear a radio interview. After the interview, you will be asked questions 711. You should choose the best answer to each question from the choices given. You
may write notes if you want to.
ANCHOR: Most people know that fast food and processed food are terrible for them. However,
reversing decades of poor eating habits is a huge challenge. But thats just what one group is
trying to do. Referred to as the Slow Food Movement, this group has been trying to increase
the consumption of healthy, natural foods made in small batches using traditional preparation
methods. For example, eating pasta that is hand-made instead of the kind that is made in a
huge modern factory. You can learn more about the Slow Food movement at the festival
theyre organizing here in Boston this weekend. Tom Milton reports.
REPORTER: In Italy in 1986, a group of people who love food got together to discuss ways to
preserve the traditional methods of producing and preparing food. They called their group the
Slow Food movement. Their main concern was that modernization of food production would
limit the variety of food choices and they worried that certain foods and flavors might even be
lost forever. Traditional foods are not as widely consumed anymorebecause they take more
time to prepare and cook than the mass-produced, ready-to-eat foods available in
supermarkets and fast-food restaurants. But those mass-produced foodsfoods like frozen
dinners and canned soupsare generally unhealthy. They contain loads of chemicals and
additives that would never be found in foods produced using traditional small-batch processing
methods. Karen Bailey, the organizer of this weekends Slow Food festival, tells us more.
BSFC PRESIDENT: Were aiming for something big herethe biggest event ever hosted by
the Slow Food movement in the United States. Were expecting at least 25,000 visitors over
three days and are hoping for more. And theres going to be so much incredible food for
visitors to sample: cheeses, pickles, olive oil, smoked ham. But our event is about more than
just the food. We really want to build awareness of the issues surrounding food production and
food quality. Therell be a number of booths with information that highlights how the choices we
make about food affect the wider culture and economy of the world.
REPORTER: A three-day festival is a great way to build awareness. But can you tell us a little
more about what the Slow Food movement does? About the methods it uses to try and attain
its goals?
BSFC PRESIDENT: Sure. Slow Foods biggest program involves searching out and identifying
traditional foodsfrom all over the world. Then we help people continue to produce those
foods in traditional ways, by making sure they have a market in which to sell it. Weve built an
international network of like-minded restaurant owners and chefs. And when we determine, for
example, that the white honey of Ethiopia or the lemons from the Amalfi Coast of Italy are in
danger of disappearing, we make sure our network knows about it. Then, many of those chefs
begin using that honey or those lemons in their recipesand customers and critics are
amazed by the quality and flavor of the food. So the traditional foods find more buyers and the
buyers get better quality. Everybody wins.
REPORTER: It does sound great. So all of you listeners who enjoy good food, make sure you
come out to the Slow Food event this weekend, and maybe youll get a chance to taste some
delicious, traditionally made foods for yourself.
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7. What are the speakers mainly talking about?

a. the history of food production
b. a food organization
c. a successful food event
8. What does Karen Bailey say is an important reason for holding the festival?
a. to spread information about the movement
b. to teach people about different cultures
c. to provide a place for buyers to meet
9. What does the Slow Food movement do to ensure that traditional foods remain
available?
a. find buyers for the food
b. hire people to produce the food
c. tell food critics about the food
10. What does Karen Bailey suggest about foods produced traditionally?
a. They are more expensive than other foods.
b. They cause less damage to the environment.
c. They taste better than other foods.
11. How does the reporter end the report?
a. by asking for recipes using traditional foods
b. by encouraging people to attend the festival
c. by emphasizing how much he enjoys food

Answer Key: 1-c, 2-a, 3-b, 4-b, 5-a, 6-c, 7-b, 8-a, 9-a, 10-c, 11-b.

GCVR (Grammar, Cloze, Vocabulary, Reading) Part 3

What to Expect
The test contains 110 problems (34 grammar, 20 cloze, 33 vocabulary, and 23 reading),
you will have 80 minutes (1 hour and 20 minutes) to complete the test.
Tips
1. Watch your time!
2. If you do not know the answer to a questionguess.
3. When the examiner calls one minute left, quickly guess at each remaining question.

Sample Grammar Questions

1. The equipment in a few of the laboratories ________ upgraded yet.
a. has to be
b. hasnt
c. hasnt been
d. has
2. In terms of expenditure per student the United States spends
industrialized
nations on education.
a. even more of other
b. more than most other
c. as most other
d. other than those
3. The advertising agency planned to use the same techniques that _________ so
successful in the past.
a. had proven to be
b. are proven to be
c. proved being
d. were proved
4. So many students asked how ___________________ the homework that the
teacher had to explain it again.
a. they should do
b. should they do
c. did they do
d. they will do
5. The groundbreaking research was done by five scientists, all of _______
absolutely essential.
a. whom had contributed
b. whose contributions were
c. which were contributions
d. who contributed having

Answer Key: 1-c, 2-b, 3-a, 4-a, 5-b.

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Sample Cloze Questions

In years to come, zoos will not only be places where animals are exhibited to the public, but
repositories where rare species can be saved from extinction (7) _______captive breeding.
The most powerful force (8)________ the future of many animalsand of zoosis the decline
of the wild. (9)_______ even zoo directors would argue that (10)_______ are better places for
animals than the fields and forest of their native (11)_______, yet zoos may be the last chance
for some creatures that would otherwise pass quietly into oblivion.
7.

a. through

b. of

c. from

d. damage

8.

a. bringing

b. that

c. to

d. influencing

9.

a. But

b. So

c. Not

d. Then

10.

a. where

b. zoos

c. even

d. wilds

11.

a. lands

b. life

c. residence

d. field

Answer Key: 7-a, 8-d, 9-c, 10-b, 11-a.

Sample Vocabulary Questions
1. As the presidents term comes to an end, he is spending a lot of time thinking
about what his _____ will be.
a. tradition
b. memoir
c. legacy
d. heritage
2. After a long summer vacation, the students felt ___________and were ready to
begin their studies.
a. smooth
b. modified
c. satisfying
d. relaxed
3. Professor Clark is the _____ of all that is good about higher education.
a. embodiment
b. empowerment
c. persona
d. incarnation

Answer Key: 1-c, 2-d, 3-a

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Sample Reading Questions

This passage is about a type of whale.
The narwhal is a medium-sized whale found in Arctic waters. It is distinguished by a
spiral-shaped tusk that extends from the upper jaw of the males and has resulted in the
narwhal being referred to as the sea unicorn. Another defining characteristic of the narwhal
is its diving depths. Descents of 1,500 meters, lasting as long as 25 minutes, have been
recorded. Considering the narwhal is a sea mammal, a creature that has lungs and needs to
breathe, this is quite astonishing.
Research has shown that narwhals have been intimately familiar with their environment.
They always return to the same part of the ocean every winter and. have been able to seek out
small holes and cracks in the sea ice to breathe. Unfortunately, climate change has brought
about the breakup of the Arctic ice shelf that covers the seas where narwhals spend their
winters. Narwhals now find themselves living in a world that is changing too rapidly.
Researchers from the University of California stated that narwhals suffered from limited
behavioral flexibility for responding to alterations in sea ice.
Some of the newly formed pieces of ice, or ice floes, are as large as 250 square
kilometers and have caused narwhals to become disoriented because they are unable to find
the breathing holes they need. Paradoxically, the unique physiology that has enabled the
narwhal to swim long distances and to dive to great depths has contributed to the problems it
now faces. The skeleton, muscles, and lungs that the narwhal developed to aid its diving also
create complications for the narwhal. These features mean that the narwhal has to surface to
breathe every one or two kilometers. With a lack of familiar breathing holes, and large, shifting
ice floes, the narwhal faces an uncertain future. They are now one of the worlds most
endangered sea mammals and unless they become better able to adapt to the changes in their
winter home, they may face extinction.
1. In the first paragraph, why does the writer mention a unicorn?
a. to explain how the narwhal got its name
b. to help describe a narwhals appearance
c. to compare the size of two creatures
d. to indicate the narwhal is a beautiful animal
2. How does the writer describe the narwhals diving behavior?
a. unusual for a mammal
b. similar to other whales
c. surprising for an animal without lungs
d. expected for a creature that size

3. What is the purpose of the first paragraph?

a. to explain where narwhals can be seen in the wild
b. to reject an idea that most people have about narwhals
c. to provide descriptive information about narwhals
d. to show that narwhals are an important species
4. In the second paragraph, what does the phrase intimately familiar suggest?
a. Narwhals have known the areas they lived in very well.
b. Narwhals have been experts at surviving the winter.
c. Narwhals have lived in very small environments.
d. Narwhals have swum in small groups.
5. Why is climate change a problem for narwhals?
a. It increases the temperature of the sea.
b. It creates many small ice floes.
c. It reduces their food source.
d. It makes the environment difficult to navigate.
6. What did researchers from the University of California report?
a. Narwhals need to follow the ice floes.
b. Narwhals do not have a flexible skeleton.
c. Narwhals have to swim too far to find food.
d. Narwhals cannot adapt their behaviors easily.
7. In the third paragraph, why does the writer mention narwhals physiology?
a. to explain a surprising detail
b. to emphasize an advantage
c. to give a solution to a problem
d. to introduce a popular theory
8. What is the main point made about narwhals?
a. They are living in new regions.
b. They are learning to adapt.
c. They are struggling to survive.
d. They are looking for colder oceans.

AnswerKey:1b,2a,3c,4a,5d,6d,7a,8c

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Oral (Optional)
What to Expect

The oral is a one-to-one conversation.

The conversation takes approximately fifteen minutes.
The conversation is recorded. We supply the digital recorder.
The examiner will ask you about your ideas, opinions, and personal experiences.

Tips
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.

Relax! There are no trick questions.

The examiner's questions act as conversation starters.
Participate in the conversation as fully as possible.
Yes and no answers do not qualify as conversation.
No two conversations are the same, so it does not help to memorize a pre-set set of
answers.

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