The ESL Institute Placement Test Guide

You are registered to take the ESL Institute Placement Test. Please review this guide to the
exam before your testing date. This test measures your ability to understand and use the English
language. The test has two sections: a Grammar section and a Writing section. See below for
specific information about those sections. Your performance on this exam will determine your
eligibility for the ESL Institute classes at the Community College of Philadelphia.

The Grammar section has a time limit of 45 minutes. There are 50 items. Each item
represents a brief conversation between two people. In each of the conversations, one
or more words have been omitted. Four words or phrases appear beneath each item.
You are to choose the one word or phrase that a proficient English speaker would use
to complete the conversation.

Look at Example 1.

1: "How old is George?"

"He's two years younger ______ his brother Paul."

That of as than

In English, we would say: "He's two years younger than his brother
Paul." Therefore, if this item were in the test, you would click on the fourth option,
than.

Look at Example 2.

2: "Have you finished the report for Mr. Jones?"

"Yes, I __________ this morning."

it to him gave gave it to him to him gave it gave to him it

The proficient English speaker would choose the second choice, "Yes, I gave it to him
this morning," as the best way to complete this conversation. If this item were in the
test, you would click the second choice, “gave it to him.”
The Writing section has a time limit of 20 minutes and includes one written task.
You will see pictures showing a story. You will be asked to imagine that the story
happened to you. Then you will be asked to write an email to a friend telling the
story.

Look at Example 3:
Something happened to you yesterday. Tell your friend about this in an email
message. Give as much details as possible, and use all the pictures below to guide
your story. Write your email message in the text box below.

Hi Maria,
This morning when I backed out of my drive way, I drove into my neighbor’s
flowers. I felt bad so I bought new flowers and plants for her. I felt so guilty that I
even planted all the flowers myself. She was really happy, but I was really tired.
Next time I will be very careful when I come out of my drive way!
Chris