____________________________

A GUIDANCE TO TESTS OF PROFICIENCY IN

English at Level 3, 4
____________________________
(Internal Circulation Handouts)

March 2022
 Table of Content

Part 1 Language Skills Building

Developing Speaking Skills 2
Speaking Test of English Proficiency at level 3-4 8
Writing Skill Building 11
Steps in a writing process 11
Writing Test of English Proficiency at level 3-4 11
Writing an informal letter/ email 13
Writing an essay 14
Tips for Listening Skill 20
Micro-Skills in Reading 23
Reading structure 23
Tips for Reading Quickly 24

Part 2 Practice Tests of English Proficiency at level 3-4

Listening Sample Test 29
Reading Sample Test 33
Speaking Sample Test 39
Common Questions for Speaking Test Practice 42

1
 Developing Speaking Skills

Self - introduction

Read the paragraph below

My name is Michile Parker. I’m from San Fransico but I live in New York city
because of my work. At the moment, I’m working for an IT company. I have been
working as an engineer of IT for ten years. I love my job. I’m married and have a lovely
daughter. She is five-years old. My husband is a teacher. He teaches Germany in New
York city. We like to go out at the weekend together. We can spend time playing sport
in Central Park. Sometimes, we sit hours in Time Square to see time pass by.

Replace underlined phrases with your own information and make any other
changes or omit some parts when necessary to introduce yourself to your
classmates.

My name is _________________________. I’m from

_________________________. but I live in _________________________.
because of _________________________.. At the moment, I’m working for
_________________________.. I have been working as
_________________________. for _____________ years. I love my job.

I’m _________________________. and have _________________________..

My _________________________. is a _________________________. s/he
_________________________. in _________________________.. We like to
_________________________. at the weekend together. We can spend time
_________________________.. Sometimes, we _________________________.

2
Describing people

When talking about someone, you should mention to the following information.

Hometown
(location,
sightseeing, Name
workplace) (Spelling, meaning
in English)

Job
(position, years,
workplace)

Make a spider diagram of information about your best friend, then practice with a
partner to tell about him/her.

3
 name
Personality

A best
job friend

A good
Apperance memory
likes/
dislikes

Make more diagrams of information about a person you have had close
relationship such as a family member or a colleague.

4
Describing a place

Tips
• Create an images of place to the listeners as if you and the listeners
are ‘right there’ by trying to engage five sense – sight, hearing, smell,
taste, and tough.
• Choose basic features of the place for your descring.
• Use descriptive adjectives when mentioning to the features or details of
the place.

5
Some common descriptive adjectives
City: active, bustling, noisy, busy, clean, dirty, windy
Traffic: loud, congested, snarled, convenient, crowded
Buildings: old, shabby, rundown, crumbling, modern, futuristic, sleek,
towering, squat
Buildings/walls: brick, stone, marble, glass, steel, graffiti-covered
Monuments/statues: stone, copper, carved, ancient, moss-covered, faded,
green, bronze
Sidewalk: concrete, cement, slick, cracked, tidy, littered, swept
Paint: fresh, weathered, peeling
Signs: neon, weathered, worn, bright, welcoming, flashing
Buses, cars, taxis: belching, crawling, speeding, honking, waiting, screeching
People: hurried, bundled, smiling, frowning, eager, rushed, friendly.
Atmosphere: air-fresh, quiet, noisy, comfortable, dull,
Area: mountainous, coatal, flat,

Describe a place you know

Describe places below and try to use the adjectives above.

Practice with your friend or record your talking

- Your hometown

- Your workplace

- Your living place

6
Describing an activity/ memory

An activity refers to a fact happened or being taken place while a memory is

something happened and to be remembered. When describing an event or a memory,
you can depict it according to a chronological order of facts happened or a mosaic of
the details relevant.

A chronological order

Introduction Fact 1 Fact 2 Fact 3 Closing

Talk about one of the activities below

- Your favourite leisure time activity

- Your favorite film / book ever read

- Your last holiday

- Your favorite song

7
SPEAKING TEST OF ENGLISH PROFICIENCY AT LEVEL 3-4

There are TWO (2) parts in the speaking test of proficiency in English at
level 3 and 4. For Part 1, each candidate has to immediately answer
questions of two topics asked by the interlocutor/examiners. In Part 2,
the candidates will discuss and make a decision to choose ONE option
for a specific situation provided.

Sample Speaking Test of Part 1

Examiner (asks question 1): What is your name?
Candidate A: My name is A

Examiner (asks question 2): What is your job?

Candidate A: I am a student.

Examiner (asks question 3): Do you like cooking?

Candidate A: Yes, I do. I can cook sour soup, fish boiled
with fish sauce.

Examiner (asks question 4): What kind of music do you like?

Candidate A: I like pop music. My favourite song is
‘Woman in love’.

Examiner (asks question 5): Where do you listening music?

Candidate A: I often listen to music in my bedroom
before going to bed.

Question Answering

Tips for answering the questions.

1. Listen to the examiner(s) carefully. Focus on key words in

the questions (WH-words, content words).
2. You may ask s/he to repeat the question if you are not
clear.
3. Answer the questions with your information as much as
possible, but not too long and not giving unrelated
information.
4. Use appropriate language and pronunciation for your
speaking.
5. Review types of questions before taking Speaking test.

8
Common Topics for Speaking Test Practice of Part 1

1. About you

2. Family and friends

3. Education

4. Work

5. Place to live

6. Leisure

7. Sport

8. Foods and Drinks

9. Transport

10. Travelling

11. Future plan

Expressions for Talking about Activities You Like and Dislike

Dislikes
Likes
I don’t like/dislike/hate (to +verb/verb +-ing).
I like/love (to + verb/verb + -ing).
I’m not crazy about (noun).
I enjoy (verb + -ing).
I don’t care for (noun).
It’s OK/all right/fun/good/great/wonderful.
It’s awful/terrible.
I’m crazy about (noun).
I can’t stand it

(Source: Judith Tanka, Paul Most. 2007. Interactions 1 Listening/Speaking, page: 38).

9
Problem-solutions

Phrases for Expressing opinion

I think (that)....
I feel...
I believe...
In my opinion...

Situation
A group of people are planning a trip from Danang to Hanoi. There are three
means of transport: by coach, by train or by plane.

Which option is the best choice?

Possible Answer (1 minute to prepare)

Tips:
1. Brainstorm ideas:
- 2 advantages of your options
- Some disadvantages of the other two options.
- You should divide your speech into three parts:

2. Structure
Introduction: Introduce topic and your choice

Body: Explain your choice by stating two main ideas and give
reasons why you don’t choose the other two options.

Conclusion: Repeat your choice

10
 Writing Skill Building

Steps in a writing process

Imagine you are going to write a letter to your friend, make a map or diagram
that you will go through in writing

When we write, we do more than just put the words together to make sentences.
Good writers go through several steps to produce a piece of writing.

WRITING TEST ENGLISH PROFICIENCY AT LEVEL 3-4

There are TWO (2) parts in the wirting test of proficiency in English at level 3
and 4.
• Part 1: the task is to write an informal letter or email to friends about an
isolated or combined communication purposes such as: asking
information, thank you for an invitation, making a meeting, borrowing or
returning something …etc.
• Part 2: candidates are questioned to state their opinions about a specific
topics relating issues of education, daily life, technology, health,
environment, and so on.

11
12
Writing an informal letter or an email
Structure of an informal letter

Greeting Dear John,

Opening It’s nice to hear from you, and I’m happy to answer
your questions
Idea 1 My favourite show is called “Cooking Challenge”. I must
say it’s a great show. In this programme, there are some
contestants and they must cook a meal for the judges.
Then, the judges taste the dishes and decide which is the
best. The winner receives a prize of 500€.
Idea 2 I like it because, as you know, I love cooking, so with this
programme, I can learn how to prepare food in different
ways.
Closing Well, I have to go now. Let me know about your favourite
show, too.
Goodbye Best wishes,
Signature Luis

Greeting in an email/letter
The following forms are acceptable ways to begin an email if you know the recipient:
Hi Sophie, Dear Sophie, Hello Sophie,
If you need to send an email to a large group (e.g. colleagues) you may use:
Hi everyone, Hello all

Finishing an email/letter
In all cases to close the message you can use:
Regards, Best wishes, Best regards

• Organize your email into paragraphs.

• Write in an appropriate style (formal vs. informal).
• Avoid copying words and phrases form the input material.
• Add relevant points of your own, but keep within the word limit
• Begin and end your email in a suitable way e.g. Hi Mike, Dear Sue,
All the best, Best wishes, Take care, Bye for now.
• DO NOT use real name in the letter if you are taking a test

13
Writing an essay

What is an essay?
An essay is a group of paragraphs written about a single topic and a central main
idea. It must have at least three paragraph essay is a common length for academic
writing. The three main parts of an essay: an introduction, main body, and
conclusion.

The introduction
This is the first paragraph of an
essay. It explains the topic with
general ideas. It also has a thesis
statement.
This is a sentence that gives the
main idea. It usually comes at or
near the end of the paragraph.
Title
Xxxxx xx xxxxx xxx xx xxxxx xxxx
xx xxxx xx xxxxxxx xxx xx xxxxxxx
xxxxx xx xxxxxxxxx xx. Xxx xxx xx x
xxxxxx xxx xx x xxxxxxxxx xx xxxx
xxx xxxxx x xxxx xx xxx x xx xxxxx
xx xxxxx xxx xxxxxxxx xxxx.

The main body

These are the paragraphs that
explain and support the thesis
statement and come between the
introduction and the conclusion.
There must be one or more
paragraphs in the main body of an
essay.
Xxxx xx x xxxx x xxxxx xxx xxx xxx.
Xxxx x xxx xxxxxx xxx xxxxxx xx xx
xx x xxxxxxxxx xx xxxxx x xx xxxxxx
xxxxx. Xxxx xx x xxxx x xxxxx xxx xxx
xxx. Xx xxxxxxx xxxx xxxxxxxx
xxxxxx xxxxxxxxx xx xx xxxxxxx x
xxxx x xxx xxxxx xx x xxx xx xxxx xx x
xxx x xxxxx xxx.

The conclusion Xxx xxx xxxxxx xxx xx x xxxxxxxxx

This is the last paragraph of an
essay. It summarises or restates
the thesis and the supporting ideas
of the essay.
xx xxxx xxx xxxxx xx xxxxxxx xxxx
xxxxxxxx xxx xxxx xx xxx x xx xxxxx
xxxxxxxxxx xxx xxxxxxxx xxxx.

14
A Model essay
Part of the essay Purpose

……………………………………..… Tittle

Mobile phone is no longer a luxury item and they clearly have a general
many advantages for those who use them. However, there are introduction
also some drawbacks.

On the positive side, they enable us to communicate with other

……………………
people wherever they may be and at any time of the day. ………………..…
Teenagers who need help can contact their parents immediately …………………….
and emergency services can be called to the scene of the
accident without delay. Another advantage is that many models
now have more than one function and can be used as cameras,
MP3 players or even computers.
……………………
On the negative side, the mobile phone is thought to be a serious ………………..…
threat to health particularly in the case of children. Moreover, ……………………
drivers who use one at the wheel constitute a danger to others
and fatal accidents have occurred. Finally, what for many people
is a useful device, for others is a nuisance and they object to the ……………………
constant ringing tones in public places. ………………..…
……………………
In conclusion, mobile phones have certainly improved many
people’s lives, but we need to be careful about when and where
we use them

15
What is an introduction?

The first paragraph of an essay is called the introduction. The introduction …

• is usually five to ten sentence.
• catches the reader’s interest.
• gives the general topic of the essay.
• gives background information about the topic.
• states the main point (the thesis statement) of the essay.

The importance of a conclusion

The conclusion is the final paragraph of the essay. A good concluding paragraph …
• summarises the main points of the essay.
• restates the thesis (using different words).
• makes a final comment about the essay’s main idea.
• may emphasise an action that you would like the reader to take.
Don’t introduce new ideas in a conclusion. A conclusion only restates or gives further
commentary on ideas discussed in the essay.

16
Match the introduction thesis statements to its rewritten version for
a conclusion.

1 ...... Supermarkets are the best A People can learn many things by
places to buy food because of their travelling to other countries.
convenience and lower prices.

2 ...... Travelling abroad is a valuable B Despite the challenges, being an

learning experience entrepreneur can offer more
benefits than other types of
employment.

3 ...... Learning to playa musical C The fact that larger supermarkets

instrument is very beneficial for offer cheap prices and a large
children. selection of products makes them
the best place for shoppers.

shoppers.

4 ...... Creating and owning a business D The World Wide Web gives access
offers more advantages than to a huge amount of knowledge,
working as an employee in a but users shouldn't believe
company. everything they read there.

5 ...... More houses should be E When children are exposed to

adapted to use solar energy music and are taught to play
because it is clean and renewable. instruments such as the piano or
violin, there are many positive
effects.

6 The World Wide Web can be very F The sun gives a constant, free
useful for research, but it also supply of clean energy, which more
contains a lot of incorrect homes should take advantage of.
information.

Practice
Write an introduction for one of the topic below

a) The public transport should be developed in big city.

……………………………………………………………………………………………………
……………………………………………………………………………………………………

17
 ……………………………………………………………………………………………………

b) Motors is the best way to travel in small town

……………………………………………………………………………………………………
……………………………………………………………………………………………………
……………………………………………………………………………………………………
……………………………………………………………………………………………………

c) Jogging is the best way to keep people healthy.

……………………………………………………………………………………………………
……………………………………………………………………………………………………
……………………………………………………………………………………………………
……………………………………………………………………………………………………

d) Children learn to be a good citizen at home.

……………………………………………………………………………………………………
……………………………………………………………………………………………………
……………………………………………………………………………………………………
……………………………………………………………………………………………………

e) Education can make people’s live better.

……………………………………………………………………………………………………
……………………………………………………………………………………………………
……………………………………………………………………………………………………
……………………………………………………………………………………………………

f) Travel broadens the mind and widens our horizons

18
 ……………………………………………………………………………………………………
……………………………………………………………………………………………………
……………………………………………………………………………………………………
……………………………………………………………………………………………………

g) A lot of people think that the weather is getting worse.

……………………………………………………………………………………………………
……………………………………………………………………………………………………
……………………………………………………………………………………………………
……………………………………………………………………………………………………

h) There should be a law to prohibit smoking.

……………………………………………………………………………………………………
……………………………………………………………………………………………………
……………………………………………………………………………………………………
……………………………………………………………………………………………………

19
 Tips for Listening Skills

LISTENING TEST

There are THREE (3) parts in the listening test of proficiency in English at
level 3 and 4.
• In Part 1, candidates hear five short and slow conversations. In each
conversation, there is one question with three (3) options. The
candidate has to choose the correct option to answer for each
question.
• In Part 2, there are two dialogues about common topics. One
dialogue includes five questions with two options – correct vs.
incorrect while the other is listened to answer five three-choice
questions.
• In Part 3, candidate also will listen a monologue or dialogue with
quite quick speed of talking and answer five three-choice questions
after each extract.

Examples of Part 1

Questions 1 – 5
You will hear five short conversations. You will hear each conversation twice. There
is one question for each conversation.

Choose the correct answer and mark the letter A, B, or C on your answer sheet.
_________________________________________________________________

1 Where will Sarah put her sport bag?

A. table B. car C. Floor

Tips
1. The answers can be in words or pictures
2. If the answers are pictures, make sure you understand the difference
between them.
3. You may hear the information directly but sometime you have to eleminate
incorrect answers.

20
Examples of Part 2

Questions 6 – 10
You will hear a discussion on a radio programme. Decide if each sentence is correct
or incorrect. If it is correct, choose A. If it is not correct, choose B.
Write your answer in your answer sheet.

6 Genevieve thinks that friends are not important to her

A. correct B. incorrect

7 Fliss has only one best friend since he was in the primary school.
A. correct B. incorrect

8. Jeremy cannot get familiar with her international housemates

A. correct B. incorrect

9 Catherine has some friends that live in other countries

A. correct B. incorrect

10 Chris keeps in contact his friend through social network.

A. correct B. incorrect

Tips
1. Make sure whether the statement is affirmative or negative.
2. The statement with ONLY is often incorrect.
3. Make inferences or selection to decide the statements are correct or
incorrect from the speakers’ information.
4. The questions follow the order of what is heard on the recording.
5. Never leave an answer blank – even if you are guessing.

21
Example of Part 3

Questions 16 – 24
You will hear a radio interview with Steve Thomas, a young chef who has his own
cookery series on television. For questions 16 - 24, choose the correct answer for
each.

Mark the letter A, B, or C on your answer sheet.

You will hear the recording twice.
__________________________________________________________________

16 On his TV programme, Steve likes to show audiences

A the process of cooking.
B amusing incidents.
C Attractively presented dishes.

17 Steve was given his own TV series because

A he cooked for a TV company.
B he appeared on TV programme.
C he had been recommended to a TV producer.

18 What made him take up cooking as a child?

A His parents expected him to help in their restaurant.
B He felt it was the best way of getting some money.
C His father wanted to teach him to cook.

Tips
1. Always read the questions carefully in the time allowed before your
listening.
2. Highlight any key words to help you focus on what to listen for.
3. The questions follow the order of what is heard on the recording.
4. Never leave an answer blank – even if you are guessing.

22
 Micro Skills in Reading

READING STRUCTURE

Recognizing Reading Structure in a Textbook

Most reading material has reading structure. The word structure means
“organization or form.” This book, Interaction 1 Reading, has a structure.
It has a title, chapters, two readings within each chapter, paragraphs, and
a heading for each paragraph. (Source: Elaine Kirn, Pamela Hartmann.
2007. Interaction 1 Reading, page 7)

Recognizing Reading Structure: Main-idea Questions for Paragraph

Topic

A well-structured paragraph has a clear topic. The material in each

paragraph answers a different main-idea question about that topic.
(Source: Elaine Kirn, Pamela Hartmann. 2007. Interaction 1 Reading,
page 46)

Recognizing Reading Structure Using a Mind Map

You can organize the topics and main ideas of a reading by using a mind
map. It can be used to review and recall material.

▪ A mind map shows the relationship of the topics, main ideas, and
supporting details.
▪ The main topic is placed in the center of the map.
▪ The most general parts of the reading can appear in big circles
connected to the central topic.
▪ The main idea of each paragraph can appear in smaller circles
connected to these general parts.
▪ Supporting details are connected to the main idea.
▪ You can use color to help organize the material.

(Source: Elaine Kirn, Pamela Hartmann. 2007. Interaction 1 Reading,

page 135)

Recognizing Reading Structure: Using an Outline

We learned in Chapter 7 how to use a mind map to help review and

organize information in a reading. Here we‘re going to learn how to use
and outline.

23
 ▪ An outline shows the relationship of the topics, main ideas, and
supporting details or examples.
▪ The topic is usually the title of the outline.
▪ The main ideas and subtopics of the reading can appear after
numbers like this: I, II, III, IV.
▪ The supporting details or examples are written under the main
ideas after capital letters like this: A, B, C.
▪ Sometimes the supporting details have more details. Those can be
written after numbers like this: 1, 2, 3.
(Source: Elaine Kirn, Pamela Hartmann. 2007. Interaction 1 Reading,
page 164)

Using a Venn Diagram to Organize Supporting Details

A Venn diagram can help you organize he details of two different topics
you are comparing and contrasting. By separating the details that
describe both topics, you can use their similarities and differences more
easily.

(Source: Elaine Kirn, Pamela Hartmann. 2007. Interaction 1 Reading,

page 216)

TIPS FOR READING QUICKLY

1. SKIMMING
Skimming for Topics and Main Ideas

Topics: the title of a piece of writing may tell or suggest its topic. But
sometimes there is no title. Readers then need to figure out the topic on
their own. One way to quickly recognize a topic is to skim. Skimming is
fast reading for a purpose.

Main ideas: Another common reason to skim is to get the main idea. Not
every piece of information contains one clear topic sentence, so readers
may have to get the main idea or point of the material without it.
(Source: Elaine Kirn, Pamela Hartmann. 2007. Interaction 1 Reading,
page 70)

Skimming to Find Time and Place in History

You learned about skimming to find the topic and main idea in Chapter 4.
Now you will learn about history, which give information about certain

24
 periods of time. Each paragraph might be about a different year, a period
of years, a decade, a century, or even a millennium. It can describe
important events or changes in one or more countries or cultures – or
global happenings. You can figure out the time and place in history
through skimming – that is, by reading the material quickly for a purpose

Skimming is used for

• a quick read of a newspaper or magazine article.
• a first read-through of a website to see if it is of interest to you.
• a first read-through of a sign or notice to see if it is relevant to you.
• a quick read of tittle and headline or subtitle to guess the general idea
of the text

Look at the tittle of the article below. What do you think it is about?

……….……….……….……….……….……………….……….……….……….……….
……….……….……….……….……….……………….……….……….……….……….

Skim the short introduction below the tittle of the text to compare to your guessing.

2. SCANNING

25
 You can scan a reading to find information quickly. Follow these steps to
scan:

▪ Know the information that you want to find, or the question you
want answered.

▪ Look for that information

▪ More your eyes quickly across the words until the information that
you want “jumps out” at you.

▪ Don’t read every word.

You will practice scanning throughout the book you look for specific
information and details.

(Source: Pamela Hartmann, Elaine Kirn. 2007. Interaction 2 Reading,

page 39)

Scanning is used for

• a timetable to see what time your train is leaving.
• the television listings to see what is on now.
• looking for a word in a dictionary.
• looking for particular information or the correct link on a website.
• looking at the contents page or index to find a particular section of a book.
• looking over a newspaper to find an article that interests you.

Example Texts

1. Hanoi Train Station Timetable

To Train Name Soft Seat Hard Berth(6) Soft Berth(4)

Danang Reunification Express Train $45 $62 $64

Hai Phong Reunification Express Train $15 N/A N/A

Ho Chi Minh City Reunification Express Train $69 $91 $95

Hue Reunification Express Train $43 $57 $59

Muong Man Reunification Express Train $67 $91 $94

Nha Trang Reunification Express Train $57 $87 $90

Ninh Binh Reunification Express Train $20 N/A N/A

26
2. A sign

3. A message

27
 PART 2
PRACTICE TESTS
OF ENGLISH PROFICIENCY
AT LEVEL 3-4

28
LISTENING SAMPLE TEST
PART 1
Questions 1 – 5
You will hear five short conversations. You will hear each conversation twice. There
is one question for each conversation. Choose the correct answer and mark the
letter A, B, or C on your answer sheet.

Example: Where is the girl’s hat?

A. on the hanger B. in her handbag C. on the chair

1. Which activity will the family do this year?

A. sailing B. cycling C. walking

2. Which is the woman’s house?

A. the house has a big tree
B. the one has a big gate
C. the house has some flowers

3. Why will drivers have problems this morning?

A. It’s foggy B. It’s rainy C. The bridge is repaired

4. What time will Robin leave the house?

A. 6.00 B. 6.30 C. 7.15

5. What did Simon do this morning?

A. washing dishes
B. cleaning the window
C. talking on the phone

29
 PART 2
Questions 6 – 10
You will hear a woman call Sarah talking to a group of people about her painting.
Choose the correct answer and mark the letter A, B, or C on your answer sheet.

6. How often does Sarah paint now?

A three days a week
B five days a week
C every evening
7. Sarah earns enough money from her painting to _________
A give up her computinng job.
B pay for her flat and car.
C pay for her artist’s materials
8. When she was at primary school, Sarah _________
A painted picture of people.
B learnt to use chalk.
C drew scenes in pencil.
9. What pleased Sarah most about her painting holidays?
A meeting other artists
B seeing beautiful scenery.
C receiving individual teaching
10. Which of these has Sarah done?
A painted people in Greece
B painted sunrises in Scotland
C watched birds in Spain
Questions 11 – 15

You will hear a conversation between a boy, Tom and his sister – Clare about
the school. You will hear the conversation twice. Choose the correct answer and
mark the letter A, B, or C on your answer sheet.

11 ___________ will not be pleases by Tom’s news.

A. His sister B. Their mother C. Their father
12 Tom believes he can manage both swimming and ___________.
A. maths B. school work C. competition
13 Tom likes ____________ at school.
A. maths B. sport game C. travel by bus
14 Clare thinks it is a ______ idea to take a friend’s advice.
A. good B. helpful C. useless
15 Tom will discuss __________ about his plans.
A. his father B. his supervisor C. his coach

30
 PART 3
Questions 16 – 20
You will hear an interview with a singer called Nick Parker who plays in a band called
Krispy with his sister Mel. For each question, choose the correct answer A, B or C.
You will hear the recording twice.
___________________________________________________________________

16 When Nick and Mel were younger, __________.

A. they studied music at school.
B. their father took them to live concerts.
C. their mother encouraged them to play music.

17 When Nick and Mel started writing music together, they __________.
A. disagreed about the style they should have.
B. didn’t want to be the same as other bands.
C. were influenced by different kinds of music.

18 The band Krispy was started after __________.

A. Nick began studying at music school.
B. two other musicians heard Nick and Mel playing.
C. Nick and Mel advertised for the band members.

19 In the band’s first year together, __________.

A. concern audiences liked their music.
B. they signed a recording contract.
C. their national tour was very successful.

20 What does Nick say about life in the band today?

A. The older members look after him and Mel.
B. He is pleased to have the chance to travel.
C. There is no opportunity for them to relax together.

31
Questions 21 – 25

You will hear an English woman called Britta talking to an interviewer about her life
in Berlin, the capital of Germany. Choose the correct answer for each and mark A,
B, or C in the separate answer sheet.

21 How long has Britta lived in Berlin?

A. Four years
B. Six years
C. Twenty years

22 What does Britta say about Berlin?

A. She can’t sleep at night because of the traffic noise
B. She misses the museums and theatres in Bonn
C. She likes living in a big, busy city

23 How does Britta usually travel around Berlin?

A. She walks
B. She uses her bicycle
C. She uses the tram or bus

24 Britta says that her nephew, Philippe, like going ………………..

A. To the park with her
B. To the shop with his parents
C. To a gallery with her

25 Britta has lots of friends who …………

A. Live near her
B. Work with her
C. Are still in England

32
READING SAMPLE TEST
Part 1
Questions 1 – 5
Read the text and the questions below.
For each question, mark the correct letter A, B, C or D on your answer sheet.

Elizabeth Blackwell was born in England in 1821, and emigrated to New York
City when she was ten years old. One day she decided she wanted to become a
doctor. That was nearly impossible for a woman in the middle of nineteen century.
After writing many letters seeking admission to the medical schools, she was finally
accepted by a doctor in Philadelphia. So determined was she, that she taught school
and gave music lessons to earn money for her tuition.
In 1849, after graduation from medical school, she decided to further her
education in Paris. She wanted to be a surgeon, but a serious eye infection forced
her to abandon the idea.
Upon returning to the United States, she found it difficult to start her practice
because she was a woman. By 1857 Elizabeth and her sister, also a doctor, along
with another female doctor, managed to open a new hospital, the first for women
and children. Beside being the first female physician and founding her own
hospital, she also established the first medical school for women.

1. Why couldn’t Elizabeth realize her dream of becoming a surgeon?

A. She couldn’t be admitted to medical school.
B. She decided to further her education in Paris.
C. A serious eye infection prevented her.
D. It was difficult for her to start practice in the US.
2. What main reason almost destroyed Elizabeth’s chances for becoming a doctor?
A. She was a woman. C. She couldn’t establish her hospital.
B. She wrote too many letters. D. She couldn’t graduate from medical school
3. How many years passed between her graduation from medical school and the
opening of her hospital?
A.8 B.10 C.19 D.36
4. When Elizabeth became a doctor, she was . . . . . . . . .
A. 21 years old B. 49 years old C. 28 years old D. 31 years old
5. All of the following are “firsts” in the life of Elizabeth Blackwell, except:
A. She became the first female physician.
B. She was the first woman surgeon.
C. She and several other women founded the first hospital for women and
children.
D. She established the first medical school for women.

33
 Part 2
Questions 6 – 22
Look at the sentences below about “Sunningdale Hotel”. Read the text and choose
the best answer

6. Who is the owner of Sunningdale hotel?

A. A rich man in the town. B. A royal member. C. Louise company
7. How long may the hotel have been opened until the year 2000?
A. 50 years B. over 80 years C. over 90 years
8. How much does a guest with a 12-child pay for 1 night?
A. £33 B. about £ 50 C. £66
9. Which type of rooms is NOT included food in the cost of the room?
A. single B. double C. both
10. Who are the main guests of the hotel?
A. People to Sunningdale
B. French, German, Spanish, and Russian
C. Visitors of foreign nationalities
11. Where is the hotel located?
A. a quiet road B. a busy road C. a town centre
12. Which does the word ‘they’ in paragraph 2 refer?
A. main roads B. guests C. Express buses
13. How can the guest travel around the hotel?
A. by bus B. by train C. by different means
14. Which amenities were not equipped inside the room?
A. heater and a television
B. a bath and television
C. hot and cold water basins
15. Which service is free for the guests?
A. newspapers B. sport games C. steam bathing
16. Who are preferred to offer a stay at the hotel?
A. short term guests B. long-term guests C. guests with advance payments
17. What is the usual dinner time for all guests?
A. after 5 pm B. 6 pm C. 11 pm
18. Who can have a late dinner?
A. late studying or working guests
B. late new coming guests
C. guests who have requested
19. Which is one of the rules for the guests at the hotel?
A. A small pet are accepted. B. Heating food is allowed C. No dinner after 11 pm
20. When is the noise not allowed?
A. between 11 pm and 8 am B. after midnight C. none of those
21. What should the guests take if they arrive by train?
A. a car rental B. a taxi C. a walk

34
35
 PART 3

Questions 23-32
You are going to read a magazine article in which a father describes his
relationship with his son. Choose the correct answer A, B, C or D which you think
fits best according to the text.

Mark your answer on the answer sheet.

22. How did the writer react to his own big chance?
A. He worried about the problems.
B. He saw what could be done.
C. He thought the family would suffer.
D. He wondered if he should take it.

23. How did the writer’s childhood influence his own family life?
A. He realized that the pattern was repeating itself.
B. He encouraged his children to talk to him.
C. He made sure there was plenty of personal contact.
D. He asked his wife to stay at home.

24. What does the writer mean by “paid dividends” in Paragraph 2?

A. brought financial reward
B. produced benefits
C. was worth the suffering
D. allowed money to be saved

25. As a young boy, Gary …

A. showed how determined he could be.
B. was always in trouble.
C. was motivated by money.
D. demonstrated a variety of talents.

26. What is Gary’s father attitude to Gary playing in a band?

A. please that he has a hobby he enjoys
B. interested in how he can introduce music into the restaurant
C. concerned that music may interfere with his career
D. doubtful whether he will have time to improve his technique

36
27. What does “done it” refer to in Paragraph 5?
A. chosen a profession
B. achieved success
C. caught a hare
D. lived your life

28. According to his father, what was typical about Gary’s behaviour on his first day at
college?
A. He helped other people.
B. He expressed those in charge.
C. He tried to make his father proud.
D. He performed the task efficiently.

29. How does his father regard Gary’s upbringing?

A. His encouragement has caused his success.
B. The family influence on Gary was too strong.
C. Gary has forgotten important lessons.
D. Gary has learnt some essential things.

30. What does the father say about his children?

A. They are very confident.
B. They are very talented.
C. They are very good at cooking.
D. They are very discipline.

31. How did Gary react to his father advice?

A. He ignored the advice.
B. He did nothing.
C. He paid more attention to cooking.
D. He concentrated into his hobby.

37
 GARY and ME
The restaurant owner John Moore writes about
his relationship with his son, Gary, the famous TV chef.
(1) I believe everyone’s given a chance in life. My son, Gary, was given his chance with
cooking, and my chance was to run a restaurant. When I heard about the opportunity, I
rushed over to look at the place. It was in a really bad state. It was perfect for what I had
in mind.

(2) Coming into this business made me recall my childhood. I can remember my mother
going out to work in a factory and me being so upset because I was left alone. With that
in mind, I thought, “we want time for family life”. My wife dedicated herself to looking
after the children and did all my accounts, while I ran the business. We lived over the
restaurant in those days, and we always out a lot of emphasis on having meals together.
It’s paid dividends with our children, Gary and Joe. They’re both very confident. Also,
from a very early age they would come down and talk to our regular customers. It’s given
both of them a great start in life.

(3) Gary was quite a lively child when he was really small. We had a corner bath, and
when he was about seven he thought he’d jump into it like a swimming pool, and he
knocked himself out. When he was older he had to work for pocket money. He started
off doing odd jobs and by the age of about ten he was in the kitchen every weekend, so
he always had loads of money at school. He had discipline. He used to be up even
before me in the morning. If you run a family business, it’s for the family, and it was nice
to see him helping out.

(4) Gary wasn’t very academic, but he shone so much in the kitchen. By the age of 15
he was as good as any of the men working there, and sometimes he was even left in
charge. He would produce over a hundred meals, and from then I knew he’d go into
catering because he had that flair. So when he came to me and said, “Dad, I’ve got to
do work experience as part of my course at school,” I sent him to a friend of mine who’s
got a restaurant.
(5) Gary recently took up playing his own band. Goodness knows what will happen to the
cooking if the music takes off. My advice to Gary would be: if you start chasing two hares,
you end up catching neither, so chase the hare you know you are going to catch. He
understood when I said to him: “Gary, you’ve got to do it by going to get anywhere in life,
you’ve got to do it by the age of 30. If you haven’t done it by then, it’s too late”.
(6) Gary went to catering college at the age of 17, and on his first day he and the other
new students – they’re normally complete beginners – were given what’s supposed to
be a morning’s work. But within an hour Gary had chopped all his vegetables, sliced all
his meats. He’d prepared everything. That’s my son for you! In the end, he was helping
other people out.
(7) None of us can believe how successful Gary’s TV cookery series has become. I’m
extremely proud of him. I’ve always tried to tell him that if you want something, you’ve
got to work jolly hard for it, because no one gives you anything. He’s seen the opportunity
he’s been given and grabbed hold of it with both hands. You know, you talk to your
children as they grow up, and if they only take in ten percent of what you’ve told them,
you’ve got to be happy with that. The things Gary says, the things he does, I think well,
he must have listened sometimes.

38
 SPEAKING TEST SAMPLE 1

Part 1: Social Interaction (3’)

Let’s talk about your free time activities.
- What do you often do in your free time?
- Do you read books?
Let’s talk about your neighborhood.
- Can you tell me something about your neighborhood?
- Do you plan to live there for a long time? Why/why not?

Part 2: Solution Discussion (4’)

Situation:
James is looking for a birthday gift for his best friend. There are
three things suggested such as a pair of shoes, a handbag,
and a bunch of flowers.

Which birthday gift do you think is the best choice?

You have ONE minute to prepare and TWO minutes to present

your discussion.

39
 SPEAKING TEST SAMPLE 2

Part 1: Social Interaction (3’)

Let’s talk about your work
- What do you do?
- How long have you had your job?
Let’s talk about your free time activities.
- Do you watch TV?
- Can you play sports?

Part 2: Solution Discussion (4’)

Situation:
A group of high school students is going out together at the
weekend. There are three suggested places to go such as a
shopping mall, a seaside, and a gym.

Which place do you think is the best choice?

You have ONE minute to prepare and TWO minutes to present

your discussion.

40
 SPEAKING TEST SAMPLE 3

Part 1: Social Interaction (3’)

Let’s talk about your hometown.
- Where are you living now?/ Where are you from?
- What do you like most about your place?
Let’s talk about your holiday.
- How often do you go on holiday?
- Which country would you like to visit?

Part 2: Solution Discussion (4’)

Situation:
Your friends want to organize a programme to protect
environment in their high school. Three activities are suggested:
to save electric power, to collect garbage; and to plant
trees.

Which activity do you think is the best choice?

You have ONE minute to prepare and TWO minutes to present

your discussion.

41
 Common Questions for Speaking Test Practice
1. About you
1. What’s your name?
……………………………………………………………………………………….
2. What are your daily activities? / Tell us about your daily routine.
……………………………………………………………………………………….
3. What strong point(s) do you have?
……………………………………………………………………………………….
4. Are you good at doing mental work or physical work?
……………………………………………………………………………………….
5. Where are you living now? Whom do you live with?
……………………………………………………………………………………….

2. Clothes
1. What’s your favourite kind of clothes?
……………………………………………………………………………………….
2. How often do you buy new clothes for yourself?
……………………………………………………………………………………….
3. Where do you buy your new clothes? Why?
……………………………………………………………………………………….
4. Do you ever wear a uniform? Why? Why not?
……………………………………………………………………………………….
5. Tell us about one kind of traditional clothes in your place.
……………………………………………………………………………………….
6. Do you prefer ready-to-wear clothes or tailor-made clothes? Why?
……………………………………………………………………………………….
7. Do you like to wear the same clothes as your best friend’s?
……………………………………………………………………………………….

3. Education
1. When did you finish your university?
……………………………………………………………………………………….

42
 2. What was your major in the college/university?
……………………………………………………………………………………….
3. Would you like to have another degree? Why? Why not?
……………………………………………………………………………………….
4. Are you taking any short course at the moment?
……………………………………………………………………………………….
5. How do you develop your English language skills?
……………………………………………………………………………………….
6. Do you find it easy to study in the place where you live?
……………………………………………………………………………………….

4. Family and Friend

1. Tell us about your family.
……………………………………………………………………………………….
2. Whom do you look like? Your mother, father, or any family member?
……………………………………………………………………………………….
3. Who is the most important person to you?
……………………………………………………………………………………….
4. Do you like doing housework?
……………………………………………………………………………………….
5. Tell us about your best friend.
……………………………………………………………………………………….
6. How often do you have a friend meeting?
……………………………………………………………………………………….

5. Health
1. What do you often do to stay your healthy?
……………………………………………………………………………………….
2. How much do you do exercise a week?
……………………………………………………………………………………….
3. What do the people in your place often do to keep fit?
……………………………………………………………………………………….
4. What’s kinds of healthy food people should have?
……………………………………………………………………………………….

43
 5. Do you know any community health care programmes?
……………………………………………………………………………………….

6. Likes and dislikes

1. What’s your passion at the present?
……………………………………………………………………………………….
2. What hobby did you have when you were young?
……………………………………………………………………………………….
3. What’s your favourite day of the week? Why?
……………………………………………………………………………………….
4. What’s your favourite colour? Why?
……………………………………………………………………………………….
5. Do you have any favourite songs to listen? Why (not)?
……………………………………………………………………………………….
6. What kind of music do you like?
……………………………………………………………………………………….
7. Who is your favourite singer?
……………………………………………………………………………………….

7. Leisure
1. How do you spend your free time?
……………………………………………………………………………………….
2. Whom do you usually spend your free-time with?
……………………………………………………………………………………….
3. What are the common leisure activities in your country?
……………………………………………………………………………………….
4. How much do you watch TV a day?
……………………………………………………………………………………….
5. What is your favourite TV programme?
……………………………………………………………………………………….
6. How much time do you spend on reading?
……………………………………………………………………………………….
7. What is your favourite type of reading?
……………………………………………………………………………………….

44
 8. Tell us about something you have read recently.
……………………………………………………………………………………….
9. Where do people often go for entertainment in your place?
……………………………………………………………………………………….

8. The Internet
1. What do you usually use the Internet for?
……………………………………………………………………………………….
2. Do you use the Internet to learn new things?
……………………………………………………………………………………….
3. How much do you use the Internet a day?
……………………………………………………………………………………….
4. What do you think about using e-learning to teach English?
……………………………………………………………………………………….
5. What are some disadvantages of the Internet?
……………………………………………………………………………………….
6. Do you enjoy playing online games? Why? /Why not?
……………………………………………………………………………………….

9. Travelling 9
1. Do you like travelling? Why (not)?
……………………………………………………………………………………….
2. Where do you often visit for a short holiday?
……………………………………………………………………………………….
3. How often do you go on holidays?
……………………………………………………………………………………….
4. Where would you really like to go on holiday in the future?
……………………………………………………………………………………….
5. Have you ever travelled abroad?
a. Yes: Which country have you ever visited?
b. No: Which country would you really like to visit? Why?
……………………………………………………………………………………….
6. Whom do you often travel with?
……………………………………………………………………………………….

45
10. Work
1. What do you do? / What’s your job? / Do you work or study?
……………………………………………………………………………………….
2. How long have you had your job?
……………………………………………………………………………………….
3. Describe your workplace/school/university.
……………………………………………………………………………………….
4. Tell us about one of your best colleague.
……………………………………………………………………………………….
5. Tell us one interesting thing in your work.
……………………………………………………………………………………….
6. Tell us one thing at work that you would like to change.
……………………………………………………………………………………….
7. Do you prefer working on your own or in groups?
……………………………………………………………………………………….
8. Would you prefer to work for a big company or small company? Why
……………………………………………………………………………………….

46