ABOUT CAMBRIDGE ENGLISH LANGUAGE ASSESSMENT
Proven quality
Our commitment to providing exams of the highest possible quality is
underpinned by an extensive programme of research and evaluation.
Question papers are produced and pretested using rigorous
procedures to ensure accuracy and fairness, and the marking and
grading of our exams is continuously monitored for consistency. More
details can be found in our publication Principles of Good Practice,
which can be downloaded free from
www.cambridgeenglish.org/principles
Cambridge English:
Young Learners – an overview
Cambridge English: Young Learners gives a reliable and consistent
measure of how well a child is doing in learning English.
Cambridge English: Young Learners encourages younger children to
work towards three certificates: Starters, Movers and Flyers. Tests
are designed to make learning fun and children are motivated by
working towards certificates and earning the ‘shields’ that record
their progress.
Cambridge English: Young Learners leads on to other Cambridge English
examinations designed for young people, e.g. Cambridge English: Key
for Schools, Cambridge English: Preliminary for Schools and Cambridge
English: First for Schools.
The tests take account of relevant research in a number of
areas and the specific needs of prospective test users (children,
parents and teachers).
In producing the tests, particular attention is paid to the educational
consequences of using a language test with young learners, and the
following areas are carefully considered:
• current approaches to curriculum design and pedagogy for
young learners, including recent coursebooks and other
resource materials
• children’s cognitive and first language development
• the potential influence of test methods, including the familiarity
and appropriacy of different task types, question formats,
typography and layout
• probable variation between different first language groups
and cultures.
Above all, it is essential for the testing experience to have a positive
impact on the children’s future language learning.
Who is Cambridge English: Young Learners for?
Cambridge English: Young Learners is designed to offer a
comprehensive approach to testing the English of learners in primary
and lower secondary education.
CAMBRIDGE ENGLISH: YOUNG LEARNERS HANDBOOK FOR TEACHERS
What level are the tests?
The Cambridge English: Young Learners tests are aligned with the CEFR.
Cambridge English: Starters is targeted at Level Pre A1. Cambridge
English: Movers is targeted at Levels Pre A1 and A1, with a strong
performance indicating Level A1. Cambridge English: Flyers is targeted
at Levels A1 and A2, with a strong performance indicating Level A2.
The table below shows how Starters, Movers and Flyers are linked to
the CEFR as well as their relationship to Cambridge English: Key for
Schools. Results for the Cambridge English: Young Learners tests are
also aligned to the Cambridge English Scale. The Cambridge English
Scale is designed to complement the CEFR.
CEFR level
Cambridge
English
Scale Starters Movers Flyers Key for Schools
160
B1
Distinction
140
Merit
A2 Pass
120
A1
Level A1
100
Pre
A1
80
Marks and results
In the Reading & Writing paper in Starters, Movers and Flyers correct
spelling is required. In Part 2 of the Listening paper some misspellings
are allowed. Candidates must follow the instructions carefully and
keep within the word limits. The completed question papers are
returned to Cambridge to be marked. The results are then issued as
soon as possible (normally within about two weeks of receipt of the
scripts by Cambridge English Language Assessment).
Results are reported in a way designed to provide positive
encouragement to the learners. All candidates who complete their
test receive a certificate and a statement of results to show what they
can do (rather than what they can’t do). They also give the children
credit for having taken part in the test.
The Cambridge English: Young Learners tests are high-facility tests.
This means that most candidates do very well. In order to equate
different test versions, the shield score boundaries are set so that
all candidates’ results relate to the same scale of achievement. This
means, for example, that the shield 4 boundary may be set at a
slightly different raw score across versions.
Special circumstances
Cambridge English exams are designed to be fair to all test takers.
For more information about special circumstances go to
www.cambridgeenglish.org/help
3
 Pre A1 Starters Listening
Download the audio files for the sample paper here:
cambridgeenglish.org/starters-audio-sample-v1

Centre Number Candidate Number

Pre A1 Starters
Listening

There are 20 questions.

You have 20 minutes.

You will need a pen or pencil.

My name is: ....................................................................

Copyright © UCLES 2018

Pre A1 Starters 3
Pre A1 Starters Listening

Part 1
– 5 questions –

Listen and draw lines. There is one example.

Sue Ann Lucy Nick

Pat Jill Dan

4 Cambridge Assessment English 3

 Pre A1 Starters Listening
Part 2
– 5 questions –
Read the question. Listen and write a name or a number.

There are two examples.

Examples

What is the new girl’s name? Kim

..................................

How old is the new girl? 8

..................................

4 Pre A1 Starters 5
Pre A1 Starters Listening

Questions

1 What is Kim’s family name? ..................................

2 Where does Kim live? in ......................Street

3 What number is Kim’s house? ..................................

4 What is the name of Kim’s horse? ..................................

5 How old is Kim’s horse? ..................................

5
6 Cambridge Assessment English
 Pre A1 Starters Listening
Part 3
– 5 questions –

Listen and tick ( ) the box. There is one example.

What animal has Alex got in his bedroom?

A B C

1 Which picture are May and Sam looking at?

A B C

2 What are Mrs Good’s class doing this afternoon?

A B C
6 Pre A1 Starters 7
Pre A1 Starters Listening

3 What is Mum’s favourite fruit?

A B C

4 Which dog is Anna’s?

A B C

5 What is Lucy wearing?

A B C

8 Cambridge Assessment English

 Pre A1 Starters Listening
Part 4
– 5 questions –

Listen and colour. There is one example.

8
Pre A1 Starters 9
 Pre A1 Starters Reading and Writing
Centre Number Candidate Number

Pre A1 Starters
Reading and Writing

There are 25 questions.

You have 20 minutes.

You will need a pen or pencil.

My name is: ....................................................................

Copyright © UCLES 2018

Pre A1 Starters 15
Pre A1 Starters Reading and Writing

Part 1
– 5 questions –

Look and read. Put a tick (✔) or a cross (✘) in the box.
There are two examples.

Examples

These are grapes. ✔

This is a house. ✘

Questions

This is a helicopter.

16 Cambridge Assessment English 2

 Pre A1 Starters Reading and Writing
2

This is a clock.

These are shells.

This is a sock.

These are chairs.

Pre A1 Starters 17

3
Pre A1 Starters Reading and Writing

Part 2
– 5 questions –

Look and read. Write yes or no.

Examples
There are two armchairs in the living room.
The big window is open.
Questions
1 The man has got black hair and glasses.
2 There is a lamp on the bookcase.
3 Some of the children are singing.
4 The woman is holding some drinks.
5 The cat is sleeping under an armchair.
yes
...............................
no
...............................
...............................
...............................
...............................
...............................
...............................

18 Cambridge Assessment English 4

 Pre A1 Starters Reading and Writing
Part 3
– 5 questions –

Look at the pictures. Look at the letters. Write the words.

Example
e
snake a
n
s
k
Questions
1
k c
u d

e
2 u
m
s
o

3 h p i
o p

4 o n
m y
k e
h i
5 e n
c c k

5 Pre A1 Starters 19
Pre A1 Starters Reading and Writing

Part 4
– 5 questions –

Read this. Choose a word from the box. Write the correct word next to
numbers 1–5. There is one example.

Lizards

Lots of lizards are very small animals

........................... but some are really big.

Many lizards are green, grey or yellow. Some like eating (1).......................... and

some like eating fruit.

A lizard can run on its four (2)......................... and it has a long

(3).......................... at the end of its body.

Many lizards live in (4).......................... but, at the beach, you can find some

lizards on the (5).......................... . Lizards love sleeping in the sun!

Example

animals tail balloon trees

legs spiders teacher sand

20 Cambridge Assessment English 6

 Pre A1 Starters Reading and Writing
Part 5
– 5 questions –

Look at the pictures and read the questions. Write one-word

answers.

Examples

Where are the people? in the kitchen

...............................

How many children are there? two

...............................

Questions

1 What are the children

playing with? some toy ...............................

7 Pre A1 Starters 21
Pre A1 Starters Reading and Writing

2 What is Mum standing on? a ...............................

3 Where is the spider? on Mum’s ...............................

4 Who is pointing? the ...............................

5 Where are the children? in the ...............................

22 Cambridge Assessment English

8
 Pre A1 Starters Listening
Download the audio files for the sample paper here:
cambridgeenglish.org/starters-audio-sample-v2-from-2018

Centre Number Candidate Number

Pre A1 Starters
Listening

There are 20 questions.

You will need coloured pens or pencils.

My name is: ....................................................................

Copyright © UCLES 2018

Pre A1 Starters 3
Pre A1 Starters Listening

Part 1
– 5 questions –

Listen and draw lines. There is one example.

Alice Tom Kim Matt

Nick Grace Bill

4 Cambridge Assessment English 3

 Pre A1 Starters Listening
Part 2
– 5 questions –

questions.Listen
Read the question. Listenand
andwrite
writeaaname
nameororaanumber.
number.

There are two examples.

Examples

What is the girl’s name? Pat

……………………………

How old is she? 9

……………………………

4 Pre A1 Starters 5
Pre A1 Starters Listening

Questions

1 How many cousins has Pat got? …………………………………

2 What is the name of Pat’s favourite game? …………………………………

3 Which beach does Pat like to go to? ………………………… Beach

4 How many books has Pat got? …………………………………

5 What is the teacher’s name? Mr. ……………………………

6 Cambridge Assessment English

5
 Pre A1 Starters Listening
Part 3
– 5 questions –

Listen and tick (  ) the box. There is one example.

Where is Lucy now?

A  B C

1 Who is Dad talking to on the phone?

A B C

2 What is the crocodile doing?

A B C

6
Pre A1 Starters 7
Pre A1 Starters Listening

3 Where are Hugo’s pens?

A B C

4 Which boy is Sam?

A B C

5 Which is the girl’s favourite picture?

A B C

8 Cambridge Assessment English

 Pre A1 Starters Listening
Part 4
– 5 questions –

Listen and colour. There is one example.

8
Pre A1 Starters 9
 Pre A1 Starters Reading and Writing
Centre Number Candidate Number

Pre A1 Starters
Reading and Writing

There are 25 questions.

You will need a pen or pencil.

My name is: ....................................................................

Copyright © UCLES 2018

Pre A1 Starters 15
Pre A1 Starters Reading and Writing

Part 1
– 5 questions –

Look and read. Put a tick () or a cross () in the box. There are
two examples.

Examples

This is a bus. 

These are snakes. 

Questions

This is a mat.

16 Cambridge Assessment English

2
 Pre A1 Starters Reading and Writing
2

This is an ear.

These are coconuts.

This is a sofa.

These are helicopters.

Pre A1 Starters 17
3
Pre A1 Starters Reading and Writing

Part 2
– 5 questions –

Look and read. Write yes or no.

Examples

The boys are wearing blue shorts. yes

……………………………

Two cows are looking at the sun. no

……………………………

Questions

1 The children are fishing in the sea. ……………………………

2 There’s an old boot in the water. ……………………………
3 You can see three fish in the picture. ……………………………
4 The child with black hair is sitting down. ……………………………
5 There’s a green frog on the bag. ……………………………

18 Cambridge Assessment English 4

 Pre A1 Starters Reading and Writing
Part 3
– 5 questions –
Look at the pictures. Look at the letters. Write the words.
Example

k
desk s
d e

Questions
1 p
—————
p r
a e

2
u r
—————
r e l

s r r e
3

——————
a e

4 c
—————— l n e
p i

5
h t r
——————— a e
c e
5
Pre A1 Starters 19
Pre A1 Starters Reading and Writing

Part 4
– 5 questions –

Read this. Choose a word from the box. Write the correct word next to
numbers 1–5. There is one example.

A horse

legs ,
Horses are beautiful animals. The one in the picture has four long ............

two big (1) ................ and a long face. It has a brown (2) ............ on its
body too. Lots of (3) ............ enjoy riding horses. Some families have a
horse for a pet. At the end of the (4) ............, they clean their horse and
give it (5) ............ and water. Horses like eating apples and carrots!

Example

legs people food balloon

eyes door day tail

20 Cambridge Assessment English 6

 Pre A1 Starters Reading and Writing
Part 5
– 5 questions –

Look at the pictures and read the questions. Write one-word

answers.

Examples

What are the children doing? running

………………………………

Where is the bird? in a tree

………………………………

Questions

1 Where’s the woman’s hat? on the ………………………………

7 Pre A1 Starters 21
Pre A1 Starters Reading and Writing

2 Who’s pointing? the ………………………………

3 What has the bird got in its the ………………………………

mouth?

4 How many birds are there

………………………………
now?
5 What are the birds doing? ………………………………

22 Cambridge Assessment English

Shared by ThayTro.Net
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Test 1

Part 2
5 questions
Read the question. Listen and write a name or a number.
There are two examples.

Examples

What is the girl’s name?

Lucy

How old is she? 6

6 Test 1, Listening Part 2

 Listening

Questions

1 How many dolls has Lucy got?

2 What’s the dog’s name?

3 Which class is Lucy in?

4 What’s the name of Lucy’s school? School

5 How many children are in Lucy’s class?

Test 1, Listening Part 2 7

Test 1

Part 3
5 questions
Listen and tick () the box. There is one example.

What’s Nick doing?

A B  C

1 Which boy is Tom?

A B C

2 Which is Jill’s favourite drink?

A B C
8 Test 1, Listening Part 3
 Listening

3 What’s Mark doing?

A B C

4 Where’s the spider?

A B C

5 Where’s the baby’s duck?

A B C

Test 1, Listening Part 3 9

Test 1 Reading & Writing
Reading & Writing
Part 1
5 questions
Look and read. Put a tick () or a cross () in the box.
There are two examples.

Examples

This is a burger. 

This is an orange. 

Questions
1

This is a cow.

Test 1, Reading & Writing Part 1 11

Test 1

This is a doll.

These are socks.

This is a fish.

These are watermelons.

12 Test 1, Reading & Writing Part 1

 Reading & Writing

Part 2
5 questions
Look and read. Write yes or no.

Examples
There are four children in the room.
yes

There is a dog under the table. no

Questions
1 There is a mouse in the room.

2 A boy is playing with a train.

3 There are blue flowers on the bookcase.

4 A baby is holding a ball.

5 The children are watching television.

Test 1, Reading & Writing Part 2 13
Test 1

Part 3
5 questions
Look at the pictures. Look at the letters. Write the words.
Example

b o o k o k b o

Questions
1

s e d k

o d a r b

i h c a r

i c p n e l

e r e s a r

14 Test 1, Reading & Writing Part 3

 Reading & Writing

Part 4
5 questions
Read this. Choose a word from the box. Write the correct word next to the
numbers 1–5. There is one example.
Monkeys

Monkeys live in the trees with their family and friends.

Monkeys are fun. They can run and jump with their long (1) .
They eat fruit but (2) are their favourite food. Lots of
monkeys are small but they have long (3) . They are brown
or orange and have big (4) . They have ten fingers and ten
(5) , like people. Monkeys are very funny!

example

trees arms bike bananas

tails toes eggs eyes

Test 1, Reading & Writing Part 4 15

Test 1

Part 5
5 questions
Look at the pictures and read the questions. Write one-word answers.

Examples

Where are the people? street

in the ____________________

How many shops are there? three

____________________

Questions

1 What is the woman holding? a ____________________

16 Test 1, Reading & Writing Part 5

 Reading & Writing

2 Where are the jeans? on the ______________________

3 What is the girl in the blue

dress looking at? at a ______________________

4 Where are the people now? in front of a ______________________

5 What are they holding? some big ______________________

Test 1, Reading & Writing Part 5 17