Cambridge English: Young Learners

Paper 1. Listening (20 minutes)

The Listening paper has four parts and 20 questions in total. Each part begins with one or two examples. The children will hear each recording twice.

Part 1 has a big picture and pictures of seven small objects. Children listen to five short conversations between a man and a woman. Children listen to the information in the conversations and draw a line from each of the objects to the place where it should be on the big picture. Part 1 tests listening to words and prepositions.

Part 2 has a set of questions and a short conversation between a child and an adult. Children listen to the information in the conversation to answer each of the questions. The answer will be a name or a number. Part 2 tests listening for numbers and spelling.

Part 3 has five short conversations between different pairs of people. There are a question and three pictures for each conversation. Children listen to each conversation and choose the right picture (A, B, or C). Part 3 tests listening for specific information.

Part 4 has a big picture with seven examples of the same object (e.g. seven balls, seven books). Children listen to a conversation between an adult and a child and color in each object using the color mentioned in the conversation. Part 4 tests listening for words, colors, and prepositions.

Paper 2. Reading and Writing (20 minutes)

The Reading and Writing paper has five parts and 25 questions in total. Each part begins with one or two examples. Children must spell their answers correctly in all parts of the test.

Part 1 has five pictures of objects. There is a sentence underneath each picture, e.g. ‘This is a ball.’ If the sentence is true, children should put a tick next to the picture. If the sentence is false, children should put a cross next to the picture. Part 1 tests reading short sentences and recognizing words.

Part 2 has a big picture and some sentences about the picture. If the sentence is true, children should write ‘yes’. If the sentence is false, children should write ‘no’. Part 2 tests reading short sentences and writing one-word answers.

Part 3 has five pictures of objects. Children have to find the right word for the object. After each picture, there are some dashes (- - - -) that show how many letters are in the word. There are also some jumbled letters (e.g. B O KO). Children have to put the jumbled letters in the right order to make the word (e.g. BOOK). Part 3 tests spelling simple words.

Part 4 has a text with some missing words (gaps). Below the text, there is a box with some pictures and some words. Children have to choose the right word from the box and copy it into the right gap. Part 4 tests reading a text and writing missing words (nouns).

Part 5 has three pictures, which tell a story. Each picture has one or two questions. Children answer each question based on what they can see in the pictures. They only have to write one word for each answer. Part 5 tests reading questions and writing one-word answers.

Paper 3. Speaking (3 to 5 minutes)

The Speaking test has five parts. In the computer-based test, the learner responds to audio and visual prompts and will answer a few warm-up questions to get them used to interact with an animated character. In the paper-based test, the learner takes the test with an examiner. (Someone they know will introduce them to the examiner and explain what is going to happen in their language.)

In Part 1 the examiner greets the child, asks them their name, and asks them to point to things in a big picture. Part 1 tests understanding and following spoken instructions.

In Part 2 the examiner shows the child small pictures of some objects. The examiner names three objects and asks the child to point to them. The examiner then asks the child to put each object card somewhere on the big picture used in Part 1 (e.g. ‘Put the ball under the tree’). Part 2 tests understanding and following spoken instructions.

In Part 3 the examiner asks the child some questions about the big picture used in Part 1 (e.g. ‘What is this?’ ‘What color is the …?’). Part 3 tests understanding and answering spoken questions.

In Part 4 the examiner asks the child some questions about the small pictures of objects used in Part 2 (e.g. ‘What is this?’). Part 4 tests understanding and answering spoken questions.

In Part 5 the examiner asks the child some questions about themselves (e.g. their age, family, friends). Part 5 tests understanding and responding to personal questions.[7]

Paper 1. Listening (25 minutes)

The Listening paper has five parts and 25 questions in total. Each part begins with one or two examples. The children will hear each recording twice.

Part 1 has a big picture. The picture shows people doing different things. Above and below the picture are some names. Children listen carefully to a conversation between an adult and a child. They draw a line from each name to the correct person in the big picture. Part 1 tests listening for names and descriptions.

Part 2 has a short conversation between two people. There is a form or notebook page with some missing words (gaps). Children listen to the information in the recording and fill in each gap. The answer might be a word or a number. Part 2 tests listening for names, spellings and other information.

Part 3 has a conversation between an adult and a child. In the conversation the child talks about what they did on different days of the week. Children listen to the information in the recording and draw a line from the day of the week to the picture which shows what the child did on that day. Part 3 tests listening for specific information (past tense).

Part 4 has five short conversations. There is a question and three pictures for each conversation. Children listen to each conversation and choose the right picture (A, B or C). Part 3 tests listening for specific information.

Part 5 has a big picture which shows different objects. Children listen to a conversation between an adult and a child. The adult asks the child to colour in different objects in the picture and to write a simple word or draw an object. Children have to follow the instructions given in the recording. Part 5 tests listening for words, colours and specific information.

Paper 2. Reading and Writing (30 minutes)

The Reading and Writing paper has six sections and 40 questions in total. Each part begins with one or two examples. Children must spell their answers correctly in all parts of the test.

Part 1 has eight pictures of things, with the English word under them. On the right-hand side there are six definitions. Children choose which picture matches each definition and copy the correct word underneath the definition. Part 1 tests reading short sentences, matching to words and copying words.

Part 2 has a big picture and six sentences about the picture. If the sentence is true, children should write ‘yes’. If the sentence is false, children should write ‘no’. Part 2 tests reading sentences and writing one-word answers.

Part 3 has a short conversation between two people. Everything the first speaker says is printed on the question paper, with gaps for the second speaker's answers. Children decide what the second speaker says, choosing from three options (A, B or C). Part 3 tests reading a conversation and choosing correct responses.

Part 4 has a text with some missing words (gaps). Next to the text are some small pictures and words. Children decide which word goes in each gap and copy the word in the gap. In the last question, children choose the best title for the text from a choice of three possible titles. Part 4 tests reading for specific information and gist and copying words.

Part 5 has three pictures which tell a story. After each picture/part of the story, children complete sentences about the story using one, two or three words. Part 5 tests reading a story and completing sentences.

Part 6 has a text with some missing words (gaps). For each gap there is a choice of three possible answers. Children decide which answer is correct and copy the word into the gap. Part 6 tests reading and understanding a factual text, simple grammar and copying words.

Paper 3. Speaking (5 to 7 minutes)

The Speaking test has four parts. In the computer-based test the learner responds to audio and visual prompts, and will answer a few warm up questions to get them used to interacting with an animated character. In the paper-based test the learner takes the test with an examiner. (Someone they know will introduce them to the examiner and explain what is going to happen in their own language.)

In Part 1 the examiner greets the child and asks them their name. Then they look at two pictures, which are similar but have some differences. The examiner asks the child to describe four differences in the pictures. Part 1 tests describing differences, talking about colour, size, number, position, how people or things look, what people are doing, etc.

In Part 2 the examiner shows four pictures which tell a story, and tells the child about the first picture. The child has to continue the story and describe the other three pictures. Part 2 tests understanding the beginning of a story, continuing a story and describing pictures.

In Part 3 the examiner shows the child four sets of four pictures. In each set one picture is different from the other three. The child has to say which picture is different and explain why. Part 3 tests explaining reasons.

In Part 4 the examiner asks the child some questions about themselves (e.g. school, weekends, friends, hobbies). Part 4 tests understanding and responding to personal questions.[8]

Paper 1. Listening (25 minutes)

The Listening paper has five parts and 25 questions in total. Each part begins with one or two examples. The children will hear each recording twice.

Part 1 has a big picture. The picture shows people doing different things. Above and below the picture are some names. Children listen carefully to a conversation between an adult and a child. They draw a line from each name to the correct person in the big picture. Part 1 tests listening for names and descriptions.

Part 2 has a short conversation between two people. There is a form or notebook page with some missing words (gaps). Children listen to the information in the recording and fill in each gap. The answer might be a word or a number. Part 2 tests listening for names, spellings and other information.

Part 3 has a two sets of pictures. On the left are pictures of some people and their names (or named places / objects). On the right are pictures with letters, but no words. Children listen to a conversation between two people and match each of the pictures on the right to one of the pictures on the left. Part 3 tests listening for words, names and detailed information.

Part 4 has five short conversations. There is a question and three pictures for each conversation. Children listen to each conversation and choose the right picture (A, B or C). Part 3 tests listening for specific information.

Part 5 has a big picture which shows different objects. Children listen to a conversation between an adult and a child. Children then colour in objects in the picture using the colour they hear in the conversation. Children also have to draw and colour a simple object somewhere on the big picture. Part 5 tests listening for words, colours and specific information.

Paper 2. Reading and Writing (40 minutes)

The Reading and Writing paper has seven sections and 50 questions in total. Each part begins with one or two examples. Children must spell their answers correctly in all parts of the test.

Part 1 has 15 words and 10 definitions. Children write the correct word next to each definition. Part 1 tests reading short sentences, matching to words and copying words.

Part 2 has a big picture and seven sentences about the picture. If the sentence is true, children should write ‘yes’. If the sentence is false, children should write ‘no’. Part 2 tests reading sentences and writing one-word answers.

Part 3 has a short conversation between two people. Everything the first speaker says is printed on the question paper, with gaps for the second speaker's answers. Children decide what the second speaker says, choosing from a list of options (A to H). Part 3 tests reading a conversation and choosing correct responses.

Part 4 has a text with some missing words (gaps). The missing words may be nouns, adjectives or verbs. Next to the text is a box with words in it. Children decide which word goes in each gap and copy the word in the gap. In the last question, children choose the best title for the text from a choice of three possible titles. Part 4 tests reading for specific information and gist and copying words.

Part 5 has a complete story and seven sentences about the story. Each of the seven sentences has a gap. Children complete the sentences about the story using one, two, three or four words. Part 5 tests reading a story and completing sentences.

Part 6 has a text with some missing words (gaps). For each gap there is a choice of three possible answers. Children decide which answer is correct and copy the word into the gap. Part 6 tests reading and understanding a factual text, simple grammar and copying words.

Part 7 has a text from a letter or diary. There are five gaps in the text. Children have to write the missing word in each gap. There is no list of words to choose from. Part 7 tests reading and understanding a short text and supplying correct words.

Paper 3. Speaking (7 to 9 minutes)

The Speaking test has four parts. In the computer-based test, the learner responds to audio and visual prompts, and will answer a few warm up questions to get them used to interacting with an animated character. In the paper-based test the learner takes the test with an examiner. (Someone they know will introduce them to the examiner and explain what is going to happen in their own language.)

In Part 1 the examiner greets the child and asks them their name. The examiner gives the child a picture. The examiner keeps another picture, which is similar but has some differences. The examiner reads some sentences about the picture they have and the child must look at their picture and say how it is different. Part 1 tests understanding differences, talking about colour, size, number, position, how people or things look, what people are doing, etc.

In Part 2 the child and the examiner each have two similar pictures (e.g. two different classrooms). The examiner has information about one of the pictures. The child has information about the other pictures. The examiner asks the child questions about one picture. Then the child asks similar questions about the other picture. Part 2 tests answering questions with short answers and asking questions to get information.

In Part 3 the examiner shows five pictures which tell a story, and tells the child about the first picture. The child has to continue the story and describe the other four pictures. Part 3 tests understanding the beginning of a story, continuing a story and describing pictures.

In Part 4 the examiner asks the child some questions about themselves (e.g. school, family, birthday, hobbies or holidays). Part 4 tests understanding and responding to personal questions.[9]

Cambridge English: Starters indicates that typical candidates at this level have the ability to:

• Understand and use simple expressions of communication. E.g. they can:
  • Respond to personal questions on topics such as age, family and their home
  • Understand simple expressions of communication such as: ‘Hello’, ‘How are you?’, ‘Thank you’
  • Respond to simple expressions of communication with expressions such as: ‘Yes, please’, ‘Sorry’, ‘I don’t understand’
  • Understand simple sentences about things around them such as: ‘This is a chair’, ‘I like my school’, ‘That’s my pen’.
• Understand basic instructions. E.g. they can:
  • Follow simple classroom instructions such as: ‘Open your book’, ‘Read the question’, ‘Listen to me’
  • Understand simple written instructions such as how they should do an exercise in their course book
  • Listen to and repeat words and phrases after appropriate to the level after their teacher.
• Read and write simple words and sentences. E.g. they can:
  • Recognise and write the letters of the English alphabet
  • Spell their name and simple words
  • Read short, simple words and names of objects such as animals, toys, clothes
  • Write simple sentences about themselves and their family
  • Recognise and copy words, phrases and short sentences from a text, book or board in the classroom.[17]

Cambridge English: Movers indicates that typical candidates at this level have the ability to:

• Take part in a basic factual conversation on a familiar topic. E.g. they can:
  • Ask questions and use fixed expressions such as: ‘How much is/are?’, ‘What’s the matter?’, ‘I’m good at’
  • Ask questions about school activities such as classroom tasks, homework and holidays
  • Agree or disagree with someone using phrases such as: ‘I think so’, ‘You are right’
  • Understand when somebody talks about their family and friends in simple sentences
  • Ask somebody about how they are and what they like doing, and answer similar questions.
• Understand basic notices, instructions and information and complete basic forms. E.g. they can:
  • Understand instructions given by the teacher in the classroom such as: ‘Take off your coats’, ‘You must do this’
  • Understand simple sentences if they read them slowly and several times
  • Write simple sentences, using words given to them
  • Understand signs and simple notices.
• Read and write simple texts and notes, including information about times, dates and places. E.g. they can:
  • Write about what they like doing in their free time, using words given to them
  • Understand simple stories and shorter texts with the help of pictures
  • Continue a story or text that has been started or add words that are missing.[18]

Cambridge English: Flyers indicates that typical candidates at this level have the ability to:

• Communicate in familiar situations and interact with English speakers who talk slowly and clearly. E.g. they can:
  • Introduce themselves and answer basic questions about themselves
  • Make and respond to invitations, suggestions, apologies and requests, such as arranging with friends to do something / play together
  • Talk briefly about things they have done, such as their favourite holiday
  • Talk about a problem in simple terms
  • Say they do not understand something / cannot do something and ask for help using expressions such as: ‘Could you say that again, please?’
• Understand simple written English, short notices and spoken directions. E.g. they can:
  • Understand audio and video clips used in the English lesson
  • Understand longer texts about everyday topics, even if they do not know all the words, and can use a dictionary to help them understand words they do not know.
• Write short, simple notes using basic phrases and expressions. E.g. they can:
  • Write a short message on a postcard or email
  • Write about how they feel, and give reasons why, in simple sentences
  • Make up a story in English using ideas, pictures or words the teacher gives them
  • Write short dialogues such as in speech bubbles, picture stories or comics.[19]

What young learners 'can do'