Euroexam General English Level A1
Suitable for those who have completed a beginner's course in English and want to prove that they have mastered the first steps in learning the language. Success in the exam can help build confidence for those going on to attempt higher levels.
At this level, Euroexam measures candidate's ability to:
- understand and use everyday expressions and very basic phrases,
- introduce him/herself and others,
- ask and answer questions such as where you live, about people he/she knows and things he/she has,
- interact in a simple way when the other person talks slowly and clearly and is prepared to help.
The Reading test consists of 3 tasks, and takes a total of 40 minutes.
The task tests the ability to understand short descriptions of signs.
There are five short notions about the meaning of well-known signs for which the candidates must find the picture of a sign from a choice of seven. There is one example, and one picture is not needed.
The task tests the skill of scanning for specific information.
The candidate reads eleven short statements on a single topic and sees four-six visual information sources (e.g. timetables or train tickets). The candidate’s task is to decide to which picture each piece of information relates. An example is provided.
This task tests detailed comprehension, overall understanding and the interpretation of text related to a picture.
The candidate answers five multiple-choice comprehension questions supported by some visual aid (e.g. a postcard or a photo) to complete a single text of 120-150 words, normally an informal letter or email.
The Writing test consists of two tasks and takes 60 minutes.
This task tests the ability to communicate basic personal information.
There is a form to be filled in with ten personal pieces of information.
The task tests the ability to write a simple story in a few logically connected sentences based on given prompts.
Candidates write a simple story based on a series of four pictures about simple, everyday, familiar topics. There is a starting sentence for them.
The Listening test consists of 3 tasks, and takes a total of approximately 35 minutes.
This task tests the ability to listen for overall understanding.
The candidate listens twice to six short recordings (one is an example) about a photograph or everyday objects and matches each conversation with one element of the photo, or one of five pictures.
This task tests the ability to pick out important specific information, following very simple discourse.
The candidate listens twice to a dialogue or an extended monologue. There are notes or questions based on the text which should be completed by five pieces of specific information. Each gap requires a single word, which the candidate must write while listening.
This task tests understanding the main points as well as some of the overall message of a conversation.
The candidate listens to a monologue or a dialogue, and chooses the right answer by ticking one of three pictures. The recordings are played twice.
The Speaking test consists of four tasks.
This task tests the ability of talking about everyday life.
The interlocutor asks each candidate alternately four questions about everyday life.
This task tests the candidate’s ability to speak freely about their personal lives.
Each chooses one of two everyday topics (e.g. family, home, daily routine, etc.) and prepare for 10 minutes for a fluent one-minute speech about it before the exam. The candidates may use a printed dictionary during the preparation.
This task tests the candidate’s use of functional expressions in very simple everyday situations.
The interlocutor reads four very simple everyday situations, where candidates have to either respond to the interlocutor’s prompt, or initiate a three-turn dialogue.
This task tests the candidate’s ability to request and provide information about locations, appearances and actions.
Each candidate is given a picture with ten differences between the two, and five-five information-gap prompting words about the differences. They have to find the ten differences by forming simple sentences about the pictures.
- Can follow speech which is very slow and carefully articulated, with long pauses for him/her to assimilate meaning.
- Can understand instructions addressed carefully and slowly to him/her and follow short, simple directions.
Can understand very short, simple texts, a single phrase at a time, picking up familiar names, words and basic phrases and rereading as required. Can understand short, simple messages on postcards. Can get an idea of the content of simpler informational material and short simple descriptions, especially if there is visual support. Can follow short, simple written directions (e.g. to go from X to Y).
Can interact in a simple way but communication is totally dependent on repetition at a slower rate of speech, rephrasing and repair. Can ask and answer simple questions, initiate and respond to simple statements in areas of immediate need or on very familiar topics.
Can produce simple, mainly isolated phrases about people and places.
Can describe him/herself, what he/she does and where he/she lives. Can read a very short, rehearsed statement – e.g. to introduce a speaker, propose a toast. Can make an introduction and use basic greeting and leave-taking expressions. Can ask how people are and react to news.
Can understand everyday expressions aimed at the satisfaction of simple needs of a concrete type, delivered directly to him/her in clear, slow and repeated speech by a sympathetic speaker.
Can write simple isolated phrases and sentences. Can write simple phrases and sentences about themselves and imaginary people, where they live and what they do. Can ask for or pass on personal details in written form. Can write a short simple postcard. Can write numbers and dates, own name, nationality, address, age, date of birth or arrival in the country, etc. such as on a hotel registration form.