Speaking Writing

Speaking: 1.2 Read aloud

Task

A text appears on screen. Read the text aloud.

Skills assessed

Reading and speaking

Prompt length

Text up to 60 words

Time to answer

Varies by item, depending on the length of text.

For this item type you need to read a written text aloud.

The recording status box displays a countdown until the microphone opens. You have 30-40 seconds to prepare, depending on the length of the passage. You hear a short tone. After the tone, start speaking immediately. Do not start speaking before the microphone opens because your voice will not be recorded.

You should speak clearly. There is no need to rush.

Finish speaking before the progress bar reaches the end. The word “Recording” changes to “Completed”.

You are only able to record your response once.

TIP: If you remain silent for longer than 3 seconds, the recording will stop.

Speaking: 1.3 Repeat sentence

Task

After listening to a recording of a sentence, repeat the sentence.

Skills assessed

Listening and speaking

Prompt length

3-9 seconds

Time to answer

15 seconds

For this item type you need to repeat the sentence you hear.

The audio begins to plays automatically. When the audio finishes, the microphone opens and the recording status box shows “Recording”. Speak into the microphone immediately (there is no short tone) and repeat exactly what you heard.

You should speak clearly. There is no need to rush.

Finish speaking before the progress bar reaches the end. The word “Recording” changes to “Completed”.

You are not able to replay the audio. You are only able to record your response once.

Speaking: 1.4 Describe image

Task

An image appears on screen. Describe the image in detail.

Skills assessed

Speaking

Prompt length

NA

Time to answer

40 seconds

For this item type you need to describe an image.

The recording status box displays a countdown until the microphone opens. You have 25 seconds to study the image and prepare your response. You hear a short tone. After the tone, start speaking immediately. Do not start speaking before the microphone opens because your voice will not be recorded.

You should speak clearly. There is no need to rush.

Finish speaking before the progress bar reaches the end. The word “Recording” changes to “Completed’’.

You are only able to record your response once.

Speaking: 1.5 Re-tell lecture

Task

After listening to or watching a lecture, re-tell the lecture in your own words.

Skills assessed

Listening and speaking

Prompt length

Up to 90 seconds

Time to answer

40 seconds

For this item type you need to re-tell what you heard.

The audio begins to play automatically. You may also see an image related to the audio. After the audio finishes, you have 10 seconds to prepare.

The recording status box displays a countdown until the microphone opens. You hear a short tone. After the tone, start speaking immediately. Do not start speaking before the microphone opens because your voice will not be recorded.

You should speak clearly. There is no need to rush.

Finish speaking before the progress bar reaches the end. The word “Recording” changes to “Completed’’.

You are only able to record your response once.

Note: While the audio is playing, you can take notes on the erasable noteboard provided.

Speaking: 1.6 Answer short question

Task

After listening to a question, answer with a single word or a few words.

Skills assessed

Listening and speaking

Prompt length

3-9 seconds

Time to answer

3-9 seconds

For this item type you need to reply to the question in one or a few words.

The audio begins to play automatically. You may also see an image.

When the audio finishes, the microphone opens and the recording status box shows “Recording”. Speak into the microphone immediately (there is no short tone) and answer the question with one or a few words.

You should speak clearly. There is no need to rush.

Finish speaking before the progress bar reaches the end. The word “Recording” changes to “Completed”.

You are not able to replay the audio. You are only able to record your response once.

Writing: 1.7 Summarize written text

Task

After reading a text, write a one-sentence summary of the passage.

Skills assessed

Reading and writing

Prompt length

Text up to 300 words

Time to answer

10 minutes

For this item type you need to write a summary of the text in one sentence.

You have 10 minutes to write your summary. Make sure to include the main points of the reading passage in a full, single sentence of no more than 75 words.

The Word Count at the bottom of the screen counts the number of words you write. There are also cut, copy and paste buttons which you may use while constructing your summary.

Cut: Select text from your answer that you wish to remove and left-click “Cut”.

Copy: Select text from your answer that you wish to copy and left-click “Copy”.

Paste: Place the cursor where you wish to paste the cut/copied text and left-click “Paste”.

Writing: 1.8 Essay

Task

Write a 200–300 word essay on a given topic.

Skills assessed

Writing

Prompt length

2-3 sentences

Time to answer

20 minutes

For this item type you need to write a 200-300 word argumentative essay in response to a prompt.

You have 20 minutes to write your essay.

The Word Count at the bottom of the screen counts the number of words you write. Make sure to write a minimum of 200 words, but no more than 300 words.

There are also cut, copy and paste buttons which you may choose to use while constructing your response.

Cut: Select text from your answer that you wish to remove and left-click “Cut”.

Copy: Select text from your answer that you wish to copy and left-click “Copy”.

Paste: Place the cursor where you wish to paste the cut/copied text and left-click “Paste”.