Achievement English Test A2

Test Specifications

Reading and writing

What’s in the Reading and Writing paper?

The A2 Achievement test Reading and Writing paper have eight different parts. Three of
them are focused only on reading, and two for writing. The three left are activities oriented
for both skills.

Objective: Reading
● Students have to face short
simple texts containing
high-frequency vocabulary and
common expressions.
● They can find diverse text format
which can appears in daily life.
● They have to identify the main
idea of each text.

Writing

● They will write short and simple

notes and messages.
● They can write an ordinary
personal letter (e.g. thanking
someone for something.
● They have to use different
grammatical tenses according to
their ideas.

Number of sections: Reading, 6

Writing, 2

Type of texts: Biography

Informative on a town
Grammar topics: Simple past
Comparative and superlatives
Present simple
Present continuous
Idiomatic future

Type of items: Multiple choice

Open questions
Filling the gaps
True or False
Writing a text

Time allowed: 40 minutes

Number of questions: Reading, 38

Writing, 2

Total points: 71 pts.

Part 1

What is in Part 1? 32 words and 8 sentences (words that

complete the sentences in order to be
coherent). You have to fill the gaps with the
given options. They are varied topics. They
must practice diverse, among them: past
simple, future simple, comparatives,
infinitive/gerund, and adjective order.

What do I have to practise? Reading the sentences and choosing the

option that fits the best.

How many questions are there? 8

Marks: 8

Points: 8 pts.

Part 2

What is in Part 2? 24 words, 6 sentences (sentences that

compare the information in the chart)
Theres is a table with information of 3
people (Age, name, height).
What do I have to practise? Reading the sentences and choosing the
option that fits the best.

How many questions are there? 6

Marks: 6

Points 6 pts.

Part 3

What is in Part 3? 24 options and 6 sentences (words that

complete the sentences in order to be
coherent). They practice a few different
topics, such as past perfect, predictions
with going to, and relative clauses.

What do I have to practise? Reading the sentences and choosing the

option that fits the best.

How many questions are there? 6

Marks: 6

Points: 6 pts.

Part 4

What is in Part 4? 20 options, 5 questions (the questions ask

for information that appeared in the text).
A short text (Biography) in past tense that
included some dates and important facts.

What do I have to practise? Reading and understanding text. Finally

choosing the option that fits the best.

How many questions are there? 5

Marks: 5

Points: 10 pts.
Part 5

What is in Part 5? 16 options and 8 sentences (claiming a fact

from the text). They have to read the text,
the description of a town, where is it
located, the nature of it, buildings and what
people do. Then, they have to determine if
the facts below are true or not according to
what they have read.

What do I have to practise? Reading a text in order to decide whether

the following sentences are true or not.

How many questions are there? 8

Marks: 8

Points: 16 pts.

Part 6

What is in Part 6? 15 options( describing the possible main

ideas of each note), 5 questions (asking for
the main idea of them) and 5 notes (that
include common ideas and situations,
where a message to be replied). They have
to find the gist of each note.

What do I have to practise? Reading and understanding text. Finally

choosing the option that fits the best.

How many questions are there? 5

Marks: 5

Points: 10 pts.

Part 7

What is in Part 7? A postcard (that included past simple,

present simple, present continuous and
idiomatic future), 5 questions(asking for
information about holidays, such as giving
directions and daily routines).
What do I have to practise? Writing a postcard base on 5 questions.

How many questions are there? 1

How many words? 35-40 words

Marks: 8

Points: 10 pts.

Part 8

What is in Part 8? 4 questions (asking for information in

present simple, about the location in a given
city, likes and dislikes, and describing
objects).

What do I have to practise? Write a short note based on the 4

questions.

How many questions are there? 1

How many words? 25-30 words

Marks: 8

Points: 5 pts.

Listening

Objective: ● They can understand clear, slow,

standard speech.
● The audios are related to areas
of most immediate personal
relevance ( e.g. very basic
personal information, local,
educational, and job information).
● The audios take place in an
informal context.
 ● They are able to catch the main
point in short, clear, simple
spoken messages.

Number of sections: Listening, 3

19 questions

Type of texts: Giving directions

Informal conversation
Descriptions

Grammar topics: Present

Gerunds & infinitives
Imperative
Past simple
Present continuous for future

Type of items: Multiple choice

True or False
Filling the gaps

Time allowed: 30 minutes

Number of questions 24

Total points: 42 pts.

Part 1

What is in Part 1 16 options, 4 question (asking for

information about locations and directions).
After hearing the audios, they will choose
the correct option among the four options.

What do I have to practise? Choosing the correct option according to

what is asked and said in the audio.

How many questions are there? 4

Points: 8 pts

Part 2

What is in Part 2 24 options, 8 question,(asking information

 given by the speakers on the audio). They
have to listen carefully to the recordings
and find specific information about jobs and
their description.

What do I have to practise? They have to choose the better option

according to what they have heard.

How many questions are there? 8

Points: 16 pts

Part 3

What is in Part 3? EXERCISE 1: 6 options, 6 question. there is

an audio about a conversation between two
friends at school in a difficult situation.
EXERCISE 2: 6 words, 6 sentences. With
the same audio, the student has to
complete the sentences choosing the
correct word to fill the gap.

What do I have to practise? EXERCISE 1: They have to determine the

value of the sentences as true or not.

EXERCISE 2: They have to analyze the

sentences and try to give coherence to the
conversation.

How many questions are there? 12

Points: Exercise 1: 12 pts.

Exercise 2: 6 pts.

Speaking

Objective: ● Students show enough

vocabulary to accomplish the
task.
 ● Students produce the speech
with the correct intonation and
pronunciation.
● Students create coherent and
concise sentences to respond to
the instructor’s requirements.

Number of sections: Speaking 3

7 questions

Type of texts: Formal conversation

Description

Grammar topics: Simple past

Comparative and superlatives
Present simple
Present continuous
Idiomatic future

Type of items: Conversation

Open questions

Time allowed: 10 minutes

Points 37%

Part 1

What is in Part 1? Candidates are asked to make a brief

introduction of themselves. They are hoped
to use familiar vocabulary related to school,
family, and job; as personal basic aspects
such as age, and experiences.

What do I have to practise? They have to use language, grammar,

tenses, in order to express who they are.

How many questions are there? 1

Points: 10

Part 2
What is in Part 2? Candidates observe an image of a family
performing different activities. After that,
they must describe what activities are being
performed.

What do I have to practise? They have to describe the most as they can
the situation in the picture.

How many questions are there? 1

Points: 17

Part 3

What is in Part 3? Seven sentences (asking for specific

information about the picture). They have to
look carefully at the picture in order to find
the specific information that is needed to
answer the instructor’s questions.

What do I have to practise? Look at the picture to find useful

information.

How many questions are there? 7

Points: 10

reading and writing 47.3% (71 pts)

listening 28 % (42 pts)

speaking 24.6 % (37 pts)

Total: 99.9% (150 pts)

Reading and writing

Time ​30-40 minutes

Instructions to the candidates

Read the instructions for each part of the paper carefully.
Read the instructions on the answer sheets.
Write your answers on the answer sheets. Use a pencil.
You must complete the answer sheets within the time limit.
At the end of the test, hand in both this question paper and your answer sheets.

Questions 1-8

Sample:
I. Choose the correct answer as in the example.

➔ a. John shouldn’t watch TV at night. b.​ John should watch TV

last night.
c.​ John not should watch TV at night. d.​ John should watches
TV at night.

1. ______ she ________ watch the soccer match?

a.​ Does / have to b.​ Did / had to

c.​ Did / has to ​d.​ Does / had

2. Circle the correct answer.

a.​ She did writes a book b.​ She writed a book

c.​ She wroted a book d.​ She wrote a book

3. ​When did little Tom __________ the milk?

a​. Drink b.​ Drunk

c.​ Drinks d.​ Drank

4. Will you go to class next week?

a.​ No, I go not. b.​ Yes, I won’t
c.​ No, I will not. d.​ Yes, I will not go.
 5. Planes are _________ than cars. (FAST)
a. Faster b. Fastest
c.​ More fast ​d. Fastter

6. My brother enjoys __________ with me.

a. Play b.​ To play
c.​ Playing ​d.​ To playing

7. ​________ she ________ been in any city of America.

a. Is / yet b. Has / ever
c.​ Has / already d. Have / ever

8. ​Do you think this ________, ________, ________ chair is useful for us?
a. British / Blue / Wooden b. Old / Mexican / Iron
c. Nice / Black / Little d. Horrible / Wooden / Big

II. According to the following chart, answer questions 9-14.

NAME AGE HEIGHT

Robert 30 1.70 cm

Ana 26 1.82 cm

Carlos 22 1.63 cm

9. ​Robert is ___________ than Ana

a. Oldest b. More older
c.​ Older ​d.​ Younger

10. ​Carlos is the ___________ of the group.

a. Younger b. Youngest
c.​ Most Young ​d. More Young
 11. ​Ana is the _____________ of the group.
a. Tallest b. More taller
c. Most tall d. Taller

12. ​Carlos is the ______________ of the group.

a. Shorter b. The shortest
c. Shortest d. Most short

13. ​Ana is __________ than Carlos

a. Taller b. Shorter
c. More tall d. More short

14. ​Cristiano Ronaldo is the ______________ football player of the world

a. Better b. Most good
c.​ Goodest d. Best

III. Questions 15-20.

15.​ If I knew the date of her birthday, ______________ a gift.

a. I will give her b. I would give her
c.​ I would have given her ​d.​ I won’t give her

16. ​When my mother was my age, she __________ take care of her siblings.
a. Liked b.​ Used to
c. Used to like d.​ Used to enjoy

17. ​-Do you remember the title of the book?

-Sure, it was “For _____ the bells tolls”.
a.​ Whom b. Which
c.​ Whose ​d. Who
 18. ​Excuse me, ​Mademoiselle, ​________ staying here for a moment?
a. Would you mind b. Could you mind
c.​ Will you mind d. Can you mind

19. ​My grandfather used to say that if the weather is too hot, ________ rain.
a. It is go and b. It is going to
​c. It will certainly d. It can
20.​ _______ he tell you that? _____ you sure?
​a. Do / Are b. Doesn’t / Are
​c. Did / Is d. Dis / Are

IV. Reading comprehension.

Select the correct option according to the text.

Biography
Martin Luther King Jr.

Martin was born in Atlanta, Georgia on January 15, 1929. He believed all had the
right to freedom and equality. Martin Luther King didn’t believe in violence. He
worked and studied hard in school. His goal was to make the world a better place to
live. While he was at college, Martin studied about a man named Gandhi. When Dr.
King became the pastor, he became active in civil rights. In 1963, over 250,000
people marched in Washington, D.C. where Dr. King gave his most famous speech,
“I Have a Dream.” On the morning of April 4, 1968, Martin Luther King was
assassinated. He was just thirty-nine years old.

21. ​When was Martin Luther King born?

a.​ 1919 ​c.​ 1963
b.​ 1929 ​d.​ 9029

​ here did he give his most famous speech?

22. W
a. ​In Washington. b. ​In New York.
c.​ In Atlanta. d.​ In Hawai.

23. ​What was his occupation?

a.​ He was a pastor. b.​ He was a president.
 c.​ He was a teacher. d.​ He was a lawyer.

24. ​What did he believe in?

a.​ In violence b.​ Everyone had the right to freedom and
equality.
c.​ Gandhi was a great man. d.​ We need to have dreams.

25. ​How old was Martin Luther King when he was killed?
a. ​38 b.​ 39
c.​ 37 d.​ 49

V. ​You will read a text. After reading, there are some questions for you to
answer.After reading, there are some questions for you to answer.

CLARKSON TOWN

Clarkson is a large town. It has more than fifty thousand people living there. It sits
next to a large river, the Clark River. Everyday, people take the ferry from North
Clarkson to South Clarkson to go to work.
Most people live in North Clarkson. There are many trees and the streets are very
broad. When the sun shines and the children run and play in the safe streets, North
Clarkson is a wonderful place to live.
South Clarkson has a lot of shops and factories. People don't live there, but they
come in the morning to work. There is also a big stadium where the Clarkson Tigers
play. On Sundays, many people go to watch their favorite team.
At the weekend, the people from Clarkson enjoy walking along the bank of the Clark
River. They also sail small boats on the water and if there is a little wind, they fly
kites in the large park.
Every year, Clarkson grows in size because a lot of people come to live there. The
government builds more houses and the streets get busier. Maybe in the future, if
the town continues to grow, it will become a city!

There are two options (True and False) for you to select according to the
reading.

T/F
26.​ Nearly fifty thousand people live in Clarkson. ______

27.​ The Clark River is a big river. ______

28.​ Most of the houses are in South Clarkson. ______

29.​ The local sports team is the Clarkson Tigers. ______

30.​ The sports team plays on Saturdays. ______

31.​ There is a large park in Clarkson. ______

32.​ Many new people come to Clarkson to live. ______

33.​ Clarkson is now so big that it's a city. ______

VI. Look at the text in each question.

What does it say? Mark the correct letter A, B or C on your answer sheet.

34.​ What is the note saying?

T​om, your father’s got a meeting in York 

today. He was thinking of having lunch 
with you. Will you be free at lunchtime? 
It would be a good idea for you to have a 
proper meal. I still think you were too 
thin the last time you came home. Love, 
Dad. 

a. Tom doesn’t like spending time with his father.

b. Tom looks thin, so he could have a meal with his father.
c. Toms father is a chef and he has a meeting in York.

35.​ What is the note trying to say?

Dinner Wednesday? 
How about that Italian place? 
XXX 

a. They will go to Italy.

b. Italian people are romantic.
c. He suggests a place for having dinner.
36.​ What is the notification trying to say?

West Side Health Clinic 

27, Skid Row, York 
Your next appointment:​ ​Wed. 24th May 
If you are unable to attend, please 
notify the clinic as soon as possible. 

a. The patient is unable to attend.

b. The doctor gives an appointment.
c. Wednesday 24th May the doctor’s unable to attend

37.​ What is Karen asking to tom?

Tom,
Can you do me a favor? I’m going home for
the weekend, and I don’t want to take the
cat with me. Can you feed her for me?
There’s a tin of cat food in the cupboard
under the sink.
Buy you a beer when I get back!
Karen.

a. Tom is invited to drink beer.

b. Tom has to take care of a cat.
c. Tom feed the cat every day.

38.​ What is the card recommending to Mr. Davis?

Easy trips PLC, 14 Swindon Place. 

Tel 020 946 5027 
Dear Mr. Davis, 
Please find enclosed your train tickets. 
Kindly check details of dates and times. If 
you have any queries, please call us at 
the above telephone number. 
Yours sincerely. 

a. If he has some queries he should call to easy Trips PLC.

b. Mr. Davis has to find the train tickets.
c. 14 Swindon Place is Mr. Davis’s address.

VII. Write a postcard or an email to your best friend. As in the example.

1.-My holiday
● Where are you?
● Are you enjoying your holiday?
● When did you arrive?
● 3 things that you saw or did yesterday.
● What are you going to do tomorrow?
VIII.​- ​Imagine that you are in a new city.Write a note to a friend about your
house and the city.
(​25-35 words)

Mention in the note the next points.

● Where​ is your new house?

● What​ do you like about the city?
● What​ is your favorite place?
● How ​is your bedroom?

___________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________
_____________
 Listening
Time:​ 20 – 30 minutes

Part 1

There is a chart below

You will hear a recording about giving directions.
Put a tick (​✔​
) in the box below it. Answer all the questions.
You will hear the audio twice.

Question A – D
A​. Where is the person giving the direction?

B.​ Where is the person giving the direction?

C.​ Where is the person giving the direction?

D.​ Where is the person giving the direction?

Part 2

Listen the audio about jobs and choose the correct answer for each question.
For each question you will underline ​A​, ​B​, or ​C.
You will hear the conversation twice.

Question 1 – 8.

1. -​ Does speaker A enjoy his job?

a) ​ All the time b)​ Sometimes ​c)​ No

2. -​ When does speaker A work?

a) Weekdays ​b)​ Weekends and holidays ​c)​ Summer

holidays

3. -​ When does speaker B work?

a) When he is at university ​b)​ Weekends ​c)​Summer

holidays

4. -​ What does speaker B say tourists love doing?

a)​ Visiting universities ​b)​ Taking a boat trip c)​ Swimming in

the river.

5. -​ Does speaker C like his job?

a)​ Yes b)​ Sometimes ​c)​ No

6. -​ What does speaker D say is difficult about being a pilot?

 a)​ Travelling to many countries
b)​ Learning many languages.
c)​ Flying planes in bad weather.

7. -​ What does speaker D say is the best thing about his job?

a) ​ Visiting different places.

b)​ Meeting different people.
c) ​ The different weather.

8. -​ What does speaker E not like about her job?

a) ​ The doctors.
b)​ The sick people.
c)​ The uniform.
Part 3

You will hear the conversation between Clare and Mark.

You have to decide if the sentences are true or false put a tick (​✔​) in the correct box.
You will hear the conversation twice.

Exercise 1:

Clare is good at history.

Clare’s notes are too long.

Mark thinks you need to write everything.

Mark draws a crown and an ‘H’ instead of ‘King Henry’.

Clare doesn’t think Mark’s idea is very good.

Mark's way of taking notes doesn't work for Clare.

​Exercise 2

Choose one of the words within the square.

Filling the missing information using the correct word based on the recording.

Draw – remember – write – notes – important – exam

Clare has got a history ____ on Friday. Mark is helping her. He looks at her
_____
from today. He explains that she doesn’t need to _____ everything, just the
_____
words. She can _____ pictures too. Pictures help you _____ facts.
 Speaking
Part 1. Introduce yourself.
Part 2. Observe the next picture. Describe what people are doing.
Part 3. Answer to instructor’s questions.
Answer the questions to the picture:
1) How many people are there in the family?
___________________________________
2) How many children?
_______________
3) Do they have any pets?
_______________
4) Where are these people at the moment?
___________________________________
5) Who is washing the dishes?
_______________
6) Who is cooking?
____________________________
7) Who is talking on the phone?
____________________________