Certificate Advanced English Qui p.182 1 " R B 4 6 7 18 19 20 2 2 B 24 2 26 a 2B 29 30 ANSWERS: Yes, you have five minutes to do this at the end of the listening. In the reading, you should do this during the exam after you complete each section. Pencil This will be marked wrong, so you should rub one out. For the listening, generally yes, although exceptions may be made for some difficult words. In the writing, many basic spelling errors will affect your mark but one or two minor spelling errors will be tolerated. No No, you can fail a paper and still pass the overall exam. Usually about six weeks after the exam. Four 75 minutes Itis a good idea to look at the questions first in Part 4. For the other three parts, read through the text first ‘Two. The question in Part 1 is compulsory. n Part 2, you choose one from five possibilities (two of which refer to the set book) No Yes, but make sure the examiner can read your work. No, because you won't have time. Write a plan for your answer and then write it out once. Yes. Depending on the type of text, you might also use bullet points or subheadings for your paragraphs. if your handwriting is difficult to read, the examiner may have to mark you down, It can be, because it can make your answer easier to read and itis easier to correct things. However, you will need to indent your paragraphs if you do this. If your answer is much too short you will be marked down. You will not automatically lose marks for an answer which is too long, but it is not a good idea to write an overlong answer as it may mean you have included things which are irrelevant. (if you are planning and checking your answer carefully, you won't have time anyway) Yes, as they are worth equal marks Five This is not a good idea. You will only get the mark if both the answers are correct. Yes This will be marked wrong, Four Twice You should write the words you hear if possible. You will not get extra credit for paraphrasing. Yes Yes Examiners are trained to deal with this. Remember that if your partner does not listen to you or let you speak in Parts 3 and 4, he/she will be marked down, not you. Find another way to say it. © Pearson Education Limited 2008Certificate in Advanced English quiz Try this quiz to see how much you know about the exam. Is there any extra time for transferring answers to the mark sheets? Do I have to write in pen or pencil on the mark sheets? What happens if I shade in two lozenges on the mark sheets? Does spelling have to be correct? Is there any negative marking in multiple-choice questions? Do [ have to pass each paper to pass the exam? How soon do I get my results? Reading 8 How many parts are there in the paper? 9 How long do I have to complete the paper? 10 What should I look at first, the text or the questions? Writing 11 How many questions do I have to answer? 12. Can I write answers in pen 13 Can I use correction uid? 14 Is it a good idea to write a rough copy and then copy it out neatly? 15. Is it important to write in paragraphs? 16 Does handwriting count? 17 Is it a good idea to write on alternate lines? 18 What happens if my answers are too short or too long? 19 Should I spend equal time on each answer? Use of English 20 How many parts are there in the paper? 21 What happens if | write two pos: 22. Does the key word always have to be altered in the word formation exercise? ities for one gap in the cloze passage? 23. What happens if | write more than six words in the key word transformations? Listening 24 How many parts are there in the paper? 25 How many times do I hear each passage? 26 In Part 2, do I write the words I hear or should I paraphrase? Speaking 27. Can L ask the interlocutor to repeat his/her instructions? 28 Will [lose marks if I do not talk for one minute in Part two? 29 What happens if my partner is too quiet or too talkative? 30. What should I do if I don't know a word?How many marks are needed to pass the exam? > To pass the exam with a grade C, you need around 60% of the total marks. 2 Do I have to pass each paper in order to pass the exam? > No. Each paper doesn't have a pass or fail mark. The final grade, A, B, C, D or E, is arrived at by adding the ‘weighted marks from all the papers together. 3. Are marks deducted for wrong answers? > No. ifyou're not sure, make a guess, you may be right. 4 Am|allowéd to use a > No. 5 In Paper 1 (Reading), Part 4 has more questions, sois it more important? > No. The four parts are equally weighted. In Parts 1 2 and 3, each question = 2 marks, whereas in Part 4, each question = 1 mark 6 In Paper 1 (Reading), how long should I take on ‘each question? > This is up to you. You can do the tasks in any order and knowing how to use your time well is part of the test, 7 In Paper 2 (Writing), what happens if | don’t use all the information given in Part 17 > You will lose marks. The examiners are looking for both correct information and good language. So read the question, the input text and the handwritten notes very carefully 8 In Paper 2 (Writing), how should | lay out the addresses? > Don't include the addresses. If you do include them, the examiners will ignore them, as this is not part of the task. 9 In Paper 2 (Writing), what happens if | write too many or too few words? > The word count is given as a guide only. Don't waste time counting: the examiners don't, they are more interested in your English! Itis unlikely that answers under the lower limits will contain enough information’ ideas to full the task. Overiong answers are more likely to contain mistakes. Plan your time so that you write about the right amount and have time to check what you have written, 10 In Paper 3 (Use of English), what happens if | get the right answer, but make a small mistake in a key word transformation? > There are 2 marks for each answer, so you could still get 1 mark even if there was a small error. 11 In Paper 3 (Use of English), Parts 2, 3 and 4, if am not sure, can I give two alternative answers? ionary? > Ifthere are two answers, and one of them is wrong, no marks are given. So, i's better to decide which of your answers is best! 12 In Paper 3 (Use of English), Parts 2 and 3, do contractions count as one word or two? > Two, eg. don't = two words, do + not. 13 What happens if | misspell a word in Paper 3 (Use of English), Parts 2 and 57 > All speling must be correct in Paper 3. 14 What happens if | misspell a word in Paper 4 (Listening)? > All answers need to be correctly spelt at this level, although both US and British variants are accepted. 15 How many times will | hear each recording in Paper 4 (Listening)? > Each recording is played twice 16 In Paper 4 (Listening), Part 2, do | have to use the ‘words in the recording or other words? > The word(s) you need to write are heard in the recording, but you won't hear them in the exact ‘sentences you see on the page. 17 In Paper 4 (Listening), Part 2, what happens if my answer is too long to fit on the answer sheet? > Most answers are single words, numbers or groups of 2-3 words. If you think the answer is longer, then it, is probably the wrong answer. If you write information which is not the answer in addition to the answer, you will not get the mark, as you have not shown that you know exactly what the answer is. 18 In Paper 5 (Speaking), do | have to go with another student? Can I choose my partner? > You cannot be examined alone as the ability to discuss with another student is being tested in Part 3. In some centres you can choose your partner, in ‘others not. You should ask the local organiser. Don't forget that in Parts 1, 2 and 4 of the test, you talk to the examiner, not to your partner. 19 Is it a good idea to prepare what you are going to say in Part 1? > I's a good idea to practise, but don't forget that the examiners give marks for natural communication in English. if you give a prepared speech which doesn't answer the examiner's question, you will lose marks. 20 What if my partner makes lots of mistakes, or doesn’t talk in Part 3? > Don't worry. The examiners wil help if necessary. Don't forget, you are not in competition with your partner. If you can help them, this wil impress the ‘examiners. Remember that Part 3 is about interaction, '30 you have to ask and answer questions as well as ‘say what you think