The Gateway 2nd Edition Placement Test has been designed to place students into groups corresponding to

the seven levels of the Gateway 2nd Edition series (A1+, A2, B1, B1+, B2, B2+ and C1). Students with no
previous knowledge of English would not normally be required to take this test.

General Marking Guidelines

The Gateway 2nd Edition Placement Test consists of 60 multiple-choice items (39 grammar, and 21 vocabulary) that
are worth one mark each, three reading tasks worth five marks each and two writing tasks worth five marks each. It
has a maximum score of 85. Give one mark for every correct answer.

Note that the placement test items are progressively more difficult from questions 1 to 60. Before deciding the level,
check the test carefully for the number of incorrect questions per section. If students answer questions incorrectly at
the beginning of the test, but answer questions correctly at the end of the test, they may be guessing randomly and
may be placed in the wrong level.

Writing: Marking Guidelines

Use the writing guidelines to give a score out of 5. The same scale is used to assess the students’ performance for
both writing tasks.

Description of Performance Points

No answer is written, the student has not understood the question, he or she has answered a different 0
question completely, or what is written is largely unintelligible and does not convey the intended meaning or
show any awareness whatsoever of appropriate tenses and language.

The student has shown a very basic understanding of the question and has made an attempt at answering it. 1
The student has written substantially less than the specified word count, and there are serious
inconsistencies and inaccuracies in the language. Ideas are not linked together in a logical and clear manner
and meaning is not conveyed in satisfactory terms.

The question has been partially or almost fully understood. The student has written less than the specified 2
word count and he or she has covered some or all of the points, but only partially. There are some issues
with sentence construction and inconsistencies and inaccuracies in the grammar and vocabulary that
interfere with meaning. The student’s response is not cohesive and seems awkward.

The question has been almost fully understood, and the student has written close to or less than the 3
specified word count. The student has made a reasonable effort to cover everything. He or she has mostly
used appropriate tenses, grammar, and vocabulary, although with frequent errors. Meaning is reasonably
clear and the sentences follow a logical train of thought to some extent.

The question is fully or almost fully answered in the specified word count. The student has made a 4
reasonable effort to cover everything. He or she has demonstrated a good command of the appropriate
language and used relevant grammar and vocabulary accurately, although with occasional errors (that don’t
interfere with meaning). The student has used cohesive devices, such as linking expressions and
sequencers appropriate to the level.

The question is fully answered in the specified word count. The student has covered everything. He or she 5
has used accurate and appropriate grammar and vocabulary, with very few, if any, errors. There is a natural
or logical progression from one sentence to the next and meaning is totally understood. The student shows a
good command of cohesive devices, such as linking expressions and sequencers appropriate to the level.

1 of 4
 Deciding Students’ Levels
Gateway 2nd Edition Placement Test Conversion Table
Use the Placement Test Conversion Table to identify your students’ levels. Placement according to the scores on the
complete test is based on the assumption that your students attempt to answer all the questions, including both writing tasks.

Total Score Recommended Level

0–12 A1+

13–24 A2

25–36 B1

37–48 B1+

49–60 B2

61–72 B2+

73–85 C1

Gateway 2nd Edition Placement Test Conversion Table: Grammar, Vocabulary and Reading only
If you choose not to use the writing section of the Placement Test, use this table to place your students in the appropriate
level based on their grammar, vocabulary and reading skills.

Total Score Recommended Level

0–9 A1+

10–18 A2

19–27 B1

28–36 B1+

37–45 B2

46–54 B2+

55–65 C1

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 ANSWER KEY
Grammar and Vocabulary
1 C [have got]
2 A [present simple]
3 A [can]
4 C [present continuous]
5 A [past simple]
6 B [superlatives]
7 C [vocabulary – everyday activities]
8 C [vocabulary – places in a town]
9 B [vocabulary – personal qualities]
10 C [modals of obligation/lack of obligation/prohibition]
11 A [could]
12 B [past continuous]
13 A [present continuous for future]
14 C [present perfect with yet]
15 B [first conditional]
16 B [vocabulary - jobs]
17 B [vocabulary - containers and measures]
18 C [vocabulary - clothes]
19 A [relative pronouns]
20 B [as…as comparatives]
21 C [too/(not) enough]
22 C [second conditional]
23 C [used to]
24 C [gerunds and infinitives]
25 B [vocabulary – health problems and illnesses]
26 C [vocabulary – adjectives –ed/-ing]
27 C [vocabulary – phrasal verbs]
28 A [present perfect for/since]
29 C [future perfect simple]
30 A [relative clauses – non defining]
Reading
61 C [detailed information]
62 A [detailed information]
63 C [pronoun reference]
64 C [main idea]
65 A [writer`s opinion]
31 B [past modals of deduction]
32 C [third conditional]
33 C [wish]
34 A [vocabulary – extreme adjectives]
35 C [vocabulary – dependent prepositions]
36 B [vocabulary – lend/borrow]
37 C [present perfect continuous]
38 A [so/such]
39 D [the…the.. -comparative structures]
40 B [modals in the past]
41 B [provided]
42 C [question tags]
43 C [vocabulary – transport and travel]
44 B [vocabulary – money]
45 C [vocabulary – phrasal verbs]
46 B [gerunds and infinitives]
47 C [reporting verbs]
48 D [impersonal reporting structures]
49 D [causative get]
50 C [participle clauses]
51 B [vocabulary – body idioms]
52 A [vocabulary – collocations with do]
53 A [vocabulary – phrasal verbs]
54 C [vocabulary – describing cities and towns]
55 C [relative clauses]
56 B [auxiliaries for emphasis]
57 C [inversion]
58 D [gerunds and infinitives: two meanings]
59 A [vocabulary – descriptive adjectives]
60 C [vocabulary – adjective + noun collocations]
66 C [writer`s intention] 71 C [writer`s intention]
67 A [meaning in context] 72 B [detailed information]
68 A [detailed information] 73 C [inference]
69 C [detailed information] 74 A [pronoun reference]
70 B [writer`s opinion] 75 D [writer`s opinion]
3 of 4
 ANSWER KEY

Writing
6 7
Sample answer
Hi John
Thanks for your email.
To answer your question, my favourite singer is Ed Sheeran.
He sings pop music and he plays the guitar. He also raps in
some of his songs. Last year, I saw him in concert and it was
amazing! He doesn’t have any musicians on stage with him.
It’s just him and his guitar.
I like him because he raps really fast and he is very original. If
you have the chance to see him in concert you should go. I
think he is one of the most talented musicians in the world!
Best wishes,
Paul
Sample answer
Tests at school are very important and every student prepares
for them differently. Some prefer to study constantly
throughout the year, whereas others leave all their revision
until the last minute. I can understand both points of view.
To study regularly, you have to be very organised. You must
review your notes before and after lessons and always be
asking your teacher questions when something is not clear.
The advantage of this is that you do really learn better, but the
disadvantage is that it takes a lot of time.
On the other hand, if you leave it to the last minute it is
possible to do a test and remember something that you
studied the night before. However, it is also true that you
cannot study everything the night before because there is not
enough time. In addition, if you have to revise for more than
one subject, the information can become mixed up.
Personally, I think it is best to study regularly and make
summaries of your notes. You can review these easily the
night before without feeling stressed.

4 of 4
 Grammar and Vocabulary
1 For questions 1–36, choose the best word or phrase (A, B or C).

1 I ……………. got a computer but I’ve got a tablet. 8 Dad: Where are you going?
A don’t Mum: To the …………….. I need to buy some boots.
B ’ve A chemist’s
C haven’t B newsagent’s
C shoe shop
2 Sue: I love Rita Ora! ……………. her?
Mike: No. I prefer Ed Sheeran. 9 Mary is very …………….. She always helps me when I
A Do you like have a problem.
B Are you like A hard-working
C Does you like B kind
C creative
3 Marie: ……………. play a musical instrument, John?
John: Yes. I play the piano. 10 You ……………. tell anyone – it’s a secret.
A Can you A don’t have to
B Do you can B must
C Are you C mustn’t

4 That’s Jana. She’s ……………. to her friend. 11 When I was five I ……………. swim but now I can.
A talks A couldn’t
B talk B can’t
C talking C could

5 Amy: Where ……………. you yesterday? 12 While we ……………. to school, it started snowing. It was
Jill: I was at my grandmother’s house. beautiful!
A were A was walking
B did B were walking
C are C walked

6 Angel: Messi’s the ……………. footballer in the world. 13 Harry: What are you doing tonight?
Ricardo: No, he isn’t. Ronaldo is! Ben: I ……………. basketball with Michael. Do you want
A most good to come?
B best A ’m playing
C better B will play
C play
7 I ……………. to the radio every day.
A read 14 I haven’t finished cleaning my bike ……………..
B watch A already
C listen B just
C yet

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15 If ……………. to the concert later, ……………. with you. 23 My brother and sister ……………. play football together
A you’ll go / I come when they were younger.
B you go / I’ll come A did use to
C you go / I come B use to
C used to
16 He’s a …………….. He writes articles for the newspaper.
A dentist 24 I enjoyed ……………. my homework last night.
B journalist A do
C secretary B to do
C doing
17 Customer: I’d like a ……………. of pizza, please.
Server: Of course. Here you are. 25 Mum: What’s the matter?
A packet Natalie: I sang too much at the concert and now my
B slice throat is ……………..
C carton A injured
B sore
18 George: These trousers are a bit big. C ache
Dad: Yes, I think you need to buy a ……………. .
A cap 26 I am very ……………. in learning Chinese next year.
B scarf A interesting
C belt B interest
C interested
19 That is the man ……………. name I can’t pronounce.
A whose 27 If I don’t know a word I always ……………. using an online
B who dictionary.
C which A look it for
B look up it
20 My best friend isn’t ……………. my sister. C look it up
A as old than
B as old as 28 I’ve lived in London ……………. 20 years but I’ve never
C so old than visited London Zoo.
A for
21 Can you turn the music down, it’s …………….. B since
A not enough loud C from
B not loud enough
C too loud 29 By this time next week, we ……………. our exams and
we’ll be on holiday!
22 James: What ……………. if you ……………. €100 in the A ’ll be finishing
street? B ’re going to finish
Lisa: I’d give it to the police. C ’ll have finished
A will you do / found
B would you do / would find 30 This film, ……………. won three Oscars, stars Johnny
C would you do / found Depp and is directed by Tim Burton.
A which
B where
C that

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 31 It ……………. John who used the computer because he 34 When we entered the church it was ……………. inside.
doesn’t know the password. A absolutely packed
A mustn’t be B very enormous
B can’t have been C absolutely old
C might have been
35 My teacher is very good ……………. grammar.
32 If you ……………. football for five hours you ……………. so A for explain
tired. B in explaining
A wouldn’t have played / wouldn’t have felt C at explaining
B hadn’t played / won’t feel
C hadn’t played / wouldn’t have felt 36 Sally, could you ……………. me some money, please?
A owe
33 I wish I ……………. as well as her. She’s got such a lovely B lend
voice. C borrow
A sing
B can sing
C could sing

2 For questions 37–60, choose the best word or phrase (A, B, C or D).
37 Tom: Where are you? ……………. here for an hour. 41 We’ll play a game tonight ……………. you have done your
Emma: Sorry. I missed the bus. homework.
A I wait A unless
B I’m waiting B provided
C I’ve been waiting C supposed
D I’d been waiting D if only

38 It was ……………. hot that we decided to stay at home. 42 You won a prize for your paintings, …………….
A so A isn’t it?
B very B haven’t you?
C too C didn’t you?
D such a D don’t you?

39 The ……………. I concentrate the ……………. I finish my 43 The ……………. from the airport into London was
work. expensive but quick.
A more hard / fastest A travel
B hardly / faster B trip
C harder / fastest C journey
D harder / faster D voyage

40 You ……………. brought food. We have got plenty here. 44 When I ……………. money, I usually take out €40 from the
A had better cash machine.
B needn’t have A pick up
C didn’t need B withdraw
D should have C set aside
D deposit

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45 Max always ……………. his important computer 52 You should take a few days off work. It won’t …………….
documents on an external drive. you any harm.
A prints out A do
B saves up B give
C backs up C make
D sets off D pay

46 If the computer doesn’t work try ……………. it off and on 53 Slow down, Barry. I can’t ……………. you.
again. A keep up with
A to switch B come up to
B switching C come up with
C switch D reach up with
D having switched
54 Budapest is a wonderful city full of culture and …………….
47 The suspect ……………. being near the bank at the time in history.
of the crime. A sprawling
A claimed B renowned
B accused C steeped
C denied D bustling
D refused
55 I liked my new English teacher, ……………. was fortunate,
48 The man is believed ……………. over a thousand as she also was teaching us history.
marathons since he started. A who
A to run B what
B to be running C which
C he has run D that
D to have run
56 Mum: Laura, have you done the dishes yet?
49 Paul didn’t like decorating so he got a professional Laura: Well, I ……………. doing them, but then I had to
decorator ……………. his flat for him. answer my phone.
A designing A started to
B design B did start
C she designed C was starting
D to design D have just was

50 ……………. all her emails, she switched off her computer. 57 ……………. the film started when the phone rang.

A Sending A No sooner had

B She sent B Seldom had

C Having sent C Barely had

D Sent D Not until

58 Do you remember ……………. your bed when you were a

51 If you’re angry, just tell him. You should get it off your
child?
……………. .
A to do
A head
B doing
B chest
C to make
C back
D making
D foot

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59 My aunt Jane bears a(n) ……………. resemblance to a 60 My sister and my father like to win. There is a
famous rock star. competitive ……………. running through our family.
A uncanny A line
B sceptical B consciousness
C intentional C streak
D irrational D shift

Total / 60

5 of 9
 Reading
3 Read the text below. For questions 61–65, choose the best answer (A, B or C).

Bike sharing
If you travel to a big city you will see many people riding public bikes. This isn’t a new idea. The first public bike
sharing system began in Amsterdam in the 1960’s. The organisers painted the bikes white and many people used
them. After one person finished their journey they left the bike for the next person. Unfortunately, people stole
many of the bikes or threw them in the rivers, and so the system was stopped.

In 1974, the city of La Rochelle, in France, started its own system of free public bicycles. Their bikes were yellow
and the system was successful. Today, there are more than 300 bikes and the city is famous for its yellow bikes.
You have to pay to use the bikes now, but they aren’t expensive and they are very popular.

Today, technology has changed public bike sharing systems. There are now special stations for people to put the
bikes so they are safe and computer systems that record the location of the bikes at the bike stations. In most
bike sharing systems, the riders use a special card to pay for the bike. Public bike sharing systems are popular in
11 Europe, but they are also becoming popular in Asia. In fact, the biggest bike sharing system is in the city of
Hangzhou, in China. There are over 60,000 bicycles and over 2,000 stations!

Cities don’t have bike sharing systems to make money, but the city benefits because there are fewer cars on the
roads, less noise and less pollution. Public bike sharing systems are also becoming very popular with tourists.
Local people are happy because a shared bike is cheaper than using a car, it is good for the environment and it is
good exercise. With over 500 bike sharing systems in the world today it looks like they are here to stay.

61 What was one of the problems with the first bike sharing
system?
A Nobody wanted a white bicycle.
B People rode the bicycles into the river.
C Some people took the bikes and kept them.
64 What’s the topic of the last paragraph?
A how cities can make money with bike sharing
systems
B why bike sharing systems are good for tourists
C the advantages of bike sharing systems

62 What does the writer say about the bike sharing system 65 How does the writer feel about bike sharing systems?
in France? A They have a good future.
A When it started people didn’t pay to use the bikes. B Cars will always be more popular.
B People liked yellow bikes more than white bikes. C They are the best way to do exercise.
C Many famous people use the yellow bikes.
/5

63 What does ‘they’ (line 11) refer to?

A the riders
B the cards
C bike sharing systems

6 of 9
4 Read the text below. For questions 66–70, choose the best answer (A, B or C).

Democratic School
I’ve just started university and have met lots of new people from all sorts of countries. Despite their different
backgrounds, they all went to the same type of school as me. The schools had lots of rules, lots of sitting quietly,
3 hours of listening to lessons and never-ending tests. However, there was one student, Derek, who told me he’d gone
to a democratic school. I didn’t know what he meant so I asked him to tell me more.

He explained that democratic schools are very different from typical schools where the teachers decide what the
rules are. In democratic schools, things like equality and freedom are more important than getting good grades.
Students are encouraged to take responsibility for their own actions. He explained that in weekly meetings students
and staff members voted on school rules and ways to enforce them. They also decided what to do if someone broke
the rules. Each student and staff member had one vote each so, as there were many more students than staff, the
students were in control.

As for the lessons themselves, Derek said that students made their own timetables at the beginning of each term.
They could choose from a range of traditional subjects like geography, maths and woodwork. He also explained how
the students weren’t separated by age and even more surprising that participation in each class was optional. They
had to attend the class but if they chose to, the students could do an alternative activity, like reading or drawing.
Despite this, the students often chose to prepare for exams in order to go to university.

If I’d gone to a democratic school, I wouldn’t have studied anything and I’d have spent all my time playing games.
Even now, I need someone to tell me what to do and organise my life for me. But maybe that’s the point of
democratic schools. Perhaps if young people were allowed to make more decisions themselves, they would be better
prepared not only for life at university, but also the challenges beyond.

66 What’s the writer doing in the text? 69 What does the writer learn about the classes in the
A Telling a funny story about school. democratic school?
B Recommending a school. A Students didn’t need to attend them.
C Discussing a type of school. B The boys and the girls weren’t separated.
C Students didn’t have to take part in them.
67 What does ‘never-ending tests’ (line 3) mean?
A lots of tests 70 How does the writer feel about democratic schools?
B difficult tests A Students won’t learn anything useful.
C boring tests B They might be good for young people.
C He wishes he’d gone to one.
68 According to Derek, how are democratic schools
/5
different from more typical schools?
A Students are given more freedom.
B Students get worse grades.
C Students are allowed to break the rules.

7 of 9
5 Read the text below. For questions 71–75, choose the best answer (A, B, C or D).

The Importance of Music

Music has always been important to people, and has been around for longer than you might think. In 2012, a
primitive flute made from bird bone and mammoth ivory, discovered in Germany, was claimed to be over
forty-thousand years old. If true, this would make it the world’s oldest musical instrument. But why have humans
needed music?

There are many theories as to the importance of music. Some experts suggest that humans used music like birds do,
to attract a mate. Other theories suggest that music emerged to accompany story telling. Stories told in groups
turned into poetry, which had a rhythm. This rhythm may have been accompanied by clapping, which may have
evolved into drums and other instruments. Another function of music was to bond communities, and this can still be
evidenced in football stadiums all over the world. Whatever the reason, it is clear that music has never been
essential for survival, but is something that has been kept because it serves various functions and is enjoyed by
people.

In fact, according to recent studies, nowadays more and more young people are learning to play an instrument; the
most popular being the recorder, piano and guitar. In recent years, electric keyboards and electric guitars have
increased in popularity, suggesting a shift away from more traditional instruments towards electronic ones. With
the arrival of the Internet and mobile technology, it is possible to turn a mobile phone into a keyboard or drum, and
beginners can learn guitar and other instruments by watching video tutorials online. Some artists, like Ed Sheeran,
have become famous after posting their performances on the Internet.

The Internet has also created the potential for people to collaborate on online musical projects so new sounds and
19 ways of making music can be easily shared. The Virtual Choir is one example of this; more than a thousand voices
were brought together by the Internet to create a digital choir. In addition, musicians who use the Internet can form
online bands and use internet websites such as YouTube to share their music, without ever meeting in person.

But what about the young people without access to the Internet or expensive instruments like the piano? Well, in
the same way as people have been doing for millennia, they make music in any way they can; by whistling, clapping
or just hitting a box with their hands. As long as we have creativity and imagination, the future of music is assured,
regardless of the instruments that we play.

71 Why does the writer use the example of the flute?
A to suggest that musical instruments can be simple
B to highlight the fact that music instruments are
important
C to exemplify that music has existed for thousands of
years
D to impress the reader with an amazing fact
72 In the second paragraph, what does the writer suggest
about music?
A it probably evolved as a way for the species to
continue
B it is more desirable than vital
C it is an essential way to bring groups together
D it replaces the spoken word
73 In the third paragraph, what reason is given for the
increase in young people learning an instrument?
A electronic music is easier to play than traditional
instruments
B young people like electronic music more
C there are more resources to help people
D young people want to become famous
74 What does ‘this’ (line 19) refer to?
A online collaboration
B creating potential
C making new music
D sharing music
75 How does the writer feel about the future of music?
A optimistic as long as people have the right
instruments
B worried that music will become increasingly simpler
C concerned that music will only be for the rich
D confident that music will always exist

/5
Total / 15

8 of 9
 Writing
6 Read part of an email you have received from an English-speaking friend. Write an email answering your
friend’s questions.

In your next email, please tell me about your favourite kind of music or favourite singers or group.
What type of music do they play? Why do you like them?

Write 75–100 words.

………..……..………..……..………..……..………..……..………..……..………..……….…………..……..………..……..………..……..………..……..………..……..………..……….……

………..……..………..……..………..……..………..……..………..……..………..……….…………..……..………..……..………..……..………..……..………..……..………..……….……

………..……..………..……..………..……..………..……..………..……..………..……….…………..……..………..……..………..……..………..……..………..……..………..……….……

………..……..………..……..………..……..………..……..………..……..………..……….…………..……..………..……..………..……..………..……..………..……..………..……….……

………..……..………..……..………..……..………..……..………..……..………..……….…………..……..………..……..………..……..………..……..………..……..………..……….……

/5

7 At school you have been discussing the best way to study. Your teacher has asked you to write an essay.
Read the statement and write an essay discussing both views. Then give your opinion.

Some students think the best way to prepare for a test is to study a little bit every day, while
others think it is better to wait until the week before the test and study for many hours.

Write 150–180 words.

………..……..………..……..………..……..………..……..………..……..………..……….…………..……..………..……..………..……..………..……..………..……..………..……….……

………..……..………..……..………..……..………..……..………..……..………..……….…………..……..………..……..………..……..………..……..………..……..………..……….……

………..……..………..……..………..……..………..……..………..……..………..……….…………..……..………..……..………..……..………..……..………..……..………..……….……

………..……..………..……..………..……..………..……..………..……..………..……….…………..……..………..……..………..……..………..……..………..……..………..……….……

………..……..………..……..………..……..………..……..………..……..………..……….…………..……..………..……..………..……..………..……..………..……..………..……….……

………..……..………..……..………..……..………..……..………..……..………..……….…………..……..………..……..………..……..………..……..………..……..………..……….……

………..……..………..……..………..……..………..……..………..……..………..……….…………..……..………..……..………..……..………..……..………..……..………..……….……

………..……..………..……..………..……..………..……..………..……..………..……….…………..……..………..……..………..……..………..……..………..……..………..……….……

………..……..………..……..………..……..………..……..………..……..………..……….…………..……..………..……..………..……..………..……..………..……..………..……….……

/5

Total / 10

Total / 85

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