Université Gaston Berger de Saint Louis

ILFORD, UFR Lettres et Sciences Humaines

ILFORD PLACEMENT TEST: 2h

Comments Grade

SECTION 1: LISTENING COMPREHENSION

Listen to the language expert Professor McKenzie giving a lecture on the future of the
English language. Then, complete the listening tasks below.

Task 1: Listen to professor McKenzie and circle the correct answer. 4 pts
1. The domain that will be most affected by the rapid progress of English is …
a) work b) Education c) Technology.
2. Many competing countries in the last Eurovision Song Contest festival chose to sing in
English because they believe that …

a) English is an attractive language b) the audience prefers English songs

c) singing in other languages would be disadvantageous to them.

3. Language experts believe that learning English will soon be obligatory …

a) in all schools programs b) all workplaces c) all Eurovision Song Contest festivals

4. According to professor McKenzie, the two predominant varieties of English will be …

a) British English and American English b) Native English and Majority English

c) Global English and American English


Task 2: Listen to the passage and fill in the indicated gaps. 2 pts.

For many years now we have been referring to English as a __________ ____________ ,
as the language of communication and technology. Everybody seems to be ___________
English and it isn’t uncommon to see English being used as a ___________ _________
_______________ between .... let’s see ... a German scientist .... and an Italian politician.
These days ... if you don’t know English, you are in danger of being ________________
from what’s going on.

Task 3: Choose True, False, or Not specified for each of the following statements. 4 pts

STATEMENTS True False Not

specified

1 According to Pr McKenzie, 50% of the world population

will speak English as a second language by 2010.

2 According to the audio, people who do not speak English

run the risk of being marginalized in their own families.

3 The future of the English language relies more on the

input of the nonnative English speakers.

4 Native English speakers should get translation books

when planning to visit Eastern Europe or the Himalaya.

SECTION 2: LANGUAGE IN CONTEXT

Task 1. (2.5pts: 0.5 point for each correct response).
Instruction: Please circle the correct verb form in each of the following sentences.
1. Katy and Alice is / are/ has / good friends. On weekends, they goes / go /are / to their
favorite restaurant in New York.
2. Amy and her family doesn’t live / don’t live / doesn’t lives / in New York; they is /
are / are live / in New Jersey.
3. Leyla are / is/ am/ from Mauritania, but she live / lives/ is live / in Manhattan.
4. Amy and Soda is / are / live/ from Fatick. They likes / like / are like / couscous.
5. Where is / are / am /Lamine, Maki, and Modou from? Lamine is from Louga, but
Maky and Modou come / comes / is / from Podor.

Task 2. (2.5pts: 0.5 point for each correct and appropriate response).
Instruction: Complete the conversation between you and your classmate Lucile.
Lucile: Hi, my name is Lucile.
You: Nice………………………. My…………………………………………………
Lucile: Nice to meet you too. How old are you?
You:…………………………………………………………………………………………
Lucile: Where are you from?
You: ………………………………………………………………………………………
Lucile: How long have you been here in Saint Louis?
You: Well, …………………………………………………………………………
Lucile: What are your hobbies (favorite activities)?
You: I ………………………………………………………………………………………
Lucile: Great! See you later, goodbye!
You: Bye-bye, Lucile!

Task 3. Multiple-choice (5pts: 0.5 point each)

Instruction: Circle the best answer in each short dialogue

1. Anna: I want you to help me do my homework. Are you free now?

a. Bob: Sorry, I’m watching my favorite TV program.

b. Bob: Sorry, I watch my favorite TV program.

2. Anna: How many days in the week does Fatima go to school?

a. Bob: She is going to school five days a week.

b. Bob: She goes to school five days a week.

3. Anna: Excuse me, may I ask you a question?

a. Bob: Okay, go ahead! I listen to you.

b. Bob: Okay, go ahead! I’m listening to you.

4. Anna: Oh my goodness! What are you doing in the kitchen again?


a. Bob: I’m heating my soup.

b. Bob: I heat my soup.

5. Anna: I want to cash money, but the banks are closed on Sunday?

a. Bob: I wish they were open on weekends.

b. Bob: I wish they are open on weekends.

6. Anna: Where is your dad?

a. Bob: He is in the garden; he is planting trees.

b. Bob: He is in the garden; he plants trees.

7. A: Where does your mother work?

a. Bob: My mom has two part-time jobs: she is working at The Gap from Monday to

Friday, and at Starbucks on weekends.

b. Bob: My mom has two part-time jobs: she works at The Gap from Monday to

Friday, and at Starbucks on weekends.

8. A: What time is your appointment for the job interview?

a. B: It is at 9 am, but I’m always going to interviews early.

b. B: It is at 9 am, but I always go to interviews early.

9. A: What is your favorite activity in the summer?

a. B: In the summer, I’m going to the movies.

b. B: In the summer, I often go to the movies.

10. A: Where is my cellphone? I want to send a text message to my boyfriend.

a. B: Your little brother is playing games with your phone.

b. B: Your little brother plays games with your phone.


SECTION 3: WRITING

Writing activity 1: minimum: 5 lines - maximum10 lines. 5pts.

Topic: Please, write a short introduction of yourself (talk about your name, your address,

your age, your job, and your free time activities); then, tell us why you are interested in

learning English. Your text should consist of two paragraphs. In paragraph one, please

introduce yourself, and in paragraph two, talk about your interest in learning English.

Please, start paragraph one like this:

Hello, my name is …………………………………………………………………………

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Writing activity 2: maximum15 lines. 5pts.

Topic: Should children and teenagers be allowed to use social media tools such as

Facebook and Whatsapp? Write a paragraph in which you take a position on the

statement above. Support your reasoning with relevant examples and express your ideas

in standard written English.


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