STUDY GUIDE

The English Level Test from Universidad de la Comunicación is focused on tasting student´s
English level so as to get the college degree they need to start an amazing career. In this
study guide, students will find the topics that might be asked during the English Level Test.
The name of the topic and some examples will be mentioned in order to help students
identify the possible questions that the exam contains. Also, some links will be shared at
the end of the syllabus so as to practice before the exam.

GRAMMAR SECTION

1.- Narrative tenses

This topic is focused on telling stories by using the past tense. In this section “Used to”,
“simple past”, “past perfect”, and “Past continuous” are the grammar topics that students
must use to describe events in the past.
e.g.: Yesterday, I was walking down the street while my brother was talking to me.
Suddenly, we heard a weird noise, and we realized we had heard something like that
before…
2.- Phrasal Verbs
In this topic, the student must review the most common phrasal verbs that are use
currently. This topic must be learned in groups according to the main verbs and their
complements. It is important that students review phrasal verbs with some words such as
“go”, “read”, “travel”, “keep”, “hand” “take”, “make”, “come”.
e.g.: She always makes up some stories.
I don´t know how straws took over the world.
Yesterday, I went to the mall and I came across a foreigner.
3.- So do I/ So am I/ So is she…
This topic is focused on analyzing synonyms for “Me too” and/or “too”.
e.g.: I like to play soccer.
Really? So do I.
4.- Modal Verbs ( present, past and future)
In this section, students must identify the uses for modals by using the correct tense, that
is present, past and future. It is important to mention that once you use a modal,
conjugation form is not necessary. “Should”, “must”, “can”, “can´t”, “have to”, “should
have”, “must have”, “to be able to”, “couldn´t”, “had to”, and the negative forms are some
examples of modals. Also, students must identify the correct context for each modal.
(Obligation, something necessary, advice, and so on)
e.g.: We should avoid using plastic bags.
I must finish my duties on time.
Last week, I had to go to the doctor.

5.- Linking words

There are many linking words in ENGLISH. As the name says, these are words that link/
connect two or more ideas to form bigger paragraphs. In this section, students must identify
some words that are used, in both formal and informal contexts, to talk about addition,
contrast, reasons, results, purposes, example, and so on.

e.g.: I´m tired since I went to the gym

Read this book so that you can understand this topic.
This city is beautiful but small at the same time.

6.- Verbs+ prepositions

When a verb is part of a longer sentence, it is often followed by a specific preposition. There
are no grammatical rules to help you know which preposition is used with each verb, so it
is a good idea to try to learn the together. In this section, students must learn verbs with
prepositions, such as “for”, “to”, “from”, “in”, “of”, “on”, “about”, “with, etc.
 e.g: I´m looking for you at the train station.
I´m staring at that beautiful architecture.
Let´s go to London.

7.- Make or Do
In this part of the exam, students must be able to identify the differences between these 2
verbs. Remember that verb “to do” is related to general things, school/ work stuff and
taking care of your body, while verb “to make” is used for particular ideas, food, money and
something that produces reactions.

e.g.: I made a fortune last year

I must do my homework as soon as possible.
I make a sandwich for you.
Could you do me a favor, please?

8.- Question tags

We can add question tags to a statement to make it into a question. Questions tags are
more common in speaking than writing. We often use question tags when we expect the
listener to agree with our statement. In this case, when the statement is positive, we use a
negative question tag. In this section, auxiliary verbs are the most important part.

e.g.: You like to read, don´t you?

You won´t pick up Maria at the airport, won´t you?
You did a lot of homework yesterday, didn´t you?

LISTENING SECTION
In this part, students will listen to a lecture and they must choose the correct answer. In this
section, keywords are important so as to identify the correct option. During the lecture,
student will hear some explanation about any academic topic, such as History, Biology,
Chemistry and Science. As a result of this, students should review some vocabulary related
to those topics mentioned before.

SPEAKING SECTION

In this part, students must describe an image by using as many vocabulary and grammar
structures as they can. Within this section, students will find any kind of image such as a
graph, photos and pictures. It is important to mention that students must use some perfect
phrases that are required to complete this task. In the part below, students will find some
phrases to describe an image.

What is in the picture?

In the picture I can see ...

There’s / There are ...
There isn’t a ... / There aren’t any ...

Say what is happening with the present continuous

The man is ...ing

The people are ...ing
It’s raining.

Where in the picture?

At the top/bottom of the picture ...

In the middle of the picture ...
On the left/right of the picture ...
next to
in front of
behind
near
on top of
under
Links to practice

https://www.perfect-english-grammar.com/make-or-do.html

https://www.eltbase.com/notes-201-narrative-tenses

https://www.britishcouncil.org.mx/blog/phrasal-verbs

https://www.oxfordonlineenglish.com/describe-pictures

https://www.britishcouncil.org.mx/blog/question-tags-ingles