PLACEMENT TESTS

Do you want to know what level your level of English is ?

The following tests, which have been prepared by our examination team at the CEI C-65,
correspond to international levels of the Council of Europe , the British Council assessment Test
Team and the ESOL level tests
If you want to find out what your level is, you can try doing the following placement tests
You can be placed at two different levels: ( and a third one if you are a brave student)
a) Intermediate

b) High or Upper Intermediate

Note : If the Intermediate level turns out to be somewhat difficult for you or if you have some
doubts about which the correct version is, we advise you to go in for the elementary or upper
elementary levels at the CEI C-65 Some consolidation must be necessary
Although we call the placement exam a test, there is no way for you to fail the test. The exam is a
method to determine your skills levels on grammar and vocabulary. Knowing your skill level helps
the English department to place you properly in ESL classes. Because our school offers beginning
through advanced levels ESL, it is important for you to choose the right virtual class.
How to self assess your test
You can assess your level yourself. At the end of each exercise you will find a Key.
Please write to us in case of doubt We will most gladly answer any grammar questions you may
wish to ask.
ELEMENTARY LEVEL Elementary level students do not need to take a test. At the institute
Elementary level courses start from scratch and provide students with a good level of English both
at the oral and at the written level of performance.

PLACEMENT TEST FOR INTERMEDIATE LEVEL

Directions:
There are thirty sentences in this test You must do 20 correctly for you to get a passing mark
Good luck
Some of the following sentences contain an error in grammar, usage, punctuation, or word
choice. Some sentences are correct. No sentence contains more than one error. You will find
that the error, if there is one, is underlined and lettered. Assume that all other elements of the
sentence are correct and cannot be changed. In choosing answers, follow the requirements of
standard written English.
If there is an error, select the one underlined part that must be changed in order to make the
sentence correct These parts have been underlined with the letters A, B, C.
If there is no error, mark the final answer space, D.
1) Caetano Veloso and Bonnie Raitt are both singers and Caetano is Brazilian. No error
A
B
C
D
2) This musicians have many things in common. Singing as well as writing songs is
A
B
C
one of them. No error
D
3) Whose pen is the one you are using, Maria or Paul`s ? No error
A
B
C
D
4) My favourite radio station is not the one you generally listen to No error
A
B
C
D
5) How often do you never exercise when you are on holidays? No error
A
B
C
D
6) My friends study economics at the University of Buenos Aires No error
A
B
C
D
7) Scientists still do not fully understand the relationship between the exercise and
A
B
C
brain power. No error

D
8) A Study has shown that walking an hour and forty minutes a day helps a person
A
B
C
live longer No error
D
9) Where do you spend your last holidays, in your country or abroad? No error
A
B
C
D
10) If your secretary type this letter now, she may find an error. No error
A
B
C
D
I Assess myself KEY
1) C
2) A
3) C
4) D
5) B
6) D
7) C
8) D
9) B
10) A
Exercise 2:
Read the following short conversations and choose the comment or response that you
consider most appropriate. ( A-B-C- ) Notice that only one is the most suitable because
that would be the most natural and general .Pay attention, though, there may be one or
two where two answers are possible. If none is possible, write O
1.-A: Were you away last weekend?
B: _________________________
a): No, I stayed at home

b) Yes, I went home

c) No, I wasnt there

2.- A: I travelled to Istanbul several times last year.

B: _____________________________________
A: Yes, I did. I know it sounds strange because it is a distant country, but Istanbul
was my destination.
a) Why did you go there? b) Did you? c) When did you go?

3.- A: So you went to Istanbul. How long did you stay there?
B: ____________________________________________
a) I went there last year. b) I travelled there twice c) We stayed for just a week.
4.- A: I know you bought some good jewellery yesterday. _______________?
B: Just a ring, I didn t have that much money.
a) Did you buy anything? b) What have you bought c) What did you buy?
5.- A: Could you open the window please? It is very hot in here.
B: ________________________________________________
a) Certainly. b) Go ahead. c) Yes, I could
6.- A: My doctor operates on his patients only on Tuesdays and Fridays
B: ______________going to operate on you?
A: He is going to operate on me on Tuesday.
a) Which day is he

b) What day is he

c) Which day he is

7.- A: Excuse me, is there a pay phone near here?

B: ___________________________________
a) There is not.

b) I am afraid so c) Yes, there is one across the station

8.- A: I have just moved into my new neighborhood. I moved in on Wednesday,

as a matter of fact.
B: _________________________________________________
C: Oh, it is fine. There are plenty of shops.
a) Could you like it ? b) How much do you like it? c) How did you like it?
9.-

A: Do you have four meals a day?

B: __________________________________________________
a) Yes I have b) No, I don t have c) No, I can t because I have no time

10.- A: Where do you work Thomas?

B: _______________________________
a) I am out of work, actually. b) I dont go to work now c) I never go to work.

Assess yourself KEY

1) A
2) B
3) C
4) B-C
5) A
6) A
7) C
8) O
9) C
10) A
Exercise 3:
Read the following text and on the basis of the information provided by it only , answer
true ( T ) , false ( F ) or it doesn t say :
Most people in USA often shop from catalogs. Actually there are special catalogs for
almost every need, including clothing, furniture, health as well as for things for the kitchen.
They also order about 50% of their audio and video products from magazines that advertise
them. In fact , Americans enjoy buying almost everything and for this reason they have been
called the Great Consumers of the Industrialized World.
1.- All Americans buy catalogs when they want to buy something.
2.- Americans are afraid of buying from catalogs.
3.- Most Americans would enjoy buying from a catalog.
4.- Magazines seldom publish ads containing commercial information.
5.- When people say that Americans are fond of buying they are right.
6.- Catalogs include many different products.
7.- The advertising industry benefits from economic activity.
8.- Americans are keen on buying as well as on selling their wares.
9.- Americans are recognized as great consumers by many people.
10.- If you want to buy something and you are in US, you can consult a catalog to do so.
I assess myself KEY
1) F
2) F
3) T
4) F
5) T
6) T
7) F
8) It doesn t say
9) T
10) T

SCORE
FULL SCORE 30. BETWEEN 30 AND 20 POINTS This means you can understand and
perform with basic structures of English.
BELOW 20. You must still do this level. You still lack the necessary knowledge to start an
intermediate level course.

PLACEMENT TEST FOR PRE -ADVANCED LEVEL

There will be 30 test items. You will have 45 minutes to do the test. Make sure you do not
exceed time limit Try to answer every item. Choose only one answer (there are four choices A,
B, C or D) and circle the correct answer on the sheet. Correct answers for the sample questions
follow.
1

Choose the correct answer according to the sentence. If neither a), nor b) or c) are
correct, write d) none wherever applicable:

1) Shakespeare .. born in Stratford Upon Avon.

a) did b) was c) were d) none
2) were two world wars in the last century.
a) It b) they c) There d) none
3) My father and I have been .. in this neighborhood for the last
twenty years.
a) living b) lived c) here d) none
4) of the alcohol had evaporated when the scientists got into the
lab. a) many b) any c) most d) few
5) Columbus was an Italian adventurer liked to take risks
a) who b) as c) which d ) none

6) Any person . to leave the country must first apply for a visa
a) in deciding b) that decide c) decides d) none
7 The horse which .. the triple crown in 1973 was named Bullitt
a) had b) obtains c) won d) none
8) The ..powerful member of the entire cat family is the tiger
a) most b) more c) least d) none
9) All the information provided was right, it turned out to be
completely useless. a) and b) so c) indeed
d) none
10) Aspirin .from the bark of willow trees
a) first extracted b) it was first extracted c) was it extracted d) none
11) When you do not know the meaning of a word, you look it . in a dictionary a)
up b) in c) at d) 0ver
12) I promise to tell the boss that you are here when I .him
a) saw b) will see c) see d) none
13) If you are tired, you .. have some sleep , don `t you think ?
a) should b) must c) can d) none
14) When . that manuscript? It must have been ages ago
a) have you found b) would you find c) can you find d) none
15) The sand was ..hot that we couldnt t walk without burning our feet
a) and b) so c) but d) none
16) The sand was .hot for us to walk on it
a) so b) and c) very d) none
I have ..seen a U.F.O.
a) always b) seldom c) never d) none
18.- Have you ............................ seen one of those strange objects called U.F.O.s?
a) never
b) several times
c) in your life
d) none
19.- Susan came in............................. they had all left, that is why she did not see anybody.
a) after
b) before
c) while
d) none
20.- Before......................................... the auditors, we have to type out the reports we are going to
give them.
a) we met
b) you will meet
c) meeting
d) done
I assess myself
1) B
2) C
3) A
4) C
5) A
6) D
7) C
8) A
9) D
10) D
11) A
12) C
13) A
14) D
15) D
16) D

KEY

17) C
18) D
19) A
20) C
Exercise 2:
Instructions:
Read the following text which includes four paragraphs and decide whether the sentences that
follow could belong to the text in question. If so, decide where you would include each of
them. There is one sentence you needn t use

Which is the hardest language?

Instructions: Read through the text, answer the questions that follow, then click on 'Grade
Me!' to view your score.

The hardest language

People often ask which the most difficult language to learn is , but this is not easy to answer
because there are many factors to take into consideration. Firstly, in a first
21___________________________________________________________________ so the
question of how hard a language is to learn is only relevant when learning a second language.
A native speaker of Spanish, for example, will find Portuguese much easier to learn than a native
speaker of Chinese, for example 22________________________
______________________________________- to Spanish, while Chinese is very different, so first
language can affect learning a second language. The greater the differences between the second
language and our first, the harder it will be for most people to learn.
23____________________________________________________ learn, possibly influenced by
the thought of learning the Chinese writing system, and the pronunciation of Chinese does appear to
be very difficult for many foreign learners. However, for Japanese speakers, who already use
Chinese characters in their own language, learning writing will be less difficult than for speakers of
languages using the Roman alphabet.
24,___________________________________________________________ while others find it
very difficult. Teachers and the circumstances in which the language is learned also play an
important role, as well as each learner's motivation for learning. If people learn a language because
they need to use it professionally, they often learn it faster than people studying a language that has
no direct use in their day to day life.
These are the sentences you must use to complete the passage
a) language the differences are unimportant as people learn their mother
tongue naturally

b) Although some people refuse to learn

c) Some people seem to learn languages readily
d) because Portuguese is very similar
e) Many people answer that Chinese is the hardest language to
I assess myself

KEY :

21 a 22 d 23 e 24 c

Exercise 3
Instructions: Read through the text, answer the questions that follow
Biofuels and the Environment
Leading investors have joined the growing chorus of concern about governments and companies
rushing into producing biofuels as a solution to global warming, saying that many involved in the
sector could be jeopardizing future profits if they do not consider the long-term impact of what they
are doing carefully.
It is essential to build sustainability criteria into the supply chain of any green fuel project in order
to ensure that there is no adverse effect on the surrounding environment and social structures. The
report produced by the investors expresses concern that many companies may not be fully aware of
the potential disadvantages in the biofuel sector.
Production of soya beans has increased dramatically in the last years as an eco-friendly alternative
to fossil fuels but environmental and human rights campaigners are worried that this will lead to
destruction of rain forests. Food prices could also go up as there is increased competition for crops
as both foodstuffs and sources of fuel. Last week, the UN warned that biofuels could have
dangerous side effects and said that steps need to be taken to make sure that land converted to grow
biofuels does not damage the environment or cause civil unrest. There is already great concern
about palm oil, which is used in many foods in addition to being an important biofuel, as rain
forests are being cleared in some countries and people driven from their homes to create palm oil
plantations.
An analyst and author of the investors' report says that biofuels are not a cure for climate change but
they can play their part as long as governments and companies manage the social and
environmental impacts thoroughly. There should also be greater measures taken to increase
efficiency and to reduce demand.

Questions
Q1 - ____ are worried about the boom in biofuels.
( ) a )Few people
( ) b) Many people
( ) c) Only these leading investors
Q2 - Biofuel producers ( many companies ) ____ know about the possible problems.
( ) a) do not
( ) b) might not
( ) c) must not

Q3 - Environmentalists believe that increased production of soyabeans

( ) a) has destroyed rain forests.
( ) b) may lead to the destruction of rain forests.
( ) c) will inevitably bring about the destruction of rain forests.
Q4 Soya beans production might
( ) a) drive food prices up.
( ) b) drive food prices down.
( ) c) have little or no impact on food prices.
Q5 - The increased production of palm oil
( ) a) just affects the environment.
( ) b) just affects people.
( ) c) affects both people and the environment.
Q6 - The author of the report says that biofuels
( ) a) have no role to play in fighting global warming.
( ) b) can be effective in fighting global warming on their own.
( ) c) should be part of a group of measures to fight global warming.
I assess myself KEY
Q1 b

Q2b

Q3 c Q4a Q5c Q6c

How did you do in the tests Have you enjoyed doing this? Please report your findings to us in
your last minute before exhaustion !!

SCORE
FULL SCORE 30. BETWEEN 30 AND 20 POINTS This means you can understand and
perform with basic structures of English.
BELOW 20. You must still do this level. You still lack the necessary knowledge to start a pre
advanced level course.
Note: If you wish to be assessed by our teachers at the Institute, please remember you can ask for
an appointment ( only by phone ) any weekday from 13.30 to 20.30 hs
Advanced level tests must be done at the CEI C-65 s Premises from Mon Thru Fri from
13.30 to 20.30 hs
ALL LEVEL TESTS ARE FREE OF CHARGE.

PLACEMENT TEST PRE-ADVANCED LEVEL

Exercise 1 :
The bravest will perhaps want to indulge for something harder There will be twelve items for this part
of the test.
Instructions
You are going to read a magazine article about John Prince, a dancer, dance teacher and choreographer. Seven
sentences have been removed from the article on the left. Choose the most suitable sentence from the list A-H
on the right for each part (1-7) of the article. There is one extra sentence which you do not need to use.

Career success in the arts

A It's fine, but I try not to give out too much

advice as it gets irritating!

John Prince, famous dancer and

choreographer, gives advice on how to
succeed in a career in the arts.

B And if nothing you like comes out of it, then

come back and be an actor or dancer.

I asked John how he got started and what

requirements there are. "Well, to be a
professional dancer it's useful to have had
acting lessons or some background in
drama. If you want to succeed in musical
theatre you have to have a good singing
voice as well. When you approach an agent
you should take a portfolio with your CV,
your statistics sheet and some good photos
and reviews of past performances. You'll
need dance clothes, ballet shoes, tap shoes,
and even roller skates depending on what
kind of show you are going to go for."

1
"Of course, you need to be extremely fit if
you want to be a professional dancer. I
dance or move about for about six hours a
day. There are great health benefits to being
a dancer. I can eat a lot of pasta without
gaining weight because dancing increases
your metabolism so much."

2
John has a very busy schedule in the next
few months. He took time out to speak to
me today from the making of a pop video to
promote N-ergy's latest record. "I
choreographed the dance routine for the
boys and they only had 2 days in which to
learn it! I am going to be working on a
video for another well known band - but
that's top secret. Next month I'll be touring
Spain in a production of a musical that was
written by a friend of mine, Michaela Evans.

3
As for the future, I've come to realise that I
would never be content to be just a chorus
dancer - I'm too much of an individual for
that. Like all artists I'd love to become a
household name by writing and
choreographing my own musicals."
John was born in Jamaica to a Jamaican
father and a Scottish mother but the family
emigrated to England 20 years ago. "I have
a little sister I adore, who is also training to
be a dancer." How does it feel to have
someone else following in your footsteps?

4
Has he much more to learn, I wondered.
"I've spent an incredible amount of my life

C Without a strict daily timetable like this you

find yourself wasting too much time.
D After that it's back to England to start a new
term of dance classes.
E Hopefully this has enabled me to become a
better and more tolerant person as a result.
F When it comes to coping with stress, I find that
exercise helps me to cope with my problems, so I
stay in good shape mentally as well.
G Like any profession where you're always
travelling, you tend to acquire something new
almost every day.
H Being fully equipped with all this stuff
beforehand makes it easier when you go for
auditions.

Part 2: Gapped Text

Sentence 1

Sentence 2

Sentence 3

Sentence 4

Sentence 5

Sentence 6

Sentence 7

CORRECT ANSWERS KEY

SENTENCE 1 H SENTENCE 2 F SENTENCE 3 D SENTENCE 4 A
SENTENCE 5 G SENTENCE 6 B SENTENCE 7 E

Exercise 2 READ THE FOLLOWING TEXT AND EXPLAIN THE MEANING OF THE
UNDERLINED ACCORDING TO THE OPTIONS GIVEN A, B, C, D

What Went Wrong

BY MICHAEL HIRSH AND DANIEL KLAIDMAN, NEWSWEEK

Thursday, August 14, began as 1a typical late-summer day: hot, lazy and inconsequential. Up near Albany, Steve Swan
was working as shift supervisor at the New York Independent System Operator, 2 the nerve center of the state's power
grid. Because of all the air conditioners in use around the region, 3 the grid was carrying a heavy load that day. But it
was nothing special for August.
IN FACT, MOST OF THE East and Midwest was operating only at about 75 percent of capacity; in past summers,
power systems in the region have used more capacity on hotter days without incident. Hunkered down at their
terminals, the electrical engineers and other "utility geeks" 4 know that their job of monitoring power flows isn't very
glamorous. "A lot of days we sit there for hours and it doesn't look like we're doing anything," says one dispatcher. 5
Rarely does the guy standing guard at a utility feel a part of history.
But at 4:06 p.m., ET, something caught Swan's eye on the big screen at the front of the room. He noticed a large amount
of power flowing from New York toward Ontario through the transmission lines--underground and overhead cables.

That wasn't so unusual. A power plant must have gone down. But seconds later, something happened that he'd never
seen be-fore. The 800-megawatt surge reversed course and began hurtling back toward New York, like some giant
ectoplasmic monster on a rampage. Emergency sirens began to wail through the facility--klaxons not unlike the sirens
from "Star Trek." Just outside the control room, the operator's chief executive, William Museler, was finishing up a
budget report when his room went dark. He rushed through the secure doors into the control room, where what he saw
reminded him of a "science-fiction movie," he recalled to NEWSWEEK. People were standing up in stunned silence as
they gazed at the power board. Normally, there would be a couple of illuminated red lines representing downed
transmission lines. But now most of the board was flashing. "This is the big one," said one dispatcher.

1. A
B
C
D

a day with something unusual

that day would bring something unexpected
I t was just one more day without any surprises
a boring, dull day with no relevant news in it

2) A They were in the centre of the town

B The most important place of the power grid
C They were all nervous because what might happen
D None of the above
3) A The grid couldn t work
B A load was to be carried
C The system was likely to break down
D No one wanted to carry the load
4)

A The electricians know that their job is pretty difficult and hazardous
B The electricians know that they will have a lot of work
C Monitoring power flows can be avoided
D The electricians are very happy monitoring power flows
5) A The guard never feels he is doing something important
B For guards it might be an occasion to do this work but not frequently
C Rarely do guards want to do this job
D History can be made by doing this job
I assess myself KEY
CORRECT ANSWERS
1 C 2B 3C 4 A 5B
How have you scored ?
SCORE
Passing mark : You must get eight right out of twelve. Good Luck !!

CENTRO DE ESTUDIOS INGLESES C-65