Creating Opportunity Worldwide

Pro-ELT Teacher Training Materials Level: B1 to B2

Aptis Grammar and Vocabulary Exam Final Preparation

1 Refresh your memory

What do you already know about the grammar and vocabulary exam? Choose one word from the
box to complete each gap in this summary text. Use each word only once.

as change consists each tests even for pause whole

The grammar and writing exam 1)__________ of 2 separate sections. The first is 25 multiple choice answers to
test your grammar knowledge. It tests things like verb tenses, articles, prepositions, linkers, modal verbs and
2)
__________ spoken grammar. The second is 5 vocabulary exercises, 3)__________ with 5 items for which
you have to select one choice from a drop-down list. It 4)__________ mainly synonyms and collocations. There
is one mark 5)__________ each answer, making a total of 50 marks for the 6)__________ test. You have 25
minutes to complete the test. During the test, you cannot 7)__________ the clock, but you can go back or
forward 8)__________ you like, and you can review and 9)__________ your answers at any point until you
submit your test or your time runs out.

2 Navigating within the Aptis website

1) Circle the following: a) time remaining b) percentage of test completed c) button to move to next question

2) How would you a) go to question 7? b) leave a question for later? c) go straight to the vocab. section?

3 Do the Aptis Website Practice Exam

Go to the following web address and do the online Grammar and Vocabulary Practice Exam:

http://www.britishcouncil.org/aptis-practice-tests/AptisGrammarVocabPractice/

Once youve finished, youll get a % mark. Make a note of it here: _________%

Contributed by: Jason Anderson

The British Council, 2013
The British Council is the United Kingdom's international organisation for cultural relations and education opportunities.
British Council Malaysia is a branch (995232-A) of the British Council, registered as a charity in England and Wales (209131) and Scotland (SC037733)
 Creating Opportunity Worldwide

Pro-ELT Teacher Training Materials Level: B1 to B2

4 Find your Strengths and Weaknesses

In order to evaluate your strengths and weaknesses in grammar and vocabulary knowledge, its useful to know
the name of the grammar or vocabulary that is being tested. That way, you can search for the same grammar /
vocabulary area online and improve on your weak areas. Here are all the questions from the test. Read through
them and decide whether you know the grammar or not. Put a tick or cross in the last column. Also answer any
of the questions in the What is it testing? column.

Grammar

Do I know this?
Question with correct answer in bold What is it testing?
or
1. He is single. He never ________. Tenses
married Past simple, present simple. Its also
marries testing use of the negative adverb never.
marrying
2. I ________ use to swim much, but now I have my own Used to
pool, I swim every day. An area of grammar used to talk about
dont past habits & states. This question is
didnt testing the form.
did
3. In those days, my father ________ never eat dinner Would
after 8 oclock. A modal verb that can also be used to talk
used to about past habits. Why is used to
will impossible?
would
4. I had a shower, ________ I went to bed. Linkers
during during is a preposition, then is an adverb
then and until is either a preposition or a
until conjunction.
5. How much ________ the train to Santiago cost? Question Forms
is This question is testing whether you
does understand which auxiliary to use in
do questions.
6. He ________ in Cairo. Tenses
living Present simple vs. present continuous.
lives Only lives is formally correct. How would
live it be in present continuous?
7. ________ you like to go out this evening? Question Forms
Will This question is testing whether you know
Would how to form a question with would like
Can
8. He ________ finished cooking when we arrived. Tenses
has Past perfect simple vs. present perfect
have simple. Why is present perfect
had impossible?
9. The film starts ________ half past four. Prepositions of Time
at We always use at with clock times.
on Do you know when we use on and in?
in
10. I wish it ________ the time of year when I could go on Wish
holiday. Notice how we need to use past tense
will be after wish (were is the subjunctive form).
is The same is true about if only.
were
11. I dont think its right ________ children to play with toy Syntax
guns. A difficult area to revise. It tests your
Contributed by: Jason Anderson
The British Council, 2013
The British Council is the United Kingdom's international organisation for cultural relations and education opportunities.
British Council Malaysia is a branch (995232-A) of the British Council, registered as a charity in England and Wales (209131) and Scotland (SC037733)
 Creating Opportunity Worldwide

Pro-ELT Teacher Training Materials Level: B1 to B2

for understanding of how to link clauses in

that sentences. Note the structure:
to be + right / wrong for (+ noun) to (+ verb).
12. I ________ to work when I saw Steve. Tenses
was going Past continuous vs. past simple. These
went are part of an area of grammar sometimes
going called narrative tenses.
13. That mans so unreliable you cant trust him. Adverb position in sentences
________ There are specific rules as to where we
I wouldnt frankly work with him. can and cant put adverbs in sentences.
I wouldnt work frankly with him. Do you know the rules?
Frankly, I wouldnt work with him.
14. Excuse me, Im lost. ________ you help me? Polite Requests
Could The example uses could. Do you know
Shall other ways of making polite requests?
Should
15. William ________ in South America now. Tenses
is living Present continuous vs. will future and
will live past continuous.
was living
16. We could cook dinner. ________, we could buy some Linkers
take away food. Therefore and On the other hand are
Therefore discourse markers, a type of adverb.
On the other hand Although is always a conjunction. Do you
Although know the difference?
17. You ________ to do your homework by tomorrow. Expressing Obligation
should This is testing an area that includes both
must true modal verbs and the semi-modal
have have to. Why are the others wrong?
18. We ________ have caught the early train, as the Neednt have (+ past participle)
football match was delayed. Notice how some modals can be used in
mustnt the past to express criticism or make
didnt deductions. Google past modals of
neednt deduction for more information.
19. She reads every day ________ she isnt serious. Conjunctions
and This is testing the meaning of the 3
because conjunctions. How would you change the
but sentence to use and or because?
20. A: I enjoy working on challenging projects at work. So do I / Neither do I
B: So ________ I! This is a specific area of spoken grammar
am that is often tested in the exam. How
do would you negate the answer?
can
21. Go to the end of the street and turn ________ right. Giving Directions
(-) This is testing collocation / dependent
on prepositions within the functional area of
to giving directions.
22. The children ________ playing football for two hours Tenses
before it started raining. Past perfect continuous, the right answer,
have been is being contrasted with present perfect
has been continuous. What is the other verb tense
had been used in the sentence?
23. There were ________ than fifty people in the audience Comparatives / Quantifiers
last night. Note that in Malaysia, lesser is
fewer sometimes used in this context, but this is
few considered wrong in standard UK English.
lesser
24. I just heard they are ________ get married in June. Be going to (+ verb)

Contributed by: Jason Anderson

The British Council, 2013
The British Council is the United Kingdom's international organisation for cultural relations and education opportunities.
British Council Malaysia is a branch (995232-A) of the British Council, registered as a charity in England and Wales (209131) and Scotland (SC037733)
 Creating Opportunity Worldwide

Pro-ELT Teacher Training Materials Level: B1 to B2

going to Often just called going to, its a very

going common future form in English.
go to
25. If you were a better cook, you ________ need to eat Conditionals (2nd vs. 1st)
out all the time. The correct answer is a second
wont conditional. Why cant it be first
wouldnt conditional?
hadnt

Vocabulary
For the vocabulary, write strong, OK or weak in the self evaluation column, depending on how you did in the
test:

Answers Choices What is it testing? Self-evaluation

Vocabulary 1 go begin Verb Synonyms
study = read plan listen Testing knowledge of verb
receive = get read run meaning. Notice that the first
start = begin choose speak answer is a very weak
talk = speak end get synonym, but its (probably)
pick = choose the best choice.
Vocabulary 2 attend assemble Verb Synonyms
cover wrap approach arrive Testing knowledge of verb
improve / change adjust admit announce meaning. Notice how
state / make public announce arrange adjust sometimes 2 verbs are given
get somewhere arrive accept wrap on the left to ensure only one
put something together assemble match is possible from the
choices.
Vocabulary 3 awkward Collocations
More and more people go abroad for ancient Testing knowledge of
their holidays these days. ahead adjectives and adverbs. Most
Drivers need to remain alert when in adequate of the correct answers are
charge of a car. articulate right because they collocate
The city has many ancient and alert with a verb before the
interesting buildings. accurate adjective or a noun after it.
Shes a highly articulate person who abroad
explains things clearly. adult
Hes a very aggressive person aggressive
always getting into fights
Vocabulary 4 line joint Noun Synonyms
timetable = schedule command prize Testing knowledge of noun
reward = prize mess fright meaning.
queue = line schedule dock
phase = stage stage mistake
error = mistake
Vocabulary 5 bomb audition Collocation
aerobics + classes scissors rod Testing knowledge of
agriculture + minister classes strings adjective noun collocations,
aisle + seat salesman seep and also of general noun
apron + strings minister seat knowledge. If you know what
atom + bomb an apron is, only one word
goes with it logically!

Note
The exact choice of vocabulary exercises varies between exams. Some can also test adjective synonyms.

Contributed by: Jason Anderson

The British Council, 2013
The British Council is the United Kingdom's international organisation for cultural relations and education opportunities.
British Council Malaysia is a branch (995232-A) of the British Council, registered as a charity in England and Wales (209131) and Scotland (SC037733)
 Creating Opportunity Worldwide

Pro-ELT Teacher Training Materials Level: B1 to B2

5 My Learning Plan
Between now and the exam, you can improve your mark in the grammar and vocabulary paper significantly by
improving on your current weaknesses. Complete the table below, choosing 10 areas of grammar or vocabulary
you want to study most. Put the most important ones at the top of the table. Add the study completion date in
the last column to help you to plan your time effectively (e.g. by 20 th Dec.):

Number What I want to study Study Completion Date

1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10

6 How to find what you need online

Now that you know what you want to study and when, here are some tips for finding the right materials online.
For each area of grammar, use Google to find what you need. Example searches are given below:
1) Grammar Learning
Search for the name of the grammar (notice the use of inverted commas), and the words grammar rules.

This will bring up websites that explain the basic rules:

2) Grammar Practice
Search for the name of the grammar (notice the use of vs) and the word exercises or activities.

This will bring up websites that have practice exercises, such as gap fills, matching exercises, etc. Check the
answers are available before you begin:
3) Vocabulary Building
Search for the name of the vocabulary area you want to strengthen and the word list.

This will bring up useful lists that you can download or copy and print off. You can use these lists for learning,
testing yourself or testing colleagues. You can stick them on the walls in your house (e.g. in the kitchen /
bathroom / above your bed!) to help you learn, too!
4) Vocabulary Practice
Search for the name of the vocabulary area you want to strengthen and the word exercises.

This will bring up websites that have practice exercises, such as gap fills, matching exercises, etc. Check the
answers are available before you begin:
Dont forget about your Aptis practice materials booklet. This also contains lots of practice material for the
grammar and vocabulary exam!
Contributed by: Jason Anderson
The British Council, 2013
The British Council is the United Kingdom's international organisation for cultural relations and education opportunities.
British Council Malaysia is a branch (995232-A) of the British Council, registered as a charity in England and Wales (209131) and Scotland (SC037733)
 Creating Opportunity Worldwide

Pro-ELT Teacher Training Materials Level: B1 to B2

Trainer Supplements

Answer Key
Grammar

1. married 8. had 14. Could 21. (-)

2. didnt 9. at 15. is living 22. The children had been
3. would 10. were 16. On the other hand 23. fewer
4. then 11. for 17. have 24. going to
5. does 12. was going 18. neednt 25. wouldnt
6. lives 13. Frankly, I wouldnt 19. but
7. Would work with him. 20. do

Vocabulary 1 Vocabulary 2
study = read (poor question) cover wrap
receive = get improve or change adjust
start = begin state / make public announce
talk = speak get somewhere arrive
pick = choose put something together assemble

Vocabulary 3
More and more people go abroad for their holidays these days.
Drivers need to remain alert when in charge of a car.
The city has many ancient and interesting buildings.
Shes a highly articulate person who explains things clearly.
Hes a very aggressive person always getting into fights

Vocabulary 4 Vocabulary 5
timetable = schedule aerobics + classes
reward = prize agriculture + minister
queue = line aisle + seat
phase = stage apron + strings
error = mistake atom + bomb

Contributed by: Jason Anderson

The British Council, 2013
The British Council is the United Kingdom's international organisation for cultural relations and education opportunities.
British Council Malaysia is a branch (995232-A) of the British Council, registered as a charity in England and Wales (209131) and Scotland (SC037733)
 Aptis Practice Test Online Test
This is the online practice test (a past paper), copied from the Aptis website in Oct 2013. It can be
used with teachers who are having difficulty accessing the online exam:
http://www.britishcouncil.org/aptis-practice-tests/AptisGrammarVocabPractice/

Grammar

1. He is single. He never ________. 11. I dont think its right ________ children to
married play with toy guns.
marries for
marrying that
2. I ________ use to swim much, but now I to
have my own pool, I swim every day. 12.I ________ to work when I saw Steve.
dont was going
didnt went
did going
3. In those days, my father ________ never 13.That mans so unreliable you cant trust
eat dinner after 8 oclock. him. _________
used to I wouldnt frankly work with him.
will I wouldnt work frankly with him.
would Frankly, I wouldnt work with him.
4. I had a shower, ________ I went to bed. 14.Excuse me, Im lost. ________ you help me?
during Could
then Shall
until Should
5. How much ________ the train to Santiago 15.William ________ in South America now.
cost? is living
is will live
does was living
do 16.We could cook dinner. ________, we could
6. He ________ in Cairo. buy some take away food.
living Therefore
lives On the other hand
live Although
7. ________ you like to go out this evening? 17.You ________ to do your homework by tomorrow.
Will should
Would must
Can have
8. He ________ finished cooking when we 18.We ________ have caught the early train,
arrived. as the football match was delayed.
has mustnt
have didnt
had neednt
9. The film starts ________ half past four. 19.She reads every day ________ she isnt serious.
at and
on because
in but
10.I wish it ________ the time of year when I 20.A: I enjoy working on challenging projects at
could go on holiday. work. B: So ________ I!
will be am
is do
were can
21.Go to the end of the street and turn ________ 24.I just heard they are ________ get married in
right. June.
(-) going to
on going
to go to
22.The children ________ playing football for two 25.If you were a better cook, you ________ need to
hours before it started raining. eat out all the time.
have been wont
has been wouldnt
had been hadnt
23.There were ________ than fifty people in the
audience last night.
fewer
few
lesser

Vocabulary 1
Select a word from the list that has the most similar meaning to the word on go
the left. Example: big = large begin
plan
study = ________
listen
receive = ________ read
start = ________ run
talk = ________ choose
pick = ________ speak
end
get

Vocabulary 2 attend
Complete each definition using a word from the drop down list. assemble
To cover with paper or material is to ________ approach
To improve or change is to ________ arrive
To state or make public is to ________ admit
To get somewhere is to ________ announce
To put something together is to ________ arrange
adjust
accept
wrap

Vocabulary 3 awkward
Complete each sentence using a word from the drop down list. ancient
More and more people go ________ for their holidays these days. ahead
Drivers need to remain ________ when in charge of a car. adequate
The city has many ________ and interesting buildings. articulate
Shes a highly ________ person who explains things clearly. alert
Hes a very ________ person always getting into fights. accurate
abroad
adult
aggressive

Vocabulary 4
line
Select a word from the list that has the most similar meaning to the word on
joint
the left. Example: big = large command
timetable = ________ prize
reward = ________ mess
queue = ________ fright
phase = ________ schedule
bomb
error = ________ dock
audition
stage
scissors
mistake
rod
Vocabulary 5 classes
strings
salesman
seep
minister
seat
Select a word from the list that is most often used with the word on the
left. Example: big + house
aerobics + ________
agriculture + ________
aisle + ________
apron + ________
atom + ________