Modelo Descriptivo CertAcles B2 IML / USJ

CertAcles B2 Exam description and model
Modelo Descriptivo CertAcles B2
IML / USJ
LISTENING EXAM – Parts 1, 2 and 3 (40 minutes)
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The Listening exam consists of three parts and 30 multiple choice questions.
In each part you have to select the correct option, A,B or C.
During the exam you can mark your answers on the question paper.
At the end of the Listening test, you have 5 minutes to transfer your answers to the
answer sheet.
You should answer all the questions because marks are not deducted for incorrect
answers.
Example:
Part 1 - Questions 1-14
Questions 1-10.
You will hear people talking about different things in short conversations or monologues.
For questions 1-10, choose the best answer A, B, or C.
1. Listen to the woman talking to the householder. What is the speaker trying to do?
A. sell an online course
B. persuade him to enter a competition
C. sell some books
2. You will hear someone talking on the phone. Who is she talking to?
A. an electrician
B. a shop assistant
C. a teacher
For questions 11-14, you will hear a longer conversation between a customer and a travel
agent. Choose the best answer A, B, or C.
11. The customer wants to go on holiday for:
A. two days
B. three or four days
C. five or six days
12. The customer thinks the price of the holiday is:
A. expensive
B. reasonable
C. cheap
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CertAcles B2 Exam description and model
PART 2 - Questions 15-22.
You will hear a longer dialogue between 2 people.
Example:
You will hear part of a radio show about fashion. For questions 15-22, choose the correct
answer A, B or C.
Examples:
15. According to the presenters:
A. clothes are too expensive.
B. you have to spend a lot of money if you want to be fashionable.
C. spending a lot of money on clothes is unfashionable.
16. When talking about the latest fashion trends, the presenter is:
A. sarcastic
B. excited
C. doubtful
PART 3 - Questions 23-30.
You will listen to part of a lecture or talk given by one speaker.
Example:
You will hear part of a lecture. For questions 23-30, choose the correct answer, A, B or C.
23. The main aim of the lecture is:
A. to describe the concept of culture
B. to describe and compare different cultures
C. to discuss the importance of understanding other cultures
24. Culture at the workplace is important because
A. it influences workers’ productivity
B. it makes workers feel better about their jobs
C. it prevents conflicts at work
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CertAcles B2 Exam description and model
READING EXAM – Parts 1, 2 and 3 (70 minutes)
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The Reading exam consists of three texts and 40 questions.
You should spend about 20 minutes on each text.
You should mark your answers directly onto the answer sheet.
You will have no extra time to transfer your answers.
You should answer all the questions because marks are not deducted for incorrect
answers.
For each text you have to answer the following types of questions:
Example:
 Choose the answer (A, B or C) which you think fits best.
The organic cotton industry
A. is relatively new and still developing
B. has a long tradition
C. is more advanced in areas with crop production
The subtitle “Cost of organic cotton” goes best with paragraph
A. 1
B. 2
C. 3
 Choose from the sentences the one that fits each gap. There is one extra sentence which
you will not use.
Example
A. When buying organic cotton items, check if it is 100% organic or blended.
B. Crop rotation is also used to rest the land between plantings.
C. The presence of genetically modified cotton is not permitted in organic products.
D. Given the crop rotation requirements, it also means that growers harvest less.
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CertAcles B2 Exam description and model
Organic cotton
1. In recent years, producers have banded together to create an organic, more
sustainable cotton industry. Changes to common practices such as using natural
fertilizers, biological pest controls and more efficient weeding strategies are being
developed to help minimize the impact that cotton growing and product has on our
planet. 1. B1. B
Different crops are planted during the rotation period in order
to restore fertility to the soil. In order for a field to be certified as organic it needs to be
pesticide and herbicide free for at least three years and the crop must not be genetically
modified.
2. While the organic cotton industry has been doing very well, it’s still in its infancy.
Growing organic cotton requires a lot of work. 2.
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This increased labour
and decreased production does reflect in the price of true 100% organic cotton clothes,
but some companies are minimizing price increases by using blends of organic and nonorganic cotton.
3. 3. A3. A
If it’s the latter and an amount is not stated, there is a possibility that
as little as 1 – 3% of the cotton used in the item is organic. You would be surprised how
many big name brands have tried to fool consumers using this strategy. If in doubt,
contact the company and ask them: “What percentage of organic cotton do you use in
this product?”
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CertAcles B2 Exam description and model
WRITING EXAM – Parts 1 and 2 (70 minutes)
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There are two tasks; an email/letter (150 words) and an essay (250 words).
Task 1 represents 40% of the writing grade and task 2 represents 60%.
You should spend about 25 minutes on task 1 and 45 minutes on task 2.
Marks are deducted for short answers.
Example
Part 1 (about 25 minutes)
You have just moved into a new home and are planning to have a housewarming party. You
are worried that the noise may disturb your neighbor.
Write a letter to your neighbor. In your letter
 Introduce yourself
 Describe your plans for the party
 Invite your neighbor to come
Write at least 150 words
You do NOT need to write any addresses
Begin your letter as follows:
Dear……
Part 2 (about 45 minutes)
Children spend a lot of time using computers today. Many people think that this has more
negative than positive effects.
Write an essay expressing your opinion on this subject. Write at least 250 words (approx. 22 to
30 lines).
In your essay:
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Discuss this view
Give your opinion and reasons for your opinion.
Include any relevant examples from your experience and knowledge
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CertAcles B2 Exam description and model
SPEAKING EXAM – Parts 1, 2 and 3 (11-14 minutes)
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The speaking exam takes place with one examiner and one candidate.
All of the exams are recorded (audio) so that they can be graded by more than
one examiner when necessary.
Part 1 (4-5 minutes) interaction on familiar subjects
The examiner will ask you questions about familiar subjects and your personal
experience.
Example
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A short conversation about your work or studies.
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You will answer questions about two more topics, for example, Travel, Shopping,
Sport, etc.
Part 2 (3- 4 minutes) monologue on a specific subject
You will be given 2 photographs with a title and some instructions.
Example
Healthy Eating
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Describe and compare the two photos.
Do you consider that you are a healthy eater? Why?
You will be asked to talk about the photographs and answer the question for 2 minutes.
You have 1 minute to think about what you are going to say and make notes before you
speak.
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CertAcles B2 Exam description and model
Part 3 (4-5 minutes) interaction on a specific subject
You will talk more about questions related to Part 2. The examiner will ask you questions.
Example
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Did you eat lunch at school when you were a child?
Did you enjoy them?
How do you think eating habits have changed in your country during the last twenty
years?
Everyone talks about the Mediterranean diet but do you think that many people really
have a diet like this?
Do you think that the increasing obesity in both children and adults today is exclusively
caused by poor diet?
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