Practice

Test 1
Level A1

Version: 1.0

Effective from: September 2023

Classification: Public
Contents
Introduction to Skills for English 2
About Skills for English 2
The Skills for English Practice Tests 2
What is included in this document? 3
How you can use this document 3
Practice Test 1: A1 Speaking Test 4
Speaking: Part 1 4
Speaking: Part 2 5
Speaking: Part 3 7
Sample answers and comments 8
Sample Answers 8
Comments 9
Practice Test 1: A1 Listening Test 10
Listening: Part 1 10
Listening: Part 2 12
Listening: Part 3 13
Listening Scripts 14
Part 1 14
Part 2 16
Part 3 17
Answer key 18
Part 1 18
Part 2 18
Part 3 18

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Introduction to Skills for English
About Skills for English
Skills for English is a qualification that enables you to demonstrate your knowledge of
the English language for a range of purposes, including work, study or settlement.
Skills for English tests make the process of taking a test and gaining an English
language qualification as easy and convenient as possible.

Skills for English: SELT is a Secure English Language Test approved by the UK Home
Office for UK Visa purposes. You take the level you need for your required visa,
making the test quick and convenient. Skills for English: SELT is available to take in our
network of test centres in over 130 countries.

Skills for English provides an accurate measure of language proficiency through

practical and realistic tasks that you would expect to undertake in an English-
speaking environment. You choose the test level you require, from A1 (beginner) to
C2 (proficient). That way, you know you are preparing for, and taking, the level of test
you need for your chosen purpose.

All Skills for English tests use computer-based delivery for all skills. Reading and
listening are automatically marked during the test session itself; speaking and writing
are marked by trained assessors (who have no access to your personal details) after
you have finished. You move through each of the skills sections in a single test
session, at home or in a test centre, then receive your results in as little as three
days. When you receive your results, you will be given details of the individual
outcome (pass/fail) for each skill taken, plus your overall test outcome (also
pass/fail). You need to pass each of the skills taken to pass the test overall.

The Skills for English Practice Tests

Two sets of digital practice tests are available on the Skills for English website for
people preparing to take the Skills for English: SELT tests. Both practice tests are
delivered on our testing platform and will give you a good idea of what to expect on
test day. They cover all levels of our tests, A1 to C2, and can be accessed by going to
www.skillsforenglish.com

This booklet is a documented version of Practice Test 1, which is available on our

website. It covers exactly the same material but is in a different format to help with
your test preparation activities. A separate booklet is available for each level of the
test and can be used for Skills for English: SELT test preparation.

We ensure that Skills for English tests cover a variety of everyday contexts and
scenarios including life, work and study. The contexts and scenarios in our practice
tests are varied and representative of what you may see in our tests.

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What is included in this document?
This document contains all the tasks which you will see at a given level on the Skills
for English practice test pages for Practice Test 1. It covers all aspects of the test
including:

• Speaking test questions and tasks

• Speaking sample answers and comments
• Scripts, questions and answers for the Listening tests

At B1 and above these documents also include:

• Reading texts, questions and answers

• Writing tasks
• Writing sample answers and comments

The commentary on the sample answers for Speaking and Writing tests will show
you why each sample is an example of a good response.

How you can use this document

You can use this document in a variety of ways.

Test takers: you can use the information in this document alongside the digital
practice tests on our website. We would suggest that you always try out the digital
practice tests as they will give you a good idea of what to expect on your test day;
they are delivered on the same software and in the same format as on test day. You
can use this document to support any further preparation work you may want to do,
for example to check on questions you may have missed or to reflect on your own
performance.

Teachers and training providers: you can use the information in this document to
support any training or practice work you may be doing with your students as well as
any materials you may be developing for work in the classroom. This document will
allow you to focus on specific parts or questions in the Skills for English tests and
concentrate your student preparation on specific aspects of the tests.

For a full range of preparation and practice resources, visit www.skillsforenglish.com

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Practice Test 1: A1 Speaking Test

There are 3 parts in the Speaking test.

All your answers are recorded.

Speaking: Part 1
In Part 1, you will answer 5 questions about yourself.

Part 1 is not assessed.

After each question, you will hear a beep.

Answer the questions after each beep.

You will have 10 seconds to answer each question.

1. What is your name?

BEEP

2. Can you spell your first name please?

BEEP

3. Where are you from?

BEEP

4. What is your date of birth?

BEEP

5. What do you do?

BEEP

That is the end of Part 1.

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Speaking: Part 2

In Part 2 there are questions about 2 topics.

You will answer 5 questions about each topic.

Remember to answer the questions after each beep.

You will have 15 seconds to answer each question.

Now I am going to ask you some questions about clothes you like to wear.

Remember to answer the questions after each beep.

1. What clothes do you wear at the weekend?

BEEP

2. What are you wearing now?

BEEP

3. Where do you buy your clothes?

BEEP

4. What clothes do you NOT like?

BEEP

5. Tell me about your favourite clothes.

BEEP

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Now I am going to ask you about food you like to eat.

Remember to answer the questions after each beep.

1. Tell me about your favourite food.

BEEP

2. What foods do you NOT like?

BEEP

3. Who cooks in your house?

BEEP

4. Do you like eating alone or eating with friends or family?

BEEP

5. What food do you like to eat in a restaurant?

BEEP

That is the end of Part 2.

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Speaking: Part 3

In Part 3 you are going to talk about a birthday party.

The words on the role card will help you say some things about the party.

You can say more things if you like, but you must say something about each point on the
role card.

Each item on the role card will be read to you, and then you will hear a beep. Please
answer each item after each beep.

You will have 35 seconds to answer each item on the role card.

You have 1 minute to read the role card.

Role Card: A party

1. Say when the party is.

BEEP

2. Say who is having the party.

BEEP

3. Say where the party is.

BEEP

4. Say something about the food at the party.

BEEP

5. Say what you like to do at birthday parties.

BEEP

That is the end of the A1 Speaking test.

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Sample answers and comments
This page provides you with a transcript of model answers for a strong pass at A1 for
Speaking Part 2 and Speaking Part 3. Note: Part 1 of the Speaking test is not assessed.

The comments show why these answers result in a strong pass.

Sample Answers
Speaking Part 2: Clothes
1. At the weekend I wear jeans and a jumper.
2. I am wearing jeans.
3. I buy my clothes at the supermarket.
4. I don’t like wearing suits.
5. My favourite clothes are my jeans.

Speaking Part 2: Food

1. I like to eat cake. Chocolate cake is my favourite.
2. I don’t like cream, butter, and milk.
3. I can’t cook, so my wife does all the cooking.
4. I like eating with my family and my friends.
5. I like eating noodles or spaghetti.

Speaking Part 3: A party

1. The party is on Friday the 21 st of April.
2. My friend Joe is having the party.
3. The party is at Joe’s house.
4. There is Italian food at the party.
5. I like to dance with my friends at parties.

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Comments
This is an example of a good response at A1.
The test taker gives responses which are appropriate and relevant to the questions and
they use words from the questions in their responses to show this. The test taker can
produce short and simple responses on familiar topics (clothes, food and a party).
The test taker can use some simple grammatical structures adequately in a familiar
context (present simple, present continuous, subject-verb agreement, like +to, like+ing,).
They can describe habits, routines and list likes and dislikes.
The test taker uses a range of everyday vocabulary for these tasks, (jeans, supermarket,
dance, spaghetti).
The test taker uses basic grammar structures and verbs to good effect (I like, I don’t like, I
can’t, at the supermarket, at parties, at Joe’s house).
The test taker uses some basic linking words to good effect (and, or, so).

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Practice Test 1: A1 Listening Test

There are 3 parts to the Listening test.

You will answer 5 questions in each part.

You will hear each recording twice.

Listening: Part 1
Listen to 5 short recordings.

For each recording, answer the question.

For each question, 1 to 5, choose the correct answer.

You will hear each recording twice.

You will hear a beep each time to tell you that the recording is about to start.

1. When is Ben’s piano lesson?

a. On Tuesday.
b. On Wednesday.
c. On Friday.

2. Where is Hans now?

a. At the bank.
b. At the cinema.
c. At the dentist.

3. For trains to London, go to platform …

a. 3.
b. 9.
c. 11.

4. Manuel finishes work at …

a. 1.30.
b. 5.30.
c. 6.30.

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 5. Where is the bank?
a. On Hill Road.
b. Next to a restaurant.
c. Opposite a post office.

That is the end of Part 1.

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Listening: Part 2
Listen to a woman calling a restaurant to book a table.
Listen to the conversation and answer questions 1 to 5. For each question, choose the
correct answer, a, b or c.
You will hear the recording twice.
You will hear a beep each time to tell you that the recording is about to start.
You have 1 minute to read the questions.

1. Alison wants to book a table for …

a. Wednesday.
b. Thursday.
c. Friday.

2. Alison books the table for …

a. 12.30.
b. 1.00.
c. 1.30.

3. How many people is the table for?

a. 2.
b. 5.
c. 6.

4. What can Alison see from her table?

a. The street.
b. The river.
c. The fireplace.

5. The children can eat …

a. cheese.
b. yoghurt.
c. eggs.

That is the end of Part 2.

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Listening: Part 3
Listen to a Jasmine leaving a message for her friend, Mary, on the phone. The message
is about her new flat.
Listen to what Jasmine says and answer questions 1 to 5. For each question, 1 to 5,
choose one correct answer from the box.
You will hear the recording twice.
You will hear a beep each time to tell you that the recording is about to start.
You have 1 minute to read the questions.

2 Union

316722 chairs
a table bus stop
High 546791
park 3

1. Jasmine’s flat is on __________ Street.

2. Her new phone number is __________.
3. The flat has __________ bedrooms.
4. Jasmine can see the __________ from her window.
5. Jasmine needs to buy __________.

That is the end of the A1 Listening test.

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Listening Scripts
Part 1
Question 1

Speaker 1 Mum, when is my piano lesson?

Speaker 2 On Wednesday, Ben.

Speaker 1 Not Tuesday?

Speaker 2 No, that’s when you go swimming with your friends.

Speaker 1 Oh, okay. And Friday we are visiting grandma?

Speaker 2 That’s right.

Question 2
Speaker 1 Hi John, this is Hans. I’m sorry. I am going to be late meeting you. I am
at the dentist now. And I still need to go to the bank. I will see you at the
cinema at 7 o’clock. Okay? Bye.

Question 3
Speaker 1 For trains to Manchester and Glasgow, please go to platform 3. The train
for Cambridge is running late. It will leave from platform 11. All trains for
London will leave from platform 9. Please see boards for more
information.

Question 4
Speaker 1 My name is Manuel and I’m a doctor. I get up at 7.30, have a shower
and then eat breakfast. I work from 9 in the morning until 5.30 in the
evening. I have a break from 12.30 to 1.30. I usually get home at about
6.30, have dinner and read the newspaper before bed.

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Question 5

Speaker 1 Excuse me, is there a bank near here?

Speaker 2 Yes, there is a bank on Park Road. Go straight on, turn right at the post
office. The bank is at the end of the street, next to a restaurant. There is
also a car park at the supermarket on Hill Road where you can leave
your car.

Speaker 1 Great, thanks.

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Part 2
Speaker 1 Good afternoon, Castle Restaurant. How can I help you?

Speaker 2 Oh, hello. My name is Alison Craig and I want to book a table for next
week please.

Speaker 1 Certainly. Which day would you like? We have no free tables on Tuesday
or Wednesday.

Speaker 2 It’s for Friday lunch time. That’s the 15 th.

Speaker 1 Okay. What time would you like to come in?

Speaker 2 At half past 12. Is that okay?

Speaker 1 We have no tables at 12.30. I can give you a table at 1 o’clock or at

1.30.

Speaker 2 Oh dear. Can we have the table at 1 o’clock then, please?

Speaker 1 Great. How many people is the table for?

Speaker 2 My sister, her two children, her husband, and me. That makes five
people. Oh, and my husband of course. That’s six people.

Speaker 1 We have a table at the front of the restaurant, and one at the back
looking onto the river. There is also one near the open fireplace. Which
would you like?

Speaker 2 The one at the front I think, near the window. We can then see people
on the street. The one near the fireplace is too hot.

Speaker 1 Okay, that’s fine.

Speaker 2 Oh, I forgot … the children can’t eat yoghurt or cheese. Is that okay?
They can eat eggs.

Speaker 1 Yes, of course. We have different children’s meals you can choose from.

Speaker 2 Great. See you on Friday.

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Part 3
Speaker 1 Hi Mary, It’s Jasmine. I am calling to tell you about my new flat. The
address is 15, Union Street. That’s spelt U-N-I-O-N Street. That’s near the
High Street and really close to my office, where I work. My new phone
number is 546791, so my old number, 316722, will not work. I love the
flat. It is so much bigger than the last one. There is a kitchen, a bathroom,
and a living room. The flat also has three bedrooms. That is two more
than before. There is a bus stop at the end of the road, and I can see the
park from the kitchen window. I don’t have a dining room, but the kitchen
has a table in it so I need to buy some chairs. I also need to buy some
curtains for the bedroom and new towels for the bathroom. Why don’t we
go shopping together? Are you free on Saturday? Call me soon. Bye.

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Answer key
Part 1
1. b
2. c
3. b
4. b
5. b

Part 2
1. c
2. b
3. c
4. a
5. c

Part 3
1. Union
2. 546791
3. 3
4. park
5. chairs

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