B2 STANDARD exam overview
The exam consists of two parts - written and oral. The written part of the exam takes 120 (?) minutes to complete. It has four parts: READING, LISTENING, GRAMMAR, and VOCABULARY. The pass mark is 35 points out of 70. The oral part of the exam consists of two parts: PRESENTATION of a topic and a ROLE PLAY.
The overall result is calculated by adding the points from written part and oral part. The pass mark is 50%.
B2 STANDARD test overview
PART I: LISTENING COMPREHENSION
There are two tasks and a total of 20 questions, testing different listening skills. Students will hear a variety of recorded texts, including monologues and dialogues. At least one of the recorded texts is concerned with general academic/scientific context. The recording is played twice, and pauses are included to allow students time to read the questions beforehand. One point is awarded for each of the 20 questions.
Questions include:
Multiple choice
True/False
Sample instructions:
Task 1: 10 points You will hear a student and a university lecturer talking about a new car design. For questions 1-10, choose the best answer. Circle A,B or C.
Task 2: 10 points You will hear a talk on alternative fuels. For questions 1-10, decide if the sentences are true (T) or false (F). CIRCLE the right answer.
SAMPLE TASKS Technical English 2 Teacher's Book - Test Master CD-ROM Pearson Longman
Listen twice to the discussion about how to rescue an injured diver. Mark these statements true (T) or false (F) according to the discussion.
When the diver is found, place a buoy above him to mark his position. T/F
If the diver's oxygen supply is low, pump some more oxygen into his tank. T/F
The diver should be brought up to the surface as quickly as possible. T/F
At the surface, if the diver begins to sink, pump some air into his wet suit. T/F
Don't give artificial respiration in the water. Get him into a boat and then do it. T/F
Pull the diver to a boat if possible, but don't try to tow him to the land. T/F
If he needs immediate treatment, take him to a hospital. T/F
Treat the diver for serious injury when the diver is on the helicopter. T/F
You will hear this talk twice. Circle the correct answers.
The purpose of the talk is to discuss _____
a) problems of earthquakes
b) damage to buildings
c) solutions to problems
d) problems, damage and solutions
The speaker begins by talking about _____.
a) causes of earthquakes
b) results of earthquakes
c) problems caused by earthquakes
d) solutions to problems of earthquakes
According to the speaker, tectonic plates have been moving for _____ of years.
a) billions
b) tens of millions
c) millions
What other word or phrases does the speaker use to mean epicentre?
a) shock wave
b) focus
c) surface
Which of the following does the speaker NOT use, meaning a broken part of the earth's surface?
a) break
b) fracture
c) fault
d) crack
In an earthquake, the most dangerous way for the ground to move is
a) from side to side
b) in a rotary motion
c) in a twisting movement
d) up and down
The photograph shown by the speaker shows the building _____.
a) resisting the earthquake
b) falling down in an earthquake
Which method of strengthening a building does the speaker mention?
a) adding materials
b) adding a structure
c) not (a) and not (b)
d) both (a) and (b)
PART II: READING COMPREHENSION
There are two or three reading passages and a total of 20 questions, which test a range of reading skills. Passages come from magazines, journals, newspapers, official documents, booklets, advertisements, manuals and leaflets. At least one text is concerned with general academic/scientific context. One point is awarded for each of the 20 questions.
Questions include:
Matching
True/False
Multiple choice
Sample instructions:
Task 1: 10 points You are going to read a newspaper article in which four scientists are talking about global warming. For questions 1-10, choose from the people (A-D). The people may be chosen more than once. Write letters only!
OR
You are going to read an article about using psychology to help athletes to improve their performance. For questions 1-10, decide which paragraph (A-G) contains the following information. You may use any letter more than once. Write letters only!
OR
You are going to read web pages (A-D), which advertise various events and organisations. For questions 1-10, decide which advertisement each sentence refers to. Write the correct letter A-D next to each question. You may use any letter more than once. Write letters only!
Task 2: 10 points You are going to read an article about modern buildings. For questions 1-10, choose the best heading (A-G) for each paragraph (1-5). Each paragraph should have a different heading. You won't use all the headings in the list. Write letters only!
OR
You are going to read an article about hazardous substances. For questions 1-10, decide if the following statements are true (T) or false (F). CIRCLE the right answer.
OR
You are going to read a description of a green house. For questions 1-10, choose the answer (A,B or C) which fits best according to the text. CIRCLE the right answer.
SAMPLE TASKS Technical English 3 Teacher's Book - Test Master CD-ROM Pearson Longman
Read the article below on airport security. In which paragraph (A-H) are the following mentioned? Some paragraphs contain more than one point.
1 Items which are still undetectable ________
2 Various uses of particular invention ________
3 Reasons for popularity ________
4 Main areas of passenger dissatisfaction ________
5 Comparison with previously stored information ________
6 Data protection measures ________
7 Data can be checked very quickly ________
8 How unchecked passengers can board a plane ________
9 How hidden items can be found easily ________
10 This system could make security checks faster ________
AIRPORT SECURITY
A Iris scanning is used to identify individuals by photographing the iris of their eye. The iris is the coloured ring around the pupil of every human being's eyes. Iris recognition technology is commonly used in security applications because it's easy to use, very accurate, and safe as it does not damage or hurt the eye at all.
B Iris recognition technology combines computer vision, pattern recognition, and optics. A special black-and-white video camera records a sharp image of the iris which is illuminated by low-level infrared light. The picture can then be stored in a security database. One advantage of iris recognition technology is that is can record the image from some distance away, so no physical contact is necessary. The person's identity can then be confirmed within seconds by taking another picture of their iris and comparing it to the database.
C Applications for this technology include passport control, aviation security and controlling access to restricted areas at airports, database access and computer login, security at hospitals and other official buildings. Some airports have been using iris scanners for passport control for some time but now newer systems can track passengers as they are on the move through an airport.
D In trials at Manchester airport, passengers who agree to take part will have their iris scanned at check-in and it will then be used to identify them as they enter the security search area when it is scanned again. In this way airports hope to stop criminals from swapping boarding cards between arriving at the airport and getting on a plane as the technology scans the person, not the ticket. It should allow international transfer passengers who have new chipped passports, to mix with domestic travellers in the departure lounge because they could be securely identified before re-boarding. Airport bosses claim that the new system should also speed up security check-in.
E However some new technology has not been welcomed by many passengers, such as the full body scanners at security gates. There have been complaints about the amount of radiation and the lack of privacy as the x-ray scanners see right through your clothing. There are two different types currently in use: millimeter-wave and backscatter X-ray. The low level radiation emitted from these two types of machines is supposed to be non-harmful as it penetrates into your clothing.
F The `Backscatter' body scanners use low-level X-rays to produce a two-dimensional image of the body. They can detect items which are bounced back from (backscattered) a body, or display objects on your body towards the machine. They are very good at picking up organic material such as drugs or explosives, and can detect concealed packets of drugs, liquid bombs, or ceramic knives, which may have otherwise got through metal detectors. This makes the backscatter images incredibly accurate.
G The `Millimeter-wave' (MMW) body scanner works by bouncing microwaves off passengers and producing a detailed outline of what lies beneath their clothes. It produces a detailed “radar” image and constructs a 3-dimensional image of their bodies on computer, within a few seconds. Metallic or non-metallic devices and objects are displayed, including weapons, explosives and other items that a passenger is carrying on his/her person. The images are viewed by a security officer in a remote location. Authorities promise that to ensure privacy, the system does not have a storage capability and images will not be printed stored or transmitted.
H Both of the above systems blur the facial features of the person being scanned, to add even more privacy, but some people would still prefer to be patted down by an official. And there is one major problem with them - they can't detect items with a low density, such as powder, many liquids or thin plastics - in fact anything with the same or lower density than clothing cannot be detected.
Read the text and decide if these statements are true (T), false (F) or not given (NG)?
(There is no `not given' (NG) option included in your exam paper. This exercise is only to exemplify what kind of texts might be used.)
Model rockets are well-made.
It's possible to have a camera on some models.
Placing fins in the wrong position can affect stability.
The bigger the engine, the higher the rocket will go.
Liquid rocket fuel is always used in model rockets.
Some model rocket engine mounts use centering rings.
Launch lugs ensure the rocket goes in the right direction.
The nose cone is usually glued to the rocket body.
The recovery system does not function if the nose cone fails to eject.
An electrical circuit is completed when the igniter is secured.
BUILD YOUR OWN ROCKET
It doesn't take a rocket scientist to make a model rocket, as thousands of aspiring scientists have found out. A well-constructed rocket has several parts: a launch lug, which is a guide shaped like a thin straw that helps the rocket fly straight up; three or four securely fixed fins that are spaced evenly around the body and which stabilize the rocket in flight; a shock cord which attaches it to the body and a parachute to aid in the recovery of the rocket. Designing a rocket requires some considerable knowledge so most people tend to start with model kits, which have already designed and tested the rocket for stability and safety.
Some model rockets are 17 centimetres, and some can be as tall as 2 or 3 metres. These rockets can also perform a variety of functions. For example, there is one that can take a picture at the apex of its flight and there are several that allow you to place a small item in a payload bay. Most rockets, however, just go through four phases, launch, flight, ejection, and landing.
Before assembling the rocket you need to make sure that the fins and launch lug are accurately placed. The fins are the hardest and most important steps of the rocket building process because without them your rocket will be unstable when flying. The stability depends on how all the forces act on a model rocket. There are several categories of stability, which have to be taken into account: stable; neutrally stable; unstable and dynamic instability.
Next you need to make sure you have the right engine for your rocket size. Model rockets obviously come with this, but if you are building your own from scratch it is essential that your engine is not too powerful for the size of your rocket, otherwise you will lose or damage it. Rocket engines are filled with solid rocket fuel which is ignited by an electrical impulse from a detonator. After burning all of the rocket fuel, the engine fires a charge into the rocket body that blows the nose cone off and enables the recovery system.
The engine block is housed in the engine mount in the tube. A typical engine mount kit consists of three pieces: the engine tube which houses the model rocket engine; the centering rings which keep the engine tube centred in the body tube and the engine hook to keep the engine in place. A basic model rocket engine mount will only have an engine hook as it uses the body tube of the rocket as the engine tube for the model rocket engine.
The launch lugs, small cylindrical tubes attached to the body tube of a model rocket, allow the rocket to be guided along the launch rod during the rocket launch. Finally the nose cone has to be attached to the model rocket body tube by an elastic shock cord. This is so that when the model rocket engine ejects the nose cone from the rocket, the cone is not lost. Attached to the nose cone is a parachute or streamer which, when the nose cone is ejected, deploys the recovery system. The nose cone therefore has to fit quite loosely into body tube because if it becomes stuck the recovery system will not work.
After having built your rocket, you are now ready to launch using the launch pad and a detonator. It's a good idea to insert several sheets of recovery wadding into the body tube to protect the recovery device from the ejection charge. When you have packed the recovery device and replaced the nose cone on the rocket, the launch lug is slipped over the launch pad's metal guide rod. The igniter is then secured so that it touches the propellant inside of the rocket engine. Finally, the detonator lead clips are attached to the igniter to form a complete circuit. For safety reasons, you need to be a safe distance away from the pad. So make sure that the detonator has a long lead.
PART III: GRAMMAR
There is one task and a total of 15 questions, testing different grammar structures. One point is awarded for each of the 15 questions.
Questions include:
Multiple choice
Sample instruction:
Task 1: 15 points Choose the best option to complete each gap in sentences 1-15. CIRCLE A, B or C.
SAMPLE TASK
Choose the correct word or phrase to complete each sentence. Write the letter in the space.
He was offered the job _______________ he had no experience.
even though
despite
while
Laura _______________ to ring me back as soon as she could.
suggested
informed
promised
He wishes he _______________ harder for his exams.
has studied
would study
had studied
Pierre can't stand _______________ to wait.
be made
being made
to be made
The documents are _______________ to be extremely valuable.
said
told
spoken
By this time next year, I _______________ my house.
will sell
will have sold
will be sold
The prisoner refused _______________ the police with the enquiries.
helping
to help
help
It is predicted that most forests _________ by the year 2050 if nothing is done to save them.
will have been destroyed
will have destroyed
will be destroying
The construction of the tallest building __________ last week.
has completed
had been completed
was completed
That's the businessman __________ company is so successful.
whose
who's
which
If the inspections had been done properly, would the bridge__________?
be collapsing
collapse
have collapsed
I'm afraid the engineer __________the machines yet. You'll have to wait.
hasn't repaired
isn't repairing
didn't repair
He worked for GD Holdings for two years before __________to our company.
move
to move
moving
The new equipment cost much more __________ it works much better.
but
than
whereas
I wish I __________ help you, but I can't.
could
would
can
PART IV: VOCABULARY
There are two tasks and a total of 15 questions, testing vocabulary from four technical texts and phrasal verbs. One point is awarded for each of the 15 questions.
TECHNICAL TEXTS
Streets for people - not traffic.
Global warming.
Genetically modified food.
Promotional tools.
Questions include:
Gap filling with the words given in the box
Multiple choice
Sample instructions:
Task 1: 10 points Complete sentences 1-10 with the words given in the box. The words are given in the correct form. Each sentence should be completed with a different word. You do not need to use all the words given in the box.
Task 2: 5 points Choose the correct option to replace the word or phrase in italics with a phrasal.
SAMPLE TASKS: Technical English 2 Teacher's Book - Test Master CD-ROM Pearson Longman
Complete sentences 1-10 with the words given in the box. The words are given in the
correct form. Each sentence should be completed with a different word. You do not
need to use all the words given in the box.
collects / control / strengthen / attached / install / protect / delivered / process / reflect / monitoring / reduced / cruised / accelerated / idled / decelerated |
The roof of the tunnel is falling in. We need to __________ it using concrete beams.
This conveyor belt __________ all the pieces of rock and carries them out of the tunnel.
The electricians are planning to __________ a new wiring system in the factory.
The boxes are __________ to the warehouse by truck, and then taken to shelves by forklift.
All the ladders on this site have hooks. The hooks are __________ to the tops of the ladders.
The giant mirrors in space will __________ light from the Sun to the Earth at night.
You must wear your safety helmet at all times to __________ your head from injury.
The police in the helicopter are __________ the crowd of 10,000 football fans.
I drove the car at 80 km/h. Then I saw a sharp bend in the road, so I __________ to 30 km/h.
I saw an accident in the road ahead, so I __________ my speed from 70 to about 10 mph.
Choose the correct option to replace the word or phrase in italics with a phrasal.
Too many people stop learning to cook because of one bad experience.
give up
give out
give in
That morning we had to start our journey before dawn.
to set out
to run off
to get out
Lucia was surprised when her guests came late for the party.
looked up
turned up
put up
I'm afraid the match has been cancelled.
has been called off
has been put off
has been got off
We offered them £ 100,000 for the house but he refused our offer.
turned down
put down
broke down