Entry Level 1: Speaking, Listening & Reading

Which letter comes after 'G' in the alphabet?

• AH✓
• BI
• CF
• DJ

Answer: The alphabet runs from A to Z in a fixed order. The letter H comes straight after G. F comes before G, and J and I come later in the sequence.

Which letter comes immediately before 'M' in the alphabet?

• AO
• BL✓
• CK
• DN

Answer: The alphabet has a fixed order from A to Z. The letter L comes straight before M. N comes after M, and K and O are further away in the sequence.

A supervisor says: 'The fire exit is at the back of the building, near the car park.' Where is the fire exit?

• AJust past the staff kitchen, near the back stairs
• BAt the front of the main building, near the entrance area
• CNext to the lift on the ground floor
• DAt the back of the building, near the car park✓

Answer: Listening for the specific location given is the key skill here. The supervisor clearly states the fire exit is at the back of the building, near the car park. The front of the building, the lift and the kitchen are not mentioned.

Your manager says: 'Please put your coat in the cupboard.' What should you do?

• APut your bag in the cupboard
• BLeave your coat on the chair
• CPut your coat in the cupboard✓
• DTake your coat home

Answer: Following a single-step instruction means doing exactly what is asked. The manager asks for the coat, not the bag, to be put in the cupboard. Leaving the coat on the chair or taking it home does not follow the instruction.

A sign in a canteen says: 'Please wash your hands before you eat.' What should you do?

• AWash your hands after you eat
• BPut on an apron before you eat
• CWash the tables before you eat
• DWash your hands before you eat✓

Answer: A short sign or notice usually gives one clear instruction to follow. It asks for hands to be washed before eating, not after. Washing tables or wearing an apron are not what the sign asks for.

You want to ask a shop assistant the price of a jacket. Which is the clearest, most polite way to ask?

• AExcuse me, how much is this jacket, please?✓
• BI want this jacket for free.
• CExcuse me, is this the only jacket you sell?
• DTell me the price now, quickly.

Answer: A clear, polite request uses full, appropriate language rather than short demands. Asking 'Excuse me, how much is this jacket, please?' is polite and easy to understand. The other options are too abrupt, rude, or do not make sense as a request.

A receptionist asks: 'What is your date of birth?' Which is an appropriate reply?

• AIt's near the bus stop.
• BI feel fine, thank you.
• CMy name is John Smith.
• DIt's the 3rd of May, 1990.✓

Answer: Responding appropriately means answering the question that was actually asked. The receptionist asks for a date of birth, so a date is the correct kind of answer. A location, a feeling or a name does not answer the question.

You want to tell your manager clearly that you feel unwell today. Which sentence says this?

• AI finished my work today.
• BThe office is busy today.
• CI feel unwell today.✓
• DI feel much better today.

Answer: A clear statement says exactly what you mean using simple, direct language. Saying 'I feel unwell today' tells the manager exactly how you feel. The other sentences describe something different and do not communicate feeling unwell.

In a group discussion, a tutor asks everyone to share their favourite meal. Which is a suitable contribution?

• APlease be quiet during the lesson.
• BMy favourite meal is chicken and rice.✓
• CMy favourite meal was very expensive.
• DWhat time does the lesson finish?

Answer: Taking part in a simple discussion means responding to the topic that was raised. The tutor asks about a favourite meal, so naming one is a suitable answer. Commenting on cost, asking for quiet, or asking about the time does not answer the question asked.

A sign on a door says 'PUSH'. What should you do to open the door?

• APull the door
• BKnock on the door
• CPush the door✓
• DKick the door

Answer: Reading a short instruction word tells you exactly what to do. The word 'PUSH' means the door should be pushed to open it. Pulling, knocking or kicking do not match the word on the sign.

A sign in a shop window says 'CLOSED'. What does this tell a customer?

• AThe shop is very busy
• BThe shop is not open✓
• CThe shop is having a sale
• DThe shop has moved

Answer: The word 'CLOSED' on a sign gives clear information about the shop. It tells a customer that the shop is not open. It does not say anything about how busy the shop is, a sale, or a move.

Read this sentence: 'The bus stops outside the shop.' Where does the bus stop?

• AInside the shop
• BBehind the shop
• COutside the shop✓
• DNext to the station

Answer: Understanding a simple one-clause sentence means picking out the detail it gives. This sentence says the bus stops outside the shop. It does not say inside the shop, behind the shop, or next to the station.

Read this sentence: 'Tom eats his lunch at one o'clock.' What time does Tom eat his lunch?

• AHalf past one
• BOne o'clock✓
• CTwo o'clock
• DTwelve o'clock

Answer: A simple sentence can state a specific time as its one piece of information. Tom eats his lunch at one o'clock, not at any of the other times listed. Reading carefully for the exact time avoids mixing it up with a similar one.

Read this notice: 'The car park is closed today. Please use the street outside.' Where should you park today?

• AIn the car park
• BBehind the building
• COn the street outside✓
• DIn the shop doorway area

Answer: A short notice can give one clear instruction to follow. It tells you the car park is closed and to use the street outside instead. Parking in the car park, a doorway or behind the building goes against the notice.

Read this note: 'Mary is at the doctor's. She will be back at three o'clock.' When will Mary be back?

• AAt three o'clock✓
• BAt five o'clock
• CAt one o'clock
• DLater this week

Answer: A short note can give a specific piece of information, such as a time. It says Mary will be back at three o'clock. The other times are not what the note says.

Which word means the opposite of 'open' on a shop door sign?

• AShut✓
• BEmpty
• CBig
• DNew

Answer: Knowing the meaning of simple, everyday words helps with reading signs. 'Shut' means the opposite of 'open'. 'Big', 'new' and 'empty' do not mean the opposite of open.