ALPT B2 cheat sheet

Gist questions ask for the main idea or speaker's purpose; detail questions ask for one stated fact - identify which is being asked before choosing.

Signpost phrases ("however", "the thing is", "what's more", "to be honest") usually introduce the answer to inference items.

Numbers, dates, and prices are common distractors: the first number heard is often corrected later in the same turn.

Negative forms (can't, won't, hardly, rarely) reverse meaning; a positive paraphrase of a negative statement is a trap.

In dialogue items, the second speaker's reply typically carries the resolution; the first speaker's assumption is often wrong.

Distinguish stated fact from speaker attitude: attitude items hinge on intonation words ("apparently", "frankly", "supposedly").

When two options seem true, prefer the one covering the whole passage over one true only of a single sentence.

Main-idea answers must cover the whole text; an option true only of paragraph 2 is a detail, not the main idea.

Scan for keywords from the stem first, then read the surrounding two sentences - answers rarely span more than that.

Referent questions ("it", "this", "they") resolve to the nearest preceding noun phrase that agrees in number.

"EXCEPT" and "NOT" items: three options are supported by the text, one is not; verify each against the passage.

Inference items require a logical step, not a restatement; an answer copied verbatim from the text is usually a distractor.

Author's-purpose verbs are limited: to inform, to persuade, to compare, to criticize, to explain - match tone to verb.

Vocabulary-in-context: substitute each option into the sentence and keep only the one preserving the surrounding logic.

Turn-taking markers ("Well,", "Actually,", "I see what you mean, but…") buy planning time and signal a shift in stance.

For opinion tasks use a claim–reason–example structure: state position, give one reason, add one concrete example.

Backchannels ("mm-hm", "right", "sure") acknowledge the interlocutor without yielding the floor.

Politeness downgraders ("I was wondering if…", "would you mind…") soften requests; bare imperatives read as abrupt at B2.

Hedging ("it depends", "more or less", "tend to") signals B2 range; absolute claims ("always", "never") weaken accuracy of opinion.

Repair phrases ("what I mean is…", "let me put that differently") recover a breakdown without abandoning the message.

Agreeing with a qualification ("True, although…") demonstrates interaction rather than simple assent.

Third conditional: if + past perfect, would have + past participle - unreal past, no present result.

Mixed conditional: if + past perfect, would + base verb - past cause, present consequence.

Reported speech shifts tense back one step and adjusts time/place words (now→then, here→there, tomorrow→the next day).

Passive with modals: modal + be + past participle ("must be submitted"), never modal + been + participle for present obligation.

Gerund after prepositions and after verbs like enjoy, avoid, suggest; infinitive after decide, manage, refuse.

"Used to" + base verb = past habit; "be used to" + gerund = accustomed; "get used to" + gerund = becoming accustomed.

Countable/uncountable: advice, information, furniture, research take no plural -s and no "an"; use "a piece of".

Linking words carry logic: "whereas" contrasts, "therefore" concludes, "provided that" states a condition.