Pre A1 Starters key terms

To pay attention to sounds or words and try to understand them. In the test you hear short conversations and stories, then answer questions about what you heard.

To notice a sound with your ears. The listening test is played from a recording, so you hear each part twice and must listen carefully both times.

Sound that has been saved and is played back, not spoken live. In the listening paper you hear recordings of people talking, and each recording is played two times.

A drawing or photo. In the listening and reading papers you often look at pictures and choose, colour, or write the correct word next to them.

Red, blue, green, yellow, black, white, brown, orange, pink, purple or grey. In one listening task you colour objects in a picture following spoken instructions.

To make a picture with a pencil or pen. In listening tasks you may draw a line or a simple shape in the correct place on a picture.

A long thin mark. In one listening task you draw a line from a name to the correct person or object in a picture.

The word a person, animal or thing is called. In listening tasks you hear names and match them to the right person in a picture.

A word like one, two, three or ten that tells how many. In listening and reading tasks you write a number in a box or next to a picture.

The correct reply to a question or task. You write or say your answer in the space or box on the test paper.

A sentence that asks something, ending with a question mark. In the reading paper you read short questions and choose or write the correct answer.

A group of words that makes complete sense, starting with a capital letter and ending with a full stop. You read and complete short sentences in the reading paper.

A single unit of language with a meaning, such as cat, run or happy. In reading tasks you choose the correct word to finish a sentence or label a picture.

One sign of the alphabet, like a, b or c. In reading and writing tasks you copy or write letters to spell simple words correctly.

To write the letters of a word in the correct order. In the writing tasks you spell common words such as names of animals, food and family members.

To make letters or words on paper with a pen or pencil. In the reading and writing paper you write short words and one-word answers.

To look at written words and understand them. In the reading paper you read short sentences, signs and stories, then answer questions about them.

A short text about people or animals that happens in order. In the reading paper you read a short story and answer questions about it.

To pick the right one from two or more things. In the test you often choose the correct word or picture from three options and mark it.

To put two things together because they belong together. In reading and listening tasks you match words to pictures or names to people.

A small square space on the test paper where you write your answer. You must write clearly inside the box so the marker can read it.

A model answer shown at the start of a task so you know what to do. The example is already done for you and is not marked.

To say words with your voice. In the speaking test you speak to an examiner about pictures and about yourself.

To speak words. In the speaking test the examiner asks you to say the name of something in a picture or to say what you can see.

The person who asks you questions in the speaking test and listens to your answers. The examiner is friendly and helps you understand what to do.

To show something with your finger. In the speaking test the examiner may ask you to point to an object in a picture before you say its name.

To give information using words. In the speaking test you tell the examiner about yourself, for example your age, your family or your favourite things.

To say a question to someone. The examiner will ask you simple questions, and you answer with a word or a short sentence.

The people you are related to, such as your mother, father, sister and brother. Talking about family is a common topic in the speaking test.

A person you like and enjoy spending time with. In speaking tasks you may describe a friend or say what you do together.

The place where children go to learn. School is a common topic, and you may talk about your classroom, teacher or what you do there.

A person whose job is to help students learn. You may see or hear this word in tasks about school and talk about your own teacher.

A living thing that is not a plant, such as a cat, dog, bird or fish. Animals appear often in pictures and word tasks in all three papers.

Things people eat, such as bread, apples, milk or rice. Food words are common in listening and reading tasks and in speaking topics.

Something children play with, such as a ball, doll or car. Toys are a common topic in picture tasks and in speaking questions.

To do something for fun, like a game or sport. You may hear or read this word in tasks about free time and use it when talking about yourself.

To know what something means. In the test, listen or read carefully; if you do not understand a word, the other words in the sentence can still help you.