CILS B2 flashcards

32 cards. Read the term and the definition here. The deck at the top of this page is optional.

CILS B2 Ascolto

Section with three tasks, 20 items, about 30 minutes; recordings are played twice, and answers are marked without penalty.

Ascolto: segnale di contrasto

Words such as 'invece', 'al contrario', 'in realtà' signal that a speaker corrects or contradicts earlier information, often changing the correct answer.

Ascolto: numeri e orari

Dates, prices, times and quantities are frequent distractors; a speaker may first give a wrong figure and then correct it with 'no, scusa' or 'mi sono sbagliato'.

Ascolto: vero/falso

For true/false items, check quantifiers and negation: 'tutti', 'sempre', 'mai' make a statement strong, while 'alcuni', 'spesso', 'quasi' limit its scope.

Ascolto: prima ascolto

On the first listening, identify the situation, speakers and main point; leave detailed numbers and inferences for the second listening.

Ascolto: distrattore lessicale

An option may repeat a word from the recording while changing the relationship, time or speaker, so match meaning rather than isolated words.

Ascolto: compito di matching

In matching tasks, note the category required by each option (place, person, activity) and listen for the item that fits the category, not the first similar word.

CILS B2 Lettura

Section with three tasks, 20 items, about 50 minutes; it tests global and detailed comprehension of authentic texts such as articles, advertisements and notices.

Lettura: skimming

Read titles, subheadings and first sentences quickly to identify genre, purpose and main idea before scanning for answers to individual items.

Lettura: scanning

Search the text for proper names, dates, numbers and repeated key nouns; these anchors locate the paragraph that supports an answer.

Lettura: scelta multipla

Eliminate options that are true in general but do not answer the question, and choose the option directly supported by the relevant sentence.

Lettura: matching

Match by lexical field and discourse function: a heading or sentence must summarise the paragraph's topic, not merely repeat one word from it.

Lettura: connettivi

Connectors such as 'tuttavia', 'quindi', 'infatti', 'd'altra parte' show contrast, consequence or explanation and help decide the logical relation between clauses.

Lettura: negazione

Underline negation and limiting words ('non', 'nessuno', 'solo', 'tranne') because they reverse or restrict the meaning of an otherwise familiar statement.

CILS B2 Analisi

Section with four tasks, 20 items, about 45 minutes; it tests lexis, verb conjugation, pronouns, prepositions and sentence transformations.

Congiuntivo presente

Used after expressions of opinion, doubt, desire, emotion and conjunctions such as 'benché', 'affinché', 'purché', 'prima che', 'senza che' when the subordinate clause is non-factual or prospective.

Congiuntivo imperfetto

Used in hypothetical clauses of possibility with the conditional present: 'Se avessi tempo, verrei'; also after past-tense main clauses expressing opinion or doubt.

Periodo ipotetico tipo 1

Real condition: 'Se + indicativo presente, indicativo presente/futuro' - e.g. 'Se piove, resto a casa'; it presents the condition as likely or real.

Periodo ipotetico tipo 2

Possible condition: 'Se + congiuntivo imperfetto, condizionale presente' - e.g. 'Se potessi, partirei'; it presents an unreal or unlikely present situation.

Periodo ipotetico tipo 3

Impossible condition: 'Se + congiuntivo trapassato, condizionale passato' - e.g. 'Se avessi studiato, avrei superato l'esame'; it refers to an unreal past.

Pronomi combinati

Indirect object pronoun changes form before a direct object pronoun: mi + lo = me lo, ti + la = te la, gli/le + lo = glielo/gliela; the indirect pronoun precedes the direct.

Passato remoto

Narrative tense used in written Italian for completed past events; many B2 verbs are irregular (feci, dissi, venni, presi), and it contrasts with the passato prossimo in speech.

Discorso indiretto

When reporting speech, shift tenses back: presente → imperfetto, passato prossimo → trapassato prossimo, futuro → condizionale passato; adjust pronouns and time expressions.

CILS B2 Produzione scritta

Section with two writing tasks, about 70 minutes total; each text is usually 120-140 words, and candidates must address all points in the prompt.

Lettera formale

Open with 'Gentile Signora/Direttore' and close with 'Cordiali saluti'; use 'Lei' forms, indirect formulas and a clear subject or purpose in the first lines.

Email informale

Use 'Ciao', 'tu' forms and conversational connectors; include greeting, reason for writing, details, and a closing such as 'A presto' or 'Un abbraccio'.

Connettivi di scrittura

Use 'innanzitutto', 'inoltre', 'tuttavia', 'di conseguenza', 'in conclusione' to signal sequence, addition, contrast, consequence and summary in a B2 text.

Saggio B2

Structure an essay with an introduction stating the topic, two or three developed points with examples, and a conclusion that summarises the position without new arguments.

CILS B2 Produzione orale

Oral section with two tasks, about 10-12 minutes; it assesses interaction with the examiner and a monologue on a prepared or prompted topic.

Orale: monologo

Organise the monologue as introduction, two or three main points with examples, and a conclusion; use signposting such as 'innanzitutto', 'd'altra parte', 'in conclusione'.

Orale: esprimere opinione

Use 'secondo me', 'a mio parere', 'sono convinto che' plus congiuntivo; support opinions with reasons ('perché', 'dal momento che') and examples.

Orale: chiedere chiarimento

If a question is unclear, say 'Può ripetere?', 'Cosa intende dire?' or 'Non sono sicuro di aver capito'; this keeps interaction going without silence.