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Estonian Basic-School English Exam study materials
Estonian Basic-School English Exam study resources

Estonian Basic-School English Exam practice questions

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Question 1Listening comprehension

You hear: "The museum opens at ten on weekdays but at noon on Sundays." When does the museum open on Sunday?

  1. At ten
  2. At noon Correct answer.
  3. At nine
  4. It stays closed

Explanation

The speaker contrasts two opening times: ten on weekdays and noon on Sundays. The word "but" signals the change, so the Sunday time is the second one mentioned, noon.

Question 2Listening comprehension

You hear a shop assistant say: "I'm afraid the blue jacket is sold out, but we still have it in grey and black." Which colours can the customer still buy?

  1. Blue and grey
  2. Only blue
  3. Only black
  4. Grey and black Correct answer.

Explanation

The phrase "sold out" removes blue from what is available, and "but we still have" introduces the remaining colours. Those remaining colours are grey and black.

Question 3Listening comprehension

A teacher says: "Bring your workbook on Tuesday, and don't forget your sports clothes on Thursday." What should students bring on Thursday?

  1. Their workbook
  2. Their lunch
  3. Their sports clothes Correct answer.
  4. Nothing at all

Explanation

Two days are paired with two different items. Tuesday is linked to the workbook, while Thursday is linked to sports clothes, so Thursday requires the second item.

Question 4Listening comprehension

You hear: "Sorry, I can't come to the party on Friday because I have to look after my little sister." Why can't the speaker come?

  1. They are ill
  2. They were not invited
  3. They have a football match
  4. They must care for a sibling Correct answer.

Explanation

The reason is introduced by "because", which signals a cause. The cause given is looking after the little sister, which means caring for a sibling.

Question 5Listening comprehension

You hear a weather report: "Tomorrow will start sunny, but heavy rain will arrive in the afternoon." What will the afternoon be like?

  1. Windy
  2. Rainy Correct answer.
  3. Sunny
  4. Snowy

Explanation

The report gives a sequence: sun first, then a change. The change is heavy rain arriving in the afternoon, so the afternoon will be rainy.

Question 6Listening comprehension

A girl says: "My brother is two years older than me, and I'm twelve." How old is her brother?

  1. Sixteen
  2. Fourteen Correct answer.
  3. Ten
  4. Twelve

Explanation

The speaker gives her own age as twelve and states that her brother is two years older. Adding two years to twelve gives fourteen.

Question 7Listening comprehension

You hear: "The train to Tartu leaves from platform three, not platform five as the screen shows." Which platform should passengers use?

  1. Two
  2. Five
  3. Three Correct answer.
  4. Eight

Explanation

The announcement corrects the displayed information. "Not platform five" cancels the screen's information, so the correct platform is the one stated first, three.

Question 8Listening comprehension

A boy says: "I wanted to buy the game, but it cost thirty euros and I only had twenty." What stopped him from buying the game?

  1. His friend borrowed it
  2. He did not have enough money Correct answer.
  3. He already owned it
  4. The shop was closed

Explanation

The contrast between the price of thirty euros and the twenty euros he had shows a shortfall. Not having enough money is the reason he could not buy the game.

Question 9Listening comprehension

You hear a short dialogue. Speaker A: "Did you finish the project?" Speaker B: "I would have, if my computer hadn't crashed." What does B mean?

  1. The project is finished
  2. B finished but lost the file
  3. B never started the project
  4. The computer crash prevented finishing Correct answer.

Explanation

The third conditional "would have ... if ... hadn't" describes an imagined result that did not happen. The crash is presented as the obstacle that stopped the project from being completed.

Question 10Listening comprehension

A woman says: "The concert was supposed to start at seven, but the band didn't come on stage until half past." When did the band appear?

  1. At eight
  2. At half past six
  3. At half past seven Correct answer.
  4. At seven

Explanation

"Supposed to start" gives the planned time, while "didn't ... until" gives the actual time. The actual appearance was at half past seven.

Question 11Listening comprehension

You hear a student say: "I'd rather revise at the library than at home, because my brothers are too noisy." Why does the student prefer the library?

  1. It has better books
  2. It stays open later
  3. It is quieter than home Correct answer.
  4. It is closer to school

Explanation

The reason clause points to noisy brothers at home. Preferring the library therefore follows from it being quieter than the home environment.

Question 12Listening comprehension

An announcement says: "Passengers for the ferry should check in no later than thirty minutes before departure." The ferry leaves at 14:00. What is the latest check-in time?

  1. 14:00
  2. 13:45
  3. 14:30
  4. 13:30 Correct answer.

Explanation

"No later than thirty minutes before" sets a deadline thirty minutes ahead of departure. Thirty minutes before 14:00 is 13:30, which is the latest acceptable check-in.

Question 13Listening comprehension

Speaker A: "How was the film?" Speaker B: "Well, the actors were good, but I've seen better stories." What is B's overall opinion?

  1. The film had bad actors
  2. The film was too long
  3. The film was excellent
  4. The film was disappointing overall Correct answer.

Explanation

B praises one element but criticises the story with "I've seen better". The mild criticism of the central element makes the overall opinion negative rather than positive.

Question 14Listening comprehension

You hear: "If you want to join the chess club, sign the list outside room 12 by Wednesday." What must an interested student do by Wednesday?

  1. Write their name on a list Correct answer.
  2. Speak to the teacher
  3. Pay a fee
  4. Bring a chess set

Explanation

The instruction is to "sign the list", which means adding your name to it. The deadline of Wednesday applies to that signing.

Question 15Listening comprehension

A man says: "I used to walk to school every day, but now I take the bus because we moved further away." What changed?

  1. The bus became free
  2. He no longer goes to school
  3. The school moved closer
  4. His home is now farther from school Correct answer.

Explanation

"Used to" marks a past habit, and "because we moved further away" explains the change. The new distance from school is what made walking impractical.

Question 16Listening comprehension

You hear a voicemail: "Hi, it's Mari. The meeting is moved from Monday to Wednesday at the same time. Please tell Priit too." What should the listener do?

  1. Cancel the meeting
  2. Call Mari back immediately
  3. Attend on Wednesday and inform Priit Correct answer.
  4. Change the meeting time

Explanation

The message gives a new day and adds a request to pass the news on. Both parts of the instruction must be followed: attend on the new day and tell Priit.

Question 17Listening comprehension

Speaker A: "You're coming to the rehearsal, aren't you?" Speaker B: "I suppose so." How does B sound?

  1. Confused about the time
  2. Very enthusiastic
  3. Completely refusing
  4. Reluctant but agreeing Correct answer.

Explanation

"I suppose so" is a weak, hesitant form of agreement. It confirms attendance while showing little enthusiasm, which fits reluctance.

Question 18Listening comprehension

A guide says: "Go straight past the fountain, turn left at the church, and the library is the second building on your right." What is on the right after turning left?

  1. The church
  2. A park
  3. The library Correct answer.
  4. The fountain

Explanation

The route is given in order: pass the fountain, turn at the church, then look right. The building reached there is the library, described as second on the right.

Question 19Listening comprehension

You hear: "The tickets cost ten euros each, or fifteen for two." How much do two tickets cost at the cheaper rate?

  1. Ten euros
  2. Twenty-five euros
  3. Fifteen euros Correct answer.
  4. Twenty euros

Explanation

The speaker offers two prices: ten euros for one, or fifteen for a pair. For two tickets the pair price of fifteen euros applies.

Question 20Listening comprehension

A teacher says: "Some of you handed in the essay late, so I'm giving everyone until Friday to improve it." What is the teacher offering?

  1. A new essay topic
  2. A cancelled deadline
  3. A punishment for late work
  4. An extension for the whole class Correct answer.

Explanation

The teacher responds to late essays by giving more time to everyone. Extra time to improve the work is an extension, applied to the whole class.

Question 21Listening comprehension

You hear a radio advert: "Visit our new sports shop on the corner of King Street and Park Road, open every day except Monday." When is the shop closed?

  1. On King Street
  2. On Sunday
  3. Every day
  4. On Monday Correct answer.

Explanation

"Every day except Monday" states that all days are open apart from one. The excluded day is Monday, so that is when the shop is closed.

Question 22Listening comprehension

Speaker A: "Shall we take the earlier train?" Speaker B: "That would mean getting up at five. I'd rather not." What is B's view of the earlier train?

  1. It is already full
  2. It is too expensive
  3. It is a good idea
  4. It is too early to be worth it Correct answer.

Explanation

B links the earlier train to a five o'clock start and rejects it with "I'd rather not". The objection is the early hour, not cost or capacity.

Question 23Listening comprehension

You hear: "The match was called off because of the storm, and it will be played next Saturday instead." What happened to the match?

  1. It was played in the storm
  2. It was postponed Correct answer.
  3. It was cancelled permanently
  4. It was moved to another town

Explanation

"Called off" alone could suggest cancellation, but the second clause says it will be played next Saturday. A match moved to a later date is postponed, not cancelled for good.

Question 24Listening comprehension

A shop assistant says: "This jacket is reduced from eighty to fifty, but the offer ends on Sunday." A customer comes on Monday. What does she pay for the jacket?

  1. Nothing, it is free
  2. Fifty euros
  3. Eighty euros Correct answer.
  4. Thirty euros

Explanation

The reduced price of fifty applies only until Sunday. On Monday the offer has ended, so the original price of eighty euros returns.

Question 25Listening comprehension

You hear: "Not only did she finish first, but she also broke the school record." What do we learn about the runner?

  1. She won and set a new record Correct answer.
  2. She finished first in an earlier year
  3. She broke a rule during the race
  4. She finished last but set a record

Explanation

The "not only ... but also" structure adds two achievements. Finishing first means winning, and breaking the record means setting a new one, so both are true.

Question 26Listening comprehension

You hear a school announcement: "The library will be closed during the lunch break today, but it reopens at two o'clock." When can students use the library again?

  1. Before school starts
  2. At two o'clock Correct answer.
  3. At lunchtime
  4. Only tomorrow

Explanation

The announcement contrasts the closed lunch break with a reopening time, and that time is explicitly given as two o'clock. Listeners must hold the contrast between 'closed during the lunch break' and 'reopens at two' to select the correct moment.

Question 27Listening comprehension

A boy says: "I've got football practice on Tuesday and guitar lessons on Thursday, so Wednesday is the only free afternoon I have." Which afternoon is he free?

  1. Every afternoon
  2. Thursday
  3. Tuesday
  4. Wednesday Correct answer.

Explanation

The speaker lists two busy afternoons and then names the remaining one, so the free afternoon is the one not mentioned as occupied. Careful listening requires tracking which days are taken and inferring the leftover day.

Question 28Listening comprehension

You hear a woman say: "The blue scarf is nice, but the grey one matches my coat better, so I'll take that one." Which scarf does she buy?

  1. The blue one
  2. Both scarves
  3. Neither scarf
  4. The grey one Correct answer.

Explanation

The speaker evaluates two items and states which one suits her coat better, and she says she will take 'that one', meaning the grey scarf. The contrast word 'but' signals that the final decision differs from her first positive comment.

Question 29Listening comprehension

A teacher tells the class: "Bring your notebooks tomorrow, because we'll be writing the answers by hand rather than on the computer." What should students bring?

  1. Their laptops
  2. Their textbooks
  3. Nothing at all
  4. Their notebooks Correct answer.

Explanation

The teacher directly states what to bring and then explains the reason, which is that the work will be handwritten. The phrase 'rather than on the computer' rules out laptops as the required item.

Question 30Listening comprehension

You hear a girl say: "My sister borrowed my bike without asking, so I told Mum." Why did the girl speak to her mother?

  1. Her sister was late for school
  2. Her bike had a flat tyre
  3. Her sister took her bike without permission Correct answer.
  4. She wanted a new bike

Explanation

The reason is introduced by 'so', which links the sister's action to the girl's response. The action described is borrowing the bike without asking, which explains why the girl told her mother.

Question 31Listening comprehension

An announcement at a swimming pool says: "Children under eight must be accompanied by an adult in the water at all times." What does this rule require?

  1. Children must stay in the shallow pool
  2. An adult must stay in the water with young children Correct answer.
  3. Children under eight cannot swim at all
  4. Adults must pay a lower entrance fee

Explanation

The key phrase is 'accompanied by an adult in the water at all times', which means a grown-up has to be in the pool with the child. The rule concerns supervision, not ability or ticket prices.

Question 32Listening comprehension

You hear a boy say: "I left my umbrella on the bus, and it's been raining all morning." What is his problem?

  1. He missed the bus
  2. He lost his bus ticket
  3. He has no umbrella in the rain Correct answer.
  4. His bus was late

Explanation

Two facts combine to create the problem: the umbrella was left behind, and it is raining. Listeners must connect these pieces to understand why the situation is difficult for him.

Question 33Listening comprehension

A recorded message says: "Thank you for calling the dental clinic. We are closed on public holidays and open from nine to five on all other weekdays." When is the clinic open?

  1. At weekends only
  2. Every day of the week
  3. On weekdays except public holidays Correct answer.
  4. Only on public holidays

Explanation

The message combines two conditions: the clinic is closed on public holidays and open on other weekdays. Putting these together gives the correct opening pattern.

Question 34Listening comprehension

You hear: "The museum tour lasts ninety minutes and starts on the hour, every hour, from ten until four." A visitor arrives at half past eleven. When does the next tour begin?

  1. At one o'clock
  2. At half past twelve
  3. At eleven thirty
  4. At twelve o'clock Correct answer.

Explanation

Tours leave on the hour, so a visitor arriving at half past eleven has missed the eleven o'clock tour and must wait for the next one. The next full hour after eleven thirty is twelve o'clock.

Question 35Listening comprehension

Speaker A: "Are you going to Marek's party on Saturday?" Speaker B: "I'd love to, but I promised my grandmother I'd help her move house that day." What does B mean?

  1. B will go to the party later
  2. B has not been invited
  3. B cannot go because of a family promise Correct answer.
  4. B does not like Marek

Explanation

The structure 'I'd love to, but...' shows willingness followed by a reason that prevents it. The promise to help the grandmother is the obstacle, so B is declining the invitation politely.

Question 36Listening comprehension

You hear a student say: "I revised all week for the biology test, but I still found the last question impossible." What does the student say about the test?

  1. Biology is not taught at school
  2. The whole test was easy
  3. The test was cancelled
  4. Only the last question was too difficult Correct answer.

Explanation

The speaker contrasts hard work with one remaining difficulty, and that difficulty is identified as the last question. The word 'still' signals that the problem persisted despite preparation.

Question 37Listening comprehension

A weather report says: "Tomorrow will start sunny, but heavy rain will arrive by the afternoon and continue into the evening." What should people planning an outdoor trip expect?

  1. Dry weather in the evening
  2. Rain from the afternoon onwards Correct answer.
  3. Sunshine all day
  4. Rain in the morning only

Explanation

The forecast describes a change during the day: sunny at first, then heavy rain from the afternoon and through the evening. Anyone planning outdoors must prepare for the later rain.

Question 38Listening comprehension

You hear a man say: "I was going to drive to Pärnu, but the mechanic said the car won't be ready until Friday, so I'll take the coach instead." How will he travel?

  1. By car
  2. He will not travel
  3. By train
  4. By coach Correct answer.

Explanation

The plan changes because the car is unavailable, and the speaker states his replacement choice at the end. The phrase 'so I'll take the coach' gives the final decision.

Question 39Listening comprehension

Speaker A: "Did you enjoy the school trip to the science museum?" Speaker B: "The experiments were great, though the bus journey took forever." What is B's attitude to the trip?

  1. Negative about everything
  2. Positive about the museum but negative about the journey Correct answer.
  3. Uninterested in the museum
  4. Positive only about the bus journey

Explanation

B separates the visit from the travel and evaluates each differently: the experiments are praised, while the long bus ride is criticised. The word 'though' marks the shift from positive to negative.

Question 40Listening comprehension

A librarian says: "If you return the book after the due date, you pay ten cents for each day it is late." A student returns a book four days late. How much must the student pay?

  1. Forty cents Correct answer.
  2. Nothing
  3. Twenty cents
  4. Ten cents

Explanation

The charge is per day late, so the total is the daily rate multiplied by the number of late days. Four days at ten cents each gives forty cents.

Question 41Listening comprehension

You hear a voicemail: "Hi, it's Jaan. I can't make our study meeting at four because of a dentist appointment. Could we meet at six instead, same place?" What is Jaan asking?

  1. To cancel the meeting completely
  2. To meet earlier than four
  3. To change the meeting time to six Correct answer.
  4. To change the meeting place

Explanation

Jaan explains why four o'clock no longer works and proposes six o'clock at the same place. The request is therefore about the time, not the location or cancellation.

Question 42Listening comprehension

A coach tells the team: "We lost because we stopped communicating in the second half, not because the other team were fitter." What reason does the coach give for the defeat?

  1. Bad luck with the referee
  2. The other team's superior fitness
  3. Poor communication within the team Correct answer.
  4. A lack of training sessions

Explanation

The coach explicitly rejects one explanation and replaces it with another, so listeners must identify which cause is accepted. The accepted cause is the breakdown in communication after half-time.

Question 43Listening comprehension

You hear a shop announcement: "Customers are reminded that the escalator is out of order; please use the stairs or the lift behind the café." What are customers told to do?

  1. Ask staff for a map
  2. Use the stairs or the lift Correct answer.
  3. Leave the shop immediately
  4. Wait for the escalator to be repaired

Explanation

The announcement states a problem and immediately offers two alternatives as instructions. The correct answer names those alternatives rather than the broken escalator.

Question 44Listening comprehension

Speaker A: "I hear you're learning Finnish." Speaker B: "Well, I started last year, but I've hardly had time since January." What do we learn about B's Finnish?

  1. B has made little progress recently Correct answer.
  2. B studies Finnish every day
  3. B has never studied Finnish
  4. B has already passed a Finnish exam

Explanation

B confirms starting in the past but says there has been almost no time since January, which implies limited recent progress. The word 'hardly' is key to understanding the reduced activity.

Question 45Listening comprehension

You hear a radio interview: "When I was young, I wanted to be a pilot, but my eyesight wasn't good enough, so I trained as an engineer instead." Why did the speaker become an engineer?

  1. He was afraid of flying
  2. His parents chose the career for him
  3. He had always preferred engineering
  4. His eyesight stopped him becoming a pilot Correct answer.

Explanation

The speaker describes a childhood ambition and then a physical obstacle that blocked it, followed by an alternative career. The eyesight problem is the stated reason for the change of plan.

Question 46Listening comprehension

You hear a woman say: "The flat is perfect except that it's on the fourth floor and there's no lift, and my mother can't manage stairs." Why is she unsure about the flat?

  1. The rent is too high
  2. The rooms are too small
  3. There is no lift for her mother Correct answer.
  4. It is too far from her work

Explanation

The speaker names one drawback after praising the flat, and that drawback becomes the reason for hesitation. The lack of a lift matters because of her mother's difficulty with stairs.

Question 47Listening comprehension

You hear: "Had I checked the timetable, I wouldn't have arrived at the station after the train had left." What is the speaker saying?

  1. The speaker checked the timetable and caught the train
  2. The train was cancelled that day
  3. The speaker missed the train because he did not check the timetable Correct answer.
  4. The speaker arrived early and waited

Explanation

The inverted conditional 'Had I checked...' expresses an unreal past condition, meaning the speaker did not check. The result clause shows the consequence: arriving after the train had gone.

Question 48Listening comprehension

A head teacher announces: "Rather than shorten the lunch break, we will start lessons ten minutes earlier from Monday." What change will happen?

  1. The school day will be cancelled
  2. The lunch break will be shorter
  3. Lessons will begin ten minutes earlier Correct answer.
  4. Lessons will finish ten minutes later

Explanation

The sentence rejects one option and states the chosen alternative, so listeners must identify which change is adopted. The adopted change is an earlier start to lessons.

Question 49Listening comprehension

You hear a speaker at a meeting say: "Far from solving the problem, the new rule has actually made it worse." What does the speaker think of the new rule?

  1. It has improved the situation
  2. It is too expensive to keep
  3. It has not yet been introduced
  4. It has had the opposite effect to the one intended Correct answer.

Explanation

The phrase 'far from solving the problem' denies the intended result, and 'actually made it worse' states the opposite outcome. The speaker therefore believes the rule backfired.

Question 50Listening comprehension

You hear a guide say: "The castle is open daily, but the tower only opens when the weather is dry, as the stairs become dangerous in the rain." Why might visitors fail to climb the tower?

  1. The stairs are unsafe in wet weather Correct answer.
  2. The tower costs extra to enter
  3. The tower is closed on weekdays
  4. The castle is closed all winter

Explanation

The guide gives a condition for the tower's opening and then explains the reason behind it. That reason is the danger of the stairs when it rains, so wet weather can prevent a visit.