EIKEN Grade 3 cheat sheet

EIKEN Grade 3 reading passages are short (roughly 200-300 words) and cover everyday topics: school life, travel, hobbies, health, and simple news.

Question types in the reading section are mainly: choosing the best answer to a comprehension question, choosing the sentence that fits a blank, and choosing the correct word/phrase to complete a sentence.

For blank-filling items, test the grammar and collocation around the gap: read the whole sentence, identify the missing part of speech (noun, verb, preposition, conjunction), then eliminate options that do not fit.

Signal words organize passage logic: however/but mark contrast, because/so mark cause and effect, for example marks illustration, first/then/finally mark sequence.

Vocabulary questions ask for a word close in meaning to a word in the passage; the answer must fit the context of the sentence, not just be a synonym in isolation.

Time allocation: about 40 minutes for the reading section; do not spend more than 2 minutes on any single item, and answer all questions because there is no penalty for guessing.

Pronoun and reference questions (it, they, this) require locating the nearest preceding noun phrase that agrees in number and makes sense in context.

Scan for names, numbers, dates, and places first when a question asks for a specific detail; the answer is usually stated directly in one sentence.

The listening section has three parts: Part 1 dialogues with printed answer choices, Part 2 dialogues with no printed choices (write answers on the answer sheet), and Part 3 short monologues with printed choices.

In Part 2, answers are short and often a single word or number (a time, a price, a name, a day); listen for the exact detail and write it clearly on the answer sheet.

Each recording is played twice; use the first listening to grasp the situation and the second to confirm the specific detail asked.

Question order follows the order of information in the recording, so answer while listening rather than waiting until the end.

Common traps: a speaker mentions one option then corrects it ("Actually, let's make it..."), or a number is said but then changed; the final stated value is the answer.

Before each recording, read the printed choices and predict what kind of information (place, time, reason, person) the question needs.

Numbers, days, and prices are frequent answers; practice distinguishing similar sounds (thirteen/thirty, fifteen/fifty, Tuesday/Thursday).

Monologue questions ask about the speaker's purpose, main point, or a stated detail; the main point is usually restated near the beginning or end.

The writing task gives a question with a specific situation, and the candidate writes an English response of roughly 25-35 words.

The response must answer the question directly and include a reason or supporting detail; a bare yes/no without a reason does not satisfy the task.

Two required elements: state your position clearly in the first sentence, then give one reason or example in the second sentence.

Use simple, correct sentence structures you can control; grammatical accuracy counts more than complex vocabulary.

Check subject-verb agreement, tense consistency, articles (a/an/the), and plural -s before finishing; these are the most frequent errors at this level.

Stay within the word limit: too few words risks an incomplete answer, and overly long answers increase the chance of errors.

Write in the same tense the question uses; if asked about a future plan, use will or be going to, if about a past event, use the past tense.

Do not copy the question wording; paraphrase it into your own sentence to show comprehension.

The speaking test is conducted individually with an examiner and has four parts: reading aloud, questions about the passage, questions about a picture, and questions about the candidate's own life.

Reading aloud is scored on pronunciation, rhythm, and clarity; read at a natural pace and pause at commas and periods rather than rushing.

For picture questions, describe what the people are doing using the present continuous (is/are + -ing) and include location phrases (in the park, at the station).

For personal questions, answer with a complete sentence plus one supporting detail; "Yes, I do. I like it because..." is stronger than a one-word reply.

If you do not understand a question, ask the examiner to repeat it politely ("Could you say that again, please?"); this is allowed and does not lose points.

The examiner assesses fluency, vocabulary, grammar, and pronunciation; short hesitations are acceptable, but long silences and one-word answers lower the score.

Prepare short, reusable answers for common personal topics: hobbies, school subjects, weekend activities, favorite food, and future plans.

Read the passage silently first during the preparation time, then read it aloud with attention to word endings (-s, -ed) and linking sounds.