UTAS English Placement flashcards

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

Single-play listening

The listening recording is heard once only. Answers must be captured during playback, so candidates write as they listen rather than waiting for a repeat.

Audio question order

In most listening tasks the questions appear in the same order as the information in the recording, so a missed answer is left behind rather than revisited.

Answer word limit

Completion tasks state a maximum word count, for example no more than two words. Exceeding the limit or misspelling the word scores zero for that item.

Self-correction distractor

A speaker gives one value and then revises it with phrases such as actually or sorry. The revised value, not the first one, is the correct answer.

Part 4 listening monologue

The final listening section is an academic monologue, usually a lecture, and is the most demanding part because there is no second speaker to clarify information.

Gap grammar prediction

Before hearing the answer, the candidate uses the sentence around the gap to predict whether a noun, verb, number or adjective is required, which narrows what to listen for.

Map labelling orientation

Map tasks fix a starting orientation, usually with a compass rose or an entrance marked. Directions such as north or past the bridge are relative to that fixed frame.

Spelling in listening

Names and places are often spelled aloud letter by letter. The answer must be written with that exact spelling, since incorrect spelling is marked wrong.

Reading time allocation

Reading has no separate transfer time and one hour for three passages. A common split is seventeen, twenty and twenty-three minutes across the passages in rising difficulty.

False versus Not Given

False means the passage contradicts the statement. Not Given means the passage neither confirms nor contradicts it, so the information is simply absent.

Matching Headings rule

Each heading must summarise the main idea of the whole paragraph. A heading that fits only one supporting detail is a distractor, not the answer.

Reading completion word limit

Instructions specify a maximum number of words for each gap. Articles and numbers count toward the limit, and answers over the limit receive no mark.

Paraphrase in questions

Reading questions rarely reuse the passage wording. The answer location is found by recognising synonyms and restructured phrases rather than identical keywords.

Yes No Not Given

This variant applies to claims and opinions rather than facts. Yes agrees with the writer's view, No contradicts it, and Not Given is unsupported by the text.

Skimming before scanning

Skimming reads topic sentences to map each paragraph's theme. Scanning then locates the specific sentence that answers a question, which is faster than reading every word.

Matching Information unordered

In this task type the answers do not follow the passage order, and one paragraph may be used more than once, so each question is located independently.

Task weighting in writing

Writing Task 2 contributes roughly twice the weight of Task 1. Time is therefore usually split as about twenty minutes for Task 1 and forty for Task 2.

Task 1 overview requirement

An Academic Task 1 response must include an overview naming the main trends, differences or stages. Without an overview, the Task Achievement score is capped.

Task 1 no opinion

Task 1 reports only what the chart, graph or process shows. Opinions, causes and explanations that are not visible in the data are excluded from the response.

Writing assessment criteria

Task 2 is scored on Task Response, Coherence and Cohesion, Lexical Resource, and Grammatical Range and Accuracy. Each criterion carries equal weight in the final band.

Clear position in Task 2

The essay must state a view and keep it consistent. Presenting both sides without committing to one weakens Task Response, even when the language is accurate.

Under-length penalty

Task 1 must reach 150 words and Task 2 must reach 250 words. Falling short incurs a penalty, and headings are not counted toward the total.

Cohesion versus mechanical linking

Cohesion is scored on links that match the logic between ideas. Fixed openers repeated in every paragraph read as memorised and limit the Coherence and Cohesion band.

Grammar band 7 threshold

Band 7 grammar requires frequent error-free sentences plus a range of complex structures. Accurate short simple sentences alone do not satisfy the complex-sentence requirement.

Speaking three-part structure

Speaking has Part 1 personal questions, Part 2 a one-to-two-minute talk from a cue card after one minute of preparation, and Part 3 abstract discussion linked to the Part 2 topic.

Speaking assessment criteria

Speaking is scored on Fluency and Coherence, Lexical Resource, Grammatical Range and Accuracy, and Pronunciation. Each of the four criteria contributes a quarter of the score.

Part 2 preparation minute

Candidates get one minute to make notes on the cue card before speaking. Notes are allowed during the talk, and the talk should continue for the full two minutes.

Pronunciation scoring basis

Pronunciation is judged on intelligibility plus stress and intonation. Accent itself is not penalised, so imitating a native accent is unnecessary for a high band.

Extending Part 3 answers

Part 3 answers should go beyond a single sentence and include a reason or example. Very short replies restrict the Fluency and Coherence score.

Fluency and self-correction

Quick repair of a slip is acceptable. Frequent hesitation, long pauses and repeated restarts interrupt the flow and lower the Fluency and Coherence band.

Content not scored

The examiner does not assess whether opinions are correct or interesting. Only the language used to express them is rated against the four Speaking criteria.

Speaking cue card format

The Part 2 card gives a topic and three or four prompt points. The candidate covers the prompts in a structured talk rather than answering them as separate short questions.