Placement Test | Teacher's Guide - Macmillan.ru

Optimise Teacher’s Resource Centre © Macmillan Publishers Limited 2017. This sheet may be photocopied and used within the class.

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Placement Test | Teacher’s Guide

The Optimise Placement Test has been designed to place students into groups corresponding to the four levels of the Optimise series (A2, B1, B1+, B2). Students with no previous knowledge of English would not normally be required to take this test.

General Marking GuidelinesThe Optimise Placement Test consists of 60 multiple-choice items (39 grammar, and 21 vocabulary) that are worth one mark each, three reading tasks worth five marks each and two writing tasks worth five marks each. It has a maximum score of 85. Give one mark for every correct answer.

Note that the placement test items are progressively more difficult from questions 1 to 60. Before deciding the level, check the test carefully for the number of incorrect questions per section. If students answer questions incorrectly at the beginning of the test, but answer questions correctly at the end of the test, they may be guessing randomly and may be placed in the wrong level.

Writing: Marking GuidelinesUse the writing guidelines to give a score out of 5. The same scale is used to assess the students’ performance for both writing tasks.

Description of Performance Points

No answer is written, the student has not understood the question, he or she has answered a different question completely, or what is written is largely unintelligible and does not convey the intended meaning or show any awareness whatsoever of appropriate tenses and language.

0

The student has shown a very basic understanding of the question and has made an attempt at answering it. The student has written substantially less than the specified word count, and there are serious inconsistencies and inaccuracies in the language. Ideas are not linked together in a logical and clear manner and meaning is not conveyed in satisfactory terms.

1

The question has been partially or almost fully understood. The student has written less than the specified word count and he or she has covered some or all of the points, but only partially. There are some issues with sentence construction and inconsistencies and inaccuracies in the grammar and vocabulary that interfere with meaning. The student’s response is not cohesive and seems awkward.

2

The question has been almost fully understood, and the student has written close to or less than the specified word count. The student has made a reasonable effort to cover everything. He or she has mostly used appropriate tenses, grammar, and vocabulary, although with frequent errors. Meaning is reasonably clear and the sentences follow a logical train of thought to some extent.

3

The question is fully or almost fully answered in the specified word count. The student has made a reasonable effort to cover everything. He or she has demonstrated a good command of the appropriate language and used relevant grammar and vocabulary accurately, although with occasional errors (that don’t interfere with meaning). The student has used cohesive devices, such as linking expressions and sequencers appropriate to the level.

4

The question is fully answered in the specified word count. The student has covered everything. He or she has used accurate and appropriate grammar and vocabulary, with very few, if any, errors. There is a natural or logical progression from one sentence to the next and meaning is totally understood. The student shows a good command of cohesive devices, such as linking expressions and sequencers appropriate to the level.

5


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Placement Test | Teacher’s Guide

Deciding Students’ LevelsOptimise Placement Test Conversion Table

Use the Placement Test Conversion Table to identify your students’ levels. Placement according to the scores on the complete test is based on the assumption that your students attempt to answer all the questions, including both writing tasks.

Total Score Recommended Level

0–24 A2

25–36 B1

37–48 B1+

49+ B2

Optimise Placement Test Conversion Table: Grammar, Vocabulary and Reading only

If you choose not to use the writing section of the Placement Test, use this table to place your students in the appropriate level based on their grammar, vocabulary and reading skills.

Total Score Recommended Level

0–18 A2

19–27 B1

28–36 B1+

37+ B2


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Placement Test | Teacher’s Guide | Answer Key

Grammar and Vocabulary1 C [have got]

2 A [present simple]

3 A [can]

4 C [present continuous]

5 A [past simple]

6 B [superlatives]

7 C [vocabulary – everyday activities]

8 C [vocabulary – places in a town]

9 B [vocabulary – personal qualities]

10 C [modals of obligation/lack of obligation/prohibition]

11 A [could]

12 B [past continuous]

13 A [present continuous for future]

14 C [present perfect with yet]

15 B [first conditional]

16 B [vocabulary - jobs]

17 B [vocabulary - containers and measures]

18 C [vocabulary - clothes]

19 A [relative pronouns]

20 B [as…as comparatives]

21 C [too/(not) enough]

22 C [second conditional]

23 C [used to]

24 C [gerunds and infinitives]

25 B [vocabulary – health problems and illnesses]

26 C [vocabulary – adjectives –ed/-ing]

27 C [vocabulary – phrasal verbs]

28 A [present perfect for/since]

29 C [future perfect simple]

30 A [relative clauses – non defining]

31 B [past modals of deduction]

32 C [third conditional]

33 C [wish]

34 A [vocabulary – extreme adjectives]

35 C [vocabulary – dependent prepositions]

36 B [vocabulary – lend/borrow]

37 C [present perfect continuous]

38 A [so/such]

39 D [the…the.. -comparative structures]

40 B [modals in the past]

41 B [provided]

42 C [question tags]

43 C [vocabulary – transport and travel]

44 B [vocabulary – money]

45 C [vocabulary – phrasal verbs]

46 B [gerunds and infinitives]

47 C [reporting verbs]

48 D [impersonal reporting structures]

49 D [causative get]

50 C [participle clauses]

51 B [vocabulary – body idioms]

52 A [vocabulary – collocations with do]

53 A [vocabulary – phrasal verbs]

54 C [vocabulary – describing cities and towns]

55 C [relative clauses]

56 B [auxiliaries for emphasis]

57 C [inversion]

58 D [gerunds and infinitives: two meanings]

59 A [vocabulary – descriptive adjectives]

60 C [vocabulary – adjective + noun collocations]

Reading61 C [detailed information]

62 A [detailed information]

63 C [pronoun reference]

64 C [main idea]

65 A [writer`s opinion]

66 C [writer`s intention]

67 A [meaning in context]

68 A [detailed information]

69 C [detailed information]

70 B [writer`s opinion]

71 C [writer`s intention]

72 B [detailed information]

73 C [inference]

74 A [pronoun reference]

75 D [writer`s opinion]


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Placement Test | Teacher’s Guide | Answer Key

Writing6

Sample answer

Hi John

Thanks for your email.

To answer your question, my favourite singer is Ed Sheeran. He sings pop music and he plays the guitar. He also raps in some of his songs. Last year, I saw him in concert and it was amazing! He doesn’t have any musicians on stage with him. It’s just him and his guitar.

I like him because he raps really fast and he is very original. If you have the chance to see him in concert you should go. I think he is one of the most talented musicians in the world!

Best wishes,

Paul

7 Sample answer

Tests at school are very important and every student prepares for them differently. Some prefer to study constantly throughout the year, whereas others leave all their revision until the last minute. I can understand both points of view.

To study regularly, you have to be very organised. You must review your notes before and after lessons and always be asking your teacher questions when something is not clear. The advantage of this is that you do really learn better, but the disadvantage is that it takes a lot of time.

On the other hand, if you leave it to the last minute it is possible to do a test and remember something that you studied the night before. However, it is also true that you cannot study everything the night before because there is not enough time. In addition, if you have to revise for more than one subject, the information can become mixed up.

Personally, I think it is best to study regularly and make summaries of your notes. You can review these easily the night before without feeling stressed.


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Placement Test | Grammar and Vocabulary

1 For questions 1–36, choose the best word or phrase (A, B or C).

1 I got a computer but I’ve got a tablet.

A don’t

B ’ve

C haven’t

2 Sue: I love Rita Ora! her?

Mike: No. I prefer Ed Sheeran.

A Do you like

B Are you like

C Does you like

3 Marie: play a musical instrument, John?

John: Yes. I play the piano.

A Can you

B Do you can

C Are you

4 That’s Jana. She’s to her friend.

A talks

B talk

C talking

5 Amy: Where you yesterday?

Jill: I was at my grandmother’s house.

A were

B did

C are

6 Angel: Messi’s the footballer in the world.

Ricardo: No, he isn’t. Ronaldo is!

A most good

B best

C better

7 I to the radio every day.

A read

B watch

C listen

8 Dad: Where are you going?

Mum: To the . I need to buy some boots.

A chemist’s

B newsagent’s

C shoe shop

9 Mary is very . She always helps me when I have a problem.

A hard-working

B kind

C creative

10 You tell anyone – it’s a secret.

A don’t have to

B must

C mustn’t

11 When I was five I swim but now I can.

A couldn’t

B can’t

C could

12 While we to school, it started snowing. It was beautiful!

A was walking

B were walking

C walked

13 Harry: What are you doing tonight?

Ben: I basketball with Michael. Do you want to come?

A ’m playing

B will play

C play

14 I haven’t finished cleaning my bike .A already

B just

C yet

15 If to the concert later, with you.

A you’ll go / I come

B you go / I’ll come

C you go / I come

16 He’s a . He writes articles for the newspaper.

A dentist

B journalist

C secretary


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17 Customer: I’d like a of pizza, please.

Server: Of course. Here you are.

A packet

B slice

C carton

18 George: These trousers are a bit big.

Dad: Yes, I think you need to buy a .A cap

B scarf

C belt

19 That is the man name I can’t pronounce.

A whose

B who

C which

20 My best friend isn’t my sister.

A as old than

B as old as

C so old than

21 Can you turn the music down, it’s .

A not enough loud

B not loud enough

C too loud

22 James: What if you €100 in the street?

Lisa: I’d give it to the police.

A will you do / found

B would you do / would find

C would you do / found

23 My brother and sister play football together when they were younger.

A did use to

B use to

C used to

24 I enjoyed my homework last night.

A do

B to do

C doing

25 Mum: What’s the matter?

Natalie: I sang too much at the concert and now my throat is .A injured

B sore

C ache

26 I am very in learning Chinese next year.

A interesting

B interest

C interested

27 If I don’t know a word, I always using an online dictionary.

A look it for

B look up it

C look it up

28 I’ve lived in London 20 years but I’ve never visited London Zoo.

A for

B since

C from

29 By this time next week, we our exams and we’ll be on holiday!

A ’ll be finishing

B ’re going to finish

C ’ll have finished

30 This film, won three Oscars, stars Johnny Depp and is directed by Tim Burton.

A which

B where

C that

31 It John who used the computer because he doesn’t know the password.

A mustn’t be

B can’t have been

C might have been

32 If you football for five hours, you so tired.

A wouldn’t have played / wouldn’t have felt

B hadn’t played / won’t feel

C hadn’t played / wouldn’t have felt

33 I wish I as well as her. She’s got such a lovely voice.

A sing

B can sing

C could sing

34 When we entered the stadium, it was inside.

A absolutely packed

B very enormous

C absolutely old


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35 My teacher is very good grammar.

A for explain

B in explaining

C at explaining

36 Sally, could you me some money, please?

A owe

B lend

C borrow

2 For questions 37–60, choose the best word or phrase (A, B, C or D).

37 Tom: Where are you? here for an hour.

Emma: Sorry. I missed the bus.

A I wait

B I’m waiting

C I’ve been waiting

D I’d been waiting

38 It was hot that we decided to stay at home.

A so

B very

C too

D such a

39 The I concentrate the I finish my work.

A more hard / fastest

B hardly / faster

C harder / fastest

D harder / faster

40 You brought food. We have got plenty here.

A had better

B needn’t have

C didn’t need

D should have

41 We’ll play a game tonight you have done your homework.

A unless

B provided

C supposed

D if only

42 You won a prize for your paintings, A isn’t it?

B haven’t you?

C didn’t you?

D don’t you?

43 The from the airport into London was expensive but quick.

A travel

B trip

C journey

D voyage

44 When I money, I usually take out €40 from the cash machine.

A pick up

B withdraw

C set aside

D deposit

45 Max always his important computer documents on an external drive.

A prints out

B saves up

C backs up

D sets off

46 If the computer doesn’t work, try it off and on again.

A to switch

B switching

C switch

D having switched

47 The suspect being near the bank at the time of the crime.

A claimed

B accused

C denied

D refused

48 The man is believed over a thousand marathons since he started.

A to run

B to be running

C he has run

D to have run


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49 Paul didn’t like decorating so he got a professional decorator his flat for him.

A designing

B design

C she designed

D to design

50 all her emails, she switched off her computer.

A Sending

B She sent

C Having sent

D Sent

51 If you’re angry, just tell him. You should get it off your .

A head

B chest

C back

D foot

52 You should take a few days off work. It won’t you any harm.

A do

B give

C make

D pay

53 Slow down, Barry. I can’t you.

A keep up with

B come up to

C come up with

D reach up with

54 Budapest is a wonderful city full of culture and in history.

A sprawling

B renowned

C steeped

D bustling

55 I liked my new English teacher, was fortunate, as she also was teaching us history.

A who

B what

C which

D that

56 Mum: Laura, have you done the dishes yet?

Laura: Well, I doing them, but then I had to answer my phone.

A started to

B did start

C was starting

D have just was

57 the film started when the phone rang.

A No sooner had

B Seldom had

C Barely had

D Not until

58 Do you remember your bed when you were a child?

A to do

B doing

C to make

D making

59 My aunt Jane bears a(n) resemblance to a famous rock star.

A uncanny

B sceptical

C intentional

D irrational

60 My sister and my father like to win. There is a competitive running through our family.

A line

B consciousness

C streak

D shift

Total score


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Placement Test | Reading

3 Read the text below. For questions 61–65, choose the best answer (A, B or C).

Bike sharingIf you travel to a big city, you will see many people riding public bikes. This isn’t a new idea. The first public bike sharing system began in Amsterdam in the 1960’s. The organisers painted the bikes white and many people used them. After one person finished their journey they left the bike for the next person. Unfortunately, people stole many of the bikes or threw them in the rivers, and so the system was stopped.In 1974, the city of La Rochelle, in France, started its own system of free public bicycles. Their bikes were yellow and the system was successful. Today, there are more than 300 bikes and the city is famous for its yellow bikes. You have to pay to use the bikes now, but they aren’t expensive and they are very popular. Today, technology has changed public bike sharing systems. There are now special stations for people to put the bikes so they are safe and computer systems that record the location of the bikes at the bike stations. In most bike sharing systems, the riders use a special card to pay for the bike. Public bike sharing systems are popular in Europe, but they are also becoming popular in Asia. In fact, the biggest bike sharing system is in the city of Hangzhou, in China. There are over 60,000 bicycles and over 2,000 stations!Cities don’t have bike sharing systems to make money, but the city benefits because there are fewer cars on the roads, less noise and less pollution. Public bike sharing systems are also becoming very popular with tourists. Local people are happy because a shared bike is cheaper than using a car, it is good for the environment and it is good exercise. With over 500 bike sharing systems in the world today it looks like they are here to stay.

13

61 What was one of the problems with the first bike sharing system?

A Nobody wanted a white bicycle.

B People rode the bicycles into the river.

C Some people took the bikes and kept them.

62 What does the writer say about the bike sharing system in France?

A When it started people didn’t pay to use the bikes.

B People liked yellow bikes more than white bikes.

C Many famous people use the yellow bikes.

63 What does ‘they’ (line 13) refer to?

A the riders

B the cards

C bike sharing systems

64 What’s the topic of the last paragraph?

A how cities can make money with bike sharing systems

B why bike sharing systems are good for tourists

C the advantages of bike sharing systems

65 How does the writer feel about bike sharing systems?

A They have a good future.

B Cars will always be more popular.

C They are the best way to do exercise.


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4 Read the text below. For questions 66–70, choose the best answer (A, B or C).

Democratic SchoolI’ve just started university and have met lots of new people from all sorts of countries. Despite their different backgrounds, they all went to the same type of school as me. The schools had lots of rules, lots of sitting quietly, hours of listening to lessons and never-ending tests. However, there was one student, Derek, who told me he’d gone to a democratic school. I didn’t know what he meant so I asked him to tell me more.He explained that democratic schools are very different from typical schools where the teachers decide what the rules are. In democratic schools, things like equality and freedom are more important than getting good grades. Students are encouraged to take responsibility for their own actions. He explained that in weekly meetings students and staff members voted on school rules and ways to enforce them. They also decided what to do if someone broke the rules. Each student and staff member had one vote each so, as there were many more students than staff, the students were in control.As for the lessons themselves, Derek said that students made their own timetables at the beginning of each term. They could choose from a range of traditional subjects like geography, maths and woodwork. He also explained how the students weren’t separated by age and even more surprising that participation in each class was optional. They had to attend the class but if they chose to, the students could do an alternative activity, like reading or drawing. Despite this, the students often chose to prepare for exams in order to go to university. If I’d gone to a democratic school, I wouldn’t have studied anything and I’d have spent all my time playing games. Even now, I need someone to tell me what to do and organise my life for me. But maybe that’s the point of democratic schools. Perhaps if young people were allowed to make more decisions themselves, they would be better prepared not only for life at university, but also the challenges beyond.

3

66 What’s the writer doing in the text?

A Telling a funny story about school.

B Recommending a school.

C Discussing a type of school.

67 What does ‘never-ending tests’ (line 3) mean?

A lots of tests

B difficult tests

C boring tests

68 According to Derek, how are democratic schools different from more typical schools?

A Students are given more freedom.

B Students get worse grades.

C Students are allowed to break the rules.

69 What does the writer learn about the classes in the democratic school?

A Students didn’t need to attend them.

B The boys and the girls weren’t separated.

C Students didn’t have to take part in them.

70 How does the writer feel about democratic schools?

A Students won’t learn anything useful.

B They might be good for young people.

C He wishes he’d gone to one.


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5 Read the text below. For questions 71–75, choose the best answer (A, B, C or D).

The Importance of MusicMusic has always been important to people, and has been around for longer than you might think. In 2012, a primitive flute made from bird bone and mammoth ivory, discovered in Germany, was claimed to be over forty-thousand years old. If true, this would make it the world’s oldest musical instrument. But why have humans needed music?There are many theories as to the importance of music. Some experts suggest that humans used music like birds do, to attract a mate. Other theories suggest that music emerged to accompany story telling. Stories told in groups turned into poetry, which had a rhythm. This rhythm may have been accompanied by clapping, which may have evolved into drums and other instruments. Another function of music was to bond communities, and this can still be evidenced in football stadiums all over the world. Whatever the reason, it is clear that music has never been essential for survival, but is something that has been kept because it serves various functions and is enjoyed by people.In fact, according to recent studies, nowadays more and more young people are learning to play an instrument; the most popular being the recorder, piano and guitar. In recent years, electric keyboards and electric guitars have increased in popularity, suggesting a shift away from more traditional instruments towards electronic ones. With the arrival of the Internet and mobile technology, it is possible to turn a mobile phone into a keyboard or drum, and beginners can learn guitar and other instruments by watching video tutorials online. Some artists, like Ed Sheeran, have become famous after posting their performances on the internet.The Internet has also created the potential for people to collaborate on online musical projects so new sounds and ways of making music can be easily shared. The Virtual Choir is one example of this; more than a thousand voices were brought together by the Internet to create a digital choir. In addition, musicians who use the Internet can form online bands and use internet websites such as YouTube to share their music, without ever meeting in person.But what about the young people without access to the Internet or expensive instruments like the piano? Well, in the same way as people have been doing for millennia, they make music in any way they can; by whistling, clapping or just hitting a box with their hands. As long as we have creativity and imagination, the future of music is assured, regardless of the instruments that we play.

20

71 Why does the writer use the example of the flute?

A to suggest that musical instruments can be simple

B to highlight the fact that music instruments are important

C to exemplify that music has existed for thousands of years

D to impress the reader with an amazing fact

72 In the second paragraph, what does the writer suggest about music?

A it probably evolved as a way for the species to continue

B it is more desirable than vital

C it is an essential way to bring groups together

D it replaces the spoken word

73 In the third paragraph, what reason is given for the increase in young people learning an instrument?

A electronic music is easier to play than traditional instruments

B young people like electronic music more

C there are more resources to help people

D young people want to become famous

74 What does ‘this’ (line 20) refer to?

A online collaboration

B creating potential

C making new music

D sharing music

75 How does the writer feel about the future of music?

A optimistic as long as people have the right instruments

B worried that music will become increasingly simpler

C concerned that music will only be for the rich

D confident that music will always exist

Total score


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Placement Test | Writing

6 Read part of an email you have received from an English-speaking friend. Write an email answering your friend’s questions.

In your next email, please tell me about your favourite kind of music or favourite singers or group. What type of music do they play? Why do you like them?

Write 75–100 words.

7 At school you have been discussing the best way to study. Your teacher has asked you to write an essay. Read the statement and write an essay discussing both views. Then give your opinion.

Some students think the best way to prepare for a test is to study a little bit every day, while others think it is better to wait until the week before the test and study for many hours.

Write 150–180 words.

Total score

Total score

Placement Test | Teacher's Guide - Macmillan.ru

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