ICGSE ESL Introduction

​ICGSE ESL Exam - What you need to know

By Kelley Fast

​There are 4 parts to the test

Reading, Writing, Speaking, Listening

They all have equal value (50 points)

​Reading

1 hour
6 texts - each one gets longer
multiple choice; gap fill; short answer
small spelling and grammar errors are OK if the reader can understand your answer

Multiple Choice

How many texts will you read in the Reading section of the test?

• 1

• 4

• 6

• 16

Multiple Choice

There are 3 types of questions: multiple choice, gap fill, and ________

• true / false

• short answer

​Listening

45 minutes (5 minutes to read questions first)
9 recordings (each played 2 times)
multiple choice and short answer questions

Multiple Choice

The listening test is longer than the reading test.

• True

• False

Multiple Choice

You will have time to read the questions before the listening test.

• True

• False

​Writing

1 hour 15 minutes
grammar, spelling, and punctuation are important
3 pieces to write
a) informal writing (email/blog) approximately 80 words
b) Choice essay (Topic 5) approximately 180 words
c) summary approximately 180 words

Multiple Choice

How many writing tasks are there?

• 2

• 3

• 4

​Speaking

22-23 minutes (10 minute prep time for the role play and picture)
warm-up 1 minute
role play (5 chances to speak)... /10
speech on Topic 5 (2 minutes to speak and 3 minutes to discuss)... /20
picture conversation (5 minutes) /20

Multiple Choice

How many points is the Speaking part of the exam?

• 10

• 20

• 30

• 50

Multiple Choice

You will have time to prepare for your picture discussio and role play speaking tasks.

• True

• False

Multiple Choice

How many speaking tasks are there?

• 3

• 4

• 5

​Topics

There are 5 Topics to study in 2 years. These are: Myself and Others, Travel and Tourism, Education, Employment, Global Issues
Global Issues will only be tested in the writing and speaking parts of the exam. The other topics will be in all parts of the exam.

​Our Class...Term 1A

Topic 1: The World Around Me
Sub-topics: Homes; Family, Friends, Relationships
Focus: Reading and Writing (informal) but all skills will be practiced
Lots of vocabulary and grammar as needed

​Assessment

Vocabulary quizzes, modified test questions, real test questions

Multiple Choice

Vocabulary and grammar are not important.

• True

• False