English Solutions for Careers (E4C)

CAMBRIDGE LINGUASKILL
CEFR-R ENGLISH TEST:
HOW TO SCORE C1 &
ABOVE IN YOUR FIRST TRY
24 October 2020

Proud partners of:

INTRODUCTION

Henry Law
Corporate Strategy Director

• Head of Cambridge Linguaskill Test

Operations in Malaysia.
• Providing Linguaskill Training.
• Invigilating Cambridge Linguaskill
“Call me Henry!” for about a year.
Scored CEFR C1 & Above.
Going for CEFR C2 testing soon.
CAMBRIDGE LINGUASKILL–MOE CEFR-READINESS TEST

Cambridge Assessment English’s Most Advanced and

Accurate English Proficiency Test To-date.

AI-Powered Anywhere On-Demand

Instant Results Modular Accurate & Reliable

OFFICIAL ANNOUNCEMENT BY MOE @ 5th OCTOBER 2020

No need to travel
anywhere to take the test.

Can take the test anytime,

even on weekends.

It is a professional test,
not a university test.

The certification does not

expire. Good for life.

Tests your General English,

not Academic English.
 OUR MISSION TODAY:

UNDERSTANDING

HOW TO SCORE
CEFR C1 & ABOVE
IN LINGUASKILL
STEP ONE: UNDERSTAND THE TEST COMPONENTS

STEP ONE

UNDERSTAND
THE TEST
COMPONENTS
 STEP ONE: UNDERSTAND THE TEST COMPONENTS

Linguaskill is a test that combines 3 modules together.

1 2 3

Reading & Listening Writing Speaking

 STEP ONE: UNDERSTAND THE TEST COMPONENTS

The total test duration is 145 minutes (or 2 hours and 25 minutes long).

1 2 3

Reading & Listening Writing Speaking

Test Duration 85 minutes 45 minutes 15 minutes

 STEP ONE: UNDERSTAND THE TEST COMPONENTS

Your overall CEFR level will be the average score of all 4 skills.

1 2 3

Reading & Listening Writing Speaking

Test Duration 85 minutes 45 minutes 15 minutes

Weightage 25% 25% 25% 25%

 STEP ONE: UNDERSTAND THE TEST COMPONENTS

Example of how the scoring works:

1 2 3

Reading & Listening Writing Speaking

Example Score
186 182 178 174
(Cambridge Scale)

Average Score = 180 (CEFR C1)

180 is the minimum mark you need to achieve CEFR C1
 STEP ONE: UNDERSTAND THE TEST COMPONENTS

All 3 modules are taken online, even the Speaking module.

1 2 3

Reading & Listening Writing Speaking

Test Duration 85 minutes 45 minutes 15 minutes

Weightage 25% 25% 25% 25%

Administered Online test Online test Online test

 STEP ONE: UNDERSTAND THE TEST COMPONENTS

You will need these equipment to take the test at home.

Laptop or PC with Webcam Internet Connection + Headset

Google Chrome Browser
(If you don’t have a webcam, (You can use your
you will need to use a headphone with mic that
smartphone’s camera.) came with your phone.)
STEP TWO: UNDERSTAND THE TEST FORMAT

STEP TWO

UNDERSTAND
THE TEST
FORMAT
 STEP TWO: UNDERSTAND THE TEST FORMAT

The Reading & Listening test has 7 Question Types in total:

Listening Test Starts First

1
1. Listen and select Random
2. Extended listening Hard number of
questions.
Reading Test Starts Next
Reading & Listening 3. Read and select
4. Extended reading Use about 45
minutes in
5. Gapped sentences Listening.
6. Multiple-choice gap-fill You may
speed up.
7. Open gap-fill Hard
 STEP TWO: UNDERSTAND THE TEST FORMAT

Listening Question Type 1: Listen and select

Play the audio clip.

1

Answer one question.

2
 STEP TWO: UNDERSTAND THE TEST FORMAT

Listening Question Type 2: Extended Listening

Play the LONG audio clip.

1

Answer FIVE questions.

2

Hard
 STEP TWO: UNDERSTAND THE TEST FORMAT

The Strategy to use for Extended Listening questions.

1• Don’t play the audio immediately.

2• Read all the questions to understand what
you need to listen out for.
3• Remember this: The answers to the questions
appear in sequence in the audio recording.
4• Answer the question as you listen. Don’t try to
remember everything until the end.
 STEP TWO: UNDERSTAND THE TEST FORMAT

Reading Question Type 3: Read and select

Read the prompt.

1

Answer one question.

2
 STEP TWO: UNDERSTAND THE TEST FORMAT

Reading Question Type 4: Extended reading

Read a long passage.

1

Answer a set of questions.

2
 STEP TWO: UNDERSTAND THE TEST FORMAT

Reading Question Type 5: Gapped sentences

Read the gapped question.

1

Select an answer to fit the gap.

2
 STEP TWO: UNDERSTAND THE TEST FORMAT

Reading Question Type 6: Multiple-choice gap-fill

Read the gapped

paragraph.
1

Select an answer to
fit each gap.
2
 STEP TWO: UNDERSTAND THE TEST FORMAT

Reading Question Type 7: Open gap-fill

Read the gapped

paragraph.
1

TYPE the correct

answer.
2

Hard
 STEP TWO: UNDERSTAND THE TEST FORMAT

The Strategy to use for Open Gap Fill questions.

1• The answer is always a one-word answer.

2• The answer will fall into one of two groups: grammar

words (e.g. articles, prepositions, conjunctions, etc.) and
collocations.

3• Collocations are words that are commonly juxtaposed

together in the English language. For example, “good
choice”, “save time”, “deep pockets”, “cash flow” etc.

4• They are like a form of idiom or metaphor that is

commonly used in English.
 STEP TWO: UNDERSTAND THE TEST FORMAT

The Writing test has 2 Question Types:

Writing Test
2
1. Write an email (minimum 50 words)
2. Write an essay (minimum 180 words)

Writing

You should You should

Two
spend 15 spend 30
questions
minutes on minutes on
only.
the email the essay
 STEP TWO: UNDERSTAND THE TEST FORMAT

Writing Question Type 1: Write an email

Read the question.

1

Read the prompts.

2

Write your reply, using the prompts.

3
 STEP TWO: UNDERSTAND THE TEST FORMAT

Key: Write according to the email format

Start with a salutation.

1

Address the prompts

with proper
paragraphing.
2

End with your signature.

3
 STEP TWO: UNDERSTAND THE TEST FORMAT

Writing Question Type 2: Write an essay

Read the question.

1

Read the prompts.

2

Write your reply, using the prompts.

3
 STEP TWO: UNDERSTAND THE TEST FORMAT

Strategy for Writing: Remember your best practice in writing!

1• Stay on topic. Answer the prompts. Reach the word limit.

2• Have a beginning, middle, and end.

3• Use paragraphs properly. Each paragraph should start

with a topic sentence, followed by supporting sentences.

4• Grammar is important. Try to use different vocabulary or

expressions.

5• Spelling and punctuations matter.

6• Use “flowery” language sparingly. Don’t overdo it!

 STEP TWO: UNDERSTAND THE TEST FORMAT

Let’s look at the example given and see the examiner’s comments.

No penalty for
exceeding the
minimum number
of words.
 STEP TWO: UNDERSTAND THE TEST FORMAT

Let’s look at the example given and see the examiner’s comments.

Good structure,
paragraphing, topic
sentences, supporting
sentences

Linking words are

important!

Complex grammar usage

Variety of vocabulary,
grammar
Minimise spelling, lexical
errors
 STEP TWO: UNDERSTAND THE TEST FORMAT

The Speaking test has 5 Parts:

Speaking Test
3
1. Interview – 8 questions
2. Reading Aloud – 8 questions
3. Long Turn 1 – 1 question Hard

4. Long Turn 2 – 1 question Hard

Speaking
5. Communication Activity – 5 questions Hard

5 parts,
23 questions
in total.
 STEP TWO: UNDERSTAND THE TEST FORMAT

Why is the Speaking Test hard?

1 2 3
The speaking test is The speaking test Not only do you
the only test that forces you to “think have to think about
does not let you on your feet”, like what to say, you
control your own in a real have to think about
pacing. conversation. how you say it.

NOTE: The speaking test does not

evaluate your accent.
 STEP TWO: UNDERSTAND THE TEST FORMAT

Speaking Part 1: Interview

You will be asked a series of 8 questions about yourself.

Thinking Time 0 seconds

Speaking Time 10–20 seconds Use up the

timer, try not
to give
Read or Listen? You will have to listen to the questions. simple
answers

Example questions:
• What is your name? The
• How do you spell your family name? examiner is
• Where are you from? not
evaluating
your “facts”
 STEP TWO: UNDERSTAND THE TEST FORMAT

Speaking Part 2: Reading Aloud

You will be asked to read 8 sentences on the screen.

Thinking Time 0 seconds

Speaking Time 10 seconds Avoid

contracting
words,
Read or Listen? You will read the questions. unless
shown.

Example questions:
• The library is closed for staff training Pronounce
until 11am. and
• How easy will it be for students to find Enunciate
your words
accommodation near the university? correctly
 STEP TWO: UNDERSTAND THE TEST FORMAT

Speaking Part 3: Long Turn 1

You will be asked to talk about a topic presented on screen.

Thinking Time 40 seconds Speaking Time 60 seconds

Read or Listen? You will read the question. You are

allowed to
jot down
Example question: notes to
Talk about a practical skill you would like to prepare.
learn. You should say:
• What practical skill you would like to learn
• why you would like to learn this practical
skill Answer all
questions in
• how difficult you think it would be to learn the prompt!
this skill
 STEP TWO: UNDERSTAND THE TEST FORMAT

Speaking Part 4: Long Turn 2

You will be asked to talk about a graphic presented on screen.

Thinking Time 60 seconds Speaking Time 60 seconds

Read or Listen? You will read the graphic and question.

Use all the
facts in the
Your English-speaking friend graphic.
wants to buy a cycling jacket
and has asked for your advice.

This table shows product

reviews for two cycling
jackets. Then,
remember to
Look at the table and then
leave a message for your answer the
friend, recommending which question.
cycling jacket to buy.
 STEP TWO: UNDERSTAND THE TEST FORMAT

Speaking Part 5: Communication Activity

You will be asked to share your opinion on 5 questions.

Thinking Time 40 seconds Speaking Time 20 seconds

Per question

Again, the
Read or Listen? You will read some prompts on the screen,
examiner is
then listen to the question. not assessing
your
A journalist is writing a magazine article about people's attitudes to technology
knowledge/
and the internet. He wants to find out your opinion about technology and the
facts.
internet.

He will ask you questions about:

If you don’t
• useful technology in daily life
understand
• having the newest technology
the question,
• social media
use your best
• online advertising
guess.
• depending on technology
 STEP TWO: UNDERSTAND THE TEST FORMAT

Strategy for Speaking:

1• Try to say as much as you can, but make sure you stay
on-topic.

• Use the prompts in the question to plan what you

need to say.

• Where possible, add extra details to your answers.

• Remember to expand your answer by giving

supporting facts, examples, details, and/or reasons.

• Use the planning time given to jot down some notes.

This is especially useful to tackle complex questions.
 STEP TWO: UNDERSTAND THE TEST FORMAT

Strategy for Speaking:

2• Use a range of grammar and different vocabulary.

• Use different tenses and modal verbs appropriately.
• Use different words (vocabulary) and language
expressions appropriately.
• Speak using well pronounced sentences and sentence
structures.
• Speak in full sentences as much as possible.
• Use comparisons and conditionals appropriately.
• Where appropriate, using complex sentences or grammar
structure will score higher marks.
• Focus on pronunciation and enunciation, and avoid
contracting words as much as possible.
 STEP TWO: UNDERSTAND THE TEST FORMAT

Strategy for Speaking:

3• Take note of the timer when you speak.

• Give full answers to all parts of the question.

• Avoid short or single words answers.

• Use up the timer. If you get cut-off mid-sentence, you

will not be penalized.
 STEP TWO: UNDERSTAND THE TEST FORMAT

Strategy for Speaking:

4• For questions with multiple parts, you must respond

clearly to all of them.

• The speaking test does not evaluate the whether

your facts and statements are true or false.

• The speaking test does evaluate whether you can

respond to the questions that are being asked, and
whether you understand what is being asked.
 STEP TWO: UNDERSTAND THE TEST FORMAT

Strategy for Speaking:

5• Respond to all questions.

• Sometimes, you may get a question that you do not

know the answer to.

• Do not stay silent, as you will not get any marks.

• In such cases, try to respond to the question fully

based on what you do understand from the question.
TIME FOR Q&A

QUESTION AND
ANSWER
SESSION
WHAT’S NEXT: YOU WILL RECEIVE A COPY OF TODAY’S CLASS

Today’s online class video

will be emailed to you.

You will also receive the

slides I presented.
WHAT’S NEXT: REGISTER FOR CAMBRIDGE LINGUASKILL CEFR-R TEST

How to take the Linguaskill CEFR-R Test?

Complete the Linguaskill CEFR-R Test online

1 registration form @ e4c.sasbadi.com/cefr_r

Prepare yourself with Linguaskill’s free prep materials

2 and sample tests @ e4c.sasbadi.com/cefr_r

An invigilator will invite you to an online test session

3 using Google Meet or Zoom.

A test link will be shared with you, along with your

4 username and password.

Complete the Linguaskill CEFR-R test. Results are

DOES
NOT
5 available within 48 hours or less.
EXPIRE
English Solutions for Careers
BETTER ENGLISH FOR
BETTER CAREERS.
Sasbadi Holdings Berhad
Lot 12, Jalan Teknologi 3/4
Taman Sains Selangor 1
Kota Damansara
47810 Petaling Jaya
Selangor, Malaysia
http://e4c.sasbadi.com

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