Reading Parts 1&2
Part 1 of the Reading portion of the Aptis General exam consists of a text with gaps. You need
to choose a word (from a list of 3) to correctly complete the sentence. You will have five
sentences to complete.
Tip:
• Before reading the list of possible answers, read the text first and try to
“guess” what the answer might be.
• After reading the text, eliminate the options you know are not the correct answers.
• Use the words before and after the gap to help you find the answer.
Reading Part 1
Practice 1
In this task you have to complete a sentence by choosing the correct word from three
options A, B or C. An example has been done for you.
Hi Charles,
Thanks for your (0) reply. You are so (1) ! You always say the nicest things. I
(2) an e-mail to Mr. Johnson two days ago, and he just replied with a videocall.
They want us to make a (3) on what happened last term and to
design a "Project Plan."
Also, they have some (4) that we have to fill out describing in
(5)_________________ the other languages we teach, so we have some work to do!
Let’s keep in touch.
- Maria
0 question reply reservation
1 quick slow kind
2 received sent borrowed
3 inform recipe report
4 forms signs diaries
5 more words detail
1
Practice 2
Part 1
In this task, you have to complete a sentence by choosing the correct word from options A, B
or C. An example has been done for you.
Hey James,
Thank you so much for such a beautiful day. I really (0) enjoyed spending time with you and your
cousins. Your family is so (1) . There was not a second where I
felt left out; I was comfortable the whole time I was with you all. My train leaves on Friday
morning, so I’m going to take the bus that (2) me to the station.
I (3) you and your family get to relax during the holidays and (4)
time please come to Italy to visit me! I’m feeling exhausted, so I’m going
to (5) and go to bed.
Best wishes,
- Marcella
0 enjoyed amused laughed
1 joyful welcoming funny
2 takes get leave
3 hope wait want
4 last next future
5 water coffee shower
2
Part 2 of the Reading portion of the Aptis General exam consists of two texts and you must
place the sentences in the correct order so that the texts make sense. The text can consist of:
instructions, biographies, story.
Tip:
• Read every sentence before you begin placing them in order.
• Try to identify which sentences are “general” and which ones may be considered
more “specific”. This is done by identifying connectors (firstly, secondly, last,
finally..), contrast words (however, although, but…), transition words (moreover, in
addition, furthermore, another, also).
• Look for sentences that give examples or explain something.
• Be on the lookout for “closing sentences”.
Part 2.
In this part, you have to order the sentences so that they make a complete, coherent text.
Both texts start with option A.
Text 1.
A. When I tell the story now, I laugh about it, but when it happened, it was absolutely
terrifying.
B. I felt terrible, but meeting my favourite singer of all time was more important. So, I got
in the car and went straight to her hotel.
C. I wanted to see her so badly that I ate my breakfast too quickly and started to get a
horrible stomach-ache.
D. Luckily, nothing happened to me, but the car was completely destroyed.
E. This morning, I was reading the news while having breakfast when I saw that my
favourite singer was coming to town.
F. On my way there, the pain got so intense that I crashed into a lorry!
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Text 2.
A. Peter Collins was born in Manchester in 1993.
B. When he was old enough, he sent out his demos to record companies but they all
refused to sign him stating that he was indeed talented just not enough to sell records.
C. This devasted him to the point that he decided to change his life completely and
signed- u p i n a m u s i c s i n g i n g contest in 2019.
D. This platform allowed him to gain international recognition and become incredibly
popular. So much so, that a record company finally decided to sign him.
E. From a very young age, his family realised that he was musically gifted.
F. People loved his music so much he went on to become one of the highest paid singers of all
time.
Reading Part 2
Practice 2
Part 2
In this part, you have to order the sentences so that they make a complete, coherent text.
Both texts start with option A.
Text 1
A. Samantha Williams was born in Brazil in 1983.
B. Her mother decided to enrol her in acting classes so she could make friends and
overcome her shyness.
C. However, after finding mild success, she became uninterested in the acting process and
decided to pursue other ventures; behind the camera.
D. As a young child, she was an introvert and had some problems socialising
with other children.
E. It was a turning point for Samantha. She quickly gained enough confidence in
herself that she soon was booking acting jobs.
F. She went on to study Cinematography in New York and became a well-respected director.
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Text 2
A. The following recipe is the best for cooking chocolate biscuits.
B. Please note that it is essential to let the biscuits cool down before serving.
C. Next, add the chocolate chips and pour the dough into the baking moulds.
D. Once everything has been purchased; you can start.
E. Before you begin, you need to buy all the necessary ingredients.
F. First make the dough and be careful not to overdo it with water.
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Speaking
Describing Pictures
1) Introduction
• The photo/picture shows ...
• It was taken by/in ...
• It's a black-and-white/coloured photo.
2) What is where?
• In the foreground/background you can see ...
• In the foreground/background there is ...
• In the middle/centre there are ...
• At the top/At the bottom there is ...
• On the left/right there are ...
• Behind/In front of ... you can see ...
• Between ... there is ...
•
3) Who is doing what?
Here you describe the persons in the picture or you say what is happening just now.
4) What I think about the picture
• It seems as if ...
• The lady seems to ...
• Maybe ...
• I think ...
• ... might be a symbol of ...
• The atmosphere is peaceful/depressing ...
• I (don't) like the picture because ...
• It makes me think of ...
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Speaking Parts 1 & 2
Part 1
In this part, you have to answer three short questions about yourself and your interests.
You will have 30 seconds to reply to each question. Begin speaking when you hear this
sound.
1) Please tell me about your hobbies. (30 secs)
2) What is your family like? (30 secs)
3) What did you do for your last birthday? (30 secs)
Part 2
In this part, you have to describe a picture. Then, you have to answer two questions about
it. You will have 45 seconds for each response. Begin speaking when you hear the sound.
1) Describe this picture. (45 secs)
2) Do you think it is important to speak in public? (45 secs)
3) In which jobs is it essential to know how to speak in public? (45 secs)
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Part 1
In this part, you have to answer three short questions about yourself and your interests.
You will have 30 seconds to reply to each question. Begin speaking when you hear this
sound.
1) What are your hobbies? (30 secs)
2) What did you do last weekend? (30 secs)
3) What do you usually do to keep fit? (30 secs)
Part 2
In this part, you have to describe a picture. Then, you have to answer two questions about
it. You will have 45 seconds for each response. Begin speaking when you hear the sound.
1) Describe this picture (45 secs).
2) Do you like to cook your own food? (45 secs)
3) Why is it important for children to eat healthy food? (45 secs)
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