Australian Harbour International College

RTO ID: 41338 CRICOS Provider Code: 03449J

ABN: 74 603 036 102
T: 02 9268 0085
E: [email protected]
W: www.ahic.edu.au
A: Level 4, 114-120 Castlereagh Street
Sydney NSW 2000 Australia

Placement Test

Student Name ……………………………………………………….

Total Writing & Grammar …………………………. /50
Total Reading …………………………. /40
Total Speaking …………………………. /10
Grand Total …………………………./100

Grand Total ........../100

TOTAL SCORES (OUT OF 100) AND EQUIVALENT LEVELS

Total Score Equivalent level

40-59 Intermediate
60-79 Upper Intermediate
80-100 Advanced

Assesor Feedback:……………………………………………………………………………………………
…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………
…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………

Assesor Name :……………………………………………………………………………………………

Signature:…………………………………………Date:…………………………………………………

AHIC_placement_test..V3.0_set_2 Page 1 of 12
 Australian Harbour International College
RTO ID: 41338 CRICOS Provider Code: 03449J
ABN: 74 603 036 102
T: 02 9268 0085
E: [email protected]
W: www.ahic.edu.au
A: Level 4, 114-120 Castlereagh Street
Sydney NSW 2000 Australia

Instructions to the Candidates

 You need to complete this evaluation according to the instructions given below in this document.
 Should you not answer the questions correctly, you will be given general feedback on the results and
gaps in knowledge.
 If you are not sure about any aspect of this evaluation, please ask for clarification from your assessor.
 If you have any questions and other concerns that may affect your performance in the assessment,
please inform the assessor immediately.
 You need to complete the evaluations in the time allocated.
 For Offshore candidate, Student need to attend the Placement test once again after arrival in Australia.
 This language evaluation consists of a Writing, Grammar and Reading Component, and a Separate
Speaking Component. The time allocated for the Writing, Grammar and Reading Component is 3 Hours
in total with a further 15 Minutes for the Speaking Component. Please allocate your time in providing
responses to the evaluation questions according to the marks given.
 Plagiarism is copying someone else’s work and submitting it as your own. Any Plagiarism will result in a
mark of Zero

AHIC_placement_test..V3.0_set_2 Page 2 of 12
 Australian Harbour International College
RTO ID: 41338 CRICOS Provider Code: 03449J
ABN: 74 603 036 102
T: 02 9268 0085
E: [email protected]
W: www.ahic.edu.au
A: Level 4, 114-120 Castlereagh Street
Sydney NSW 2000 Australia

Placement Test
Grammar Task, A - Time allowed: 20 minutes (20 Marks)
When we give instructions we are telling someone to do something.
For example, the nurse instructed Teresa politely not to give the baby a bottle yet:
“As for the bottle I wouldn’t introduce one yet, it could interfere with your milk supply.”

There are several ways we can make spoken instructions more polite.

We can do this with the use of:

• Modals such as could, should, would, may, might.
• Words such as just, actually, really, perhaps, possibly, maybe
• Groups of words, such as: I think, you know, if I were you, would you mind.
• Look at these examples.
“Perhaps you could smoke outside please.”
“Would you mind not smoking that in here?“

1. Read the Instructions.

They are all about the same thing but some are more direct than others.
Circle P if the Instruction is polite.
Circle D if the instruction is direct.
The first one has been done for you. (8 Marks)

a. Well, it may be worth asking him not to smoke inside

P D
b. Ask him not to smoke inside
P D
c. If I were you, I ‘d ask him not to smoke inside
P D
d. You must ask him not to smoke inside
P D
e. Perhaps you could ask him not to smoke inside
P D

AHIC_placement_test..V3.0_set_2 Page 3 of 12
 Australian Harbour International College
RTO ID: 41338 CRICOS Provider Code: 03449J
ABN: 74 603 036 102
T: 02 9268 0085
E: [email protected]
W: www.ahic.edu.au
A: Level 4, 114-120 Castlereagh Street
Sydney NSW 2000 Australia

2. Look at some of the other instructions the nurse gives.

Under each instruction write one that is more direct.
The first one has been done for you. (6 marks)

a. “Well, when you’re ready, we’ll pop him on the scales.”

“Put him on the scales.”

b. “So, would you take all his clothes off for me?”

_________________________________

c. “You can do it on the table over there.”

__________________________________

d. “You could discuss it with your GP.”

__________________________________

3. Work with another student.

Change the direct instructions into polite instructions.
The first one has been done for you. (6 marks)

a. “Open the window.”

“Could you please open the window for me?”

b. “Don’t smoke near the children.”

__________________________________

c. “Call a courier to collect this package now.”

__________________________________

d. “Exercise more. You’ll feel much better.”

__________________________________

Total marks

AHIC_placement_test..V3.0_set_2 Page 4 of 12
 Australian Harbour International College
RTO ID: 41338 CRICOS Provider Code: 03449J
ABN: 74 603 036 102
T: 02 9268 0085
E: [email protected]
W: www.ahic.edu.au
A: Level 4, 114-120 Castlereagh Street
Sydney NSW 2000 Australia

Writing Task, B Time Allowed: 40 minutes (30 marks)

Write about the following topic:

Countries such as China, and India have unsustainable population growths. In fact, many
experts are of the opinion that the population ‘explosion’ which is now a very worrying
concern, is the most serious threat to life on this planet.

Give some suggestions to address this problem.

Write minimum 250 words.

Essay Tip

Manage your time effectively in the writing evaluation. For the essay you will have 40
minutes to write, so give yourself time to plan before you begin writing, and try to allow five
minutes at the end to read through your work and check for errors.
Plan and check using the following marking scheme:

Word count 5 marks marks

Spelling 5 marks marks

Word form 5 marks marks

Sentence structure and punctuation 5 marks marks

text structure and flow 10 marks marks

introduction
paragraphs
linking words
conclusion

Total marks 30 marks Total marks task B

AHIC_placement_test..V3.0_set_2 Page 5 of 12
 Australian Harbour International College
RTO ID: 41338 CRICOS Provider Code: 03449J
ABN: 74 603 036 102
T: 02 9268 0085
E: [email protected]
W: www.ahic.edu.au
A: Level 4, 114-120 Castlereagh Street
Sydney NSW 2000 Australia

Writing Task B Answer sheet

AHIC_placement_test..V3.0_set_2 Page 6 of 12
 Australian Harbour International College
RTO ID: 41338 CRICOS Provider Code: 03449J
ABN: 74 603 036 102
T: 02 9268 0085
E: [email protected]
W: www.ahic.edu.au
A: Level 4, 114-120 Castlereagh Street
Sydney NSW 2000 Australia

Total Writing Marks

........../50

AHIC_placement_test..V3.0_set_2 Page 7 of 12
 Australian Harbour International College
RTO ID: 41338 CRICOS Provider Code: 03449J
ABN: 74 603 036 102
T: 02 9268 0085
E: [email protected]
W: www.ahic.edu.au
A: Level 4, 114-120 Castlereagh Street
Sydney NSW 2000 Australia

Placement Test
Reading Task Time Allowed: 60 minutes (40 Marks)
Read the following passage “Why eating chocolate is good for you” and answer the questions
(Question 1 to Question 4):

Why eating chocolate is good for you

It’s many people’s favourite vice, but if the latest evidence is to be believed, the last thing you
should feel when you secretly tuck into a hunk of chocolate is guilty. Scientists have revealed
that eating chocolate, in reasonable amounts, makes you feel emotionally better and so
improves the smooth running of your body’s endorphins. It even protects against heart
disease.

A)

Researchers at Harvard University, in the US, studied 8,000 men and found those who ate
modest amounts of chocolate up to three times a month lived almost a year longer than
those who didn't eat any. They concluded this is likely to be because cocoa contains anti-
oxidants called polyphenols, also found in red wine, which prevent the oxidation of harmful
cholesterol. Antioxidants are also known to protect against cancer.

B)

This is thought to be because it contains valeric acid, which is a relaxant and tranquillizer.
Also, the sugar in chocolate may reduce stress - sugar has been shown to have a calming
effect and pain-relieving effect on babies and animals because sweet tastes activate opiate-
like substances in our brain.

C)

There are number of scientific reason for this. The smell of chocolate has been found to slow
down brain waves, making us feel calm. Most of the time, our brains are dominated by beta
waves, normal waking frequency. When our brain activity slows to alpha waves, we
experience a pleasant feeling of calm but alert relaxation. Also, because most of us find
eating chocolates so pleasurable, we release endorphins in the brain. These have similar
pharmacological actions as morphine, acting as pain-relievers and giving us a sense of well-
being.

AHIC_placement_test..V3.0_set_2 Page 8 of 12
 Australian Harbour International College
RTO ID: 41338 CRICOS Provider Code: 03449J
ABN: 74 603 036 102
T: 02 9268 0085
E: [email protected]
W: www.ahic.edu.au
A: Level 4, 114-120 Castlereagh Street
Sydney NSW 2000 Australia

D)

Although many teenagers blame chocolate for their acne, there's no scientific data to confirm
this link. Scientists at Missouri University even gave spot-prone subjects chocolate to eat and
observed their skin for the next week, with no effect.

E)

This can occur, for example, if you eat it mid-afternoon, when blood sugar levels get a bit low.
Chocolate has a reasonably low glycaemic index (GI), which means it gives long-lasting energy,
because it doesn't raise blood sugar too quickly. For example, a typical bar of chocolate has a
GI of 70, compared with 73 for a bowl of cornflakes. This means a chocolate bar will keep you
going for longer. Also, chocolate is a good source of chromium, which helps control blood
sugar, because it's involved in making glucose available in the body.

F)

This means it's good for those who are lactose-intolerant. Researchers at Rhode Island
University have shown cocoa stimulates activity of the enzyme lactase in the intestine. We
need this to digest lactose, the sugar found in milk. Lactose-intolerant patients showed a
reduction in bloating, cramping and diarrhoea when one-and-a-half teaspoons of cocoa were
added to a cup of milk.

G)

This could be because it contains cannabinoid-like substances that are known to affect the
hypothalamus, the part of the brain which controls hunger. This isn't ideal if you're on a diet
but, for those who need to put on weight or who are convalescing, chocolate could be just
what you need to help get your appetite back.

H)

It contains a stimulant called theobromine, a caffeine-like substance that is thought to make

us more alert. But theobromine doesn't have the side-effect of making us nervous, like
caffeine, and chocolate contains only minute amounts of caffeine - a mug of coffee has about
85mg compared with just 1mg in three squares of chocolate.

I)
A 50g bar of plain chocolate contains 1.2mg of iron and 45mg of magnesium. Milk chocolate is
a reasonable source of calcium - a 50g bar contains 110mg. However, we'd need to eat about
seven bars to get the recommended daily allowances of these minerals.

AHIC_placement_test..V3.0_set_2 Page 9 of 12
 Australian Harbour International College
RTO ID: 41338 CRICOS Provider Code: 03449J
ABN: 74 603 036 102
T: 02 9268 0085
E: [email protected]
W: www.ahic.edu.au
A: Level 4, 114-120 Castlereagh Street
Sydney NSW 2000 Australia

Reading Test Questions Time Allowed: 60 minutes (40 Marks)

Using headings to identify purpose and organisation

1. Skim read these headings for the passage (above) about chocolate quickly and answer
question 1. (2 Marks)

1 The purpose of the article is to (circle the letter for the correct answer)

A present a problem and a solution

B present one side of an argument
C describe cause and effect
D describe both sides of an argument marks

2. Read the passage quickly and match the headings (0-8) with the paragraphs in the
passage (A-I) (2 Marks each)

List of heading Answers

(Circle the Correct Answer Only)
0 Chocolate could boost concentration A/ E/F
1 Chocolate makes us feel better B/C/E
2 Chocolate is good for stress A/B/C
3 Chocolate does not give you spots D/E/F
4 Chocolate makes you live longer A/B/C
5 Chocolate is nutritious I/N/D
6 Chocolate boosts the appetite G/H/I
7 Chocolate helps us digest milk E/F/G
8 Chocolate can make you more alert A/E/H

Marks

AHIC_placement_test..V3.0_set_2 Page 10 of 12
 Australian Harbour International College
RTO ID: 41338 CRICOS Provider Code: 03449J
ABN: 74 603 036 102
T: 02 9268 0085
E: [email protected]
W: www.ahic.edu.au
A: Level 4, 114-120 Castlereagh Street
Sydney NSW 2000 Australia

Completing tables, diagrams, notes

3. Answer question 1-5. Complete the table. Choose no more than TWO WORDS from the
passage for your answer. (2 Marks each)

SUSTANCE FOUND IN CHOCOLATE EFFECT ON HEALTH

Polyphenols Prevent oxygen mixing with 1 _____

Valeric acid Causes a lowering of 2 ____

3 ______ Eases pain

Chromium Regulates 4 _____

5 ______ Aids digestion of lactose

Marks

4. Read the passage again and answer these questions. Write no more than THREE WORDS
AND /OR A NUMBER for each answer. (2 Marks each)

Question 6-10
6) Which antioxidants are found in both chocolate and red wine?

…………………………….
7) what is the glycaemic index of a bar of chocolate?

……………………………..
8) Which three symptoms of indigestion are mentioned in the passage?

……………………………..
9) Which part of brain affects appetite?

……………………………..
10) What three minerals can be found in chocolate?

……………………………..

marks

Total Reading Marks

AHIC_placement_test..V3.0_set_2 ........../40 Page 11 of 12
 Australian Harbour International College
RTO ID: 41338 CRICOS Provider Code: 03449J
ABN: 74 603 036 102
T: 02 9268 0085
E: [email protected]
W: www.ahic.edu.au
A: Level 4, 114-120 Castlereagh Street
Sydney NSW 2000 Australia

Placement Test
Speaking Task Time allowed: 15 minutes

Name ……………………………………………………….
Total Speaking Marks …………………………. /10

Student will have a one to one interview with the Academic Manager and the Academic Manager will
determine the marks for the speaking test based on the conversation/interview.

Before you speak, think about the marking scale

Accuracy of pronunciation 2 marks

Fluency of speaking (hesitation, self-correction and repetition) 2 marks

Accuracy of content and understanding (listening) 2 marks

Accuracy of grammar (word form and sentence construction) 2 marks

Non-verbal language (body language, facial expressions and gestures) 2 marks

Total Speaking Marks

........../10

AHIC_placement_test..V3.0_set_2 Page 12 of 12