2021 Revision & Example Test Items

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ECCE CEFR Level B2

© 2020 Cambridge Michigan Language Assessment
New Specifications
# of Time
Description Notes
Items (mins)
Writing
From a choice of two options—an email/letter or an The writing section will now come
essay—test takers write one response presenting first. The stimulus will no longer
and supporting their opinion. For the email/letter, include a newspaper article. The
a situation and a formal purpose for writing are 1 task 30 rating criteria remains the same as at
briefly described, followed by instructions on what present.
to write. For the essay, a proposal or statement is
provided, followed by instructions on what to write.
Listening
Part 1 Each item consists of a short recorded conversation No change apart from the number of
followed by a question. The three answer options 25 items being reduced from 30 to 25.
for each item are shown as pictures.

Each set consists of a short talk delivered by a 45 The recording will now be played
Part 2
single speaker followed by five questions each. The twice. Each set will now consist of
20
questions are printed in the booklet. There are four five items, instead of the previous four
answer options for each item. to six.
Reading
Grammar An incomplete sentence is followed by a choice No change apart from the number of
of words or phrases to complete it. There are four items being reduced from 35 to 15.
15
answer options for each item. Only one choice is
grammatically correct.
Vocabulary An incomplete sentence is followed by a choice No change apart from the number of
of words or phrases to complete it. There are four items being reduced from 35 to 14.
14
answer options for each item. Only one word has
the correct meaning in that context. 75
Reading Each set consists of a short reading passage No change apart from the number
Part 1 followed by six comprehension questions. There are 12 of items for each passage being
four answer options for each item. increased from five to six.

Reading Two sets of four short texts related to each other by No change apart from the number of
Part 2 topic are followed by 12 questions each. There are 24 items for each set being increased
four answer options for each item. from 10 to 12.

Speaking
Test takers participate in a structured, multi-stage 1 task, No change.
task with one examiner. 15
4 stages
TOTAL 165 Total test time unchanged.

2 Revised ECCE Example Test Items

Example Items for the Revised 2021 Test

Writing
From a choice of two options—an email/letter or an essay—test takers write one response presenting and supporting
their opinion. For the email/letter, a situation and a formal purpose for writing are briefly described, followed by
instructions on what to write. For the essay, a proposal or statement is provided, followed by instructions on what to
write.

Task: Email
The local city council is planning to build a new park in your community. They want community
members to suggest where the park should be built.
• Write an email to the city council to explain your opinion. Give reasons to support your ideas.
• Start your email, “Dear City Council Members.”

Task: Essay
Textbooks required for classes should be available to students for free through libraries or the
Internet.
• Write an essay on whether you agree or disagree with the statement above.
• Include specific reasons and details to support your opinion.

Revised ECCE Example Test Items 3

 Listening
Part 1
Each item consists of a short recorded conversation followed by a question. The three answer options for each item
are shown as pictures.
A B C
1.

A B C
2.

A B C
3.

Example Audio 1 [ audio recording: ] Example Audio 2 [ audio recording: ] Example Audio 3 [ audio recording: ]
W1: Hello, can you tell me when the next W2: I think we’re all set to study for M1: I finally went to see Susan’s house
show is? finals. Want to go to the library? in the mountains last weekend. It’s
so beautiful, and super remote.
M2: It starts in about 10 minutes. M2: That’s a good idea, but I wonder if it
will be really packed by now. W1: Oh yeah – nice! I saw some pictures
W1: Great. I need four tickets: two adults
of it. But you know, I don’t think I
and two children. W2: That’s true. I am kind of hungry. The
could live out in the country. I’d get
cafeteria might have some space.
M2: OK, here are your tickets. You’ll too bored without the hustle and
want to head to theater two. The M2: You know, it’s such a nice day, why bustle!
snack bar is across the lobby. don’t we go to the cafeteria and
M1: See, I would enjoy the peace and
grab some food to go?
N: What are they talking about? quiet.
W2: Great idea. Let’s go.
W1: I like having a beach nearby, but I’m
N: Where will they study? pretty much a city girl.
N: Where does she live?

4 Revised ECCE Example Test Items

Listening Continued
Part 2
Each set consists of a short talk delivered by a single speaker followed by five questions each. The questions are
printed in the booklet. There are four answer options for each item.

Example Audio [ audio recording: ]

Example Questions

N: Listen to the head of a local tourism board. 1. What is said about a bus?
W1: Thanks everybody for meeting here today. Well, let’s A. It will not run during bad weather.
get right to it - I want to give you a snapshot of my B. It will provide a tour to visitors.
ideas for this upcoming beach season.
C. It will transport residents to work.
Of course, the beach itself is the biggest draw, but D. It will stop at several new locations.
we’re also planning to continue our guided tours 2. What does the speaker say is new?
of the historical areas of the city. So, as you know,
the tour is a bus ride and it goes from the north A. activities on the beach
end of the beach, into the city, and then down to B. the variety of tours available
the southern end. It makes several stops along the C. trucks that drive people to the beach
way and a tour guide shares some fun information D. the business hours of restaurants in town
throughout. As in the past, our thought is that seeing
what the town has to offer draws people back on 3. Why does the speaker mention a storm?
days when they’re not at the beach. A. to warn the audience
B. to notify people about limited transportation
A new initiative this year is using the beach to host
C. to explain why tourists stopped coming
water sports. We’re still working out the details, but
I think this could really increase the number of both D. to explain why food is sold differently
first-time and returning visitors.
4. What is the main purpose of this talk?
Uh, and also, because of the damage from last year’s A. to welcome new visitors to the area
storm, some of the restaurants on the boardwalk B. to discuss proposals regarding a city’s tourism
are closed. To make up for that loss, we’re going C. to tell residents what to expect from visitors
to provide food trucks. That gives us the option for D. to describe a development project
variety, and there’s no risk of future damage since we
can just move the trucks. 5. What does the speaker mean when she says:
A. She will give a short demonstration.
With that, I’d like to turn it over to Joan, who will walk
B. She will show some pictures.
us through the financial side of things, both in terms
of cost and potential revenue. C. She will pass out some materials.
D. She will give a brief explanation.

Revised ECCE Example Test Items 5

Reading

Grammar D. As much as

An incomplete sentence is followed by a choice of words Vocabulary

or phrases to complete it. There are four answer options for An incomplete sentence is followed by a choice of words
each item. Only one choice is grammatically correct. or phrases to complete it. There are four answer options for
each item. Only one word has the correct meaning in that
1. _____ you like to try a sample of our new coffee? context.
A. Did
B. Would 1. Many neighbors _____ money to help build a community
C. Could swimming pool.
D. Will A. donated
B. granted
2. The service at this restaurant isn’t good, _____ I do like
C. attributed
the food.
D. incorporated
A. although
B. unless 2. Thomas received several job offers even though his
C. besides work experience was _____.
D. despite A. fundamental
B. mere
3. _____ I enjoy working with my current company, I think a
C. remote
change would be nice.
D. limited
A. Whether
B. The more 3. Students in the modern literature course spent a large
C. Much more than _____ of their time reading novels from the twentieth
century.
A. division
B. portion
C. phase
D. sector

6 Revised ECCE Example Test Items

Reading, Part 1
Each set consists of a short reading passage followed by six comprehension questions.
There are four answer options for each item.

This passage is about lobsters. Example Questions

American lobsters are marine animals that live in the waters 1. What is the main purpose of the passage?
off the eastern coast of North America. They are generally A. to provide information about rare types of lobsters
dark blue, green, or brown, although some American B. to compare lobsters with other ocean creatures
lobsters with peculiar coloring have been discovered. One C. to encourage people to eat less lobster
of the most rare and interesting is the calico lobster. These D. to educate readers about lobster diseases
lobsters have an orange and blue pattern all over, from their 2. Where on lobsters does the calico pattern appear?
claws to their tails. It is estimated that only about one in
A. on the entire body
thirty million lobsters is calico. B. on just one side
It is unclear why calico lobsters appear this way. Some C. only on the claws
D. under the shell
scientists think it is caused by environmental factors. Others
think it is genetic. One researcher thought he found a clue 3. In the fifth sentence of paragraph 2,
when he discovered a white paste under the shell of a calico what does it refer to?
lobster. The paste matched the calico pattern on the shell, A. shell
and it appeared to be a type of bacteria. Bacteria can cause B. disease
illness, and some lobster illnesses cause their shell color to C. pattern
D. paste
change. However, calico lobsters are healthy and live as long
as other lobsters. 4. According to the passage, what does a change in a
lobster’s color sometimes indicate?
Other lobster variations have been found, including blue, red,
A. It is old.
and yellow. Even more rare are split-colored lobsters, which B. It is healthy.
have a different color on each side of the body. The rarest C. It is good to eat.
lobsters are albinos, which have no color at all. Some of D. It is sick.
these variations are known to be caused by genetic defects,
5. Based on the information in the second paragraph, what
but some are still a mystery. can be concluded about lobsters’ calico coloring?
Today, lobsters of all types are at risk. Increasing demand for A. It is becoming more common.
lobsters as a luxury food means that conservation efforts, B. Its cause is not known.
research, and public education are needed to protect the C. It is a sign of disease.
D. It is connected to the lobster’s genetics.
American lobster population.
6. How does the author feel about the current status of
American lobsters?
A. American lobsters are not in danger.
B. Additional research on lobster color is important.
C. All American lobsters need protection.
D. Calico lobsters deserve special protection.

Revised ECCE Example Test Items 7

Reading, Part 2
Two sets of four short texts related to each other by topic are followed by twelve questions each.
There are four answer options for each item

8 Revised ECCE Example Test Items

Reading Part 2, Continued
The following questions refer to section A. The following questions refer to section D.

1. What is the main purpose of section A? 7. What is section D mostly about?

A. to describe a new nature center for children A. the effects of nature on children’s development
B. to advertise children’s outdoor activities B. outdoor materials children can use in the
C. to explain the benefits of playing outdoors classroom
D. to suggest that children care for the environment C. a software program that benefits children’s
learning
2. How are children grouped in the sessions? D. where to find outdoor activities for children
A. according to their learning style
B. according to their interests 8. In the second sentence of paragraph 1, what does
C. according to how old they are occupy mean?
D. according to when they register A. expect
B. involve
The following questions refer to section B. C. address
3. In the second sentence of paragraph 2, what does D. recommend
motivates mean? 9. What does the author suggest about playing inside
A. proposes rather than outside?
B. organizes A. It provides fewer opportunities to be creative.
C. encourages B. It can be difficult to organize children inside.
D. suggests C. It is usually safer than playing outdoors.
4. What is new at the nature center this year? D. It is preferred by most school children.
A. a program for older adults 10. What example does the article give of how playing
B. newly created nature trails outdoors benefits social development?
C. an outdoor concert program A. Children are introduced to more new people.
D. an activity for school children B. Children learn to find solutions in groups.
C. Children improve their moods by being active.
The following questions refer to section C.
D. Children have opportunities to learn new games.
5. What is the main purpose of section C?
The following questions refer to two or more sections.
A. to promote a summer camp
B. to give details about a program 11. Which sections were produced by the same
C. to describe a summer camp’s history organization?
D. to provide information about a library program A. A, C, D
B. A, B, C
6. What other information did Nina Wilson send with
C. B, C, D
the letter?
D. A, B, D
A. a daily schedule
B. a registration form 12. How does the organization in section A promote ideas
C. book suggestions from section D?
D. clothing recommendations A. It offers classes that teach parenting skills.
B. It produces new technologies that improve
learning.
C. It provides opportunities for children to play
outside.
D. It organizes conferences on caring for the
environment.

Revised ECCE Example Test Items 9

Speaking
Test takers participate in a structured, multi-stage task with one examiner.

Speaking Prompt, Test Taker Version

ECCE Speaking Test

Help Solve a Problem
Situation
I am the principal of an elementary school and I have a problem. Find out what my problem is and offer me
some good advice.

First
You should look at the pictures below and ask:
• What is the problem?
• What are the options?
• What are the advantages of each option?

Then
When you have all the information you need, explain which option you think is best and why. Be ready
to explain why you didn’t choose the other option. Remember to use information you learn from asking
questions to explain your final choice.

Finally
After you have shared your decision, you will be asked more questions about the topic.

Option 1 Option 2

10 Revised ECCE Example Test Items

Speaking Prompt, Examiner Version

Help Solve a Problem

Option 1
Situation
I am the principal of an elementary school and I have a problem.
Find out what my problem is and offer me some good advice.

First
You should look at the pictures below and ask:
• What is the problem?
• What are the options?
• What are the advantages of each option?
Option 2
Then
When you have all the information you need, explain which
option you think is best and why. Be ready to explain why you
didn’t choose the other option. Remember to use information
you learn from asking questions to explain your final choice.

Finally
After you have shared your decision, you will be asked more
questions about the topic.

Examiner Information
What is the problem?
Our school is planning on adding an extra break during the school day for our students. We are trying to decide which
activities to offer to our students during this break.

Option 1 Option 2
children playing tutor and child

What are the options? The first option is that we could give our The second option is that we could give
students time to play outside. We could our students time for extra help with math
give them soccer balls and games to play and reading. We could have some teachers
with their classmates. available to help them with their homework.

The advantage of the first option is that The advantage of the second option is that
playing outside will give students a break students will be able to finish their homework
What are the advantages from school. It will also allow them to get at school so they have more time to play at
of each option? some exercise and enjoy time with their home. They can ask their teachers questions
friends. about topics they don’t understand.

Elaboration Questions
1. Tell me about an activity that you do/did on breaks 2. What are some of the things students enjoy most
during the school day. What do/did you like about this about school?
activity?

3. Some people believe that it’s important to take breaks during the day in order to be more productive. To what extent
do you agree?

Revised ECCE Example Test Items 11

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