TIPS TO

EXCEL IN
CEFR
READINESS
 FORMAT

Paper 1: Paper 2:
Listening Speaking

Paper 3: Paper 4:
Reading Writing
 LISTENING

3 parts

30
5 audios minutes

20 questions
TIPS

Get the
gist

Be
Keep up
attentive
Types of questions

Short
MCQ
answers

3 words A-C

5 words A-F
 THE FLOW (1)
Complete/Check
PART 2
INSTRUCTION answers
Audio 2 (1st)
(1 min)

Read all the

PART 1 Answer Part 2
questions
audio 1 (last) (1 min)
(1 min)

PART 1 Answer Part 1 PART 2

audio 1 (1st) (1 min) audio 2 (last)
 THE FLOW (2)
Complete/Check Complete/ Check PART 3: Q 17 &
answers answers 18
(1 min) (1 min) Audio 4 (1st)

PART 3 Answer Q 17 & 18

PART 3
3 audios: 6 Qs: 2 (1 min)
Audio 3 (last)
Qs for each audio

PART 3: Q 15 &
Answer Q 15 &16 PART 3
16
(1 min) Audio 4 (last)
Audio 3 (1st)
 THE FLOW (3)
Complete/ Check
Q 17 & 18
Keyword
THE END
( 1 min) content

PART 3: Q 19 &
20
Complete / Check
Q 19 & 20
Word
Audio 5 (1st) (1 min) count

Answer Q 19 & 20
Audio 5 (last)
Structures /
( 1 min) grammar
TIPS: GET THE GIST

Underline
Read the key
questions words –
helps to
FOCUS
TIPS: BE ATTENTIVE

 1. Refer to keywords
 2. Jot down important notes
 3. Be open minded
 4. Leave out the irrelevant details
 5. Pay attention to connectors, salutations,

expression, speaker’s tone & intonation

TIPS: KEEP UP

Get any missing Check word

details limit

Retain the
original Check grammar
meaning
REMEMBER: DOs & DON’Ts
 Dos
 DON’Ts

-CONCENTRATE, BELIEVE -AVOID NEGATIVE

-READ ALL Qs THOUGHTS
-FOCUS – KEYWORDS -SPEND TOO LONG ON 1
-USE WORDS YOU HEAR QUESTION
-USE PAUSE TO CHECK -PANIC
THE ANSWERS -LEAVE BLANK SPACE
LISTENING TEST
- PART 1- 1 audio : Q1-8
6qs – fill in the blanks
2qs – MCQ
 - PART 2 – 1 audio : Q9-14

4qs – MCQ
2qs – fill in the blanks
 - PART 3 – 3 audios : Q15- 16, Q17-18,

Q19-20
6qs – fill in the blanks
SPEAKING

TASK A
• Individual Presentation (2 mins)

TASK B
• Group Discussion (10 mins)
SPEAKING: TASK A

INDIVIDUAL PRESENTATION
• - 2 mins to prepare a response
• - 2 mins to present views
• - Same situation for all candidates
• - Different options given for all
candidates
SPEAKING: TASK B

GROUP DISCUSSION
• - 2 mins to prepare for discussion
• - 10 minutes to present views
• - Same situation in Task A
• - Choose options given and discuss
• - Decide the best option for the
situation
SPEAKING
 Candidates will be assessed based on 3
criteria:

 TASK FULFILMENT
 LANGUAGE
 COMMUNICATIVE ABILITY
SPEAKING

UNDERSTANDS DEVELOPS IDEAS

THE TOPIC SUCCESSFULLY
TASK
FULFILMEN
T PRESENTS
SHOWS VIEWPOINT
MATURITY CLEARLY
SPEAKING

CONVEYS APPROPRIATE
MEANING / VARIED
CLEARLY VOCABULARY
LANGUAG
E
LINKS IDEAS ACCURATE
EFFECTIVELY
SPEAKING

Pronounces
Speaks words
fluently
accurately
Correct
stress and COMMUNICATI Confident
intonation
VE ABILITY
Interacts
Shows initiative well /
and interest maintains
discussion
 SPEAKING: TASK A

• Read situation • 3 points • Organize

• Keywords • Expand • Number points /
• Analyze • keywords / phrases linkers
• Focus • Introduction /
conclusion

step 1: Step 2: Step 3:

understand brainstorm organize
SPEAKING: TASK A
task

introduction body
conclusion

• greetings • summarize main

• introduce main points
points • thank examiners

• elaborate • elaborate • elaborate

• example • example • example
SPEAKING: TASK B
Initiating a discussion
Give
Start a Ask for an opinion /
discussion opinion state point of
view

Strong Express Partial

agreement agreement agreement

Signal
Strong Express
contrasting
disagreement disagreement
idea
SPEAKING: TASK B
Maintaining a discussion
A strong suggestion A suggestion Ask for suggestion

Accept ideas/
Present solutions Contrast / justify opinions/ suggestions
choices
Reject ideas/ Ask for clarifications Give clarifications
suggestions/ opinions

To persuade To interrupt
SPEAKING: TASK B
 CLOSING A DISCUSSION
State group
Conclude decision
Summarize
(agreement)
main
points
Close
End discussion discussion
SPEAKING
 Seating Arrangement
SPEAKING
REMEMBER TO BRING YOUR
i) IC
ii) Slip
iii) All the writing materials would be provided
iv) Be early; For S1, be at the center by
7.30am, S2, be at the center by 11.00am.
v) Dress neatly, formal. No slippers, jeans,
collared t-shirt (men). Preferably, formal.
SPEAKING
 2 rooms- Waiting Room & Examination Room
 Waiting Room – The usher would assist to

check your attendance. Wait till your no is

called in. you can practice in the room
 Examination Room – Examiners would check

your documents.
 Test would be conducted for 30 minutes.

Task A: 2 minutes for each candidate. Task B:

10 minutes for all 4 candidates.
 May leave the center after the test.
SPEAKING
 Take down notes when other candidates speak during Task A.
would be useful in Task B.
 Practice turn taking
 Be polite
 Share ideas. Do not dominate. Get others to participate as
well
 Discuss all the options given, the pros and cons
 Try to come to a group agreement
 Be fluent. Avoid fillers and long pauses.
 Try to use some LFW. Use proper and appropriate words.
 Be careful with the pronunciation
READING

 45 MCQ: 6 texts, with 3 or 4 answer options

 Text 1 (graphics) Q 1-7
 Text 2 Q 8- 14
 Text 3 Q 15- 21
 Text 4 Q 22- 29
 Text 5 Q 30 -37
 Text 6 Q 38 -45
READING

Academic Electronic
Interviews
text texts

Speeches Literary
ARTICLE
texts

Magazines Newspaper
Journals
Reading

Reading skills
i. Skimming
ii. Scanning
iii. Distinguishing main ideas from supporting ideas

iv. Drawing conclusion

v. Making inferences
vi. Summarizing

vii. Deriving meaning from context

viii. Referencing

ix. Distinguishing facts from opinions

x. Reading critically to ascertain purpose, tone and attitude

xi. Predicting outcomes

xii. Discerning the organization of a passage

READING

 Text 1: Q1- 7 Non Linear text to Linear text

Pay attention to:
i. Title
ii. Subtitles
iii. Headings

iv. Subheadings

v. Legend (key)
vi. The sources of the stimulus
READING

True / False / Not Stated Questions

3 answer option Understand the Focus – factual

fact presented information

Skim, Info not

scan-issue found – Info found- is it
presented not stated same or
contradict-same
(true)- contradict
(false)
READING
 IMPORTANT

TRUE: statement agrees with the issue

presented in the question
FALSE: statement contradicts with the issue
presented in the question
NOT STATED: no information given
READING
 MCQ
– main idea, details, vocabulary, writer’s
opinion
 Follow order of information (section,

paragraph or text)
* TIPS*
Underline keywords in question – locate info in
the text - skim text – check possible answer –
some maybe paraphrased – some vocabulary
found in options – only one is correct
 READING

DOs DON’Ts
Read title Influenced by own views / opinions
Source Spend too much time on 1
question
Main ideas / keywords Worry about time given
Take note of transitions Misled by partially true statements
Positive mentality Mind wonder
Look for justification Do not make assumptions
WRITING

Question 1: Transferring Information

 2 questions from a non linear source to a linear
text
-40 mins
Question 2: Extended -interpret information in he visuals
Writing -150-200 words
- 50 mins
- Write an essay
based on topic
given
Plan your
- Not less than 350 writing pieces
words
to stay
focused.
WRITING
QUESTION 1
i. Accurate, clear overview of main trends,
differences and patterns
ii. presents, highlights and explains KF
iii. Analyses, synthesizes effectively
iv. Accurate / appropriate language,
vocabulary, various sentence structures
v. Clarity of meaning
vi. Link ideas / evidence of planning
WRITING
QUESTION 1
 Task Fulfillment

i. Introduction and Overview of trend; accurate,

complete, clear
ii. Key Features: illustrate successfully
iii. Analysis and synthesis based on the visuals
 Language / Organization

i. Accurate language, clear meaning

ii. Various sentence structures: simple, compound,
complex, compound-complex, appropriate
vocabulary
iii. Display evidence of planning, ideas linked effectively
WRITING
 QUESTION 2
i. Excellent task fulfillment
ii. Maturity
iii. Confident language control
iv. Various vocabulary, sentence structures
v. Ideas linked
vi. Clear unity and coherence between
paragraphs
WRITING
QUESTION 2
 Task Fulfillment

i. Introduction: accurate, complete, clear-includes

opinion/stand/ Thesis Statement
ii. Ideas: clear, convincing with details and examples; effectively
developed & linked
iii. Tone: consistent, discussion, matured

iv. Conclusion: brief, restate stand and ideas

 Language and Organization

i. Accurate, meaning clear

ii. Tenses, spelling, punctuation, mechanism of writing
iii. Sentence structures / Vocabulary: varied, appropriate

iv. Ideas: coherent, convincing, consistent, evidence of planning

WRITING
 Question 1
i. Understand the question – analyze, underline
keywords, study the stimulus
ii. Identify key features, variables and establish
the connection / link between the key features
– analyze, identify trends, describe movements
iii. Organize ideas – introduction, overview,
analyze, synthesize, key feature, trend word,
time feature, data, comparison, linkers to
provide connection, Conclusion
WRITING
QUESTION1
i. Title – extract from the question or titles of
the stimulus
ii. Not included in word count
iii. Introduction – introduces report, ‘what’,
‘when’, ‘where’. Can be extracted from the
title.
iv. Overview – overall movement of the visuals,
no specific data, link between visuals.
WRITING
 Analysis / Synthesis – Key Feature (KF), Trend
(T), Data (D), Duration (TF), Comparison (C).
Synthesis – a connection between the visuals
given. Compare 2 KF with 2 sets of Data.
 Conclusion – reword overview, summary of

report.
 Number of visitors to 3 Farms (2012-2016) and the promotional activities in 2016
Figure 1 depicts the number of visitors to Mac’s Farm, Frezzy House and Dee Nature (2012 – 2016).
Table 1 highlights the promotional activities carried out by the farms in 2016.(Introduction) Generally,
the number of visitors to the farm is influenced by the various activities carried out in 2016
(Overview).(42)
In the 4 years, visitors to Mac’s Farm gradually / decreased from 35k to 18k unlike Frezzy House
which showed a steady increment from 30k to 59k. Whereas Dee Nature, recorded the same number
of visitors almost all the years, 46k except for 2013 which was slightly higher, 50k. Despite, carrying
out 3 activities in 2016; “Pony rides around the farm”, “Senior citizen’s discount” and “Learn all about
farming” Mac’s Farm only recorded / 18k visitors, the lowest, not only for the farm or between the
farms but the years as well. Comparatively, Frezzy House which also had 3 activities; “lucky draw”,
“pet the animals” and “photography sessions”, showed a drastic improvement in 2016, a difference of
29k from 2012. Moreover, Frezzy House was the only one to hold / “photography session” which was
probably the cause for the hike. Although Dee Nature had 3 activities in 2016, 2 similar as Frezzy
House but then there was no difference from the previous year (46k) probably because the “Pick
and choose activity” was less appealing.
In conclusion, the 2016 promotional activities influenced the number of visitors to the farm.
(200)

Key Features Figure 1

Key Feature Table 1
Time Frame
Trend word
Data
Linkers, Comparative 
WRITING
 Q1 – REPORT WRITING
DOs DON’Ts
Keep within word count, Descriptive information
write A and Syn
Trend word – Analysis / Own opinion /
Synthesis assumptions
Complete, accurate Do not add information
introduction / overview not found in the visuals
given
Study visuals, take note Write immediately
of KF, data, trend, be
focused. Plan
Watch language; past Different tenses
WRITING

Question 2
 Brainstorm: helps to plan and prepare an

outline.
 Planning: a clear stand; agree, disagree,

neutral
 Write the essay: Introduction, Body

Paragraphs, Conclusion
WRITING
 Question2
Introduction
i. Pay attention to KEYWORDS in the question
ii. Introduce the topic
iii. Briefly write about the background of the
topic
iv. State STAND

v. THESIS STATEMENT at the end of Paragraph 1

vi. Thesis Statement : specific, justifies your
opinion.
 SCHOOL STUDENTS SHOULD NOT BE ALLOWED TO BRING MOBILE
PHONES TO SCHOOL.

 Mobile phones are communication electronic gadgets which had

gained popularity around the world. It has grown from keypad phones
to smart phones. In the earlier years mobile phones were owned by
adults and it was only for making and receiving calls. Eventually, as
time passed by, the mobile phones are being utilized by all age groups
for various purposes such as collecting information, gaming, snapping
shots and communication. Students these days possess most high
technological devices, especially mobile phones. The society has
always argued on the leniency of students being permitted to use the
mobile phones in school. Thus, the topic for today; school students
should not be allowed to bring mobile phones to school is. Agreeable
(Stand). This is because when students are allowed to bring mobile
phones to school it would encourage them to copy and cheat during
tests, examinations and for any assignments given in class(idea 1),
distract and disturb the lesson (idea 2) and finally it would cause
discipline problems (idea 3) - (Thesis Statement).
WRITING

 Question2
Writing Body Paragraphs
i. Topic sentence
ii. Supporting details; elaborate the ideas
iii. Example
iv. Mini Conclusion: use linkers
WRITING
 Question 2
i. Topic Sentence: what is the paragraph
about, main idea, related to Thesis
statement
ii. Elaborating Ideas: 2-3 sentences elaborate
the idea, support, describes main idea,
supporting ides, example
iii. Mini Conclusion: conclude the paragraph
using linkers such as Thus, So, Therefore
SCHOOL STUDENTS SHOULD NOT BE ALLOWED TO
BRING MOBILE PHONES TO SCHOOL.

Firstly, school students should not be allowed to bring mobile phones

to school because it would encourage students to copy and cheat
(idea 1) during tests, examinations and for any assignments given in
class. The students can surf for answers on the Internet or they can
even Bluetooth or message each other for answers. Moreover, the
students can also download and save sample answers, mathematical
and scientific formulas as well as equations in their phones and copy
them during tests, examinations and to complete assignments.
Consequently, it would make the students become less diligent and
creative in the process of achieving their goals to success. Besides, it
will also encourage them to behave dishonestly and instill wrong
values among students as they will not be accountable for the results
obtained. (elaboration/example) So, school students should not be
allowed to bring mobile phones to school as it would encourage them
to copy and cheat. (mini conclusion)
WRITING

 Question 2
CONCLUSION for the whole essay
i. Summarize the ideas
ii. Reaffirm opinion
iii. Do not add any new ideas.
SCHOOL STUDENTS SHOULD NOT BE ALLOWED TO
BRING MOBILE PHONES TO SCHOOL.
 In a nutshell, not allowing school students to bring
mobile phones to school is a move that is in the
best interest of the students. The move would help
to avoid the negative implications mentioned
above. Otherwise, it would also lead the students to
be involved in some other unhealthy activities
which could be costly. Hence, school students
should not be allowed to bring mobile phones to
school as it would encourage them to copy and
cheat, distract and disturb the lesson and finally it
would cause discipline problems.
Thank you!

The End