General English Exams
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Elementary English Exam Level A2 CEFR Anglia Elementary Step to Book

What does Elementary test?

The Anglia Elementary exam is A2 level on the Common European Framework of Reference. Over the four skills of reading comprehension, writing, listening and speaking (optional). This is mapped to the A2 level on the CEFR (common European framework) and covers; simple and direct exchange, the ability to understand sentences and answer frequently asked questions. The new items that this level tests are:

  • an increased vocabulary
  • future tenses
  • the first conditional
  • the present perfect
  • the past continuous
  • used to
  • modals - should and must
  • expressing purpose
  • question tags
  • relative pronouns
  • reflexive pronouns
  • adverbs
  • some phrasal and prepositional verbs

What does the candidate have to do in the Elementary test?

  • write a short composition
  • read a text 
  • match letters
  • answer multiple choice questions
  • fill in gaps
  • rearrange word order
  • answer true/false questions

The candidate has sufficient active vocabulary and structural understanding to:

  • write a short connected text on descriptive or narrative topics
  • read and understand a text from a familiar range of topics
  • ask and answer questions about past or present events
  • distinguish between and use a variety of tenses in familiar contexts: past, present and future
  • express basic intention, purpose, obligation, preference and advice

Grammar and Structures List

Grammar and Structures What are they used for? Some examples
VERBS

Future simple -will
1st conditional - with 'if' clause present and result clause will/won't

 Talking about future plans
Talking about future plans which have conditions on them

What will you do when you are older?
If it rains, we won't go to the park.
Future of intention 'be going to' Talking about future intentions I'm going to see a film this evening.
Past continuous - when, while Talking about past activities which were interrupted I was having my breakfast when the postman knocked.
While I was studying, he played loud music.
Used to Talking about long past habits and states My father used to work in an office.
My sister used to have long hair.
Modals -should, must Expressing obligation and advice You must study hard if you want to go to university.
You mustn't worry about it.
You should always lock your car.
Infinitive of purpose Talking about the purpose of doing something Jane went to America to learn English.
QUESTION TAGS
Isn't he? Aren't you? Do you? Etc Asking for confirmation of a negative or positive statement or inviting an answer to a question You are coming to my party, aren't you?
You haven't seen my car keys, have you?
RELATIVE PRONOUNS
Which, who, that Identifying people and objects This is the best cake that I have ever eaten.
Jack is the one who is sitting at the back of the class.
REFLEXIVE PRONOUNS
 

Myself, himself, herself, etc.

 Identify people and objects He hurt himself.
ADVERBS
Adverbs of frequency, e.g.
never, sometimes; adverbs of manner, e.g. quietly, slowly; adverbs of time, e.g. today, now. Adverbs of degree, e.g. a lot, a little
(and associated word order)
Simple modal adverbs e.g. possibly, probably, perhaps
Adverbs of sequence e.g. first, finally, next, then		 Describing how often, how, when and to what extent people do something.
Indicating degree of possibility.
Ordering events and understanding instructions and directions		 I have never flown in a plane.
At the moment, the children are playing in the park.
The children walked home slowly.
He is probably in his room.
First, I had my breakfast.
Go down the road and then straight on.
ago, never, for,  before, after Talking about when things happened I went to Paris six years ago.  He lived there for 10 years.
The contrast of too/enough Talking about the extent of something The student isn't trying hard enough, he never does his homework.
The student is trying too hard, he will make himself ill.
PREPOSITIONS

Prepositions as used in some very common phrasal verbs and prepositional phrases.

   You must put on a hat if you go out in the sun.
I am very fond of my pets.
 INTENSIFIERS
 e.g. really, quite, so, very  Indicating degree  It is really hot today.
SPOKEN DISCOURSE
Markers e.g. right, well.
Use of substitution.		 Structuring conversation.
Responding appropriately		 "Right, has everyone got a book?"
I think so. I hope so.
FORMAL IDENTIFICATION
First name, surname, age, date of birth, address, postcode, country, nationality. Coping in formal situations especially when filling in forms Date of Birth: 30.10.78

A good example of an essay at Anglia Elementary Level:

N.B. This is an example of a genuine candidate's essay at this level. Therefore, the language may contain grammatical, lexical or stylistic errors, originally made by the candidate him/herself.

The Birthday Party

My favourite birthday party was yesterday. I had a great time.
When we woke up in the morning, we went to the cake shop to buy my birthday cake. It was beautiful. It had the shape of a castle. I wanted to eat it before the birthday party but I was patient and I didn't eat it.
In the afternoon, my cousins, my aunt and my uncle finally arrived. I was so happy. We all sang Happy Birthday and after that we ate the cake. I also had a lot of presents.
This day was the best day of my life.

101 words

Elementary Level Exam Past Papers (for students)

Link to A2 Level English Practice Tests (exam papers, audio file and marking keys)
Link to Elementary level Speaking test

Exam Past Papers (for teachers)

Link to past papers for teachers

Speaking video example

Link to a video of an Elementary speaking exam

 

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