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Giving children a head start in English

Cambridge English: Young Learners is a series of fun, motivating English Language Tests, aimed at primary students. There are three activity-based tests – Starters, Movers and Flyers. This gives students a clear path to improve in English and to prepare them for future Cambridge Qualifications. The format and content of these tests have been revised for 2018.

There is no pass or fail. All children receive an award which shows how many shields they have received. The maximum score is five shields for each part of the test. A result of one shield means a child can improve a lot in that skill. Five shields mean that a child did very well in that skill and answered most questions correctly.

Cambridge English: Pre-A1 Starters

Cambridge English: Pre-A1 Starters is the start of a child’s language learning journey. The test introduces them to everyday written and spoken English in a fun and motivating way.

It is made up of three papers - you can see exactly what’s in each paper below. Each part has a maximum grade of five shields.

Paper

Reading and Writing

Listening

Speaking

Time allowed

20 minutes

20 minutes aprox.

3-5 minutes

Content

5 parts / 25 questions

4 parts / 20 questions

 4 parts

Parts/Tasks

- Read sentences and recognise words. Tick/cross to show if sentence is true/false (both singular and plural nouns).

- Read sentences about a picture and write ‘yes’/‘no’.

- Use jumbled letters to spell the word for the picture.

- Read a text with pictures and choose missing words to fill in gaps.

- Read questions about a picture story and write one-word answers.

- Listen for names and descriptions. Draw lines to match names to  people in a picture.

- Listen for numbers and spelling. Write numbers and names.

- Listen for specific information of various kinds. Tick correct box.

- Listen for words, colours and prepositions and colour the correct object in a picture.

(Intro: Candidate asked name)
- Understand and follow spoken instructions. Point to correct part of the picture. Place object cards on the scene picture as directed.

- Understand and answer spoken questions. Answer questions with short answers, including a response to one ‘Tell me about …’ question. 

- Understand and answer spoken questions. Answer questions with short answers.

- Understand and respond to personal questions. Answer questions with short answers.

Cambridge English: A1 Movers

Cambridge English: A1 Movers is the next step in a child’s language learning journey, after taking Cambridge English: Pre-A1 Starters. It is a great way to help children build on their language skills and make further progress in English.

These are the contents and format of the exam:

Paper

Reading and Writing

Listening

Speaking

Time allowed

30 minutes

25 minutes approx.

3-5 minutes

Content

6 parts / 35 questions

5 parts / 25 questions

4 parts

Parts/Tasks

- Match definitions to words (five items).

- Read a dialogue. Choose correct response by circling a letter. 

- Read for specific information and gist. Choose and copy missing words (six items).

- Read a text with pictures and choose missing words to fill in gaps.

- Read a story. Complete sentences by writing one, two or three words (seven items).

- Complete sentences, respond to questions, write sentences about a picture.

- Listen for names and descriptions. Draw lines to match names to people in a picture.

- Listen for names, spellings and other information. Write words or numbers.

- Listen for words, names and detailed information. Match pictures with
illustrated word or name.

- Listen for specific information of various kinds. Tick correct box.

- Listen for words, colours and specific information. Colour and write a word (no drawing).

(Intro: Candidate asked name and age)

- Describe two pictures by using short responses. Identify four differences between pictures.

- Understand the beginning of a story and then continue it based on a series of pictures. Describe each picture in turn.

- Suggest a picture which is different and explain why. Identify odd one out and give reason.

- Understand and respond to personal questions. Answer personal questions.

Cambridge English: A2 Flyers

Cambridge English: A2 Flyers is the next step of a child’s language learning journey, after taking Cambridge English: A1 Movers. It is a great way to show children can deal with everyday written and spoken English at a basic level. 

Cambridge English: A2 Flyers is the highest level of three fun, motivating Cambridge English: Young Learners tests, aimed at children in primary and lower secondary education. The table below shows the contents of each paper:

Paper

Reading and Writing

Listening

Speaking

Time allowed

40 minutes

25 minutes approx.

3-5 minutes

Content

7 parts / 44 questions

5 parts / 25 questions

4 parts

Parts/Tasks

- Match definitions to words.

- Read and complete a dialogue by choosing the correct response (A–H).

- Read for specific information and gist. Choose and copy missing words.

- Read a text and choose missing words to fill in gaps.

- Read a story and complete sentences by writing one, two, three or four words.

- Read and understand a short text. Write words in gaps. No options given.

Write a short story based on three pictures.

- Listen for names and descriptions. Draw lines to match names to people in a picture.

- Listen for names, spellings and other information. Write words or numbers.

- Listen for words, names and detailed information. Match pictures with illustrated word or name.

- Listen for specific information of various kinds. Tick correct box.

- Listen for words, colours and specific information. Colour and write (no drawing).

(Intro: Candidate asked name, family name and age)

- Understand statements and respond with differences. Identify six differences in candidate’s picture from statements about examiner’s picture.

- Respond to questions with short answers. Form questions to elicit information. Answer and ask questions about two
people, objects or situations.

- Understand the beginning of a story and then continue it based on a series of pictures. Describe each picture in turn.

- Understand and respond to personal questions. Answer personal questions.