CE Baseline Assessment
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Introduction
Overview of CE baseline assessment This guide covers the following sections
• Total time for the assessment is 50 minutes • Structure of the assessment
• The assessment format is divided into 9 sections, details of • Types of questions to expect during the
which can be found in this document assessment
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Part A: Read aloud
Task Description: Example
Australia is a very large country. It is the sixth largest country in
Read a passage aloud for 30 seconds. the world. It is also a continent and is sometimes called the
'island continent'.
Number of questions: 2 It is surrounded by two oceans. Most of Australia is a desert so it
is very flat and dry, but it also has rain forests and mountains. It
Time allotted: 2 minutes
is home to many different kinds of animals.
*Failure to complete the entire passage in 30 seconds will not affect your score negatively
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Part A: Read aloud (Additional Tips)
Remember:
Focus on reading the passage as fluently as possible. Do not rush into completing the passage in the given time. Be fluent and sound natural.
Skill Assessed – Speaking
The fluency of language will be judged in this section. Work on the below skills to gain a higher score in this section.
• Clearly articulate words
• Pronounce unusual spellings appropriately
• Pause
• Stress
• Intonate
• Showcase ease of reading and speaking
• Pace your speech appropriately
Skill Assessed – Reading
This section does not focus on how fast you read but how accurately you read the text in front of you. In case there is a lot of re-reading
taking place, you might be dinged on your scores based on the number of errors you make. Focus on two important aspects of reading:
• Read accurately in the first go
• Do not change words
• Do not skip words
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Part B: Repeats
Task Description: Example
1. He’s a great teacher.
Listen to a sentence and repeat the sentence word-for-word. The 2. It’s not too late to change your mind.
sentences are presented in approximate order of increasing 3. People know how easy it is to get lost in thought.
difficulty.
Time allotted: 5 minutes
Number of questions: 16
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Part B: Repeats (Additional Tips)
Remember:
Ensure you repeat each word as is. Avoid changing contractions and rephrasing sentences. Be fluent and sound natural.
Skill Assessed – Speaking
The fluency of language will be judged in this section. Work on the below skills to gain a higher score in this section.
• Clearly articulate words
• Pronounce unusual spellings appropriately
• Pause
• Stress
• Intonate
• Showcase ease of reading and speaking
• Pace your speech appropriately
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Part C: Sentence Builds
Task Description: Example
1. my boss/to London/moved
Listen to a group of three short phrases presented in random order 2. of your family/any pictures/do you have
and then rearrange the phrases to make a sentence. 3. to their leader/listened carefully/the young men
Number of questions: 10
Time allotted: 3 minutes
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Part C: Sentence Builds (Additional Tips)
Remember:
Rearrange carefully. Use the words given to you without any additions or conversions.
Skill Assessed – Speaking
The fluency of language will be judged in this section. Work on the below skills to gain a higher score in this section.
• Clearly articulate words
• Pronounce unusual spellings appropriately
• Pause
• Stress
• Intonate
• Showcase ease of reading and speaking
• Pace your speech appropriately
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Part D: Conversations
Task Description: Example
Speaker 1: Congratulations on graduating!
Listen to a conversation between two speakers and then answer a Speaker 2: Thanks! It was a lot of work.
comprehension question. Speaker 1: I know. You deserve a party.
Question: Why does the man deserve a party?
Number of questions: 12
Time allotted: 2 minutes
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Part D: Conversations (Additional Tips)
Remember:
Listen carefully. Answer in complete sentences. Make quick notes to refer.
Skill Assessed – Listening
Effective listening with comprehension is the area of focus here. Besides listening to the content of the conversation is not enough. You need
to –
• Listen intently
• Identify non-verbal cues
• Identify the tone of the speaker
• Comprehend the message discussed
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Part E: Typing
Task Description: Example
Many people do not like public speaking. They are afraid to speak
Type a given passage exactly as displayed in 60 seconds. This is an in front of a large group of people.
assessment of typing speed and accuracy and allows you to There are many ways to get better at public speaking. First, it is
familiarize yourself with the keyboard good to know the room. You should know where to stand and
where to set up your computer…(etc.)
Number of questions: 1
Time allotted: 1 minute
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Part E: Typing (Additional Tips)
Remember:
Type exactly what you see including punctuations.
Skill Assessed – Typing
• Type fast
• Try to get it right the first time
• Avoid using the backspace/delete keys
• Be mindful of spelling mistakes
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Part F: Sentence Completion
Task Description : Example
1. Her favorite hobby is . She has so many books.
Read a sentence that has a word missing, and then supply an 2. He arrives and is often the first one here.
appropriate word to complete the sentence. 3. I asked a coworker to take over my because I
wasn’t feeling well.
You are given 25 seconds for each item.
Time allotted: 8 minutes
Number of questions: 20
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Part F: Sentence Completion (Additional Tips)
Remember:
Choose the most appropriate word that aligns with the sentences. Think of the context in which the information is being shared.
Skill Assessed – Reading
• Read accurately in the first go
• Comprehend the context of the sentences
• Basic word order is subject, verb, object
• Follow grammar rules
• Ensure there is only one correct answer for the blank
• Review it carefully
• Look for clues to the correct response in the question
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Part G: Dictation
Task Description: Example
Listen to a sentence and then type the sentence exactly as it is 1. I’ll see you on Thursday.
heard. 2. How long can I keep this book?
3. She apologized to all her friends several times.
You are given 25 seconds for each item.
Time allotted: 7 minutes
Number of questions: 16
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Part G: Dictation (Additional Tips)
Remember:
Listen carefully to what is said and ensure you recognize pauses, questions, exclamations in sentences. In case you miss a word, move on
and complete the sentence anyway.
Skill Assessed – Listening
• Be attentive
• Avoid distractions
• Listen and type simultaneously
• Use punctuations wherever necessary (commas for pauses).
• Use correct spellings
• Be mindful of contractions
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Part H: Passage reconstruction
Task Description: Example
Robert went to a nice restaurant for dinner. When the waiter
Read a short paragraph for 30 seconds. After 30 seconds, the brought the bill, Robert reached for his wallet, but it wasn't in his
paragraph disappears. pocket.
He remembered having his wallet when he came into the
Then, reconstruct the paragraph in 90 seconds, including the main
restaurant. The waiter looked around the floor near his table. He
points and as many details as possible. found the wallet under the table.
Number of questions: 3 Time allotted: 6 minutes
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Part H: Passage reconstruction (Additional Tips)
Remember:
Rewrite the passage in your own words. Do not memorize sentences from the passage and write. Condense it as much as possible and stick
to the word limit. The lengthier the passage, more the mistakes.
Skill Assessed – Reading
• Find the main idea
• Identify the key message in the passage
• Write as many details as possible in your own words
• Do not repeat the same point in different ways
• Use correct grammar
• Use simple sentences
• Follow the structure needed to write summaries/precise writing
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Part I: Summary and opinion
Task Description: Example
Read a passage. Then, write a summary of the author’s opinion in Some children grow up in a big city while other children grow up in
25-50 words and give your own opinion on the topic presented in the countryside. Childhood experiences can be very different
the passage in at least 50 words. depending on where a person is raised.
You are given 18 minutes to read the passage and write both Although the countryside can be more peaceful than a big city, it is
responses. better for children to grow up in a big city…(etc.)
Number of questions: 1 Time allotted: 18 minutes
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Part I: Summary and opinion (Additional Tips)
Remember:
Write the main idea. Fill in as many details as you can recollect. Ensure you write the passage in your own words. Keep your sentences short
and simple. State your opinion clearly. Substantiate your point by providing logical reasons.
Skill Assessed – Reading
Analyze the passage. Look for facts vs. opinions. Write the author’s point of view in your own words by providing reasons given in the
passage. Write your own point of view by giving logical reasons.
• Find the main idea
• Identify the key message in the passage
• Analyze the writer’s experience
• Find the argument in the passage (An argument is a statement that contains reasons to justify the point the writer is trying to make.)
• Distinguish between fact and opinion
• Find reasons for making a point
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