Levels

City & Guilds Young Learners English exams are available at two levels:

Level 1: Basic (broadly comparable to A1 level on the Common European Framework)

Level 2: Elementary (comparable to A2 level on the Common European Framework)

Required language proficiency at Basic or Elementary levels:

BASIC

Uses a very narrow range of language, adequate for basic needs and simple situations. Does not really have sufficient language to cope with normal day-to-day, real life communication, but basic communication is possible with opportunities for assistance. Uses short, often inaccurately and inappropriately worded messages, with constant lapses in fluency.

ELEMENTARY

Uses a limited range of language sufficient for simple, practical needs. In more exacting situations, there are frequent problems in accuracy, fluency, aproppriacy and organisation, so that normal communications a comprehension frequently break down or are difficult to keep going.

Topic Areas and Grammar Categories Required at a Particular Level:

Basic:

• Present Simple and Present Continuous
• use of auxiliary verb DO in questions and negations
• the HAVE GOT structure
• the use of the auxiliary verb CAN for expressing ability and permission
• the plural of nouns
• pronouns
• adverbs of time and place
• definite and indefinite articles
• the use of AND, BUT, BECAUSE
• expressing quantity with SOME, ANY, MUCH and MANY

Elementary:

Requirements at Basic Level plus:

• Past Simple and Past Continuous
• Simple Future tense and the use of GOING TO
• questions and negations
• the past forms of some irregular verbs
• auxiliaries CAN, MUST, COULD, WOULD
• pronouns (relative, reflexive, possessive)
• the use of SO
• adverbs (well, fast, slowly, etc.)
• comparatives and superlatives of adjectives

Topics for the Written examination (2 hours):

Places: home, school, city, favourite places
People: family, friends, teachers, classmates, pen-friends
Special events: holidays, celebrations
Everydays: school-life, sports, hobbies, free time, animals, meals
Fantasy world: fairy tales, legends, robots, sci-fi
Topics for the Spoken examination (5 min. preparation + 5 min. exam)
Home, family, school, everyday activities, leisure time, travelling, holidays, shopping, animals, services,