2

Benchmark Test B1
Upper Intermediate English - Lesson 2

1
Agenda
▷ Test overview
▷ Introduction to Section 1
▷ Example questions and practice for some of the more
difficult question types (two from Section 1 and one
from Section 3)
▷ APU Benchmark website and Language Learning
Strategy website

2
Table of Contents
Test Overview

Section 1 – Choose the Right Word (Grammar)

Section 1 – Read and Write a Short Answer

Section 3 – Read and Then Write

Test Overview Reminders
Around 45 minutes long

Reading, grammar, vocabulary, speaking, listening, & writing

There are many different kinds of questions. Know the instructions

carefully before the test
You will need to work on a PC, Mac, or laptop (No tablets / No
smartphones)
Remember you need your own mic and speakers/headphones
to take the test! A noise-cancelling mic is the best.
4
 Section 1.
Grammar, Vocabulary and
Reading

5
Introduction to Section 1
Grammar ▷ 16 minutes

▷ Must answer questions quickly and carefully

Vocabulary ▷ Must not spend too much time on each question

▷ Must get to the reading questions as quickly as

Reading possible

6
Section 1 Question Types
You control how much time you
spend on each question.
You must go quickly and
carefully
If you are slow, you won’t have
any reading questions.
If this happens, your score will
be low.

7
Section 1 Question Types
35-45 seconds for one test
page (three questions)

(10-15 seconds per question)

Up to 5 test pages

8
Section 1 Question Types
▷ Choose the right word (vocabulary)

▷ Choose the right word (grammar)

▷ Complete the dialogue

▷ Correct the mistake

▷ Read and write a short answer

▷ Read and choose the right word

9
Section 1 Question Type

Choose the Right Word (Grammar)

Section 1 Question Types
▷ Choose the right word (vocabulary)

▷ Choose the right word (grammar)

▷ Complete the dialogue

▷ Correct the mistake

▷ Read and write a short answer

▷ Read and choose the right word

11
Choose the Right Word (Grammar)

12
Practice 1 SECTION 1 QUESTONS

Choose the right word

(vocabulary)
For our next meeting we will need ________ to take
Choose the right word
notes on the important information. (grammar)

Complete the dialogue

a) anyone Correct the mistake
b) no one Read and write a short
c) someone answer

Read and choose the right

word

13
Practice 1 SECTION 1 QUESTONS

Choose the right word

(vocabulary)
For our next meeting we will need ________ to take
Choose the right word
notes on the important information. (grammar)

Complete the dialogue

a) anyone Correct the mistake
b) no one Read and write a short
c) someone Which word / phrase answer

helps you to choose Read and choose the right

word
the right word?
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Practice 1 SECTION 1 QUESTONS

Choose the right word

(vocabulary)
For our next meeting we will need ________ to take
Choose the right word
notes on the important information. (grammar)

Complete the dialogue

a) anyone Correct the mistake
b) no one Read and write a short
c) someone Which word / phrase answer

helps you to choose Read and choose the right

word
the right word?
15
Practice 1 SECTION 1 QUESTONS

Choose the right word

(vocabulary)
For our next meeting we will need ________ to take
notes on the important information. Choose the right word
(grammar)

Taking notes in a meeting is a Complete the dialogue

a) anyone task for one person. Correct the mistake
b) no one ‘someone’ -> the person needs Read and write a short
answer
c) someone to know how to take notes
Read and choose the right
word

16
Reflect and Discuss

“
1. What do you think about this question
a. easy b. quite challenging c. difficult
2. What do you do when answering this kind of question? Do you have
any tips?
3. How quickly did you answer the question?
4. Did you have to think hard?

17
Choose the Right Word SECTION 1 QUESTONS

(Grammar) Choose the right word

(vocabulary)

Choose the right word

(grammar)
▷ Read the whole sentence
Complete the dialogue
▷ Use the context Correct the mistake

Tips ▷ Focus on words before / after the gap Read and write a short
answer
▷ Use your grammar knowledge Read and choose the right
word
▷ Answer quickly

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Choose the Right Word SECTION 1 QUESTONS

(Grammar) Choose the right word

(vocabulary)

Choose the right word

(grammar)
▷ 5 questions Complete the dialogue

Correct the mistake

Information ▷ Timing -> Each question: Read and write a short

answer
10-15 seconds Read and choose the right
word
(45 seconds for one test page)

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Practice 2
Select a word or phrase to fill the gaps 
Because of
1. So COVID-19, many people had to cancel their travel plans in 2020
and 2021.
Because

to receive
2.Airline companies lost a lot of money due to many passengers asked receive
a refund for their canceled trip. receiving

will require
3. In the future, some airline companies requiringpassengers to have a vaccine
passport before they travel. required

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Practice 2
Select a word or phrase to fill the gaps 
Because of
1. So COVID-19, many people had to cancel their travel plans in 2020
and 2021.
Because

to receive
2.Airline companies lost a lot of money due to many passengers asked receive
a refund for their canceled trip. receiving

will require
3. In the future, some airline companies requiringpassengers to have a vaccine
passport before they travel. required

21
Practice 2
Select a word or phrase to fill the gaps 
Because of
1. So COVID-19, many people had to cancel their travel plans in 2020
and 2021.
Because

to receive
2.Airline companies lost a lot of money due to many passengers asked receive
a refund for their canceled trip. receiving

will require
3. In the future, some airline companies requiringpassengers to have a vaccine
passport before they travel. required

22
Practice 3
Select a word or phrase to fill the gaps 
meet
1.  Later this afternoon, the sales team will
tomeet
discuss the new app.
met
design
2. The app that they designs   connects students across the world in studying
online. are designing
           
is
3. The app will
    be
available to download from the iPhone store next spring.
was

23
Practice 3
Select a word or phrase to fill the gaps 
meet
1.  Later this afternoon, the sales team will
tomeet
discuss the new app.
met
design
2. The app that they designs   connects students across the world in studying
online. are designing
           
is
3. The app will
    be
available to download from the iPhone store next spring.
was

24
Practice 3
Select a word or phrase to fill the gaps 
meet
1.  Later this afternoon, the sales team will
tomeet
discuss the new app.
met
design
2. The app that they designs   connects students across the world in studying
online. are designing
           
is
3. The app will
    be
available to download from the iPhone store next spring.
was

25
Practice 4
Select a word or phrase to fill the gaps 
will be
1. Job hunting werea very stressful time for university students who are about
to graduate. is

joining
2. By join in circles or organizations, students can gain important
to join
communication skills for their future.

are
A: In the future, companies will searching
be for people with communication skills.
have

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Practice 4
Select a word or phrase to fill the gaps 
will be
1. Job hunting werea very stressful time for university students who are about to
graduate. is

joining
2. By join circles or organizations, students can gain important communication
to join
skills for their future.

are
A: In the future, companies will searching
be for people with communication skills.
have

27
Practice 4
Select a word or phrase to fill the gaps 
will be
1. Job hunting werea very stressful time for university students who are about to
graduate. is

joining
2. By join circles or organizations, students can gain important communication
to join
skills for their future.

are
A: In the future, companies will searching
be for people with communication skills.
have

28
Section 1 Question Type

Read and Write a Short Answer

Section 1 Question Types
▷ Choose the right word (vocabulary)

▷ Choose the right word (grammar)

▷ Complete the dialogue

▷ Correct the mistake

▷ Read and write a short answer

▷ Read and choose the right word

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Read and Write a Short Answer

31
 Read and Write a Short Answer
The questions are
not too difficult,
but you should
check your answers
carefully. Don't
choose randomly.

You need to get

here with 4-6
minutes left.

32
Reflect and Discuss

“
1. What do you think about this question
a. easy b. quite challenging c. difficult
2. What do you do when answering this kind of question? Do you have
any tips?
3. How quickly did you answer the question?
4. Did you have to think hard?

33
Read and Write Short SECTION 1 QUESTONS

Answers Choose the right word

(vocabulary)
▷ The questions are not too difficult, but Choose the right word
you should check your answers (grammar)
carefully Complete the dialogue

▷ Use the context Correct the mistake

Tips ▷ Don't choose randomly Read and write a short

answer

▷ Don’t worry about punctuation (, . ?) Read and choose the right

word
▷ Spelling is very important
▷ Answer quickly, but carefully 34
Read and Write Short SECTION 1 QUESTONS

Answers Choose the right word

(vocabulary)

▷ 3 questions Choose the right word

(grammar)
▷ 3 words per answer ONLY Complete the dialogue
(4+ words = 0 points!) Correct the mistake
▷ Timing -> Each question: 20-25
Information Read and write a short
answer
seconds
(1 min 30 sec per reading) Read and choose the right
word
▷ Need 5+ minutes remaining
time
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Practice 1 Example: How much area does Tasmania
cover? = 68,401 square meters
Read the website extract and answer the questions. 1. How long is Tasmania?
Use no more than three words for each answer .

Tasmania is the smallest state of Australia. The main 2. How many lakes does Tasmania
island is 290 kilometers long and 280 kilometers have?
wide. It covers an area of 68,401 square kilometers.
The Derwent and the South Esk are the major 3. How many people live in
rivers. The island also has more than 4,000 lakes. Tasmania?
Tasmania is home to about 500,000 people. Most
of the people live in the southeast and the north.
4. What is the name of the largest
Hobart, in the southeast, is the largest city and
city in Tasmania?
main port. Launceston is the main city of northern
Tasmania.

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Practice 1 Example: How much area does Tasmania
cover? = 68,401 square meters
Read the website extract and answer the questions. 1. How long is Tasmania?
Use no more than three words for each answer .

Tasmania is the smallest state of Australia. The main 2. How many lakes does Tasmania
island is 290 kilometres long and 280 kilometres have?
wide. It covers an area of 68,401 square kilometres.
The Derwent and the South Esk are the major 3. How many people live in
rivers. The island also has more than 4,000 lakes. Tasmania?
Tasmania is home to about 500,000 people. Most
of the people live in the southeast and the north.
4. What is the name of the largest
Hobart, in the southeast, is the largest city and
city in Tasmania?
main port. Launceston is the main city of northern
Tasmania.

37
Practice 1 Example: How much area does Tasmania
cover? = 68,401 square meters
Read the website extract and answer the questions. 1. How long is Tasmania? 290 kilometers
Use no more than three words for each answer .

Tasmania is the smallest state of Australia. The main 2. How many lakes does Tasmania
island is 290 kilometers long and 280 kilometers have? 4,000
wide. It covers an area of 68,401 square kilometers.
The Derwent and the South Esk are the major 3. How many people live in
rivers. The island also has more than 4,000 lakes. Tasmania? About 500,000
Tasmania is home to about 500,000 people. Most
of the people live in the southeast and the north.
4. What is the name of the largest
Hobart, in the southeast, is the largest city and
city in Tasmania? Hobart
main port. Launceston is the main city of northern
Tasmania.

38
Practice 2 Example: How likely does the report say it
will rain in the north? = Chance of rain
Read the website extract and answer the questions. 1. What is the temperature in the
Use no more than three words for each answer . north?
Welcome to the weather report. In the north of the
country, it is very windy and cold. There is also a
chance of rain with a temperature of around 10 2. What may happen in the east in
degrees. In the east, it is rainy all day today. There the afternoon?
may be a thunderstorm in the afternoon. At 13
degrees, the temperature is slightly warmer. In the
west and middle of the country, the weather is dry 3. How is the weather in the south in
but cloudy and windy and quite cool at just 10 the afternoon?
degrees. The south of the country is cloudy in the
morning but sunny this afternoon. The temperature
is around 15 degrees. 4. What is the temperature in the
south?
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Practice 2 Example: How likely does the report say it
will rain in the north? = Chance of rain
Read the website extract and answer the questions. 1. What is the temperature in the
Use no more than three words for each answer . north?
Welcome to the weather report. In the north of the
country, it is very windy and cold. There is also a
chance of rain with a temperature of around 10 2. What may happen in the east in
degrees. In the east, it is rainy all day today. There the afternoon?
may be a thunderstorm in the afternoon. At 13
degrees, the temperature is slightly warmer. In the
west and middle of the country, the weather is dry 3. How is the weather in the south in
but cloudy and windy and quite cool at just 10 the afternoon?
degrees. The south of the country is cloudy in the
morning but sunny this afternoon. The temperature
is around 15 degrees. 4. What is the temperature in the
south?
40
Practice 2 Example: How likely does the report say it
will rain in the north? = Chance of rain
Read the website extract and answer the questions. 1. What is the temperature in the
Use no more than three words for each answer . north? Around 10 degrees
Welcome to the weather report. In the north of the
country, it is very windy and cold. There is also a
chance of rain with a temperature of around 10 2. What may happen in the east in
degrees. In the east, it is rainy all day today. There the afternoon? A thunderstorm
may be a thunderstorm in the afternoon. At 13
degrees, the temperature is slightly warmer. In the
west and middle of the country, the weather is dry 3. How is the weather in the south in
but cloudy and windy and quite cool at just 10 the afternoon? Sunny
degrees. The south of the country is cloudy in the
morning but sunny this afternoon. The temperature
is around 15 degrees. 4. What is the temperature in the
south? Around 15 degrees
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Practice 3 Example: How many islands are in
Indonesia? = over 17,000
Read the website extract and answer the questions. 1. What two oceans surround
Use no more than three words for each answer . Indonesia?
Discover the beauty of Indonesia! Are you ready for
a vacation you will never forget? Indonesia offers 2. What city is described as exciting?
natural beauty and rich culture that will delight all
types of visitors. Situated between the Indian and
Pacific Oceans, Indonesia consists of over 17,000 3. How much does the cheapest
islands. From the white-sand beaches of Bali to the guided tour cost?
exciting city of Jakarta, there is something for
everyone. Our guided tours start from only £1200, 4. Where can people get more
and we will take care of all travel and information about visiting Indonesia?
accommodations. Visit our website today to find
out more about this exciting opportunity.

42
Practice 3 Example: How many islands are in
Indonesia? = over 17,000
Read the website extract and answer the questions. 1. What two oceans surround
Use no more than three words for each answer . Indonesia? Indian and Pacific
Discover the beauty of Indonesia! Are you ready for
a vacation you will never forget? Indonesia offers 2. What city is described as exciting?
natural beauty and rich culture that will delight all Jakarta
types of visitors. Situated between the Indian and
Pacific Oceans, Indonesia consists of over 17,000 3. How much does the cheapest
islands. From the white-sand beaches of Bali to the guided tour cost? £1200
exciting city of Jakarta, there is something for
everyone. Our guided tours start from only £1200, 4. Where can people get more
and we will take care of all travel and information about visiting Indonesia?
accommodations. Visit our website today to find The website
out more about this exciting opportunity.

43
Section 1 Tips Summary
▷ Do not spend too much time on one question or
one page of questions. The more time you spend
on vocabulary and grammar, the less time you will
have for the reading questions
(Your reading score will be low = your overall score
will be low). Do not waste time on a guess.)
▷ Read the whole sentence or all sentences carefully.
There are key words in each sentence which help
you answer correctly. 
▷ Use context
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Section 1 Tips Summary
▷ Grammar and Functions: e.g. requests, offers,
questions, orders, invitations
▷ Parts of speech: sleep (n), sleep (v), sleepy (adj),
sleepily (adv)
▷ Do not write more than three words in short
answer reading questions. Your score will be zero.
▷ Don't worry about capital letters or punctuation in
the short answers.
▷ Do worry about spelling! (Part of your score!)
45
Section 3.
Writing

46
Introduction to Section 3

▷ 14 minutes
▷ Final section
Writing ▷ Only 2 questions
○ Read and then Write
○ Write an Essay

47
Section 3 Question Types

▷ Read and then Write

▷ Write an Essay

48
Section 3 Question Type

Read and then Write

Section 3 Question Types

▷ Read and then Write

▷ Write an Essay

50
Read and then Write
▷ About 2 minutes per question

▷ Up to 2 test pages
SECTION 3 QUESTONS
▷ 1 question per page Read and then Write

Write an Essay

51
 Read and then Write

SECTION 3 QUESTONS

Read and then Write

Write ad Essay

Text is 52-62 words long

Practice readings so you can read and understand within 30

seconds
52
 Tips – Read and then Write
Grammar
▷ There is a mix of grammar structures in every story. SECTION 3 QUESTONS
However, the grammar is not too difficult. Read and then Write
○ Present simple (they love the seaside; they often go Write an Essay
the city; they walk their dogs every day)
○ Past tense verbs (S went on a trip to X)
○ Future tenses ('going to' and 'will')
○ Present perfect progressive (S has been working late
every day)
53
 More Tips – Read and Write
Grammar (continued)
▷ Reporting clauses (S told L that she...)
SECTION 3 QUESTONS
▷ Conjunctions (and, but) Read and then Write
▷ Prepositions (in, on, at etc.) Write an Essay

▷ Transitions (Recently, Unfortunately, Consequently

etc.)
▷ Adverbial clause (When the film finished, he went
straight home)
▷ That clause (he knew that she was waiting for him 54
 Even More Tips
Vocabulary
▷ The vocabulary is not difficult. You will be able to
SECTION 3 QUESTONS
understand the reading. 
Read and then Write
▷ Try to remember the character's name. If you can't
Write an Essay
remember use a pronoun e.g. they, he, she.  
▷ Passages are about 52-62 words long
▷ Vary the sentence structure 
▷ Use synonyms 
▷ Don't change the meaning of the passage 55
Read and then Write
You don't have
to include You can
everything. Try paraphrase
to write the main what you
points of the remember SECTION 3 QUESTONS
story. 
Read and then Write

Write an Essay

Practice your
typing so that
Don't try to you can
memorize word- complete the
for-word question in time
• Try to give yourself
30 seconds to check
your writing

56
Basic Tips – Read and then Write
Grammar is important

Spelling is important

Punctuation is important

Capitalization is important

Covering all the main

points is important
Useful Websites for Self-Study
▷ Benchmark Practice Website:
https://sites.google.com/view/apuuiebenchmarkp
ractice/home

▷ Language Learning Strategy Website:

https://ellsdatabase.weebly.com/

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Any questions?

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