Placement Test |  Teacher’s Guide

The Optimise Placement Test has been designed to place students into groups corresponding to the four
levels of the Optimise series (A2, B1, B1+, B2). Students with no previous knowledge of English would not
normally be required to take this test.

General Marking Guidelines

The Optimise Placement Test consists of 60 multiple-choice items (39 grammar, and 21 vocabulary) that are worth
one mark each, three reading tasks worth five marks each and two writing tasks worth five marks each. It has a
maximum score of 85. Give one mark for every correct answer.
Note that the placement test items are progressively more difficult from questions 1 to 60. Before deciding the level,
check the test carefully for the number of incorrect questions per section. If students answer questions incorrectly
at the beginning of the test, but answer questions correctly at the end of the test, they may be guessing randomly
and may be placed in the wrong level.

Writing: Marking Guidelines

Use the writing guidelines to give a score out of 5. The same scale is used to assess the students’ performance for
both writing tasks.
Description of Performance Points
No answer is written, the student has not understood the question, he or she has answered a different 0
question completely, or what is written is largely unintelligible and does not convey the intended
meaning or show any awareness whatsoever of appropriate tenses and language.
The student has shown a very basic understanding of the question and has made an attempt at 1
answering it. The student has written substantially less than the specified word count, and there are
serious inconsistencies and inaccuracies in the language. Ideas are not linked together in a logical and
clear manner and meaning is not conveyed in satisfactory terms.
The question has been partially or almost fully understood. The student has written less than the 2
specified word count and he or she has covered some or all of the points, but only partially. There are
some issues with sentence construction and inconsistencies and inaccuracies in the grammar and
vocabulary that interfere with meaning. The student’s response is not cohesive and seems awkward.
The question has been almost fully understood, and the student has written close to or less than the 3
specified word count. The student has made a reasonable effort to cover everything. He or she has mostly
used appropriate tenses, grammar, and vocabulary, although with frequent errors. Meaning is reasonably
clear and the sentences follow a logical train of thought to some extent.
The question is fully or almost fully answered in the specified word count. The student has made a 4
reasonable effort to cover everything. He or she has demonstrated a good command of the appropriate
language and used relevant grammar and vocabulary accurately, although with occasional errors (that
don’t interfere with meaning). The student has used cohesive devices, such as linking expressions and
sequencers appropriate to the level.
The question is fully answered in the specified word count. The student has covered everything. He 5
or she has used accurate and appropriate grammar and vocabulary, with very few, if any, errors. There
is a natural or logical progression from one sentence to the next and meaning is totally understood.
The student shows a good command of cohesive devices, such as linking expressions and sequencers
appropriate to the level.

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 Placement Test |  Teacher’s Guide

Deciding Students’ Levels

Optimise Placement Test Conversion Table
Use the Placement Test Conversion Table to identify your students’ levels. Placement according to the scores on
the complete test is based on the assumption that your students attempt to answer all the questions, including both
writing tasks.
Total Score Recommended Level
0–24 A2
25–36 B1
37–48 B1+
49+ B2

Optimise Placement Test Conversion Table: Grammar, Vocabulary and Reading only
If you choose not to use the writing section of the Placement Test, use this table to place your students in the
appropriate level based on their grammar, vocabulary and reading skills.
Total Score Recommended Level
0–18 A2
19–27 B1
28–36 B1+
37+ B2

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 Placement Test |  Teacher’s Guide  |  Answer Key

Grammar and Vocabulary

1 C [have got] 31 B [past modals of deduction]
2 A [present simple] 32 C [third conditional]
3 A [can] 33 C [wish]
4 C [present continuous] 34 A [vocabulary – extreme adjectives]
5 A [past simple] 35 C [vocabulary – dependent prepositions]
6 B [superlatives] 36 B [vocabulary – lend/borrow]
7 C [vocabulary – everyday activities] 37 C [present perfect continuous]
8 C [vocabulary – places in a town] 38 A [so/such]
9 B [vocabulary – personal qualities] 39 D [the…the.. -comparative structures]
10 C [modals of obligation/lack of obligation/ 40 B [modals in the past]
prohibition] 41 B [provided]
11 A [could] 42 C [question tags]
12 B [past continuous] 43 C [vocabulary – transport and travel]
13 A [present continuous for future] 44 B [vocabulary – money]
14 C [present perfect with yet] 45 C [vocabulary – phrasal verbs]
15 B [first conditional] 46 B [gerunds and infinitives]
16 B [vocabulary - jobs] 47 C [reporting verbs]
17 B [vocabulary - containers and measures] 48 D [impersonal reporting structures]
18 C [vocabulary - clothes] 49 D [causative get]
19 A [relative pronouns] 50 C [participle clauses]
20 B [as…as comparatives] 51 B [vocabulary – body idioms]
21 C [too/(not) enough] 52 A [vocabulary – collocations with do]
22 C [second conditional] 53 A [vocabulary – phrasal verbs]
23 C [used to] 54 C [vocabulary – describing cities and towns]
24 C [gerunds and infinitives] 55 C [relative clauses]
25 B [vocabulary – health problems and illnesses] 56 B [auxiliaries for emphasis]
26 C [vocabulary – adjectives –ed/-ing] 57 C [inversion]
27 C [vocabulary – phrasal verbs] 58 D [gerunds and infinitives: two meanings]
28 A [present perfect for/since] 59 A [vocabulary – descriptive adjectives]
29 C [future perfect simple] 60 C [vocabulary – adjective + noun collocations]
30 A [relative clauses – non defining]

Reading
61 C [detailed information] 66 C [writer`s intention] 71 C [writer`s intention]
62 A [detailed information] 67 A [meaning in context] 72 B [detailed information]
63 C [pronoun reference] 68 A [detailed information] 73 C [inference]
64 C [main idea] 69 C [detailed information] 74 A [pronoun reference]
65 A [writer`s opinion] 70 B [writer`s opinion] 75 D [writer`s opinion]

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 Placement Test |  Teacher’s Guide  |  Answer Key

Writing
6 7
Sample answer Sample answer
Hi John Tests at school are very important and every student
Thanks for your email. prepares for them differently. Some prefer to study
constantly throughout the year, whereas others leave
To answer your question, my favourite singer is Ed
all their revision until the last minute. I can understand
Sheeran. He sings pop music and he plays the guitar.
both points of view.
He also raps in some of his songs. Last year, I saw him
in concert and it was amazing! He doesn’t have any To study regularly, you have to be very organised.
musicians on stage with him. It’s just him and his guitar. You must review your notes before and after lessons
and always be asking your teacher questions when
I like him because he raps really fast and he is very
something is not clear. The advantage of this is that you
original. If you have the chance to see him in concert
do really learn better, but the disadvantage is that it
you should go. I think he is one of the most talented
takes a lot of time.
musicians in the world!
On the other hand, if you leave it to the last minute it is
Best wishes,
possible to do a test and remember something that you
Paul studied the night before. However, it is also true that
you cannot study everything the night before because
there is not enough time. In addition, if you have to
revise for more than one subject, the information can
become mixed up.
Personally, I think it is best to study regularly and make
summaries of your notes. You can review these easily
the night before without feeling stressed.

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 Placement Test |  Grammar and Vocabulary

1 For questions 1–36, choose the best word or phrase (A, B or C).
1 I     got a computer but I’ve got a tablet. 9 Mary is very     . She always helps me when I
A don’t have a problem.
B ’ve A hard-working
C haven’t B kind
C creative
2 Sue: I love Rita Ora!     her?
Mike: No. I prefer Ed Sheeran. 10 You     tell anyone – it’s a secret.
A Do you like A don’t have to
B Are you like B must
C Does you like C mustn’t

3 Marie:     play a musical instrument, John? 11 When I was five I     swim but now I can.
John: Yes. I play the piano. A couldn’t
A Can you B can’t
B Do you can C could
C Are you
12 While we     to school, it started snowing. It
was beautiful!
4 That’s Jana. She’s     to her friend.
A was walking
A talks
B were walking
B talk
C walked
C talking

13 Harry: What are you doing tonight?

5 Amy: Where     you yesterday?
Ben: I     basketball with Michael. Do you
Jill: I was at my grandmother’s house.
want to come?
A were
A ’m playing
B did
B will play
C are
C play

6 Angel: Messi’s the     footballer in the world.

14 I haven’t finished cleaning my bike     .
Ricardo: No, he isn’t. Ronaldo is!
A already
A most good
B just
B best
C yet
C better

15 If     to the concert later,     with you.

7 I     to the radio every day.
A you’ll go / I come
A read
B you go / I’ll come
B watch
C you go / I come
C listen

16 He’s a     . He writes articles for

8 Dad: Where are you going? the newspaper.
Mum: To the     . I need to buy some boots. A dentist
A chemist’s B journalist
B newsagent’s C secretary
C shoe shop

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 Placement Test |  Grammar and Vocabulary

17 Customer: I’d like a     of pizza, please. 26 I am very     in learning Chinese next year.
Server: Of course. Here you are. A interesting
A packet B interest
B slice C interested
C carton
27 If I don’t know a word, I always     using an
18 George: These trousers are a bit big. online dictionary.
Dad: Yes, I think you need to buy a     . A look it for
A cap B look up it
B scarf C look it up
C belt
28 I’ve lived in London     20 years but I’ve
never visited London Zoo.
19 That is the man     name I can’t pronounce.
A for
A whose
B since
B who
C from
C which

29 By this time next week, we     our exams and
20 My best friend isn’t     my sister.
we’ll be on holiday!
A as old than
A ’ll be finishing
B as old as
B ’re going to finish
C so old than
C ’ll have finished

21 Can you turn the music down, it’s     .
30 This film,     won three Oscars, stars Johnny
A not enough loud Depp and is directed by Tim Burton.
B not loud enough A which
C too loud B where
C that
22 James: What     if you     €100 in
the street?
31 It     John who used the computer because
Lisa: I’d give it to the police. he doesn’t know the password.
A will you do / found A mustn’t be
B would you do / would find B can’t have been
C would you do / found C might have been

23 My brother and sister     play football 32 If you     football for five hours, you    
together when they were younger. so tired.
A did use to A wouldn’t have played / wouldn’t have felt
B use to B hadn’t played / won’t feel
C used to C hadn’t played / wouldn’t have felt

24 I enjoyed     my homework last night. 33 I wish I     as well as her. She’s got such a
A do lovely voice.
B to do A sing
C doing B can sing
C could sing
25 Mum: What’s the matter? 34 When we entered the stadium, it was    
Natalie: I sang too much at the concert and now inside.
my throat is     . A absolutely packed
A injured B very enormous
B sore C absolutely old
C ache

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 Placement Test |  Grammar and Vocabulary

35 My teacher is very good     grammar. 36 Sally, could you     me some money, please?
A for explain A owe
B in explaining B lend
C at explaining C borrow

2 For questions 37–60, choose the best word or phrase (A, B, C or D).
37 Tom: Where are you?     here for an hour. 43 The     from the airport into London was
Emma: Sorry. I missed the bus. expensive but quick.
A I wait A travel
B I’m waiting B trip
C I’ve been waiting C journey
D I’d been waiting D voyage

38 It was     hot that we decided to stay at home. 44 When I     money, I usually take out €40 from
the cash machine.
A so
A pick up
B very
B withdraw
C too
C set aside
D such a
D deposit

39 The     I concentrate the     I finish

my work. 45 Max always     his important computer
documents on an external drive.
A more hard / fastest
A prints out
B hardly / faster
B saves up
C harder / fastest
C backs up
D harder / faster
D sets off

40 You     brought food. We have got

plenty here. 46 If the computer doesn’t work, try     it off
and on again.
A had better
A to switch
B needn’t have
B switching
C didn’t need
C switch
D should have
D having switched

41 We’ll play a game tonight     you have done

your homework. 47 The suspect     being near the bank at the
time of the crime.
A unless
A claimed
B provided
B accused
C supposed
C denied
D if only
D refused

42 You won a prize for your paintings,    

48 The man is believed     over a thousand
A isn’t it?
marathons since he started.
B haven’t you?
A to run
C didn’t you?
B to be running
D don’t you?
C he has run
D to have run

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 Placement Test |  Grammar and Vocabulary

49 Paul didn’t like decorating so he got a 56 Mum: Laura, have you done the dishes yet?
professional decorator     his flat for him. Laura: Well, I     doing them, but then I had
A designing to answer my phone.
B design A started to
C she designed B did start
D to design C was starting
D have just was
50     all her emails, she switched off
her computer. 57     the film started when the phone rang.
A Sending A No sooner had
B She sent B Seldom had
C Having sent C Barely had
D Sent D Not until

51 If you’re angry, just tell him. You should get it off 58 Do you remember     your bed when you
your     . were a child?
A head A to do
B chest B doing
C back C to make
D foot D making

52 You should take a few days off work. It won’t 59 My aunt Jane bears a(n)     resemblance to a
    you any harm. famous rock star.
A do A uncanny
B give B sceptical
C make C intentional
D pay D irrational

53 Slow down, Barry. I can’t     you. 60 My sister and my father like to win. There is a
A keep up with competitive     running through our family.
B come up to A line
C come up with B consciousness
D reach up with C streak
D shift
54 Budapest is a wonderful city full of culture and
Total score
    in history.
A sprawling
B renowned
C steeped
D bustling

55 I liked my new English teacher,     was

fortunate, as she also was teaching us history.
A who
B what
C which
D that

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 Placement Test | Reading

3 Read the text below. For questions 61–65, choose the best answer (A, B or C).

Bike sharing
If you travel to a big city, you will see many people riding public bikes. This isn’t a new idea. The first
public bike sharing system began in Amsterdam in the 1960’s. The organisers painted the bikes white
and many people used them. After one person finished their journey they left the bike for the next
person. Unfortunately, people stole many of the bikes or threw them in the rivers, and so the system
was stopped.
In 1974, the city of La Rochelle, in France, started its own system of free public bicycles. Their bikes
were yellow and the system was successful. Today, there are more than 300 bikes and the city is
famous for its yellow bikes. You have to pay to use the bikes now, but they aren’t expensive and they are
very popular.
Today, technology has changed public bike sharing systems. There are now special stations for people
to put the bikes so they are safe and computer systems that record the location of the bikes at the
bike stations. In most bike sharing systems, the riders use a special card to pay for the bike. Public
13 bike sharing systems are popular in Europe, but they are also becoming popular in Asia. In fact, the
biggest bike sharing system is in the city of Hangzhou, in China. There are over 60,000 bicycles and over
2,000 stations!
Cities don’t have bike sharing systems to make money, but the city benefits because there are fewer
cars on the roads, less noise and less pollution. Public bike sharing systems are also becoming very
popular with tourists. Local people are happy because a shared bike is cheaper than using a car, it is
good for the environment and it is good exercise. With over 500 bike sharing systems in the world today
it looks like they are here to stay.

61 What was one of the problems with the first bike 64 What’s the topic of the last paragraph?
sharing system? A how cities can make money with bike
A Nobody wanted a white bicycle. sharing systems
B People rode the bicycles into the river. B why bike sharing systems are good for tourists
C Some people took the bikes and kept them. C the advantages of bike sharing systems

62 What does the writer say about the bike sharing 65 How does the writer feel about bike
system in France? sharing systems?
A When it started people didn’t pay to use A They have a good future.
the bikes. B Cars will always be more popular.
B People liked yellow bikes more than white C They are the best way to do exercise.
bikes.
C Many famous people use the yellow bikes.

63 What does ‘they’ (line 13) refer to?

A the riders
B the cards
C bike sharing systems

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 Placement Test | Reading

4 Read the text below. For questions 66–70, choose the best answer (A, B or C).

Democratic School
I’ve just started university and have met lots of new people from all sorts of countries. Despite their
different backgrounds, they all went to the same type of school as me. The schools had lots of rules, lots
3 of sitting quietly, hours of listening to lessons and never-ending tests. However, there was one student,
Derek, who told me he’d gone to a democratic school. I didn’t know what he meant so I asked him to
tell me more.
He explained that democratic schools are very different from typical schools where the teachers decide
what the rules are. In democratic schools, things like equality and freedom are more important than
getting good grades. Students are encouraged to take responsibility for their own actions. He explained
that in weekly meetings students and staff members voted on school rules and ways to enforce them.
They also decided what to do if someone broke the rules. Each student and staff member had one vote
each so, as there were many more students than staff, the students were in control.
As for the lessons themselves, Derek said that students made their own timetables at the beginning
of each term. They could choose from a range of traditional subjects like geography, maths and
woodwork. He also explained how the students weren’t separated by age and even more surprising that
participation in each class was optional. They had to attend the class but if they chose to, the students
could do an alternative activity, like reading or drawing. Despite this, the students often chose to prepare
for exams in order to go to university.
If I’d gone to a democratic school, I wouldn’t have studied anything and I’d have spent all my time playing
games. Even now, I need someone to tell me what to do and organise my life for me. But maybe
that’s the point of democratic schools. Perhaps if young people were allowed to make more decisions
themselves, they would be better prepared not only for life at university, but also the challenges beyond.

66 What’s the writer doing in the text? 69 What does the writer learn about the classes in
A Telling a funny story about school. the democratic school?
B Recommending a school. A Students didn’t need to attend them.
C Discussing a type of school. B The boys and the girls weren’t separated.
C Students didn’t have to take part in them.
67 What does ‘never-ending tests’ (line 3) mean?
A lots of tests 70 How does the writer feel about democratic
schools?
B difficult tests
A Students won’t learn anything useful.
C boring tests
B They might be good for young people.

C He wishes he’d gone to one.
68 According to Derek, how are democratic schools
different from more typical schools?
A Students are given more freedom.
B Students get worse grades.
C Students are allowed to break the rules.

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 Placement Test | Reading

5 Read the text below. For questions 71–75, choose the best answer (A, B, C or D).

The Importance of Music

Music has always been important to people, and has been around for longer than you might think. In
2012, a primitive flute made from bird bone and mammoth ivory, discovered in Germany, was claimed to
be over forty-thousand years old. If true, this would make it the world’s oldest musical instrument. But
why have humans needed music?
There are many theories as to the importance of music. Some experts suggest that humans used music
like birds do, to attract a mate. Other theories suggest that music emerged to accompany story telling.
Stories told in groups turned into poetry, which had a rhythm. This rhythm may have been accompanied
by clapping, which may have evolved into drums and other instruments. Another function of music was
to bond communities, and this can still be evidenced in football stadiums all over the world. Whatever
the reason, it is clear that music has never been essential for survival, but is something that has been
kept because it serves various functions and is enjoyed by people.
In fact, according to recent studies, nowadays more and more young people are learning to play an
instrument; the most popular being the recorder, piano and guitar. In recent years, electric keyboards
and electric guitars have increased in popularity, suggesting a shift away from more traditional
instruments towards electronic ones. With the arrival of the Internet and mobile technology, it is possible
to turn a mobile phone into a keyboard or drum, and beginners can learn guitar and other instruments by
watching video tutorials online. Some artists, like Ed Sheeran, have become famous after posting their
performances on the internet.
The Internet has also created the potential for people to collaborate on online musical projects so new
20 sounds and ways of making music can be easily shared. The Virtual Choir is one example of this; more
than a thousand voices were brought together by the Internet to create a digital choir. In addition,
musicians who use the Internet can form online bands and use internet websites such as YouTube to
share their music, without ever meeting in person.
But what about the young people without access to the Internet or expensive instruments like the
piano? Well, in the same way as people have been doing for millennia, they make music in any way
they can; by whistling, clapping or just hitting a box with their hands. As long as we have creativity and
imagination, the future of music is assured, regardless of the instruments that we play.

71 Why does the writer use the example of A electronic music is easier to play than
the flute? traditional instruments
A to suggest that musical instruments can B young people like electronic music more
be simple C there are more resources to help people
B to highlight the fact that music instruments D young people want to become famous
are important
C to exemplify that music has existed for
74 What does ‘this’ (line 20) refer to?
thousands of years
A online collaboration
D to impress the reader with an amazing fact
B creating potential
C making new music
72 In the second paragraph, what does the writer
suggest about music? D sharing music
A it probably evolved as a way for the species to
continue 75 How does the writer feel about the future
B it is more desirable than vital of music?
C it is an essential way to bring groups together A optimistic as long as people have the
right instruments
D it replaces the spoken word
B worried that music will become
increasingly simpler
73 In the third paragraph, what reason is given
C concerned that music will only be for the rich
for the increase in young people learning
an instrument? D confident that music will always exist

Total score

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 Placement Test | Writing

6 Read part of an email you have received from an English-speaking friend. Write an email
answering your friend’s questions.

In your next email, please tell me about your favourite kind of music or favourite
singers or group. What type of music do they play? Why do you like them?

Write 75–100 words.







7 At school you have been discussing the best way to study. Your teacher has asked you to write an
essay. Read the statement and write an essay discussing both views. Then give your opinion.

Some students think the best way to prepare for a test is to study a little bit every day, while
others think it is better to wait until the week before the test and study for many hours.

Write 150–180 words.












Total score

Total score

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