Aptis Advanced Notes

Aptis Advanced: Speaking Tests, Model Answers
and Tips
In this article, we will provide you with speaking sample questions, model answers,
and general tips to prepare for APTIS Advanced.
What is the APTIS Advanced?

APTIS Advanced is a language proficiency test designed by the British Council that
follows a similar format to the APTIS General Test. Like the general version, it is a
computer-based test that analyzes an individual’s Grammar and Vocabulary, as well
as his/her Reading, Listening, Writing and Speaking. There are several tasks within
each component and each section has a specified assigned time limit. In total, the
test lasts about 2 hours and 50 minutes.
APTIS Advanced Speaking Test is separated into four parts. Each part becomes
harder, so that part 1 is the easiest, while part 4 is the hardest. You are given 10
minutes in APTIS Advanced.
If you would like to access simulated APTIS advanced tests, please follow the
link here.
You can also find useful information by visiting the British Council website here.
APTIS Advanced: Sample Speaking Question #1
(4 parts – 10 minutes)
Part 1: In this part of the test, you are going to compare two pictures and
I will ask you two questions about it. You will have 45 seconds for each
response.
1.1. Tell me what you see in the photographs

1.2. Which of these homes is more common in your town/city? Why?
1.3. Which place would you rather live in? Why?.
Part 2: In this part of the test, you will answer abstract questions about a
particular topic. You will have 60 seconds to prepare before you start
speaking. Then, you will speak for 2 minutes.
2.1 How important to you is health and fitness?
2.2 In what ways can people stay healthy?
2.3 What do you think governments can do to promote healthy lifestyles in your
country?
Part 3: In this part of the test, you are going to give a presentation. You
can see the topic and some points for and against both sides. You will
choose two points from each list and give a balanced argument. You will
have 60 seconds to prepare before you start speaking and then you will
have 1.5 minutes to speak. After you finish speaking, you will be asked an
additional question about the topic.
Topic: Citizens should be allowed to carry personal guns.
FOR
· Guns can help people protect themselves
· They prevent people from becoming victims of crimes like burglary
· Necessary for hunting or target sports
AGAINST
· Guns are weapons that are used to commit a crime
· Fewer guns will reduce the homicide rate
· Handheld and/or military guns are not useful for activities like hunting

Part 4: Answer the question. You have 45 seconds to speak.
There is fewer crime today than there was in the past.
What is your response to this statement?
APTIS Advanced: Model Answer to Sample Speaking Question #1
Part 1: In this part of the test, you are going to compare two pictures and
I will ask you two questions about it. You will have 45 seconds for each
response.
1.2. Tell me what you see in the photographs.

In the photographs, I can see two types of homes. The one on the left is an
apartment complex. It is a high-rise building and there are many floors. It doesn’t
look so modern, but it isn’t old either. I think it might be in a city because it can
accommodate many families. I am also inclined to believe that it’s in a warm place
because each unit has a balcony. In contrast, the home on the left is a single-family
dwelling. It looks like it’s in the suburbs because those types of homes aren’t really
common in urban centres. There are two stories and a garage.

1.3. Which of these homes is more common in your town/city? Why?
It’s hard to say. I live in a fairly big city, so you definitely see a lot more apartment
buildings in the city centre. It takes less space to accommodate more people. It’s
also easier for people that live there because it is less outdoor work in the winter
when they have to clear snow or in the spring when they have to mow the lawn.
However, I live in a small bungalow near the city limits. My area is pretty residential
and there are a few pockets like this in the city where the population density is
lower.
1.4. Which place would you rather live in? Why?
Growing up in a house all my life, I’d probably choose the house. I think it gives you
enough space to live with people without constantly being in each other’s ways.
Flats can get too cramped and I imagine you don’t have much personal space or
privacy. While buying a large house is a goal, I understand that it might not be
financially possible in my future.
Part 2: In this part of the test, you will answer abstract questions about a
particular topic. You will have 60 seconds to prepare before you start
How important to you is health and fitness?
In what ways can people stay healthy?
What do you think governments can do to promote healthy lifestyles in your
country?
I was just thinking about this question the other day as I scrolled through
Instagram. As a kid, I used to always eat junk food. I took my fast metabolism for
granted and didn’t bother to do any sport or exercise. While I never prioritized
healthy living when I was younger, I think it is incredibly important nowadays.
Without our health, we are nothing. That being said, it was hard for me to
understand how people can stay healthy. I started following many fitness inspiration
pages and influencers on social media to truly understand how I could adopt a
better lifestyle and soon enough I learned that it was more than just eating fewer
calories and going to the gym. I learned that people need to pay attention to eating
clean, nutrient-dense foods, and that even walking could count as exercise. It’s that
fact that I wish governments promoted more. I always would associate a healthy
lifestyle with being skinny, and that’s not the case. If the government educated us
more on plant-based lifestyles, or small changes that we can make in our daily lives,
I think everyone would be healthier.
Part 3: In this part of the test, you are going to give a presentation. You
can see the topic and some points for and against both sides. You will
choose two points from each list and give a balanced argument. You will
have 60 seconds to prepare before you start speaking and then you will
have 1.5 minutes to speak. After you finish speaking, you will be asked an
additional question about the topic.
Topic: Citizens should be allowed to carry personal guns.
FOR
· Guns can help people protect themselves
· They prevent people from becoming victims of crimes like burglary
· Necessary for hunting or target sports
AGAINST
· Guns are weapons that are used to commit a crime
· Fewer guns will reduce the homicide rate
· Handheld and/or military guns are not useful for activities like hunting
There is a hotly-debated topic about whether or not people should be allowed to
carry personal guns. While I strongly believe that this should not be the case under
any circumstance, I will present both arguments.
In a time of uncertainty and danger, it is important to feel safe. Guns can help
people feel secure if they are walking alone at night or living in a bad
neighbourhood. If someone attempts to break in to my home or car, this crime
could be circumvented with the presentation of a firearm as a deterrent.
On the other hand, guns are killing machines. Even if it is unintended side effect of
protection or sport, they can be the reason for a crime in itself. By reducing guns,
the homicide rate will go down as well. This is because guns are very easy to use to
kill someone versus other methods. Notwithstanding guns used for hunting large
animals, there is no excuse that a person who is not trained should have access to a
hand gun or military rifle. They would make the animal inedible.
All in all, I think guns should be banned.
Part 4: Answer the question. You have 45 seconds to speak.

There is fewer crime today than there was in the past.
What is your response to this statement?
In general, I don’t think that there is fewer crime today than in the past, but the
crime is definitely different. While there may be less instances of armed robbery or
burglary due to home surveillance systems and safer neighbourhoods, I think that
there is more identity theft and cyber-crime. Nowadays, stealing someone’s credit
card number or passport is more valuable than just the cash in their wallet and I
predict this will increase in the future.
Top 10 Tips For The APTIS Speaking

Test
Tip 1: Understand the questions and respond appropriately and fully
Make sure you understand the questions and respond appropriately and fully. Try to
explain or expand your answers. Listen carefully to the question and listen for the
stressed words which give you the meaning. When you answer a question, you can
expand by giving examples and reasons. Practice by first answering the question and
then explaining the when, where, and why.
Tip 2: Use your preparation time in section four efficiently
Again, you must make sure you understand the questions and respond appropriately
and fully. You are expected to talk for two minutes and you have three questions.
Remember that is only 40 seconds a question and practice this with a timer before
the exam. You can use the same technique for all your answers. Give a general
answer and then be more specific. Give examples, reasons, and results.
Tip 3: Keep your notes short and simple
Keep your notes short and simple and think about how to structure your ideas
logically. Look at the keywords in the question and make sure that you answer the
question word used, i.e. If the question is ‘When’ talk about a time. It it is ‘Where’
talk about a place.
Tip 4. Practice speaking as much as you can

Practice speaking as much as you can, do not worry too much about mistakes.
Instead, focus on whether your message was successfully communicated. Practice
ways of saying things again in another way. This will help the examiner understand
and heve the benefit of using more time. BE CAREFUL, only do this occasionally.
TIP 5: Record yourself speaking
Record yourself speaking and try to improve your vocabulary and pronunciation.
To prepare for speaking test, record yourself speaking as fluently as possible for a
minute or two.
Try the following topics:
- introducing yourself;
- talking about your personal experiences & preferences;
- comparing two different things - perhaps two cities or two houses.
When you listen to your recording the key things to note are:
- grammatical accuracy.
- appropriacy of vocabulary.
- effective pronunciation.
- hesitation.
- well-sequenced ideas properly linked together.
Tip 6: Don't memorize answers
Don't memorise answers, especially in Part 1. Memorised language doesn't give the
examiner an accurate measure of your English-language skills. The examiner will be
able to tell if you have memorised your answers because they will sound unnatural
and will probably be inappropriate to the question. This may influence your final
band score.
Tip 7: Don't use long and unfamiliar words
You may want to impress the examiner with long and complex words in your
speaking test. But to be safe, avoid using words you are not familiar with. There is a
higher chance of making mistakes by either mispronouncing words or using them in
the wrong context. Mistakes can affect your final band score.
Tip 8: Use a range of grammatical structures
When APTIS examiners asses your speaking skills, they mark you against the
following assessment criteria:
• Fluency and coherence
• Lexical resource
• Grammatical range and accuracy
• Pronunciation
Try and use a range of grammatical structures using complex and simple sentences
to express what you want to say. You can improve cohesion by including linking
words that give sequences, reasons, results and contrasts.
Know your own errors and practice speaking to friends in English. Try recording
yourself to see if you can spot errors. If you hear an error, make sure to correct
yourself. To learn something properly you must review it. Look at errors regularly to
check you aren’t making them.
You are assessed on your ability to use different grammatical structures accurately,
so it is important to practice speaking about the past, the present and the future
using correct tenses. If you have difficulty with a tense or structure, try to find
another way to express the same idea.
Tip 9: Don't worry about your accent
With a face-to-face Speaking test, the examiner understands a wide range of

accents so he or she will be able to understand what you say, unlike an AI machine.
You aren’t expected to sound like a native speaker. If you can communicate well,
then there is nothing to worry about. But do be aware of sounds that you have
difficulty with and make sure to use stress and intonation as English is a stress-timed
language and you should try to mimic it. Practice with friends and they will tell you if
they can't understand what you are saying.
Tip 10: Practice your English with your speaking partner
Practice your English with your speaking partner. This will not only enable you to
improve your speaking but enhance your listening skills too. Make a note of their
mistakes and discuss them. Ask your partner to do the same for you.
APTIS Advanced: Writing Tests, Model Answers

and Tips
In this article, we will provide you with writing sample questions, model answers,
and general tips to prepare for APTIS Advanced.
What is the APTIS Advanced?

APTIS Advanced is a language proficiency test designed by the British Council that
follows a similar format to the APTIS General Test. Like the general version, it is a
computer-based test that analyzes an individual’s Grammar and Vocabulary, as well
as his/her Reading, Listening, Writing and Speaking. There are several tasks within
each component and each section has a specified assigned time limit. In total, the
test lasts about 2 hours and 50 minutes.
APTIS Advanced Reading Test is separated into four parts. Each part becomes
minutes in APTIS Advanced
If you would like to access simulated APTIS advanced tests, then please follow the
link here.
For further details please visit the British Council website here.
APTIS Advanced: Writing

Practice Test #1
Part 1: You are a member of the science club and
you are speaking to three other members of in a
group chat. Respond to them in full sentences
(30-40 words per answer). You have 10 minutes.
Martin: Hey! Welcome to the group. I got into science when I was in high school, so
I decided to become an engineer. What about you?
________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________
Jorge: Welcome! Can you tell me about any experiments you have done before?
________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________
Bea: Who is your favourite scientist or inventor? Why?
________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________
Part 2: You received this email from a local café.

Read the email and the notes you have made.
Write a reply (120-150 words) using your notes,
and express how you feel about the situation.
Dear Customer,
Thank you for your continued patronage at our café. We are always looking for ways
to improve your experience! We would love to know more about your visit today.
How fast were you served? (1) It would be great to know whether you found our
staff helpful or not. Did they answer all of your questions with a smile? (2) Lastly,
what did you think of our new patio? Did you have a chance to enjoy it? (3) We
would love to hear your thoughts!
Yours faithfully,
Krave Café Staff
NOTES:
1. Slow service - made me late for work
2. Friendly staff – but too talkative
3. Patio looked beautiful – but it was raining
________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________
Part 3: Shopaholics Anonymous! is a website

that publishes short articles submitted by the
public on general interest topics. You have been
asked to write an article about Online Shopping.
You have done some research on this topic in
note form. Using your notes, write an informative
and attention-grabbing article for publication
(180-220 words).

NOTES:
- More products to choose from

- Can find deals and use coupon codes
-Pros: convenience / no lines or crowds
-Cons: cannot physically inspect item/ have to pay to return
Price comparisons
Product Type Avg Price in Avg Price online +/- Overall
person
Books $15/book shop $5 on Amazon +
Cheaper and
bigger selection
online
Groceries $100 for the $150 for the -
weekly shop weekly shop More convenient/
but can’t
guarantee
freshness of
products
Clothes $80 $80 (many % off -/+
deals)
Save money/ but
can’t try on

________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________

If you would like to access more simulated APTIS writing tests then please visit our
exam library here.
APTIS Advanced: Example

Answer To Practice Tests #1
Part 1: You are a member of the science club and
you are speaking to three other members of in a
group chat. Respond to them in full sentences
(30-40 words per answer). You have 10 minutes.
Martin: Hey! Welcome to the group. I got into science when I was in high school, so
I decided to become an engineer. What about you?
Hi Martin! I started watching scientific TV programs when I was a little kid. I
remember rushing home from school every day to catch the episode from start to
finish.
Jorge: Welcome! Can you tell me about any experiments you have done before?
I am actually not so keen on experiments as I am on building things. I could say my
specialty is making models of cars and modifying them to different velocities. I
prefer physics to chemical science.
Bea: Who is your favourite scientist or inventor? Why?
I think my favourite inventor would have to be Johannes Gutenberg. I know this

isn’t a typical answer for a science buff like myself, but without him, we wouldn’t
have mass-produced texts that help to spread knowledge.
Part 2: You received this email from a local café.

Read the email and the notes you have made.
Write a reply (120-150 words) using your notes,
and express how you feel about the situation.
Dear Customer,
Thank you for your continued patronage at our café. We are always looking for ways
to improve your experience! We would love to know more about your visit today.
How fast were you served? (1) It would be great to know whether you found our
staff helpful or not. Did they answer all of your questions with a smile? (2) Lastly,
what did you think of our new patio? Did you have a chance to enjoy it? (3) We
would love to hear your thoughts!
Yours faithfully,
Krave Café Staff
NOTES:
1. Slow service - made me late for work
2. Friendly staff – but too talkative
3. Patio looked beautiful – but it was raining
Dear Krave Café Staff,
Thanks for reaching out!
While I normally love visiting your café, I have to admit I was quite underwhelmed
by my experience there the last time I went. For starters, the service was incredibly
slow. I think it took about 10 minutes to get my latte. I know that is not a long time
to wait, but it made me late for work. I think it may have been because your barista
was overly chatty with each customer. Don’t get me wrong, it’s great to be friendly.
However, people have places to be in the morning!
On my way out, I noticed how lovely the new patio looked. Had I not been running
late, or if it were not raining, I would have loved to have my coffee there.
Let me know if you have any questions about my comments.
Best regards,
Sumit
Part 3: Shopaholics Anonymous! is a website

that publishes short articles submitted by the
public on general interest topics. You have been
asked to write an article about Online Shopping.
You have done some research on this topic in
note form. Using your notes, write an informative
and attention-grabbing article for publication
(180-220 words).

NOTES:
- More products to choose from

- Can find deals and use coupon codes

-Pros: convenience / no lines or crowds
-Cons: cannot physically inspect item/ have to pay to return
Price comparisons
Product Type Avg Price in Avg Price online +/- Overall
person
Books $15/book shop $5 on Amazon +
Cheaper and
bigger selection
online
Groceries $100 for the $150 for the -
weekly shop weekly shop More convenient/
but can’t
guarantee
freshness of
products
Clothes $80 $80 (many % off -/+
deals)
Save money/ but
can’t try on

i.e.
If you could only shop one way for the rest of your life, how would you choose to do
so?
For me and many others, online shopping has become a life-changing component of
our existence. Let’s consider the abundance that is found online. I can find any book
I have ever wanted for a third of the price online. What’s more is that I don’t have
to fight for a parking spot in a busy lot or stand in a long line to purchase it. The
savings extend to clothes too. When my son was a baby, we constantly had to buy
clothes because of how fast he was growing. By shopping online, I single-handedly
saved my family some serious cash by finding bargains and coupon codes online.
However, not all that glitters is gold. There were some serious fails in the clothing
department. I may have saved a percentage of the cost, but many of the clothes
didn’t fit right. It would have been so much better if I were able to inspect the items
before purchasing them as I had to pay to return them! I also once tried to order
groceries online, but ended up spending much more on fruit and veg that weren’t
the freshest.
In a nutshell, shopping online can be more convenient and cost-efficient, but it
depends on what you buy!
Top 10 Tips For The APTIS Writing

Test
Tip 1: Use the right register

This is the level of formality, friendliness, politeness you use when you write.
Knowing and being able to use the correct register when you write (and speak)
shows that you can use English well. Using the correct register is more likely to get
you the solution you want and so, it is also important for task achievement.
Tip 2: Know the correct spelling
English spelling is difficult but when you learn the

standard phrases, you can also learn the spelling. This
will make spelling easier. We will look at other difficult
words that occur often later. UK English and USA
English sometimes have different spellings. It is not
important which one you use but you should be
consistent in every question.
Tip 3: Improve your typing speed

Unless you opt paper-based version, APTIS writing test is computer-based. So the
faster you type the better. Just make sure your typing speed isn’t too slow.
Tip 4: Know the word count

You lose marks if you write too little and waste time if you write too much (it isn’t
counted). Therefore, you should know how many words should write and how long
you have for each question. Then you can practice them at home. Remember that
formal sentences are generally longer than informal sentences.
Tip 5: Read model answers

Doing this will give you a good idea of what to expect. Think about the things the
examiners are looking for and look at how accurate the grammar is. Ask yourself ‘is
it cohesive and clear?’ ‘Is the vocabulary wide-ranging or repetitious?’ and ‘is it well
planned?’.
Tip 6: Get used to the timings

Make sure that you know how long you have for each part and don’t go over that
time. Practice ant home with a timer will stop you from getting any horrible
surprises. If you know an APTIS examiner or trainer speak to them and ask them
what you need to do to improve.
Tip 7: Check your work

It is easy to lose points for making silly mistakes. Check what you have written. Look
at spelling and punctuation. For grammar check- prepositions/dependant
prepositions/verb-noun agreement/countable and uncountable/tenses. Remember
you can "flag in" option. You can always come back to a question where you had a
doubt.
Tip 8: Finish in time

You don’t get any marks for blank spaces, so always write something. Even if you
think it’s bad, and you might be surprised, it is better than nothing.
Tip 9: Stay on topic
This is again about answering the question and affects task achievement. If you are
asked for an opinion you should give one. If you have to say, for example, why you
are applying to join a club. Then you should write about clubs in general.
Tip 10: Practice makes perfect!

Doing practice tests will help you build your concentration levels and your instinct.
More than that, practice will improve your English and help you with the timings you
need to complete the test with the best result. If you would like to increase your
APTIS score by practicing more APTIS tests then please check the exam library in
our website here. There you will find largest simulated APTIS test database. Totally
free with no registration (we won't even ask for your email).
APTIS For Teachers: Grammar and Vocabulary

(Practice Tests)
In this post, we will provide you with Grammar and Vocabulary practice tests to
prepare APTIS for Teachers.
What is the APTIS for Teachers?
The APTIS for Teachers is a language proficiency test designed by the British Council
as a more tailored version of the APTIS General Test. In this way, it follows the
same format as the original. It is comprised of five components that test Core Skills:
Grammar and Vocabulary as well as Reading, Listening, Writing and Speaking. There
are a variety of tasks within each module and each section has a specified time limit.
In total, the test runs about 2 hours and 40 minutes. Despite this, Ministries of
Educations or private language schools can opt for a modified version of the test to
examine the skills that they find to be the most necessary. Depending on the
purposes of the institution, the APTIS for Teachers can be computer- or paper-based
or a combination of both.
APTIS for Teachers Reading Test is separated into four parts. Each part becomes
minutes in APTIS for Teachers. If you would like access to simulated tests for APTIS
for Teachers, please read follow the link here.
(25 minutes)

Part 1: Grammar
Select your answer (A-C) for questions 1-25.

0. EXAMPLE:
I _______ drunk three cups of coffee this morning
A. Have
B. Am
C. Are
1. My teaching schedule is __________ than last year.
A. more easy
B. easier
C. easiest
2. The students in my class are ________ kind.
A. such
B. too
C. so
3. Sherry __________ in 3 different countries so far.
A. has taught
B. was teaching
C. teaches
4. Last year, we ________ on a trip to a museum.
A. went
B. have gone
C. have been
5. My mentor always gives me _______ good advice.
A. a
B. the
C. -
6. The school _______ I work is nearby.
A. that
B. whose
C. where
7. King’s College is ______ Beverly Street.
A. in
B. on
C. at
8. Students _________ use mobile phones in class. It is forbidden.
A. don’t have to
B. mustn’t
C. couldn’t
9. ___________ I finish my lesson plans, I cannot go to the cinema with my friends.
A. Unless
B. If
C. When
10. I wish I __________ teach abroad next semester.
A. could have
B. can
C. could
11. By the end of June, I ____________ my training course.
A. will complete
B. will have completed
C. will be completing
12. I always try to _______ up with new activities for lessons.
A. come
B. put
C. get
13. Over summer holidays, I got used to __________ up late.
A. be woken
B. wake
C. waking
14. If I am still feeling sick tomorrow, I _________ the substitute teacher
A. would call
B. will call
C. call
15. My students are learning ________ to pronounce the sound /r/ today.
A. which
B. how
C. what
16. The tutors _________ me that teaching is a rewarding job.
A. asked
B. said
C. told
17. I encourage my students ________ their best.
A. to do
B. doing
C. do
18. They should practice _________ with podcasts.
A. to listen
B. listening
C. listen
19. _________ is a great passion of mine.
A. To teach
B. Having taught
C. Teaching
20. If I ________ younger, I would have studied abroad.
A. were
B. am
C. have been
21. I _______ my students drink water in class.
A. make
B. let
C. get
22. Our class photo will be ________ on Friday.
A. done
B. made
C. taken
23. Literature __________ in our English classes this semester.
A. is studied
B. is being studied
C. studied
24. The principal, _______ car is red, got a parking ticket.
A. whose
B. who
C. that
25. The teacher gave her pupils ___________ homework.
A. much
B. many
C. a lot of
Part 2: Vocabulary
Write the letter (A-L) of the word that is most similar in meaning to the word (1-5).
Use each word once only. You will not need five of the words (A-L). The answer to
question 0 is an example.
0. tell A. enlarge
26.1. demonstrate B. film
26.2. comprehend C. show
26.3. encourage D. make
26.4. direct E. command
26.5. create F. organize
G. listen
H. understand
I. read
J. paint
K. inspire
L. say

0. Finish each sentence (6-10) using a word from the list (A-K). Use each word once
only. You will not need five of the words (A-K).

27.1. To gain knowledge is to … A. learn
27.2. To assess a student’s performance is B. advertise
to…
27.3. To look over something carefully is to … C. teach
27.4 To put things in their correct place is to D. review
…
27.5 To exchange information by speaking is E. write
to …
F. stop
G. communicate
H. keep
I. tidy
J. evaluate
K. sweep

Finish each sentence (11-15) using a word from the list (A-K). Use each word once
only. You will not need five of the words (A-K).

28.1. In the fall, we are implementing a new English-language A. puzzles
_________ at our school.
28.2. Every Friday, the students take a short ________ to see B. curriculum
if they understood the week’s concepts.
28.3. It is important for kids to play in team sports so that C. textbook
they learn ___________.
28.4. The new technology course does not have a D. exam
___________. All material is online.
28.5. We have a lot of ___________ on the shelves for indoor E. cooperation
activities when it rains.
F. house
G. quiz

H. tiles

I. reflection

J. progress

K. skill

Write the letter (A-K) of the word that has the closest meaning (16-20). Use each
word once only. You will not need five of the words (A-K).

29.1. independent A. success
29.2. rewarding B. busy
29.3. occupied C. injury
29.4. strategy D. technique
29.5 achievement E. failure
F. satisfying
G. free
H. self-sufficient
I. apart
J. money
K. exclusive

Write the letter (A-K) of the word that is commonly used with the word (21-25). Use
each word once only. You will not need five of the words (A-K).

30.1. professional A. room
30.2. school B. attire
30.3. Master’s C. song
30.4 staff D. bus
30.5 final E. outfit
F. quiz
G. degree
H. staircase
I. exam
J. run
K. university

APTIS For Teachers: Writing Tests And Model

Answers
general tips and strategies to prepare for APTIS for Teachers.
What Is APTIS For Teaches?

APTIS for Teachers Reading Test is separated into four parts. Each part becomes
minutes in APTIS for Teachers. If you would like to access simulated tests for APTIS
for teachers, please follow the link here.
APTIS For Teachers: Writing

Practice Test #1
Part 1: You are joining a teacher’s social committee. Fill out the form.
Write short answers (1-5 words) for each message. You have 3 minutes.
What is your name? _______________________________________
What subject do you teach?_________________________________
Where are you from?_______________________________________
How long have you been teaching?____________________________
What is your favourite genre of music? ___________________
Part 2: You are a new member of the teacher’s social committee. Fill out
the form. Answer the question in 20-30 words. You have 7 minutes.
Please tell us about what you do in your free time and why:
________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________
Part 3: You are speaking to fellow members of the teacher’s social
committee in a group chat. Respond to them in full sentences (30-40
words per answer). You have 10 minutes.
Christina: Hey! Welcome to the group. Can you tell us why you decided to join our
social club?
________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________
Diana: What kinds of activities do you hope to do with us?
________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________
Mike: I heard that the club wants to have events on weekends. What is your opinion
on this?
________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________
Part 4: You received this email from the president of the club.
Dear new member,
Thank you for your interest in the Eastmount High School Teacher’s Social
Committee. As a member of the group, we understand you enjoy having fun, and
we hope you can help the students have fun as well. For this reason, we are
requesting that each of you sign up to supervise one of the student activities this
academic year. This may be a dance or a field trip. There is a sign-up sheet in the
staffroom. Please provide your availability by Tuesday.
Thanks.
President of the Social Committee.
Write a short email to your friend (about 50 words). Tell your friend your
feelings about this and what you plan to do. You have 10 minutes.
________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________
Write an email to the president of the committee (about 120-150 words).
Tell them your thoughts about this and what you would like to do. You
have 20 minutes.
________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________
If you would like to access more simulated APTIS writing tests then please visit our
exam library here.

Practice Test #2
Part 1: You are joining a group for new teachers. Fill out the form. Write
short answers (1-5 words) for each message. You have 3 minutes.
What is your name? _______________________________________
What do you do? _______________________________________
Where do you work? _______________________________________

What is your favourite subject? _______________________________________

What did you do last weekend? _______________________________________
Part 2: You are a new member of the group for new teachers. Fill out the
form. Answer the question in 20-30 words. You have 7 minutes.
Please tell us about why you are joining the group for new teachers:
________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________
Part 3: You are speaking to fellow members of the group for new teachers
in a group chat. Respond to them in full sentences (30-40 words per
answer). You have 10 minutes.
Alicia: Hey! Welcome to the group. Can you tell us why you wanted to become a
teacher?
________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________
Kalyn: I still remember my kindergarten teacher. Who was your favourite teacher
and why?
________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________
Connor: I heard that some senior teachers might watch our lessons. What is your
opinion on this?
________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________
Part 4: You received this email from the principal.
Dear New Teacher,
Welcome to the team! We understand how difficult it is to transition from being a
student to a teacher in your first year of work. In light of this, we would like to offer
you more support. Beginning on the first Friday in October, we will hold weekly
training meetings led by more senior staff to help you in your new role. These
meetings are unpaid, and therefore, not mandatory. However, we feel that it is in
your best interest to attend them for your own professional development.
feelings about this email and what you plan to do. You have 10 minutes.
________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________
Write an email to the principal (about 120-150 words). Tell them your
thoughts about this email and what you would like to do. You have 20
minutes.
________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________

Practice Test #3
Part 1: You are joining a volunteer organization. Fill out the form. Write
What is your name?_______________________________________
When is your birthday?_____________________________________
Where are you from? ______________________________________

What are your hobbies?_____________________________________

What are your plans for the weekend?_________________________
Part 2: You are a new member of the volunteer organization. Fill out the
Please tell us if you have volunteered before. What did you do:
_______________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________
Part 3: You are speaking to fellow members of the volunteer organization
Emily: Hey! Welcome to the group. I like to help out at a homeless shelter. Where
do you like to volunteer?
_______________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________
Luc: I donate money to different charities. What charity organizations can you
donate to in your area?
________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________
Sylvie: I heard that the club is organizing weekly outings to volunteer. What is your
opinion on this?
________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________
Part 4: You received this email from the leader of the volunteer
organization.
Dear member,
In order to meet the new group requirements, you must complete a compulsory 20
hours of volunteer work in one academic year (September-June). You can spend
your time tutoring children or talking to seniors in a retirement home. However, we
encourage you to try different things.
If you are looking for new opportunities, please let us know. We have limited
positions at a soup kitchen serving the hungry and may be able to arrange a position
for you.
Regards,
Mr. Arsenault
________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________
Write an email to the leader of the volunteer organization (about 120-150
words). Tell them your thoughts about this and what you would like to do.
You have 20 minutes.
________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________
APTIS For Teachers: Example

Part 1: You are joining a teacher’s social committee. Fill out the form.
Write short answers (1-5 words) for each message. You have 3 minutes.
What is your name? My name is Jennifer Nguyen
What subject do you teach? I teach mathematics and science.
Where are you from? I am from Vietnam.

How long have you been teaching? I have been teaching for 2 years.
What is your favourite genre of music? My favourite type of music is pop.
Part 2: You are a new member of the teacher’s social committee. Fill out
the form. Answer the question in 20-30 words. You have 7 minutes.
Please tell us about what you do in your free time and why:
In my free time, I am into reading fiction books. I like reading about magic and
fantasy because it is interesting.
Part 3: You are speaking to fellow members of the teacher’s social
committee in a group chat. Respond to them in full sentences (30-40
words per answer). You have 10 minutes.
Christina: Hey! Welcome to the group. Can you tell us why you decided to join our
social club?
Hi Christina! I decided to join a social club to make new friends. I have just moved
to this town and it would be nice to make friends who have the same interests as
me.
Diana: What kinds of activities do you hope to do with us?
I am interested in learning more about teaching. Many of the group members have
been teaching for more years than me, so I think we can have some interesting
discussions when we hang out.
Mike: I heard that the club wants to have events on weekends. What is your opinion
on this?
To be honest, I don’t really like that idea. I like to relax and chill out. I also go to
see my family every weekend. They live far away, so I cannot attend meetings on
Saturdays or Sundays.
Part 4: You received this email from the president of the club.
Dear new member,
Thank you for your interest in the Eastmount High School Teacher’s Social
Committee. As a member of the group, we understand you enjoy having fun, and
we hope you can help the students have fun as well. For this reason, we are
requesting that each of you sign up to supervise one of the student activities this
academic year. This may be a dance or a field trip. There is a sign-up sheet in the
staffroom. Please provide your availability by Tuesday.
Thanks.
President of the Social Committee.
i.e. informal style

Hey Plato,
Do you remember that social group for teachers that I joined? They want us to do
social activities with students too! I don’t like that idea. I already spend a lot of time
with students and I think it is a lot of extra responsibility. I am going to talk to the
president of the club about this issue.
Speak soon,
Jenn
Write an email to the president of the committee (about 120-150 words).
Tell them your thoughts about this and what you would like to do. You
have 20 minutes.
i.e. formal style
Dear President,
I am writing to you in response to the new policy of the Teacher’s Social
Committee.
Firstly, we joined the committee to spend time with our colleagues, not with
students. It is important to get to know our coworkers as friends. We don’t have a
lot of free time because we always have to plan lessons and correct assignments.
Secondly, supervising student events is a lot of responsibility. At fun events,
students don’t like to follow the rules of a classroom. In fact, they might try to cause
problems. For this reason, I think it should be part of our paid duties.
I hope you can consider my reasons for not wanting to sign up for an activity.
Regards,
Jenn
APTIS For Teachers: Example

Part 1: You are joining a group for new teachers. Fill out the form. Write
What is your name? My name is Julia Rodrigues
What do you do? I am a teacher.
Where do you work? I work in Sao Paolo, Brazil.
What is your favourite subject? My favourite subject is history.

What did you do last weekend? I went to the gym.
Part 2: You are a new member of the group for new teachers. Fill out the
Please tell us about why you are joining the group for new teachers:
I am joining this group to meet other new teachers. I think that we can help each
other adjust to our new jobs.
Part 3: You are speaking to fellow members of the group for new teachers
Alicia: Hey! Welcome to the group. Can you tell us why you wanted to become a
teacher?
I decided to become a teacher because I love children. They are creative and always
like learning new things. Moreover, it has been my dream since I was a child to
become a history teacher.
Kalyn: I still remember my kindergarten teacher. Who was your favourite teacher
and why?
My favourite teacher was my English teacher, Mr. Maxwell. He was from the United
Kingdom, but he lived in Brazil when I was in high school. He taught us English and
History in English and was patient and kind.
Connor: I heard that some senior teachers might watch our lessons. What is your
opinion on this?
On one hand, I believe that having senior teachers watch us is intimidating and it
makes me a bit nervous. On the other hand, it would be useful to hear tips from
experts on how we can improve our lessons.
Part 4: You received this email from the principal.
Dear New Teacher,
Welcome to the team! We understand how difficult it is to transition from being a
student to a teacher in your first year of work. In light of this, we would like to offer
you more support. Beginning on the first Friday in October, we will hold weekly
training meetings led by more senior staff to help you in your new role. These
meetings are unpaid, and therefore, not mandatory. However, we feel that it is in
your best interest to attend them for your own professional development.
feelings about this email and what you plan to do. You have 10 minutes.
i.e. informal style

Hey Felipe,
I got an email from the principal about the group for new teachers that I joined. We
are being told to attend unpaid staff meetings every Friday! I am grateful for the
opportunity, but I don’t want to spend my Friday afternoons at work for no pay!
Speak soon,
Julia
Write an email to the principal (about 120-150 words). Tell them your
thoughts about this email and what you would like to do. You have 20
minutes.
i.e. formal style
Dear Principal,
Thank you for your email about the staff meetings for new teachers!
On one hand, I am quite excited about the idea. I am looking forward to learning
from my colleagues. On the other hand, I am upset by the choice of day. After a
long week of teaching, many of us new teachers would like to go home and relax.
Instead, we have to spend our free time at work.
Although I am eager to participate in these training sessions, I am wondering if we
could arrange another date. I have spoken to some other group members and we
believe that a week night meeting after school would be best for all of our
schedules. Could we consider Monday or Wednesday instead? Please let me know if
this is possible.
Regards,
Julia Rodrigues

Practice Test #3
Part 1: You are joining a volunteer organization. Fill out the form. Write
What is your name? My name is Sumandeep Kaur.
When is your birthday? My birthday is July 12th, 1990.
Where are you from? I am from Mumbai, India.
What are your hobbies? I am into reading novels.

What are your plans for the weekend? I am going to study.
Part 2: You are a new member of the volunteer organization. Fill out the
Please tell us if you have volunteered before. What did you do:
When I was back home in my country, I volunteered once a month. I used to teach
English to poor children in Mumbai.
Part 3: You are speaking to fellow members of the volunteer organization
Emily: Hey! Welcome to the group. I like to help out at a homeless shelter. Where
do you like to volunteer?
Since I am a teacher, I really like to volunteer with children. Besides teaching at a
home for poor children, I would also help out at schools with after-school activities
like coaching sports and homework club.
Luc: I donate money to different charities. What charity organizations can you
donate to in your area?
I think donating money is really important for international catastrophes, so I tend
to donate to the Red Cross. Recently, I gave money to the relief program for
Lebanon after the terrible explosion in Beirut.
Sylvie: I heard that the club is organizing weekly outings to volunteer.
What is your opinion on this?
It is important for organizations to have regular volunteers, so I believe this is a
great idea. However, I cannot commit to helping once a week because my schedule
is too busy.
Part 4: You received this email from the leader of the volunteer
organization.
Dear member,
In order to meet the new group requirements, you must complete a compulsory 20
hours of volunteer work in one academic year (September-June). You can spend
your time tutoring children or talking to seniors in a retirement home. However, we
encourage you to try different things.
If you are looking for new opportunities, please let us know. We have limited
positions at a soup kitchen serving the hungry and may be able to arrange a position
for you.
Regards,
Mr. Arsenault
i.e. informal style

Hey Matt,
I’ve just received an email from the volunteer organization that I am involved with.
We have to complete 20 hours of volunteer work in different places. I think this is a
lot, but they are helping us find new positions. I’m going to contact them for more
information.
Speak soon,
Sumandeep
Write an email to the leader of the volunteer organization (about 120-150
words). Tell them your thoughts about this and what you would like to do.
You have 20 minutes.
i.e. formal style
Dear Mr. Arsenault,
Thank you for your email.
Although 20 hours of volunteer work seems like a lot, it will be easy to complete in
more than one location. Currently, I am helping out once a month at an after-school
program for poor children. I opted for this position because it gives me more
teaching experience. At the end of the academic year, I will have only completed 10
hours.
For this reason, I am requesting help finding another opportunity. You have
mentioned serving food in a kitchen, but I do not think I would be a good fit in this
position. I am terrible in the kitchen and very clumsy. Instead, I would prefer to
work with children. I think that I am patient and could really make a difference.
Please let me know if you can arrange a position in that field.
Regards,
Sumandeep Kaur
Top 10 Tips For The APTIS Writing

Test
Tip 1: Use the right register.

This is the level of formality, friendliness, politeness you use when you write.
Knowing and being able to use the correct register when you write (and speak)
shows that you can use English well. Using the correct register is more likely to get
you the solution you want and so, it is also important for task achievement.
Tip 2: Know the correct spelling.

English spelling is difficult but when you learn the standard phrases, you can also
learn the spelling. This will make spelling easier. We will look at other difficult words
that occur often later. UK English and USA English sometimes have different
spellings. It is not important which one you use but you should be consistent in
every question.
Tip 3: Improve your typing speed.
Unless you opt paper-based version, APTIS writing test is computer-based. So the
faster you type the better. Just make sure your typing speed isn’t too slow.
Tip 4: Know the word count.

You lose marks if you write too little and waste time if you write too much (it isn’t
counted). Therefore, you should know how many words should write and how long
you have for each question. Then you can practice them at home. Remember that
formal sentences are generally longer than informal sentences.
Tip 5: Read model answers.

Doing this will give you a good idea of what to expect. Think about the things the
examiners are looking for and look at how accurate the grammar is. Ask yourself ‘is
it cohesive and clear?’ ‘Is the vocabulary wide-ranging or repetitious?’ and ‘is it well
planned?’.
Tip 6: Get used to the timings

Make sure that you know how long you have for each part and don’t go over that
time. Practice ant home with a timer will stop you from getting any horrible
surprises. If you know an APTIS examiner or trainer speak to them and ask them
what you need to do to improve.
Tip 7: Check your work

It is easy to lose points for making silly mistakes. Check what you have written. Look
at spelling and punctuation. For grammar check- prepositions/dependant
prepositions/verb-noun agreement/countable and uncountable/tenses. Remember
you can "flag in" option. You can always come back to a question where you had a
doubt.
Tip 8: Finish in time

You don’t get any marks for blank spaces, so always write something. Even if you
think it’s bad, and you might be surprised, it is better than nothing.
Tip 9: Stay on topic
This is again about answering the question and affects task achievement. If you are
asked for an opinion you should give one. If you have to say, for example, why you
are applying to join a club. Then you should write about clubs in general.
Tip 10: Practice makes perfect!
Doing practice tests will help you build your concentration levels and your instinct.
More than that, practice will improve your English and help you with the timings you
need to complete the test with the best result. If you would like to increase your
APTIS score by practicing more APTIS tests then please check the exam library in
our website here. There you will find largest simulated APTIS test database. Totally
free with no registration (we won't even ask for your email).
APTIS For Teachers: Speaking Tests And Model

Answers
general tips and strategies to prepare for APTIS for Teachers.
What Is APTIS For Teaches?

If you would like to access simulated tests for APTIS for teachers, please follow the
link here.
You can also find useful information by visiting the British Council website here.
APTIS For Teaches: Sample Speaking Question #1

Part 1: In this part of the test, you are going to answer three personal
questions about yourself and your interests. You will have 30 seconds to
answer each question. Begin speaking when you hear the beep.
1.1. Please tell me about your education.
1.2. What is a country that you would like to visit? Why?
1.3. Tell me about your favourite film.
Part 2: In this part of the test, you are going to describe what is
happening in a picture. Then, I will ask you two questions about them.
You will have 45 seconds for each response. Begin speaking when you
hear the beep.

2.1. Describe this picture.
2.2. Tell me about a meeting you had with a team.
2.3. Do you prefer one long meeting or several short meetings. Why?
Part 3: In this part of the test, you are going to look at two pictures and I
will ask you two questions about it. You will have 45 seconds for each
response. Begin speaking when you hear the beep.

3.1. Compare the pictures.

3.2. Tell me about an activity that children enjoy.
3.3. What is better- playing a team sport or an individual sport?
Part 4: In this part of the test, you will look at a picture and answer the
questions below. You will have 60 seconds to prepare before you start

Tell me about a time you were late for something.

What made you late?
How did you feel about being late?
1.1. Please tell me about your plans for the weekend.

1.2. What kind of home do you live in?
1.3. Tell me about the place where you work.
happening in a picture. Then, I will ask you two questions about it. You
will have 45 seconds for each response. Begin speaking when you hear the
beep.

2.2. Tell me about a lesson you taught.
2.3. Would you prefer to use a blackboard or technology to teach? Why?
will ask you two questions about them. You will have 45 seconds for each
response. Begin speaking when you hear the
beep.

3.2. Tell me about how you travel to work.
3.3. What is better- taking public transport or driving a car?
Tell me about a time when you took a photo with friends.

Why did you take the photo?
What did you do with the photo after you took it?
1.1 What do you do at the weekends?
1.2 What kind of food do you like?
1.3 Tell me about your favourite place.
hear the beep.

2.2. Do you like going to parties?
2.3. Tell me about your favourite social activity.


3.2. Which of the two activities would you prefer?
3.3. How do the spectators differ in the two activities?


4.1 How did you learn to read?

4.2 Has the way people read changed?
4.3 What does reading give you that other forms of media don’t?

1.1 Do you have any pets at home?
1.2 Do you shop online or do you go out shopping?
1.3 What music do you like?
hear the beep.


2.2. Would you like to live in a place like this?
2.3. Do you prefer the city or the country?



3.2. Did you prefer art or science subjects at school?
3.3. Should more money be spent on arts or science?

4.1 What makes people have pets

4.2 Should animals have rights
4.3 How has our relationship with animals changed over the years?
1.1 How do you prefer to travel
1.2 Do you have a favourite journey?
1.3 Tell me about a time you felt very tired.
hear the beep.

2.2. Is driving to work better than taking public transport?
2.3 How can we reduce the traffic on our roads?

3.2. Is it better to travel to distant places or stay nearer home?
3.3. Do you think travel ‘broadens the mind’?

4.1 Do you know any older couples like the one in the photograph?
4.2 People are staying younger for longer. Why do you think this is?
4.3 What are the advantages of getting older?
1.1 What’s your favourite time of year?
1.2 Do you prefer driving or being a passenger?
1.3 How often do you watch TV?
hear the beep.


2.2. What are the advantages of working from home?
2.3. Why do you think coffee shops have become so popular?

3.2. What do these people have in common?
3.3. Which of these achievements is more special? Why?


4.1 What are some of the advantages of living in the country?
4.2 Why do many people feel they need nature around them?
4.3 Is moving away everything that people think?
Hope you had an opportunity to practice on above speaking sample questions. Now
we will provide model answers for above sample questions.
APTIS For Teaches: Model Answer to Sample Speaking Question #1

Please tell me about your education.
I graduated high school in Vietnam. After that, I started university in my country. My
major was in English and Education. After two years, I had the opportunity to study
for one year in Australia to improve my English skills. I studied at an international
language school there, and then came back to Vietnam to finish my degree.
What is the country that you would like to visit? Why?
I really would like to visit Canada. I have some family that live in Toronto, and they
really love it there. It is a very multicultural place so I would really like to eat
different foods and meet people from around the world. There is also a lot of
breath-taking nature, like Niagara Falls, or mountains that I can hike.
Tell me about your favourite film?
1.3. That’s an interesting question. My favourite film is the Beauty and the Beast. As a
child, I loved Disney films, and I felt like I could relate to Belle. She really liked to
read and so do I. I also really like the songs in the film, and of course the cute
teacup named Chip.
hear the beep.
In this picture, I can see six people. I think they are coworkers or colleagues and
they are having a meeting. There are two people shaking hands, so maybe the girl
standing is a new employee. In the background, there is a bulletin board that has
many post-it notes. It is pretty organized. I think it must be morning time because
there are several cups of coffee on the table. Some of the staff have a pen and
papers to take notes, but one man has a laptop.
2.2. Tell me about a meeting you had with a team.

At my work, we have meetings every Thursday. It is important to meet with
everyone so that we can be on the same page. Last week, our meeting was very
long- over 2 hours! It’s because we had a lot to discuss. Our school is using a new
curriculum so we needed to be trained on how to use it. However, it was good
because they ordered pizza for dinner.
2.3. Do you prefer one long meeting or several short meetings. Why?
I think one long meeting is better than many short ones because you only have to
change your schedule once. Having more short meetings affects other areas in your
life- like your lunch break or after school activities. It also gives us more to talk
about because there is a longer time between meetings.
In both pictures, we see children doing activities. On the left, we have toddlers
playing football. It looks like it is a bit cold outside, but maybe this is part of their PE
class. I think they are learning how to kick a ball into the net. On the right, we see
some girls in an art class maybe. I believe this because of the decals on the wall.
They are drawing or colouring a picture.
3.2. Tell me about an activity that children enjoy.
In my class, children really enjoy writing on the board. I know this is not a typical
activity. Children are used to having the teacher write on the board. However, when
we are checking homework, I let them have a go. I think it gives them some
responsibility. It also helps the little ones learn to write straightly because there are
no lines on the board.
3.3. What is better- playing a team sport or an individual sport?
In my opinion, children should play team sports. They are beneficial for many
reasons. Firstly, they learn how to cooperate with others and they learn discipline.
They cannot be selfish if everyone has a responsibility to the team. Secondly, it
helps them stay active. Nowadays, children like to stay home on their devices.
Playing in a team makes them run around and be more active.

Tell me about a time you were late for something.
What made you late?
How did you feel about being late?
I always try my best to be on time. I think being late is really disrespectful and rude
to the person or group that you are meeting. However, last week, I was about 20
minutes late for work. I leave my house one hour before I begin, because my
journey is about 40 minutes long. This way, I can be early even if there is a small
delay. Despite this, there was a problem on the metro. I was stuck underground
without service for almost half an hour! I couldn’t even call my boss. When I got out
of the underground, I called my office to tell them. I felt so embarrassed and
anxious. In the end, it was fine. My boss was stuck on the same train as me, so we
got to work at the same time.
1.1. Please tell me about your plans for the weekend.
On the weekend, I always need to unwind after such a busy week of teaching. I
normally don’t do many activities, but this weekend, I have some interesting plans.
It is my best friend’s birthday, so we are having a surprise party for her. She has
plans to have dinner with her sister, but when she comes back to her flat, a few
other friends and I will be there to shout “Surprise!” at her.
1.2. What kind of home do you live in?
When I was a child, I used to live in a big two-story house with my family. It was
nice to have a big backyard, but my parents had to mow the lawn in the summer
and shovel the snow in the winter. Nowadays, I live in an apartment and I quite like
it. Living in a city is more important than a home’s size, so I’d prefer to stay in a flat
in the future.

1.3. Tell me about the place where you work.
Currently, I am working in a large, private language school. During the day, we have
a few classes for adults who are preparing for international language exams.
However, most of my hours are spent in the afternoon with kids. The building itself
is quite old, but the inside is completely modern. We have projectors and interactive
whiteboards in every room. Moreover, it’s in the city centre, so it’s easy to get to by
public transport.
happening in a picture. Then, I will ask you two questions about it. You
will have 45 seconds for each response. Begin speaking when you hear the
beep.

In this picture, I can see a classroom with a teacher and some students. From the
ages of the children, I can guess that they are in middle school. The teacher is tall
and bald. He is dressed in a business casual way as he is wearing a grey blazer with
a yellow shirt and khaki trousers. However, the kids are dressed casually. I can infer
that they are participating in a geometry lesson because there are shapes and
formulas on the board. The classroom looks tidy, and there is a globe and a plant
behind the teacher.
2.2. Tell me about a lesson you taught.

Right now, I am teaching English as a Second Language to kids and adults. I try to
make my lessons as fun as possible so that my students enjoy them. Last week, I
was teaching a lesson about modals of necessity. You know, can, can’t, must, have
to, etc. So, after I explained the rules to my teenage students, they invented their
own country in small groups. The objective was to make laws and present them to
the class. Then, we voted on where we would like to live. I was so impressed with
their creativity and hard work during this activity.
2.3. Would you prefer to use a blackboard or technology to teach? Why?
If you had asked me this when I began teaching, I would have absolutely said that I
preferred to use a blackboard. Not only is it simple and traditional, but it is what
students expect from a lesson. However, recently, I have started to attend training
meetings about how to use interactive whiteboards in class, and I have changed my
opinion. For starters, I can use it in the same way as a normal blackboard. What’s
more is that I can project engaging videos or songs on YouTube to engage students
in a different way. The students really enjoy the experience.

will ask you two questions about them. You will have 45 seconds for each
Both pictures show methods of transportation. Judging by the pictures, I think they
show people commuting to or from work during rush hour. In the first picture, we
see a man in the centre standing holding onto a handle-type of thing on a subway
or a bus. The vehicle is crowded and he is surrounded by many people. In the
second picture, I can’t see any people, but I see hundreds of cars stuck in a traffic
jam on a motorway. It looks like it is sunset or sunrise depending on the direction
that the picture was taken.
3.2. Tell me about how you travel to work.

I don’t live very far from my job. It’s about 4 kilometres away from my home. With
that being said, I usually ride my bike to work. It is a relatively flat and easy ride, so
it is a nice way to be active before and after work. However, in the winter, it is a
different story. I hate cycling in the rain, and I definitely cannot in the snow, so I
take the bus. The bus stop is a few steps away from my door and the ride is only
about 10 minutes long, so it’s pretty convenient.
3.3. What is better- taking public transport or driving a car?
I think the answer to this question really depends on where you live. While taking
public transport, like the bus or subway, is always better for the environment, it is
not always practical. I used to live in the suburbs of my city, and I was almost
always late for school when I had to rely on the bus. Under these circumstances, a
car is much more convenient. Despite this, public transport is more eco-friendly than
a car. If everyone drove their personal vehicle to work, there would be more
pollution. I am in favour of taking public transport whenever it is possible.


Tell me about a time when you took a photo with friends.

Why did you take the photo?
What did you do with the photo after you took it?
I always take photos with my friends when we hang out because I want to capture
the moment. It doesn’t have to be a special occasion for us to take a selfie. The
last photo we took together was a selfie while we were out for dinner. It was a
Friday, and we had just finished our work for the week. We decided to have a girls’
night out and go out for sushi. We ordered a lot of food, and we took pictures of it
too because it was nicely-plated. Before we began eating, we asked the waiter to
take a photo of us and the food. It didn’t turn out the way we liked. My eyes were
closed and one of my friends had red eyes, but we didn’t want to bother him to
retake the photo. So, we ended up taking a selfie instead. Since we don’t go out
often, we hadn’t really had the opportunity to look our best. However, as we hadn’t
seen each other in a while, we all dressed up nicely and had our make-up done. We
really liked how the photo came out, so we decided to post it to our social media
pages. First, my friend edited the picture on an app to alter the background of the
image. We don’t usually touch up our faces in those apps, but we played with the
contrast features a bit to make the background blurry. In this way, there was more
emphasis on our faces. We all posted the photo on our pages, but I received the
most likes and comments.
1.1 What do you do at the weekends?
1.2 What kind of food do you like?
1.3 Tell me about your favourite place.
hear the beep.

I can see a group of people who are quite probably at a party and they are toasting
their glasses in some kind of celebration. You can see this in the top left-hand
corner of the picture as they all hold their glasses up. I think it’s a festival because
there are light and what seems like decorations in the foreground and so I think it’s
a New Year’s party or maybe a Christmas party. It looks like it could be a group of
people from an office and you can tell that there are male and female people at the
party.
2.2. Do you like going to parties?

I quite like going to parties although I’m not so keen now as I once was. I don’t like
New Year’s parties much because they always seem to be a disappointment. I think
that’s because people have overblown expectations of these parties and they are
never as good as you had expected them to be. I’ve always preferred dinner parties
where you can sit around and have a chat. Also, they don’t have to be quiet. I’ve
been to lots of dinner parties where they’ve become lively and people dance and
sing. Well, I do anyway.
2.3. Tell me about your favourite social activity.

I think that the best social activity is when people meet up after work on a Friday
evening. I prefer going straight out from work because if I go home, then I can’t be
bothered to go back out again. Friday is good because it has a special energy to it. I
particularly like it when some of the local bars have live music around 5.00 pm to
attract people to them or to get people to stay longer than they planned. I also like
going out to dinner with my family or my friends, especially if it is around someone’s
house and you can just relax and have fun.


3.2. Which of the two activities would you prefer?
3.3. How do the spectators differ in the two activities?


4.1 How did you learn to read?
4.2 Has the way people read changed?
4.3 What does reading give you that other forms of media don’t?

I learned to read before I started school. At that time schools didn’t want children to
learn beforehand because the reasoning used to be that everyone had to learn the
same way, the school’s way and that if you didn’t, you might somehow get into bad
habits. At the time I saw a lot of my aunt and uncle and my aunt was very particular
about speaking English correctly, good pronunciation and grammar etcetera. So, my
aunt thought that she would teach me to read and because I liked my aunt and
wanted to impress her, I tried extremely hard and soon learned to read. I think that
this is one of the first things that has changed. I don’t think as many people spend
their time on their children’s education, particularly on reading, and leave more of it
to the school. Maybe this is why nowadays people seem to read differently. Before
people all had mobile devices, people on buses and trains all used to read books or
newspapers but now they are all looking at mobile phones. Maybe some people are
reading a novel or looking at the news, but most people will be looking at what their
friends are doing. This seems strange because the more access to the world digital
technology gives us, the smaller our circle of interest becomes. What reading fiction
and non-fiction gives you are insights into other worlds and other cultures, real and
made up, and you have to use your imagination. When your friend sends you a
picture of their lunch, it isn’t very thought-provoking.

1.1 Do you have any pets at home?
I have two cats. They are Burmese cats and because I live in a flat on the fourth
floor they don’t go out. This is probably a good thing because they are very
domesticated and can’t look after themselves very well. They don’t seem to miss
going out though and they seem to like their routine. Actually, they are more like
little dogs and they follow us from room to room.

1.2 Do you shop online or do you go out shopping?
I get most of the things I need online and since March I have done my shopping
online too. I never liked shopping much and now I just buy the things I need and so
that makes life cheaper. With big companies like Amazon, online shopping is
extremely easy although it isn’t good news for many shops and not good for town
and city centres.
1.3 What music do you like?
I enjoy most styles of music except maybe modern jazz and heavy metal. I like to
think my musical tastes are quite eclectic and I can listen to anything from 1930s
music to rap and hip hop to classical music. I think that as you get older music
become less important to you which is a pity because it is a beautiful way to express
yourself.

hear the beep.


In the foreground of the picture is a wide river or lake and reflected in it are the
houses that make up a small village on the banks of the lake. The countryside is
very green and it looks like it might be spring or early summer from the trees,
although I think that it’s in northern Europe or America. The buildings appear to be
made of wood and in the background, there’s a forest. The landscape is very quiet
and it feels lonely and isolated there. I think that it would be a hard place to live
during the winter and that I would get very cold and snowy.
2.2. Would you like to live in a place like this?

I’d like to live there during the summer because it looks so clean and healthy but I
imagine it gets extremely cold and lonely there for the rest of the year. Ideally, I
would stay there for June and July, and go south after that. My ideal place to live is
somewhere that has four seasons but doesn’t get too cold or too hot. I’m not sure
how I would cope with the isolation either. It seems a good idea to get away from
crowds but after a while, I think I’d need something more to keep me from getting
bored.
2.3. Do you prefer the city or the country?

Generally speaking, I prefer the countryside. I don’t mean just for holidays but as a
way of life. Okay, you have all the amenities you need in the city like cinemas, bars,
restaurants and galleries but the downsides are full buses or nowhere to park or
crowded shops. In the country, you can relax in your garden and grow your own
vegetables and watch the world go by, particularly if you work from home. You do
have to put up with less entertainment but these days there is so much stuff online
you can do or watch.


3.2. Did you prefer art or science subjects at school?
3.3. Should more money be spent on arts or science?

4.1 What makes people have pets
4.2 Should animals have rights
4.3 How has our relationship with animals changed over the years?
In my opinion, people have pets for many different reasons but the main one is for
companionship. Even if they live in a big family, people often have pets and so I
don’t necessarily mean to stop them from being lonely but because you can build a
unique relationship with an animal. Everyone knows about the special bond there
can be between a person and their dog, but people seem to love any pet the have
no matter how strange. With regards to animals having rights, then I think they
should. It is ridiculous to think of these rights being the same as the one’s humans
have. But all animals kept by humans, either as pets or to produce food, should
have the right to lead a decent life. By that I mean to have shelter from the
weather, sufficient food, and drink, in other words, be able to live without suffering.
For instance, a hundred years ago many people thought of animals as a resource for
us to use and there weren’t as many regulations that protected animals. More
people went hunting and shot animals just for sport. People bred animals for their
skin, often because they liked in cold climates, but frequently because fur was
thought of as a luxury item and people wanted it as a status symbol to show that
they were wealthy. People these days are much more caring in how they treat
animals and in many countries wearing fur is not acceptable. There are fewer sports
using animals, no circuses with animals and many more vegans.

1.1 How do you prefer to travel
I definitely think that the best way to go from A to B is by train. Firstly, it is more
relaxing, you can just sit in your seat and watch the world go by and if it’s not peak-
time, you have to space to spread yourself out. Riding on a bus can be like that but
it's not so easy to move around.
1.2 Do you have a favourite journey?
I used to really like the journey in June from the place I was at university in London
to my home. I wasn’t that I disliked living in London but more because the exams
were behind me and, although I worked during the summer, that I had nearly four
carefree months in front of me. I also lived on the coast and that made it even more
special.
1.3 Tell me about a time you felt very tired.
I remember having a holiday that was in two parts. The first was in New York and
the second was a beach holiday in Greece. The plan was that we flew back from the
USA in the morning and then flew out to Greece in the evening. The only problem
was that it was from two different airports. I didn’t sleep on the plane flying back or
flying to Greece and I ended up being awake for about two days.
hear the beep.

In this photograph, we can see a pretty bad traffic jam. There are four lanes of
traffic and it looks either like they are moving very slowly or not moving at all. The
setting for the picture is a large city, I don’t think it’s a city in the Middle East or Asia
because the signs are written using Roman lettering. Anyway, the traffic is trying to
move under a bridge in the background of the photo and have become jammed.
There are a few pedestrians in the picture but this doesn’t look a very healthy
environment for people.
2.2. Is driving to work better than taking public transport?

The environment answer to this question is to take public transport as it produces
less pollution per person than driving to work. Unless you can find other people to
share your journey with, it’s always going to be the case that public transport is
greener. The other problem with driving to work is that parking is difficult and
expensive. In my opinion, cycling is the best way to commute if you can and with
more towns and cities making their centres pedestrianised and creating more cycle
lanes, riding a bike is a good option.
2.3 How can we reduce the traffic on our roads?

I think the first thing to do is to make public transport easier and cheaper, that
would encourage fewer people to drive.


3.2. Is it better to travel to distant places or stay nearer home?

3.3. Do you think travel ‘broadens the mind’?
4.1 Do you know any older couples like the one in the photograph?
4.2 People are staying younger for longer. Why do you think this is?
4.3 What are the advantages of getting older?

Yes, I know a couple who are older than ones in the picture, they’re in their eights,
and they are still full of life. They are both quite active and they enjoy going on
holidays, they have a place in Spain, and they go and stay in it three times a year
particularly in the winter when the weather is better there. They like going out for
meals and socialising with their family and friends. As well as this, he plays golf at
least three times a week and this helps. I think the reason people stay younger for
longer now is undoubted because of improved medicine. Even if you have a long-
term medical condition, it can usually be managed with medicine. For instance, until
the last fifty years, if your knee joint went, you would have difficulty walking and
eventually may not be able to walk at all. You’d probably be unable to leave your
house and wouldn’t be able to exercise. That would soon make someone old. I also
think that people now have a completely different attitude toward ageing and expect
to be able to do things in later life that they have always done. Most sports clubs
now have an ‘over-fifties’ team and so you can play football or rugby for as long as
you are fit enough. In the past, most men and women stopped playing their
favourite sport or doing their favourite activity when they got married. These are
some of the advantages of getting older, plus by the time you are in your fifties, you
should have less stress at work because you are not forced to be so competitive and
your children will probably have left home so things are quieter there too.

1.1 What’s your favourite time of year?
I would say that without doubt, the best time of year is the summer. I like the
sunshine and the long days and everyone seems to be in a much better mood as
well. The autumn is nice too because in my country some days are warm but it is
getting darker. There are big festivals in October, November and at Christmas and
New Year which makes it good too.
1.2 Do you prefer driving or being a passenger?
Well, the depends on who is driving but mostly I like to be the one at the wheel
especially on a long journey when it makes the time go quicker. With satnav, driving
is so much easier now and that helps. I remember trying to drive and read a map at
the same time and that was a nightmare. Either that or driving along not certain
that you were going the right way.

1.3 How often do you watch TV?
I generally watch it for about three hours a day, usually longer at the weekend
especially Sunday. The good thing about TV now is that you have more choice and
you can watch what you want at a time that’s convenient for you. I probably watch
a TV longer than most people though as I notice people sharing videos and stuff on
their phones through social media.
hear the beep.


In this picture, I see a young girl sitting outside of a coffee shop and looking at her
laptop. It seems weather is every nice and people are passing by. I also see that
she is enjoying her cocktail.
2.2. What are the advantages of working from home?

I myself have been working from home for last 6 month due to Covid-19 pandemic.
I really enjoyed working from home and it has advantages such as saving on travel
time, petrol costs, boost work and life balance of employees, enhance personnel
relationships. It can also improve moral and efficient of employees.
2.3. Why do you think coffee shops have become so popular?
In my country coffee shops become integral part of social life. They are not only
great place to have an amazing coffee but also a place of socializing and meeting
new people. For this reasons, coffee shops become integral part of modern life.


In the first picture, I can see a young girl. It looks like she is at her graduation.
Maybe for high school or university. She seems like she is proud. In the other
picture, we see a man who just climbed a mountain. He is looking at the view from
the top. I think he might be tired.
3.2. What do these people have in common?

Well, both of these people have completed an important achievement. The girl on
the left has graduated high school, or maybe university whereas the man on the
right has climbed a mountain. Although he has reached a physical accomplishment,
there is a mental part to it as well.

3.3. Which of these achievements is more special? Why?
I think the graduation is probably a more common achievement. A lot of people
graduate from high school or university every year, and it is kind of expected. For
that reason, I think the adventurer has a more special accomplishment because it is
not every day you can climb a mountain.


4.1 What are some of the advantages of living in the country?
4.2 Why do many people feel they need nature around them?
4.3 Is moving away everything that people think?

I believe that living in the country doesn’t suit everybody. Some people like to
be surrounded by amenities like shops, restaurants, and cinemas and as a
consequence, living in the country isn’t for them. On the other hand, Modern
life is becoming increasingly difficult with crowds, traffic jams and all the
stresses get from being packed together. It’s no wonder people want to get
away. The idea that most people have of the countryside is that it’s quiet,
slower, the people are friendlier and happier, and there’s no stress and no
crime. While these may seem true, it’s probably an idealised picture because
for a lot of people, living in the countryside has its own problems. You don’t
earn much, housing is expensive, there’s nothing for young people to do. All
over the world people go to the cities from the country looking for work. It’s
only if you have money that you can you afford to live in the country. For
people who live in cities, there has always been a big pull to get back to a
more natural life and, as I said earlier, many people have an idealised picture.
However, as environmental problems have become more and more apparent,
people have started to think about and value nature more than they once did.
In my experience, if you want to move away because it makes you a different
person, then that’s not going to happen. I think if you plan it right, moving
away allows you to do things you want to do but it won’t automatically make
you do these things. A man I know moved to Australia and said that he was
going to go swimming every morning. He didn’t do this in his own country
and when he got to Australia, he didn’t do it there either.

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Aptis Advanced: Speaking Tests, Model Answers

What is the APTIS Advanced?

APTIS Advanced: Sample Speaking Question #1

APTIS Advanced: Model Answer to Sample Speaking Question #1

Part 4: Answer the question. You have 45 seconds to speak.

Top 10 Tips For The APTIS Speaking

Tip 2: Use your preparation time in section four efficiently

Tip 3: Keep your notes short and simple

Tip 4. Practice speaking as much as you can

TIP 5: Record yourself speaking

Try the following topics:

- talking about your personal experiences & preferences;

- comparing two different things - perhaps two cities or two houses.

- well-sequenced ideas properly linked together.

Tip 6: Don't memorize answers

Tip 7: Don't use long and unfamiliar words

• Fluency and coherence

• Grammatical range and accuracy

Tip 9: Don't worry about your accent

With a face-to-face Speaking test, the examiner understands a wide range of

Tip 10: Practice your English with your speaking partner

APTIS Advanced: Writing Tests, Model Answers

What is the APTIS Advanced?

APTIS Advanced: Writing

Part 2: You received this email from a local café.

Part 3: Shopaholics Anonymous! is a website

- More products to choose from

APTIS Advanced: Example

I think my favourite inventor would have to be Johannes Gutenberg. I know this

Part 2: You received this email from a local café.

Part 3: Shopaholics Anonymous! is a website

- More products to choose from

Top 10 Tips For The APTIS Writing

Tip 1: Use the right register

Tip 2: Know the correct spelling

English spelling is difficult but when you learn the

Tip 3: Improve your typing speed

Tip 4: Know the word count

Tip 5: Read model answers

Tip 6: Get used to the timings

Tip 7: Check your work

Tip 8: Finish in time

Tip 10: Practice makes perfect!

APTIS For Teachers: Grammar and Vocabulary

What is the APTIS for Teachers?

APTIS For Teachers: Writing Tests And Model

What Is APTIS For Teaches?

APTIS For Teachers: Writing

APTIS For Teachers: Writing

What do you do? _______________________________________

Where do you work? _______________________________________

APTIS For Teachers: Writing

When is your birthday?_____________________________________

Where are you from? ______________________________________

APTIS For Teachers: Example

Where are you from? I am from Vietnam.

i.e. informal style

APTIS For Teachers: Example