Listening comprehension 20%
Listen to a podcast about Canada. You may read all questions before pressing play. Answer all questions based on what you hear.
Sarah: "Honestly, the size of the country. Canada has ten provinces and three territories, and travelling from one coast to the other takes about five hours by plane. The landscape is incredibly varied — from the Rocky Mountains in the west to the flat prairies in the centre and the Atlantic coast in the east."
Host: "What about the people?"
Sarah: "Canadians are known for being very friendly and polite. The country is also very multicultural. About one in four Canadians was born outside Canada, which makes cities like Toronto and Vancouver extremely diverse. Canada has two official languages — English and French. French is mainly spoken in the province of Quebec."
Host: "Is there anything you find difficult about living there?"
Sarah: "The winters can be very tough. In some parts of the country, temperatures drop to minus thirty degrees Celsius. But Canadians have a saying: there is no bad weather, only bad clothing. They embrace the cold and enjoy activities like ice hockey, skiing, and snowshoeing. It really changes how you think about winter."
Reading comprehension 20%
Read the article carefully, then answer the questions. You may refer back to the text at any time.
Canada is one of the most popular travel destinations in the world, and it is not hard to see why. The country offers some of the most breathtaking natural landscapes on Earth, from vast forests and towering mountains to thousands of crystal-clear lakes and rivers.
One of Canada's greatest treasures is its national parks system. Banff National Park in the province of Alberta, for example, attracts millions of visitors every year. Tourists come to hike through forests, spot wildlife such as bears and moose, and admire the turquoise lakes that are fed by glaciers. The park was established in 1885 and was Canada's very first national park.
Canada is also famous for its wildlife. The country is home to polar bears in the north, beavers — which are the national animal — and the iconic Canadian goose. Whale watching is another popular activity along both the Pacific and Atlantic coasts.
However, climate change is putting pressure on Canada's natural wonders. Glaciers in the Rocky Mountains are melting faster than ever before, and wildfires have become more frequent and more severe. Canadians are increasingly aware of the need to protect their environment for future generations.
Your teacher will evaluate this answer — no automatic scoring here.
Vocabulary 15%
Select a word from the word bank, then click the gap you want to fill. Each word is used only once.
Writing 45%
Write at least 120 words. Allow yourself around 30–35 minutes. Read the prompt and infographic carefully before you start.
- Describe why Canada is an interesting travel destination — use at least two reasons from the infographic above.
- Say which reason you find most exciting and explain why.
- Ask your readers whether they would like to visit Canada and why.
Write at least 120 words.
Opening: "Have you ever dreamed of visiting Canada?" / "Canada is one of the most exciting countries in the world."
Adding points: "Another amazing thing about Canada is…" / "Not only that, but…"
Opinion: "In my opinion, the most impressive reason to visit is…" / "Personally, I would love to…"
Asking readers: "Would you like to visit Canada?" / "Let me know in the comments!"
Exam complete!
Here's a breakdown of your results. Writing is teacher-graded.