What is the PHONEPASS test testing?

 

Part A: Reading

In this section, you are asked to read sentences at random.  The test is looking for the following:

  • Correct pronunciation of vowels, consonants, and consonant clusters
  • Correct sentence stress with content words receiving primary stress and function words unstressed
  • Correct word stress based on the rules we’ve studied in Focus on Pronunciation
  • Use of reductions in unstressed words or syllables

 

EXAMPLES:

1.      When George borrowed my pen, he forgot to give it back.

2.      With my pen gone, I couldn’t write anything at all.

3.      So, I decided to buy a whole box of pens just like the one he took.

4.      Now if I lose a pen, I’ll have another one immediately.

 

5.      Buying bicycle parts without any expertise can be difficult.

6.      Products can range widely in price and yet not be very different.

7.      Even worse, some accessories are useless and could even be dangerous.

8.      Bike shop sales assistants are not always helpful to the average rider.

 

9.      For their tenth wedding anniversary, Jim surprised his wife with a trip.

10.  He managed to book the same hotel they had on their honeymoon.

11.  This time, though, they could afford a few more luxuries.

12.  And this time, his wife didn’t fall and break her ankle.

 

 

Part B:  Listen and Repeat

This section asks you to listen to a sentence and repeat it.  The section is testing the following:

  • If you can hear discreet sounds during fast speech
  • How you process syllable reductions in words
  • If you can distinguish between minimal pairs or sounds that sound very similar
  • If you can tell the difference between a question, command, and statement based on intonation.
  • Your knowledge of vocabulary

 

EXAMPLES

1.       The game started up.

2.      This piece has been played before.

3.      I’m not used to this food.

4.      Many people believe her.

5.      Let’s take the bus to Fifth.

6.      Math needs concentration.

7.      If it’s expensive, I won’t go.

8.      It’s taken me more time than planned.

9.      Give me a call next week when you get the package.

10.  He wouldn’t change the date, so we had to go on Tuesday.

11.  Why do so few people take this road?

12.  Every now and then she sent me a letter.

13.  His noisy television kept the baby crying all night.

14.  Younger teens seldom understand why.

15.  One of the most difficult situations in which I’ve been involved is firing employees.

16.  The clerk requested a new one every five minutes.

 

Part C:  Short Answer Questions

This section wants you to answer a question using a short answer – usually one word or one phrase.  The section is looking for:

  • Your knowledge of vocabulary
  • Your knowledge of question word order
  • Your knowledge of general grammar constructions including parallel forms (neither/nor, either/or) and comparatives and superlatives.
  • Your ability to distinguish word reductions in spoken English

 

EXAMPLES:

1.      How many legs does a table have?

2.      Neither Mary nor Dave could go. Who went?

3.      I have half a dozen exercises to do. How many do I have to do?

4.      Mark’s problems were too numerous to be resolved. Was Mark worried or relieved?

5.      Would you expect to see an automobile in a house or in a garage?

6.      Which requires a camera? A painting or a photograph?

7.      What is 12:00 o’clock P.M. called?

8.      What’s the infant form of a dog?

9.      Does a house have fewer rooms or chimneys?

10.  Are meat and fish solids or liquids?

11.  What month comes before August?

12.  Which is faster? A car or a truck?

13.  Maria was enraged by the school’s announcement. Was she content or angry?

14.  How many sides does a rectangle have?

15.  Which is more like steel? Metal or plastic?

 

 

Part D:  Sentence Builds

In this section, you are asked to build a sentence based on the parts of the sentence given to you in a random order.  The section is making sure you can:

  • Understand the basic sentence construction in English including proper English word order
  • Understand the construction of clauses and phrases in English
  • Understand the vocabulary so that you can put the sentence into a logical order based on the meanings of the nouns in relation to verbs, adjectives in relation to nouns, etc.

 

EXAMPLES:

1.      me….to stay…he commanded

2.      early…the park…we left

3.      took…the later train…Mrs. Roberts

4.      my father…this story…might amuse

5.      he didn’t report…the accident…who’d caused

6.      why he was…I wondered…more careful then

7.      until later…to go there…we didn’t choose

8.      was waiting for…each person…a quick answer

9.      the top of it…seriously scratched…had been

10.  they asked…would get there on time…if the delivery

 

 

Part E:  Open-Ended Questions

These questions are designed to combine all the skills from the above sections.  Vocabulary, pronunciation, grammar, stress and intonation are all important components of your answers.  The questions are usually related to your life or are hypothetical situations that require you to answer a “what if” question.  The questions also test your ability to classify information, make comparisons, and discuss causes and/or effects.  You have approximately 25 seconds to respond to each question. 

 

EXAMPLES:

·        If you won a large sum of money, how would you use it?

·        What does city life offer that rural life does not? 

·        What characteristics make a good boss?

·        Do you think driving your own car or public transportation is a better way to travel locally?  Explain.

·        At what times do you think it is appropriate to tell “white lies”?

·        Is it better to be physically attractive or intelligent?  Explain.