CELTA Pre-interview Task

Pre-Interview Task Instructions

This task will take anywhere from 15 – 30 minutes depending on your previous knowledge and experience.

You are encouraged to do some research and use resources to complete the task to the best of your ability. This isn’t just a test—it’s also intended to be used as a self-study tool.

You will need at least 50% correct to be able to schedule your online interview. If you do not pass the task with at least 50% correct the first time, we recommend trying again (you can try as many times as you like) 🙂 

Your Details

Please enter your Name(s) as you would like it to appear on your CELTA certificate.(Required)
Please enter your Surname(s) as you would like it to appear on your CELTA certificate.(Required)
Email(Required)
Note: Please use the same email address that you wrote on your application.

Grammar A: Parts of Speech

For the following questions, you will be asked to identify the parts of speech in [bold].

[I] thought no more of Jean Charvin, [but] by chance I met [him] next day on the road. He was coming towards me.
He carried [a] black dispatch-case [under] his arm, and except for the pink and white [stripes] of his uniform and the ugly round straw that concealed his [handsome] head of hair, you [might] have taken him for a young lawyer on his way to court.
(From A Man with a Conscience by Somerset Maugham)

Note: If you find this section difficult, check out Parts of Speech (opens in a new tab).

***Example***

[I] thought no more of Jean Charvin, but by chance I met him next day on the road.

Question: What's the part of speech?
The correct answer in this example is "pronoun"

"I thought no more of Jean Charvin, [but] by chance I met him next day on the road."

What's the part of speech?
"I thought no more of Jean Charvin, but by chance I met [him] next day on the road."

What's the part of speech?
"He carried [a] black dispatch-case under his arm, and..."

What's the part of speech?
"He carried a black dispatch-case [under] his arm, and..."

What's the part of speech?
"...and except for the pink and white [stripes] of his uniform..."

What's the part of speech?
"...and the ugly round straw that concealed his [handsome] head of hair..."

What's the part of speech?
"...you [might] have taken him for a young lawyer on his way to court."

What's the part of speech?

Grammar B: Verb Tenses

For the following questions, you will be asked to identify the verb tenses in [bold].

As [I was waiting] in line at the immigration counter, I became aware of the fact that I was surrounded by people of my own nationality once again. [I had been] away for almost five years and I was no longer used to their accents and style of dressing.
Finally, [my passport was stamped] by a man who welcomed me back home and I exited into the arrival lounge of the airport. My parents were there to greet me.
"You haven’t changed at all," said my mother as she hugged me. My father avoided saying anything personal. "Not a very good welcome home, I’m afraid. [It’s raining] outside," he said. I suddenly felt that coming home was a big mistake.

Note: If you find this section difficult, check out Verb Tenses Explained (opens in a new tab).

***Example***

"As [I was waiting] in line at the immigration counter..."

Question: What's the verb tense?
The correct answer in this example is "Past Continuous".

"...[I had been] away for almost five years..."

What's the verb tense?
"Finally, [my passport was stamped] by a man who welcomed me back home..."

What's the verb tense?
"[It’s raining] outside"

What's the verb tense?

Grammar C: Verb Forms

In this section, for each sentence you will be asked to:

1) Identify the verb tense in [bold].
2) Break down the form of that verb tense.

Note: If you find this section difficult, check out Verb Forms (opens in a new tab).

***Example 1***

As [I was waiting] in line at the immigration counter, I became aware of the fact that I was surrounded by people of my own nationality once again.

Question: What's the verb tense?
The correct answer for this example is "Past Continuous"

***Example 2***

Question: How is the tense in Example 1 formed?
The correct answer for this example is "subject + was/were + verb + -ing"

"[I’ve been living] here for more than ten years."

What's the verb tense?
How is the tense in Question 11 formed?
"Toyota [cars are made] in Japan."

What's the verb tense?
How is the tense in Question 13 formed?

Vocabulary

In this section, you will need to select the meaning of the word in [bold]
Question 15(Required)
Select the meaning of [lend]
Question 16(Required)
Select the meaning of [Remember doing]

Pronunciation A: Word Stress

For each word, you will be asked to select the corresponding stress pattern.

Note: If you find this section difficult, practice Word Stress patters on this webpage (opens in a new tab).

***Example***

[photo]

Question: Select the correct word stress pattern.
The correct answer for this example is ◯ ◦

[politics]

Select the correct word stress pattern.
[politician]

Select the correct word stress pattern.

Pronunciation B: Sentence Stress

In the following conversations, you will be asked to identify the sentence stress.

Note: If you find this section difficult, check out this video (opens in a new tab).

***Example***

A: Where are you from?
B: I'm from Wellington.

Question: Which word in B's reply is stressed?
The correct answer for this example is "Wellington".

Question 19(Required)
A: Are you from Wellington?
B: No, I work in Wellington.

Which word in B's reply is stressed?
Question 20(Required)
A: Which one do you want to buy?
B: I want the green one.

Which word in B's reply is stressed?

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