This task will take anywhere from 20 minutes to an hour depending on your previous knowledge and experience.

The exercises should be completed on your own (without help from others).

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. 🙂

If you want to take a break or switch to a different device, click "Save and Continue Later". If you do not pass the task the first time, we recommend trying again (you can try as many times as you like).

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 this link (opens in a new tab).

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 this link (opens in a new tab).

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 this link (opens in a new tab).

In this section, you will be asked to explain the difference between two similar words to an intermediate learner.

Note: Remember that this is an intermediate learner (not advanced). Be concise, and avoid using difficult language in your explanations. 🙂

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

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

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).