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Trinity A1 test tips: GESE Grade 2

GESE Grade 2 is six minutes of simple questions with one examiner. Nobody fails it for a small grammar mistake. People fail because they do not understand the questions, answer with silence, or forget to ask the examiner a question. This page shows what to practise so that none of those happens.

Length
6 minutes
Level
CEFR A1
Parts
One conversation
You must ask
1 question

Ready to try it? Free GESE Grade 2 practice test: hear the examiner's questions, answer out loud and compare with example answers.

What to practise

  1. 1

    Questions about you, your family and your home

    Most of the exam is short questions about personal details, family and friends, your home, pets and the things you own. Trinity says a few words, a very short answer or a full sentence are all acceptable at this grade.

    • Learn the question words: what, where, who, how many, how old. If you understand the first word, you can usually answer.
    • Learn "I've got" and "I haven't got". They answer most questions about family, pets and possessions.
    • Learn "There is" and "There are" for rooms and objects.
    • Add one more piece of information when you can: "Yes, I've got a sister. Her name is Amal."
    • Practise numbers up to 50, the days of the week and the months. The examiner may ask about any of them.

    Answers to learn the pattern of

    • I've got two brothers.
    • I live with my husband.
    • There are four rooms.
    • It's in the kitchen.
    • My birthday is in May.
  2. 2

    Describing people, things and where they are

    The examiner may show you a picture or point to things in the room and ask what they are, what they look like and where they are. Indicating position is one of the functions Trinity lists for Grade 2.

    • Learn six position words: in, on, under, next to, between, in front of.
    • Answer "Where is...?" with "It's" and a position: "It's on the table."
    • Describe people simply: tall, short, long hair, brown eyes.
    • For yes or no questions, use a short answer: "Yes, he is." "No, there isn't."

    Sentences to practise

    • It's next to the sofa.
    • It's under the chair.
    • She is tall.
    • He has got black hair.
    • Yes, there is.
  3. 3

    Your question to the examiner

    Trinity requires candidates at Grade 2 to ask the examiner at least one very simple question about personal details. It is part of the exam, not an extra.

    • Prepare three questions before the exam, so you always have one ready.
    • Ask when there is a natural moment, for example after you answer the same question yourself.
    • Listen to the answer and react: "Oh, nice."
    • Keep it simple. The examiner wants a question, not a difficult one.

    Questions you could ask

    • Have you got any children?
    • Where do you live?
    • Have you got a pet?
    • What's your favourite colour?
    • How many brothers have you got?

Common mistakes

  • Staying silent when you do not understand. Say "Can you repeat that, please?" or "Sorry?". Trinity lists both as ideal phrases.
  • Asking the examiner to repeat every question. Trinity says "Can you repeat that, please?" is fine, but that overusing it suggests you cannot follow the examiner, and that affects the mark.
  • Forgetting to ask the examiner a question. It is required at this grade. Decide your question before you go in.
  • Answering only "yes" or "no". Add a few words: "Yes, I have. I've got two."
  • Reciting sentences you have learned by heart. Trinity says candidates must not memorise or recite answers. The examiner will change the question, and a learned answer will not fit.

A one-week study plan

About thirty minutes a day. Always practise out loud, not in your head.

Day 1
Read this page. Learn the question words and practise answering questions about your name, age and family.
Day 2
"I've got" and "There is". Describe your family and each room in your home out loud.
Day 3
Position words. Look around the room and say where ten things are.
Day 4
Numbers to 50, days and months. Say today's day, your birthday month and your phone number.
Day 5
Do practice test 1. Answer each question aloud before you look at the example.
Day 6
Do practice test 2. Choose your three questions for the examiner and say them ten times.
Day 7
Ask a friend to read the questions to you in a different order, for six minutes without stopping.

Questions

How is GESE Grade 2 marked?
The examiner gives a letter: A, B, C or D. A is a distinction, B a merit, C a pass and D a fail.
Do I need to speak in full sentences?
Not always. Trinity's guidance says a few words, very short responses or full sentences are all acceptable at Grade 2.
Will the examiner help me if I do not understand?
At the lower grades, yes. Trinity's guidance says the examiner speaks slowly and clearly, gives you time to answer, and repeats or rephrases when needed.
Do I need a British accent?
No. You need to be understood. Speak clearly at a steady speed in your own accent.
Can I prepare without a teacher?
Yes. Practise out loud every day, with a friend playing the examiner if you can. Our practice tests read each question to you and show an example answer.

More Trinity GESE help

Official sources

TestWise Prep is independent and is not connected to Trinity College London. Where this page says what Trinity expects, it is taken from Trinity's GESE specifications, read on 10 October 2026. The rest of the advice is our own.