Trinity B2 test practice: GESE Grade 7 questions and answers

Your topic: Learning to drive in the UK

You prepare the topic before the exam. The examiner asks about your points.

Why I needed a licence

You could sayI used to travel everywhere by bus, but my new job starts at six in the morning, when there are no buses. If I hadn't got a licence, I would have had to turn the job down.

Examiner asksCouldn't you have moved closer to your work instead?

Lessons and the theory test

You could sayI had about forty hours of lessons, which were given by an instructor who spoke very quickly. The theory test was harder than I expected because of the vocabulary, so I studied the questions every evening for a month.

Examiner asksWhich part of the theory test did you find most difficult?

How it differs from my country

You could sayAt home I used to drive on the right, and the rules are followed less strictly there. Here you might fail for something small, such as not checking your mirrors. I think the stricter system is safer, although it is more expensive.

Examiner asksDo you think the test here is too strict?

Failing the first time

You could sayI failed my first practical test due to a mistake at a roundabout. I was very disappointed, but my instructor said I should book again immediately rather than lose my confidence, and that was good advice.

Examiner asksWhat would you say to someone who has just failed?

What has changed for me

You could sayThe main advantage is freedom: I can take my children to places that aren't served by public transport. The disadvantage is the cost of insurance. If petrol were cheaper, I would drive much more than I do.

Examiner asksWould you ever give up your car again?

A question you could ask the examiner: How did you find learning to drive? Was it very different when you took your test?

Interactive task

The examiner says: A friend of mine has been offered a much better job in another city, but her family doesn't want to move. She's asked me what she should do, and I'm not sure what to tell her.

Find out more about the situation, then give advice and weigh the advantages and disadvantages.

YouThat sounds difficult. How far away is the other city? Could she travel there every day?

ExaminerIt's about three hours by train, so not really.

YouI see. And why doesn't her family want to move? Is it because of the children's school?

ExaminerPartly. Her husband also has a job he likes here.

YouThen it might be hard for both of them. Has she asked whether she could work from home for part of the week?

ExaminerI don't think she has, actually.

YouPerhaps she should ask before she decides. A lot of companies allow that now. If I were her, I wouldn't say no until I knew all the options.

ExaminerThat's a good point. And if the company says no?

YouThen she ought to think about what matters most. The advantage is more money, but the disadvantage is that the family might be unhappy. What do you think you would do in her position?

ExaminerHonestly, I think I'd stay.

YouI'm not sure I agree. A chance like this may not come again. Could she try it for six months and see how it goes?

ExaminerMaybe. I'll suggest that to her.

Education

ExaminerHow is school in your country different from school in the UK?

Example answerIn my country, classes used to be much bigger, with fifty children in one room, and pupils were expected to listen rather than ask questions. Here children are encouraged to give their opinions, which I think is an advantage.

ExaminerDo you think children are given too much homework?

Example answerI'm not sure. A little homework teaches children to work alone, but if they are given two hours every night, they might start to hate school. I think primary pupils should have very little.

ExaminerWhat would you change about schools if you could?

Example answerIf I were in charge, I would make practical subjects like cooking and managing money compulsory. A lot of young people leave school without knowing how to pay a bill, due to the focus on exams.

ExaminerWhat advice would you give to an adult who wants to return to studying?

Example answerI'd say they should start with a short evening course, to see whether they can fit it around their job. They could also ask their employer for help, because some companies pay part of the fees.

ExaminerIs it better to study online or in a classroom?

Example answerBoth have advantages. Online courses are cheaper and can be followed at any time, but in a classroom you meet people who may help you later. Personally, I'd rather be in a room with a teacher. What about you?

Pollution and recycling

ExaminerHow is rubbish collected and recycled where you live?

Example answerOur rubbish is collected every two weeks, and paper, glass and food waste are put in separate bins. It works well, although I'm not sure everything is really recycled after it has been taken away.

ExaminerWas recycling common when you were growing up?

Example answerNot officially, but we used to reuse almost everything. Glass bottles were returned to the shop, and old clothes were passed to younger children. In some ways we wasted less than people do now.

ExaminerWhat should people do to reduce pollution in cities?

Example answerI think people ought to leave their cars at home for short journeys. Councils could also make buses cheaper, because many people drive only because of the price of public transport.

ExaminerDo you think people would recycle more if they were paid for it?

Example answerThey might. If people got a few pence back for every bottle, I think far fewer bottles would be thrown away. The disadvantage is that it would be expensive to organise.

ExaminerSome people say one person cannot make a difference. Do you agree?

Example answerI don't really agree. One person's rubbish is small, but habits spread: my neighbours started sorting their waste after they saw us doing it. Do you think the government should do more, or is it up to us?

Questions you could ask the examiner

At Grade 7, Trinity requires questions throughout: you lead the topic discussion, and in the interactive task you do most of the asking.

• What do you think schools should teach that they don't teach now?
• Did you use to recycle when you were younger?
• Would you give up your car if public transport were free?