Versant English Test for India – Test Format

Instruction to Test Takers

The following subsections provide a brief overview of the Spoken Communication Test. The Versant
test for India consists of 4 sections as listed below. The steps to take the test and some sample
questions for each section are mentioned below.

Test Taking Process

1. Each candidate will be given a unique Test Identification Number (TIN).

2. Candidate to call on 080-30417700
3. The IVR will prompt the candidate to type the 8 digit TIN on the telephone keypad.
4. The test now begins.
.

Part A: Repeat

In this task, test taker is asked to repeat sentences that they hear over the phone. The sentences are
presented to the test taker in approximate order of increasing difficulty. Sentences range in length
from three words to 15 words. The test taker is expected to repeat the sentence only after she/he has
heard the complete sentence. Some sample sentences are listed below

Examples:

1. Get some water.

2. Let’s meet again in two weeks.
3. Come to my office after class if you need help.
Part B: Short Answer Questions

In this task, test takers listen to spoken questions and answer each question with a single word or
short phrase. Each question asks for basic information or requires simple inferences

Examples:

What is frozen water called? – Answer: Ice

How many months are in a year and a half? Answer: 18
Does a tree usually have more trunks or branches? – Answer: Branches

.
Part C: Sentence Builds

For the Sentence Builds task, test takers hear three short phrases and are asked to rearrange them to
make a sentence. The phrases are presented in a random order (excluding the original word order),
and the test taker has to put together a grammatical sentence that comprises exactly the three given
phrases.

Examples:
Question 1 - in / bed / stay
Right Answer – Stay in bed

Question 2 - she didn't notice / the book / who took

Right Answer – She didn’t notice who took the book.

Question 3 - we wondered / would fit in here / whether the new piano

Right Answer – We wondered whether the new piano would fit in here.

  


REMINDER: The test begins when you say your name. If you hang up Test Identification Number (TIN)
before you complete the test, the test cannot be graded. You cannot reuse
the Test Identification Number.
1234 5678
Expires: January 1, 2012
Call: 1-415-738-3800
Thank you for calling the Versant testing system.
Please enter your Test Identification Number on the telephone keypad.
Now, please say your name. Now, please say the city and country you are calling from.
Now, please follow the instructions for Parts A through F.

PART TASK TEST DETAILS

A Reading Please read the sentences as you are instructed.

1. Traffic is a huge problem in Southern California.
2. The endless city has no coherent mass transit system.
3. Sharing rides was going to be the solution to rush-hour traffic.

E
4. Most people still want to drive their own cars, though.

L
5. Larry's next door neighbors are awful.
6. They play loud music all night when he's trying to sleep.

P
7. If he tells them to stop, they just turn it up louder.
8. He wants to move out of that neighborhood.

M
9. My aunt recently rescued a dog that was sick.
10. She brought her home and named her Margaret.

A
11. They weren't sure she was going to live, but now she's healthy.
12. I just wish she could get along better with their cat.

S
B Repeat Please repeat each sentence that you hear.
Example: a voice says, "Leave town on the next train."
and you say, "Leave town on the next train."

C Questions Now, please just give a simple answer to the questions.

Example: a voice says, "Would you get water from a bottle or a newspaper?"
and you say, "a bottle" or "from a bottle" .

D Sentence Now, please rearrange the word groups into a sentence.

Builds Example: a voice says, "was reading" ... "my mother" ... "her favorite magazine"
and you say, "My mother was reading her favorite magazine."

E Story You will hear three brief stories. Each story will be spoken once, followed by a beep. When
Retelling you hear the beep, you will have 30 seconds to retell the story in English. Try to retell as
much of the story as you can, including the situation, characters, actions, and ending. You
will hear another beep at the end of the 30 seconds.

F Open You will hear two questions about family life or personal choices. Each question will be
Questions spoken twice, followed by a beep. When you hear the beep, you will have 40 seconds to
answer the question. You will hear another beep at the end of the 40 seconds.

Thank you for completing the test.

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