A SAMPLE OF THE 2012 BEIJING GAOKAO ENGLISH EXAM

Total marks available: 150

Listening: 30 (at present, this accounts for 20% of the total mark, but from 2016, it will rise to 30%)

Multiple Choice: 15

Cloze Test: 30

Reading: 40

Writing: 35

Some sample questions:

1. George said that he would come to school to see me the next day, but he－.

A) Wouldn't. B) Didn't. C) Hasn't. D) Hadn't.

2. When deeply absorbed in work,－he often was, he would forget all about eating or sleeping.

A) That. B) Which. C) Where. D) When.

3. Do you think this shirt is too tight－the shoulders?

A) At. B) On. C) To. D) Across.

Extracts used for comprehension exercises:

1. The Basics of Math－Made Clear.

2. Peanuts to This.

3. Decision-making under Stress.

4. Wilderness.

Practical writing:

1. Four pictures of a young man helping other people were given out to the students, who were then asked to write a story using the pictures as a guide.

2. In one illustration, a pencil laughs at a shorter pencil, which is almost used up, saying: "You're nearing the end!"

Students were asked to explain the joke.

"You are discussing a picture with an English friend. Describe your understanding of the illustration, and the reason why."