Duration7 Minutes
Trinity GESE Grade 3
Trinity GESE Grade 3 (CEFR A2.1) is a speaking and listening exam for adults and younger learners. In a conversation lasting up to 7 minutes, candidates ask and answer questions about everyday life. They might describe a daily routine, explain what someone is doing, say what they can or can’t do, or give simple directions. They also use words such as and and then to connect ideas when speaking.
FormatOnline
Entry levelCEFR A2.1
What you need to know
Exam Information
Exam Overview
Trinity GESE Grade 3 is a speaking and listening exam for adults and younger learners. It consists of one conversation with a Trinity examiner lasting up to 7 minutes. Candidates listen to simple questions and requests, give relevant answers, and ask questions of their own. They use familiar words and short sentences to exchange information about everyday life.
Talking About Routines, Times, and Dates
Candidates describe a typical day, say when activities take place, and give dates. Familiar topics include work, study, home life, and free time. For example, a candidate might say, “I start work at nine, and then I have lunch at one.” A question such as “When is your birthday?” gives them a chance to use an ordinal number in a date, as in “It’s on the twenty-first of March.”
Describing Actions and Abilities
Candidates describe what someone is doing at the moment, either in front of them or in a picture. For example, “She walks to work every day” describes a routine, while “She’s waiting for the bus” describes what is happening now. Candidates also use can and can’t to talk about abilities. If asked, “Can you swim?”, they might answer, “Yes, I can. I swim with my sister on Fridays.”
Giving Directions and Describing Places
Candidates explain where places are and how to reach them. A street map, like the one in the thumbnail, is a useful way to practise both skills. “The café is opposite the station” tells someone where the café is. “Walk along this street and go across the bridge” tells them how to get there.
Talking About the Past
Grade 3 introduces was and were for describing past situations. A candidate might answer “Where were you yesterday?” with “I was at home in the morning, and then I was at the library.” They might also describe the weather or how someone felt, as in “It was cold yesterday” or “We were tired.”
Taking Part in a Two-Way Conversation
Candidates show they can listen to what the examiner says and respond with a related question. For example, if the examiner says, “I play tennis on Saturdays,” the candidate might ask, “Where do you play?” A short follow-up like this shows understanding and gives the other person a reason to continue speaking.
