Here are 5 new Eiken-style proficiency test essay questions for you to practice with. There’s a range of difficulty from level pre-2 to level 1.
If you haven’t written essays before, take your time. Don’t try to write your first essay under exam conditions. Stop and think about the topic. Make some notes on a spare piece of paper before you start to write.
- What are the key words in the question?
- Look at the topic points. What ideas do they suggest?
- Have you thought about this topic before, or heard people discussing it?
- When you read the question, what’s your first reaction to it?
If you need some help, check out the post – Proficiency test essay: What you need to know to ace it.
When writing, keep these points in mind:
- Make your first sentence a statement, don’t phrase it as an answer.
- Include language from the essay question. It’s an easy way to create your topic sentence.
- Use positive phrasing – I think/I believe – rather than negative phrasing – I don’t think…
Positive phrasing is stronger and clearer. It shows you have a firm opinion. - Make sure to link your ideas. This helps keep them focused and clear.
Proficiency test essay questions
Number 1:
In your opinion, is telecommuting the way forward for most businesses?
- community
- economics
- work flow
- effectiveness
Number 2:
What should be done to encourage more women to remain in the workforce?
- pay
- career advancement
- social services
- stricter harassment penalties
Number 3:
Many people have forecast an apocalypse in humanity’s near future. If such an event occurs, what do you think the cause would be? A pandemic, nuclear war, radical climate change, AI revolution.
- science and technology
- nationalism
- bioterrorism
- corporate corruption
Number 4:
Many young people feel that they are overworked and underpaid. If this is true, what do you think can be done to fix this issue?
- reduce C-level salaries
- increase the number of paid holidays
- enforce laws about working hours
- reward effort not age with bonuses and promotions
Number 5:
What does freedom mean to you?
- no rules
- choices
- wealth
- time
