2015年BEC(剑桥商务英语考试)初级阅读讲义

　　BEC的总揽 (帮助学生了解整个BEC初级考试卷面构成及基本问题)

　　1. Brief Introduction of BEC

　　BEC is short for Business English Certificate and is an exam from Cambridge ESOL. There are three BEC exams - BEC Preliminary, BEC Vantage and BEC Higher - which test English language ability used in the context of business. They are ideal if you are preparing for a career in business.

　　The BEC exams are linked to the Council of Europe's Common European Framework of Reference for Languages, and to the UK Qualifications and Curriculum Authority's National Standards for Literacy, within the National Qualifications Framework (NQF).

　　2. Who is BEC for?

　　BEC is for anyone who wants a qualification in Business English. The examination can be taken in approved centres in over 50 countries around the world. This is an international examination. The exam is not a test of your knowledge of business. It is a test of your English in a business situation, your ability to communicate.

　　3. Why take BEC?

　　More than ever, a good knowledge of English is needed to succeed in international business and commerce. If you can show you have relevant language skills you'll have a great advantage in the jobs market and much greater flexibility if you want to work abroad.

　　An internationally recognised business qualification can help you show that you have learned English to an appropriate standard and can use it in a professional context.

　　4. What does the exam involve?

　　BEC Preliminary

　　Reading and Writing (1 hour 30 minutes)

　　In the Reading part there are seven tasks of the following types: multiple choice, matching, Right/Wrong/Doesn't Say, multiple choice gap-filling and form-filling. The Reading part is 25% of the total marks.

　　In the Writing part there are two tasks, both compulsory. Candidates produce a piece of internal company communication (approx. 30-40 words), and a piece of business communication (based on Reading input, approx. 60-80 words). The Writing part is 25% of the total marks.

　　Listening (approx. 40 minutes)

　　In the Listening component there are four tasks of the following types: multiple choice, gap-filling and form-filling. Texts used are monologues and dialogues, including interviews, discussions, telephone conversations and messages. The Listening paper is 25% of the total marks.

　　Speaking (approx. 12 minutes per pair of candidates)

　　The Speaking Test is conducted by two external examiners and candidates are tested in pairs. At centres with an uneven number of candidates, the last single candidate is examined with the last pair in a group of three. (N.B. The group of three format may only be used to deal with uneven numbers, unexpected absence of candidates, illness, etc. It is not an option that may be selected in normal circumstances where there is an even number of candidates at a session.)

　　During the test each candidate responds to questions, gives a 'mini-presentation' lasting approximately one minute, takes part in a collaborative task with the other candidate and takes part in a discussion with the other candidate and the interlocutor. The Speaking Test is 25% of the total marks.

　　5. Results

　　A single, overall grade is awarded, based on the aggregate of marks gained in the four components indicated above. There are no pass/fail marks for individual papers, so you do not need to reach a particular level in any component in order to achieve a pass in the examination.

　　There are two pass grades - Pass with Merit and Pass. There are two fail grades - Narrow Fail and Fail.

　　You will also receive a statement of results which shows your performance in each paper. These are shown against the scale Exceptional - Good - Borderline - Weak and indicate your relative performance in each paper. If you pass, you will be awarded a certificate from University of Cambridge ESOL Examinations.

　　Once awarded Cambridge ESOL BEC certificates are valid for life.

　　6. Revised BEC

　　In line with Cambridge ESOL's policy of reviewing its tests at regular intervals, a review of BEC was begun in 1999. The result of this review and the subsequent exam revision is Revised BEC, introduced in March 2002.

　　Before March 2002, the BEC examinations were known as BEC 1, BEC 2 and BEC 3.

　　If you have a BEC 1, BEC 2 or BEC 3 certificate, you may find it useful to download a statement giving advice to users (for example employers and universities) on recognition of pre-2002 results.