Everyday Spanish: Real Talk for Real Life | Pre-test

About 10 minutes. Not graded. 13 questions, plus 3 quick confidence questions.

This is not a test you pass or fail. It is fine not to know these answers. Many people will not, because you have not taken the course yet. Your answers show your starting point, so at the end you can see how far you came.

Why we ask: it shows what you already know and which ideas are new to you. When you finish the course, you will see your before and after for each skill, so you can see where you grew and what to review.

How sure do you feel?

Rate each line from 1 (not at all sure) to 5 (very sure). There is no right answer.

I can greet someone in Spanish politely and keep going when I do not understand.

1 2 3 4 5

1 = Not at all sure5 = Very sure

I can handle a price, a time, or a simple task at a store, doctor, or job site in Spanish.

1 2 3 4 5

1 = Not at all sure5 = Very sure

I can keep a short conversation going in Spanish and keep practicing on my own.

1 2 3 4 5

1 = Not at all sure5 = Very sure

Questions

1. You walk into a pharmacy at 3 p.m. Which greeting fits best?

A. Buenos días. B. Buenas noches. C. Buenas tardes.

2. At church you meet an older woman for the first time. You want to ask how she is. Which is the best choice?

A. ¿Cómo está usted? B. ¿Cómo estás? C. ¿Qué onda?

3. You want to say, I am a teacher (a woman speaking). Which is correct?

A. Soy una maestra. B. Estoy maestra. C. Soy maestra.

4. A cashier talks fast and you catch none of it. What is your best first move?

A. Nod and say sí so it ends quickly. B. Más despacio, por favor. C. Adiós.

5. You need the Spanish word for receipt. What do you ask?

A. ¿Dónde está el receipt? B. ¿Cómo se dice receipt en español? C. ¿Qué significa receipt?

6. Someone asks the time. It is 1:20. Which is correct?

A. Es la una y veinte. B. Es la uno y veinte. C. Son las una y veinte.

7. The cashier says, Son veintiún dólares. How much do you pay?

A. $21 B. $31 C. $12

8. Your appointment is at 4 p.m. Finish the sentence: a las cuatro de la ___.

A. tarde B. noche C. mañana

9. You try on work boots and they are too big. What do you say?

A. Me quedan grandes. B. Tengo grandes. C. Estoy grande.

10. At the clinic, your throat hurts. What do you say?

A. Estoy la garganta. B. Me duelo la garganta. C. Me duele la garganta.

11. At a hospital visit, the doctor starts explaining test results in Spanish. You only follow part of it. What is the best move?

A. Nod and ask your teenager to explain later. B. Say sí to everything to save time. C. Necesito un intérprete, por favor.

12. A coworker says, Tengo tres hijos. Which reply keeps the talk going best?

A. Tres hijos. Muy bien. Adiós. B. ¡Qué bien! ¿Cuántos años tienen? C. ¿Cómo se dice hijos en inglés?

13. Which plan is most likely to help you keep your Spanish after a course?

A. Wait until you have time to take a full Spanish class at night. B. Short practice most days, plus one real phrase with a person each week. C. One long three hour study session once a month, on a weekend.

Save my starting point

Next up

Go to Lesson 1: Hola. The phrases that get you through anything.

This self-check is not a grade and does not affect your access.