## The repeating task types

The exact layout varies between sessions, but the same shapes come back. These are the ones worth
drilling until they feel routine.

**Match the short messages.** You read a short situation, for example someone telling a landlady
the heating is not working, and pick the message that fits. The trap is an option that mentions
the same topic but says the wrong thing. Match the intent, not the keywords.

**Read a sign or notice.** A real-world notice: pharmacy opening hours, a bus-ticket rule, a
library sign. One question about it. The answer is always in the text. Watch the negatives
(*não*, *só*, *exceto*) and the time and price details, which is where the wrong answers hide.

**Match texts to people.** A longer description of a person, where you match sentence beginnings
to their correct endings, with some endings left unused. Work one beginning at a time and cross
off endings as you use them.

**Read a short story.** A short narrative with several multiple-choice questions after it. The
questions usually follow the order of the text, so you can read, answer, read on.

## How it is marked

Objectively. Your answer is right or wrong, and no examiner judgement enters into it. That is
unusual on this exam and it is good news: it means practice translates directly into marks.

## The mistakes that cost the easiest marks

- **Overthinking.** A2 texts are literal. If an answer looks obvious, it usually is.
- **Keyword matching.** The wrong option often repeats a word from the text.
- **Ignoring negatives.** *Só de segunda a sexta* means not at the weekend.
- **Leaving blanks.** There is no penalty for guessing, so answer everything.

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