For Students

The abbreviation CEFR used in the course descriptions refers to the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages, which describes A1 - C2 language levels.

CEFR assessment grid (pdf)

Quick OJZ Placement Test

The test is based on grammar and vocabulary. Download it, do it, correct it using the key and you can find out your approximate level of English in the table below. The test won't take you more than 40 minutes.

• Test
• Key
  

Evaluation of the test

This evaluation only serves as a basic reference. There are more detailed and more accurate placement tests that test language skills available on various webpages (e.g. Dialang, TOEIC placement test).

TOEIC Listening Test

A short TOEIC Listening-skills test is available here.

• 25 questions
• 15 minutes
• Beginner to Advanced (A1 to C1 on the CEFR)
• Tests the candidate's listening skills
• Instant results
• Use your existing ETS account or register

More information about the TOEIC and TOEFL tests: ETS website
and more information on the Language Department website.

LanguageCert Placement Test

Quick online placement test – 25 multiple-choice questions. The test is available on the LanguageCert webpage here.

“Life is not about waiting for the storm to pass, but how to dance in the rain." 

– by Vivian Greene

Language Exploration:

Even if you don't know every word, try to understand the meaning of the sentence. This is good practice for tests.

You can find the answers and a possible translation of the quote below.

1. How can we justify the use of the gerund waiting?
2. Which noun does the verb pass refer to?
3. Rewrite the phrase “waiting for the storm to pass” using a clause* with until or while, without using an infinitive.
   a) Concentrate on using the right verb forms.
   b) What changes in meaning or emphasis?
4. How would you explain what we want to say with this sentence?
5. Try and translate the original quote to your own language.
6. If we break the sentence into logical parts in which the words are connected, its meaning becomes clearer. Try to apply it and express the idea using different words. Remember there are many ways to paraphrase it.

Note: Positive, motivational quotes in English for every day are offered by many applications and groups on social networks, such as Action for Happiness or Brainy Quote.

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Answers to the tasks above:

1. The verb waiting follows the preposition about, and when choosing between a gerund and an infinitive, the preposition is our signal – after prepositions we need to use the -ing form. After how, on the other hand, we shorten the clause by using the infinitive, as shown in the second part of the sentence. Both correspond to Czech verb forms; compare: čekání – waiting, tančit – to dance.
2. The noun it clearly refers to is storm – we (do not) wait for the storm to pass. We can use this structure with other nouns as well, including animate ones: They waited for us to arrive. The teacher wanted/expected the students to take the test by the end of the week.
3. Using a clause with until or while, waiting for the storm to pass can be rephrased, for example:
   waiting until the storm passes
   waiting while the storm passes
   a) The verb form passes is in the Present Simple, which is used here with a future meaning in a time clause. This follows the First Conditional rule: after time words such as until, when, while, before, we do not use will, even when referring to the future.
   b) Both versions keep the meaning, but there is a slight shift in emphasis:
   – until the storm passes focuses on the end point – the action continues up to the moment the storm finishes.
   – while the storm passes highlights that the waiting happens during the whole period of the storm.
4. We can assume that the sentence encourages us to learn to cope with difficulties that we cannot easily resolve. At the same time, we should try to improve ourselves—and thereby our lives. Every obstacle can teach us something, so we can, in a figurative sense, rejoice in it (dance in it).
5. Possible Czech translation: Život není o čekání na to, až bouře přejde, ale o tom, jak tančit v dešti.
6. Paraphrased:

• Life is not about waiting for problems to disappear, but about learning to enjoy life despite them.
• We should not postpone our happiness until everything is perfect; we should make the best of the present situation.
• Life is not about avoiding difficult times, but about coping with them positively.
• Instead of waiting for challenges to end, we should learn how to live well while facing them.
• The secret of a good life is not the absence of problems but the ability to deal with them.
• Happiness comes not from having no difficulties, but from learning how to thrive despite them.
• Rather than putting life on hold during hard times, we should continue living fully.
• We cannot always control life's storms, but we can choose how we respond to them.
• Being resilient means finding ways to move forward even when circumstances are difficult.
• A meaningful life is built not by escaping problems but by growing through them.

References

This educational section may include content which is adapted from AI-generated responses.