100+ Free CILS A2 Practice Questions

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Scegli la preposizione articolata giusta per completare la frase. Le chiavi sono _______ borsa. (Choose the right combined preposition to complete the sentence. The keys are _______ the bag.)

nella (in the)

sulla (on the)

dalla (from the)

alla (to the)

to track

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2026 Statistics

Key Facts: CILS A2 Exam

CILS A2 is the elementary-level (CEFR A2) Italian-as-a-foreign-language certificate from the Universita per Stranieri di Siena, testing listening, reading, grammar structures, writing, and speaking; its 'Integrazione' module meets the language requirement for the Italian EC long-term residence permit.

Sample CILS A2 Practice Questions

Try these sample questions to test your CILS A2 exam readiness. Each question includes a detailed explanation. Start the interactive quiz above for the full 100+ question experience with AI tutoring.

1Ascolta il dialogo. Poi completa la frase. Commessa: "Buongiorno, mi dica." Cliente: "Vorrei un chilo di mele e mezzo chilo di pomodori, per favore." (Listen to the dialogue, then complete the sentence. Shop assistant: "Good morning, can I help you?" Customer: "I'd like a kilo of apples and half a kilo of tomatoes, please.") Il signore è... (The man is...)

A.in una gelateria. (in an ice-cream shop.)

B.in un negozio di frutta e verdura. (in a fruit and vegetable shop.)

C.in una farmacia. (in a pharmacy.)

D.in un ristorante. (in a restaurant.)

Explanation: The customer asks for 'un chilo di mele' (a kilo of apples) and 'pomodori' (tomatoes), which you buy at a fruit-and-vegetable shop (negozio di frutta e verdura). Identifying the place from the items mentioned is a core A2 listening skill.

2Ascolta il dialogo. Poi completa la frase. Adania: "Saif, hai fame? Vuoi cucinare qualcosa insieme stasera?" Saif: "Sì, volentieri! Facciamo la pasta." (Listen, then complete the sentence. Adania: "Saif, are you hungry? Do you want to cook something together tonight?" Saif: "Yes, gladly! Let's make pasta.") Adania chiede a Saif di... (Adania asks Saif to...)

A.uscire al ristorante. (go out to a restaurant.)

B.bere un caffè. (drink a coffee.)

C.cucinare qualcosa insieme. (cook something together.)

D.guardare la televisione. (watch television.)

Explanation: Adania says 'Vuoi cucinare qualcosa insieme stasera?' (Do you want to cook something together tonight?). The verb 'cucinare' (to cook) and the word 'insieme' (together) give the answer directly.

3Ascolta il dialogo. Poi completa la frase. Signora: "Scusi, sa dov'è la stazione? Devo prendere il treno delle dieci." Passante: "Sì, vada dritto e poi giri a destra." (Listen, then complete the sentence. Lady: "Excuse me, do you know where the station is? I have to catch the ten o'clock train." Passer-by: "Yes, go straight on and then turn right.") La signora vuole... (The lady wants...)

A.sapere l'ora. (to know the time.)

B.conoscere la strada per la stazione. (to know the way to the station.)

C.comprare un biglietto. (to buy a ticket.)

D.chiamare un taxi. (to call a taxi.)

Explanation: The lady asks 'sa dov'è la stazione?' (do you know where the station is?), so she wants directions. The passer-by replies with directions ('vada dritto... giri a destra'), confirming she needs the way there.

4Ascolta il dialogo. Poi completa la frase. Antonella: "Sergio, dove sei? Ti aspetto da dieci minuti!" Sergio: "Scusa, sono ancora per strada, c'è molto traffico." (Listen, then complete the sentence. Antonella: "Sergio, where are you? I've been waiting for you for ten minutes!" Sergio: "Sorry, I'm still on the road, there's a lot of traffic.") In questo momento Sergio è... (Right now Sergio is...)

A.dal fioraio. (at the florist's.)

B.al mercato. (at the market.)

C.per strada. (on the road / on his way.)

D.a casa. (at home.)

Explanation: Sergio says 'sono ancora per strada' (I'm still on the road). The phrase 'per strada' literally means he is on his way and explains why he is late ('c'è molto traffico' = there's a lot of traffic).

5Ascolta il dialogo. Poi completa la frase. Pietro: "Marina, la mia macchina non parte. Mi presti la tua per andare al lavoro?" Marina: "Mi dispiace, anch'io ho un problema con la mia auto, è dal meccanico." (Listen, then complete the sentence. Pietro: "Marina, my car won't start. Can you lend me yours to go to work?" Marina: "Sorry, I also have a problem with my car, it's at the mechanic's.") Marina... (Marina...)

A.compra un'auto nuova. (buys a new car.)

B.presta la sua auto a Pietro. (lends her car to Pietro.)

C.ha un problema con la sua auto. (has a problem with her car.)

D.va al lavoro con Pietro. (goes to work with Pietro.)

Explanation: Marina says 'anch'io ho un problema con la mia auto, è dal meccanico' (I also have a problem with my car, it's at the mechanic's). The word 'anch'io' (me too) tells us her car has an issue just like Pietro's.

6Ascolta il dialogo. Poi completa la frase. Irina: "Maurizio, puoi aiutarmi a studiare per l'esame di matematica?" Maurizio: "Certo, vieni a casa mia domani pomeriggio e studiamo insieme." (Listen, then complete the sentence. Irina: "Maurizio, can you help me study for the maths exam?" Maurizio: "Of course, come to my place tomorrow afternoon and we'll study together.") Maurizio... (Maurizio...)

A.ha un esame di matematica. (has a maths exam.)

B.insegna matematica a scuola. (teaches maths at school.)

C.aiuta Irina con lo studio. (helps Irina with studying.)

D.non ha tempo per Irina. (has no time for Irina.)

Explanation: Maurizio answers 'Certo... studiamo insieme' (Of course... we'll study together) when Irina asks for help. So Maurizio helps Irina study; the key word 'aiutarmi' (help me) is answered with agreement.

7Ascolta l'annuncio alla stazione. Poi completa la frase. "Attenzione, il treno regionale 2345 per Firenze delle ore 14:30 parte oggi dal binario 7, e non dal binario 3." (Listen to the station announcement, then complete the sentence. "Attention, regional train 2345 to Florence at 2:30 p.m. departs today from platform 7, not from platform 3.") Il treno per Firenze parte dal binario... (The train to Florence departs from platform...)

A.tre. (three.)

B.sette. (seven.)

C.quattro. (four.)

D.tredici. (thirteen.)

Explanation: The announcement says 'parte oggi dal binario 7, e non dal binario 3' (departs today from platform 7, not platform 3). You must catch the corrected number: the train leaves from 7. Listening for numbers is a key A2 task.

8Ascolta il messaggio della segreteria telefonica. Poi completa la frase. "Buongiorno, sono il dottor Bianchi. La informo che il suo appuntamento di lunedì è spostato a giovedì alle ore 16:00. Grazie." (Listen to the voicemail, then complete the sentence. "Good morning, this is Doctor Bianchi. I'm informing you that your Monday appointment is moved to Thursday at 4:00 p.m. Thank you.") L'appuntamento è spostato a... (The appointment is moved to...)

A.lunedì. (Monday.)

B.giovedì. (Thursday.)

C.venerdì. (Friday.)

D.martedì. (Tuesday.)

Explanation: The message says the appointment 'è spostato a giovedì' (is moved to Thursday). The verb 'spostare' means to move/reschedule, so the new day is Thursday, not the original Monday.

9Ascolta il dialogo al bar. Poi completa la frase. Barista: "Cosa prende?" Cliente: "Un cappuccino e un cornetto, grazie. Quanto pago?" Barista: "Sono due euro e cinquanta." (Listen to the dialogue at the bar, then complete the sentence. Barista: "What will you have?" Customer: "A cappuccino and a croissant, thanks. How much do I pay?" Barista: "That's two euros fifty.") Il cliente deve pagare... (The customer must pay...)

A.due euro. (two euros.)

B.due euro e cinquanta. (two euros fifty.)

C.cinque euro. (five euros.)

D.tre euro e cinquanta. (three euros fifty.)

Explanation: The barista says 'Sono due euro e cinquanta' (That's two euros fifty). At A2 you must catch the full price, including the cents 'e cinquanta' (and fifty).

10Ascolta il dialogo. Poi completa la frase. Giulia: "Pronto, ciao Luca! Vieni alla festa di Anna sabato sera?" Luca: "Mi dispiace, sabato lavoro fino a tardi. Posso venire solo domenica." (Listen, then complete the sentence. Giulia: "Hello, hi Luca! Are you coming to Anna's party on Saturday evening?" Luca: "Sorry, on Saturday I work until late. I can only come on Sunday.") Perché Luca non viene alla festa sabato? (Why doesn't Luca come to the party on Saturday?)

A.Perché è malato. (Because he is ill.)

B.Perché lavora fino a tardi. (Because he works until late.)

C.Perché non gli piace Anna. (Because he doesn't like Anna.)

D.Perché è in vacanza. (Because he is on holiday.)

Explanation: Luca explains 'sabato lavoro fino a tardi' (on Saturday I work until late). This is the reason ('perché') he cannot attend, so the cause is his work, not illness or holiday.

About the CILS A2 Exam

The CILS A2 (Certificazione di Italiano come Lingua Straniera, level A2) is an official Italian-as-a-foreign-language certificate awarded by the Universita per Stranieri di Siena, one of Italy's two main Italian-language certifying universities. At CEFR level A2 it confirms an elementary command of Italian: understanding frequently used expressions about personal and family information, shopping, local geography, work, health, and everyday services. The full exam assesses five abilities — listening (Ascolto), reading (Comprensione della lettura), grammar and language structures (Analisi delle strutture di comunicazione), writing (Produzione scritta), and speaking (Produzione orale) — and candidates must pass every section. The A2 'Integrazione in Italia' module is especially important because it satisfies the Italian-language requirement for the EC long-term residence permit (permesso di soggiorno UE per soggiornanti di lungo periodo). This free practice bank focuses on the three objective, multiple-choice sections (Ascolto, Comprensione della lettura, and Analisi delle strutture di comunicazione), simulating listening tasks with written transcripts so learners can practise the exact question types found on the real exam.

Questions

100 scored questions

Time Limit

About 2 hours 30 minutes of written tests plus a short oral interview. Indicative section timings: Ascolto ~20 min, Comprensione della lettura 30 min, Analisi delle strutture di comunicazione 30 min, Produzione scritta 40 min; the oral test is held separately.

Passing Score

Candidates must reach the minimum threshold in EVERY section (listening, reading, structures, writing, speaking) to pass the full A2 certificate; a typical minimum is around 11 out of 20 per section. Passed sections can be retained for a future session (capitalizzazione).

Exam Fee

Approximately EUR 40 for the A2 / A2 Integrazione module (2026), varying by exam centre and country, often plus a local administration fee. Confirm the exact fee with your chosen exam centre. (Universita per Stranieri di Siena (Centro CILS), delivered through Italian Cultural Institutes, universities, and authorised exam centres worldwide.)

CILS A2 Exam Content Outline

33%

Ascolto (Listening Comprehension)

Short everyday dialogues, voicemails, announcements, and forecasts; complete sentences or pick the information present. Focus on numbers, times, prices, places, and key actions.

34%

Comprensione della lettura (Reading Comprehension)

Job ads, notices, messages, e-mails, menus, and schedules; gap-fill cloze from a word list and matching messages to coherent replies.

33%

Analisi delle strutture di comunicazione (Grammar and Structures)

Verb tenses, articles, prepositions, object and reflexive pronouns, adjective agreement, comparatives, and the partitive, tested through gap-fill and selection tasks.

How to Pass the CILS A2 Exam

What You Need to Know

Passing score: Candidates must reach the minimum threshold in EVERY section (listening, reading, structures, writing, speaking) to pass the full A2 certificate; a typical minimum is around 11 out of 20 per section. Passed sections can be retained for a future session (capitalizzazione).
Exam length: 100 questions
Time limit: About 2 hours 30 minutes of written tests plus a short oral interview. Indicative section timings: Ascolto ~20 min, Comprensione della lettura 30 min, Analisi delle strutture di comunicazione 30 min, Produzione scritta 40 min; the oral test is held separately.
Exam fee: Approximately EUR 40 for the A2 / A2 Integrazione module (2026), varying by exam centre and country, often plus a local administration fee. Confirm the exact fee with your chosen exam centre.

Keys to Passing

Complete 500+ practice questions
Score 80%+ consistently before scheduling
Focus on highest-weighted sections
Use our AI tutor for tough concepts

CILS A2 Study Tips from Top Performers

1Practise listening for numbers, times, prices, dates, and place names, since CILS A2 Ascolto questions very often hinge on catching one specific detail correctly.

2Master the passato prossimo, including which verbs take 'essere' (andare, venire, rimanere) versus 'avere', and remember participle agreement with essere and with preceding direct-object pronouns.

3Learn the combined prepositions (al, del, nel, sul, alla, della, nella, dalla) as set forms, because the grammar section tests them constantly with verbs of motion and location.

4Drill cloze (gap-fill) reading: read the whole text first, then choose words that fit both the meaning and the grammar (gender, number, and verb agreement).

5Build everyday vocabulary around integration themes the exam favours — health and the doctor, the post office, the bank, shopping, work ads, housing, and public-service notices.

6Take full timed practice sections so you are comfortable with the pace, especially the 30-minute reading and 30-minute structures parts where time pressure is real.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the CILS A2 and who awards it?

The CILS A2 is an official elementary-level (CEFR A2) Italian-as-a-foreign-language certificate awarded by the Universita per Stranieri di Siena through its Centro CILS. It certifies basic ability to understand and use everyday Italian about personal, family, work, and service situations.

Why do many people take the CILS A2 Integrazione module?

The CILS A2 'Integrazione in Italia' module satisfies the Italian-language requirement for the EC long-term residence permit (permesso di soggiorno UE per soggiornanti di lungo periodo), so many foreign residents in Italy take it to qualify for long-term residency.

What sections does the CILS A2 exam have?

The full CILS A2 exam has five sections: Ascolto (listening), Comprensione della lettura (reading), Analisi delle strutture di comunicazione (grammar and structures), Produzione scritta (writing), and Produzione orale (speaking). This practice bank covers the three objective sections.

How do I pass the CILS A2 exam?

You must reach the minimum score threshold in every one of the five sections, typically around 11 out of 20 per section. If you fail one section, you do not pass overall, but you can keep your passed sections for a later session through 'capitalizzazione'.

How much does the CILS A2 exam cost in 2026?

The CILS A2 module costs approximately EUR 40 in 2026, although the exact fee depends on the exam centre and country and may include a local administration surcharge. Always confirm the price with your chosen exam centre.

When can I take the CILS A2 exam in 2026?

The Universita per Stranieri di Siena holds several CILS sessions across 2026 (for example in February, April, June, July, October, and December). Not every level is offered at every session, so check the official cils.unistrasi.it calendar and your local exam centre.

100+ Free CILS A2 Practice Questions

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