100+ Free CILS B1 Cittadinanza Practice Questions

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Question 1

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Completa con il participio passato corretto: "Le ragazze sono ___ in ritardo."

arrivata

arrivati

arrivato

arrivate

to track

2026 Statistics

Key Facts: CILS B1 Cittadinanza Exam

4 sections

Listening, Reading and Grammar, Writing, Speaking

Universita per Stranieri di Siena

7 of 12

Minimum Score Required in Each Section

Universita per Stranieri di Siena

EUR 100

University Base Exam Fee

Universita per Stranieri di Siena 2026

B1 (Law 132/2018)

CEFR Level Required for Italian Citizenship

Italian Law 132 of December 2018

CILS B1 Cittadinanza is a CEFR B1 Italian-language exam for Italian citizenship applicants, administered by the Universita per Stranieri di Siena. It has 4 sections - listening, reading and grammar, writing, and speaking - each scored out of 12 points. You must score at least 7 of 12 in every section to pass; failing one section means retaking the whole exam. The university base fee is EUR 100. Italian Law 132/2018 made a B1 certificate mandatory for citizenship applications.

Sample CILS B1 Cittadinanza Practice Questions

Try these sample questions to test your CILS B1 Cittadinanza exam readiness. Each question includes a detailed explanation. Start the interactive quiz above for the full 100+ question experience with AI tutoring.

1Completa la frase: "Ogni mattina ___ il caffè prima di andare al lavoro."

A.bevo

B.bevi

C.beve

D.beviamo

Explanation: The subject is "io" (I), shown by the context "prima di andare al lavoro" describing the speaker's routine. The first-person singular present tense of "bere" is "bevo".

2Scegli l'articolo determinativo corretto: "___ studente parla con il professore."

A.Il

B.Lo

C.La

D.L'

Explanation: Italian uses "lo" before masculine nouns starting with s+consonant, z, gn, ps, x, or y. "Studente" begins with s+consonant (st), so the correct article is "lo".

3Completa con la preposizione articolata corretta: "I libri sono ___ tavolo."

A.sul

B.sullo

C.sui

D.sulla

Explanation: The articulated preposition combines "su" (on) with the article. "Tavolo" is masculine singular and takes "il", so su + il = "sul".

4Quale frase è corretta per salutare formalmente una persona la mattina?

A.Ciao, come stai?

B.Buongiorno, come sta?

C.Ehi, tutto bene?

D.Salve ragazzi!

Explanation: "Buongiorno" is the appropriate formal morning greeting, and "come sta?" uses the formal "Lei" form of address. This combination is correct for addressing someone formally.

5Completa: "Ieri ___ al mercato e ho comprato la frutta."

A.vado

B.andavo

C.sono andato

D.andrò

Explanation: "Ieri" (yesterday) signals a completed past action, requiring the passato prossimo. "Andare" forms the passato prossimo with "essere", giving "sono andato/a".

6Scegli la parola corretta: "Mio fratello lavora in un ___: cura le persone malate."

A.ufficio

B.ospedale

C.negozio

D.ristorante

Explanation: An "ospedale" (hospital) is where sick people ("persone malate") are cared for. The clue "cura le persone malate" directly indicates a medical setting.

7Completa con il pronome diretto: "Hai visto Maria? Sì, ___ ho vista stamattina."

A.lo

B.la

C.le

D.gli

Explanation: "Maria" is a feminine singular noun. The direct object pronoun replacing her is "la". With passato prossimo, the past participle agrees: "l'ho vista".

8Quale frase usa correttamente l'imperfetto?

A.Da bambino giocavo sempre al parco.

B.Ieri ho mangiavo la pizza.

C.Domani andavo a Roma.

D.Adesso leggevo un libro.

Explanation: The imperfetto describes habitual or repeated actions in the past. "Da bambino giocavo sempre" (As a child I always played) expresses a recurring past habit, the correct use of the imperfetto.

9Completa: "Vorrei un chilo di mele, per favore." — Questa frase si dice di solito ___.

A.dal medico

B.dal fruttivendolo

C.in banca

D.alla posta

Explanation: Asking for "un chilo di mele" (a kilo of apples) is something you say at the "fruttivendolo" (greengrocer), where fruit and vegetables are sold.

10Scegli la forma corretta del plurale: "Ho comprato due ___ rosse."

A.camicia

B.camice

C.camicie

D.camici

Explanation: Feminine nouns ending in -cia with a vowel before the -cia keep the i in the plural: "camicia" becomes "camicie". The clue "due" requires a plural form.

About the CILS B1 Cittadinanza Exam

CILS B1 Cittadinanza is the Italian-language certification at CEFR level B1 created specifically for people applying for Italian citizenship. Developed and administered by the Universita per Stranieri di Siena, it tests practical, everyday Italian rather than academic or professional language. The exam has four sections - listening, reading and grammar, writing, and speaking - each worth 12 points. Candidates must score at least 7 out of 12 in every section to pass. Since Law 132 of December 2018, proof of Italian at B1 level is required for citizenship applications.

Questions

4 scored questions

Time Limit

Approximately 160 minutes for the written sections plus a short oral

Passing Score

At least 7 out of 12 points in every section

Exam Fee

EUR 100 (university base fee; exam centres may add administrative costs) (Universita per Stranieri di Siena)

CILS B1 Cittadinanza Exam Content Outline

12 points

Ascolto (Listening)

Two recorded everyday conversations or public announcements, each played twice, with multiple-choice, matching, and true/false comprehension tasks

12 points

Comprensione della lettura e riflessione grammaticale

Reading of authentic everyday texts (adverts, notices, instructions, short articles) combined with grammar gap-fill and sentence-completion exercises

12 points

Produzione scritta (Writing)

Short written production such as a personal message, email, or note about practical everyday situations encountered while living in Italy

12 points

Produzione orale (Speaking)

A short oral interview with a self-presentation, conversation on familiar topics, image description, and a practical role-play scenario

How to Pass the CILS B1 Cittadinanza Exam

What You Need to Know

Passing score: At least 7 out of 12 points in every section
Exam length: 4 questions
Time limit: Approximately 160 minutes for the written sections plus a short oral
Exam fee: EUR 100 (university base fee; exam centres may add administrative costs)

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 B1 Cittadinanza Study Tips from Top Performers

1Practise all four skills - listening, reading, writing, and speaking - because you must reach at least 7 of 12 in every section to pass

2Focus on practical, everyday Italian: notices, adverts, forms, appointments, shopping, health, housing, and public services

3Master core B1 grammar: passato prossimo and imperfetto, the future, articulated prepositions, direct and indirect pronouns, and basic congiuntivo and condizionale

4Train your listening with short recordings of conversations and announcements, since the audio is played twice in the real exam

5Do timed practice for the written sections to stay comfortable within the roughly 160-minute limit, and rehearse a short self-presentation for the oral

6Use official CILS sample papers from the Universita per Stranieri di Siena to learn the exact task formats before exam day

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the CILS B1 Cittadinanza exam?

CILS B1 Cittadinanza is an Italian-language certification at CEFR level B1, created by the Universita per Stranieri di Siena specifically for people applying for Italian citizenship. Unlike the standard CILS B1, it focuses on practical, everyday communication rather than academic or work-related language, and it has four sections: listening, reading and grammar, writing, and speaking.

Why do I need a B1 certificate for Italian citizenship?

Italian Law 132 of December 2018 requires applicants for Italian citizenship to demonstrate knowledge of Italian at a level no lower than B1 of the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages. The CILS B1 Cittadinanza certificate is one of the officially recognised ways to prove this language requirement.

What is the passing score for CILS B1 Cittadinanza?

The exam has four sections, each worth a maximum of 12 points. You must score at least 7 out of 12 in every single section to pass. If you score below 7 in even one section, you do not pass and must retake the entire exam, since partial passes are not carried over for the citizenship module.

How much does the CILS B1 Cittadinanza exam cost?

The Universita per Stranieri di Siena sets a base exam fee of EUR 100. Individual exam centres, such as Italian Cultural Institutes and accredited schools, may add their own administrative costs and certificate-shipping fees on top of the base fee, so the total price varies by location.

How is the CILS B1 Cittadinanza exam structured?

The exam has four sections: Ascolto (listening), Comprensione della lettura e riflessione grammaticale (reading and grammar), Produzione scritta (writing), and Produzione orale (speaking). The written sections take roughly 160 minutes in total, and the oral section is a short individual interview. Tasks are based on real-life situations such as adverts, notices, conversations, and everyday messages.

When can I take the CILS B1 Cittadinanza exam in 2026?

The Universita per Stranieri di Siena holds CILS exam sessions on fixed dates several times a year. In 2026 the CILS B1 Cittadinanza sittings include sessions in February, April, June, July, and October. Registration closes several weeks before each session, so check the official CILS calendar and book early through an accredited exam centre.

How is CILS B1 Cittadinanza different from standard CILS B1?

Standard CILS B1 assesses Italian for academic and work purposes and includes a separate language-analysis section. CILS B1 Cittadinanza is a simplified module focused on the practical, everyday language a citizen needs in daily life, such as understanding notices, filling in forms, and handling routine conversations. The certificate is accepted for the citizenship language requirement.