CILS B1 Citizenship Exam (The Structure)

CILS B1 Citizenship (Cils B1 Cittadinanza): The exam components and grammar topics 

The CILS Uno B1 for Citizenship is a test that all those who wish to apply for Italian citizenship through marriage or residence ought to pass. 

In this post, you will thoroughly learn about 

• The exam components of the Cils Citizenship exam (B1, intermediate level).
• The intermediate grammar topics that you should familiar with to pass the exam.

The components of the CILS Citizenship Exam 

Listening comprehension 

Task	Listening Comprehension (prova 1)	Listening Comprehension (prova 2)
Number of Audio Files	Three short audio files	Three short audio files
Duration	30 minutes	30 minutes
Audio Content	Three texts read by native speakers	One text for prova 1 and two short texts for prova 2
Questionnaire	Multiple-choice questionnaire	Multiple-choice questionnaire
Playback Frequency	Each audio file is played twice	Each audio file is played twice
Example Prompt	Ascolta i testi, poi leggi le informazioni. Scegli le informazioni presenti nei testi.

Reading Comprehension and Grammar 

Task	Reading Comprehension (prova 1)	Syntax (prova 2)
Part 1 Description	Read one short text (350–450 words)	Fill in the gaps in a text
Text Presentation	Presented as an email, article, blog post, or list of items on general topics tailored to the intermediate level	Provided with a text
Exercise	Choose which pieces of information are presented in the text and which ones are not	Fill in the gaps with provided options (three options for each gap)
Duration	40 minutes	40 minutes

Writing Production

Task	Reading Comprehension (prova 1)	Syntax (prova 2)
Part 1 Description	Read one short text (350–450 words)	Fill in the gaps in a text
Text Presentation	Presented as an email, article, blog post, or list of items on general topics tailored to the intermediate level	Provided with a text
Exercise	Choose which pieces of information are presented in the text and which ones are not	Fill in the gaps with provided options (three options for each gap)
Duration	40 minutes	40 minutes

Speaking part 

Task	Speaking Part (CILS cittadinanza)
Part 1 Description	Brief presentation of yourself
Part 2 Description	Conversation with the examiner
Topics for Part 2	Choose one from four different topics presented in a list
Expected Actions in Part 2	Express opinions, show agreement or disagreement, comment on the examiner’s questions and observations
Duration	About 4–6 minutes
Recording	Your presentation will be recorded

Examples of speaking prompts:

• Nel tuo tempo libero ti piace leggere un libro o navigare in internet? Perché (Do you like reading a book or surfing the internet in your free time? Why?)
• Ti piace la città dove vivi? Che cosa vorresti fare per migliorare la vita nella città dove vivi? Do you like the city where you live? What would you like to do to improve life in the city where you live?

You can find more speaking prompts to prepare for your oral exam here: 

The entire exam will last 2.05 hours, with a 15-minute break in between the reading comprehension and writing production sections.

Grammar topics for the CILS Citizenship (B1 level)

• Definite articles
• Indefinite articles 
• Comparative and superlative adjectives
• Direct object pronouns
• Indirect object pronouns
• Possessive pronouns 
• Indefinite pronouns: ogni, nessuno, qualche, ciascuno
• Simple and articulated prepositions 
• The irregular verbs venire, dare, fare, stare, venire, bere, dire, sapere.
• Modal verbs
• Reflexive verbs 
• The reflexive function of modal verbs 
• The present tense
• The passato prossimo
• The imperfetto
• The imperative form
• Present conditional
• Adverbs of time, quantity, place

Are you looking for more information on how to ace the CILS B1 Citizenship test?

Take a look here:

• How to study for the CILS Citizenship Exam: tips & tricks
• CILS for Citizenship: A List of Prompts for the Oral Production Part

How long do you need to wait to get the results of the exam? 

Your exam will be recorded and sent to the Università per Stranieri di Siena inItaly. The university will need a minimum of 90 days to correct your exam. You should expect your results to come back at any time within 90 days of your test. And another 40-60 days to get the certificate. 

After passing the exam and receiving your certificate, you can submit it to your local Italian consulate or embassy to get your Italian citizenship. 

Helpful textbook for your CILS B1 exam preparation

My favorite textbooks for preparing my students to the B1 citizenship level (providing they have already reached an intermediate level of the language).

Exam Centers

• Cils Exam Centers all around the world