Writing and Speaking Tests on Monday 1st August: Questions and Answers

What is the writing task?
You will need to write a story about the pictures you will be given. You should try to use as much description as you can and use effective paragraphing and linking. Write about 150 words. You will have 40 minutes.

I suggest you organise your time something like this:

planning:                structure                                          5 mins

first draft:                try to work quickly                           15 mins

                               rough handwriting

second draft:          don’t just copy                                 15 mins

                              make improvements

                              neat handwriting

reviewing              check spelling, grammar etc              5 mins

Draw a line through your first draft when you hand it in to show that it is not your final copy.

If you write slowly, you can write just one draft, but spend up to 10 minutes planning and remember to skip lines so you have enough space to make changes.

How will my writing be marked?

On a scale of 1-5 for each of the following:

Content                     (5= all points included)

Grammar/vocab      (5 = wide range of grammar and vocabulary)

Accuracy                  (5 = minimal errors, very confident control
                                         of language)

Organisation            (5 = well organised and paragraphed, very good use of linking words)

Register/format       (5 = language and presentation always appropriate
                                         to the task)

How do I use linking words in my story?

Here are some good examples of linking written by students in today’s lesson.

(…)

Shortly afterwards, he got up and called his friends to invite them to a picnic.

(…)

It was a great place to have a picnic. But while they were enjoying their lunch, a bull appeared in the field behind them.

(…)

They jumped into the car and then stared grimly at the bull eating their cake.

(…)

Eventually they drove back to the city feeling depressed and disappointed.

Here are more linking words you could use. You could look for example sentences in a learner’s dictionary:

although

as if

as soon as

because

by the time

even though

if

just as

so that

that

unfortunately

until

when

where

whereas

which

who

What is the speaking task?

You will speak in a group of three for 15 minutes. I will make sure you understand the tasks and that you stick to the timings, but otherwise you should speak together while I sit back and listen.

There are 3 parts to the task:

1. Answer some questions about your hometown, education and/or work.        (5mins)

2.You will be given two cards with two pictures on each card. Together, choose one card. Identify and discuss what the pictures on your card are about.                (5mins)

·         What can you see?

·         What was the photographer trying to show?

·         What is your experience of these situations or issues?

·         How important are they in your country?

·         How could you encourage or prevent these situations.

How will my speaking be assessed?

Again, on a scale of 1-5. This time the criteria are:

Pronunciation         (5 = very clear and always easy to understand)

Grammar                 (5 = ideas linked together smoothly with very few

                                        mistakes)

Vocabulary              (5 = varied and accurate, with little difficulty in finding
                                        the right word)

Fluency                    (5 = effortless and smooth)

Understanding        (5 = clearly understands and responds appropriately

                                         to others)

Do you have some advice on how to do the task?

Here are some key points that emerged in today’s lesson:

·         Stay focused on the task. Don’t change the subject or spend too much time talking about one thing.

·         Answer all the questions in order.

·         Expand on your answers whenever you can.

·         But also help and encourage each other to speak.

·         Don't worry too much about accuracy when you speak.

·         You can always correct what you have just said if you don't like it.Before you give an opinion, make sure you describe the situation clearly.

·         Deal with issues in general first, before you give examples based on your experience or your knowledge.

·         Discuss in a relaxed and friendly way, but don’t get too informal. It’s OK to laugh, but also remember that you need to deal with serious issues in a balanced and thoughtful manner.