EXAM SUCCESS

Date: 2015-10-07; view: 494.

Ex.2.16.

a) Fill each space in the text with either have, take or bring. The first (0) is given as an example.

There are many ways of making sure you do (0) well in an examination, both before and during the exam. If you don't _________ (1) much experience of examinations, read the following notes carefully. First of all, if you are _________ (2) the exam the next day, make sure you _________ (3) a good night's rest. Check that you know exactly where the exam is going to _________ (4) place. You should not sit the exam on an empty stomach so _________ (5) a good breakfast – but don't overdo it. Don't forget to _________ (6) with you a pen, pencil and eraser. Try and get to the university or the examination centre in good time so you _________ (7) enough time to find the right room. As soon as you _________ (8) your answer sheet, _________ (9) a deep breath, check your name and number and _________ (10) any errors to the attention of the supervisor immediately. Read the instructions carefully and _________ (11) your time answering before the invigilator _________ (12) the exam to a close.

b) Complete the questions with do or make and then answer them.

1) Do you always _____________ your homework?

2) Which subject did you _____________ well in school?

3) How do you feel when you _____________ a mistake in your English?

4) What do you do if you _____________ badly in an exam?

5) What kind of exercises do you like ___________ in class?

6) Do you __________ notes when you're listening to the cassette in English?

Ex.2.17. Get ready for a discussion based on the texts and exercises above. Divide into two groups: one group considers exams absolutely necessary, the other group being just the opposite. Give names to your groups, eg ‘Obstinate Teachers', ‘Restriction-Loving Students', ‘Freedom Fighters', etc. You are welcome to invent mottoes. Then change parts. Of course it is essential to use as many ‘new words' in your speech as possible.

The following arguments and counter-arguments will help you.

The arguments: key words

1 Great progress in many fields, but exams: a primitive method of testing knowledge and ability.

2 Educationists haven't devised anything more efficient, reliable.

3 Exams should test what you know; often do the opposite.

4 Test of memory, working under pressure; not ability, aptitude.

5 Exams cause anxiety: mark of success or failure; future decided by them.

6 Personal factors (eg health, mother's death) immaterial.

7 Cannot give of your best if in terror or after sleepless night.

8 School: vicious competition: success, failure clearly defined, measured.

9 Increasing number of 'drop-outs', suicides.

10 Education should train you to think for yourself; exam system doesn't.

11 Exams encourage memorisation; restrict reading; induce cramming.

12 They lower teaching standards; teacher: no freedom.

13 Teachers often judged by exam results; therefore teach exam techniques.

14 Most successful candidates not best educated; best trained in tech­niques.

15 Results: subjective assessment by examiner.

16 Examiners human: tired, hungry, make mistakes, work under pressure.

17 After judge's decision, right of appeal; not after examiner's.

18 There must be more effective ways of assessing ability.

19 Exams merely a profitable business?