- 1 - Exam Orientation: English for Studying
This document is prepared based upon the structure of the actual test
paper for this course. You need to be familiar with the test components and
then refer to the purple fonts below for review foci in each unit before the
final examination.
General Notes on the Sample Test Paper
Part 1: Summary (Unit 3, Activity 4)
Focus:
General-specific: differentiating between general and specific ideas.
Paragraph construction
Cohesive devices: logical connectors
Techniques:
1. Identify and focus on key information and leave out unimportant specifics;
2. Attend to coherence when writing the summary paragraph.
3. Summarize in your own words and DO NOT copy from the original
4. Stay close to the original in meaning, tense, point of view and sequence of
information presented.
5. DO NOT add your personal views!!!
6. Stick to the length requirement (70-100 words).
Compare Sample Summaries:
Sample 1
The Swedes are among the most attractive peoples in Europe. Their charm comes
from an obvious contradiction in the national character. All social occasions in
Sweden are regulated by rules and traditions, which are expressed in a specific rite.
The Swedish acceptance of modern technological equipment is equally attractive.
Since the Swedes are an efficient people, punctuality is more than a virtue to them.
It is the way they respect their friends.
Sample 2
Known as the most attractive peoples in Europe, the Swedes are traditional in social
relationships, yet modern in technological advances. They follow strict rules and
traditions in social situations. Moreover, they stick to punctuality in the respect for
their people and people from other countries. On the other hand, they show their
progressiveness by equipping their homes and outdoor places with efficient modern
devices. They have also made use of the modern technology to modify the social
system. - 2 - Marking Criteria for Summaries:
Check that all the information is included on the main aspects. (20 points)
Check that all the information is organized logically – main points listed in
the order they are presented, the use of transitional markers such as
“moreover”, “also”, “on the other hand”, etc. (8 points)
Check that the language used is appropriate and accurate. The summary is
written in the students’ own words. (12 points)
Part 2: Essay Writing (Units 6 & 7)
Focus:
Exposition (Unit 6: Activities 1, 2, 3, 4, & 5)
Argumentation (Unit 7: Activities 2 & 3)
Techniques:
Do read the instructions carefully to fully understand the requirement on
the topic, the type, the length, the audience, the format, etc.
Do wisely manage the time: 2 minutes to study the instruction, 5 minutes to
brainstorm and form an outline, 30 minutes to draft, 15 minutes to check
grammar and spelling or to polish.
Remember there should be a title for this essay, which should follow proper
title rules.
During proofreading stage, focus on subject-verb agreement, tense
consistence, comma splice sentences, proper article use, proper pronoun
reference, sentence patterns, and punctuation marks.
Do keep nice layout and neat handwriting.
Marking Criteria:
Check the unity of the passage – the idea presented in each paragraph is
related to the topic statement. (20 points)
Check the organization of the passage – three paragraphs, topic statement,
conclusion, ideas supported by relevant examples, use of transitional
markers. (15 points)
Check the language use of the passage – use of grammar and punctuation,
spelling, sentence structure, word choice. (15 points)
Check the length of the passage –300~400 words (5 points)
Check the layout of the passage – handwriting, space, paragraphing (5 points) - 3 - Essay writing – An example
Write an expository essay of 300~400 words on the following topic: Pollution Around Us. You should write 3~5 paragraphs including the following 3 sections:
1. An Introductory Paragraph: An introduction to the topic;
2. Body Paragraph(s): A discussion of kinds of pollution we have in everyday
lives (propose at least three kinds);
3. An Concluding Paragraph: Conclusion.
Note: The style of your essay should be formal, and the logical development should
be clear.
How do you classify?
Nature: air pollution, water pollution, sea pollution
Place: home pollution, office pollution, public place pollution
Visibility: obvious pollution, hidden pollution
…
What is your logical development pattern?
Should you explain in detail the cause and effect of pollution?
Common problems and remedies in student essay writing:
Going off the topic Read the prompt carefully before committed to
writing. Ask relevant questions about the given topic to help you get started.
Then decide on one particular question and center your writing around the
answer to it and nothing else :)
Common grammar mistakes Always leave out some time for revising. Pay
close attention to subject-verb agreement, tense consistency, comma splice,
pronoun reference, spelling, dangling modifiers.
Lack of time No, no, no, this may happen in a nightmare but never in this
test. You will have plenty of time for the final summary and essay. If I were
you, I would read the essay topic as soon as I get the test paper to get my
inspiration going on in the back of my brains, and then start working on the
reading test. *Do not spend too much time on one section, at least not more
than the suggested time for that section. Otherwise your essay section will
be at risk.* By the time I reach the actual essay, I might already know my
focus for this essay (again, remember that your focus should be relevant to
the given topic :). All I need to do now would be to sketch a rough outline to
my thesis for this essay, and 2-3 relevant sub-points to prove my thesis.
Also I might jot down some examples/reasons to support my sub-points in
the outline. Then when I start drafting, I would already have got a plan well
set. That would help me stay focused in the writing process. After the
actual writing, I would go back and check the unity, coherence and grammar
to make sure I have done my best.
