Final tips and the best of luck

Hi! I hope you're not too nervous about the exam, they're already around the corner! You need to keep calm and focus on good results, I'm sure you can do great ;)

So, here I give you some last tips for the subjective parts of the exam; probably the ones which make you feel more nervous.

TIPS FOR THE WRITING TEST    

DO

•      Read each question very carefully.

•      Remember that Question 1 is compulsory.

•      Choose Part 2 questions on the basis of what interests you the most but also bear in mind the task type.

•      Decide exactly what information you are being asked to give.

•      Identify the target reader, your role as writer and your purpose in writing.

•      Check which task type you are being asked to write.

•      Organise your ideas and make a plan before you write.

•      Use a pen, not a pencil.

•      Write in an appropriate style.

•      Calculate how many words on average you write on a line and multiply this average by the number of lines to estimate how much you have written – don't waste time counting words individually.

•      Follow your plan and keep in mind your purpose for writing.

•      Use as wide a range of structure and vocabulary as you can but think carefully about when to use idioms.

•      Use paragraphs and indent when you start a new paragraph.

•      Check for spelling errors and the use of punctuation such as capital letters, apostrophes, commas, etc.

•      Check structures: subject-verb agreement, tenses, word order, singular and plural nouns.

•      Make sure that your handwriting can be read by the examiner.

DON'T

•      Don't attempt a question if you feel unsure about the format.

•      Don't include irrelevant material.

•      Don't write out a rough version and then try to write a good copy – you will not have time.

 

TIPS FOR THE SPEAKING TEST

DO                     

•      Make sure you know what you have to do in each part of the test and the timing involved.

•      Listen to the instructions carefully and focus on the task set.

•      Listen actively to your partner, develop their ideas and opinions and work with them.

•      Show interest in and respect for your partner's ideas and views.

•      Respond as fully as possible and extend your ideas and opinions, giving reasons where possible.

DON'T

•      Don't let your partner always 'take the lead' – you must also initiate.

•      Don't waffle – be direct, get to the point and say what you mean.

•      Don't speak during your partner's long turn.

•      Don't waste your opportunities to show the examiners what you can do.

•      Don't ask the examiners how you have done.

•      Don't monopolise the discussion. You must be sensitive to turn-taking.

A revision of modal verbs

Last, but not least, modal verbs need to be revised. That's why you'll find next the slides with the grammar reference for this, and they also include an activity with the answers.

Modal verbs from Míriam

Revising the inversion

Hello again, everyone!

Exams are near, and we've got now only three sessions left, in one of which we'll revise one of the favourites for the key word transformations activity in the test: the inversion.

There's (almost) always at least one sentence in which you have to create an inversion, using the word given. So, keep calm and study this fun technique!

Here you have the slides, which I would recommend you to revise at home, and make sure also to check the activities for further practice.

Inversion from Míriam

• Inversion and emphasis from Advanced Language Practice.
• Key word transformations from the use of English in unit 7.
• Inversion exercise 1.
• Inversion exercise 2.
• Inversion exercise 3.

Alternative vs. conventional medicine

So today we've been talking about alternative and conventional medicine, although unfortunately the fire drill has interrupted us! Anyway, may you believe in alternative methods (like reiki, homeopathy, and so on) or not, everything can be discussed with tolerance and acceptance.

This short film portrays the point of view of a very down-to-earth poet which lived a similar situation as the one shown in the story. Even if we don't agree with his point of view, this gives us ideas and reasons to use - some food for thought. So watch it again, maybe getting familiar with the script first.

In addition, work on the article Trick or treatment? this weekend, so next week we can study a different point of view.

And last but not least, expand on this topic by watching a video about the placebo effect: The power of the placebo effect. If you're already registered in the TedED website, after watching the video, you can take the comprehension test. If you're not registered yet, so now it's your chance ;)

Conditionals and wishes

This time it's turn for the conditionals and wishes to make their appearance. Although we've already seen conditionals this year, we studied them together with the other uses of past tenses, so it was somewhat brief.

Now we've got the chance to revise them more thouroughly, and we'll include the expression of wishes. 

So, firstly, I'm bringing you the slides, which contain explanations, examples, activities and even a The Big Bang Theory video portraiting the use of the second conditional. Make sure you don't miss it. It's always fun to see this crazy, geeky gang of scientists!

Conditionals and wishes from Míriam

Also, I prepared some photocopies for you to enhance your practice at your own will: Conditionals and wishes.

Work with passion

Is it hard to find your passion? Your true vocation? For one young man, it was, so he decided to do something special, something different. And a documentary was made to capture his experience: One week job. 

Also, the director made a speech speaking about this man's experience and reflecting on the meaning of work. I would like you to complete the gap-filling activity while listening to the video, so we can keep working at class. As the quality is not the best (it was hard work to understand it at class, sorry about that), you've ot the transcript in case you find it impossible to make out the words.

By the way, this is a lesson adapted from the amazing website Film-English.

One week job from Míriam

Vocabulary in the workplace

We've been seeing vocabulary about jobs and work through the unit, so in this entry all of them will be put together for you to revise them (we've got the exams within our graps and it's very important to show a broad knowledge of structures). 

In the workplace from Míriam

Idioms related to work and jobs from Míriam