KRISTI MÄRKGYMNASIUM OF LIHULA

2009

Good tips for national examination

Preparation for examination

This presentation has 4parts: 1.Writing2.Listening3.Reading4.Speaking

Read carefully and writea conclusion about

each part

Writing a letter (1/5)

Read the instructions at least 2 times ! What exactly do they want you to do ?

Try to understand if you have to use formal or semi-formal language in the letter

Starting and ending the letter

Dear Sir/MadamFaithfully, Dear Mr. Roberts

Sincerely yours,

Writing: formal language (2/5)

You should use polite language and keep to a humble tone

Slang is not acceptable

No contradictions (I´ll, won´t)

You use Thank you not Thanks, you write out ten o’clock not ’10:00’

Writing: formal language (3/5)

Avoid personal expressions. Use ‘It’ construction or passive forms (It seemed.., It was found out, people say, It is said; It can be pointed out.etc.)

Use linking devices: in addition, also, however, what is more, on the other hand, although, therefore

Writing an essay (4/5)

Start with an eye-catching sentence about the topic

Interpret the heading, do not use direct questions

Introduce the body by listing your aspectsStart each paragraph with an appropriate

linking deviceIn conclusion reword the introduction and

sum what your have written

Writing a report (5/5)

The purpose (aim) of this report is to describe (to compare , to analyze, etc.)……

The report gives information about … The report is based on the data taken from

…

Introduce your content using subheadings Sum up your ideas in the conclusionNB! Use your own analyze, prediction,

guessing - why the things are as they are?

Listening: preparation (1/3)

PreparationBefore you listen,

always look for clues that will help you to understand what you are going to listen

Use the knowledge of the world to try to predict/guess the answers the questions

Listening: important words

When you listen in English, do not worry if you do not understand all the words

Pay attention to stressed words. They give the most important information (e.g. One day in spring, she went walking in the fields)

Listening: focus on situation (3/3)

When you listen to dialogues, think about where they take place

Focus on the language the people use (formal or informal etc.)

Think about the mood of the speakers (e.g. angry, happy, nervous, jelous, dissappointed)

Reading: dealing with difficult words (1/3)

Read the sentence the word is in and decide what kind of word it is (adjective, noun, etc.)

Read the paragraph the word is in and try to work out the meaning from the context

Reading: completing notes (2/3)

Look at the notes and decide what kind of information you are looking for (e.g names, numbers, percentages, objects, times)

Read the text quickly to get the general idea

Then read the text again carefully and complete the notes as you read

Reading: “reading between lines” (3/3)

Read the question and identify the important words

Find the relevant part of the text

Find the most important words and expressions in that part of the text

Decide if the important words in the question and text express the same ideas

Speaking: preparing a monologue (1/2)

Think as many key words as you can - connected with the topic ofcourse

Present the topic in a locigal way, answer the questions which were asked and use examples from life

Correct yourself if you make a serious mistake

Speaking: preparing a role play (2/2)

Always read the last row how you have to finish the role play

Introduce yourself and say what and why you want to ask

Listen the answers and try to react, starting the new question with an opening phrase

Role play: different questions

Could you please tell me

….. ?

Would you be so kind and name the

exact …?

What/How/Where/ Why /

Who ... ? I am also wondering …

You already mentioned …, but

does it also have … ?One more question I

am interested in ….. ?

That´s a good idea, but when

are you planning …?

You are responsible for

this, aren´t you?

In conclusion …

… it can be said that if you have read all the presentation, you will get at least few points more than you would have got before

Everything will be alright, you´ll see !

GOOD LUCK !

Photos are taken from

http://www.gifs.net/subcategory/348/0/20/Teachers#

http://edutechgeek.files.wordpress.com/2008/05/writing_1.gif