Exam Practice Tasks

Paper 1 task 4 and Paper 2 Task 1

Paper 1 task 4
4a
1. Layout:

eye-catching presentation: picture, visible numbers, use of different fonts, bold and capitals.

2. Organisation:

Sections and paragraphs are organised in particular order give particular information (title,
services, contact information, etc.)

4. Style:

Informal written style: use of contractions – that’s, what’s; informal direct addresses to the
reader (pseudo-conversational style); use of idiomatic phrases (getting on, wear and tear,
peace of mind, etc.).

5. Grammatical features:

Use of imperatives to persuade the reader to use the company’s services (protect, call); first
conditional to give advice (if you... you will).

4b

 or that it is available

form: that is a relative pronoun.

as a cohesive device: anaphoric reference (refers to the warranty)

 it will give you peace of mind

form: referential pronoun that functions as a subject of the main clause of a conditional
sentence
 as a cohesive device: cataphoric reference (refers to the situation described later in the
text – ‘knowing that...’)

 like engines and gearboxes

form: like is used as a preposition meaning ‘such as’
as a cohesive device: exemplification

 if you want to stay loyal to your local garage you can

form: main clause of a conditional sentence (first conditional).
as a cohesive device: anaphoric clausal ellipsis

4c

 covers

form: transitive verb in present simple, 3rd person.

meaning/use: includes. In this particular contexts – protects.

 have done

form: present perfect of verb to do.

meaning/use: idiomatic meaning - in this particular context means have driven (informal
register). Present Perfect is used to refer to a completed action in the past within a period of
time which is unfinished.

 are getting on

form: intransitive phrasal verb in present tense, continuous aspect (auxiliary verb to be plus
verb get with –ing and particle on).

meaning/use: approach an old age, get older. Used to create a pseudo-conversational informal
register.

4d

 go wrong

form: an idiomatic expression consisting of verb go and adverb wrong.

features of connected speech: vowel (diphthong) reduction /gəʊ rɒŋ / becomes /gərɒŋ/.
  wear and tear

form: uncountable noun. A rhyming binominal pair joined by conjunction and.

features of connected speech:

elision – sound /d/ is often omitted, particularly if it’s between two other consonants:/weər
ən teə(r)/.

Weak pronunciation of and: /ən/ rather than /ænd/ .

 be in with a chance

form: Idiomatic expression, imperative.

features of connected speech:

intrusive /j/ between two vowels - be in /bi:jɪn/.

weak form of a - /ə/

Paper 2 Task 1

Positive:

1. integrative test – writing, reading, lexis. Close to real life.

Application to learner: M has a communicative need to use English at work so this test will
generate useful evidence for the teacher. Also it reflects a real life situation that M might face
at work so it has face validity too.

2. direct test – replicates authentic language use – writing a memo/email

Application to learner: this is a genre M needs for work (email in particular) so it has face
validity – M can see its relevance.

3. The test is contextualised and doesn’t rely on M’s imagination and creativity
Application to learner: it tests M’s ability to get the message across rather than invent the
contents, so it makes it reliable.

Negative:

1. both parts are subjective integrative tests. These often allow students to show off their
strengths but at the same time they also allow them to avoid language they find difficult
so the test loses its reliability.

Application to learner: M’s range and some weaknesses might not emerge. It will be difficult to
get a true picture of her knowledge.

2. the test is not devised for this particular learner (taken from a public exam).

Application to learner: part one seems to be too easy and does not allow M to show her range.

3. the topics (especially part two) are not directly relevant to M who primarily needs to
communicate with hotel customers dealing with bookings.

Application to learner: Seeing that it is not what she actually needs M might lose confidence in
the testing process and become demotivated.