TIPS FOR EXAMS

Reading the text

Order the sentences below. Number 5 is done for you.

Read the text to get a general idea of the content

Don't panic if you are not familiar with the topic - the text will give you enough
information to answer the questions
Look at the title and read the questions carefully. This will help you predict the
topic and content of the text
To understand a new word, check the beginning and the end of the word for a
prefix or suffix. These can help you guess the meaning of a word. Read the whole
sentence or paragraph again as this will also help you guess its meaning
Remember that you don't need to understand every word to answer the
questions
For READING QUESTION I SELECTIVO
(answer two questions from the text with your own words):
1) locate/underline the answer on the text
2) paraphrase the answer as if you tell it to another person and/or by giving
synonyms (as much as you can) - 5

Answering Questions (Listening & Reading)

Order the sentences below. Number 1 is done for you.

If you don't know the answer to a question, don't waste time - move on to the
next question
Don't leave any question unanswered

Identify keywords in the questions and use them to locate the relevant part of
the text
Read each question carefully -1
Read over your exam paper before you hand it in
Check the number of points allocated to each question

Writing an Essay
Order the sentences below. Number 5 is done for you.

Don't try to express very complicated ideas - keep your sentences simple
Use complex grammar structures e.g., past perfect continuous, present perfect
cont, passive voice & causatives, reported speech, modal perfects, future perfect,
future continuous, conditionals.
Use a variety of adjectives to make your descriptions interesting: vital
importance, significant issues, etc. - 5
Use synonyms to avoid repeating words
Check your essay for spelling and correct punctuation
Brainstorm for ideas before you start to write
Group similar ideas together
Remember to use connectors to link your ideas
 WRITING AN ESSAY

Steps

1. Cover activity 2 notes. What steps do you follow before you write a clean essay writing? Write a
list.

2. Order the following writing steps from 1 to 6

Ask yourself: Organise ideas:

-What type of text do I -What's the best order to
have to write about? be better understood?
-What do I know about -Which paragraph
the topic? should be each idea in?

Brainstorming Write a draft

-Write all the ideas down Remember to join all the
(even in Spanish) phrases in each
-Write down all the words paragraph with the
which might be useful to suitable connectors and
express yourself conjunctions.
(vocabulary, connectors)

Review
Clean version Correct all grammar,
Write a clean and final spelling, punctuation and
version of your writing vocabulary mistakes you
might have.

3. Are those steps previously mentioned similar to the following ones? Which ones from the list
below do you consider are not as useful as others? Would you change the order?

4. Create your own writing steps. You can base on activities 1 and 2.

PRACTICE!: Do all the activities about Calling all Students article.