Reminders for Mid-Term

The mid-term examination consists of two parts: Reading Comprehension and Data
Interpretation. (The total is 70 Marks. The exact mark allocation is not known.)

Part I: Reading Comprehension (Based on an Unseen Passage)

You will have a passage similar to the ones we had in class practice writings and Writing
I. However, you will need to answer two (2) separate questions, each requiring an answer
of about 130 words. (The word limit may change; read the instructions carefully.)

(1) Each answer requires two paragraphs of approximately the same length.
(2) The first paragraph consists of facts from the text and the second your opinion.
(3) It is important to use your own words and structures wherever possible. Exact
copying will result in getting poor marks.
(4) Don't use personal pronouns "I, you, we, us, etc. a lot" The only place where you
should use "I' is the first sentence of the second paragraph.
(5) You may have to change the tense. (e.g. The original Past Tense may change to
Present Tense in your answer.)
(6) Don't include names and positions of people. (Don't write: Mr. Pongsak said ABC
would launch a new product line in January.) (Write: ABC will launch a new product line
in January.)

Part II: Data Interpretation (Based on a graph(s)/chart(s) )

Be aware that the word limit is 165 to175 words, but it is ok to write slightly above the
limit.

(1) Follow the instructions. Do not forget to include the explanation of the significant
trends or the projection for the future if you are specifically asked to do so.
(2) You can answer in several paragraphs. After the introductory sentence/paragraph, you
may need 2 or 3 paragraphs to explain the different categories. Or, you can follow the
format in the textbook.
(3) A concluding paragraph is always helpful, especially since you have to write a long
essay.
(4) Don't use the phrase, “According to the graph/chart". It is wordy and does not
contribute anything to your writing.
(5) Pay attention to the subjects of your sentences. (Think of this question, “What
increases/decreases?”) (It's not the people that increased; it's the number/percentage of
people that increased, for example.)
(6) You need to quote the figures, too. (Don't write simply, for example, men's unpaid
work hours are much less than women's. You need to write the numbers/figures, as well.)
(7) Do a little calculation to show that you understand the differences in numbers. (e.g.
The population grew by 10 %, from 10,0000 to 11,000.)

Good luck!