Some last 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.

The passive voice

This will be the last grammar point at last! As always, and for the last time, I leave you with the slides to revise, print, and whatever necessary.

Just one remark: remember that although the passive voice is quite frequent in English (more than in Catalan or Spanish), overusing it can lead to unnatural language. So, make sure you use it when it makes sense and is appropriate.

Passive voice from Míriam

• The passive voice in Intermediate Language Practice.
• Exercises on passive voice.

Reported speech

So we're almost finished! One of the last things we need to have a look at, though, is the use of reported or indirect speech, you know, when we repeat someone else's words using our own, not the original sentence (that would be called direct speech, which normally appears in dialogues).

Here you have the slides to revise everything, and also some photocopies with exercises and keys.

Reported speech definitive from Míriam

• Changes in reported speech.
• Reported speech in Intermediate Language Practice.
• Another activity with keys.

And a commercial in which you can see reported speech into practice. You might recognize the ad, and even though it is in Spanish, subtitles are in English, for you to compare!

Verb patterns: gerund or infinitive?

This unit's grammar point is verb patterns. That is to say, when do we use the gerund, or the infinitive? Can we say "I certainly like to work out puzzles"? Or is "I certainly like working out puzzles" the only good option? Actually, both are correct, but we'll work on this, practising, playing, and on your own account, studying.

To start with, here I post the slides, so revise them again on your own, and don't forget to complete the activities at the end.

Gerunds and infinitives from Míriam

Working with phrasal verbs

Phrasal verbs. I know they're a lot of them, they're difficult to remember, they can have several meanings, but that's not a reason to give up on them. Cheer up and try to practise as much as possible, and the work will pay off.

If you check the previous link I've attached to the phrasal pay off, you'll see that it directs you to a website application: Dictionary of phrasal verbs, which allows you to look them up (pronoun-object always in the middle!), searching by verb or by particle. There's also a random quiz you can take.

Finally, check the photocopied material for further practice.

Keep up with the good work!

Writing your own blog entry

Hello!

One of the type of text we need to do until the course finishes is the blog entry. This is a personal, informal and engaging sort of composition, in which bloggers have the opportunity to express their interests, concerns and hobbies.

This makes the blog entry a very personal writing, but that doesn't mean that it's going to be random, or unorganized. Every text must have its order and coherence so as to readers feel interested in reading. Next you'll find the slides with some basic information necessary to write your own entry and the instructions for that task. But before let me remind you that a blog necessarily has to include:

• An engaging title, also approriate to the topic (in this case, some advice about the place you visited during your last trip).
• A brief introduction as to why you are writing about this.
• Divided paragraphs for each of the ideas: make sure you include safety details, means of getting around, sightseeing, shopping and gastronomy.
• Conclusion, evaluating if the place is worth the while, to what kind of traveller you'd recommend it, and any other piece of information you find appropriate.
• Also,  remember to include at the end some comment referring to your readers, as you want them to post comments and leave feedback about your text.

Blog entry from Míriam

So, try to complete this task as early as possible, and maybe a good example can be posted here for all of us to learn from it and enjoy ;)

Keep up with the good work!

Reading circles story

Hi! I hope all of you are reading now the story for the class activity.

This is a reminder for the more absent-minded (and the plain absent) that finally the chosen story for the reading circle activity is going to be The Judge's House, by Bram Stoker.

The class activity will be held the 26th of April, and most of you already have your role task, but for the ones who don't have it yet, ask for it when you come to class. 

Remember that you have to follow the instructions in your worksheet to prepare your own task at home, so when we do the activity in class, you have prepared it beforehand in order to work together.

Happy reading!