English Today

FCE Tips - Part 4: Paper 5 - Speaking

A. What's in the Speaking Test?

• Part 1: conversation with the examiner in which you give personal information and opinions.
• Part 2: you compare 2 photographs and answer a question.
• Part 3: you discuss some pictures with the other candidate and reach a decision.
• Part 4: further discussion  with the examiner about the task from Part 3

Time: 15 minutes per pair of candidates

Your speaking is assessed on:

• grammar and vocabulary
• discourse management (= development of ideas)
• pronunciation
• interactive communication
• global achievement

 

B. General Tips for Speaking

• Don't worry if the examiner stops you before you have finished everything that you want to say. You and your partner will be given the exact time set out in the test.
• Always speak clearly so that the examiner can hear you and understand what you say.
• Don't worry if you make some grammatical mistakes. That's only a part of the assessment.
• Do NOT prepare sentences or short speeches before the test!!  Just react naturally to what your partner and the examiner say to you.
• Do NOT write anything down as part of your preparation for the test. Remember! This is a speaking test.
• In Part 2 and Part 3, the task is written at the top of the page, but if you aren't sure what to do, ask the examiner to repeat the instructions before you start. You can also check what you have to do with your partner.
• Don't try to talk all the time. Don't interrupt your partner while they are speaking. Wait till they have finished.
• Do NOT use slang e.g. I'm a bit pissed off with school. Say something like: I sometimes find school boring
• Last but not least, relax, don't be too nervous and enjoy the experience!

SOURCE: The Official Top Tips for FCE - Cambridge ESOL Examinations - UCLES 2008

FCE Tips - Part 3 - Paper 4 - Listening

 

A. What's in the Listening Paper

• Part 1: 8 short listening texts with 1 multiple-choice question for each (1 mark for each correct answer)
• Part 2: a longer listening text with 10 sentence-completion questions(1 mark for each correct answer)
• Part 3: 5 short listening texts to match to a series of statements (1 mark for each correct answer)
• Part 4: a longer listening text with 7 multiple-choice questions (1 mark for each correct answer)

Time: approximately 40 minutes (including 5 minutes to copy your answers onto the answer sheet.)

B. General Tips for Listening

• Use the time you have to read through the questions. Underline key words so that you know exactly what you are listening for. Remember! No one is asking you to understand every single word spoken!
• You hear the instructions on the recording. Always listen carefully and read the question at the same time, as they give you the context and the topic.
• If you are not sure of an answer, mark those that you think are possible. Use the second listening to confirm your choice.
• Use the second listening to confirm your answers even if you are sure you are right. Don't stop listening!
• Make sure you write clearly when transferring your answers onto the answer sheet. You have plenty of time to do this.
• Write only the missing word or short phrase on the answer sheet in Part 2, and don't rephrase it.
• Don't choose an answer based on a single word or phrase in Parts 1, 3 and 4. Concentrate on the overall meaning of what you hear. 

SOURCE: The Official Top Tips for FCE - University of Cambridge ESOL Examinations - UCLES 2008

FCE Tips - Part 2: Paper 2- Writing

 

A. What's in the Writing paper?

• Part 1: One compulsory question - a transactional email / letter which could be formal or informal. You read some material and then you write an email / letter using all the notes on the task.
• Part 2: One question from a choice of four, including an article, email (usually informal), essay (opinion composition), report, review and story.
• Time: 1 hour 20 minutes

(Each Part carries 20 marks.)

 

B. Useful Tips for Writing

• Before you start writing, highlight or underline the key words in the task.
• It is important to know what kind of writing you are required to produce, what style you should be using and what layout is appropriate.
• In Part 1 check and double check that you have included all the notes.
• In Part 2 read all the questions carefully before you decide which one to do. Choose to answer the one you feel you are especcially good at.
• Practise writing things in different ways using a range of tenses and vocabulary.
• Last but not least, remember to plan what you write, and read it through afterwards to check that you have not made any mistakes. 

 

SOURCE: The Official Top Tips for FCE - University of Cambridge ESOL Examinations - UCLES 2008

 

 

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IGCSE ESL Past Exam Papers - Listening - May / June 2011-Answer Key

Download Igcse-listening-may-june2011-answer0001

IGCSE ESL Past Exam Papers - Reading and Writing - May / June 2011-Answer Key

Download Igcse-readingandwriting-may-june2011-answer0001

IGCSE ESL Past Exam Papers - Listening - May / June 2011

Here is the test. You must have Adobe Reader to download this file.

Download Igcse-listening-may-june2011

And here is the recording. Click on the mp3 files to listen. Please follow instructions and listen to each track twice only.

 

Download 01 - Track 0.mp3 (2208.9K) Download 02 - Track 1.mp3 (13863.6K) Download 03 - Track 2.mp3 (14114.2K) Download 04 - Track 3.mp3 (15045.6K) Download 05 - Track 4.mp3 (14824.4K) Download 06 - Track 5.mp3 (12135.4K)

The answer key will be posted on Sunday, May 6 2012.

IGCSE ESL Past Exam Papers - Reading and Writing - May / June 2011

Download igcse-readingandwriting-may-june2011.pdf (5517.4K)

The answer key will be posted on Monday, June 7  2012   

IGCSE - Summary Writing

What to Expect

In Exercise 5 of the IGCSE Reading & Writing Paper, you will have to read a text and provide a summary based on specific issues of the text relating to the task.

Example:

Read the following article about the jaguar, and then write a summary about why the jaguar needed help and how the species has been preserved in Belize. Your summary should be about 100 words.

Summarising is an excellent way of making sure that you understand and remember what you have read. The practice of summarising a text from notes you have made is a useful safeguard against the temptation to use the words of the original or lift chunks of language.

A good summary:

• conveys the information in fewer words
• expresses the content in fewer sentences
• omits information of little importance
• leaves out details and examples
• departs from the vocabulary and structure of the original text
• doesn't include your own opinions or feelings

To write a good summary follow these steps:

• Read the task carefully and underline what exactly you are required to summarise.
  

• Scan the text (read it quickly) to get the general meaning and underline or highlight the main points relating to the task.
• Read the text again and make notes of the main points.
• DO NOT look at the original text and write out your summary based on your notes.
• Don't forget to use linking words!!! ( First, secondly, finally, however, moreover, in addition etc)
• Read through your summary making sure you have not copied in extent from the original text or included irrelevant points. You can use words or short phrases from the original text but your summary must be your own writing!
• DO NOT exceed the word limit!

You can summarise ideas in different ways:

1. Through Vocabulary:

We spoke to the man who was wearing a white coat and a stethoscope = We spoke to the doctor

2. Through ellipses:

Sometimes, we can leave out words such as a subject or a verb provided that the meaning is clear.

Baby chickens are very sweet when they hatch = Chicks are sweet when hatched.

3. Through generalisation:

She went to the market and bought apples, bananas and oranges = She bought fruit at the market

4. Through shorter constructions:

Despite the fact that it was raining, I still went out. = Despite the rain, I went out.

5. Through rejection of unimportant details:

A few years ago, you could buy a property for next to nothing. Nowadays, however, many families can't even afford to buy a small flat. = Property is more expensive than it used to be.

NOW YOUR TURN!

Summarise the following passages:

(a) There was a heavy snowstorm and the two men, who were very good mountain climbers, climbed up to the highest peak in order to rescue the men who had been trapped at the top of the mountain and, in so doing, risked their lives.

(Write about 20 words)

(b) Although the town had been warned about the hurricane, the authorities did not have enough time to evacuate the residents from their homes. For this reason, there were more casualties than they  had expected.

(Write about 20 words)

( c ) People should not kill each other because they have to respect the sanctity of life. Neither should they be prejudiced against a person's race or faith. Every individual has a right to free thought.

(Write about 15 words)

Suggested Answers:

(a) The expert mountain climbers risked their lives in the snowstorm to rescue the trapped men at the peak.

(b) Despite the hurricane warning, there was not enough time to evacuate the residents. Therefore, there were more casualties than expected.

( c ) People should respect human life as well as a person's race and religion.

SOURCE: Reaching Out by Koula Afrodisi and Anthi Kyriacou - Hillside Press

Punctuation: The Comma That Kills!

Photo Credit

 

The Use of the Comma

• To separate a vocative from the remainder of a sentence:

Patricia, we very much doubt whether it can be done.

• To separate a parenthetical clause from the remainder of a sentence:

Arthur, absent-minded as usual, had forgotten the invitation.

• To separate direct speech from its reporting verb and other words:

"Sit down", she said quietly, "and listen to what I have to say."

• To separate items in a list of enumeration:

Robert ordered half a loaf of fresh bread, some local butter, some cheese, a large onion, and a pint of beer. (the final comma can be omitted)

I don't know when he will come, how he will come, with whom he will come, or whether he will come at all!

BUT somethimes the presence or absence of a comma changes completely the meaning of a sentence:

The twins, Mary and Helen, went home early. (two people)

The twins, Mary, and Helen went home early. (four people)

Let's eat grandpa!!!

Let's eat, grandpa.

• To separate an adverbial clause from a main clause:

As soon as he arrives, give him this note.

If you want any help, just let me know.

• To distinguish a non-defining (parenthetical) relative clause from a defining one:

The animals, which had not been brought under cover, were killed by the sub-zero temperatures. (= all the animals)

The animals which had not been brought under cover were killed by sub-zero temperatures. (= only some animals - the ones that had not been brought under cover)

• After each of two or more adjectives or prepositions:

She is a clever, but a self-opinionated, woman.

• To indicate the omission of a part of a sentence:

Molly and Carol will go with Philip in the Mazda; you and John, with me in the Bentley!

(omitted: will go)

 

 

IGCSE Writing - Informal Email: My Students Said.....

Here's some of my IGCSE students' work on informal emails.

 

 

 

The IGCSE Task:

You've recently moved to a big city in a foreign country. Write an email to a friend telling him / her about some of the problems you've been facing. Write between 150 -  200 words.

 

Dear Maria,

I've recently moved to a new city and I have a lot to tell you. I'm sorry I haven't written for such a long time but I've been really busy trying to get used to the city. I'm sure you can't wait to hear about my life in the city, so here goes!

Firstly, all the buildings here are very tall and the sun is almost hidden and ... you know how much I love sunshine! Secondly, at night, the city gets very noisy and it's hard for me to sleep but I guess I'll get used to it.

Everyone here is very distant and that's not easy to make new friends. Most kids at my new school don't like the fact that I come from a rural area. They're a bit posh! Last but not least, distances here are very long and I sometimes feel I'll get lost. Despite all the difficulties I'm now facing, there are lots of  interesting things to do here.

That's all for now. I'm looking forward to hearing from you soon. Hope all's well with you and yours.

Lots of love,

E

(184 words)

Hi John,

How are you? I'm sorry I haven't written for such a long time, but I've been really busy lately. I've just moved to Miami, Florida, USA. This change of lifestyle is...huge! Last time we talked, you asked me to tell you about my new life in Miami, so here goes!

Well, I've got to say that Miami's wonderful! And it's huge! Now I go to East Miami High School which is really cool! I don't know anyone there and, at the moment, I'm alone at breaks, but I don't worry too much about it! I'm sure I'll make new friends soon.

Anyway, there have been lots of problems. My mum still doesn't know in which building her  new job is. It's hilarious, isn't it? My new neighbours aren't very friendly or helpful and then , the people here have a funny accent!

What's up with you? Write soon and tell me everything! I miss you and the rest of the boys of our gang.

Write back soon!

Yours,

Y

(167 words)

Dear Emily,

I'm sorry I haven't written for such a long time, but I've been really busy since I moved to a foreign country. As you can see, Emily, I recently moved to New York City because my mother was offered a better job there.

It's been a big sacrifice for all of us since we left our small town, Larnaca. It's hard to survive here in New York cause everything is different and new to me. There's too much noise and pollution. The school is huge! What's more, the people aren't very friendly and I don't have a lot of friends to hang out with. I hope things will look up soon.

I really miss the good old times when I used to go out in Larnaca and relax with my friends. I miss you too!!! Things are sort of tough here but I think I'll survive.

That's all for now. Please write back soon. Take care!

Love,

A

(156 words)

 

Dear Peter,

Thank you for your letter. I'm sorry I haven't written for such a long time but I've been really busy with moving to the city. You asked me to tell you all about my news, so here goes.

You see, Peter, I've got a few problems here. Maybe , the worst is that I have difficulty fitting in with my peers. and since I don't know anyone here, things are looking even worse! The other major problem is that there's no natural scenery. It's more like urban blight! I miss the clean air of the country, the calming sound of the sea, and the night sky full of stars! Instead, I have to put up with an unhealthy environment and annoying traffic jams!

I'm open to suggestions. What should I do? Try to adapt to a new lifestyle or ask my parents to return to Cyprus? Can't wait to hear from you.

(152 words)

Love,

A