Critical thinking and creative thinking skills for

exam preparationJohn Hughes

“Don’t simply measure whether students can fill in a bubble on a test, but whether they possess 21st century skills like problem-solving and critical thinking...”

Barack Obama

• A definition of critical thinking

• Levels of critical thinking in exam questions

• Critical thinking for exam preparation

Based on Anderson and Krathwohl

Extract of question taken from Hughes, J (2008) Success on BEC Vantage Summertown Publishing & Cengage Learning

Extrract of question taken from IELTS Practice Tests Harrison,M. and Whitehead,R National Geographic Learning & Cengage Learning

YES if the statement agree with the views of the writerNO if the statement agree with the views of the writerNOT GIVEN if it is impossible to say what the writer thinks

about this

21 Adults often fail to recognise the subversive elements in books their children read.

22 In publishing, the definition of certain genres has become inconsistent.

Extract of question taken from IELTS Practice Tests Harrison,M. and Whitehead,R National Geographic Learning & Cengage Learning

Extract of question taken from Spotlight on First (FCE) 2nd edition Hughes,J. & Naunton, J National Geographic Learning & Cengage Learning

Extract of question taken from Cambridge ESOL First (FCE) sample paper

Based on Anderson and Krathwohl

?

From Spotlight on First (FCE) 2nd

edition Hughes,J. & Naunton, J

National Geographic Learning &

Cengage Learning

Vague or accurate?

1 The brains of 125 students at the University of the London were scanned in a test to assess the impact of Facebook.

2 We are spending less time talking to each other face-to-face and more time talking looking at screens on our own.

3 People aged 65 who had a Facebook page did better on a test of their mental skills.

4 With so many children now communicating and playing online, they are not learning social skills.

“Every country in the world has problems with pollution

and damage to the environment. Do you think

these problems can be solved?”

1 I’m not interested in this topic.

2 Yes, they can.

3 No, they can’t.

4 I’m not sure.

5 They can up to a point.

6 They can / can’t because…

7 I think they can/can’t for a number of

reasons but I also need more information.

1 You don’t need to be interested but have an

opinion.

2 and 3 You have a strong opinion but can you

give reasons for your opinion?

4 and 5 This is a safe response but critical

thinkers need reasons.

6 Good. You have a reason for your opinion.

7 Great! You have reasons for your opinion and

you want more information.

I think that

I agree that

I don’t agree that

I’m not sure that

exercise is good for you

travel broadens the mind

our grandparents lives were easier

living in the country is better than the city

the internet has improved communication

people spend too much time on Facebook

because…

On the one hand…but on the other hand…I see your point but…I know what you mean but…But don’t you think…That’s true in a way, I suppose, but…Don’t get me wrong but shouldn’t we…I’m inclined to say…I don’t see eye to eye with you here…I don’t feel convinced…That’s one way of looking at it but…

Yes, and….

No, but….

Yes, and….

“We could attract more tourists to our town by…”

Yes, and….

“We could attract more teachers to IATEFL conferences by…”

Based on Anderson and Krathwohl

• A definition of critical thinking

• Levels of critical thinking in exam questions

• Critical thinking for exam preparation

john@hugheselt.com

@johnhugheselt

www.elteachertrainer.com

www.elionline.com/criticalthinking

www.ngllife.com