Preparing for the 1st Exam

~ English (2011-2012)

Ms. Choi Ying Ying

Paper 1 – Composition

Paper 1 – Composition

Time: 45 minutes

Text type: Descriptive writing, diary writing, postcard writing, etc

Composition – How to do better?

Read instructions carefully – Attempt ONE question only!

Highlight what you are asked to write about

Composition – How to do better?

Good time management – 5 minutes: Planning35 minutes: Writing5 minutes: Proofreading (spelling, punctuation, grammar, tenses, etc.)

Composition – How to do better?

Write in paragraphs – Only ONE main idea in each paragraph (with supporting details and elaboration)

Use vocabulary and expressions learnt in Longman and other sources

Paper 2 – General English

Paper 2 – General English

Time: 60 minutes

Things to study:Longman textbook, grammar book, grammar and vocabulary quizzes, grammar and idiom worksheets

General English – How to do better?

Do the grammar exercises again

Pay attention to the tenses

Study irregular verbs

Revise idioms and vocabulary items taught

Paper 3 – Reading Comprehension

Paper 3 – Reading Comprehension

Time: 40 minutes

Text types:Story, article, etc.

Reading Comprehension – What are we testing?

Comprehension skills – (1) text understanding(2) vocabulary meaning(3) referencing (e.g. What does ‘it’ refer to?)

Reading Comprehension – How to do better?

Read instructions carefully – short / long answers

Read questions carefully – ‘What’, ‘Where’, ‘Why’, ‘How’, etc.

Reading Comprehension – How to do better?

Answer in the appropriate tensese.g. What happened in the story? What do you think about the ending?

Answer open-ended questions – Give reasons to support your opinions

Paper 4 – Listening

Paper 4 – Listening

Time: 45 minutes

Formats:Multiple-choice, form filling, note-taking information correction, etc.

Listening – How to do better?

Use HB pencil and rubber – Easier to make changes

Take notes when listening –Everything is played ONCE only Pay FULL attention!

Listening – How to do better?

Read instructions and highlight keywords – e.g. Names, numbers, percentages, etc.

Avoid careless mistakes – e.g. Capital letter, spelling, singular/plural, etc.

Listening – How to do better?

Tidy up –Check spelling and capitalization,make sure words are written clearly

Paper 5 – Speaking

Paper 5 – Speaking

Time: about 5 minutes for each student

Formats:Part 1 – Reading aloudPart 2 – Individual presentation

Check the reporting time

Speaking (Reading aloud) – How to do better?

Use phonics skills

Use rhyming words – e.g. ‘shed’: ‘red’, ‘bed’, ‘led’, etc.

Read every word clearly

Speaking (Individual Presentation) –

How to do better?

Make sure you can present for at least ONE minute

Practise and time yourself at home

Know the content well

English Literature

English Literature

Time: 40 minutes

Things to study:(1) Matilda(2) English Literature worksheets(3) Textbook (Language Arts Extension)

English Literature – How to do better?

Read Matilda again

Understand the story well

Similar to those in Reading Comprehension paper