Preparation for the National Exam

The Reading Exam

Part 1: Learning Strategies Learn the tips on this piece of paper You can also come up with your own strategies but you need to be able to explain them on your homework test on Thursday 10th   Exercise 1: Read the following information. This part will discuss 7 ways you can improve your listening and reading skills. They are the following: Reading: Underline words that you find are important for the text: Stryk under ord For example: The President of the United States, who is currently Barack Obama, can stay in office for eight years. Read for gist: Läs för att förstå helheten That means that you try and read to understand what the text is about even though there are a lot of new or difficult words Underline difficult words and look them up in a dictionary: Slå upp svåra ord For example: The President of the United States, who is currently Barack Obama… Currently = just nu, för närvarande Listening: Write down a short list of words or make a mindmap while you are listening. Skriv stödord under tiden du lyssnar Try and listen for the topic? What is the talk/film/clip about? Vilket är ämnet som det pratas om? Look for images/pictures(i t.ex ett videoklipp). Are there any pictures that can give you an idea of what the topic is about? Titta efter bilder för att få ledtrådar om det ämne du lyssnar till. Start taking notes in your writing books when you are looking at clips during the lesson. Exercise 2: Answer the questions below in your writing books: Which of the tips above do you think would work best for you and why? Do you have any other tips on how you can understand texts and spoken English? Exercise 3: Draw a “mind map” of the seven tips above. Draw it in your writing book.

Exercise on Reading

The Listening Exam This exam consists of usually two different listening exercises. Usually you will hear the listening twice.

Listening

The Writing Exam Today we will prepare for that exam by looking at useful ideas and what to think about. We will also look at old national exams, how they’re graded and what they can look like.

What could you write about? Yourself Your plans for the future A hobby or interest of yours A day in your life, a special moment Compare differences in lifestyles ….

Tips and ideas: Read the instructions carefully before you start Who are you writing to, make sure to adjust format and language to suit the reader and the given purpose Prepare before you start writing (mind-map, things you want to include, ) What do you want to include? Facts, arguments,… How can you best structure your text? Start, middle, ending (the fish-structure) Which phrases or words do you want to include? Title? Ending phrase/sentence? Make sure to get everything from the instruction in you text Pretend that the reader has not read the instructions; can the reader still follow and understand your text?

For higher grades: Advanced and varied language Adjust your language Don’t use a word too often, vary your language – read through before handing in Try to use long words with prefixes and suffixes if possible Check your grammar and spelling (especially on mistakes you know that you often make) Adjust your language Should you use formal or informal language to suit the reader and the assignment? Could you include specific words from the instructions in your text?

Reply to someone Andrew has a big exam coming up in science and he needs your help! He doesn’t understand why he needs to know science and he can therefore not find the inspiration or motivation to study for the exam. Write a letter were you explain why science is good to know and how he can structure his studies in order to get a good result on his test. Explain why Andrew should focus on science. Suggest strategies for how he can study for the test. Discuss what the consequences might be if he doesn’t focus on his science studies. Make sure that your text is well structured with a clear beginning and a powerful ending. Read through your text before handing it in.

A Positive Change Many things can make life better. Write about something that has meant a positive change, something that has led to progress and improvement – for you, for others, for nations or for the whole world. Describe and explain to make your reader understand in what way this has meant a positive change. Make sure that your text is well structured with a clear beginning and a powerful ending. Read through your text before handing it in.

How is it graded?

Read through the 3 texts Which grade would you give the text? Why that grade? What can be improved for higher grades? Did he/she follow the instructions? http://www.nafs.gu.se/digitalAssets/1472/1472523_exempeltexter_--k9_bed--mn_e.pdf