LANGUAGE EVALUATIONS

KEYS TO SUCCESSFUL EXAM PREPARATION

Fernando Mesquita

KEYS TO SUCCESSFUL EXAM PREPARATION

READING SKILLS

In most language exams, you have to be able to show that when you read, you are capable of identifying

and understanding the following:

Specific information

Main ideas

Text organization and structure

Tone

Gist

Opinion

Attitude

Detail

Purpose

Vocabulary in context

Inferences

Distinguish major from minor ideas

Locate referents

Summarize important points

Paraphrase

Question types

• What is the main idea of the passage?

• The word … in the passage refers to…?

• The phrase… in line… is closest in meaning to …?

• Where in the passage does the author provide a term for …?

• Which of the following sentences can best describe the main

idea of this passage?

• What does the author mean by…?

• According to the paragraph…, which of the following is true of

…?

• What can be inferred about…?

• The author discusses… in paragraph … in order to …?

• Why does the author mention…?

• The word … in the passage is closest in meaning to …?

KEYS TO SUCCESSFUL EXAM PREPARATION

LISTENING SKILLS

In order to show understanding of spoken English, most language exams will ask candidates to develop

the following skills:

Identify the main idea

Listen for detail, specific information

Listen for stated opinion.

Listen for opinion or attitude

Determine the purpose

Understand detail

Determine a speaker’s attitude

Understand implication

Make inferences

Recognize the organization of information presented

Recognize topic changes

Recognize introductions and conclusions

Recognize a speaker’s degree of certainty

Identify relationship, topic, place, situation, genre, agreement, etc.

Question types

What does the lecture/passage mainly discuss?

What are the speakers mainly discussing?

Why is speaker 1 talking to … about…?

According to speaker 2, what is the problem with …?

What does speaker 3 say about…?

What does the speaker imply about?

How is the lecture/debate organized?

What is the purpose of the speaker`s response?

What is the professor`s attitude towards those who…?

Organize what you heard in a chart

Place the events you heard in a sequence

What is speaker x`s opinion on…?

What do the speakers agree about?

How did speaker 2 feel when she found out …?

KEYS TO SUCCESSFUL EXAM PREPARATION

WRITING SKILLS

Writing skills are assessed by checking if candidates are able to:

Plan how to organize an essay/e-mail/report/letter/review/article…

Develop the text by using reasons, examples and detail

Express information in an organized manner

Use effective linking words to connect ideas and help the reader understand the flow of ideas

Use a range of grammar and vocabulary for effective expression

Follow the conventions of spelling, punctuation and layout

The language functions below are usually assessed in international language exams:

Expressing opinions

Explaining

Apologizing

Comparing

Describing

Justifying

Persuading

Recommending/Suggesting

Summarizing

Question types

It has been said, "Not all learning takes place in the classroom." Compare and contrast knowledge gained from personal experience with knowledge gained from classroom instruction. In your opinion, which source is more important? Why?

If you could change one important thing about your country, what would you change? Use reasons and specific examples to support your answer.

A friend of yours has received some money and plans to use all of it either

• to go on vacation

• to buy a car

KEYS TO SUCCESSFUL EXAM PREPARATION

SPEAKING SKILLS

Language proficiency exams test candidates` ability to use general social and interactional language to

talk about themselves. Advanced level exams assess candidates` ability to use English for academic and

business purposes. The following skills should be emphasized in preparation courses:

Giving information about yourself

Expressing your opinion about various topics

Summarizing discussions or lectures

Comparing

Describing

Exchanging ideas

Expressing and justifying opinions,

Agreeing and/or disagreeing

Suggesting

Speculating

Evaluating

Reaching a decision through negotiation

Question types and points to consider

Why do you think some people are attracted to dangerous sports or other dangerous activities? Use specific reasons and examples to support your answer.

Some people like to travel with a companion. Other people prefer to travel alone. Which do you prefer? Use specific reasons and examples to support your choice.

Some people prefer to work for a large company. Others prefer to work for a small company. Which would you prefer? Use specific reasons and details to support your choice.

Do you agree or disagree with the following statement? Face-to-face communication is better than other types of communication, such as letters, E-mail, or telephone calls. Use specific reasons and details to support your answer.

Don`t forget to start with a: Short introduction Two–three main points to support the answer Two-three details or explanations to support each main point Short conclusion or concluding comment Your speech should be clear, coherent, cohesive and quite

fluent.

Fernando Mesquita