GETTING TO KNOW GP: !!

UNDERSTANDING THE PROMPTS !

* * * !

PowerPoint Credits:

�  RESEARCH & DESIGN ¡  Jill Pavich, NBCT

�  RESOURCES ¡  Cambridge International Examinations CIE

�  MATERIALS ¡  “Sample Test” handout ¡  “Identify the Prompt Style” handout

SAMPLE TEST

TAKE A MINUTE TO OBSERVE THIS FAUX, GP EXAM…

KNOWING WHAT TO EXPECT IS HALF THE TESTING BATTLE!

RECALL…

�  EXPOSITORY: ¡  What are the most important areas for government spending?

�  ARGUMENTATIVE: ¡  Is science a dream or a nightmare?

�  DISCURSIVE: ¡  In what ways does a country benefit and suffer from where it is

situated? ¡  To what extent is there equality of opportunity in your country?

�  HYBRID PROMPT…Expository + Discursive: ¡  What are the main environmental problems in your part of the

world and how effectively are they being tackled?

RECALL…The “ ”:

�  GOLDEN RULE #1… ¡  What goes up DOESN’T come down…once a

Discursive, always a Discursive.

�  GOLDEN RULE #2… ¡  IF argue, THEN counter. Despite the fight, play fair!

�  GOLDEN RULE #3… ¡  The aim of expository is information. Don’t

overanalyze.

THERE ARE A FEW THINGS YOU NEED TO LEARN ABOUT THE AVERAGE GP EXAM… •  O B S E RV I N G T H E T R E N D S •  I N T E R P R E T I N G T H E W O R D S

Understanding the Prompt

Prompt Trends

Look at the Sample Test again.

Here’s what we can expect on each exam …

What We Can Learn From This Sample Test…

�  “Scary” prompts exist. Look the monster in the face and move on. ¡  (# 1, 12)

�  Many terms are broader than you think…use the Hand Approach to open up options! ¡  (# 3)

�  Upgrades enhance. ¡  (# 2)

�  Attempt to anticipate ‘hot buttons’ and classic debates; research them! ¡  (# 4, 7, 8)

What We Can Learn From This Sample Test…

�  Pop culture beware! Fluff zone ahead… ¡ (# 5, 12)

�  We sure can’t learn it all… ¡ (# 12, 6)

�  Old vs. New…a Cambridge favorite ¡ (# 11)

�  Watch out for complex tasks…read carefully and answer all aspects of the question! ¡ (# 5, 7)

GP HALLMARKS

�  How effectively are traditional crafts in your society? (Oct./Nov. 2010)

�  ‘Knowledge is .’ Discuss.

�  Do economic serve any useful purpose?

(globalization, modernization, privatization, outsourcing, etc.)

Seeing Double: Prompt Recycling

__________________________________________

�  Technology is more of a curse than a blessing in the workplace. Do you agree?

�  Discuss the view that the Internet can be more harmful than helpful.

�  Are mobile phones more of a nuisance than a benefit?

The AICE: GP Exam RECYCLES prompts!! (How ‘green’ of them…!)

How does this impact you? STUDENTS can RECYCLE Content!!!!

OTHER CONSIDERATIONS

BRIT BASICS… �  Consider you know well and suggest

reasons for their impact. �  Can child ever be justified? (favourite, criticise)

�  Look at the prompts; carefully consider the wording of each set of instructions.

�  Circle little words that make a big difference in the way

the essay is written. (i.e. ‘and’ as opposed to ‘or’ makes a big difference!)

�  Key words that…broaden or narrow discussion coverage �  Key words that…break the question into more than one task �  Key words that…address higher order thinking skills (HOTS)

COMPLEX PROMPTS:

Circle the words that make a difference in how the response is formulated: 1.  Of all the advances and discoveries in medicine in the last fifty years,

which two do you consider will prove to be of greatest significance in the twenty-first century and why? (May/June 2010)

2.  In what ways has the work of one artist, one musician, or one writer influenced your life? (May/June 2010)

3.  Today, news can be transmitted by anybody with access to technology. Assess the implications of this change. (Oct./Nov. 2010)

KEY: COMPLEX PROMPTS

Circle the words that make a difference in how the response is formulated: 1.  Of all the advances and discoveries in medicine in the last fifty years,

which two do you consider will prove to be of greatest significance in the twenty-first century and why? (May/June 2010)

2.  In what ways has the work of one artist, one musician, or one writer influenced your life? (May/June 2010)

3.  Today, news can be transmitted by anybody with access to technology. Assess the implications of this change. (Oct./Nov. 2010)

COMPLEX PROMPTS:

4.  How effectively are traditional crafts maintained and supported in your society? (Oct./Nov. 2010)

5.  Explain the lessons which can be learnt from recent global financial crises regarding personal, corporate, and government debt. (Oct./Nov. 2010)

6.  Do objects from ancient societies, such as potteries and paintings, have any value? (May/June 2005)

7.  Assess the most important areas for government spending. (Oct./Nov. 2002)

KEY: COMPLEX PROMPTS

4.  How effectively are traditional crafts maintained and supported in your society? (Oct./Nov. 2010)

5.  Explain the lessons which can be learnt from recent global financial crises regarding personal, corporate, and government debt. (Oct./Nov. 2010)

6.  Do objects from ancient societies, such as potteries and paintings, have any value? (May/June 2005)

7.   Assess the most important areas for government spending. (Oct./Nov. 2002)

COMPLEX PROMPTS:

8.  In considering the languages you are familiar with, evaluate the

influence they have in your society and on yourself. (May/June 2012)

9.  Why do human beings of all ages feel the need to play? (May/June 2012)

10.  How far, in your opinion, can communication be achieved through dance and/or drama? (May/June 2012)

KEY: COMPLEX PROMPTS

8.  In considering the languages you are familiar with, evaluate the

influence they have in your society and on yourself. (May/June 2012)

9.  Why do human beings of all ages feel the need to play? (May/June 2012)

10.  How far, in your opinion, can communication be achieved through dance and/or drama? (May/June 2012)

A FEW

ADDITIONAL CONSIDERATIONS

TO PONDER WHEN IDENTIFYING AND INTERPRETING GP PROMPTS…

PROMPT AFTERTHOUGHTS…

Some GP ‘Absolutes’…

�  Truth #1: It’s impossible to know what will appear on the test…

�  Truth #2: Things aren’t always what they seem when it comes to prompt wording…

�  Truth #3: ‘Fun’ prompts aren’t always a hit after all…

�  Truth #4: Cambridge recycles! So can you!

Other GP Woes and Worries

You will run the gamut of emotions when you first see the prompt list on test day. The first prompt listed is usually the most intimidating, and the test definitely includes topics we never covered in class. �  Breathe… �  Be aware of the beastly appearance of this test, but don’t

let it get to you. �  Let’s look at a few styles of prompts that might worry us,

so we can learn to look past them: ¡  The Intimidator ¡  The Unrecognizable ¡  The Specialist

The Intimidator

“OMG…I am SO not smart enough for this test! What was I thinking?!” �  How far do you agree that an hereditary monarch as Head of

State is preferable to an elected President? �  How justified are the high salaries and bonuses paid out in some

professions? �  Given the misery in both human and personal history,

is it possible to believe in compassionate Divinity?

The Unrecognizable

“OMG. We SO did not learn this in class! How am I gonna pass this test?!” �  Are there any aspects of fashion that you would

consider timeless? �  Is cooking more than just a necessity?

�  How important is dance in the life of a nation?

The Specialist

“OMG. This prompt is SO not in my knowledge department…”

�  How far is it true to claim that pesticides have done more harm than good?

�  How far is mathematics the “true” universal language?

�  How feasible is human settlement on other planets?

�  How important is it to explore alternative forms of energy?

GP? It’s a LOT…I know…

BOTTOM LINE, however…

You can be an expert in CONTENT, knowing everything there is to know, but if you can’t COMMUNICATE these ideas, what are they worth?!

¡ The GP course will teach you to WRITE; it will teach you to have a clear command of language, control in communication. Apply ‘general,’ concrete content to prompt task, and voila! Passing scores all day…

GOOD LUCK THIS YEAR!