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Grade 8 English examination study guide 2009

What is the purpose of the examinations?

These end of year tests are designed to help you develop your skills in writing
examinations in a formal setting with time limits. Hand written (without spell-check)
examinations remain the major instrument of assessment in most systems and it is
important you acquire the necessary skills. Remember that your other major
assessment tasks are also important, and you should make sure you spend time and
effort on those as well.

What will I do in the examination?

In the examination you will write a discursive essay on a contemporary issue related
to the issues we have been discussing in class. You will be given a choice of three
topics all related to globalisation. As this is an English task the focus for the
assessment will be on your use of language, the development of your ideas and the
structure of your essay.

What can I do to revise?

Reading and writing skills are the major focus of these tests and it is difficult to select
specific aspects of these skills for revision. However, there are, of course, useful ways
to prepare for this exam.

• Look through your folio pieces and work out ways to improve upon your
weaknesses, especially with regard to essay writing.
• Read articles and watch documentaries on contemporary issues and think about
how they are structured and designed to have maximum impact on the audience.
• Work on your spelling and punctuation (practice, test yourself, have people test
you).
• Practice writing formal essays and articles. Put them on your blog and ask people
to comment on them.
• Use the attached assessment criteria to work out what skills you need to work on.
Focus on topic sentences, register and structure.
• Use the vocabulary table to make sure you know and understand these words

Useful vocabulary to know

effect affect global issue human trafficking

stakeholder(s) society topic sentence signpost

opinion spokesperson pressure group argument

motivation supporter opposition connective

critic register proponent contemporary

How will I be assessed?

In keeping with the methods we have been using all year, you will be assessed using
the English Department criteria.
 Assessment Sheet (tick the descriptors that you think apply to you and give yourself a level)

Level Ideas Structures Style & language

Questions to help you: Questions to help you: Questions to help you:

How perceptive, focused and
well selected are the ideas in
my essay?
How well did I balance personal
response with factual
information?
How cohesive is the presentation of
my argument?
How well have I used sentences,
paragraphs and topic sentences to
structure my essay?
How accurate, varied and effective
is my use of language?
How well did I choose the register to
suit the audience for a formal essay.
N.B. Register refers to the level of
formality of your language.

9-10 I include numerous well-chosen
relevant ideas that support and
S help my audience understand
T the topic and my opinions
R about it.
O I use paragraphs carefully and
N My essay contains a careful
G balance of factual information
and my own personal views.
My essay is purposefully organised.
I use a variety of sentence types
accurately.
effectively.
I use topic sentences skillfully to
signpost my argument effectively.
My language is varied, accurate,
smooth and effective.
I use punctuation skillfully.
My choice of language is always
appropriate for the purpose and
audience. I use clear, effective and
precise language.

7-8 I include relevant ideas that
E support and help my audience
F understand the topic and my
F opinions about it.
E I use paragraphs carefully.
C My essay contains a careful
T balance of factual information
I and my own personal views.
V
E
My essay is well organised.
I use a variety of sentence types.
I use topic sentences effectively to
signpost my argument.
My language is varied and accurate.
I use punctuation well.
My choice of language is
appropriate for the purpose and
audience.

5-6 I use relevant details that My essay is organised. My language is fairly accurate.
D
E
support and help my audience.
V I attempt to use a variety of I use punctuation effectively.
E
L
My essay contains a balance of sentence types.
O factual information and my own My choice is generally appropriate
P
I
personal views. I use paragraphs fairly well. for the task.
N
G
I use some topic sentences.

3-4 My ideas show a basic I attempt to organise my work. My use of language is not always
E understanding of the task. effective.
M I use basic paragraphs.
E I develop some ideas. There may be regular and errors in
R spelling and punctuation.
GING

1-2 My ideas show a limited I am unsuccessful in organising my There are significant weaknesses
NOT understanding of the task. work. with the style and language I have
YET used.
I attempt the task.