END OF YEAR TEST ● ANSWER KEY

Writing

Sample answers
Task 1
Can show the relationship between an opinion and a counter argument in a discursive text.
As more and more adults and young people are using social media to communicate with each other, large numbers of
parents are connecting with their own children by becoming their online friends. While parents may consider it ‘cool’ to
become involved in their teenagers’ lives in this way, it is not necessarily beneficial to the young people.
There are undoubtedly certain advantages to parents and children being connected online. For example, it could help them
to gain more understanding of each other. Parents would be able to get insights into what their children talk about with their
friends, and what their concerns are. It might help them to become more aware of the difficulties and problems that young
people face.
That said, there are also some important drawbacks. For example, it is difficult for young people to have any privacy if their
parents are watching their every move online. What young people might find is that they are less able to talk openly about
their problems to their friends, especially if their problems involve their parents. Moreover, becoming independent is an
important part of growing up, but it is impossible for young people to gain independence if their parents refuse to let them
lead their own lives.
All things considered, although there may be some benefits to parents and children being connected online, I believe it is
preferable for parents to stand back and allow teenagers the freedom to express themselves online without supervision.
(244 words)

Task 2
Can write a structured text clearly signalling main points and supporting details.
Leave it to the experts!
It has been suggested that schools should teach computer programming to all students. Why? Of course it is undoubtedly
true that computers are essential for our modern lives. We all spend more and more time browsing the Internet on our
tablets or smartphones, or making use of the latest apps, and it’s difficult to imagine living without modern technology now.
But this doesn’t mean we need to understand exactly how computers work, and we don’t need to know how to produce
software ourselves.
Most of us believe that computer programming should be offered as an option in schools, for students who are interested in
it and have a talent for it. In my school, I can think of a significant number of students who would welcome the opportunity to
learn programming skills. But I wouldn’t support it being compulsory. Learning to program a computer requires considerable
mathematical skills, and forcing students to try to understand such a complicated subject could result in them losing
motivation. Surely it’s better to let all students concentrate on the subjects they are interested in and talented at.
For me, a computer is like a car, a TV or a phone. I benefit from using these devices, and I can’t imagine life without them,
but I have absolutely no idea how they work, and I have no interest in finding out. I’m quite happy to leave that to the
experts!
(240 words)

Mark scheme
The task is worth 20 marks. Award up to 4 marks for each section of the mark scheme, according to the descriptions below.
Marks Content Task achievement Organisation and Range Accuracy
structure

0-1 Content is difficult Completes only one No clear paragraph Uses only very basic Lots of errors even in
to understand. or two aspects of the structure. vocabulary and basic language,
Ideas are basic task. May not use grammar, with a lot of which impede
and not developed, the correct genre errors. communication.
and no opinions and only covers one
are expressed. or two of the points
specified in the task.

© 2016 Pearson FOCUS 4 PHOTOCOPIABLE 1

 END OF YEAR TEST ● ANSWER KEY
Writing

2-3 Content is Completes the A fairly clear Uses simple Generally accurate,
comprehensible. majority of the task. paragraph structure. vocabulary and basic but with some errors,
Ideas are fairly Uses the correct Some paragraphs grammar structures especially in more
simple but well genre and covers may be very short, accurately. Uses advanced language.
expressed. Some the majority, but not and paragraphs may some more advanced
ideas are all, of the points not always have a vocabulary, and uses
developed by specified in the clear purpose. some more advanced
giving reasons or task. grammar structures
examples. Some with errors. Uses
details are added, some linking devices
and some opinions accurately.
are expressed.

4 Content is Completes all parts The text is clearly Uses a wide range of A few mistakes in
comprehensible of the task fully, divided into vocabulary more advanced
and interesting. including the correct paragraphs. Each appropriately, and language structures,
Ideas are genre and all the paragraph has a clear uses a wide range of but generally very
developed with points specified in purpose, and each grammar structures accurate.
reasons, examples, the task. contains ideas that accurately and
etc. Details are are developed appropriately. Uses
added and more advanced
opinions vocabulary and
expressed, giving grammar accurately.
the text a lively Uses a wide range of
feel. linking devices
accurately.

© 2016 Pearson FOCUS 4 PHOTOCOPIABLE 2