Guide to take written exams

fromAG1-AG3
Sample Questions

AG1-AG3_CO_JDDA_Feb18
 Purpose
The Final Written Exam examines students’
instrumental grammar competence to
communicate more accurately in written mode.

Format
Paper-based exam that comprises the following:
• Listening
• Grammar use (Parts A & B)
• Full responses
 SECTION 1: LISTENING
In this section, your ability to listen and understand
spoken English featuring specific grammar
structures will be assessed.

Input: Short expressions, questions and

statements (read by teacher)
Format: Multiple choice (6 items)
 Listening
Read the three alternatives. Then listen to your teacher and
choose the letter of the most appropriate response. Mark the
letter of the correct answer on your answer sheet.

Listening
You will listen to a
statement or question. It will
be read twice.

Read the alternatives quickly before the

TIP! listening starts to familiarize with the
question’s topic.
 SECTION 2: GRAMMAR USE
In this section, you will be assessed on your
ability to use English grammar appropriately.

Part A Part B
Match the form to Select the
the correct grammar structure
meaning/use. that fits best.
(6 items) (22 items)
 Grammar Use (PartA)
Choose the example in each group that fits the
description, Mark your answer on your answer sheet.

Grammar Section

You will have to identify the form that matches the meaning
/ use being described in the item.

Try to identify the names of structures

TIP! when you revise them in class.
 Grammar Use (Part B)
Find the word or phrase that correctly completes the
sentence. Mark your answer on your answer sheet.

Grammar Section

You will have to discriminate the appropriate grammar

structures both syntactically and morphologically.

There is only one correct answer. If you

TIP!
are not sure, you can guess.
 SECTION 3: FULL RESPONSES
In this section, you will be assessed on your ability to
produce written responses to written input.

Read the instructions carefully and write an

appropriate answer.
 Full Responses
Write your responses to the questions/tasks below using
complete ideas. Make sure you use at least two sentences.
Remember to follow the instructions carefully.

Full Responses Section

On your answer sheet, write down an

appropriate response to the questions in this
section.

Remember to add additional information

TIP!
or details to complement your answer.
 Responses in connecteddiscourse
Example 1

Question:
What did your hometown use to look like 10 years
ago?

Answer:
(Sentence 1) Oh, it used to be very quiet and safe.
(Sentence 2) There were many grocery stores and
very few supermarkets.

Bear in mind that both sentences need to express complete

TIP! ideas. Standing-alone dependent clauses will not be
considered valid.
 Responses in connecteddiscourse
Example 2

Question:
What do you like about your English class? (Use noun clauses)

Answer:
(Sentence 1) That my classmates are eager to help is
what I like about my English class.
(Sentence 2) This is important because it contributes to
our learning.

Connecting two ideas in one sentence does

TIP!
not make it two sentences.
 GradingCriteria
Question What did your hometown use to look like 10 years ago?
Answer Oh, it used to be very quiet and safe (1).
Additional There were many grocery stores and very few supermarkets (2).
information

Sample mistakes: Points

Misspelling – only interfering with meaning -1
Inadequate answer – off topic / not addressing question -2
Missing answer -2
Fragment -2
Wrong verb (inflection, auxiliary, tense, meaning) -2
Wrong word use not interfering with overall meaning (preposition, -2
collocation, idiom, etc.)
Wrong word order -2
Wrong use of connectors -2
 Summary
Section Objective Format

Multiple
Listening 1 To respond to oral input (questions, statements or fixed expressions)
choice

2 Multiple
To identify the appropriate meaning / use of a given grammatical form.
(Part A) choice
Grammar Use
2 To discriminate syntactically and morphologically appropriate language Multiple
(Part B) forms choice

To produce written responses to a written stimulus (questions, statements

Full Responses 3 Open-ended
or fixed expressions)
 Exam scores and score ranges

# of Score
Section
items (total) 100 – 90 = 4
Listening 6 18 89 – 80 = 3
Grammar Use (Part A) 6 18
79 – 70 = 2
Grammar Use (Part B) 22 44
69 – 60 = 1
Full Responses 5 20

TOTAL 39 100 59 or under = 0

 Recommendations
1. Manage your time. Remember there is
a time limit to finish the exam.
2. Use a pen to record your answers in
the answer sheet.
3. Don’t write on the exam booklet. Use
the answer sheet instead.
4. Remember that you will listen to your
teacher twice.
5. If possible, don’t spend too much time
on the difficult items. Work on the
questions you consider easier first.
6. Remember to provide at least two
complete sentences in the section for
full responses.