8/14/2019 Exam Review Sheet Grade 8

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What is the purpose of the examinations?

These end of year tests are designed to help you develop your skills in writingexaminations in a formal setting with time limits. Hand written (without spell-check)

examinations remain the major instrument of assessment in most systems and it isimportant you acquire the necessary skills. Remember that your other majorassessment tasks are also important, and you should make sure you spend time andeffort on those as well.

What will I do in the examination?

In the examination you will write a discursive essay on a contemporary issue relatedto the issues we have been discussing in class. You will be given a choice of threetopics all related to globalisation. As this is an English task the focus for theassessment will be on your use of language, the development of your ideas and thestructure 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 selectspecific aspects of these skills for revision. However, there are, of course, useful waysto prepare for this exam.

Look through your folio pieces and work out ways to improve upon yourweaknesses, especially with regard to essay writing.

Read articles and watch documentaries on contemporary issues and think abouthow they are structured and designed to have maximum impact on the audience.

Work on your spelling and punctuation (practice, test yourself, have people testyou).

Practice writing formal essays and articles. Put them on your blog and ask peopleto 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

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.

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Grade 8 English examination study guide2009

effect affect global issuehuman trafficking

stakeholder(s) society topic sentence signpost

opinion spokesperson pressure group argument

motivation supporter opposition connective

critic register proponent contemporary

8/14/2019 Exam Review Sheet Grade 8

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Level Ideas Structures Style & language

Questions to help you:

How perceptive, focused and

well selected are the ideas inmy essay?

How well did I balance personalresponse with factualinformation?

Questions to help you:

How cohesive is the presentation of

my argument?

How well have I used sentences,paragraphs and topic sentences tostructure my essay?

Questions to help you:

How accurate, varied and effective

is my use of language?How well did I choose the register tosuit the audience for a formal essay.

N.B. Register refers to the level offormality of your language.

9-10

STRONG

I include numerous well-chosenrelevant ideas that support andhelp my audience understandthe topic and my opinionsabout it.

My essay contains a carefulbalance of factual informationand my own personal views.

My essay is purposefully organised.

I use a variety of sentence typesaccurately.

I use paragraphs carefully andeffectively.

I use topic sentences skillfully tosignpost my argument effectively.

My language is varied, accurate,smooth and effective.

I use punctuation skillfully.

My choice of language is alwaysappropriate for the purpose andaudience. I use clear, effective andprecise language.

7-8EFFE

CTIVE

I include relevant ideas thatsupport and help my audienceunderstand the topic and myopinions about it.

My essay contains a carefulbalance of factual informationand my own personal views.

My essay is well organised.

I use a variety of sentence types.

I use paragraphs carefully.

I use topic sentences effectively tosignpost my argument.

My language is varied and accurate.

I use punctuation well.

My choice of language is

appropriate for the purpose andaudience.

5-6DEVELOPING

I use relevant details thatsupport and help my audience.

My essay contains a balance offactual information and my ownpersonal views.

My essay is organised.

I attempt to use a variety ofsentence types.

I use paragraphs fairly well.

I use some topic sentences.

My language is fairly accurate.

I use punctuation effectively.

My choice is generally appropriatefor the task.

3-4E

M

E

R

GING

My ideas show a basicunderstanding of the task.

I develop some ideas.

I attempt to organise my work.

I use basic paragraphs.

My use of language is not alwayseffective.

There may be regular and errors inspelling and punctuation.

1-2NOTYET

My ideas show a limitedunderstanding of the task.

I attempt the task.

I am unsuccessful in organising mywork.

There are significant weaknesseswith the style and language I haveused.

S

T

Assessment Sheet (tick the descriptors that you think apply to you and give yourself a level)