2. Marks:
•READING - 4 (-0.16 each wrong answer)
•WRITING - 4 (Too short -1/ different topic -4)
•LISTENING- 2 (-0.08 each wrong answer)
3. READING - Tips
• Do the reading before the writing (ideas, concepts, topic words can be useful in the writing)
• Read the text and all the questions (or you can start by reading the questions and then the text).
• Read question 1. (Understanding the question is vital for the choice of the correct answer, read it as
many times as you need )
• Identify where the answer is in the text (paragraph/ line/ all through it). Read it and answer.
• If you are not sure, mark the possible answers (in pencil). You’ll come to it later.
• When you finish, re-read questions and answers. Make sure you mark only one answer.
• Decide the answer of the dubious questions. (Consider the option of no-answering the question).
4. WRITING - Marks
•VOCABULARY - 1 (Appropriate use: variety/ richness. Spelling )
•GRAMMAR - 1 (Correct use of structures / Variety )
•TEXT BUILDING - 1(The clarity of organization of ideas. Correct
use of punctuation and text markers)
•MATURITY - 1(clear thinking, good outline, well-reasoned
ideas, coherence. Adequate register.)
5. Vocabulary - 1 p. (Variety/Spelling)
•* Look for expressions you normally use (in your language) or can
easily use. Make sure they are correct and be ready to use
them.
•- Double comparison (more and more /-er and -er)The hole was bigger and bigger
•- It’s worth -ing You may find it difficult at first, but it’s worth trying
•- In the short /mid/ long term It may seem advantageous now, but it’s harmful in the long term
•- Find something/someone adjective I find it impossible to do. She found him very rude
6. •- Be determined to do / be committed to do He was determined to do it,.
•- Set (realistic/stict...) goals/limits… If you want to succeed, you must set realistic goals
and stick to them
•- So / such He was so selfish that…. / He’s such a selfish person that nobody wants to be with him
•- Take something for granted We take that for granted (facilities, comfort, love from
parents…)
•- Make someone verb (root)/adjective I like her because she makes me laugh / That
makes me sad …
•- Make a difference Everybody can make a difference. Do you want to make a difference..?
•- …..
7. Grammar - 1p. (correctness/ variety)
• * Try to use a variety of structures. Easy to use are these:
•- MODAL VERBS - Subject Modal Verb(root)Things may go wrong
•- PASSIVE SENTENCES It was discovered.../When was it found?
•- CONDITIONAL SENTENCES (2nd) I’d do it if I had the chance
•- RELATIVE SENTENCES I agree with those who think that..
8. Text building. Ideas/ text markers/ paragraphs
• *Organize your ideas logically and use text markers to help
the reader. Paragraphs!
•Sequencing First / then / after that / two days later / as soon as I arrived
In the first place / secondly / eventually
•Making what you say stronger On the contrary / As a matter of fact /
In fact / Indeed.
9. •Conclusion All in all / In conclusion / To sum up / In short ...
•Adding info. Moreover; In addition; Additionally; Further; Further to this;
also; Besides; What is more
•Contrast However; On the other hand; In contrast; Yet.
Although; Even though; Despite the fact that; In spite of the fact
•Consequence Therefore; Consequently; In consequence; As a result;
For this reason; Because of this, That’s why
•Purpose In order (not) to / so that
10. REMEMBER...
•- Plan your writing before you start writing.
- What is it? a letter / opinion essay…
- What is the topic? What do you know/think about it?
- Draft ideas.Write as many as you can, you can discard them later,
use them as examples…
- Are the ideas chosen logical/connected/ coherent…?
- Which conclusion do they lead to?
- Is there any topic vocabulary you can use?
- Can you use a passive / modal/ conditional / relative…?
11. •- After you’ve done it revise your composition
- Does it correspond to the task?
- Are your ideas organized into clear, logical paragraphs?
- Is the style appropriate? … and the length?
- Will the reader understand your point?
- Check for mistakes: - subject/verb agreement . Verb coherence
- Adjectives - position / plural
- Prepositions + sentence/ -ing
- Gerunds (when subject…)
- Articles the / a / an . Some / an … - Agree
12. LISTENING
•Before the listening
•* Read the questions
• - note which answer is expected (numbers, names, ideas…)
• - pay attention to detail ( Is it 200/ 2000/200000? Is it euros/pounds?)
• - discard absurd answers
•While listening
• - mark possible options (in pencil) - first listening
• - mark one answer -second reading -
13. Types of writing - Emails / Informal letters
•At the start: Hope you’re well / How are things going with you?
It was great to hear from you / Sorry I haven’t written for
ages but.../ Thanks for your last email / You asked me /
I’m sad, happy, sorry to hearT.. ..
•At the end: Say ‘hi’ to …. from me / Write soon with all your news
Keep in touch / Take care / That’s all my news for now/
Speak to you soon / Love / best wishes / all the best
•Careful with time expressions (The other day/ as soon as / *Last Sunday/ *Next
summer /on Friday/ in the evening/ at the weekend…)
14. Types of writing - Formal letters
•- Dear Sir/Madam _ Yours sincerely / Dear Ms Surname - Yours faithfully
•-I am writing(in response to/to apply for/ to express my views on/to complain about
•- I would be very grateful if you could / I wonder if you could…
•- I would like /be interested to know…
•- I enclose/ attach (recent photo/ a copy of…)
•- Do not hesitate to contact me if you requiere…
•- I am looking forward to hearing from you
•* layout / be available for (an interview) / be suitable for (a job) /...
15. Types of writing - Opinion essays
•* Try to make it clear when you are giving facts or opinion
•- Opinions- In my view / From my point of view / As I see it / I strongly
• believe / It seems to me that / As far as I am concerned/…
•- Facts - According to experts, the media, most people... / It’s a well known
• fact that.../ (recent) research proves... / It’s widely accepted….
• There’s evidence that shows …
•Modifying adverbs rather / quite / very / extremely.
•Logical ideas into paragraphs
16. Types of writing - Narratives /short stories
•- Include the answers to who / where / when in the first
paragraph.
•- Explain what / how in the second paragraph. Give
interesting detail. Avoid lots of very short sentences (use
linking words, relatives…)
•- Make the ending interesting
•* Chronological order / Use sequencing words and time
expessions to guide the reader.
17. Types of writing - Dialogues / interviews
•Dialogues - Think about the characters speaking and
• their probable reactions. Informal speech
•Interviews - Introduce the character before the questions
• (Say who the person is and why he is there. ‘Good evening. In
• our programme/ studio today we have Mr….. He is an expert
• in.../ He has spent most of his life researching/campaigning’...)
•* Be careful with the format of QUESTIONS. Pay attention to
tenses and use ‘echo questions’to express interest (really? Do you?)
•
•
18. Types of writing - For and against essay
•1st paragraph - Introduce / explain topic and give your
• opinion/ set a question
•2n/3rd par.- Give arguments both, in favour and against the
• the topic ( In different paragraphs. ‘One advantage is.../
• Another similarity, difference is/The best, worst thing is
• Others think...). Use correct connectors, give
• examples, make your point clear.
•Last par.- Introduce the conclusion(In short…) and sum up
• your arguments. State your personal opinion
again
• and give advice if possible (...should is very useful here)
19. COMMON MISTAKES
•Agree .- Never with the verb ‘to be’
• Do you agree with me?
• I don’t agree / I * agree
•Gerund when the verb is used as a noun...
•Being a teenager is not easy for many reasons
•...and when it follows a preposition.-
•What do you think about studying ICT at school?
20. •‘The’ .- Not used when speaking about a general concept…
•When ** computers were introduced into the classrooms,**
students were able to get information...
•...or in front of Mr/Ms and proper names.-
•**Mr Smith was speaking to **John (=The boy)
•‘The’ is always used in front of ‘internet’ or ‘net’
•I was surfing the net / The internet is a useful tool for
searching information
21. •‘Like’ Person (subject)/ LIKE / smth or sb
•Read the book,I’m sure ……...it
•‘These’ ‘those’ in the plural (instead of ‘this’ ‘that’)
•I don’t like ……..trousers. How much did you pay for them?
•‘Another’ singular ‘other’ plural ‘others’ people
•- Can I have ……...beer? I`m still thirsty
•- Many people think so, but …………. believe just the opposite
•- I’m considering …….options
22. •Purpose: - to
- in order (not) to + verb
- so that + sentence (Suj+verb)
• She spoke loudly ………..everybody could hear her
• I helped him with his paperwork ….he could finish on time
• I phoned her …..apologize for the mistake
•......be given the job, he prepared the interview carefully
• They spoke quietly ………….(not) to awake the baby
• I lent him some money ….. he could buy the bus ticket
23. Used to - is only used in the Past Simple
I used to play cards when I was young
I didn’t use to eat carrots when I was little
Usually - is used in the Present Simple
Teenagers usually listen to pop music
Teenagers don’t usually listen to classical music.
WRONG: Teenagers don’t use to listen to classical music
24. Adjectives DON’T have
a plural form in English
WRONG: There are differents reasons
RIGHT: There are DIFFERENT reasons
“PEOPLE” is ALWAYS PLURAL
WRONG: People is very interested in music
RIGHT: People ARE very interested in music
