Unit focus
Examiner’s tips 1
Use a special combination of visual recall (look, say, cover, write, check method), speech sounds, spelling patterns and spelling rules to learn new spellings.
2
When you learn a language, it helps to have a good memory. Improve your memory by:
3
4
V
highlighting key ideas
V
studying new vocabulary regularly and memorising it
V
reading through your class notes frequently
V
drawing pictures to illustrate words or concepts
V
linking new words to words you already know
V
using new words and phrases in your speech and writing
V
learning something by heart because it means something special to you (e.g. a poem or pop song).
Find time each week to organise your course notes, to make it easy to find work from previous lessons. A lot of the work you’ll be doing is sequential. This means you’ll often have to look back at notes you made earlier. Draft your written work two or three times. If you can’t think of what to write, get something down on
paper anyway. If you have nothing written, you have nothing to change. Show your written work to a friend. Listen to advice about improvements you could make. 5
Be prepared to work in groups and to be an active participant, but take responsibility for working alone at times too.
6
Practising your English outside class will help your progress. Here are some ways to do this. V
Get an English-speaking penfriend.
V
Watch or listen to English programmes, films, videos, pop songs, etc.
V
Make an arrangement with a friend who also wants to learn English, and practise speaking together once or twice a week.
V
Read widely in English: books, magazines, newspapers, etc.
EXAM STRATEGY 7
When you describe a person, remember that a physical description won’t be enough to get the best exam marks. You will also have to describe character and give reasons, examples and evidence to support your views.
Unit focus In this unit you have produced short answers to questions on detailed reading texts. This is practice for Papers 1 and 2, Exercise 2.
You have developed skills for describing a person’s appearance and qualities. This is practice for Papers 1 and 2, Exercises 6 and 7.
You have listened to a discussion and answered multiplechoice questions. This is practice for Paper 3, Questions 9 and 10.
24 Succ Int Rev U1p09-24.indd 24
2/4/09 17:16:28