Language and literature Level 5

Monday, July 30, 2018

SHORT STORIES: Close reading test

On August 13 you will be taking a close reading test in which Criteria A,B and D will be assessed.

In order to prepare for this test you must:

Go over all the short stories in the language booklet (the ones we read together and the ones you read alone)

Revise related concepts: genre, theme, context, plot, conflict, character, point of view, setting. Check out Appendix 1 in your Language Booklet (pages 38 to 42)

In the test you will get several fragments to analyse through "close reading". You will be expected to focus on the above concepts.

Click on the links below to see the type of questions you can get

Structure
Theme
Characterization
How to annotate the text
Types of questions
Sample question and answer (THIS IS THE MOST IMPORTANT because you can compare weaker and stronger answers and learn how to get best marks!!)

GRAMMAR TEST 2nd Term

Criterion D: Using language Maximum: 8

At the end of year 5, students should be able to:

i. use appropriate and varied vocabulary, sentence structures and forms of expression
ii. write and speak in a register and style that serve the context and intention
iii. use correct grammar, syntax and punctuation
iv. spell (alphabetic languages), write (character languages) and pronounce with accuracy
v. use appropriate non-verbal communication techniques.

On August 15 you will be taking a test which will assess strands i, iii and iv of this criterion.

In order to practice for it here are a few links you can use

. Word formation exercises. (exercises 1 to 5)
Multiple choice cloze (exercises 1 to 5)
Open cloze (exercises 1 to 5)
Key word transformation (all the exercises)

Tuesday, April 17, 2018

CRITERION D: Using language

This is one of many sites you can use to practice sentence transformation.
Some tips before you begin:

The important thing in key word transformations is that you keep the meaning the same - EXACTLY the same. So it's important that you read through the first sentence and your second sentence to ensure you have kept the meaning the same. Look at these two sentences:

Tommy said he was ready for his driving test and would take it in July.
Tommy said he was ready for his driving test and could take it in July.

One letter has been changed, from "would" to "could" but it changes the meaning of the sentence totally. Be careful of this!

The most common grammatical topics covered in Key Word Transformations are:

modal verbs and semi-modal verbs
verb patterns such as verb/infinitive, verb/gerund/ verb + preposition + gerund, etc
active voice to the passive voice
direct speech to reported speech
phrasal verbs and multi-word verbs
common idioms
third conditional
look like and seem / do and make / regret and wish

So keep note of the grammar topics you still don't know so you can focus on practising them at home.

Monday, April 9, 2018

Let's debate the topics you have proposed

ABORTION seems to rank high among L5 D topics for debate.

Should abortion be legalized?

Check out

for some background knowledge as well as arguments for and against the issue. We will then debate it in class during 20 minutes. Marks will be given to students who can argue both sides of the issue and back up ideas with reliable sources.

As the issue is about to be discussed in the National Congress you should try to read about it in Argentine media. Speakers who can provide relevant data in our country will get bonus marks.

Argentine newspapers