END OF YEAR TEST ● ANSWER KEY
Writing
Sample answers
Task 1
Can show the relationship between an opinion and a counter argument in a discursive text.
As more and more adults and young people are using social media to communicate with each other, large numbers of parents are connecting with their own children by becoming their online friends. While parents may consider it ‘cool’ to become involved in their teenagers’ lives in this way, it is not necessarily beneficial to the young people.
There are undoubtedly certain advantages to parents and children being connected online. For example, it could help them to gain more understanding of each other. Parents would be able to get insights into what their children talk about with their friends, and what their concerns are. It might help them to become more aware of the difficulties and problems that young people face.
That said, there are also some important drawbacks. For example, it is difficult for young people to have any privacy if their parents are watching their every move online. What young people might find is that they are less able to talk openly about their problems to their friends, especially if their problems involve their parents. Moreover, becoming independent is an important part of growing up, but it is impossible for young people to gain independence if their parents refuse to let them lead their own lives.
All things considered, although there may be some benefits to parents and children being connected online, I believe it is preferable for parents to stand back and allow teenagers the freedom to express themselves online without supervision.
(244 words)
Task 2
Can write a structured text clearly signalling main points and supporting details.
Leave it to the experts!
It has been suggested that schools should teach computer programming to all students. Why? Of course it is undoubtedly true that computers are essential for our modern lives. We all spend more and more time browsing the Internet on our tablets or smartphones, or making use of the latest apps, and it’s difficult to imagine living without modern technology now. But this doesn’t mean we need to understand exactly how computers work, and we don’t need to know how to produce software ourselves.
Most of us believe that computer programming should be offered as an option in schools, for students who are interested in it and have a talent for it. In my school, I can think of a significant number of students who would welcome the opportunity to learn programming skills. But I wouldn’t support it being compulsory. Learning to program a computer requires considerable mathematical skills, and forcing students to try to understand such a complicated subject could result in them losing motivation. Surely it’s better to let all students concentrate on the subjects they are interested in and talented at.
For me, a computer is like a car, a TV or a phone. I benefit from using these devices, and I can’t imagine life without them, but I have absolutely no idea how they work, and I have no interest in finding out. I’m quite happy to leave that to the experts!
(240 words)
Mark scheme
The task is worth 20 marks. Award up to 4 marks for each section of the mark scheme, according to the descriptions below.
Marks
Content
Task achievement
Organisation and structure
Range
Accuracy
0-1
Content is difficult to understand. Ideas are basic and not developed, and no opinions are expressed.
Completes only one or two aspects of the task. May not use the correct genre and only covers one or two of the points specified in the task.
No clear paragraph structure.
Uses only very basic vocabulary and grammar, with a lot of errors.
Lots of errors even in basic language, which impede communication.
2-3
Content is comprehensible. Ideas are fairly simple but well expressed. Some ideas are developed by giving reasons or examples. Some details are added, and some opinions are expressed.
Completes the majority of the task. Uses the correct genre and covers the majority, but not all, of the points specified in the task.
A fairly clear paragraph structure. Some paragraphs may be very short, and paragraphs may not always have a clear purpose.
Uses simple vocabulary and basic grammar structures accurately. Uses some more advanced vocabulary, and uses some more advanced grammar structures with errors. Uses some linking devices accurately.
Generally accurate, but with some errors, especially in more advanced language.
4
Content is comprehensible and interesting. Ideas are developed with reasons, examples, etc. Details are added and opinions expressed, giving the text a lively feel.
Completes all parts of the task fully, including the correct genre and all the points specified in the task.
The text is clearly divided into paragraphs. Each paragraph has a clear purpose, and each contains ideas that are developed
Uses a wide range of vocabulary appropriately, and uses a wide range of grammar structures accurately and appropriately. Uses more advanced vocabulary and grammar accurately. Uses a wide range of linking devices accurately.
A few mistakes in more advanced language structures, but generally very accurate.
© 2016 Pearson FOCUS 4 PHOTOCOPIABLE 2
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