Practice Test 14

Question Paper

Questions 21-25

First look at questions 21 to 25.

Write NO MORE THAN FOUR WORDS or A NUMBER for each answer.

21) How many essays do the students have to write? ..............

22) What percentage does the written exam account for? ..............

23) How many marks did Carl get for his latest essay? ..............

24) How many marks did Pamela get for her latest essay? .............

25) When was the marking system explained before? .............

Questions 26-30

Complete the table below.

Write NO MORE THAN THREE WORDS for each answer.

Transport	Carl	Pamela
Research	Very good, lots of 26) .................... examples	Very good
Sources	Very sound	Very good
Organization	Very good	29) ....................
Writing style	27) ....................	Slightly too informal in some places
Previous essay	Disappointing, but rewrite 28) ....................	30) ....................

Transcript Solution

DR WOODHAM

So, Pamela, here's your essay. And Carl, you've already got yours back. Anything you want to ask or any comments?

CARL

Can you just go over again for us how the marks for our essays go towards our final grade?

DR WOODHAM

Well, mmm, over the year you are meant to write five main essaysQ21 for this course.

CARL

Yes.

DR WOODHAM

And each essay's marked out of 20, which gives you a total of 100 marks.

CARL

Yes?

DR WOODHAM

This course work makes up 50% of your marksQ22 for the year, with the other 50% coming from the written exam.

CARL

Right. So the five essays contribute to 50% of our final grade for the year.

DR WOODHAM

Yes.

CARL

You gave me 18 out of 20Q23 for this essay, which gives me a total of 9% towards my final grade for the year.

DR WOODHAM

Mmm, and ...

PAMELA

And with 14 for this oneQ24, I've got 7%.

DR WOODHAM

Yes, Pamela. Does that clarify it?

PAMELA

Yes.

CARL

Mmm. Yes.

PAMELA

We did have it explained to us at the beginning of the course.

CARL

When?

PAMELA

In the first tutorial.Q25

DR WOODHAM

Okay. I think we had better move on now. About your last essay, have either of you any questions or comments?

CARL

You gave me 18 for this paper. What was the big difference between this piece and the previous one? I actually thought the first one was better!

DR WOODHAM

Well, there was quite a marked difference.

CARL

Really?

DR WOODHAM

Yes. It looked as if you had actually done quite a bit of research. You had quite a lot of relevant examplesQ26, especially on the historical side. You even found some information that I was not even aware of! Your sources were also very sound. And on top of that, your answer was very well organized indeed and the writing style was very elegantQ27.

CARL

Oh. Thank you very much!

DR WOODHAM

I must say that it was the best piece of writing for a paper that we've seen for quite some time.

CARL

I have to say, though, it took me a very long time to put it together.

PAMELA

How long?

CARL

At least two weeks.

DR WOODHAM

But it was well worth it.

CARL

Can I just ask you if it is possible to rewrite the first essay of the term? It's really brought my average down.

DR WOODHAM

I'm sorry, but it's impossibleQ28.

CARL

Is there no way to do it?

DR WOODHAM

I'm afraid not.

CARL

Okay. Right. I'll just have to try to do better than average on the others.

DR WOODHAM

And Pamela?

PAMELA

Well, to be honest, on the whole I am happy with my marks.

DR WOODHAM

Again, your research was very good. And you gave quite a long list of source material, which was very good.

PAMELA

I spent quite a lot of time on this essay, more than the others.

DR WOODHAM

Well, again, it shows.

PAMELA

What about the organization? I was a bit worried about that.

DR WOODHAM

Your organization, I have to say, was excellentQ29.

PAMELA

Oh!

DR WOODHAM

But as regards your style ...

PAMELA

Yes?

DR WOODHAM

It is slightly too informal here and there. I think you need to tighten this up a little.

PAMELA

Mmm, okay. I only wish I'd put a bit more effort into the first one as well now. But I would like to know how I can get my marks up even higher. What do I have to do, specifically?

DR WOODHAM

Well, your work could do with being more thoroughly checked. You have quite a few spelling mistakes.

PAMELA

Yes, I know. If it's anything, I think it's the computer.

DR WOODHAM

Mhmmm?

PAMELA

Well, I am not very good at typing, two fingers really, and when I finish something like this I find it difficult, even depressing, to go over it carefully again.

DR WOODHAM

But it's affecting your marks.

PAMELA

Mmmmm.

DR WOODHAM

Your previous essay was much betterQ30 than this one. Sometimes, it's difficult to follow what's being said because of the frequency of mistakes. A couple of years ago the university authorities would have been more lenient. But now they are very hot on presentation and have been coming down heavily on things like grammar and spelling.

PAMELA

Mmmmm.

DR WOODHAM

In fact, I am obliged to deduct marks from every piece of work which is not handed in fairly free of mistakes.

Questions 21-25

First look at questions 21 to 25.

Write NO MORE THAN FOUR WORDS or A NUMBER for each answer.

21) How many essays do the students have to write? ......five/5........

22) What percentage does the written exam account for? .......50%/50 per cent........

23) How many marks did Carl get for his latest essay? .......eighteen/18.......

24) How many marks did Pamela get for her latest essay? .......fourteen/14......

25) When was the marking system explained before? ......in the first tutorial.......

Questions 26-30

Complete the table below.

Write NO MORE THAN THREE WORDS for each answer.

Transport	Carl	Pamela
Research	Very good, lots of 26) ......relevant...... examples	Very good
Sources	Very sound	Very good
Organization	Very good	29) ......excellent.....
Writing style	27) .......(very) elegant......	Slightly too informal in some places
Previous essay	Disappointing, but rewrite 28) ......not possible / impossible.....	30) .......much better.......