LISTENING TEST

STRATEGY
 Read carefully the instructions and questions
 Think about the topic and vocabulary

 Pay attention to the word types and possible answers

 Focus on the order of information

 Keep your eyes on the next question

 Highlight key words in the question

 Move on if you miss the answer
 Make notes and shorten version of words

 Look out for paraphrasing (synonyms)

 Ignore words or phrases you don’t understand

 Read, write, and listen at the same time

 Make sure to answer all questions (if you don’t know the
answer, make an educated guess)
 Common problems or traps: the narrator will change the
answer during the conversation
READING TEST
STRATEGY
 Skimming: looking for main idea
 Scanning: looking for details

 Don’t waste your time to understand every word

 Read the instructions carefully

 Identify the type of questions

 Note out the main idea of each paragraph

 Underline key words

 Make sure to answer all questions

HOW TO ANSWER THESE TYPE OF QUESTIONS
TRUE ANSWERS
 Fact is clearly written
 Synonyms
 Information stated in the Reading Passage
FALSE ANSWERS
 Fact is opposite
 Statement is contradicted the claims of the writer
 All vs one. Ex: she vs they/them
NO EVIDENCE/NOT GIVEN ANSWERS
 Fact is not stated in the Reading Passage
 Information is totally not written
 SOME COMMON MISTAKES
 Reading word by word
 Writing more words on an answer sheet
than required
 Not reading the instructions carefully

 Do not spend too long on one passage or

questions
 Making assumptions: instead reading the
test, students used their own knowledge to
answer questions
WRITING TEST
STRATEGY
 Highlight or underline key words in the topics
 Do not copy whole sentences from the question – try to
paraphrase them.
 Keep ideas closer to the topic; do not write about
unrelated subjects
 Must write your answers in full; avoid to write your
answers in bullet points will lose marks
 Pay attention to spelling, grammar and punctuation (you
will lose marks for mistakes)
 Inconsistent Tense
Ex: John decides to go to bed, but then he drank too much
coffee and could not fall asleep. He watches television for
half an hour, then he finally felt sleepy.
 Comma Place
Ex: College students love to enjoy their college
life,(do not use this comma) and like to experience
all things before entering a real world.
 Run-on Sentence
Ex: I love to write papers I would write one every day if I
had the time.
 Fragment (Incomplete) Sentence
Ex: The instructors who were excellent in their fields.
After I graduated from Yale.
A movie of a mysterious land.
 Avoid of using a second person
Ex: If you don't understand the meaning of the book, you
shouldn't feel stupid. You won't always see everything the author
wants you to see.
 Do Not Use Contraction
Ex: don’t, won’t, can’t, isn’t , wasn’t, gonna, wanna
 Avoid using these phrases in academic writing
 All things considered
 To sum up
 In a summary
 To summarize
 In short
 In a nutshell
 To put in a nutshell
 INTRODUCTION
 The introduction part should contain three or four sentences
 Sentence 1: Background statement: paraphrase the statement
from the topic
 Sentence 2: Thesis statement: answer to the topic and
introduce your ideas
 Sentence 3: Extra ideas.

Ex: The best way to improve health is to do regular exercise.

To what extent do you agree?
Intro: The most effective method to developing and improving
health is considered to be consistently exercise. In my opinion,
I agree that exercise is the key to have a good health.
However, I also believe that having a good diet is vital.
 BODY PARAGRAPHS
2 to 3 paragraphs
4 to 5 sentences in each paragraph
Each body paragraph MUST HAVE
 Sentence 1 (A topic sentence): This includes a
link to the essay; the topic of the essay and the
controlling ideas (own opinions) of the paragraph.
 Sentence 2 (Supporting sentences): These may
include cause and effect, examples, facts or
comparisons.
 Sentence 3 (A concluding sentence): This usually
summarises the main idea of the paragraph.
 HELPFUL TIPS FOR BODY
PARAGRAPHS
 Engage information related to the topic
 Use a range of vocabulary related to that topic
 Use a range of grammar for a specific purposes
 Links ideas, explanations and examples cohesively
Ex: If people often exercise, they will control and keep
their weight stably. Exercises can be not only sports
such as soccer, volleyball, badminton and so on but also
jogging, walking instead of using elevator. In fact,
simple action like walking for 30 minutes every day can
help people relax and decrease stressful after a long
workday. As a result, people can rest easily and this sleep
will be deeper after doing exercise.
 CONCLUSION
 Keep it short and simple
 Restate the thesis statement

 Restated highlights and main points

 Do not introduce to new ideas

 Write a conclusion (2 or 3 sentences)

Ex: Regular physical activities and exercise are very

necessary for the people of all age group in order to
maintain and improve their health. Also, having a proper
diet will play an important role in enhancing a healthy
lifestyle.