Grade 8

INDIVIDUALS & SOCIETIES

What is on the examination?

Paragraph Response (Criteria A, C, D) - You will be expected to write a 5-paragraph written response to a
question centred around a case study provided in sources. You will be expected to follow an appropriate
structure including providing the main point, evidence/examples, explanations, as well as a link to the unit
concepts. Intext citation will be expected.

Which Criteria will be assessed?

Criterion A
ii. Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of subject-specific content and concepts, through
descriptions, explanations and examples.
Criterion C
ii. structure information and ideas according to the task instructions.
Criterion D
ii. summarize information to make valid, well-supported arguments

How should I prepare for the examination

Review your information so you are able to:

● Understand all the content and context of the key text.
● Understand the major concepts associated with media: mass media, journalism, bias, social media,
fake news, free speech, freedom of the press, censorship, AI etc. Create a summary of relevant
information by making a mind map or flashcards.
● Define media, explain what the main purpose of media is today. You will need to understand the
role of journalists as well as the principles and process of investigative journalism.
● Define social media and be able to explain the role it plays in informing citizens. Analyse the impact
and power - positive and negative - that media has on society today, and comment on some of the
measures used by governments to address the threats and opportunities posed by social media.
● Be able to evaluate the impact that artificial intelligence will have on people’s ability to think
critically
● You will need to know what POFMA is and be able to analyse the implications of it.
● Use appropriate vocabulary to show your understanding of concepts and context. (Quizlet Set 1)
● Structure a PEEL paragraph - plan a 5-paragraph response that addresses a statement or answers a
question. Form arguments that are supported with examples and reference to sources, and
provide a conclusion based on the arguments. In-text citation will be expected.
● You will be provided with a set of sources.
● Attend support classes if you want to review your work in more detail or if you are unclear about
concepts used during the unit.

In the exam:

● Read the questions slowly

● Highlight command terms
● Plan your answers before you start to write, especially the longer responses
 LANGUAGE & LITERATURE

What is on the examination?

Over Semester 2, we have explored how people express ideas, share messages and perspectives through
novels and other text types. Your task is to:
• Write a five paragraph essay discussing how an author has used literary techniques to show a
message(s) related to the Global Context (Fairness and Development) from an unseen extract
provided in the examination.
• Use at least THREE quotations to support your ideas (one per body paragraph).

Which Criteria will be assessed?

You will be assessed using three Language and Literature MYP criteria:
Criterion A: Analysing
A2 – Identify and explain the effects of the creator's choices on an audience
A3 - Justify opinions and ideas, using examples, explanations and terminology
Criterion B: Organising
B1 – Employ organisational structures that serve the context and intention
B2 - Organise opinions and ideas in a sustained, coherent and logical manner
B3 - Use referencing and formatting tools to create a presentation style suitable to the context and
intention (quotation integration)
Criterion D: Using language
D1 - Use appropriate and varied vocabulary, sentence structures and forms of expression
D2 - Write in a register and style that serve the context and intention
D3 - Use correct grammar, syntax and punctuation
D4 – Spell with accuracy

How should I prepare for the examination

Use your subject binder, notebook, and resources on the Learning Portal when you revise, as well as
additional supporting materials distributed during the preparation week. You will be given formative
writing tasks in class and feedback for improvement. You will be provided some general notes to refer to in
your examination. Your teacher will share these notes with you before the exam and they will also be
posted on the learning portal prior to the exam.
VOCABULARY: Revise the unit vocabulary and literary techniques so you can use appropriate, specific
terms in your response.
INFORMATION LITERACY: Practice information literacy skills by taking notes and other ways to draw out
key ideas, supporting facts/opinions and other information from the novel you have studied in class.
WRITING:
- Review the structure of an essay. Your essay should contain an introductory paragraph with a clear thesis
statement, three body paragraphs which follow the appropriate paragraph structure and a concluding
paragraph. Each body paragraph should include a topic sentence, developing sentence(s), supporting
sentence(s) and a concluding sentence.
- Review how to integrate quotations appropriately for each body paragraph of your essay.
- Review how to develop your tone and word choice for your audience (in this case, academic or formal).
Do not use personal pronouns or contractions.
- Review literary techniques and your interpretation of the novel you read in class, and consider how to
integrate discussion of these elements into your response.
- Do not summarise the plot of the novel.
 LANGUAGE ACQUISITION

What is on the examination?

The examination will consist of one or two of the below criteria depending on the language and level studied. You
will receive a language specific Study Guide from your teacher attached to the Learning Portal.

Criterion B: Reading and Criterion D: Writing Criterion B: Reading

LEVEL 1 LEVELS 2, 3, 4, and 5

French, German, French, German, Hindi,
Mandarin, Spanish, and Mandarin, Spanish
Hindi (Criterion D: Writing only)

Which Criteria will be assessed?

Reading (Criterion B) - see the rubric in the assessment and rubric section of the Language Acquisition website:
- One text of or a few texts of varying lengths depending on the language and the level, with reading comprehension
questions to be answered in the target language. The texts will be multimodal and questions will be based on
reading and viewing the document.
- Types of questions asked are divided into the three strands:
Strand 1: Identify facts, messages, opinions and supporting details;
Strand 2: Analyse conventions in authentic texts;
Strand 3: Analyse connections between authentic texts;
- Make sure you justify your answers when asked, especially for questions about making connections between the
texts, or drawing conclusions (which involves more reflection stemming from what you read and view, instead of
picking facts out of the texts).
Writing (Criterion D) - see the rubric in the assessment and rubric section of the Language Acquisition website:
- The number of pieces of writing and the length will depend on the language and the level.
- Remember to use paragraphs instead of writing one big block of text and to use cohesive devices (link words) such
as ‘and, but, however, therefore, so, because’ etc.
- The instructions will be included on the paper – make sure you tick each item as you draft and check your work.

How should I prepare for the examination

● Go through your books and folders to make sure you have everything you need. Check with a friend. Copy
any class notes you may have missed. Ask your teacher for any missing handouts.
● Read through your notes, with a highlighter so important information stands out. Revise vocabulary and
grammar, using your most effective learning strategies (including redoing the activities done in class). For
example: make revision cards. You can have just one word on a card, or a whole list of words. Make sure you
have them with you at all times, so you can take a look whenever you have a spare moment. Remember:
Quizlet is also an effective learning tool.
● Test yourself, or ask other people to test you: orally (they can ask you what a word is in the target language,
or you can just say the word out loud and check it yourself).
● Reading comprehension: Prepare questions on texts done in class, using the practice paper and resources as
a guide. Check over your handouts, Quizlet class sets, or Education Perfect and learn the types of questions
and vocabulary needed for the three strands of your reading comprehension task.
● Writing: Once you have prepared the draft and had it checked by your teacher, make a mind map of the
topic and subtopics you will need to include with the key vocabulary and practise writing your paragraphs
from the mind map. Check that you include link words, expressions and opinions. Use the checklist of your
Writing Task Sheet to make sure all the requirements are included. As you practise, check against your
resources for correct spelling and sentence structure.
● Come to your Language Acquisition Support Club to ask for help or to show any work you have done for
marking.
 MOTHER TONGUE

Languages What’s on the examination? Which criteria will be assessed?

French Text analysis - Read texts and answer questions to show your Criterion A: Analysing
understanding of explanatory texts. Criterion B: Organising
Criterion C: Producing text
Short writing - Write two paragraphs to express opinions on Criterion D: Using language
freedom of speech.

Hebrew Essay writing - Write an analytical essay on the topic related to the Criterion A: Analysing
current Global Context. Criterion B: Organising
Criterion D: Using language

Japanese Essay writing - Write an analytical essay on the topic related to the Criterion A: Analysing
current Global Context. Criterion B: Organising
Criterion D: Using language
　

Korean Essay writing -Write five or more paragraph essay exploring how a Criterion A: Analysing
director used film techniques to show an idea (issue) that is related Criterion B: Organising
to the Global Context ( Rights and responsibilities) Criterion D: Using language

Mandarin Essay writing - How have the creators of a film enabled viewers to Criterion A: Analysing
learn an important message about rights and responsibilities? What Criterion B: Organising
are the film techniques used to communicate the message? Criterion D: Using language

Norwegian Essay writing - The students will write an essay analyzing in detail Criterion A: Analysing
the movie watched in class and explain the relationship to the Criterion B: Organising
Global Context (Fairness and Development). Criterion D: Using language
 MATHEMATICS

😄
CRITERION A: KNOWING AND UNDERSTANDING

😕 – I have a mastery of this concept, but I will still practice

Textbook Reference Checklist

😞 – I know this, but I need more practice

– I do NOT know this, I will ask for help and then 😄😕😞
practice

Identify the following parts of a right angle: hypotenuse, legs MEP Booklet, Ch 3.1,
State the Pythagoras' Theorem p 45-48,
Calculate a missing side of a right triangle using the Ch 3.2 & 3.3, p 49 – 55,
Pythagoras' Theorem Ex 9I p 141-142
Solve word problems involving the use of the Pythagoras’ Ch 3.4, p 56 - 58
Theorem

Identify the interior and exterior angles of a polygon

Classify polygons according to number of sides
Define a regular polygon
Ch 9.2, Ex 9D & 9E,
State the formula for the sum of the interior angles of any
p 132 - 134
polygon
Calculate a missing interior angle of any polygon
Calculate a missing exterior angle of any polygon

State the formula for the circumference and area of a circle Ch 17.1 p 281

Calculate the circumference of a circle

Calculate the area of a circle Ch 17.1, Ex 17A,
Find the arc length and sector area of a shape p 282-283
Calculate the area and perimeter of a compound shape

State the formula for the volume and surface area of the
Ch 17.2 p 283 & 286
following 3-dimensional shapes: cube, cuboid, cylinder, any
Ch 17.3 p 287
prism

Calculate the volume and surface area of the following

Ch 17.2, Ex 17B & 17C, p
3-dimensional shapes: cube, cuboid, cylinder, any prism
284-287
Solve word problems involving volume and surface area of
Ch 17.3 Ex 17D, p 288
3-dimensional shapes: cube, cuboid, cylinder, prism

Convert between units of measures Always put the correct

unit of measure in your
(e.g. cm to mm, m2 to cm2, etc)
final answer.

All are welcome to attend Mathematics Support @12:45 PM – 1:15 PM

Mondays: Room S04-17 (with Mr. Brieta), Wednesdays: Room S04-13 (with Dr. Mayall) Thursdays: Room S04-14 (with Ms.
Ong), Fridays: Room S04-11 (with Mr. Abcede)
YOU ARE ALLOWED TO USE A CALCULATOR BUT NO BORROWING DURING THE EXAM.
 SCIENCES

Which Criteria will be assessed? How should I prepare for the examination?

Criterion A: Organise your notes - up to date, complete and include graded

i. Explain scientific knowledge, ii. Apply scientific knowledge assessments. If you missed a lesson, ask for missing worksheets.
and understanding to solve problems set in familiar and Strategies for revision - study in ‘bite-size’, not long sessions; use
unfamiliar situations, iii. Analyse and evaluate information to past assessments, worksheets, questions that you had difficulty
make scientifically supported judgments. answering. Ask your teacher questions during review lessons.

Key Concept: Change, Unit: Sustainability of the Atmosphere

Understanding the role oxygen and carbon dioxide in life - photosynthesis and respiration: Describe the process of
photosynthesis. Test a leaf for starch and know the presence of starch in a leaf means that photosynthesis has occurred. Explain
experiments that show the requirements for photosynthesis. Describe the process of aerobic respiration and the importance of
oxygen for living things (including aquatic organisms). Write word and symbol equations for photosynthesis and respiration.
Describe the difference between respiration and breathing.
Explore combustion: Describe the factors needed to start and stop combustion reactions. Define what a hydrocarbon is and state
why they are useful. Identify, and write word and symbol equations for, the products that are always formed when hydrocarbons
are burnt in oxygen. Compare the products formed during complete and incomplete combustion of hydrocarbons.
Inquiry into how and why levels of carbon dioxide in the air are changing: Identify and describe the key points of the carbon cycle.
Inquiry into Global Warming: Identify that Infrared radiation from the sun heats the earth. Identify the natural causes of global
warming and its importance for life on earth. Describe evidence of the possible human impact on climate change.
Scientific Skills and Investigating: Identify independent, dependent and controlled variables. Recognise trends in data and that a
conclusion can be made from them.

Key Concept: Change, Unit: Forces and Motion

What Can Forces Do: State what force is and how it is measured. Explain the effect of a force on an object. Draw simple force
diagrams using arrows to represent the size and direction of a force. Identify the difference between contact forces (frictional,
applied) and non-contact forces (gravitational, electrostatic, magnetic). Predict the effect of balanced and unbalanced forces to
give a resultant force. Show or predict that applying unbalanced forces can change an object's speed, its direction or shape. Use
Newton's first law of motion to explain the concept of inertia. Terminal Velocity.
Investigating Moments: Identify that the turning effect of a force is called a moment and that a moment is calculated by size of
force x distance from pivot. Test the principle of moments (law of levers) by experimentation. Find the Centre of mass (Centre of
Gravity) of an irregular object.
Inquiry into Car Safety: Measure reaction time and state factors that affect it. Define reaction distance, braking distance and
stopping distance. Use models of inertia and momentum to investigate car safety. Apply Newton's Second Law to car safety -
Impulse change, change of momentum over time, increase time, reduce force to stop. Explain the role of Impulse change formula
F= (change in momentum) / time.
Exploring Mass and Weight: State what mass is and how it is measured. Realise that an object's weight is a result of the
gravitational pull on its mass and explain the difference between mass and weight. Measure an object's mass and weight and find
the Earth's gravitational field strength.
Investigating Friction: Recognise that friction is a contact force that opposes movement between two objects. Identify where
friction is helpful or unhelpful. Identify that friction occurs in liquids and gases is called resistance or drag.
Explain how to reduce friction.
Time and Distance: Record time accurately with appropriate units (s). Convert units of time (seconds, minutes and hours)
Record distance accurately with appropriate units (m). State how distance is used to describe position. Convert units of distance
(mm, cm, m and km) Identify the difference between distance and displacement.
Speed: Explain the difference between the instant speed and the average speed of an object. Calculate instant speed and average
speed of an object with appropriate units (m/s). Draw a distance time graph for a stationary object and one moving at a constant
speed. Describe an object's motion by looking at a distance time graph. Use the gradient of distance time graph to calculate
average speed. Understand how displacement is represented on a distance time graph (downward slope). Be able to interpret
simple velocity / time graphs.