STUDY FOR EXAMS – The Pomodoro Technique

Look at the pictures below and choose the one that represents you when studying
for exams.

A B

1- Are you an effective learner? Do you need to improve your study habits?
Decide if the statements are true about you, or not.
a- I turn off my cellphone during my study time. T / F
b- I study for long periods of time. T / F
c- It is difficult for me to start studying. T / F
d- I take lots of breaks. T / F
e- It is easy for me to concentrate when studying. T / F
f- I always leave my studies for exams till the last minute. T / F
g- I set a time when I am studying. T / F
h- I never finish studying as I planned. T / F
i- I am always worried about my studies. T / F
j- I often try different study techniques. T / F
k- I can´t find an effective study technique. T / F
l- I utilize an effective study technique. T / F

Before watching
2- Do you know the technique? If you do, read and tick the right statement/s
(✓). If you don’t, try to guess them.
a- It is a technique for memorizing topics.
b- The technique helps students to keep concentrated.
c- Students use it to organize their study time.
d- Students use it to improve their reading skills.
e- The technique is a time-management method.

While watching
3- Watch the video entitled The Pomodoro Technique and circle the right
option.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dnt2lTdcn8g

1- Who can use this technique?

a- workers
b- students
c- both

2- What type of gadget do you need?

a- a cellphone
b- a kitchen timer
c- a watch

3- How long are the sessions with the Pomodoro Technique?

a- 35 minutes
b- 20 minutes
c- 25 minutes

4- How many objectives do you need to complete?

a- 5
 b- 6
c- 4

5- Can you divide your work into different Pomodoros?

a- yes
b- no
c- I don´t know

6- What can you do with each Pomodoro time?

a- review and work on an activity
b- recap and work on an activity
c- recap, review and work on an activity

7- What kind of interruptions do you need to avoid?

a- internal
b- external
c- both

8- When do you need to find your personal objective?

a- At the beginning
b- At the end
c- During

9- Is it important to finish one objective before starting a new one?

a- yes
b- no
c- I don´t know

10- Why is it called the Pomodoro Technique?

a- It is Italian for 'break'
b- It is Italian for 'time'
c- It is Italian for 'tomato'

After watching
These are the main ideas about the use of The Pomodoro Technique. Let’s revise
them.
 CHOOSE A TASK YOU'D LIKE TO GET DONE
Something big, something small, something you’ve been putting off for a million
years: it doesn’t matter. What matters is that it’s something that deserves your
full, undivided attention.

SET THE POMODORO® FOR 25 MINUTES

Make a small promise to yourself: I will spend 25 minutes on this task and I will not
interrupt myself. You can do it! After all, it’s just 25 minutes.

DON’T STOP. WORK ON THE TASK UNTIL THE

®
POMODORO RINGS
Immerse yourself in the task for the next 25 minutes. If you suddenly realize you
have something else you need to do, write the task down on a sheet of paper.

PUT A CHECKMARK ON A PAPER WHEN THE POMODORO® RINGS.

Congratulations! You’ve spent an entire, interruption-less Pomodoro® on a task.

DON’T TAKE A LONG BREAK BETWEEN THE POMODOROS.

Breathe, meditate, have a cup of coffee, go for a short walk or do something else.
A 5-minute break is the perfect time. Your brain will thank you later.

REST FOR A LONGER PERIOD OF TIME AFTER 4 POMODOROS.

 Once you’ve completed four pomodoros, you can take a longer break. 20 minutes
is good. Or 30. Your brain will use this time to assimilate new information and rest
before the next round of Pomodoros.

4- Answer the following questions.

a- Do you use any of the steps of this technique?
b- Would you like to try it? Why? Why not?
c- If you use a technique, is Pomodoro better or worse than yours?

IMPERATIVE MOOD
Imperatives are verbs used to give orders, commands, warning or
instructions, and (if you use "please") to make a request.

Pick one project or task you want to focus on.

Start the timer again for another session.

Stretch your legs or grab a refreshment.

Take a five-minute break when the timer goes off

Don’t waste time, you only have 25 minutes to complete the activity.

Stop! You are getting distracted.

Please, try again!

To make the imperative, use the infinitive of the verb without "to"
• Set the Pomodoro for 25 minutes.

To make a negative imperative, put "do not" or "don't" before the verb.
• Don´t take long breaks between the pomodoros.

Note that an imperative sentence does not require a subject; the

pronoun "you" is implied.
Practice time
5- Choose the correct tip for each piece of advice.

Advice for New University Students

A - Don’t ignore or deny your personal and academic problems

B - Break your large tasks down into manageable subtasks
C- Take responsibility for yourself
D- Try to understand
E- Don’t put off until tomorrow what you can do today

1- ……………………………………………. You need to attempt to fully comprehend what you

need to know and be able to do as a result of your education.

2- …………………………………………….. Work should come before pleasure. Manage your

time effectively; set aside adequate time for homework, study, sleep, etc. You need
not always finish every task all at once. Remember, you can write at 365-page book
every year if you only write one page per day.

3- …………………………………………….Large jobs rarely can be completed at one setting.

Work on small parts of a large task each day. Remember the fable of the tortoise and
the hare; slow and steady is often better.

4- …………………………………………….. A small problem can get much worse. If you do not

try to solve them. Get help when you need it. Speak to your course instructors, your
advisor, or your classmates.

5-…………………………………………….. When some students begin college life their sense of

personal responsibility seems to disappear. Parents or guardians are no longer making
certain that everything is done correctly or on time. That work is now the
responsibility of the student.

6- As you are attending English level I, can you give future students three pieces
of advice about what to do to pass the subject? Write them down and share
your ideas with the class.
1- ……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………
2- ……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………
3- ……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………
KEY
1- Are you an effective learner? Do you need to improve your study habits?
Decide if the statements are true about you, or not. (Different answers are
possible)

Before watching
2- Do you know the technique? If you do, read and tick the right statement/s
(✓). If you don’t, try to guess them.

a- -
b- ✓
c- ✓
d- -
e- ✓

While watching
3- Watch the video entitled The Pomodoro Technique and circle the right option.
1- c
2- b
3- c
4- b
5- a
6- c
7- c
8- a
9- a
10-c

4- Answer the following questions. (Different answers are possible)

a- Do you use any of the steps of this technique?
b- Would you like to try it? Why? Why not?
c- If you use a technique, is Pomodoro better or worse than yours?
Practice time
5- Choose the correct tip for each piece of advice.
Advice for New University Students

A- 4
B- 3
C- 5
D- 1
E- 2

6- As you are attending English level I, can you give future students three pieces
of advice about what to do to pass the subject? Write them down and share
your ideas with the class. (Different answers are possible)