ACTIVITY: THINK Like a Test Maker, LEARN Like a Test Taker PART I: Think Like a Test MAKER EXAM BACKGROUND BRIEF: The General Paper Exam will take place in May of this school year. For the exam, you will be required to write TWO essays in TWO hours. The exam consists of 12 prompt OPTIONS, which are categorized under 3 separate SECTIONS. You must choose two essay topics from two different sections. You are expected to have a general knowledge about the topic (Content) You are expected to write in a way that is clear and easy to follow. (Conventions) Now that you know what the GP exam is (in theory), you are going to use this definition to build your own exam... DIRECTIONS: At your group station, spread out the 12, GP Essay Prompt Cards so you can see each topic. Using the Exam Format Guide below, shuffle the cards around to create a mock test consisting of THREE sections, each with 4 prompts that properly reflect the topics of that section. Why Is This Activity Important? When approaching any task, it is most beneficial to start with the END in mind; that way you can visualize your goal and achieve it well. This activity will familiarize you with the General Paper exam (which you will take in May) and the type of knowledge it expects you to have. Seeing the kinds of questions it features will help you set a purpose for learning for your entire school year! TURN OVER à
EXAMPLE Prompt: To what extent should a nation forget its past? Reaction: This is a prompt about the past, or HISTORY, so it should be grouped under Section 1! Here are the THREE SECTIONS that essay prompts are categorized under on the GP Exam: EXAM FORMAT GUIDE: Exam Sections SECTION 1 History and War Terrorism The Role of the Individual in Society: the Family, Marriage, Peer Pressure, Social Class Cultural Changes: Youth and Drug Culture Education Sports and Leisure: International Competition Wealth and Poverty: Work; Unemployment; economy Tourism s Impact: on the economy, employment, public transport, environmental concerns Foreign Aid/International Affairs The State and its Political Institutions: Development of State, Democracy, Post- Imperialism, Nationalism Minority Groups Human Rights Law: Freedom of Speech, Action, Thought Judiciary Concerns Matters of Social Conscience: Faith, Tolerance, Equality, Opportunity Order/Corruption
SECTION 2: Health/Medical Concerns Diet, Health Education Progress of Science Drug Manufacturing and Provision Old and New Industries Space Industry Technologically Advanced Weaponry Technology: Spread of Information; Communication; Advancements; Internet Environmental Concerns: Renewable Energy Resources; Climate Change; Pollution Migration: population dynamics Agriculture: Feeding the 21 st Century Population; Farming Techniques for the 21 st Century Travel and Transportation Mathematics: uses and applications to everyday life SECTION 3: Literature: Novels, Biography, Diary, Science Fiction, Magazines, etc. Language: heritage, tradition, dialect. Culture/Cultural Habits Global Media: Television, Radio, Satellite; Advertising; Role Models Censorship; Privacy; Journalism & the News, the Right to Know; Freedom of the Press, etc. Traditional Arts and Crafts: Creativity; National Heritage/Preservation Effects of Tourism Architecture The Arts: Painting; Fashion; Photography; Sculpture; Music; Dance; Heritage.
PART II: Think Like a Test TAKER Picking Your Prompt EXAM BACKGROUND BRIEF: For the exam, you will be required to write TWO essays in TWO hours. You must select your essays from two, DIFFERENT sections of the exam. NOTE: Make sure your test set- up has been approved by your teacher before you begin this next step. STEP 1 Take a look at your group s Sample Exam that you ve created together. Closely consider each prompt; perhaps discuss a few together to get an idea of what they re all about. Then decide which TWO prompts YOU (as an individual) would pick if you were taking this GP Exam today and write your personal choices on the lines below. Remember: Your prompt selections MUST be from two, DIFFERENT sections! SECTION PROMPT #: SECTION PROMPT #: PROCEED TO STEP 2 OF THIS EXERCISE! à
STEP 2 Just as there are prompts that you like, there also exist those prompts that you DON T like. Scan back over your group s test. List the 2 main prompts below that you would NEVER imagine yourself selecting and clearly explain WHY this is: SECTION PROMPT #: WHY WOULDN T YOU CHOOSE THIS ONE? SECTION PROMPT #: WHY WOULDN T YOU CHOOSE THIS ONE?
EXAM BACKGROUND BRIEF: PART III: PROMPT RECYCLING The General Paper exam is well- known for recycling prompt topics. o Example: MAY/JUNE 2009: Do you consider art an unaffordable luxury? (GROUP 1) MAY/JUNE 2002: Only the rich can afford works of art. How far is this true? (GROUP 2) Consider the following question below. First, discuss it well with your group. Then, in a well- crafted response of your own wording, write your answer on the lines provided. 1. Consider the information provided above in the Exam Background Brief. From a learner s perspective, why is this information particularly valuable to you? How will knowing this assist you in the General Paper course this year? DIRECTIONS: Now it s time to hunt and gather some recycled prompts! With your group, view the sample test packet (provided by your teacher); it contains all the tests that each group created in Part I of this activity. Using the blank space provided, write at least 3 pairs of recycled prompts that you find amongst the various test samples. Refer back to the example provided in the Exam Background Brief above to help you get started.
PAIR 1: RECYCLED PROMPT PAIRS: Is Similar To: PAIR 2: Is Similar To: PAIR 3: Is Similar To: OTHERS:
PART III con t: IDEA RECYCLING EXAM BACKGROUND BRIEF: The General Paper exam is well- known for recycling prompt topics. Even though the prompts might be about different topics specifically, learning about one TOPIC in class might translate in its general CONCEPT to a different prompt later down the road. PRACTICE EXAMPLE: In class, we practice with the following prompt: o To what extent do museums and art galleries play a significant role in your society? (GROUP 3) Later, on the GP exam, you run into the following prompt: o What is the role of libraries in today s world? (GROUP 2) DIRECTIONS: Using the Practice Example we completed together (above) as your guide, travel around the room to the different Sample Exam to seek out other prompt pairs that work like this. They must be DIFFERENT in specific TOPIC, but SIMILAR enough that you could apply learned information from one to the other. What do you consider to be the serious purpose behind television cartoon shows? Different Topic, Similar Concept: Discuss the idea that reading printed books is a thing of the past. Different Topic, Similar Concept: