[Jamie_DB]

Hey guys,

I've got to resit the WJEC English Language exam in 2 weeks and I've been revising other subjects but this is the most important exam since I need a C to get into college.

I'm resitting both Reading and Writing.

I don't quite understand how to answer the Reading questions. On the original exam, I just bullet-pointed quotes which I guess is wrong. Anyone got any tips?
Basically, it gives you 2 extracts, usually to do with a similar subject, and you have to answer 2 questions about 1 of the extracts, 1 question about the other extract and 1 comparing the 2.

With the writing, I find it pretty easy except in January, there was a letter and a poster. I didn't quite understand how the poster was in Writing because it's more drawing and design. So if it's a Poster or Leaflet or anything that seems like it involves drawing, what do I do?

Thanks guys, I might try and help some of the guys with Business and Maths but I useless at other subjects :P

[howellse]

I will be sitting the same exam as you on Tuesday, first of all are you doing higher or foundation?

If Foundation then for question A1, then you can just bullet point the ten points, however if doing higher, you must put into sentences, when i say sentences it doesn't have to be like 10 sentences, you can probably do it in one, so say the question was 'what impressions does Edward give of his son Harry' you would say, Edward gives the impression that his son harry is.............................. .(list about five)he also says that his son is ................................ ....(list the another five). that is all you need to do for question A1

Question A2, is simply five paragraphs, ensuring that you PEE in each one, and are writing about the correct topic, it is helpful to use your answer in question A1, and wright about the five things that you know the most about.

Question A3, is the same as A2, only this time on the other extract and you wont have the answer to question A1 to help you. To ensure that you know what you will be writing about, list five or six things in the article or extract that they are asking for in the question that you know you can PEE for before starting the question.

Question A4 usually involves comparing the two articles so use question A2 and A3 to help you.

If in section B you get a poster or a leaflet, remember that the examiners are only looking for your writing. when it says 'in this section you will be assessed for your writing skills, including the presentation of your work.' they mean that you know how to set your work out, so if it is a letter you know to put your address on the top right hand corner, and so on. DO NOT worry about drawing anything. as it is the writing that they are assessing you on and you will just waste your time. Remember, SPAG really does matter in this part of the exam!

Good luck

[Quantaˌ]

(Original post by howellse)
I will be sitting the same exam as you on Tuesday, first of all are you doing higher or foundation?

If Foundation then for question A1, then you can just bullet point the ten points, however if doing higher, you must put into sentences, when i say sentences it doesn't have to be like 10 sentences, you can probably do it in one, so say the question was 'what impressions does Edward give of his son Harry' you would say, Edward gives the impression that his son harry is.............................. .(list about five)he also says that his son is ................................ ....(list the another five). that is all you need to do for question A1

Question A2, is simply five paragraphs, ensuring that you PEE in each one, and are writing about the correct topic, it is helpful to use your answer in question A1, and wright about the five things that you know the most about.

Question A3, is the same as A2, only this time on the other extract and you wont have the answer to question A1 to help you. To ensure that you know what you will be writing about, list five or six things in the article or extract that they are asking for in the question that you know you can PEE for before starting the question.

Question A4 usually involves comparing the two articles so use question A2 and A3 to help you.

If in section B you get a poster or a leaflet, remember that the examiners are only looking for your writing. when it says 'in this section you will be assessed for your writing skills, including the presentation of your work.' they mean that you know how to set your work out, so if it is a letter you know to put your address on the top right hand corner, and so on. DO NOT worry about drawing anything. as it is the writing that they are assessing you on and you will just waste your time. Remember, SPAG really does matter in this part of the exam!

Good luck

Firstly, what is SPAG? Also, how long should each PEE statement be? You usually only have 10/15 minutes for each question so 5 paragraphs seems a bit much. Finally, do you have any model answers for this? Or templates? Thanks, mate.

[Jamie_DB]

(Original post by howellse)
Good luck

(Original post by Quantaˌ)
Firstly, what is SPAG? Also, how long should each PEE statement be? You usually only have 10/15 minutes for each question so 5 paragraphs seems a bit much. Finally, do you have any model answers for this? Or templates? Thanks, mate.

Thanks howellse, trust me when I say this, you've been more helpful than my English teacher I'm doing Higher. Last day before the exam for revision, I told her I'd be spending the full day with her and guess what? She doesn't come in -_-

Also, how would I use quotes? Usually, I just say; Ryan feels 'quote...' for everything instead of making simple points like you say.

Good luck to you too mate

@Quanta, SPAG = Spelling, Punctuation and Grammar. I'm very happy with mine :P

[howellse]

(Original post by Quantaˌ)
Firstly, what is SPAG? Also, how long should each PEE statement be? You usually only have 10/15 minutes for each question so 5 paragraphs seems a bit much. Finally, do you have any model answers for this? Or templates? Thanks, mate.

they only need to be five short paragraphs, make your point, Use evidence from the extract and explain what this means. That is all that you need to do, do this for five things, and you will get a good grade.

I'm sure if you look on the wjec website there will be a mark scheme from a previous exam!

and SPAG is spelling punctuation and Grammar.

[howellse]

[QUOTE=Jamie_DB;37801884]Thanks howellse, trust me when I say this, you've been more helpful than my English teacher I'm doing Higher. Last day before the exam for revision, I told her I'd be spending the full day with her and guess what? She doesn't come in -_-

Also, how would I use quotes? Usually, I just say; Ryan feels 'quote...' for everything instead of making simple points like you say.

Good luck to you too mate



No problem, we have good teachers, which have given us loads of help.

You could say ryan feels that the city is big, we know this because......................... .........(quote)

Its hard to give examples without having a propper question. Sorry not to be more help

[Jamie_DB]

[QUOTE=howellse;37804090]

(Original post by Jamie_DB)
Thanks howellse, trust me when I say this, you've been more helpful than my English teacher I'm doing Higher. Last day before the exam for revision, I told her I'd be spending the full day with her and guess what? She doesn't come in -_-

Also, how would I use quotes? Usually, I just say; Ryan feels 'quote...' for everything instead of making simple points like you say.

Good luck to you too mate



No problem, we have good teachers, which have given us loads of help.

You could say ryan feels that the city is big, we know this because......................... .........(quote)

Its hard to give examples without having a propper question. Sorry not to be more help

You've been a huge help mate Now I've just got to remember it all. If it doesn't involve numbers, business or science then I'm like a sieve :P

[howellse]

I'm sure you will do alright. more than can be said for me, i might not even be sitting the exam any more because i have a suspected broken knuckle, and cannot move my hand. :/ if i am then there if no way that i will be able to write for 2 hours, with writing that is illegible. haha (it is my right hand, and unfortunately i write with my right hand.)

[Jamie_DB]

(Original post by howellse)
I'm sure you will do alright. more than can be said for me, i might not even be sitting the exam any more because i have a suspected broken knuckle, and cannot move my hand. :/ if i am then there if no way that i will be able to write for 2 hours, with writing that is illegible. haha (it is my right hand, and unfortunately i write with my right hand.)

Damn :/ My friend was in a similar situation but they arranged that he could have an assistant to write it for him. Hopefully they'll do the same for you.

[Cnut]

(Original post by howellse)
I'm sure you will do alright. more than can be said for me, i might not even be sitting the exam any more because i have a suspected broken knuckle, and cannot move my hand. :/ if i am then there if no way that i will be able to write for 2 hours, with writing that is illegible. haha (it is my right hand, and unfortunately i write with my right hand.)

Cheers for the help, I wasn't too confident about what's required of me in the exam!
Also, can't you just get support for the hand? I have arrangements for use of a word processor because my handwriting's so bad =]

[howellse]

(Original post by Jamie_DB)
Damn :/ My friend was in a similar situation but they arranged that he could have an assistant to write it for him. Hopefully they'll do the same for you.

i was able to use a computer, Thankfully! How did you find it!??

[star10159]

CoUld you bullet point for question 1 a and b?

[Jamie_DB]

Very happy with the exam except could only do about half the last question on the reading and the fact that I didn't know what a guide was so did a leaflet thing :P

[matty123]

Hated the reading exam.

[Jamie_DB]

(Original post by matty123)
Hated the reading exam.

I thought it was a bit dull but think I did decent in it. But... usually when I think I did good, I do worse and when I think I did bad, I do better :P

[howellse]

(Original post by star10159)
CoUld you bullet point for question 1 a and b?

were you doing foundation or Higher? it was better if you didnt bullet point on higher as they are testing your wrighting ability as well as your reading, so you probably wont get full marks but you might get some, if foundation and it said list, I didnt see the paper so i dont know, then yes you could have !

(Original post by star10159)
Very happy with the exam except could only do about half the last question on the reading and the fact that I didn't know what a guide was so did a leaflet thing :P

Glad it went ok. Im sure a leaflet would have been fine as long as your wrote well! glad it is over now! no more english for me! haha

[star10159]

(Original post by howellse)
were you doing foundation or Higher? it was better if you didnt bullet point on higher as they are testing your wrighting ability as well as your reading, so you probably wont get full marks but you might get some, if foundation and it said list, I didnt see the paper so i dont know, then yes you could have !



Glad it went ok. Im sure a leaflet would have been fine as long as your wrote well! glad it is over now! no more english for me! haha

I was doing higher and was specifically instructed me my teacher to bullet point. We went through some exemplar material sent by the exam board and some kid bullet pointed and got 9 marks the reason he didn't get the last one was because he missed out a quotation

[howellse]

(Original post by star10159)
I was doing higher and was specifically instructed me my teacher to bullet point. We went through some exemplar material sent by the exam board and some kid bullet pointed and got 9 marks the reason he didn't get the last one was because he missed out a quotation

Oh i don't know then. We were told not to, but i'm sure that you will have done fine.

[L'Evil Fish]

I did ****!

English Language Breakdown:
Unit 1: 23/40 D (17/40 raw)
Unit 2: 25/40 C ( 20/40 raw)
Unit 3: 56/60 A* (73-74 /80 raw)
Unit 4: 60/60 A*


Unit 1 & 2?!