Writing Comprehension Test for 11th Form Students

 

Standard usage includes those words and expressions understood, used and accepted by a majority of the speakers of a language in any situation regardless of the level of formality. As such, these words and expressions are well defined and listened in standard dictionaries. Colloquialisms, on the other hand, are familiar words and idioms that are understood by almost all speakers of a language and used in informal speech or writing, but not considered appropriate for more formal situations. Almost all idiomatic expressions are colloquial language. Slang, however, refers to words and expressions understood by a large number of speakers but not accepted as good, formal usage by majority. Colloquial expressions and even slang may be found in standard dictionaries but will be so identified. Both colloquial usage and slang are more common in speech than in writing.

Colloquial speech often passes into standard speech. Some slang also passes into standard speech, but other slang expressions enjoy only momentary popularity followed by obscurity. In some cases, the majority never accepts certain slang phrases but nevertheless retains them in their collective memories. Every generation seems to require its own set of words to describe familiar objects and events..

It has been pointed out by a number of linguists that three cultural conditions are necessary for the creation of a large body of slang expressions. First, the introduction and acceptance of new objects and situations in the society; second, a diverse population with a large number of subgroups; third, association among the subgroups and the majority population.

Finally, it is worth noting that the terms ‘standard”, “colloquial”, and “slang” exist only as abstract labels for scholars who study language. Only a tiny number of speakers of any language will be aware that they are using colloquial or slang expressions. Most speakers of English will, during appropriate situations, select and use all three types of expressions..

There are different attitudes to slang. Some people consider it to be a language of the young and semi-educated, while the others, like English writer G. K .Chesterton, treat slang as “a stream of poetry”. He wrote, “All slang is metaphor, and all metaphor is poetry... The world of slang is a kind of topsy-turvydom of poetry... a whole chaos of fairy tales”.

• What do you thing of using slang? Do slang words spoil or enrich one’s language?

• What attitude to things does slang words express?

• Should or should not young people use slang? Explain.

• When learning English should we learn slang words as well, taking into consideration the fact that slang is the most changeable part of a language?

 

Writing Comprehension Test for 10th Form Students

 

The Creation of the Teacher

The good Lord was creating teachers. It was his sixth day of “overtime” and he knew that this was a tremendous responsibility for teachers would touch the lives of so many impressionable young children. An angel appeared to him and said, “You are taking a long time to figure this one out.”

“Yes,” said the Lord, “but have you read the specs on this order?”

TEACHER must:

• stand above all students, yet be on their level;

• be able to do 180 things not connected with the subject being taught;

• have more time for others than himself;

• have a smile that can endure through pay cuts and problematic children;

• go on teaching when parents question every move and others are not supportive;

• have six pair of hands.

“Six pair of hands,” said the angel, “that’s impossible.”

‘Well,” said the Lord, “ it is not the hands that are the problem. It is the tree pairs of eyes that are presenting the most difficulty! One pair can see a student for what he is and not what others have labeled him as. Another pair of eyes is in the back of the teacher’s head to see what should not be seen, but what must be known. The eyes in front are only to look at the child as he or she ‘acts out’ in order to reflect, “I understand and I still believe in you’ without so much as saying a word.”

“Lord,” said the angel, “this is a very large project and I think you should work on it tomorrow.”

“I can’t,” said the Lord, “for I have come very close to creating some thing much like myself. I have one that comes to work when he or she is sick, teachers those children that do not want to learn, has a special place in his or her heart for children who are not his or her own, understands the struggles of those who have difficulty...”

“Well, Lord,” said the angel, “your job looks fine but there is a leak. You were putting too much into this model. You cannot imagine the stress that will be placed upon the teacher.”

“It is not a leak,” said the Lord. “It is a tear.”

“A tear? What is that?” asked the angel. “What is a tear for?

The Lord replied with great thought, “It is for the joy and pride of seeing each child accomplish even the smallest task. It comes from the pain of not being able to reach some children and the disappointment those children feel in themselves.”

“My,” said the angel, “the tear is a great idea.”You are a genius!”

The Lord looked somber, “I did not put it there.”

 

 

There is a proverb which states that a student can follow only so far as a teacher can lead.

• What teacher has been most influential in the development of your

education?

• How has his teaching style helped you learn?

• What methods does your favorite teacher use that other teachers do not?

• If you became a teacher, which methods would you use?

 

Writing Comprehension Test for 9th Form Students

 

A Chat with Daniel Radcliffe.

 

Recently TIME magazine caught up with the Harry Potter star. He answered readers’ questions about the films and the books.

TIME : How different are you from Harry?

 

Radcliffe: I think I am probably quite different from Harry. But we are both quite reserved in terms how much we show our feelings. Neither of us particularly wears our heart on our sleeve. The value of friendship in both our lives is immense. And I also think we have a shared curiosity.

 

TIME : What do you think has been Hurry’s greatest misstep or failure in judgment?

 

Radcliffe: I think the way he treated his friends a couple of films ago was quite questionable. They are always there for him, and he was a little bit ungrateful. I think Harry is a flawed character. He can be quite selfish and really manipulative. He is not all sweetness and light.

 

TIME : If you could use any of the magical spells from Harry Potter, which would you choose?

 

Radcliffe: It is not a spell, but if I could choose any magical thing, it would definitely be the lucky potion. The idea of having that perfect day is just so wonderful.

 

TIME : Are you a Harry Potter fan?

 

Radcliffe: I am a fan of the books, certainly. In terms of the films, I enjoy watching everyone but myself very, very much. I don’t like watching myself. I don’t think many actors do. But, yeah, I am a fan. If I were not, I would have stopped ages ago.

 

TIME : Both the Half-Blood Prince and Deathly Hallows are quite different from previous installments. How have you prepared yourself for the plot’s darker, deeper scenes?

 

Radcliffe: To be honest, that’s the kind of stuff I like doing and gravitate towards naturally. It probably comes easier to me than the comedy. On those days, I generally try to be as isolated as possible and listen to lots of music that will hopefully kind of depress me or get me into a less exuberant state.

 

 

 

Imagine you are given the chance to be a character from your favorite book.

• Which character would you choose and why?

• How does this character advance the plot of the story?

• How would you change the plot of the story if you were this character?