Page 145 - PortalToEnglish_3_SB_SE

Use the following strategies:
- Read the words before and after the unknown
word and think of the context. Write
- Try to igure out if the unknown word is a verb, How to do better when doing writing tasks
noun, etc. Make sure you understand what you are asked to
- See if the unknown word is similar to other words write.
in English or in your own language. Before you start writing, think about the topic
Read the text quickly to understand the main idea. carefully and try to come up with ideas which are
Read the text carefully to understand speci ic details. relevant to it. Make notes of the information you
Make sure you understand who or what the want to include. You can also make a mind map to
pronouns (he, it, this, them, etc.) and the adverbs organise your ideas.
(here, there, etc.) refer to in the text. Plan your paragraphs. Before you start, think of the
Decide in which part of the text you can ind the ideas you are going to include in each paragraph.
information you need. Group relevant information together and put it in
Remember that sometimes the answer you are the same paragraph.
looking for is not clearly stated in the text, but is Do not write very short sentences. Join your ideas
implied. with and, but, or, so and because.
Don’t be in a hurry to answer a multiple choice Use linking words/phrases to add something or
question. Read each question carefully to get an list points (e.g. to begin with, in addition, lastly),
idea of what you are looking for, and underline to express contrast (e.g. but, however), to express
the section in the text where the answer is found. result (e.g. as a result) and to give reason (e.g. that
Make sure you have chosen the correct answer by is why). This will make your writing low.
eliminating the wrong options. Use time linkers (e.g. irst, then, next, after that,
When completing a text with missing sentences, later, when, before, while, as soon as, by the time)
read the whole text irst and then the sentences to show the order in which events happen.
given. Pay attention to the development of the story, Use a variety of adjectives (e.g. fascinating,
the vocabulary, as well as to pronouns (it, they, shocked) and adverbs / adverbial phrases
this, etc.) and words/phrases which link sentences (e.g. unfortunately, all of a sudden) in your writing
(however, later, etc.) both in the text and in the to make it more interesting.
sentences given. © MM Publications
Use pronouns (e.g. he, she, it, them, there, this) to
avoid repeating the same words.
Listen When writing a note, keep the text short and give
How to do better when doing listening tasks only the necessary information. Remember that
you don’t have to write full sentences. Make sure
Before you listen, read the rubric and look at the the other person will understand your message,
pictures carefully. Try to predict what the speakers though.
are going to talk about. When writing an informal email/letter:
Before you listen, read the statements or questions - make sure you understand why you are writing
carefully. This will give you an idea of what to listen for. (to thank, to apologise, to describe an experience,
Also, make sure you haven’t got any unknown words. etc.) and who you are writing to so that you
While listening for gist, try to understand the respond suitably.
general idea, not every single word. - don’t forget to use appropriate phrases to begin
Listen for key words to help you understand the and end your email/letter.
main ideas. Also, pay attention to the speakers’ tone - use informal language and expressions (e.g. well,
of voice to understand how they are feeling. of course, you know).
When writing a formal email/letter:
Don’t be in a hurry to answer a multiple choice
question. Listen carefully till the end and check all - use appropriate greetings and signature endings.
the options before your inal decision. Don’t think - use formal language and do not use short forms
that an answer is correct just because you hear the or abbreviations.
same words that are in the activity. Write neatly.
Write your irst draft and correct it. Check
When you have sentences to complete, read them punctuation, capital letters, spelling, word order,
irst and try to predict what kind of information is grammar, vocabulary, linking words, paragraphing
missing, as well as the part of speech of the missing and style (formal – informal language). Then write
words (noun, verb, adjective, etc.). After you have your inal draft and edit it once more.
completed the sentences, read them again. Make
sure that they make sense and that the words are
in the correct form (singular or plural form of the
noun, correct form of the verb, etc.).

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