DAN: Hi Jeannie. How’s it going?
JEANNIE: Oh. Hello Dan. Pretty well, thanks. Have you managed to get the money for the course yet?
DAN: Yes, that’s all sorted out now, thanks. It took long enough, though. It was practically a year ago that I applied to my local council for a grant, and it took them six months to turn me down.
JEANNIE: That’s really slow.
DAN: And I thought I was eligible for government funding, but it seems I was mistaken. So then I asked the boss of the company I used to work for if they would sponsor me, and much to my surprise, he said they’d make a contribution (Q21).
JEANNIE: But what about college grants and scholarships? There must be some you could apply for.
DAN: Yes, there are, but they are, but they’re all so small that I decided to leave them until I was desperate.
JEANNIE: Uhuh.
DAN: And in fact I didn’t to apply. My parents had been saying that as I already had a job, I ought to support myself through college. But in the end they look pity on me, so now I’ve just about got enough (Q22).
JEANNIE: That’s good.
DAN: So now I can put a bit of effort into meeting people – I haven’t had time so far. Any suggestions?
JEANNIE: What about joining some college clubs?
DAN: Oh right. You joined several didn’t you?
JEANNIE: Yes, I’m in the drama club. It’s our first performance next week, so we’re rehearsing frantically, and I’ve got behind with my work, but it’s worth it. I’m hoping to be in the spring production, too.
DAN: I’ve never liked acting. Are you doing anything else?
JEANNIE: I enjoyed signing when I was at school, so I joined a group when I came to college. I don’t think the conductor stretches bus enough (Q23), though so I’ll give up after the next concert. And also joined the debating society. It’s fun, but with all the rehearsing I’m doing, something has to go (Q24), and I’m afraid that’s the one.
DAN: Do you do any sports?
JEANNIE: Yes, I’m in one of the hockey teams. I’m not very good, but I’d not very good, but I’d really miss it if I sopped. I decided to try tennis when I came to college, and I’m finding it pretty tough going. I’m simply not fit enough.
DAN: Nor me. I think I’ll give that a miss!
JEANNIE: I’m going it’ll help me build up my stamina, but it’ll probably be a long haul.
DAN: Good luck.
JEANNIE: Thanks.
DAN: How are you finding the course?
JEANNIE: I wish we had more seminars.
DAN: What? I’d have thought we had more than enough already. All those people saying clever things that I could never think of – it’s quite interesting, but I wonder if I’m clever enough (Q25) to be doing this course.
JEANNIE: I find it helpful to listen to the other people. I like the way we’re exploring the subject, and working towards getting insight into it.
DAN: How do you get on with your tutor? I don’t think I’m on the same wavelength as mine, so I feel I’m not getting anything out of the tutorials. It would be more productive to read a book instead.
JEANNIE: Oh, mine’s very demanding. She gives me a lots of feedback and advice, so I’ve got much better at writing essays. And she’s helping me plan my revision for the end-of-year exams (Q26).
DAN: Do you tell me, I always struggle with revision.
JEANNIE: Well, the first thing is to find out exactly what’s required in the exams.
DAN: Mm. Would it help to get hold of some past papers?
JEANNIE: Yes. They’ll help to make it clear.
DAN: Right, I’ll do that. Then what?
JEANNIE: Then you can sort out your revision priorities (Q27), based on what’s most likely to come up. I put these on a card, and read them through regularly.
DAN: Uhuh.
JEANNIE: But that isn’t enough in itself. You also need a timetable (Q28), to see how you can fit everything in, in the time available. Then keep it front of you while you’re studying.
DAN: I’ve done that before, but it hasn’t helped me!
JEANNIE: Maybe you need to do something different every day, so if you break down your revision into small tasks (Q29), and allocate them to specific days, there’s more incentive to tackle them. With big topics you’re more likely to put off starting.
DAN: Good idea.
JEANNIE: And as I revise each topic I write a single paragraph (Q30) about it – thenlater I h can read it through quickly, and d it helps fix things in my mind.
DAN: That’s brilliant.
JEANNIE: I also write answers to questions for the exam practice. It’s hard to make myself do it, though!
DAN: Well, I’ll try. Thanks a lot, Jeannie. That’s a great help.
JEANNIE: No problem.
DAN: See you aground.
JEANNIE: Bye.
Questions 21-22
Choose TWO letters A-E.
In which TWO ways is Dan financing his course?
A. He is receiving money from the government.
B. His family are willing to help him.
C. The college is giving him a small grant.
D. His local council is supporting him for a limited period.
E. A former employers is providing partial funding.
Answer:
21………………………..
22……………………….
Questions 23-24
Choose TWO letters, A-E.
Which TWO reasons does Jeannie give for deciding to leave some college clubs?
- She is not sufficiently challenged.
- The activity interferes with the studies.
- She does not have enough time.
- The activity is too demanding physically.
- She does not think she is any good at the activity.
Key:
23……………………….
24………………………
Questions 25-26
Choose the correct letters A, B or C.
25. What does Dan say about the seminars on the course ?
A. The other students do not give him a chance to speak.
B. The seminars make him feel inferior to the other students.
C. The preparation for seminars takes too much time.
26. What does Jeannie say about the tutorials on the course?
A. They are an inefficient way of providing guidance.
B. They are more challenging than she had expected.
C. They are helping her to develop her study skills.
Questions 27-30
Complete the flow-chart below. Choose NO MORE THAN TWO WORDS AND/OR A NUMBER for each answer.
Advice on exam preparation
|
Make sure you know the exam requirements |
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Find some past papers |
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Work out your 27……………………. for revision and write them on a card |
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Make a 28…………………….. and keep it in view |
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Divide revision into 29……………… for each day |
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Write one 30……………………… about each topic |
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Practise writing some exam answers |
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Answer:
21: B
22: E
23: A
24: C
25: B. The seminars make him feel inferior to the other students.
26: C. They are helping her to develop her study skills.
27: prioities
28: timetable
29: (small) tasks
30: (single) paragraph
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Thanks 😊 a lot