First Certificate Expert

How much do you know about the exam?

He listens well who takes notes. Dante Alighieri

http://www.breakthroughlearningcollege.com/home/learning-skills/study-skills/listening/taking-notes/

Make a draft of the structure of the exam using the following questions as a guide. Compare your notes with your classmates.

1. How many papers are there in the exam?

a) 4b) 5c) 6

1. How many papers are there in the exam?

5

2. What’s the pass mark?

a) about 60%b) about 65%c) about 70%

2. What’s the pass mark?

about 60%

3. Do you need to pass all the papers?

a) Yes, of course!b) No, passing most of them is enough.c) No, it’s the total mark that is important.

3. Do you need to pass all the papers?

No, it’s the total mark that is important.

4. In Paper 1 (Reading) which part is the most important?

a) Part 1, because the questions are worth more marks.b) Part 3, because there are more questions.c) All three parts are equally important and have the

same number of marks.

4. In Paper 1 (Reading) which part is the most important?

All three parts are equally important and have the same

number of marks.

5. In Paper 2 (Writing) do you have to answer all the questions?

a) Yes, so write quickly.b) You must answer question 1 and one other

from Part 2.c) You can answer any two questions.

5. In Paper 2 (Writing) do you have to answer all the questions?

You must answer question 1 and one other from Part 2.

6. In Paper 3 (Use of English) do you lose marks if the answer is wrong?

a) No, so take a chance if you don’t know, you might be lucky.

b) Yes, so only write an answer if you are really sure.c) Sometimes, it depends on how the examiner is

feeling.

6. In Paper 3 (Use of English) do you lose marks if the answer is wrong?

No, so take a chance if you don’t know, you might be lucky.

7. In Paper 4 (Listening) how many times do you hear each part?

a) Only once, so listen carefully.b) Twice (or more if you ask the examiner nicely).c) You will hear each part twice before going on

to the next part.

7. In Paper 4 (Listening) how many times do you hear each part?

You will hear each part twice before going on to the next part.

8. In Paper 5 (Speaking) do you speak to the examiner or your partner?

a) You only discuss things with your partner.b) Sometimes to the examiner and sometimes

to your partner.c) You say everything to the examiner.

8. In Paper 5 (Speaking) do you speak to the examiner or your partner?

Sometimes to the examiner and sometimes to your partner.

9. Is correct spelling essential?

a) Yes, all words must be spelt correctly in all papers.

b) It’s essential in Papers 2 and 3.c) No, everyone knows English spelling is difficult!

9. Is correct spelling essential?

It’s essential in Papers 2 and 3.

10. Which of the following can you take into the exam: a dictionary, a bottle of

water or a lucky rabbit’s foot?

a) All of themb) None of themc) Just the water and lucky rabbit’s foot.

10. Which of the following can you take into the exam: a dictionary, a bottle of water or a lucky rabbit’s foot?

Just the water and lucky rabbit’s foot.

Decide if the following are true or false

1) All papers are worth the same number of marks.2) In Paper 2 Part 2 (WT) you should write between

120-180 words.3) Contractions count as one word in Paper 3 (Use of

English)4) Spelling must always be correct in Paper 4

(Listening)5) You can take Paper 5 (Speaking) on your own if you

are shy.

Decide if the following are true or false

1) All papers are worth the same number of marks. T2) In Paper 2 Part 2 (WT) you should write between

120-180 words. T3) Contractions count as one word in Paper 3 (Use of

English) F4) Spelling must always be correct in Paper 4

(Listening) F5) You can take Paper 5 (Speaking) on your own if you

are shy. F

How much do you know about the exam now?

Talk to each other and complete your notes.