10
Unit 10: Go The Distance: Succeeding in exams
Select a unit
- 1Go The Distance: Choosing distance learning
- 2Go The Distance: Academic reading
- 3Go The Distance: Academic talk
- 4Go The Distance: Academic writing
- 5Go The Distance: Finding and using source material
- 6Go The Distance: Going the distance
- 7Go The Distance: Critical thinking
- 8Go The Distance: Social learning
- 9Go The Distance: Projects
- 10Go The Distance: Succeeding in exams
Session 4
Academic Writing 10 – Writing for exams
Welcome back to Academic Writing – our series that gives you the tools you need to write successfully as a student. It's exam time! Let's take a look at the challenges of doing exams and formal assessments in English.
Wayitii marii qabxii 4
0 / 10
- 0 / 0Activity 1
- 0 / 2Activity 2
- 0 / 8Activity 3
Activity 3
Can you spot the mistakes?
To do
You need to practise your proofreading regularly – so here's an activity to do just that! Take a look at this paragraph from a Childhood Studies exam essay. Can you identify all EIGHT mistakes in this paragraph?
Hojii kana yaali
Check your answers with this activity!
Identify the mistakes
8 Questions
Match each part of the paragraph with the mistake that has been made
Gargaarsa
Cufi
Activity
Match each part of the paragraph with the mistake that has been made
karaarra buusu
Proof read the paragraph very carefully!Gargaarsa
Cufi
Activity
Match each part of the paragraph with the mistake that has been made
karaarra buusu
Gargaarsa
Cufi
Activity
Match each part of the paragraph with the mistake that has been made
karaarra buusu
Gargaarsa
Cufi
Activity
Match each part of the paragraph with the mistake that has been made
karaarra buusu
Gargaarsa
Cufi
Activity
Match each part of the paragraph with the mistake that has been made
karaarra buusu
Gargaarsa
Cufi
Activity
Match each part of the paragraph with the mistake that has been made
karaarra buusu
Gargaarsa
Cufi
Activity
Match each part of the paragraph with the mistake that has been made
karaarra buusu
Gargaarsa
Cufi
Activity
Match each part of the paragraph with the mistake that has been made
karaarra buusu
Help
...that regular test place upon the individual.
VGhhdCdzIHJpZ2h0ISBUaGVyZSBpcyBhIGdyYW1tYXRpY2FsIG1pc3Rha2UgaW4gdGhlIHBocmFzZSAncmVndWxhciB0ZXN0Jy4gVGhlIG5vdW5zIGlzIHNpbmd1bGFyLCBidXQgd2UgbmVlZCB0byB1c2UgYSBwbHVyYWwgbm91biBvciBnZXJ1bmQgaGVyZS4gUmVtZW1iZXIgdG8gdXNlIGEgc2luZ3VsYXIgdmVyYiBmb3JtIGlmIHlvdSBjaG9vc2UgdGhlIGdlcnVuZCBmb3JtLiBUaGUgY29ycmVjdCB2ZXJzaW9uIHNob3VsZCByZWFkICdyZWd1bGFyIHRlc3RzIHBsYWNlJyBvciAncmVndWxhciB0ZXN0aW5nIHBsYWNlcyc=
U29ycnksIHRoYXQncyB3cm9uZy4gTG9vayBjbG9zZWx5IGF0IHRoZSBzdWJqZWN0IG5vdW4gYW5kIHZlcmIgaW4gdGhpcyBzZW50ZW5jZS4=
Grammar – comparative adjective form
...on their school life On of the key issues...
VGhhdCdzIHJpZ2h0ISBUaGVyZSBpcyBhIHB1bmN0dWF0aW9uIG1pc3Rha2UgaW4gdGhlIHBocmFzZSAnc2Nob29sIGxpZmUgT25lJy4gV2UgdXN1YWxseSBlbmQgc2VudGVuY2VzIHdpdGggYSBmdWxsIHN0b3AuICBUaGUgY29ycmVjdCB2ZXJzaW9uIHNob3VsZCByZWFkICcuLi5vbiB0aGVpciBzY2hvb2wgbGlmZS4gT25lIG9mIHRoZSBrZXkgaXNzdWVzLi4uJw==
U29ycnksIHRoYXQncyB3cm9uZy4gVGhlcmUgaXMgc29tZXRoaW5nIG1pc3NpbmcgYXQgdGhlIGVuZCBvZiBvbmUgc2VudGVuY2UgaGVyZS4=
Grammar – articles
As a result of increased stress they actually...
VGhhdCdzIHJpZ2h0ISBUaGVyZSBpcyBhIHB1bmN0dWF0aW9uIG1pc3Rha2UgaW4gJ0FzIGEgcmVzdWx0IG9mIGluY3JlYXNlZCBzdHJlc3MgdGhleSBhY3R1YWxseScuIFRoZXJlIHNob3VsZCBiZSBhIGNvbW1hIGFmdGVyIHRoZSBwaHJhc2UgJ2FzIGEgcmVzdWx0IG9mJyArIG5vdW4gcGhyYXNlICsgY29tbWEgKyByZXN1bHQgY2xhdXNlLiBUaGUgY29ycmVjdCB0ZXh0IHNob3VsZCByZWFkICdBcyBhIHJlc3VsdCBvZiBpbmNyZWFzZWQgc3RyZXNzLCB0aGV5IGFjdHVhbGx5Jw==
U29ycnksIHRoYXQncyB3cm9uZy4gTG9vayBjYXJlZnVsbHkgdG8gc2VlIGlmIHRoZXJlIGlzIGFueXRoaW5nIG1pc3NpbmcgZnJvbSB0aGlzIHNlbnRlbmNlLg==
Spelling
consequenses
VGhhdCdzIHJpZ2h0ISBUaGVyZSBpcyBhIHNwZWxsaW5nIG1pc3Rha2UgaW4gdGhlIHdvcmQgJ2NvbnNlcXVlbnNlcycuIFRoZSBjb3JyZWN0IHNwZWxsaW5nIGlzICdjb25zZXF1ZW5jZXMn
U29ycnksIHRoYXQncyB3cm9uZy4gV2UgbmVlZCBkaWZmZXJlbnQgbGV0dGVycyB0byBzcGVsbCB0aGlzIHdvcmQu
Punctuation – full stop
testing students as much...
VGhhdCdzIHJpZ2h0ISBUaGVyZSBpcyBhIHB1bmN0dWF0aW9uIG1pc3Rha2UgaW4gJ3Rlc3RpbmcnLiBXZSB1c3VhbGx5IHVzZSBhIGNhcGl0YWwgbGV0dGVyIGF0IHRoZSBiZWdpbm5pbmcgb2YgYSBzZW50ZW5jZS4gVGhlIGNvcnJlY3QgdmVyc2lvbiBzaG91bGQgcmVhZCAnVGVzdGluZyc=
U29ycnksIHRoYXQncyB3cm9uZy4gV2hhdCBkbyB5b3UgbmVlZCBhdCB0aGUgYmVnaW5uaW5nIG9mIGEgc2VudGVuY2U/
Grammar – subject-verb agreement
... the stresser they become.
VGhhdCdzIHJpZ2h0ISBUaGVyZSBpcyBhIG1pc3Rha2UgaW4gdGhlIHdvcmQgJ3N0cmVzc2VyJyBUaGUgd3JvbmcgY29tcGFyYXRpdmUgZm9ybSBvZiB0aGUgYWRqZWN0aXZlICdzdHJlc3NlZCcgaGFzIGJlZW4gdXNlZC4gVGhlIGNvcnJlY3QgdmVyc2lvbiBzaG91bGQgcmVhZCAnbW9yZSBzdHJlc3NlZCc=
U29ycnksIHRoYXQncyB3cm9uZy4gTG9vayBjYXJlZnVsbHkgYXQgdGhlIGZvcm0gb2YgdGhlIHdvcmRzIGluIHRoaXMgc2VudGVuY2Uu
Punctuation – capital letters
...they actually performing worse.
VGhhdCdzIHJpZ2h0ISBUaGVyZSBpcyBhIGdyYW1tYXRpY2FsIG1pc3Rha2Ugd2l0aCB0aGUgd29yZCAncGVyZm9ybWluZycuIFRoaXMgdmVyYiBzaG91bGQgYmUgaW4gdGhlIHByZXNlbnQgc2ltcGxlIGZvcm0uIFRoZSBjb3JyZWN0IHZlcnNpb24gc2hvdWxkIHJlYWQgJ3BlcmZvcm0n
U29ycnksIHRoYXQncyB3cm9uZy4gTG9vayBjbG9zZWx5IGF0IHRoZSB2ZXJiIGluIHRoaXMgc2VudGVuY2Uu
Grammar – verb form
As a result of a increased stress...
VGhhdCdzIHJpZ2h0ISBUaGVyZSBpcyBhIGdyYW1tYXRpY2FsIG1pc3Rha2UgaW4gdGhlIHBocmFzZSAnYXMgYSByZXN1bHQgb2YgYSBpbmNyZWFzZWQgc3RyZXNzJyBXZSBkb27igJl0IG5lZWQgYW4gYXJ0aWNsZSB3aXRoIHRoZSBub3VuIHBocmFzZSAnaW5jcmVhc2VkIHN0cmVzcycuIFRoZSBjb3JyZWN0IHZlcnNpb24gc2hvdWxkIHJlYWQgJ2FzIGEgcmVzdWx0IG9mIGluY3JlYXNlZCBzdHJlc3Mn
U29ycnksIHRoYXQncyB3cm9uZy4gVGhlcmUgaXMgYSBncmFtbWF0aWNhbCB3b3JkIHRoYXQgc2hvdWxkIG5vdCBiZSBpbiB0aGlzIHNlbnRlbmNlLg==
Punctuation – comma
You got all the answers correct
Some of the answers you gave were incorrect
Baga gammadde! Qormaata xumurteetta
Excellent!Great job!Carraa badaa!Qabxii argatte:
Excellent!Great job!Carraa badaa!Qabxii argatte:
x / y
Feedback Summary
Excellent!Great job!Carraa badaa!Qabxii argatte: x / y
1
...that regular test place upon the individual.
Sirrii miti
2
...on their school life On of the key issues...
Sirrii miti
3
As a result of increased stress they actually...
Sirrii miti
4
consequenses
Sirrii miti
5
testing students as much...
Sirrii miti
6
... the stresser they become.
Sirrii miti
7
...they actually performing worse.
Sirrii miti
8
As a result of a increased stress...
Sirrii miti
Identify the mistakes
8 Questions
Match each part of the paragraph with the mistake that has been made
Gargaarsa
Cufi
Activity
Match each part of the paragraph with the mistake that has been made
karaarra buusu
Question 1 of 8
Gargaarsa
consequensesVGhhdCdzIHJpZ2h0ISBUaGVyZSBpcyBhIHNwZWxsaW5nIG1pc3Rha2UgaW4gdGhlIHdvcmQgJ2NvbnNlcXVlbnNlcycuIFRoZSBjb3JyZWN0IHNwZWxsaW5nIGlzICdjb25zZXF1ZW5jZXMnU29ycnksIHRoYXQncyB3cm9uZy4gV2UgbmVlZCBkaWZmZXJlbnQgbGV0dGVycyB0byBzcGVsbCB0aGlzIHdvcmQu
aPunctuation – capital letters
bGrammar – articles
cPunctuation – comma
dGrammar – subject-verb agreement
ePunctuation – full stop
fGrammar – verb form
gSpelling
hGrammar – comparative adjective form
That's right! There is a spelling mistake in the word 'consequenses'. The correct spelling is 'consequences'
Sorry, that's wrong. We need different letters to spell this word.
Gargaarsa
Cufi
Activity
Match each part of the paragraph with the mistake that has been made
karaarra buusu
Question 2 of 8
Gargaarsa
...that regular test place upon the individual.VGhhdCdzIHJpZ2h0ISBUaGVyZSBpcyBhIGdyYW1tYXRpY2FsIG1pc3Rha2UgaW4gdGhlIHBocmFzZSAncmVndWxhciB0ZXN0Jy4gVGhlIG5vdW5zIGlzIHNpbmd1bGFyLCBidXQgd2UgbmVlZCB0byB1c2UgYSBwbHVyYWwgbm91biBvciBnZXJ1bmQgaGVyZS4gUmVtZW1iZXIgdG8gdXNlIGEgc2luZ3VsYXIgdmVyYiBmb3JtIGlmIHlvdSBjaG9vc2UgdGhlIGdlcnVuZCBmb3JtLiBUaGUgY29ycmVjdCB2ZXJzaW9uIHNob3VsZCByZWFkICdyZWd1bGFyIHRlc3RzIHBsYWNlJyBvciAncmVndWxhciB0ZXN0aW5nIHBsYWNlcyc=U29ycnksIHRoYXQncyB3cm9uZy4gTG9vayBjbG9zZWx5IGF0IHRoZSBzdWJqZWN0IG5vdW4gYW5kIHZlcmIgaW4gdGhpcyBzZW50ZW5jZS4=
aPunctuation – capital letters
bGrammar – articles
cPunctuation – comma
dGrammar – subject-verb agreement
ePunctuation – full stop
fGrammar – verb form
gSpelling
hGrammar – comparative adjective form
That's right! There is a grammatical mistake in the phrase 'regular test'. The nouns is singular, but we need to use a plural noun or gerund here. Remember to use a singular verb form if you choose the gerund form. The correct version should read 'regular tests place' or 'regular testing places'
Sorry, that's wrong. Look closely at the subject noun and verb in this sentence.
Gargaarsa
Cufi
Activity
Match each part of the paragraph with the mistake that has been made
karaarra buusu
Question 3 of 8
Gargaarsa
... the stresser they become.VGhhdCdzIHJpZ2h0ISBUaGVyZSBpcyBhIG1pc3Rha2UgaW4gdGhlIHdvcmQgJ3N0cmVzc2VyJyBUaGUgd3JvbmcgY29tcGFyYXRpdmUgZm9ybSBvZiB0aGUgYWRqZWN0aXZlICdzdHJlc3NlZCcgaGFzIGJlZW4gdXNlZC4gVGhlIGNvcnJlY3QgdmVyc2lvbiBzaG91bGQgcmVhZCAnbW9yZSBzdHJlc3NlZCc=U29ycnksIHRoYXQncyB3cm9uZy4gTG9vayBjYXJlZnVsbHkgYXQgdGhlIGZvcm0gb2YgdGhlIHdvcmRzIGluIHRoaXMgc2VudGVuY2Uu
aPunctuation – capital letters
bGrammar – articles
cPunctuation – comma
dGrammar – subject-verb agreement
ePunctuation – full stop
fGrammar – verb form
gSpelling
hGrammar – comparative adjective form
That's right! There is a mistake in the word 'stresser' The wrong comparative form of the adjective 'stressed' has been used. The correct version should read 'more stressed'
Sorry, that's wrong. Look carefully at the form of the words in this sentence.
Gargaarsa
Cufi
Activity
Match each part of the paragraph with the mistake that has been made
karaarra buusu
Question 4 of 8
Gargaarsa
As a result of a increased stress...VGhhdCdzIHJpZ2h0ISBUaGVyZSBpcyBhIGdyYW1tYXRpY2FsIG1pc3Rha2UgaW4gdGhlIHBocmFzZSAnYXMgYSByZXN1bHQgb2YgYSBpbmNyZWFzZWQgc3RyZXNzJyBXZSBkb27igJl0IG5lZWQgYW4gYXJ0aWNsZSB3aXRoIHRoZSBub3VuIHBocmFzZSAnaW5jcmVhc2VkIHN0cmVzcycuIFRoZSBjb3JyZWN0IHZlcnNpb24gc2hvdWxkIHJlYWQgJ2FzIGEgcmVzdWx0IG9mIGluY3JlYXNlZCBzdHJlc3MnU29ycnksIHRoYXQncyB3cm9uZy4gVGhlcmUgaXMgYSBncmFtbWF0aWNhbCB3b3JkIHRoYXQgc2hvdWxkIG5vdCBiZSBpbiB0aGlzIHNlbnRlbmNlLg==
aPunctuation – capital letters
bGrammar – articles
cPunctuation – comma
dGrammar – subject-verb agreement
ePunctuation – full stop
fGrammar – verb form
gSpelling
hGrammar – comparative adjective form
That's right! There is a grammatical mistake in the phrase 'as a result of a increased stress' We don’t need an article with the noun phrase 'increased stress'. The correct version should read 'as a result of increased stress'
Sorry, that's wrong. There is a grammatical word that should not be in this sentence.
Gargaarsa
Cufi
Activity
Match each part of the paragraph with the mistake that has been made
karaarra buusu
Question 5 of 8
Gargaarsa
...on their school life On of the key issues...VGhhdCdzIHJpZ2h0ISBUaGVyZSBpcyBhIHB1bmN0dWF0aW9uIG1pc3Rha2UgaW4gdGhlIHBocmFzZSAnc2Nob29sIGxpZmUgT25lJy4gV2UgdXN1YWxseSBlbmQgc2VudGVuY2VzIHdpdGggYSBmdWxsIHN0b3AuICBUaGUgY29ycmVjdCB2ZXJzaW9uIHNob3VsZCByZWFkICcuLi5vbiB0aGVpciBzY2hvb2wgbGlmZS4gT25lIG9mIHRoZSBrZXkgaXNzdWVzLi4uJw==U29ycnksIHRoYXQncyB3cm9uZy4gVGhlcmUgaXMgc29tZXRoaW5nIG1pc3NpbmcgYXQgdGhlIGVuZCBvZiBvbmUgc2VudGVuY2UgaGVyZS4=
aPunctuation – capital letters
bGrammar – articles
cPunctuation – comma
dGrammar – subject-verb agreement
ePunctuation – full stop
fGrammar – verb form
gSpelling
hGrammar – comparative adjective form
That's right! There is a punctuation mistake in the phrase 'school life One'. We usually end sentences with a full stop. The correct version should read '...on their school life. One of the key issues...'
Sorry, that's wrong. There is something missing at the end of one sentence here.
Gargaarsa
Cufi
Activity
Match each part of the paragraph with the mistake that has been made
karaarra buusu
Question 6 of 8
Gargaarsa
testing students as much...VGhhdCdzIHJpZ2h0ISBUaGVyZSBpcyBhIHB1bmN0dWF0aW9uIG1pc3Rha2UgaW4gJ3Rlc3RpbmcnLiBXZSB1c3VhbGx5IHVzZSBhIGNhcGl0YWwgbGV0dGVyIGF0IHRoZSBiZWdpbm5pbmcgb2YgYSBzZW50ZW5jZS4gVGhlIGNvcnJlY3QgdmVyc2lvbiBzaG91bGQgcmVhZCAnVGVzdGluZyc=U29ycnksIHRoYXQncyB3cm9uZy4gV2hhdCBkbyB5b3UgbmVlZCBhdCB0aGUgYmVnaW5uaW5nIG9mIGEgc2VudGVuY2U/
aPunctuation – capital letters
bGrammar – articles
cPunctuation – comma
dGrammar – subject-verb agreement
ePunctuation – full stop
fGrammar – verb form
gSpelling
hGrammar – comparative adjective form
That's right! There is a punctuation mistake in 'testing'. We usually use a capital letter at the beginning of a sentence. The correct version should read 'Testing'
Sorry, that's wrong. What do you need at the beginning of a sentence?
Gargaarsa
Cufi
Activity
Match each part of the paragraph with the mistake that has been made
karaarra buusu
Question 7 of 8
Gargaarsa
As a result of increased stress they actually...VGhhdCdzIHJpZ2h0ISBUaGVyZSBpcyBhIHB1bmN0dWF0aW9uIG1pc3Rha2UgaW4gJ0FzIGEgcmVzdWx0IG9mIGluY3JlYXNlZCBzdHJlc3MgdGhleSBhY3R1YWxseScuIFRoZXJlIHNob3VsZCBiZSBhIGNvbW1hIGFmdGVyIHRoZSBwaHJhc2UgJ2FzIGEgcmVzdWx0IG9mJyArIG5vdW4gcGhyYXNlICsgY29tbWEgKyByZXN1bHQgY2xhdXNlLiBUaGUgY29ycmVjdCB0ZXh0IHNob3VsZCByZWFkICdBcyBhIHJlc3VsdCBvZiBpbmNyZWFzZWQgc3RyZXNzLCB0aGV5IGFjdHVhbGx5Jw==U29ycnksIHRoYXQncyB3cm9uZy4gTG9vayBjYXJlZnVsbHkgdG8gc2VlIGlmIHRoZXJlIGlzIGFueXRoaW5nIG1pc3NpbmcgZnJvbSB0aGlzIHNlbnRlbmNlLg==
aPunctuation – capital letters
bGrammar – articles
cPunctuation – comma
dGrammar – subject-verb agreement
ePunctuation – full stop
fGrammar – verb form
gSpelling
hGrammar – comparative adjective form
That's right! There is a punctuation mistake in 'As a result of increased stress they actually'. There should be a comma after the phrase 'as a result of' + noun phrase + comma + result clause. The correct text should read 'As a result of increased stress, they actually'
Sorry, that's wrong. Look carefully to see if there is anything missing from this sentence.
Gargaarsa
Cufi
Activity
Match each part of the paragraph with the mistake that has been made
karaarra buusu
Question 8 of 8
Gargaarsa
...they actually performing worse.VGhhdCdzIHJpZ2h0ISBUaGVyZSBpcyBhIGdyYW1tYXRpY2FsIG1pc3Rha2Ugd2l0aCB0aGUgd29yZCAncGVyZm9ybWluZycuIFRoaXMgdmVyYiBzaG91bGQgYmUgaW4gdGhlIHByZXNlbnQgc2ltcGxlIGZvcm0uIFRoZSBjb3JyZWN0IHZlcnNpb24gc2hvdWxkIHJlYWQgJ3BlcmZvcm0nU29ycnksIHRoYXQncyB3cm9uZy4gTG9vayBjbG9zZWx5IGF0IHRoZSB2ZXJiIGluIHRoaXMgc2VudGVuY2Uu
aPunctuation – capital letters
bGrammar – articles
cPunctuation – comma
dGrammar – subject-verb agreement
ePunctuation – full stop
fGrammar – verb form
gSpelling
hGrammar – comparative adjective form
That's right! There is a grammatical mistake with the word 'performing'. This verb should be in the present simple form. The correct version should read 'perform'
Sorry, that's wrong. Look closely at the verb in this sentence.
Baga gammadde! Qormaata xumurteetta
Excellent!Great job!Carraa badaa!Qabxii argatte:
Excellent!Great job!Carraa badaa!Qabxii argatte:
x / y
Feedback Summary
Excellent!Great job!Carraa badaa!Qabxii argatte: x / y
1
consequenses
Sirrii miti
2
...that regular test place upon the individual.
Sirrii miti
3
... the stresser they become.
Sirrii miti
4
As a result of a increased stress...
Sirrii miti
5
...on their school life On of the key issues...
Sirrii miti
6
testing students as much...
Sirrii miti
7
As a result of increased stress they actually...
Sirrii miti
8
...they actually performing worse.
Sirrii miti
Review
We hope that you now feel more prepared to tackle exam essays. At the bottom of this section, you can find links to more printable exam-related activities.
But before we finish, let's take another look at what we've learned about written exam technique so far.
- Prepare well to give yourself the best chance of success – get organised, revise essay language, practise doing timed tasks and make a study plan!
- Planning is also important in the exam itself – having a clear plan for your exam essay will help you write a clear and coherent answer.
- Don't just sit back when you've finished writing – make sure you proofread what you've written to check for any mistakes!
- Always check your work for spelling, punctuation,and accuracy – if you've made a mistake, just put a single line through it!
Find out more
Would you like to do some more exam writing exercises? Download our free pdf worksheet to do more activities on types of essay plan and how to structure your paragraphs. Click on Downloads to get the pdf.
Where next
Session Vocabulary
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