20200915 - Results

So the June exams results are out. I know I said June, but the exams, due to the Covid-19 pandemic only happened in September. Technically they were the June exams.


And ... drum roll ... I passed! Yay!


These following are the marks in each exam.


Reception

  Listening comprehension: 24

  Reading comprehension: 23

Production

  Spoken production: 21

  Written production: 21

Mediation

  Written + Spoken (combined): 22.5

Total

 111.5 (out of a possible 125)


The results are good, can't really complain, but ... they are a little bit lower than the mock exam back in February.

I know I made a mistake in the Written Mediation and only realised it when I was too deep into it. I started offering opinions and that is a big no no. So, that could explain the drop in points in the Mediation skill.

I did better in the Spoken production this time around. I did know what to expect, but still I was very nervous. Loads of room for further improvement there!

However, the Written production did somehow drop a few marks. I should really have a look at that.


In any case, I should celebrate and get the paperwork ready to enrol in the C2 class!!




Should anyone want to know more about what the skills are and mean, have a look at this:

Common European Framework of Reference for Languages. Companion Volume Feb 2018


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PS (20200916):

I took the opportunity to revise my exams with Manolo and it turns out I was wrong about the Mediation marks. I lost some marks indeed, but not because of the reason I stated above.

In both the Written Production and the Written Mediation I lost points because I simply wrote too much! I far exceeded the word count guidelines. Far far exceeded them.

In an exam you can fall short or exceed the guideline by about 15% of the maximum word count. I went well above that 15% in all cases.

Each of the Written Production tasks cost me 2 points because of the 'over-extension' ... that is 4 points. Every other marking category was perfect. Except the word count. That is why I scored 21 points out of 25 in the Written Production exam.

In the Written Mediation pretty much the same. Another 2 points lost in there.


I can live with that. I know I will have to work on that for future exams.

20200901 - Unit 10 - Occasions - Quick Overview (Vocab + Useful Language)

 USEFUL LANGUAGE


- Take turns in more formal conversation

Passing a turn to speak to someone else
  Please, after you.
  Go on.

Signalling you want to continue speaking
  Speaking of which ...
  Before we get started ...
  Before we move on ...
  As I was saying
  Sorry, if I could just finish what I was saying ...

Taking a turn to speak
  Now, if you don't mind me coming in here,
  Sorry to interrupt, but ...



- Passive reporting verbs

We use passive reporting verbs to generalise about what most people say or think. Also to report information from other sources.

  The color white is known to represent purity in many cultures.
  It has been shown that superstition influences behaviour (Smith, 2003)
  It has been reported that the new US Postmaster General policies are causing widespread delays.
  It is widely known that the middle of the week is the worst day for many office workers.
  In past times, it was believed that the Sun revolved around our planet.
  The president is understood to be furious about the reports about his health.
  That has been said before many a time about me.
  She has been said to have met the president in a hotel room.
  It is thought to be good luck to do an exam on a Friday.
  He is reported to be colluding with the Russians again.
  It is not known for certain what the origin of the SARS-Cov-2 is.
  It is widely assumed that the origin of the current coronavirus is a wet market in Wuhan.
  It was not made clear to me.
  Donald Trump has implied that he might not accept the results of the election should he lose.
  It has been suggested that many jobs will be lost forever.
  It is argued that this crisis could be the worst the West has ever faced.
  It was announced that the exam results will be published soon.
  The current president is widely regarded amongst the left as possibly the greatest threat to democracy.
  ...




VOCABULARY

- Communication verbs

move on to
go into
present
demonstrate
illustrate
throwaway remark
address
pay tribute
back up
summarise
voice concerns
attack
sell an idea
conclude


- Superstitions, customs and beliefs

make a wish
traditionally
magic spell
customary
good fortune
good luck charm
ward of evil
fingers crossed
be on the safe side
touch wood
third time lucky
tempt fate
plausible
far-fetched
persuasive
convincing