2016-10-21 Rodrigo: independent writing

Greg Malivuk
[email protected]
http://www.pastebin.com/u/gmalivuk - Notes from all my classes
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ETS (Educational Testing Service) produces the TOEFL test, so they have the most accurate sample and practice tests.
Part 1 (The Moon) - question types
1 paraphrase (of a single sentence - each passage usually has exactly one paraphrase question)
2 vocabulary
3 vocabulary
4 inference (the question usually includes “infer” or “imply”, or sometimes “what is probably true”)
5 negative fact (key words are NOT or EXCEPT, always capitalized)
6 fact
7 vocabulary
8 fact
9 fact
10 vocabulary
11 fact
12 sentence insertion (there is always one question like this)
13 summary

Other question types:
reference - it will ask you to identify what a word like “this” or “it” refers to
purpose - it will ask what the purpose of including a comment or example is
categorization/table completion - put answers in two or three categories (such as p. 439)
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Listening question types:
detail (similar to fact questions)
inference (similar to inference questions in reading)
prediction (“What will the student probably do next?”)
attitude (“What is the professor’s attitude about ___?”)
main topic / main idea
purpose (Why did the student go to see the professor? Why is the professor giving this talk today?)
function (Why does the person say ___?)
organization (How is the lecture mainly organized?)

Some listening detail questions are similar to categorization reading questions - for each sentence you have to choose which category it’s true for.
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Independent writing (last thing you’ll do on the test) - 30 minutes total to prepare, write, and edit

https://wordcounter.net/ - count words and sentences, on the test you will read something like, “Typically, an effective essay will have a minimum of 300 words.”

Example:
Do you agree or disagree with the following statement?
There are times when it is acceptable not to tell the truth.
Use specific reasons and examples to support your answer.

You’ll want to pick the option (agree or disagree) that you can most easily write about with good supporting reasons and examples. If you can quickly think of three types of situations when it might be okay not to tell the truth, those are your three body paragraphs and you know how to write your essay.

KISS = Keep It Simple, Stupid

Introduction - Overall background information and your thesis statement.
Body - 2-4 paragraphs, one for each of your main reasons, each paragraph should include some supporting details and examples
Conclusion - Restate your thesis and summarize your reasons. Possibly add a prediction for the future or recommendation for the reader.
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Homework for Tuesday: finish the reading practice
	also: write a response to this independent prompt
Do you agree or disagree with the following statement?
Subjects such as art, music, and drama should be a part of every child’s basic education.
Use specific reasons and examples to support your opinion.