Are you about to take the Cambridge ESOL Delta Module One exam? This is the first in a series of articles which will look in detail at all the tasks in exam, to make sure you understand the exam requirements and can avoid some of the most common mistakes made by candidates. The articles are written by Sue Swift, who has taught on Cambridge ESOL Diploma exam courses for over 35 years and currently runs on-line and face to face courses for all three modules of the Delta scheme. Find out more about them by clicking on the link in the sidebar.
To pass the Delta Module One Exam, you have to know your stuff. But you also have to know how to get it all down on paper in the time allowed, and in the format that will get you the maximum marks without wasting time.
So over the next couple of weeks we’ll be posting a series of articles to check you understand the requirements of each question, and to provide a few exam tips. And if you stick with us, at the end there’ll be a link to a quiz where you can test that you’ve remembered everything.
First of all then, here are some general comments.
The exam consists of two papers, taken on the same morning (always the first Wednesday in June and December). Each paper lasts 90 minutes, and you'll have a 30-45 minute break in between. There are 100 marks for each paper and you have to get a cumulative 50% to pass. In other words, it's doesn't matter where you get the marks - you could do one paper brilliantly and the other very badly, but as long as the total marks were over 50% you'd pass. So - 100+ marks to get in 180 mins, which means that to ensure a pass mark you need to aim for at least one mark every minute and a half - more if you're aiming for a merit or distinction grade. Let's say a mark a minute.
Sounds tough? Keep in mind that you're not asked to write essays, and frequently not even full sentences. Concentrate on getting down the points you need to make, using semi-note form, lists and bullet points. If you try to answer the questions in essay form, you'll waste a lot of time without gaining any marks. As we look at each of the individual tasks on the papers, we'll look too at the format you might use.
Paper One - Task One
You have five minutes for the first task and can immediately pick up six marks. You're given six definitions, usually with an example, and are asked to state the term which relates to each definition. The definitions may be of methods or activity types, terms which relate to grammar, phonology, lexis or discourse, terms relating to skills and subskills, or to testing – anything in fact from the syllabus. No problem at all if you know your stuff. However, there are still a few thing to keep in mind :a) The terms must be 100% accurate, and that includes spelling. If you misspell the term, even though you clearly know the right answer, you won’t get the mark. Don’t worry though about standard spelling alternatives, for example differences between British and American spelling. Both will be accepted – eg behaviourism / behaviorism
b) There are sometimes alternative terms for the same thing. Plosives can also be called stops, washback is also known as backwash, Community Language Learning is also called Counseling Language Learning, and so on. However, only one of the terms is required – if they are standard alternatives either will be accepted. If you put down both and they’re both right, you won’t gain anything but will have wasted time that could have been used to gain a mark elsewhere. If you put down two terms and one is wrong, then you don’t get the mark – even if the other is correct. So put down the one you are most confident of, and nothing else.
c) Don’t get sidetracked by the example, which may be more specific than the definition. For example, what answer would you give for : A sound made by initially blocking the airflow, but then releasing it through a small space, creating friction. Eg /ʤ/ ?
The answer is An affricate. If you had written Voiced postalveolar affricate, you would have been describing the specific example, not the term in general. The definition covers all affricates – voiced or unvoiced and in whatever place of articulation. The postalveolar affricates may be the only ones which are phonemes of English, but there are others - think, for instance, of the unvoiced alveolar affricate in Swahili words such as tsetse. So be careful – the term must reflect the general concept expressed in the definition, leaving out any “extra” features specific to the example.
Paper One - Task Two
Task Two is really the mirror image of Task One. This time you are given the terms and have to provide the definition, an example and a piece of extra information. Some things to bear in mind :
a) Six terms are given and you have a free choice of defining any four. Choose the four you are most confident about. You don’t have to do them in order, so start with the one you consider easiest, to get you into the task.
b) Don’t run over time on this one. You have 15 minutes to gain twelve marks - that’s already outside our “one mark per minute” aim. If you start with the easiest term, if you’ve not finished by the time the 15 minutes are up it’s probably because you’re struggling. In that case move on – you’re more likely to pick up the marks by doing the later questions thoroughly than by spending more time here.
c) Alternatively, if you find the task easy, don’t get carried away and try to write everything you know on the topic. Give one example and one piece of extra information only. Once you’ve stated these, there are no more marks to be had, so you’re just wasting time which can be better spent elsewhere.
d) Don’t forget the “piece of extra information”. This is not specified in the rubric, but it carries a third of the marks for the task. When you practise for this task, get into the habit of laying out your answer in three bullet points, so that you don’t forget. For example, if the term is adjacency pair your answer might be something like :
a) Six terms are given and you have a free choice of defining any four. Choose the four you are most confident about. You don’t have to do them in order, so start with the one you consider easiest, to get you into the task.
b) Don’t run over time on this one. You have 15 minutes to gain twelve marks - that’s already outside our “one mark per minute” aim. If you start with the easiest term, if you’ve not finished by the time the 15 minutes are up it’s probably because you’re struggling. In that case move on – you’re more likely to pick up the marks by doing the later questions thoroughly than by spending more time here.
c) Alternatively, if you find the task easy, don’t get carried away and try to write everything you know on the topic. Give one example and one piece of extra information only. Once you’ve stated these, there are no more marks to be had, so you’re just wasting time which can be better spent elsewhere.
d) Don’t forget the “piece of extra information”. This is not specified in the rubric, but it carries a third of the marks for the task. When you practise for this task, get into the habit of laying out your answer in three bullet points, so that you don’t forget. For example, if the term is adjacency pair your answer might be something like :
- A sequence of two related utterances by different speakers, the second being dependent on the first
- Eg : Compliment –Thanks/downgrading : This cake is wonderful!/ Thanks. But it’s really simple to make.
- Adjacency pairs are often formulaic and/or culturally determined.
e) Don’t repeat the term in the definition – you need to explain it. So for example, if defining learning style avoid : The individual style in which someone learns. This doesn't define the term but simple rephrases it. A better answer would be : The typical approach (including methods, activities, procedures etc) which an individual tends to favour / find most useful in order to acquire information or skills.
f) Be careful when you formulate the definition. If this is wrong, the “extra information” will not receive a mark either (although the example will if it is correct). For example, what is wrong with the following definitions and how would you rephrase them?
- A cloze test : A test involving a text from which individual words have been removed. The student must then read the passage and replace the words.
- An error : A mistake which the student makes because s/he doesn’t know the correct structure
- Topic sentence : The opening sentence of a paragraph.
You’ll find the answers if you scroll down to the end.
So how can you prepare for these questions? As you prepare for the exam, while you're reading or as you go through your course, make yourself a set of terminology cards, like the ones in the photo above. On one side write the term, and on the other a definition (without using the term), an example, and some extra information. Keep the cards in a box on your desk, and every day, take ten or twelve of them at random and put them in your bag. Every time you have a moment during the day when you have nothing else to do - for example when you're waiting for the bus or in a queue at the bank, take a few of the cards out and test yourself. Either look at the side with the definition and see if you can remember the term, or look at the term and see if you remember all the information on the other side.
So how can you prepare for these questions? As you prepare for the exam, while you're reading or as you go through your course, make yourself a set of terminology cards, like the ones in the photo above. On one side write the term, and on the other a definition (without using the term), an example, and some extra information. Keep the cards in a box on your desk, and every day, take ten or twelve of them at random and put them in your bag. Every time you have a moment during the day when you have nothing else to do - for example when you're waiting for the bus or in a queue at the bank, take a few of the cards out and test yourself. Either look at the side with the definition and see if you can remember the term, or look at the term and see if you remember all the information on the other side.
In addition, you’ll find a lot more examples and advice for both these questions and all the others on the two papers in the various documents published by Cambridge ESOL. If you haven’t already done so, look at these carefully between now and the exam. You can download them all from the Cambridge
In the next article in this series, we'll look at the requirements of Paper One, Task 3.
In the next article in this series, we'll look at the requirements of Paper One, Task 3.
If you’re intending to do the Module One exam this December, why not join us on 3-4 November 2012 for an intensive, weekend exam preparation seminar. Ideal if you’re self-preparing, failed in a previous session and are retaking, or did a Module one course a while ago and need a pre-exam booster. The seminar will give you a complete overview of all the areas on the syllabus, and a chance to practise for each of the tasks in the exam. And in addition, you’ll have full access to our Module One online course, with a wealth of further input and exam practice, for the month between the seminar and the exam. See our course website The Delta Course for full details.
How did you do with the definitions?
a) Cloze : This one was too generic. It describes any type of gapped text, not a cloze test in particular. It also reuses the word "test" rather than defining it. A better definition would be : An activity used to measure reading comprehension in which words are removed from a reading passage at regular intervals – eg every 7th word, or every 9th word. The reader then has to replace the words.
b) An error : Two problems here. Firstly, mistake is used as a synonym for any type of inaccuracy, including error, rather than for another, distinct type of inaccuracy. And secondly, it’s too restrictive. An error isn’t always structural – learners may make lexical errors, word stress errors or whatever. So, a more accurate definition would be : Inaccuracy in speech or writing due to lack of knowledge of the language item needed.
c) A topic sentence : Whilst topic sentences are frequently found at the beginning of a paragraph, first sentences are not always topic sentences and topic sentences may also occur in other positions. And even if the assertion were true, it would still be only half the definition as no mention is made of the function of the topic sentence. A better definition would be : A sentence (often the initial sentence) in a text or paragraph which introduces and/or summarises the main idea or argument of the text/paragraph.
To see the other articles in this series:
To see the other articles in this series:
Part Four - Paper One Task Five
Part Five - Paper Two Task One
Part Six - Paper Two Tasks Two and Three
Part Seven - Paper Two Task Four
Part Five - Paper Two Task One
Part Six - Paper Two Tasks Two and Three
Part Seven - Paper Two Task Four
and to check your understanding, try a couple of quizzes (you'll need to register, but it's free and no strings attached) :
So you think you know about Paper One?
So you think you know about Paper Two?
So you think you know about Paper One?
So you think you know about Paper Two?