Use of English

End-of-Year English Exam

Teachers often need to design an end-of-year English exam that is both fair and useful. For Grade 8 students following a Cambridge Lower Secondary course, the paper should test a range of skills without becoming too stressful. A balanced exam might be divided (0) INTO two main sections: Reading and Writing. In Section A, the reading tasks should be based (1) .......... clear and engaging texts. These may include articles, stories or short reports that allow students to show they can understand main ideas and specific details. It is also important to include questions that ask learners to work (2) .......... the meaning of words from context. Section B should give students the chance to express themselves in writing. They may be asked to write an email, an article or a short narrative. The tasks should be linked (3) .......... topics that are familiar to teenagers, so that they have ideas to draw (4) ........... Examiners should also make sure the instructions are set (5) .......... clearly and that the mark scheme is easy to follow. Overall, a good exam should not only measure progress but also build (6) .......... students' confidence. If the level is appropriate, learners are more likely to deal (7) .......... the paper calmly and finish it successfully. In that way, the exam serves (8) .......... a useful final check of what they have learned.