Tips on Reading Exams

Before you start taking an examination, read it through. Sometimes the first time that you read a question, you will be extremely overwhelmed by it. However, reading the test thoroughly will give you more time to let the question sink in.
• Read it through more than once if need be. However, do not waste a lot of time only in the reading exam.
• Read the directions carefully. While reading the directions, put your pen down. Do not answer any questions." Most students will go right to the questions without reading the directions at all...
• Go through the questions slowly. Do not skip words, and do not assume that you know that the question is asking. Make sure that you always read the questions thoroughly. If you provide a wonderful answer, but it is an answer to the wrong question, you are not going to get any points.
• Watch out for key words. If the question says "yes" or "no," and is a true or false question, the answer is most likely false. That being said, there are exceptions to every rule.
• Look for the most basic meaning. The reason why so many extremely intelligent students do not test well is because they look for deep and hidden meanings of questions.

Following Directions: A skill worth learning

No names on papers? No titles on compositions? No answers rounded to the nearest tenth? Many teachers find themseleves confronting such problems while grading papers, because our students may not be paying attention to directions. In order to be a successful student you have to recognize the importance of reading instructions thoroughly and following them.

Unfortunately, in the rush to complete assignments, students often race past directions to get to the "meat" of their work but some teachers have hidden the answer to a simple question, or a hint to a tougher one, within the directions of an exam, just to encourage students to read the directions!

Teachers of some students may craft a page of instructions that students must read in their entirety before beginning to work and include as the last one, "Ignore all of the directions above and turn in your paper." See if you can understand and follow the instructions for the following exercise.

On a lined sheet of paper perform the following tasks

1. Write your name first name on the last line of the paper at the left-hand margin.
2. On the first line on the paper write the numbers 1 through 9. Start at the left and print the numbers. Leave a space between each number.
3. Circle the number 6.
4. Draw a star in the upper left-hand corner of the page.
5. Fold your paper in half the long way.
6. Open up your paper, then fold it the opposite way.
7. Use the tip of your pencil to poke a hole in the center of the paper (the place where the two folds meet).
8. Draw a heart around the hole you made in your paper.
9. Write the first initial of your last name in the upper right-hand corner of the page.
10. On the last line on the page, write the word done near the right margin.

Do you understand what you were asked to do and did you do it in the correct order? In the exams you will take starting next week, make sure you read and understand the instructions carefully BEFORE you begin answering the questions. If you have any questions make sure to ask the invigilators in your exam room. They are there to help you for those times when you don't understand instructions. Good luck!

More about Earning a living

grade 10-01, some reading for the weekend
Kurdistan
http://www.kurdishaspect.com/doc621103.html
Can we make an earning online? For an answer please click on the link below
http://www.dazzlindonna.com/blog/featured/monetize-your-site-11-ways-to-make-money-online/
On sunday we will discuss more about various ways one can earn.

Confusing words in English

Ever wonder the difference between desert and dessert? Which is the one to eat and which is where to go camping?

Many words in English cause confusion because of the similar spelling and / or pronunciation.

Take a look at some words below which are common confusing words to readers and writers.

affect / effect
they're / their / there
accept / except
sit / set
adapt / adopt
always / all ways
aloud / allowed

Visit the link to know more about these confusing words in English.

Link: http://www.alphadictionary.com/articles/confused_words.html

(Reference: www.alphadictionary.com)

Exams Preparation

Most students view taking final exams as a dreadful experience. They undergo different levels of anxiety, tension and worrying. For centuries, getting and pursuing knowledge has not changed.

A multi-level system is applied where students learn and progress in their educational career.

Exams are used for assessing the students in a competitive arena throughout the system. According to their results, students either move forward to a higher level or repeat their academic year.

So, gentlemen the countdown has begun. Start preparing for your exams. Review, Practice and Clear your doubts.

Writing: Shopping malls / Souks

Every year, more and more shopping malls are being built in the UAE. Do you think that this is a good development? Explain why.

You could support your opinion by writing about:

where people shopped in the past
what people like/do not like about shopping malls
what people like/do not like about small shops or souks
what shopping malls have that old shops do not....
Write about 100 – 150 words.

Finding it difficult to concentrate during Reading?

If you find your mind wanders when you're studying, you may actually be reading too slowly! If you read too slowly your brain has spare capacity, so your thoughts will wander off on a tangent.
This section will introduce you to Speed Reading — simply, reading faster; also to Skimming a text to get a quick overview, and Scanning a text to quickly find relevant information.
You can easily train yourself to read more quickly — if you are willing to practice.
Improving your Reading Speed
Physically, when reading, your eyes move jerkily across a number of "fixation points".
Speed-readers don't try to take in and understand each and every word. They don't "read aloud" in their head.
Speed-readers read in "blocks", thus maximising the number of words they read in any "fixation".
So...
• Relax.
• Focus.
• Use a ruler or index card to guide your eyes down the page of text, line by line. You may feel self-conscious, but it works! Alternatively, just run the end of a pen under each line.
• Move the pen, ruler or card smoothly across/down the page, and force your eyes to keep up.
• Remember, don't fixate on each and every word.
• You will be surprised how much you take in.
Skim Reading
The aim of skim reading is to get the general idea, gist or overview of a text and its content, not to have a detailed understanding of the text.
• Use the Contents page to get an overview.
• Read the first and last sentence of each chapter / section / paragraph to see where the text is going and what it's covering.
Scanning
Scanning is what you do when you read very quickly for a specific piece information. For instance, when looking up a number in a phone book.
Use headings and titles and formatting clues (e.g. bold text, indented quotations) on the page to help you home in on what you're looking for.
Don't try to read every word.

Homonyms, homophones, what the....?

For the record, homonyms and homophones are the same and are defined this way

Homonyms (also called homophones) are words that sound like one another but have different meanings. Some homonyms are spelled the same, like bark (the sound a dog makes) and bark (the outer layer of a tree trunk). Some homonyms are spelled differently, like one (the number) and won (having been victorious).

Now that we've got that out of the way, take a look at this online self-help quiz and see how well you do. Click here on the word "link" to take the quiz.