CAMBRIDGE LOWER SECONDARY ENGLISH 8: MID-POINT
TEST
Name ________________________________ Date ____________________
Mid-point test
Part 1: Non-fiction
Section A: Reading
Spend around 20 minutes on this section.
Read the text below (an extract from an online article), then answer questions 1–6.
Why learning to manage time matters for students
How well do students manage their time? With homework, activities, and screen time competing for
attention, learning how to organise time has become more important than ever. When my children first started
secondary school, they often rushed through homework or forgot deadlines completely. We began by creating
a simple weekly plan and setting aside short, focused study sessions each evening.
Managing time was not only about finishing homework faster. It helped them feel calmer and more confident.
They learned how to break large tasks into smaller steps and plan ahead instead of panicking at the last
minute. Families who talk about schedules together often avoid unnecessary stress and misunderstandings.
Time management is a life skill. Students who organise their time well learn responsibility and independence.
Skills such as prioritising tasks, meeting deadlines, and staying focused are essential at school and beyond.
There is also a sense of achievement when students complete their work on time and still have space for rest
and hobbies.
Good habits formed early can lead to long-term success. Students who understand how to manage their time
are better prepared for exams and future responsibilities.
1 Look at the headline. Who is this article aimed at? [1]
______________________________________________________________
2 Identify a structural technique used in the first two lines and explain why it is effective.
Structural technique:
Effect:
[2]
3 Explain, using your own words, what ‘competing for attention’ means in line 2. [1]
4 What is the main purpose of paragraph 2 (lines 5–8)?
Tick (✓) one box. [1]
to describe different school subjects
to suggest that managing time improves wellbeing and confidence
to explain how timetables are made
to persuade students to do more homework
5 What does ‘time management is a life skill’ mean in paragraph 3? [1]
6 a List the benefits that students gain from time management mentioned in paragraphs 3 and 4 (lines 9–14).
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[2]
b Write a summary of up to 50 words about the benefits students gain when they learn to manage their time.
Include five points from your list. Use your own words as far as possible.
[2]
Section B: Writing
Spend around 20 minutes on this section.
1 Write an article for your school magazine about the importance of managing time effectively.
You should write three paragraphs.
You could consider:
• why it is important to manage time well
• your most useful time-management habits
• how families or schools can support students to manage time effectively. [10]
Space for your plan:
Write your article.