What you’re expected to know for the exam from Wendy’s classes
1. Learning requirements for UK Legal System and Society
You are expected to be familiar with the following (*indicates background knowledge only - there
won’t be an essay set on this topic):
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Historical: an overview of how the UK came into existence*
Northern Ireland: the background and impact of the Troubles*
Devolution: the nature and implications of devolution in Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales
Immigration and identities: the multiethnic make up of the UK; the question of identities and
“Britishness”
The political system: Parliament, the electoral system, political parties, May’s general election
Constitutional issues: House of Lords reforms and others since 1997, including Constitutional
Reform Act (legal system overlap)
The legal system(s): legal professions and education, courts, judiciary, juries, sentencing
Education: state and independent schools, exams, universities
The media: the different newspapers and their political allegiances; hacking scandal*
This means that you should have followed the lectures and studied both the PowerPoint handouts and
any other related texts that have been distributed in class. In addition you should have read the
specified references in British Civilization, An Introduction and Unlocking the English Legal System.
The multiple choice website exercises for Unlocking… are an effective way to revise, as are
attempting the relevant sample essay questions in the book. The same applies to the exercises at the
end of relevant chapters of British Civilization.
In the written exam you will get two short essay questions connected to the above areas in UK legal
system and society and two about US legal system and society topics. You must write about one of
each.
2. Learning requirements for Spoken English
You are expected to be familiar with the articles we have studied in class from Texts for Spoken
English to the extent that you should be able to discuss the issues raised. Being able to argue both
sides of a question and having an opinion are a definite plus.
You will not be required to know about presentation topics unless they are related to topics or texts
studied in class.
Your fluency and pronunciation will also be assessed at the beginning of the oral exam when you are
asked to read a short article aloud. This is something you can practise at home. (See Texts p. 60 for
common pronunciation problems.)
3. Learning requirements for Grammar and Written English
You will not be tested on specific areas of grammar and punctuation in the written exam, as your
language will be assessed in the essays and translation. Pay special attention to S-V agreement, use of
apostrophes etc and try to use more sophisticated/formal structures and expressions. Your written texts
should flow well and have a sound structure.
You can revise by doing the remaining exercises in Grammar and on the Legal English website.
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Both your oral and written English should be relatively fluent and correct, that is to say largely free
from the kind of mistakes we have studied in connection with Exercises for Grammar and Written
English and that you have read about in Legal English and Practical English Usage.