EL112- Final Examination-Jan 09
EL112:
English Communication Skills (2)
FORM
A
FINAL EXAMINATION
Day & Date: Saturday, 31st January 2009
ANSWER KEY
2008/2009
Pages 1- 11
Student's Full Name
In Arabic: _______________________
In English: ______________________
Student's ID (Registration number):
Tutor's Name (in Arabic):
______________________________
Your Section Number:
______________________________
EXAM COMPONENTS, GRADES AND TIME YOU ARE ADVISED TO SPEND ON EACH
SECTION:
SECTION
1: READING
2: GRAMMAR
3: WRITING
TOTAL
MINUTES
TOTAL
POINTS
20
15
15
50
48
36
36
120
* To be filled by tutor.
1
EARNED
POINTS*
EL112- Final Examination-Jan 09
Section 1
Reading
20 Marks
45 Minutes
Read the following passage carefully and answer the questions that follow.
Wonders of the Modern World
I don’t believe that today’s wonders are similar in kind to the wonders of the
Ancient World. They were all buildings, such as the Pyramids in Egypt, or other
architectural structures. Over the past 100 years, we have seen amazing technological
and scientific achievements. These are surely our modern wonders.
1. The internet
It is everywhere. More than half a billion people use it, and the number of people
who are online increases by 100 million every year. In 1994 there were only a few
hundred web pages. Today they are billions. It has revolutionized the way we live and
work. But we are still in the early days. Soon there will be more and more interactivity
between the user and the website, and we will be able to give instructions using
speech.
2. Space travel
In 1969, Neil Armstrong stepped out of his space capsule onto the surface of the
moon and made his famous statement: “That’s one small step for a man, one giant leap
for mankind”. Since then, there have been space probes to Mars, Jupiter, Saturn, and
even to the sun. One day, a space observatory will study how the first stars and
galaxies began. So far, it seems that we are alone in the universe. There are no signs
yet that there is intelligent life outside our own solar system. But who knows what the
future holds?
3. Medical science
Surely nothing has done more for the comfort and happiness of the human race
than the advances in health care! How many millions of people have benefited from the
humble aspirin? How many lives has penicillin saved? Average life expectancy
worldwide has risen dramatically over the past 100 years, from about 47 years in 1900
to about 77 years today.
4. International travel
We are a world on the move. Airlines carry more than 1.5 billion people to their
destinations every year. It is estimated that, at any one time these days, there are as
many people travelling in aeroplanes as the total number of people who travelled
abroad in the whole of the nineteenth century (but I have no idea how they worked this
out!)
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EL112- Final Examination-Jan 09
5. The Olympic Games
It is true that they are now commercialized, and there is greed and drug abuse.
However, it is a competition in which almost every country in the world takes part.
Every four years, for a brief moment, we see the world come together in peace and
friendship. We feel hope again for the future of mankind.
6. Agriculture
In 1724, Jonathan Swift wrote, “Whoever makes two blades of grass or two ears
of corn grow where only one grew before serves mankind better than the whole race of
politicians.” In Europe our farmers have done this. In 1709, whole villages in France
died of hunger. Now in Europe, we can’t eat all the food we produce. If only politicians
could find a way to share it with those parts of the world where there is famine.
7. We are still here!
The last wonder of the modern world is simply that we are still here. We have had
nuclear weapons for over 50 years that could destroy the world, but we haven’t used
them to do it. This is surely the greatest wonder of all!
Written by: Ann Halliday
Excerpt from New Headway Plus
I-
Read the text about the wonders of the world and write a topic from
the following in the paragraph headings 1-6 above.
(6 marks. 1 mark each)
International travel / Medical science / The internet /
Agriculture / Space travel / The Olympic Games
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EL112- Final Examination-Jan 09
II- Answer the following questions in the space provided: (8 marks/ 1 mark
each)
1. What has changed because of the internet? What will happen with the internet?
Billions of people are using the internet. The way we live and work has been
revolutionized. We will give instructions using speech.
2. What has happened in space exploration since 1969?
Since 1969, there have been space probes to Mars, Jupiter, Saturn etc…
Studies were being conducted to show how galaxies began. However,
indicators show that we are alone in this universe.
3. What is the most noticeable result of better health care?
The average life expectancy worldwide has risen dramatically during the past
100 years. It jumped from 47 years in 1900 to 77 years nowadays.
4. x = the number of people who travelled abroad in the nineteenth century. What
does x also equal?
X is also equal to 1.5 billion people who travel every year these days.
5. What are the good and bad things about the Olympics?
The Olympics brings people together in peace from all over the world every
four years. It renews hope about the future. However, it can be associated
with greed and drug abuse.
6. What point was Jonathan Swift making about farmers and politicians?
Jonathan Swift stated that if farmers increase their production, they will
serve mankind better than the race of politicians.
7. ‘We are still here!’ Why is this a wonder?
It is a wonder in the sense that we have nuclear weapons that could destroy
the whole world, yet we are wise enough not to use them.
8. What do these numbers refer to?
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EL112- Final Examination-Jan 09
100 million / a few hundred / 1969 /
millions of people / 47 / four / 1709 /
50
100 million refers to the annual increase of internet users.
A few hundred pertains to the availability of web pages in 1994.
1969 is the date Neil Armstrong stepped on the surface of the moon.
Millions of people have benefited from the humble aspirin.
47 years refers to the average life expectancy in 1900.
The Olympic Games are held every four years.
1709 is the year of famine when whole villages died of hunger in France.
We have had nuclear weapons for 50 years.
III- Match each topic in A with two items in B. (6 marks / 1 mark each)
A
B
a- International travel
Solar system (e)
Airlines (a)
Competition (f)
Online (c)
Corn (d)
Health care (b)
Drug abuse (f)
Penicillin (b)
Famine (d)
Galaxies (e)
Abroad (a)
Website (c)
b- Medical science
c- The Internet
d- Agriculture
e- Space Travel
f- The Olympic Games
Section 2
Grammar
15 Marks
35 Minutes
1- A. Rewrite the following sentences in reported speech. (3 marks / 1
mark each)
1- He asked, "Do I have to do it?"
→ He asked whether I had to do it.
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EL112- Final Examination-Jan 09
2- "Where have you been?" the mother asked her daughter.
→ The mother asked her daughter where she had been.
3- "Are you going to the cinema?" he asked me.
→ He wanted to know whether I was going to the cinema.
B. Rewrite the following sentences correcting all run-on sentences and
fragments. (3 marks / 0.5 each)
1. The airport is about to shut down because of the snow and if the plane doesn't
land soon it will have to go on to Boston.
The airport is about to shut down because of the snow, and if the plane
doesn't land soon it will have to go on to Boston.
2. The show begins at 7:30 make sure you're there before 7:15.
The show begins at 7:30. Make sure you're there before 7:15.
3. John always knew his way around the woods this is something he could always
depend on.
John always knew his way around the woods; this is something he could
always depend on.
3. People already believed the precious metals to be divine so their use in money
intensified its allure.
People already believed the precious metals to be divine, so their use in
money intensified its allure.
4. Having prepared himself so well for the final exams, Jeffrey, who had never been
a particularly good student in high school, knew he was ready to take on the
greatest challenge of his life. (This one is correct)
Having prepared himself so well for the final exams, Jeffrey, who had never
been a particularly good student in high school, knew he was ready to take
on the greatest challenge of his life.
5. Judy leads a charmed life she never seems to have a serious accident.
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EL112- Final Examination-Jan 09
Judy leads a charmed life; she never seems to have a serious accident.
C. Choose the best alternative to fill in the blanks. (5 marks / 0.5 each)
1- The athlete has injured his knee; he isn’t performing _____________ he used to.
a. as well as
b. more than
c. such as
2- I try to be calorie-conscious; __________ I put on weight.
a. besides
b. unless
c. otherwise
3- ____________ I was hungry, I didn’t eat.
a. although
b. in spite of
c. yet
4- Mary doesn’t like milk, and __________ do I.
a. either
b. neither
c. so
5- The man __________ car was stolen called the police
a. who’s
b. whose
c. whom
6- I suggest that she _________ harder to pass the exam.
a. study
b. studies
c. studied
7- By March, I ____________________ for six months on my project.
a. will have been working
b. will work
c. will have worked
8- Most of the teenagers prefer eating out _____________ at home.
a. to eat
b. to eating
c. eat
9- All the _______________ cars are in the shaded parking lot.
a. doctor’s
b. doctor
c. doctors’
10- I went to the party and got bored. I wish I _____________ to the party.
a. hadn’t gone
b. haven’t gone
c. didn’t go
D. Use the list of transitions below to complete the following sentences.
(4 marks / 0.5 each)
Despite / because / in addition / however /
consequently / therefore / since / but
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EL112- Final Examination-Jan 09
1- Since the door was unlocked, the burglar didn’t have to break into the house.
2- Despite feeling tired, I didn’t go to bed.
3- We didn’t like our car. Therefore, we are buying a new one.
4- Smoking causes heart problems. In addition, it causes lung cancer.
5- I love horses because they are faithful.
6- She is very rich. However, she isn’t happy.
7- She studied hard for the exam. Consequently, she got a good grade.
8- He always eats good food, but he never exercises.
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EL112- Final Examination-Jan 09
Section 3
Writing
15 Marks
40 Minutes
Write an essay of about 300 words on the following topic:
Some people believe that university students should be required to attend classes.
Others believe that going to classes should be optional for students. Which point of
view do you agree with? Use specific reasons and details to explain your answer.
A. Plan your essay before you begin. Write a thesis statement, 2
topic sentences, and a concluding sentence for the essay. (5 marks)
Thesis Statement
(2 marks)
Topic Sentence 1
(1 mark)
Topic Sentence 2
(1 mark)
Concluding Sentence
(1 mark)
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EL112- Final Examination-Jan 09
B. Write your essay here. Make sure you support the thesis
statement and topic sentences with specific details. When you have
finished, check your work. (10 marks)
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EL112- Final Examination-Jan 09
ESSAY WRITING RUBRIC
Item
Possible
Points
1
Introduction
Conclusion
Grammar / Syntax
Vocabulary / Usage
Punctuation / Capitalization
1
2
1
1
Spelling
Transition
Quality
1
1
2
Student’s
Points
Tutor’s Remarks
Subtotal out of 10
Missing or Incomplete
-0.5 each
Sentences
Incoherent Sentences
-0.5 each
Irrelevant Sentences
Inappropriate Transitions
-0.5 each
-0.25
each
Total out of 10
Tutors may find the above scoring rubric helpful to them in grading the writing part.
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