Ministry of Education
ELT Counsellor 's Office
Specifications for GSEC Examination
First stage (2009 – 2010)
English: (First Foreign Language) (Time: 3 Hours)
A – Language Functions ( 8 Marks )
1- Respond to each of the following situations:
Four (4) everyday life situations are described briefly, but clearly .Students are asked to respond by writing the appropriate language form (s) they would use in each situations. (4 Marks) One mark each
2- Say where each of the following two mini – dialogues take place and who the speakers are:
Two real life mini – dialogues are given. The students are asked to write where each mini dialogue take place and who the speakers are.
(4 Marks) Two marks for each mini – dialogue: one for the place and half a mark for each speaker
B- Vocabulary and structure ( 14 marks )
3- Choose the correct answer from a,b,c or d :
Sixteen (16) multiple – choice items , with four (4) options each , based on the vocabulary and structure taught in the set books ( eight vocabulary and eight structure ), are provided .Students are asked to choose the correct answer
(8 Marks) (Half a mark each)
4- Find the mistake in each of the following sentences then write it correctly .
Six (6 ) separate sentences , with one mistake in each ( three structures and three vocabulary ), are provided . Students are asked to find the mistake in each sentence , then write the sentence correctly . ( 6 Marks one mark each )
C – Reading ( 17 Marks )
5- Read the following passage then answer the questions
An unseen Factual text of 120-150 words is provided. The text should be relevant to the previously taught material. Students are asked to answer three (3) short answer questions, and two (2) multiple – choice ones, with four (4) options each
(5 Marks one mark each)
6- Read the following passage , then answer the questions :
An unseen Narrative , Descriptive or Argumentative text of 120- 150 words is provided . Text should be relevant to the previously taught material. Students are asked to answer questions, and two (2) multiple – choice ones, with four (4) options each. (5 Marks one mark each)
The Questions in the two passages should test the following reading comprehension skills :
- identifying the main idea
- extracting information
- Vocabulary in context – multiplied meaning
- understanding reference (e.g. pronouns and other reference words)
- predicting
The spiders (7 marks)
7-Answer the following questions:
-Students are asked to answer:
a- Two open ended questions. (One and half mark each)
b- Two completion items. (One mark each)
c- Two questions based on one quotation. (One mark each)
The questions should test the students' understanding of the plot, incidents and characters in the prescribed novel.
D- Writing (11 marks)
8- Write a paragraph about 100 words about …………… (6 marks)
Students are asked to write a paragraph about 100 words about a topic appealing to their age , interests, likes , aspirations, etc . The topic should be self – explanatory (i.e. easy to understand)
The paragraph will be scored according to the following criteria:
- Content - vocabulary - mechanics of writing
OR: Write a letter to …………. / an e- mail to …………………………….. . (6 Marks)
Students are asked to write a personal letter or an e- mail .The topic of the letter / e- mail should be self – explanatory. The names of the addresses and the sender should be mentioned, but no address is given.
9- a – Translate into Arabic :
Students are asked to translate three (3) short connected meaningful sentences of about thirty (30) words from English into Arabic. (3 Marks one mark each)
b- Translate into English
Students are asked to translate two (2) separate meaningful sentences of about ten (10) words each from Arabic into English. (One mark each)
The translation question aims at testing the students' awareness of the areas of conflict between the mother tongue and the target language .
Total: 50÷ 2 = 25 Marks
الخميس يوليو 02, 2009 10:55 am
