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Preparing
for exams
Marjorie
Henry, Contributor
The
geography examinations are offered
at the general and basic proficiency
levels.
At
the basic level, the assessment consists
of two papers, paper one and paper
two, while at the general level, the
assessment comprises three papers
- paper one, two and three.
My
focus in today's lesson is the first
paper. This is a common paper across
both levels. It consists of 60 multiple
choice items drawn from all areas
of the syllabus, namely map reading,
natural, human and human-environment
systems. A total of 60 marks is to
be earned on this paper.
Understanding
structure
An
understanding of the structure of
the multiple choice question may prove
useful. So, let me share with you
that there are FOUR components in
each item.
These
are:
- the
STEM which can take different forms
- the
OPTIONS which are the alternatives
or a set of suggested answers
- the
KEY which is the ONE correct option
or answer
- the
DISTRACTORS, the incorrect options.
Let
me identify for you, these components
in the following item:
Which
of the following factors has the least
influence on the rate of chemical
weathering?
A)
porosity of the rocks
B)
intensity of the rainfall
C)
mineral composition of the rock
D)
arrangement of rock layers
The
question is the STEM and A
B C D are the OPTIONS. D is
the correct option, hence the KEY.
A, B C are incorrect options and are
the DISTRACTORS.
As
indicated before, the STEM can take
different forms. It can be a question
as in the example given above, or
a statement with alternative endings
similar to the item below.
Weathering,
which involves the break-up of rocks
by the action of growing tree roots,
is BEST described as
A)
biological chemical weathering
B)
biological mechanical weathering
C)
organic chemical weathering
D)
inorganic physical weathering
You
can also be given several statements
and then asked to select what is true
about a particular topic. Here is
an example:
How
do late summer fires affect the tropical
grass-lands?
I.
They are fuelled by the fallen leaves
and dry conditions.
II.
They char the base of the trees.
III.
They add nutrients to the soil.
IV.
They reduce the number of decomposers
(living organisms) in the soil.
A)
I, II, III only
B)
II, III, and IV only
C)
I, III and IV only
D)
All of the above
You
would have noticed, from the examples
of multiple choice items given, that
there are only FOUR options, namely
A B C D. This is what is given in
the CSEC examinations.
Examine
paper carefully
Similar
to part (a), that is, profile one
of your essay questions, stimulus
materials are given on the multiple
choice paper. These include charts,
diagrams, maps, tables and graphs.
Naturally,
you are asked questions based on what
is given. You would need then to study
these carefully to find the correct
answer.
The
time allotted to paper one is less
than paper two. As stated earlier,
you are given 60 items and these are
to be answered in one and a half hours.
It, therefore, means that you have,
at most, a minute and a half for each
question.
Notwithstanding
that fact, do make sure that you understand
the STEM of the item first of all.
Examine
the given OPTIONS carefully and quickly,
and identify the correct answer. Shade
that letter for the correct answer
(the KEY) on the given answer sheet.
If
you can work through most answers
within a minute, you will have some
time at the end to review your answers
and make corrections if needs be.
Aim for this.
May
I caution you on another very important
matter? DO NOT go 'lucky dipping'
or guessing. Your multiple choice
paper is a test of skills as related
to map reading, and recall or knowledge,
generally. Prepare for it as you do
for the essay paper.
In
the next lesson, I will give you some
multiple choice items to work on.
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Former
national athlete Keith Gardner
(left) presents a gold medal
to Greater portmore's Ivan Duhaney
at the Multi-Care Sports Foundation
athletic meet held at the G.C.
Foster College in Spanish Town
on Tuesday, May 6.
Photo
by Anthony Minott
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Marjorie
Henry is an independent contributor.
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