I. In-class writing task
Task: Spend 30 minutes on writing a letter to yourself/ pen-friend describing (up to the teacher to choose who to) your life as a freshman. Write approximately 100 words.
Assessment criteria:
Task response (audience, level of formality, number of words)
Organisation (layout, cohesion)
Mechanics (spelling, punctuation)
Variety of vocabulary/structure
II. Writing Test – (choose 4 or 5 of the following)
1. Break the text into paragraphs
2. Combine two simple sentences using appropriate conjunctions
3. Distinguish complete sentences from fragments
4. Correct run-on sentences
5. Choose the best linking word
6. Punctuating paragraphs
7. Other
Example writing test
Example task 1: Each list below contains one general idea and four specific ideas. For each list, underline the general idea. The first one has been done for you.
a. reading
b. going to movies
c. bowling
d. weekend entertainment
e. watching television
2. a. crime
b. pollution
c. crowds
d. disadvantages of cities
e. the high cost of housing
3. a. an excellent salary
b. a great new job
c. health insurance
d. flexible hours
e. company products for lower prices
4. a. marriage
b. children
c. good job
d. goals for the future
e. college degree
5. a. fresh air
b. advantages of camping
c. beautiful mountains
d. away from city crowds
e. cheap
Example task 2: Read the following paragraph and insert the correct capitalization and marks of punctuation wherever they needed.
Valentines day is celebrated on February 14 as a festival of romance and affection. People send their sweethearts greetings cards that ask won’t you be my valentine? Children like to make their own valentines from paper doilies red construction paper bright foils and wallpaper samples. These customs probably came from the ancient roman festival of lupercalia which took place every February 15. the festival honored juno the roman goddess of women and marriage and pan the god of nature. Young men and women choose partners for the festival by drawing names by chance from a box. After exchanging gifts they often continued to enjoy each others company long after the festival and many were eventually married. In the year 496 the church changed the lupercalia festival of February 15 to saint valentines day on February 14 but the sentimental meaning of the old festival has remained to the present time. According to the book popular antiquities which were written in 1877 people observing this holiday in England as early as 1446. One account tells of young men wearing the names of their ladies on their sleeves for several days. The expression he wears his heart on his sleeve probably came from this custom. In the united states valentines of that period were hand painted and today their beautiful decorative qualities make them collectors items.
|
