The UTech Robotics team, from left: Radchiv Guy, Chevaugn Robinson, Kimroy Bailey and Tarick Edwards show off their robotic invention which copped third place in the open hardware competition at the Region 3 Institute of Electronic and Electrical Engineers (IEEE) Southeast Conference 2012 held at the Wyndham Hotel in Orlando, Florida, from March 15-18. YOUTHLINK MAGAZINE | MAY 15-21, 2012
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yl:english language NATASHA THOMAS-FRANCIS
Contributor
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ELLO, ALL! We started a journey in September, 2010, and now we have come to the end of an eventful road. As you make the final preparations for the CXC English A examination, I want to leave with you some tips on how to approach each section of the paper. The key thing to note when sitting the multiplechoice exam (Paper 01) is that you should not leave any space unmarked. If you are in doubt about an answer, guess! You have a one in four chance of being correct! Pace yourself well; do not spend too much time on the first 20 items as you will encounter five to six reading passages further on in the paper. Let’s turn our attention to the Paper 02. Consider the following when approaching each section:
SECTION A (SUGGESTED TIME: 35 MINUTES)
yl:geography
This section tests your factual writing skills; therefore, your opinion is not needed! Your language must be simple, clear and concise. You should write using your own words also. Use connecting words and phrases to make your writing flow. You must adhere to the word limit (usually 120 words). If you are asked to write a summary of an extended passage, your task is to reproduce a shorter but accurate version of it.
Final words SECTION B (SUGGESTED TIME: 40 MINUTES) This section tests your comprehension skills. Your understanding of how meaning is conveyed in poetry and prose is key. Follow the mark scheme for each individual question – this will provide a guide for how much you should write and what you should write. Generally, the more marks that are attached to a question, the higher the level of knowledge needed to answer the question. When asked to explain a phrase or word, reread the section of the passage or poem from which the word/phrase is quoted and answer the question based on the context. After reading the passage/poem through once, ask yourself the question: “What is this about?” This will help you to answer the questions in context. Prose passages will fall under one of three categories: Narrative – an extract from a story; characterised by characters, setting, conflict. Persuasive – an extract expressing the writer’s opinion/point of view; characterised by persuasive techniques, such as sarcasm, irony, pun, hyperbole.
SECTION C (SUGGESTED TIME: 45 MINUTES)
This section tests your creative skills. There will be two stories and one description from which you will respond to just one question. If you choose to write a description, do not turn it into a story; you will be penalised if you do this. If you choose to write a story, ensure that there is a build-up of the plot, a climax and resolution (whether it be a positive one or a negative one). The main difference between a story and description is that the former is characterised by a plot (conflict and resolution) and the latter tends to focus on a single event, place or person. Use your figurative language and appeal to as many senses as possible. The superior writers tend to use the flashback technique in writing their stories.
Points to remember MARJORIE HENRY
questions and answers to ensure that you have written what you have been asked for. Use it also to add information and make corrections.
Contributor
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N THE last lesson I started a list of guidelines for you to successfully complete your Paper 02 in the examinations. Here are a few more points of which I wish to remind you as I continue the discussion:1. After you have read through the question paper and selected the questions you desire to do, make jottings on the question paper re the important information you will want to include in the answer to those questions before you begin to write. This helps you to write quickly.
5. You write your answers in a booklet. On the cover of it there is a section that you must fill in the numbers of the questions you have done and in the order in which you have done them. Please remember to complete this. Let us now look at Paper 01. This consists of 60 multiplechoice items drawn from all areas of the syllabus. Preparation for this paper is just as important as for Paper 02. You have to do this paper in one and a half hours and you must answer ALL questions. Do not become engaged in a guessing game. You must know the facts and be able to recall information in order to do a good paper.
2. Write legibly throughout. The examiner must not be required to decipher what you have written. 3. Incorporate diagrams in your answers, not only where they are specifically asked for, but also where they can assist you in answering the question properly. These must be properly drawn, carefully labelled in print rather than cursive writing and must be referred to in your account. Crayons can assist you in doing your diagrams so take them along with your geometry set to the examinations. 4. On the matter of managing your time, if you use the suggested time on each question that was given in the last lesson, the remaining 15 minutes should be used to read over the 14
Expository – an extract based on factual information; characterised by facts, numbers, dates. The questions will be closely linked to the type of prose passage given, so try to identify the category before answering the questions.
For this paper, you indicate your answers on a special answer sheet. This has circles with the letters A, B, C, and D representing the options for each multiple-choice item. You are to shade in the option you choose for your response using a soft pencil, for example HB, 2B, 3B and the #2 series. Hard pencils will damage the sheet and also give pale shading; two undesirable situations which may result in you being awarded a failing grade. Do the shading neatly, remaining within the circle. In addition to the soft pencil, you should have a clean, soft eraser in the event that you make an error and wish to correct it.
YOUTHLINK MAGAZINE | MAY 15-21, 2012
SECTION D (SUGGESTED TIME: 30 MINUTES) This section tests your argumentative skills. Now your opinion and persuasiveness is needed! Pay close attention to the instruction for the question you choose. This will tell you whether or not you will be taking one particular side to an argument or giving your views on the topic in general. Even though you may be arguing for one side of the topic, you are allowed to concede if necessary. You must support your points with examples and explanations. You must demonstrate your use of persuasive techniques/devices (discussed in previous lessons). Please be reminded that the English A examination is on Thursday, May 17, 2012. You will do both papers on the same day, so ensure that you have a ‘hearty’ breakfast! It was a pleasure sharing with you this academic year and I want to wish you all the best in your final exams. I am sure that just like our Jamaican athletes, who are expected to do extremely well in the London Olympics later on this year, you too will receive that ‘gold medal’ when you collect your examination results in August. God bless you! Natasha Thomas-Francis teaches at Glenmuir High School. Send questions and comments to kerry-ann.hepburn@gleanerjm.com
I am cognisant of the fact that you are familiar with multiplechoice items, but do you know that there is a specific structure to them? Let us identify the structure in reference to a few items. Coral reefs survive in seawater where the temperature is between: 0 0 0 0 A. 18 C and 27 C B. 27 C and 35 C 0 0 0 0 C. 20 C and 27 C D. 18 C and 25 C Notice that there is an opening statement followed by some options for you to choose the correct answer. The statement is called the stem. The options are the alternatives or a set of suggested answers. Four are given on the paper and are labelled A, B, C and D as seen in the item above. In the options, only one is the correct answer. This is called the key. The other three are incorrect options and are referred to as distractors. They can be very close to the correct answers so you must be careful in your selection and not be carried away by the distractors. The correct answer or key for the item above is C. The stem can also be a question. Here is an example: Which of the following characteristic of vegetation is least likely to be found in the tropical rainforest? A) continuous canopy of foliage B) large area of trees of the same species C) trees reaching different heights D) leaves falling in all seasons The discussion on the structure of multiple-choice item will continue in the next lesson. Marjorie Henry is an independent contributor. Send questions and comments to kerry-ann.hepburn@gleanerjm.com
yl:chemistry
Revision questions FRANCINE TAYLOR-CAMBELL
Contributor
1. A STUDENT conducted a number of tests on an aqueous solution of compound X. The observations made are recorded on the table below. You are required to fill in the inferences that could be made based on the observations recorded.
ANSWERS
Zn2+, Al3+, and Pb2+ may be present. -
-
-
(i) No halide ion is present i.e. Cl , Br and I
(ii) Brown fumes indicate that the gas is nitrogen dioxide (NO2). It turns moist blue litmus red because it is an acidic gas. NO3 ion present. (iii) White ppt soluble in xs aqueous NaOH suggests that either
(iv) White precipitate soluble in excess aqueous ammonia confirms that of the three cations in (iii) the one present is Zn2+ (v) Potassium manganate (VII) was not reduced by Solution X. The possible ions that could do this are SO32- and S2- (remember the YOUTHLINK MAGAZINE | MAY 15-21, 2012
halide ions are already ruled out). This means that SO32- is not present. (vi) The ion present is SO42- as it the only ppt formed with barium ions that does not dissolve in acid. Francine Taylor-Campbell teaches at Jamaica College. Send questions and comments to kerry-ann.hepburn@gleanerjm.com
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yl:biology
Practise, practise
QUESTIONS
10. In a leaf, which of these cells carry water to the palisade mesophyll? A Phloem cells B Guard cells
11. To test for the presence of fructose in fruits you need: A Hydrochloric acid B Iodine solution C Benedict’s reagent D Sodium Hydroxide 12. The end product of the digestion of proteins is: A Amino acids B Glucose C Fatty acids D Glycerol 13. The function of bile is to:
20. In a mammal, deoxygenated blood from the body enters the: A Right atrium B Left atrium C Right ventricle D Left ventricle
5. Which of these statements is not correct? A Plant cells have cell walls and cell membranes. B Cells without nuclei can divide. C Plant cells have large vacuoles. D Animal cells store glycogen.
How many correct answers did you get? Was your score 100%? I hope it was since that would certainly help to build your confidence! I wish you all the best in your exams. Remember to stay focused, stay calm and leave the cellphones at home! God bless you all!
6. Plasmolysis would occur in plant tissue left in: A Distilled water. B Sugar solution less concentrated than cell sap. C Salt solution less concentrated than cell sap. D Salt solution more concentrated than cell sap.
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Monacia Williams teaches at Glenmuir High School. Send questions and comments to kerry-ann.hepburn@gleanerjm.com PHOTO BY CHRISTOPHER THOMAS
Webster Thompson (fourth left), teacher at William Knibb Memorial High School in Falmouth, Trelawny, receives an appreciation plaque from The Gleaner’s Denique Mattis for the school’s participation in promoting The Gleaner’s Youthlink publication. Also pictured, from left: Gloria Grant, Youthlink coordinator and PE teacher at the school, and students Tyreke Thomas, Tashana Henry, Kelesha Nelson, Leonardo Reid and Mandisa Hutchinson. YOUTHLINK MAGAZINE | MAY 15-21, 2012
ANSWERS
8. Which of the following are necessary for photosynthesis to occur?
18. The complete oxidation of sugars is: A Breathing B Gaseous exchange C Aerobic respiration D Anaerobic respiration 19. Which of the following transport oxygen? A Red blood cells B Phagocytes C Lymphocytes D Plasma
4. Which of these is not found in an animal cell? A Cell membrane B Cytoplasm C Nucleus D Cell wall
7. Which of the following is not a function of roots? A Taking in mineral salts. B Releasing energy. C Making food. D Taking in water.
17. Which of the following statements is not true? A Plants respire all the time. B Plants only respire at night. C In the daytime photosynthesis in green plants exceeds respiration. D At night plants take in oxygen.
5B 10 C 15 A 20 A
3. Which of the following food chains includes all these organisms in the correct order? 1 Human, 2 Pondweed, 3 Tilapia , 4 Large fish, 5 Mosquito larva A2 3 5 1 4 B4 5 3 1 2 C2 5 3 4 1 D2 5 4 1 3
9. The elements carbon, hydrogen, nitrogen and oxygen are found in: A Glucose B Fat C Amino acids C Nitrates
C Xylem cells D Spongy cells
16. Which of the following is a characteristic of all respiratory surfaces? A They are always kept moist. B They always have a blood supply. C They are only found in animals. D They are found only inside the body.
4D 9C 14 C 19 A
2. Which of the following about food chains is correct? A Producers always outnumber consumers. B Producer biomass is greater than consumer biomass. C Consumers always outnumber producers. D The number of producers is equal to the number of consumers.
1 Carbon dioxide 2 Energy 3 Nitrogen 4 Chlorophyll 5 Oxygen 6 Water A 1, 3, 4, 5 B 2, 3, 4, 6 C 1, 2, 5, 6 D 1, 2, 4, 6
15. Deoxygenated blood is brought to the lungs in the: A Pulmonary artery B Pulmonary vein C Vena cava D Hepatic artery
3C 8D 13 C 18 C
1. Green plants are producers because they: A Produce chlorophyll in their leaves. B Are eaten by herbivores. C Make food from inorganic substances. D Produce seeds in their fruits.
14. Assimilation is the : A Taking in of food through the mouth. B Digestion of food in the alimentary canal. C Use of soluble substances by body cells. D Removal of waste metabolic products.
2B 7C 12 A 17 B
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ELCOME TO the final in our series of lessons. This week we look at multiplechoice questions from a range of topics covered by the syllabus. Read through the stem of the questions carefully. Note the words that are written in capital letters; they are written like that for a reason. Do not guess the answer; read, think carefully then answer the question. Sometimes it requires very careful thought to eliminate the detractor, don’t be misled. If you bear these tips in mind and you have studied well, then you should be able to get the grade one you so desire! Try to answer the questions below then compare your answers with the ones given.
A Produce gall stones B Deaminate proteins C Emulsify fats and oils D Digest fats and oils
1C 6D 11 C 16 A
MONACIA WILLIAMS
Contributor
yl:social studies MAUREEN CAMPBELL
Contributor
A
CONSUMER may be defined as someone who acquires goods or services for direct use or ownership rather than for resale or use in the production and manufacturing process. There are different categories of consumers, consumers may be individuals, groups or institutions. Consumer of goods Consumers of services Consumers of credit
CONSUMER DEMAND Did you know that human wants are unlimited? The resources for the use of human beings are limited/scarce and many times expensive. It is, therefore, necessary for people to exercise choice. This satisfaction of human wants is linked with the production of goods and services and their pricing process. The price of goods is determined by the forces of demand and supply in the market. The process through which a consumer obtains the goods and services he wants to consume is known as demand. Demand implies three things: that the goods are desirable and consumers have the ability and willingness to pay.
Consumer affairs CONSUMER RIGHTS INCLUDE Being assured of safety and protection. Being informed about goods and services. Choosing and having access to a variety of products and services at fair and competitive prices. Being heard, expressing and representing consumer interests. Requiring redress and being compensated for misrepresentation, substandard goods or unsatisfactory services. Being knowledgeable about consumer education and becoming skilled and informed consumers. Having a healthy environment that will enhance the quality of life and provide protection from environmental problems.
RESPONSIBILITIES OF CONSUMERS Consumers must: Be aware of the quality and safety of goods and services before purchasing. Gather all the information and facts
available about a product or service in order to make good choices. Be able to think independently and make choices. Be able to speak out about their needs and wants. Complain and inform businesses and other consumers of dissatisfaction with a product or service. Be an ethical consumer and to be fair by not engaging in dishonest practices which cost all consumers money. Respect the environment and avoid waste, littering and contribution to pollution.
Our governments require businesses to disclose detailed information about products in areas such as safety or for public-health issue. Consumer protection is linked to the idea of ‘consumer rights’ and to the formation of consumer groups which help consumers make better choices in the marketplace and get help with their complaints.
FORMS OF CONSUMER PROTECTION Government: Price control, placing ceiling price on some goods Quality/standards control Ensure fair trading practices Regulations regarding imports, exports and the use of consumer goods The supervision of credit facilities The inspection of food and drugs
CONSUMER PROTECTION This entails the laws and organisations designed to ensure the rights of consumers, as well as fair trade competition and the free flow of straightforward/honest information in the marketplace. The main aim is to prevent businesses that engage in unfair practices from gaining an advantage over competitors, and providing protection for the feeble and those unable to take care of themselves.
There are groups and agencies that help with consumer protection Consumer groups Pressure groups that are organised Consumer Affairs Division Bureau of Standards
FACTORS INFLUENCING DEMAND FOR A COMMODITY There are many factors on which the demand for a commodity depends. 1. Income of the consumer 2. Price of the commodity 3. Changes in the prices of related goods 4. Tastes and preferences of the consumers 5. Change in the distribution of income 6. Price expectations for the future prices of goods also influence consumer demand 7. State of economic activity
All consumers have rights and we are encouraged to use these rights so we will not be exploited.
It is believed, however, that the greatest source of consumer protection is the consumer themselves. By knowing their rights and carrying out their responsibilities they will be able to protect themselves.
THE USE OF TECHNOLOGY TO MAKE CONSUMER TRANSACTIONS Consumers use the following technology to make transactions: a. Telebanking b. Debit and credit cards c. Internet banking d. The ATM e. E-commerce
BENEFITS TO THE CONSUMER 1. These methods for transactions are very convenient, they help consumers access goods and services they might not otherwise be able to access at another time. They also have easy access to money and their financial records. 2. They reduce the need for individuals to carry large sums of cash on their person. 3. They are time-saving as consumers do not need to stand in long bank lines. 4. Most of all, they are accessible 24 hours every day.
CONCEPTS YOU SHOULD KNOW Consumer, budgeting, saving, consumption, goods, services, demands, supply, income, disposable income, investment, bonds, ownership, pricing, marketing, thrift, credit union, black market, hire purchase, dumping, electronic transaction, e-commerce, securities, dividend, exchange rate, devaluation and inflation.
OTHER SUB-HEADINGS TO RESEARCH:
The level of demand for a commodity is also influenced by factors such as the population size, composition of the population, taxation policy of the government, advertisement, natural disasters and pattern of saving, inventions and discoveries and outbreak of war, emergencies, weather and technical progress.
RIGHTS OF THE CONSUMER
Ombudsman
CONTRIBUTED
Thalia Lyn (right), chairman, NCB Foundation, gets lessons from Samoya Simpson, student from the St Andrew Technical High School and member of the National Youth Orchestra of Jamaica (NYOJ), at the recent NCB Foundation cheque presentation ceremony of $350,000 to the NYOJ. The donation will go towards the purchase of well-needed equipment for the musical group. YOUTHLINK MAGAZINE | MAY 15-21, 2012
a. Ways in which consumers practise thrift. b. Reasons for and the benefits of saving c. Benefits of credit unions d. How consumers deal with the effects of devaluation and inflation. e. The effects of trade liberalisation and globalisation on the consumer. f. How we can contribute to sustainable development. Maureen Campbell teaches at St Hugh’s High School. Send questions and comments to kerry-ann.hepburn@gleanerjm.com
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yl:principles of business YVONNE HARVEY
Contributor
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ELLO AGAIN. I don’t know about you, but I certainly cannot believe that it is really exam time again. This lesson is the last for this academic year and it will outline the format of the exam and give you some tips to help you to remain focused and do well. Papers 01 and 02 of the examination are on May 25, 2012. Paper 02 is in the morning and Paper 01 in the afternoon. Paper 01 is the multiple-choice paper. It will consist of 60 items taken from across the three profile dimensions (1) Organisational Principles, (2) Production, Marketing and Finance and (3) The Business Environment. You will be given 1 hour and 15 minutes to complete the paper. Each question will have four suggested answers. You are required to select what he/she considers to be the best answer and indicate it on the answer sheet provided in the way instructed. The multiple-choice paper is 30% of the overall marks. Paper 02 is the structured essay paper. It will be divided into two sections. Section A will consist of three compulsory questions from Sections 1,2,5,6 and 7 of the syllabus. Section B will consist of four questions; two questions from Sections 1-7 and two questions from Sections 8-10. You will be required to answer two questions from this section. Therefore, you will answer five questions in all. Each question will be worth 20 marks. This paper is 50% of the overall marks. You will be wise to consult your principles of business syllabus to find the section titles for each profile dimension and section. Those of you in the school systems will have already submitted your school-based assessments (SBAs) for a possible 20% of the overall marks. Private candidates will sit Paper 03/2 in lieu of or as an alternative to the SBA. This paper is also worth a possible 20%. The details of this paper can be found in the principles of business syllabus pages 37-38.
The final exam As you study for the POB examination do not spread yourself too thin by studying too few topics. Remember that many of the questions may involve more than one topic. Endeavour, therefore, to study thoroughly as many topics as is humanly possible in order to enhance your chances of doing well in the examination. Study in groups where possible and have a ‘bank’ of the most recent past papers so that you can practise answering questions. Additionally, the homework assignments that I presented in the principles of business lessons should prove useful.
STUDY AND EXAMINATION TIPS You should have already begun studying for the exam. Studying well in advance of the date of the examination will allow time for adequate rest, meditation and exercise. I suggest that you begin with the topics found later in the syllabus and those topics that you find more difficult so that you will have a longer time to understand and remember them.
Listen to and follow the instructions given by the invigilators of the examinations and do not panic. Choose your questions wisely. Avoid questions where you can only answer say one out of the four parts. Read your questions carefully and note the verbs at the beginning of the questions. These will indicate to you exactly what you are required to do, eg list, suggest, explain, describe, analyze, etc. Indicate clearly and accurately sections and questions being attempted. Use the marks for each part question to guide you as to how much detail is needed for each part of the question. Have a definite place to study and never do anything except study at that place. Arm yourselves with the relevant revision ‘tools’ – these include your notebooks, textbooks, syllabus, past-paper questions, writing paper and index cards for those of you who may chose to use them. Don’t try to learn all of your lesson material at one sitting. Many candidates make the mistake of continually revising the topics they know well and like. You should begin with the topics on which the syllabus places emphasis and those topics you find the most difficult. Also, do not change from one subject to another or one topic to another without taking a rest. In changing from one topic to another, choose one that is as different as possible from the first one. Adequate sleep, proper diet and exercise are important to doing well in the examination. Have a definite place to study and never do anything except study at that place.
Use index cards to write down the main headings and points for each topic. These will serve as last-minute reminders just before you enter the examination room.
So long, my friends. I wish you all every success, not only in principles of business but in all subjects you will be sitting. Remember, if you have sown good seeds, you will reap good fruit. Bye, and all the best for the future.
Always study with resource texts nearby to clarify areas of difficulty. Most texts also have questions useful for revision purposes.
Yvonne Harvey teaches at Glenmuir High School. Send questions and comments to kerry-ann.hepburn@gleanerjm.com
Demonstration of the use of the bomb calorimeter in measuring energy content of hydrocarbons such as gasolene, wood chip and marijuana plant. The equipment is housed inside the Solar Lab, School of Engineering, UTech.
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Before you sit each examination, pray to God for guidance and arm yourselves with the appropriate writing implements. Take along extra pens and pencils.
YOUTHLINK MAGAZINE | MAY 15-21, 2012
yl:history
Preparing for your exam DEBBION HYMAN
Contributor
Y
OUR HISTORY exam is around the corner and in this week’s lesson I will be focusing on how to prepare for it.
1. KNOW THE FORMAT OF THE EXAM Knowing the format of the examination will help in your preparation. The examination will consist of a multiple-choice paper (Paper 01) and a free-response paper (Paper 02). The multiple-choice paper will have 60 items based on the core. The duration of Paper 01 is 1 hour, 15 minutes. The free-response paper will have 18 questions with two set on the nine themes. The paper is divided into three sections and you are required to answer one question from each section. The duration of Paper 02 is 2 hours. Please see a listing below of the themes and core topics.
CORE TOPICS 1. The Indigenous Peoples of the Americas 2. The Europeans 3. The Economic Revolution and the coming of enslaved Africans 4. Slave Resistance 5. Emancipation and Apprenticeship 6. The coming of the Chinese, Europeans (Madeirans, Germans, French), Indians and Africans 7. The Establishment of the Peasantry, 1838 to 1900 8. The United States’ influence in the Caribbean 9. Popular Protests in the 1930s 10. Movements towards Independence and Regional Integration up to 1985.
THE THEMES
Section A 1. The Indigenous Peoples and the Europeans 2. Caribbean Economy and Slavery 3. Resistance and Revolt
Section B 4. Metropolitan Movements towards Emancipation
5. Adjustments to Emancipation, 1838-1876 6. Caribbean Economy, 1875-1985 Section C 7. The United States in the Caribbean, 1776-1985 8. Caribbean Political Development up to 1985 9. Caribbean Society 1900-1985
2. PLAN YOUR STUDY TIME When you sit down to study, think about how much time you want to devote to each topic. This will keep you from getting overwhelmed. A good study technique to use is called ‘chunking’ – breaking large topics down into chunks. For example, you are studying the topic African Cultural Forms. Instead of trying to process all the information in one instance, try breaking your study sessions into chunks or studying the material by grouping the cultural forms. For example, study in one session religion, language, dress and music; in the other session focus on dance, food and medicine. Most of you should be able to concentrate well for about 45 minutes. After that you’ll probably want to take a short break. If you find yourself getting distracted and thinking about other things as you are studying, pull your attention back. Remind yourself that when your 45 minutes of studying is up, you can take a 15-minute break.
3. RESIST THE URGE TO PROCRASTINATE It’s tempting to put off studying until the last minute (also known as procrastination). However, with the number of examination papers you will be sitting, this would be an error in judgement. If you’re a procrastinator (and who isn’t sometimes), one of the best ways to overcome it is by staying organised. Organisation makes it harder to procrastinate. Sometimes people put off studying because they feel overwhelmed by the fact that they’re behind on things or they just feel really disorganised. Don’t let this happen to you. Keep your notes organised, stay on top of required readings and follow the other study tips mentioned earlier to stay focused and in control.
4. START A STUDY GROUP Sometimes it can be useful to go over things with people who are studying for the same test: you can make sure that your notes are correct and that you understand the subject. Study groups are also helpful because you can work together to come up with ways to remember concepts and then test one another. For some people who are easily distracted, though, study groups spell disaster because they get off the topic. When you’re with a bunch of friends or classmates, you may spend more time hanging out than actually studying. One way to ensure quiet and focus when studying with a group is to study in the library. In the end, it comes down to what works best for you. If you like to study alone and feel most confident doing it that way, that’s great. If you think you’d like to work in a group, try it out – just be aware of the drawbacks.
REVISING ACCORDING TO YOUR LEARNING STYLE How do you learn in class? Is it when the teacher is talking or when you are asked to construct something on your own? Each student is unique and learns differently. You should have an idea of the strategies your teacher uses that makes you learn best. You can use that same strategy when studying. If you are a visual learner, go back to your notes and use a highlighter to connect your terms. For example, highlight each term in one paragraph green and highlight terms from another paragraph yellow, etc. If you are an auditory learner, find a recording device to record yourself as you read over each paragraph slowly. Listen to your recording several times. If you are a tactile learner, make flashcards by putting all the terms on one side of a card and the entire paragraph on the flip side. Good Luck in your exams Debbion Hyman teaches at St Hugh’s High School. Send questions and comments to kerry-ann.hepburn@gleanerjm.com
Prime Minister Portia Simpson Miller (centre),commends new manufacturer Suzette Thomas,of Sue Tru Caribbean Manufacturers,at the National Bakery ‘Bold Ones’ display at the JMA-JEA Expo,while JMA President Brian Pengelley listens intently. Based in St Thomas,near Morant Bay,the company manufactures jam,jellies and spices. YOUTHLINK MAGAZINE | MAY 15-21, 2012
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yl:office administration
CONTRIBUTED
Saying thanks – LIME’s senior executives hosted an appreciation luncheon for their favourite past teachers at the company’s corporate office on Monday, May 7. From left: Marlene Street-Forrest, GM, Jamaica Stock Exchange, with Grace Silvera, Radley Reid, former principal, Campion College with Chris Dehring, and Hyacinth Bennett, founder of the Hydel Group of Schools, with Garry Sinclair.The event was hosted in celebration of National Teachers’ Day 2012.
Know the format HYACINTH TUGMAN
Contributor
B
Y THIS you should all have the dates for the upcoming examinations and the reality of a major event in your school life is about to take place within another few days.
I will take some time to assist you in the preparation for your examination. It is always a good thing to know what to expect. You should know the format for your examination papers – Paper. 01 consists of 60 multiple-choice questions and the time allotted is 1 hour and 25 minutes. This paper will test your knowledge and comprehension profile and the application profile will be tested in a ratio of 2:1. Paper 02 - Essay is divided into two sections. Section 1 (the compulsory section) is based on Modules 1 - V1 and Module X11 of the syllabus. You will be required to answer all four questions. Section 20
2 consists of four optional questions taken from Module V11- X1. Students are required to answer any two questions from this section. Time allotted for this paper is 2 hours. Your performance will be assessed in the areas of knowledge and comprehension profile and the application profile. Each question on this paper will be worth 15 marks to be distributed as follows: (a) Compulsory questions: Knowledge and Comprehension - 7 marks Application - 8 marks (b) Optional questions: Knowledge and Comprehension - 6 marks Application - 9 marks Paper 03/2 – Alternative to the School-Based Assessment (SBA) – is primarily for private candidates. It takes the form of a written examination in lieu of internal assessment for school candidates. This paper will be based on the same area of the syllabus as the SBA component. The component of this examination is the case study. Time allotted for this paper is 1 hour and 30 minutes with an additional 15 minutes to read through the paper. Students will be required to answer 10 compulsory, essay-type questions that are marked out of 50. As a marker for office administration, I will share some weak areas that are evident in students’ work. Students fail to: express themselves clearly – lack of clarity. read over work carefully. This would have helped to eliminate some of the careless errors caused possibly by examination stress. complete forms correctly and neatly. They make careless errors in transferring information from the question paper to the forms. ignore the instructions to begin each question on a new page and keep parts of a question together, (for example, question 3 may have subparts as follows: 3 (a), (b) i, ii and iii (c) i and ii). Also, some students do not write the question number in the space provided. YOUTHLINK MAGAZINE | MAY 15-21, 2012
TIPS ON HOW TO APPROACH THE QUESTIONS 1. Do read all the questions carefully before making an attempt. 2. Make jottings of the questions you will attempt. 3. Begin each question on a new page and keep all parts together. 4. Number your answers appropriately, eg if you can only answer a part of question 3, show the examiner clearly which part you intend to answer e.g. 3(a)(ii). 5. Attempt your questions in any order as long as they are properly numbered. The marks given at the end of a question will indicate how much information is required. 6. Identify keywords in questions, eg list three activities relating to the recruitment of new employees. All that is required of you is to itemise the activities (the keywords here are list, three) look out for other keywords such as identify, define, outline, advantages and disadvantages, difference between two documents, etc. 7. Use assumed name given. 8. Use your time wisely throughout the examination. 9. Use the date of the examination, if forms require a date, unless otherwise told. 10. Express yourself in simple, clear language. 12. Leave a few minutes to read over. It was a pleasure to be of some assistance to all you wonderful students. Good luck in your examinations as you strive towards your goal. I will leave you with this beautiful quote that I have cherished so much. “Knowing is not enough; we must apply. Willing is not enough; we must do.” - Johann Wolfgang von Goethe Hyacinth Tugman teaches at Glenmuir High School. Send questions and comments to kerry-ann.hepburn@gleanerjm.com