Exam handbook 2013

THAMES EXAMINATIONS

ENGLISH LANGUAGE EXAMINATIONS

EXAMINATION HANDBOOK 2013

(STARTER LEVEL TO LEVEL SEVEN & THAMES ACADEMIC)

Forward House 17 High Street Henley in Arden B95 5AA United Kingdom Tel: +44 (0)1564 330607 / +44 (0)7713 117056 / 07542 870480 Email: thames_english_exams@yahoo.co.uk / thamesexaminationsandtraining@googlemail.com www.thamesenglish.com

THAMES EXAMINATIONS HANDBOOK 2013 The handbook will be published annually in September. The version of the handbook which is available on the Thames Examinations website is the definitive version of the handbook: www.thamesenglish.com Š Thames Examinations 2013 COPYRIGHT Thames Examinations retains the copyright on all of its publications, including the handbook.

However, schools entering candidates for Thames Examinations’ English Language Examinations are permitted to copy material from this handbook for their own internal use.

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THAMES EXAMINATIONS HANDBOOK 2013

CONTENTS

PAGE

Preface Introduction to Thames Examinations and the English Language Examinations The nine levels Objectives Candidate profile Administration Results The nine syllabuses Special arrangements

4 4 5 5 8 8 8 9 9

Starter Level

Tasks Structures Lexis

10 10 11

Level One

Tasks Structures Lexis

13 13 14

Level Two

Tasks Structures Lexis

16 16 17

Level Three

Tasks Structures Lexis

19 19 20

Level Four

Tasks Structures Lexis

22 22 23

Level Five

Tasks Structures Lexis

24 24 25

Level Six

Tasks Structures Lexis

26 26 27

Level Seven

Tasks Structures & Lexis

28 28

Thames Academic

Tasks Structures & Lexis

29 29

Listening Tests

30

Speaking Tests

30

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THAMES EXAMINATIONS HANDBOOK 2013 Preface This handbook contains the syllabuses for the nine levels of the Thames Examinations English Language Examinations suite (Starter Level to Level Seven & Thames Academic). It is intended for use by agents/representatives, school directors and teachers who are preparing candidates for the examinations.

Introduction to Thames Examinations and the English Language Examinations Thames Examinations Ltd is an independent examining body based in the United Kingdom.

Thames Examinations provides a high quality, English language testing service for both private and government schools with students aged six upwards.

The suite of English Language Examinations is provided by Thames Examinations Ltd. These examinations assess the skills of reading and writing and test candidates’ knowledge of grammatical structures, notions, functional exponents and lexis. Levels Three to Seven & Thames Academic also include assessment of candidates’ listening skills and speaking skills. In 2013, the speaking test is compulsory for Levels Three to Seven & Thames Academic.

Our examinations form a comprehensive suite with nine levels, progressing logically from Starter Level (for beginners) to Level Seven (for upper intermediate students) & Thames Academic (for upper intermediate students). The examinations can either be used as a series of nine or individually.

We take into careful consideration the cultural, educational and linguistic context of candidates’ English language learning. Above all, it is our aim that the examination experience should have a positive impact on the candidates’ future language learning.

Our examinations are developed, marked and graded in the United Kingdom by a team of highly qualified examiners with many years’ experience of teaching and testing English as a Foreign Language at primary (5-11 years old), secondary (12-18 years old) and university (18+ years old) level in the United Kingdom and other countries.

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THAMES EXAMINATIONS HANDBOOK 2013 The nine levels The English Language Examinations form a suite of nine levels: Starter Level, Level One, Level Two, Level Three, Level Four, Level Five, Level Six, Level Seven and Thames Academic.

Objectives The objectives of these examinations are to: � Give younger learners the opportunity to take an international English language examination. � Create a positive impression of international English language examinations. � Encourage effective learning and teaching. � Foster a positive attitude towards English language learning. � Develop the ability to read for gist, detail and understanding. � Develop the ability to communicate effectively in writing. � Develop the ability to understand spoken English (Levels 3-7 & Thames Academic). � Develop the ability to speak accurately and fluently (Levels 3-7 & Thames Academic). � Sample candidates’ knowledge and understanding of grammatical structures, notions, functional exponents and lexis. � Assess linguistic performance both accurately and fairly.

The nine examinations together take candidates from Beginner level to Upper Intermediate level.

The tables on the following pages indicate the commonalities and differences between the nine levels of the examinations.

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THAMES EXAMINATIONS HANDBOOK 2013

Commonalities and differences between the nine levels of the examinations:

Level Starter Level Reading

Total length

Number of parts

Number of items

10 mins

3

20

Writing

10 mins

2

10

English Usage

10 mins

2

10

Total 30 mins Level One Reading

15 mins

2

15

Writing

20 mins

2

15

English Usage

25 mins

2

15

Total 60 mins Level Two Reading

15 mins

2

20

Writing

30 mins

2

11

English Usage

15 mins

2

20

Total 60 mins Level Three Listening

15 mins

2

10

Reading

20 mins

2

15

Writing

50 mins

2

2

English Usage

20 mins

2

20

Total 105 mins Level Four Listening

15 mins

2

10

Reading

20 mins

2

15

Writing

50 mins

2

2

English Usage

20 mins

2

20

Total 105 mins Level Five Listening

15 mins

2

10

Reading

25 mins

2

15

Writing

70 mins

2

2

English Usage

25 mins

2

20

Total 135 mins

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THAMES EXAMINATIONS HANDBOOK 2013 Level Six Listening

15 mins

2

10

Reading

35 mins

2

15

Writing

90 mins

2

2

English Usage

25 mins

2

15

Total 165 mins Level Seven Listening

15 mins

2

20

Reading

40 mins

2

14

Reading & Writing

50 mins

2

11

Writing

90 mins

2

2

Total 195 mins Thames Academic Listening

15 mins

2

20

Reading

60 mins

2

30

English Usage

60 mins

3

25

Writing

60 mins

2

3

Total 195 mins

Speaking tests Level Three (compulsory) Speaking

Total length 3 mins

Level Four (compulsory) Speaking

4 mins

Level Five (compulsory) Speaking

4 mins

Level Six (compulsory) Speaking

5 mins

Level Seven (compulsory) Speaking

6 mins

Thames Academic (compulsory) Speaking

10 mins

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THAMES EXAMINATIONS HANDBOOK 2013 Candidate Profile The typical age of candidates at each level is indicated in the table below: Level

Typical age (in years)

Starter

9

One

10

Two

11

Three

12

Four

13

Five

14

Six

15

Seven

16

Academic

17

Administration The examinations are normally conducted once a year. Candidates take the examinations at designated centres in their own country and in strict observance of Thames Examinations’ regulations and quality assurance procedures. All invigilators and centre supervisors are trained and Thames Examinations conducts regular inspections of examination centres to ensure that our high standards are being maintained.

Results Completed scripts are returned by the Thames Examinations local representative to the United Kingdom to be marked. The results are normally issued within six weeks of receipt of the scripts

by Thames Examinations.

There are four grades at all nine levels: A (excellent), B (good), C (pass) and D (fail). Certificates are awarded to all candidates and can be presented at an awards ceremony at a time and venue to suit participating schools.

The top candidates at each level (per examination centre) will be awarded a gold, silver or bronze medal and will also receive an extra certificate.

The validity of certificates and medals is not restricted to a specific time period. Both certificates and medals are valid for life.

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THAMES EXAMINATIONS HANDBOOK 2013 The nine syllabuses The following nine syllabuses describe the tasks, structures and lexis on which the examinations are based.

The syllabuses are intended to be a guide for teachers and there is no suggestion that teachers should teach to a particular syllabus. However, candidates should be familiar with the format of the examinations.

The examinations are developed in Britain by native speakers of standard British English. As regards candidates’ output, any standard form of English - for example, standard British English or standard American English - is acceptable.

Special arrangements Candidates with additional needs, such as dyslexia, will be granted 25% extra time. Documentary evidence must be sent to Thames Examinations before the examination session in the form of a letter or report signed by an educational psychologist or dyslexia specialist. Candidates with visual impairment can be provided with a larger version of an examination paper. In such cases, one month’s notice must be given to Thames Examinations. Candidates with motor skills difficulties (e.g. a broken arm) or visual impairment may be allocated an amanuensis to record their answers.

Thames Examinations should be made aware of this in advance and in writing.

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THAMES EXAMINATIONS HANDBOOK 2013

STARTER LEVEL TASKS (30 minutes) SECTION A: READING There are three parts to this section – 1) a text of approximately 70 words in length followed by five items requiring a YES/NO answer. This tests comprehension and knowledge of lexis; 2) a table containing five simple lexical sets of four words each. Candidates should read the two given words and then choose two more suitable words from a choice of ten; 3) a list of five questions and five answers. Candidates should match the questions and answers.

SECTION B: WRITING There are two parts to this section – 1) five pictures with one question each (‘What is it/are they?’). Candidates should write the name of the object(s); 2) five pictures with one question each (‘What colour is it?’). Candidates should write the name of the colour.

SECTION C: ENGLISH USAGE There are two parts to this section. Both parts are gap fill exercises with five items each. For each part, candidates are provided with a choice of five words with which to fill the gaps.

STRUCTURES STRUCTURE NOUNS Singular and regular plural forms

EXAMPLE It is a cat, They are cats

DETERMINERS A, an, the

It is a cat, It is an egg, The cat is black

PRONOUNS Personal (I, you, he, she, it, we, they)

I am from France

ADJECTIVES Demonstrative (this, that, these, those) This pen is red Possessive (my, your, his, her, its, our, My name is Helen their) VERBS Present simple (affirmative) Present continuous (affirmative) To be (am, are, is) To have got (have got, has got)

I like school Jack is playing football My sister is pretty She has got brown hair

PREPOSITIONS Place (in, on, under, next to, between, at)

They are at the seaside

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THAMES EXAMINATIONS HANDBOOK 2013

LEXIS ANIMALS animal cat bird dog THE BODY ear hair eye mouth CLOTHES clothes jeans dress shirt hat shoe COLOURS black green blue grey brown orange DAYS OF THE WEEK Monday Wednesday Tuesday Thursday FAMILY, FRIENDS AND SELF baby dad boy family brother father child friend FOOD, DRINK AND MEALS apple cake banana carrot bread cheese breakfast chips burger chocolate HOME armchair flat bedroom flower chair garden NUMBERS (CARDINAL) one six two seven three eight four nine five ten SCHOOL book lesson class pen computer pencil SPORTS AND FREE TIME ball birthday balloon card beach football bicycle game

fish horse

mouse pet

nose

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shorts skirt trousers

t-shirt

pink red white

yellow

Friday Saturday

Sunday

girl grandfather grandmother man

mother mum sister woman

dinner egg ice cream juice lemon

lunch orange potato tomato water

house living room table

tree

eleven twelve thirteen fourteen fifteen

sixteen seventeen eighteen nineteen twenty

primary pupil rubber

ruler school teacher

park party piano present

television tennis

THAMES EXAMINATIONS HANDBOOK 2013 TRANSPORT boat WEATHER cold ADJECTIVES big good VERBS buy drink eat go

bus

car

plane

hot

rainy

sunny

happy hungry

kind pretty

small thirsty

learn like live play

run sit down stop walk

watch wear

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THAMES EXAMINATIONS HANDBOOK 2013

LEVEL ONE TASKS (60 minutes) SECTION A: READING There are two parts to this section – 1) a text of approximately 110 words in length. There are ten items - five requiring a number or time as an answer and five requiring a YES/NO answer. This tests comprehension and knowledge of lexis; 2) a list of five questions and five answers.

Candidates should match the questions and answers.

SECTION B: WRITING There are two parts to this section. In Part 1, there are ten pictures with prompts (‘It is’ or ‘They are’). Candidates should write the name of the object(s). In Part 2, there are five pictures with prompts (‘What is he/she doing?’ or ‘What are they doing?’). Candidates should write an answer using a suitable verb and noun.

SECTION C: ENGLISH USAGE There are two parts to this section – Part 1A & 1B and Part 2. In Part 1A, candidates have to transform a sentence, written in the affirmative form of either the present simple or present continuous, into its corresponding negative form. In Part 1B, candidates have to transform a sentence, written in the singular form, into its corresponding plural form. In Part 2, candidates are given four or five words in order to form a sentence. They should rearrange the given words to make a logical sentence.

STRUCTURES STRUCTURE NOUNS Irregular plural forms PRONOUNS There is, there are VERBS Present simple (negative) Present continuous (negative) Imperative Interrogative (open & closed questions) Can, can’t

EXAMPLE They are mice There is a woman on the bus, there are two pens on the table I do not like school Jack is not playing football Come here!

When does the party finish? Does Sarah like her presents?

I can speak English, I can’t swim

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THAMES EXAMINATIONS HANDBOOK 2013

LEXIS ANIMALS chicken elephant cow goat duck goose/geese THE BODY arm finger back foot/feet elbow hand face head CLOTHES AND ACCESSORIES bag glasses boot glove cap jacket coat jumper COLOURS dark light gold purple FAMILY, FRIENDS AND SELF aunt/auntie cousin children men FOOD AND DRINK bean meat food mushroom fruit olive grapes onion HOME bath dining room bathroom door clock floor cupboard fork desk kitchen MONTHS OF THE YEAR January April February May March June NUMBERS (CARDINAL) twenty fifty thirty sixty forty seventy SCHOOL answer classroom board exercise box homework SEASONS Spring Summer

hamster lion mice

pig rabbit sheep

knee leg neck shoulder

stomach toe

sandal scarf sock sunglasses

sweater trainer uniform watch

silver turquoise parent person/people

uncle women

peach pear pepper rice

salad soup vegetables watermelon

knife lamp phone radio room

sofa spoon toilet wall window

July August September

October November December

eighty ninety hundred

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number page paper

pencil case question test

Autumn

Winter

THAMES EXAMINATIONS HANDBOOK 2013 SPORTS AND FREE TIME basketball holiday farm restaurant guitar rollerblading TIME afternoon morning evening night ADJECTIVES beautiful great clever interesting expensive new VERBS arrive do come help cook leave cycle look dance prefer

sea story swimming

trip weekend zoo

o’clock

15

nice old short

tall

rain read see sing sleep

swim tell visit work

THAMES EXAMINATIONS HANDBOOK 2013

LEVEL TWO TASKS (60 minutes) SECTION A: READING There are two parts to this section. Part 1 is a text of approximately 140 words in length. There are ten items requiring a YES/NO answer, which test comprehension and knowledge of lexis. In Part 2, candidates have to match ten questions (open and closed) with their corresponding answers.

SECTION B: WRITING There are two parts to this section – Part 1, Part 2A & Part 2B. In Part 1, candidates have to write a paragraph of 30-50 words about a picture. In Part 2A, there are five pairs of pictures with written prompts (e.g. ‘a frog - small - an elephant’). Candidates should write a sentence comparing the objects in the pairs of pictures, using the given prompts. In Part 2B, candidates have to complete a text with five gaps using suitable prepositions.

SECTION C: ENGLISH USAGE There are two parts to this section – Part 1A & 1B and Part 2. Part 1A & 1B are gap fill exercises with five items each. Candidates have to select appropriate given words or phrases to complete the gaps. Part 2 is a multiple choice gap fill exercise with ten items.

STRUCTURES STRUCTURE NOUNS Possessive forms (Saxon genitive)

EXAMPLE Sue is Ben’s sister, the girls’ shoes are blue

DETERMINERS Some, any

There’s some bread, there isn’t any milk

PRONOUNS Interrogative forms

Where is Peter? What is your name? Who is that? Whose bike is that? When are you leaving? Which languages can you speak?

Why are you tired? How are you? How much does this book cost? How many people are in your class?

Anyone, anybody, someone, somebody, Do you know anybody here? anything, something ADJECTIVES Comparatives

A frog is smaller than an elephant, a car is more expensive than a bike

VERBS Past simple (affirmative, negative and I watched TV last night, I went to school interrogative, regular and irregular verbs) by bus, I didn’t talk in class, did you buy any sweets?

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THAMES EXAMINATIONS HANDBOOK 2013 Must, mustn’t Let’s

I must do my homework, you mustn’t talk in class Let’s try it

ADVERBS Frequency (always, usually, normally, often, I usually have lunch at 1 o’clock sometimes, never) PREPOSITIONS Time (in, on, at)

In January, on Monday, at Easter

LEXIS ANIMALS bear frog monkey crab giraffe octopus crocodile lizard shark CLOTHES AND ACCESSORIES belt football boots ring bikini necklace sports clothes bracelet nightdress swimming costume earrings pyjamas swimming shorts FAMILY, FRIENDS AND SELF daughter grandparent niece godfather husband son godmother nephew twin FOOD AND DRINK bacon coffee sandwich beer crisps sausage biscuits melon spaghetti cherry milk tea HOME bowl cup glass bottle fridge packet PLACES apartment city mosque bank country mountain Britain England nightclub church island post office cinema library pub SCHOOL Art Geography language break German Maths English Greek Music French History Science SPORTS AND FREE TIME barbecue hotel outside bowling ice-skating parachuting chess inside picnic goal karate pool golf match postcard

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snake tiger tortoise swimming trunks swimsuit tatoo tie wife

toast wine yoghurt plate shower shop supermarket theatre town village Sport

racket/racquet skiing table tennis team windsurfing

THAMES EXAMINATIONS HANDBOOK 2013 ADJECTIVES angry bad cheap comfortable dangerous difficult VERBS catch enjoy hold kick lose

early easy exciting famous fat friendly

heavy late long lovely near sad

love make practise put on say

score shout sit smile start

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safe slow tired young

stay study take talk try

win write

THAMES EXAMINATIONS HANDBOOK 2013

LEVEL THREE TASKS (90 minutes) SECTION A: READING There are two parts to this section. Part 1 is a text of approximately 180 words in length. There are ten items requiring a TRUE/FALSE answer, which test comprehension and knowledge of lexis. In Part 2, candidates have to answer five multiple choice questions, which are based on a text of about 180 words in length.

SECTION B: WRITING There are two parts to this section. In Part 1, candidates have to write an informal email of between 80 and 100 words using picture prompts. In Part 2, candidates have to write a paragraph of about 60 words about a picture.

SECTION C: ENGLISH USAGE There are two parts to this section. Part 1 is a multiple choice gap fill exercise with ten items. In Part 2, candidates have to write the opposite meaning of ten given words/phrases.

STRUCTURES STRUCTURE DETERMINERS A lot, lots (of)

EXAMPLE There are a lot of people, there are lots of cars

PRONOUNS Possessive (mine, yours, his, hers, its, ours, That pen is mine theirs) ADJECTIVES Much, many Superlatives

There isn’t much bread, there aren’t many apples John is the tallest boy in the class

VERBS Past continuous (affirmative, negative and While I was walking to school I fell over, I interrogative) wasn’t sleeping in class, what were you doing when I phoned you?

Present perfect simple (affirmative, They have been to Spain, he hasn’t been to negative and interrogative) Italy, have you ever been to France?

Future simple (affirmative and negative) Could, couldn’t May, might

In the future people will live on Mars, I won’t go to the party because I’m tired I could read when I was three, I couldn’t write when I was three I may go to the party, I might pass the test

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THAMES EXAMINATIONS HANDBOOK 2013

LEXIS COUNTRIES Australia England Bulgaria France China Germany Cyprus Greece EDUCATION exam nursery grade primary FAMILY, FRIENDS AND SELF brother-in-law father-in-law boyfriend girlfriend HOUSEHOLD JOBS cooking gardening cleaning housework dusting ironing JOBS accountant dentist actor doctor actress engineer chef footballer clerk journalist NATIONALITIES American Cypriot Australian French British German Chinese Greek NUMBERS (ORDINAL) first fourth second fifth third sixth PLACES capital hill castle lake continent north east palace forest prison SPORTS AND FREE TIME adventure fun fair art gallery game camping jet skiing circus journey concert novel film painting TIME day month half past quarter past hour quarter to minute

India Italy Japan Scotland

Spain Switzerland Turkey Wales

secondary subject

timetable university mother-in-law sister-in-law shopping washing washing up

lawyer manager nurse policeman secretary

shop assistant soldier student teacher waiter

Italian Japanese Mexican Russian

Spanish Swiss Thai Turkish

seventh eighth ninth

tenth eleventh twelfth river south west wood world

photograph picture play puzzle sailing story

sunbathing surfing tale theme park trip second week year

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THAMES EXAMINATIONS HANDBOOK 2013 ADJECTIVES boring brave bright dark different dry empty far fast full VERBS beat become bring build call carry communicate continue decide die

important interested international last light narrow noisy poor quick quiet

rich shy slim special strong terrible thick thin uncomfortable unfriendly

disappear fight find give grow happen hide keep kill know

unhappy useful weak wet whole wide wise

move open pull ride sell steal throw travel try understand

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THAMES EXAMINATIONS HANDBOOK 2013

LEVEL FOUR TASKS (90 minutes) SECTION A: READING There are two parts to this section. Part 1 is a text of approximately 200 words in length. There are ten items requiring a TRUE/FALSE answer, which test comprehension and knowledge of lexis. In Part 2, candidates have to answer five multiple choice questions, which are based on a text of about 200 words in length.

SECTION B: WRITING There are two parts to this section. In Part 1, candidates have to write a composition of between 100 and 120 words using question prompts. In Part 2, candidates have to write 100 words about two pictures.

SECTION C: ENGLISH USAGE There are two parts to this section. Part 1 is a multiple choice gap fill exercise with ten items. In Part 2, candidates have to complete a text with ten gaps using the most suitable form of a given verb.

STRUCTURES STRUCTURE PRONOUNS Relative (who, whom, whose, which, that) ADVERBS Relative (when, where, why)

EXAMPLE An architect is a person who designs buildings 2004 was the year when the Olympic Games were held in Athens

VERBS Present perfect continuous (affirmative, I have been studying English for six years, negative and interrogative) I haven’t been listening very carefully in this lesson, what have you been doing?

Past perfect simple (affirmative) Present simple passive Past simple passive ‘Going to’ future First conditional Second conditional Question tags

When we arrived at the airport, the plane had already taken off Rice is grown in Japan The Pyramids were built by the Ancient Egyptians Look at those black clouds! It’s going to rain If it’s sunny tomorrow, we’ll go to the beach If I won a lot of money, I’d buy a big house It’s hot today, isn’t it?

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THAMES EXAMINATIONS HANDBOOK 2013

LEXIS PEOPLE adult captain character director enemy explorer PLACES Africa America area Asia NOUNS band boxing canoeing card games ADJECTIVES amazing ancient bitter common cool crowded detailed everyday VERBS act add agree appear argue born celebrate change choose complete connect

hero heroine human king musician novelist

pensioner player poet politician president producer

queen relative spy teenager vegetarian writer

countryside county environment Europe

international local location national

neighbourhood region regional state

competition computer games gig motor racing

Olympics orchestra records reggae

rock and roll rock climbing

fashionable handmade impressive individual large nervous old-fashioned original

popular religious sick similar simple smelly strange successful

tiring unhealthy unusual upside down warm well-known

contain copy cover cross enjoy exist fail flow fly hang invent

jump let manufacture meet mix paint peak produce publish quarrel register

remember repair shoot star sunbathe support think use

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THAMES EXAMINATIONS HANDBOOK 2013

LEVEL FIVE TASKS (2 hours) SECTION A: READING There are two parts to this section. Part 1 is a text of approximately 230 words in length. There are ten items requiring a TRUE/FALSE answer, which test comprehension and knowledge of lexis. In Part 2, candidates have to answer five multiple choice questions, which are based on a text of about 230 words in length.

SECTION B: WRITING There are two parts to this section. In Part 1, candidates have to write a composition of between 120 and 150 words. In Part 2, candidates have to write an informal email of between 120 and 150 words using question prompts.

SECTION C: ENGLISH USAGE There are two parts to this section. Part 1 is a multiple choice gap fill exercise with ten items. In Part 2, candidates have to complete a text with ten gaps using the most suitable form of a given verb.

STRUCTURES STRUCTURE EXAMPLE VERBS Past perfect continuous (affirmative, Tom had been trying to start the car for negative and interrogative) several hours, it was obvious that Sally hadn’t been concentrating while she was driving, what had she been doing?

Future continuous (affirmative, negative I’ll be taking my driving test this time next and interrogative) month, she won’t be working at the bank this time next year, where will you be living in June next year?

Future perfect simple (affirmative) By the end of this year I’ll have saved a lot of money Future perfect continuous (affirmative) By the end of the month he’ll have been living here for ten years Third conditional If I’d known you were coming, I’d have cleaned the house Present continuous passive A new hotel is being built near the airport Present perfect passive Future simple passive

Four students have been selected for a prize The road will be repaired next week

Simple reported speech (statements and Susan told me she had seen a good film last questions) weekend, he asked me whether I had seen the film Infinitive/Gerund We regret to tell you that the bus has broken down, I regret telling them about John 24

THAMES EXAMINATIONS HANDBOOK 2013

LEXIS PEOPLE artist builder druid drummer PLACES abroad border club THINGS creature gate meeting TIME annually daily ADJECTIVES bestselling coloured complete correct deep delicious evil VERBS achieve advertise attack attract bury claim compose connect continue destroy direct discuss

expert fan general god

official organiser priest professor coast field harbour

tribe wizard

holiday resort homeland port

monument remains scenery

seven wonders statue stone

tower voyage

last monthly

next nowadays

recently weekly

fantastic fierce free intelligent less major massive

miserable modern more national numerous powerful regular

rude serious several shiny super wonderful

educate form fry heat imagine introduce locate marry modernise pay perform place

raise rebuild record remind report retire sail send shine show spend split

starve succeed suffer surround survive train translate want weigh worry wrap

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THAMES EXAMINATIONS HANDBOOK 2013

LEVEL SIX TASKS (2.5 hours) SECTION A: READING There are two parts to this section. Part 1 is a text of approximately 280 words in length. There are ten items requiring a TRUE/FALSE answer, which test comprehension and knowledge of lexis. In Part 2, candidates have to answer five multiple choice questions, which are based on a text of about 280 words in length.

SECTION B: WRITING There are two parts to this section. In Part 1, candidates have to write a composition of about 200 words. In Part 2, candidates have to write a formal letter of about 150 words.

SECTION C: ENGLISH USAGE There are two parts to this section. In Part 1, candidates have five sentences to transform. They should use a written prompt to complete each sentence so that it has the same meaning as the original one. In Part 2, candidates have to complete a text using the correct form of ten given words.

STRUCTURES STRUCTURE PREFIXES AND SUFFIXES Nouns

EXAMPLE redevelopment, unhappiness

Adjectives

Doubtful, unhappy

Verbs

Decentralise, disappear

Adverbs

Undoubtedly, impatiently

CONJUNCTIONS And, but, both…and, or, either…or, Although he says he’ll pay, I don’t think he neither…nor, besides, moreover, however, will nevertheless, otherwise, so, therefore, still, yet, though, although, unless, in spite of, despite, for, because, as, since, when, while VERBS Inversion of subject & verb (after certain No sooner had we put up the tent than it adverbs) started to rain Causative/to have something done

I had my hair cut yesterday

Wishes and regrets

I wish/if only he wouldn’t smoke, I wish/if only he didn’t live next door, I wish/if only I hadn’t eaten so much, we regret to inform you that the flight has been cancelled, I regret buying those shoes 26

THAMES EXAMINATIONS HANDBOOK 2013 Needn’t (have), should (have)/shouldn’t You needn’t phone me later, I needn’t have (have), ought to (have)/oughtn’t to (have) reserved a room, you should see your doctor, he shouldn’t have had another drink, you ought to be more careful, they oughtn’t to have gone by ship More complex reported speech

He promised that he’d do it the next day

LEXIS PEOPLE catholic celebrity colleague detective PLACES accommodation canal desert THINGS bone career contract currency data degree ADJECTIVES bloody cheerful cold-blooded concerned desirable determined emotional essential excessive exclusive VERBS abolish apply astonish consume control crash decrease determine develop discover encourage examine feature

fisherman gangster gunman human being

member owner protestant reporter

supporter terrorist

equator factory jungle

no-go area reef store

tropics

economics exhibition finance industry limb memory

network option origin parliament profit queue

skull system transport view

extroverted fun handsome horrific incredible introverted legal mental methodical minimum

mixed open-minded optimistic pessimistic physical protected quick rare shocked smooth

sophisticated strict terrible typical uncommon unimaginative unique vast violent

fill film focus fracture harm hunt involve isolate launch melt operate organise persuade

police predict protect provide reach reduce refuse rent replace respond revive risk rob

snatch struggle suppose suspect switch test threaten tolerate transform turn waste wipe

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THAMES EXAMINATIONS HANDBOOK 2013

LEVEL SEVEN TASKS (3 hours) SECTION A: READING There are two parts to this section. Part 1 and Part 2 are texts of about 570 words in length. Both parts have seven items, which require either a full sentence answer or a phrase. Part 1 and Part 2 test comprehension and knowledge of lexis and referencing (endophora).

SECTION B: READING AND WRITING There are two parts to this section. In Part 1, candidates complete ten gaps in a summary of the preceding text. In Part 2, candidates write a 100-125 word summary based on a preceding text of about 400 words in length.

SECTION C: WRITING There are two parts to the writing section. In Part 1, candidates are required to write a formal letter which is approximately 200 words long. In Part 2, candidates have to write a 250-word discursive essay using the given prompts and their own ideas.

STRUCTURES & LEXIS Candidates should have a sound knowledge of the structures and lexis presented in the previous levels. In addition, candidates should be able to: � Identify a writer’s opinion/point of view, whether explicit or implied. � Distinguish between facts and opinions. � Write a range of well structured, coherent texts on a variety of subjects. � Write coherently and cohesively using devices such as sequencers, connectors, contrasters, endophora and exophora. � Write in an appropriate register and style to fit the audience and purpose. � Summarise and synthesise written information. � Use a wide range of structures and lexis in both speech and writing.

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THAMES EXAMINATIONS HANDBOOK 2013

THAMES ACADEMIC TASKS (3 hours) SECTION A: READING There are two parts to this section. Parts 1 and 2 are texts of about 600 words in length. There are fifteen items in Part 1, requiring a TRUE/FALSE/NOT GIVEN answer, completion of a summary with five missing words and the answering of five items which test candidates’ knowledge of lexis and referencing (endophora). In Part 2, candidates have to answer five multiple choice questions, five questions that require candidates to link names or numbers with what they refer to and five items which test candidates’ knowledge of lexis and referencing (endophora).

SECTION B: ENGLISH USAGE There are three parts to this section. Part 1 requires candidates to complete ten gaps in a text. In Part 2, candidates have five sentences to transform. They should use a written prompt to complete each sentence so that it has a similar meaning to the original one. In Part 3, candidates have to complete a text using the correct form of ten given words.

SECTION C: WRITING There are two parts to the writing section. In Parts 1A and 1B, candidates are required to write a short essay of approximately 100 words in length. In Part 2, candidates are required to write a discursive essay of about 200 words in length.

STRUCTURES & LEXIS Candidates should have a sound knowledge of the structures and lexis presented in the previous levels. In addition, candidates should be able to: � Identify a writer’s opinion/point of view, whether explicit or implied. � Distinguish between facts and opinions. � Write well-structured discursive essays on a variety of subjects. � Write coherently and cohesively using devices such as sequencers, connectors, contrasters, endophora and exophora. � Write in an appropriate register and style to fit the audience and purpose. � Use a wide range of structures and lexis in both speech and writing.

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THAMES EXAMINATIONS HANDBOOK 2013

LISTENING TESTS There is a compulsory listening test for Levels Three to Seven and Thames Academic. Candidates take the listening test before completing the reading, writing and English usage paper.

The listening tests assess candidates’ ability to: � Listen for gist/detail � Understand familiar/unfamiliar topics � Understand a monologue/dialogue � Understand formal/informal conversations � Understand a phone call/answering machine message � Understand what is said during an interview � Understand part of a presentation/lecture The question types may vary. However, the most frequent question types are: � Sentence/paragraph completion � Completion of a table/notes � True/False � Multiple choice � Open-ended questions Please note that special arrangements can be made for candidates who have a hearing impairment. In such cases, Thames Examinations must be notified in writing one month before the examination session and formal documentary evidence of the candidate’s condition must be provided.

SPEAKING TESTS In 2013, the speaking test is compulsory for Level Three, Level Four, Level Five, Level Six, Level Seven and Thames Academic.

The speaking test is in two parts. Part 1 is the introduction in which the examiner asks candidates for personal information. In Part 2, candidates are given a task card, which contains prompts for a discussion with the examiner. Candidates are given time to read the task card and prepare some ideas, but they are not allowed to make notes.

The speaking test assesses candidates’: � Ability to communicate effectively and appropriately in spoken English � Spoken fluency � Grammatical range and accuracy � Lexical range and accuracy � Pronunciation Please note that all speaking tests are recorded.

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