ESL Advanced Class: Final Exam Questions

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This is the last week of our advanced ESL conversation class. Let’s quickly review the class objectives contained in syllabus.

The objectives were:

  1. expand vocabulary by developing a working knowledge of at least 300 new words
  2. improve fluency through regular pair work practice
  3. elevate ability to understand complex issues
  4. improve discussion skills by learning and using 8 to 12 logical fallacies
  5. improve ability to think and communicate in English by learning and using the 7 skills that young people need to succeed in the future

What are the Seven Skills?

  1. Agility and Flexibility – 6 Hats
  2. Critical Thinking – arguments, inferences
  3. Accessing and Analyzing – fallacies, analogies, case study analysis
  4. Initiative and Entrepreneurship – oral presentation research, quiz #2 (CT test)
  5. Collaboration Across Networks and Leading By Influence – pair work, helping each other
  6. Effective Communication – presentation, reading summaries
  7. Curiosity and Imagination – making comparisons, final exam 

ADVANCED ESL CLASS FINAL EXAM QUESTIONS

Here are the questions for the final exam, a speaking test. There are a five questions. To do well in the exam, you will need to prepare. This is not an exam where you can prepare the night before because you need to talk about specific details. You need to know the material.

To earn a great exam score, you will need to know this information and speak clearly, intelligently and persuasively without hmms, ahhs or hesitations. In other words, you need to show that you can speak proficiently.

1  Summarize your speech

Summarize your speech in 30-45 seconds. Include your main argument, the proof and important details.

2  Analogies

What is an analogy? Give two examples of analogies you have seen or read (e.g. TV advertisements, newspaper, book or online). Describe the analogy (the two things that are being compared). Do you think the analogy is weak or strong? Why?

3  Fallacies

You’ll get one or two of these questions. Give an example of an argument that clearly demonstrates each fallacy.

  1. bandwagon
  2. ad hominem
  3. red herring
  4. begging the question
  5. appeal to authority
  6. false alternatives 

4  The Trouble With Fries by Malcolm Gladwell

In 30-45 seconds, summarize the article by describing the main argument. Be sure to include the writer’s proof and important details. Do you agree with the writer’s main argument? Why or why not?

5  Climate Change Analysis

In 60 seconds, summarize the main argument in the movie An Inconvenient Truth. Include key points and important details.  Do you agree with the main argument? Explain why or why not.