There are four parts of the exam

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There are four parts of the exam

• Part One Speaking (24 points)
• This portion of the exam must be completed five
  days before the exam session.

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There are four parts of the exam

• Part Two Listening (30 points)
• Part Three Reading (30 points)
• Part Four Writing (16 points)

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What we will be doing today

• examining the format of each of the four sections
  of the exam
• seeing how each section is rated
• discussing strategies for raising your score
• answering frequently asked questions
• looking at examples from each part of the exam.

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Part 1 - Speaking (24 points)

• 2 conversations (12 points each), 6 exchanges
  each
• Each exchange is worth a maximum of 2 points

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How is my speaking rated?

• Student speech is rated on the basis of 3 factors

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• Comprehensibility would a
  native speaker of French understand what was
  taking place, understanding that he or she is
  dealing with a non-native speaker of French?

7

• Appropriateness is the
  response appropriate to the situation?

8

• Consistency
  is the students language consistent with
  Checkpoint B level language?
• What does that mean?

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What is Checkpoint A and B?

• Checkpoint A is Level One. Most students
  complete Checkpoint A in eighth grade and take
  the Proficiency Exam.
• Checkpoint B is Levels Two and Three. Students
  completing Checkpoint B take the Regents Exam.

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What are the possible scores for each exchange?

• Two points, maximum credit given to an exchange
  which is comprehensible, appropriate, and at a
  Checkpoint B level.
• If you want maximum credit, ask yourself these
  questions

• Are you using vocabulary and phrases that you
  learned in Checkpoint B (Level Two and Three) or
  Checkpoint A (Level One)?

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• Are you using vocabulary and phrases that you
  learned in Checkpoint B (Level Two and Three) or
  Checkpoint A (Level One)?
• Are the verbs conjugated correctly? Are you
  using the correct tense? Are adjectives used
  correctly? Is your word order correct?

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• Are you using vocabulary and phrases that you
  learned in Checkpoint B (Level Two and Three) or
  Checkpoint A (Level One)?
• Are the verbs conjugated correctly? Are you
  using the correct tense? Are adjectives used
  correctly? Is your word order correct?
• Are there many errors that Checkpoint B students
  should no longer make?

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What are the other possible scores?

• One point given to an exchange which is
  comprehensible and appropriate. However, either
  the exchange is at a Checkpoint A level, or there
  are errors which a Checkpoint B student should no
  longer be making
• Zero points given to an exchange which is
  incomprehensible or inappropriate.

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Do I automatically score a zero if I do not
understand what the teacher said?

• NO! You get a second attempt for each an every
  exchange. Do not panic. Ask your teacher to
  repeat
• Répétez, sil vous plaît.
• Or tell your teacher that you did not understand
• Excusez-moi, je nai pas compris.
• This way your teacher can REPHRASE the same
  question or statement.

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So the only possible scores for each exchange
are two, one, and zero points?

• No there is one more possibility.
• There are some exchanges for which NO credit is
  given. This doesnt mean that you get a zero,
  it simply means that the conversation will
  continue for more than six exchanges.

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Examples of responses for which no credit is
given

• A bonjour which begins the conversation
• Simple yes or no answers
• One word nouns or names
• Rephrasing the question

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So tell me again, how do I get my 2 points?

• Comprehensible
• Appropriate
• Consistent with Checkpoint B

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What if I am not sure what determines what is
a Checkpoint A or B response?

• Ask your teacher! Your teacher has been working
  with you all year. I know what vocabulary, what
  structures and what tenses my students have
  learned this year, and what errors I have not
  tolerated! There are practice cards that you can
  use.

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Useful Strategies in Part 1 Speaking

• Before the conversation begins, listen very
  CAREFULLY as your teacher reads the situation to
  you. You have a minute to think Use that time
  wisely!

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Useful Strategies in Part 1 Speaking

• Remember, you are always yourself! Listen for
  what role the teacher is playing. Decide if you
  will use tu or vous with your teacher, and be
  consistent.

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Useful Strategies in Part 1 Speaking

• Determine what exactly you must accomplish in the
  conversation. Are you socializing? Requesting
  information? Expressing your feelings? Trying
  to persuade someone to do something? If you do
  not accomplish the goal of the conversation, you
  will receive no credit.

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Useful Strategies in Part 1 Speaking

• Stop and think about where you are entering the
  conversation. Some information may already be
  understood, and shouldn't be repeated.

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Useful Strategies in Part 1 Speaking

• Think of how you can get the conversation going
  without jumping right to the task. Lead up to
  it, rather than say everything at once.

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Useful Strategies in Part 1 Speaking

• If your teacher is going to start the
  conversation, try to predict what he/she will
  say. But be sure to remain flexible! Dont get
  stuck if he or she doesnt say exactly what you
  were thinking!

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Useful Strategies in Part 1 Speaking

• If there is an imaginary event that you will be
  discussing, use your imagination, and start
  making up the details When? Where? Why? How?
  With whom? What can you see around you?

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Useful Strategies in Part 1 Speaking

• Once the conversation has begun, listen
  carefully to what your teacher says. You may
  hear key words that you can use when its your
  turn to talk!

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Useful Strategies in Part 1 Speaking

• Remember, the conversation is not an
  interrogation. You are expected to do your part
  to keep things moving. Not everything your
  teacher says will be a question. Take advantage
  of every opportunity to add to and build on the
  conversation.

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Useful Strategies in Part 1 Speaking

• Remember not to panic if you give an answer that
  cannot be rated. Sometimes these simple yes/no,
  rephrased, simple word answers can be a
  springboard for a two-point answer. However

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Useful Strategies in Part 1 Speaking

• Remember, this is a test. It may be entirely
  natural to answer some questions with a word or
  two, but you know that you have to say enough to
  earn two points. Dont stop until you know you
  have them!

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Useful Strategies in Part 1 Speaking

• Likewise, do not panic if your teachers
  response is minimal
  (ah bon, cest tout?, et alors?)
  This is after all YOUR test.

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Useful Strategies in Part 1 Speaking

• If your teacher asks you a question, answer it,
  but then go on and say something more. Always
  build on the conversation.

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Useful Strategies in Part 1 Speaking

• If your teacher makes a statement instead of
  asking a question, agree or disagree and say why.
  

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Useful Strategies in Part 1 Speaking

• If there is a word you don't know that you
  think you need, don't freeze up! Think of another
  way of saying the same thing or change the
  direction of the conversation a little
  or a lot. Rarely is there only one way to
  accomplish a task.
• Stay calm!

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Most useful Strategy in Part 1 Speaking

• Relax!

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Part Two Listening

• This section of the test is worth thirty points
  fifteen questions
• There are two parts of the listening section.
  While all the passages that you hear are in French

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Part Two Listening

• in Part 2A the question and possible answers are
  in English
• (9 questions)
• In Part 2B, the question and possible answers are
  in French.
• (6 questions)

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Useful Strategies in Part 2 Listening

• Look over the question and the four possible
  answers BEFORE your teacher begins.
• Listen carefully to the situation which you
  teacher reads to you in English prior to
  beginning the passage. It will not be repeated.
• Listen carefully to both readings of the passage.
• Focus on the words that you hear that you know
  and do not worry about words that you do not.
• Eliminate any answer which is not related. You
  may write on the examination booklet.

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Listening Practice

• Part 2a
• Questions and answers in English

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Listening Comprehension Passage 1

• What is special about this restaurant?
• (1) Only seafood is served
• (2) Foods form a variety of countries are served
• (3) Only vegetarian dishes are served
• (4) Fast food is served

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Listening Comprehension Passage 1

• What is special about this restaurant?
• (1) Only seafood is served
• (2) Foods form a variety of countries are served
• (3) Only vegetarian dishes are served
• (4) Fast food is served

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Listening Comprehension Passage 2

• What is your host mother warning you about?
• (1) Some mechanical problems
• (2) A traffic accident
• (3) Thefts in the neighborhood
• (4) A contagious illness

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Part Three Reading (30 points)

• This section is divided into three parts
• Long paragraph with 5 literal questions in French
• Authentic documents with one question in English
  per document
• Long paragraph with 5 intuitive questions in
  English

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Useful Strategies in Part 3 Reading

• Read through the passage completely to find the
  main idea. Focus on the words that you do know
  and do not panic about the words that you do not
  know.
• Read the questions and then reread the passage
  looking for the answers.

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Listening Comprehension Passage 2

• What is your host mother warning you about?
• (1) Some mechanical problems
• (2) A traffic accident
• (3) Thefts in the neighborhood
• (4) A contagious illness

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Listening Comprehension Passage 3

• Quest-ce que cette annonce propose?
• (1) De visiter cette région en hiver
• (2) Dacheter un manteau
• (3) De réserver une chambre
• (4) De faire des sports dété

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Listening Comprehension Passage 3

• Quest-ce que cette annonce propose?
• (1) De visiter cette région en hiver
• (2) Dacheter un manteau
• (3) De réserver une chambre
• (4) De faire des sports dété

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Listening Comprehension Passage 4

• Quel est le sujet du livre?
• (1) la cuisine
• (2) lart
• (3) les maths
• (4) lastronomie

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Listening Comprehension Passage 4

• Quel est le sujet du livre?
• (1) la cuisine
• (2) lart
• (3) les maths
• (4) lastronomie

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Useful Strategies in Part 3 Reading

• Remember that you can write on the exam. If you
  have been having difficulty reading this year,
  focus on all the words that you know. Use every
  part of the document the text, the title, and
  the pictures!
• This is the part of the exam which you can
  practice at home. Ask your teacher for old exams
  if you feel that you need to work on this skill.

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Part Four Writing (16 points)

• Select two of the three possible tasks
• -Two of the possible tasks are narratives
  journal entries, newspaper articles, letters
• -One of the possible tasks is a picture prompt -
  Tell a story, not a description.
• Think carefully about which two you choose.
  Choose the tasks for which you have the most
  ideas.
• Each writing must contain 100 or more words to
  earn full credit for length.
• As before, no dialogue will be given credit

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How your writing will be graded

• Purpose Accomplishes the task includes many
  details that are clearly connected to the
  development of the task
• Organization Exhibits a logical and coherent
  sequence throughout provides a clear sense of
  beginning, middle and end. Makes smooth
  transitions between ideas.
• Vocabulary Includes a wide variety of vocabulary
  that expands the topic.
• Structure Demonstrates a high degree of control
  of Checkpoint B structure (tenses/agreement/spelli
  ng)

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In French, write a story about the situation
shown in the picture below. It must be relating
to the picture, not a description of the picture.
Do not write dialogue.
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Writing Passage 1

• You have just found out that one of your friends
  is moving away. In French, write a journal
  expressing how you feel. You may wish to
  include
• a description of your friend
• why this person is your friend
• how long you have known each other
• why you will miss your friend
• activities that you did together
• when your friend is leaving
• where your friend will be living
• how you can stay in contact with each other
• when you can visit each other

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Useful Strategies in Part 4 Writing

• Make sure that you have accomplished the goal of
  the passage.
• Use the suggestions that the task description
  offer if you need ideas. However, know that they
  are there to help you you are welcome to your
  own ideas.

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Useful Strategies in Part 4 Writing

• Organize your writing and make smooth transitions
  from beginning to end.
• Open with an introduction which captures our
  interest. Use transition words and do not simply
  restate your introduction in your conclusion.

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Sample Transition Words

• au début (in the beginning)
• en plus (in addition)
• en même temps (at the same time)
• puis/ensuite (then, next)
• par contre (on the other hand)
• cependant (however)
• par exemple (for example)
• à la fin (finally)
• donc (therefore)
• par conséquent (as a result)

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Useful Strategies in Part 4 Writing

• Remember the difference between Checkpoint A and
  B
• Brainstorm vocabulary that you have learned this
  year and last
• Brainstorm structures that you have learned this
  year and last tenses, object pronouns, idioms
• Remember some of the constructions which you must
  do correctly jai quinze ans il fait beau il
  est huit heures jai mal à la tête je suis
  malade.

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Useful Strategies in Part 4 Writing

• Make sure that you write an outline and a rough
  draft. You have enough time!
• Before recopying your essay onto your answer
  sheet, check your spelling and verb endings,
  check your adjective agreements, keep your
  tuand vous forms consistent throughout and
  finally check your word count carefully to make
  sure that you have at least 100 words!

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Useful Strategies in Part 4 Writing

• Remember to write legibly. You cannot receive
  credit for an essay if the teacher cannot read
  your writing!
• Do not write ANY English. If you cant think of
  a word, work around it.
• Do not rush through your essay. Plan it out,
  write your rough draft, edit it, and then recopy
  it carefully.

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Other tips

• Do not leave any of the multiple choice questions
  blank.
• Review your vocabulary and notes before the test.
• Get a good nights sleep and get up early enough
  so that you are not rushing to get out the door.
• Remember that you really are prepared for this
  exam. Stay focused and relax!

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And one final tip

• Remember that you really are prepared for this
  exam. Stay focused and relax!
• Bonne chance à tous!