Optional Practical Exercises. Ex.1. Read the following paragraphs and define the means (detail, reason, illustration or example) by which they are developed.

 

Ex.1. Read the following paragraphs and define the means (detail, reason, illustration or example) by which they are developed.

 

1 The exam system is far from being perfect. The most common argument against exams is that they don’t test what you know, but they test your memory and the knack (умение) of working rapidly under pressure. Exams don’t train you to think for yourself. All you have to do is to memorize and to cram. Teachers often have to train their students exam techniques instead of teaching their subjects. That’s why, those who receive better marks are not always the best educated, they are the best trained in the technique of working under pressure. The last but not the least important disadvantage of exams is the fact that how you pass them often depends on the examiners. Examiners are only human: they get tired and hungry, they make mistakes. And yet they have to test so many students in a limited amount of time. They work under the same sort of pressure as their students.     

 

                            

 

 

2 It’s not difficult to pass your exams successfully if you organize yourself properly. Don't panic and don't pretend they'll go away - they won't! If you're organized, you'll find that exams won't be the nightmare (кошмар) experience that you feared - and if you go about things the right way you'll even get time for some fun in between! First of all, find a good place to work. It must be quiet, well-lit and free from chocolate wrappers (обертки) and sports socks! Draw up a revision plan you can stick to (придерживаться) daily that includes breaks and meal times. Set targets (цели) that you know you can reach each day and tick them off (вычеркивать) as you achieve them.- Use a highlighter pen (маркер)  and mark key areas with different colours. Test yourself often without looking at your notes, or work with a friend or member of your family. Don’t overdo the time you spend hitting the books. Have a regular time for physical exercise, walk round the block with the dog, ride a bike, listen to some music or really change your environment to give your brain and eyes a break. Remember to get a proper night sleep – it gives you reserves of energy. Get yourself in a positive and confident frame of mind. Ask for help from friends, family if you are feeling overwhelmed (подавленным), confused or unsure. Never bottle things up (никогда не замыкайся) – remember a problem shared is a problem halved.

Confucius (illustration from Myths & Legends of China, 1922, by E.T.C. Werner)

 

3 World History preserves not only the names of outstanding scientists, artists, writers, but also the names great teachers. One of them was Confucius, a great teacher of noble morals and the first professional teacher in the Chinese history. He used most of his life to teach and help students solve problems. During his life about 3,000 students studied under his guidance. He not only created some effective teaching methods, but also proper studying techniques (методы). Confucius taught his disciples by personal example as well as verbal instructions. He himself studied hard and pursued (стремился к) truth, dreams and a perfect personality. He had integrity (честность) and was kind, humble, polite and faithful to his country and people. He loved education and students, and was tireless in teaching. He always treated his disciples(учеников) equally. All of them respected Confucius as their father and compiled (собрали) Confucius's famous sayings in the book The Analects (литературный сборник) of Confucius.

 

Ex.2. Write a paragraph using detail starting from the following topic sentence:

To write a good paragraph is not an easy task.

 

Ex.3. Write a paragraph using reason starting from the following topic sentence:

 

The system of higher education in Great Britain differs from the Belarusian one.

“Poor is the pupil who does not surpass his master.” Leonardo da Vinci.

“No matter how busy you may think you are, you must find time for reading, or surrender yourself to self-chosen ignorance.” Confucius

 

If you hate the feeling of being left behind with anything, do your best to keep up to date.

 

 

Seminar 3

 

Theoretical materials for revision:

 Complex methods of paragraph development:

- definition;

- comparison;

Consolidation exercises

ü Complex methods of development that will be discussed in seminars 3 and 4 are definition, comparison, contrast and analogy.

ü Definition means one of two things: the lexical or precise meaning of the word; or the rhetorical or expository statement of its meaning as understood or interpreted by the writer. The first is the usual dictionary meaning and may be expressed in a single sentence, in a phrase, even in a synonym. The second is what the definer wants to say about it in a particular context and is elaborated in a paragraph or even a full essay.

 

Ex. 1. Write a one-sentence definition of each of the following. You are not likely to benefit from not referring to the dictionary. Check up the meaning of the same words in a dictionary. Do the definitions coincide?

  An examination, friendship, home, courage, faith, family.