COMPETENCE TESTS: TEST 1 Name: ....................................

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TEST 1: WRITTEN COMPREHENSION
Linguistic Communication Competence Context
Written Comprehension: Learning to Learn:
- understand an online article - compare learning styles
- understand essential information
- understand points of view

1 Read the online article.

HOMESCHOOLING
Jane Wilson gets up at half past four every
morning, has a quick breakfast and leaves the
house. Why so early? This 14-year-old girl has her
first swimming practice at half past five in the
morning. Jane hopes to represent the USA in the
next Olympics. She goes to the swimming pool
every day in the morning and in the afternoon.
It isn’t easy to train for the Olympics and go to school like other students. That’s why Jane doesn’t go
to school. She’s a “homeschooler” – she learns at home and while she’s travelling to swimming
competitions.
More and more athletes in the USA are leaving school to become homeschoolers. Homeschooling is
more flexible than traditional schooling, so athletes can train hard at their sport and also get a good
education in other subjects. Often, the athlete’s mother or father is their teacher, and special
homeschooling academies provide learning materials, teaching help and advice.
So how does Jane feel about her homeschooling experience? “It’s fantastic,” she says. “In the past, I
was always tired. I ran from swimming practice to school to swimming practice. I didn’t have much
time for homework or friends. Now, my mum and I decide when to have lessons and we know how
much time I need for each subject.”
What about friends? “Well, of course I don’t see friends at school,” Jane explains, “but I’ve got more
free time in the evenings and at the weekends. I have a great social life!”

2 Tick (✓) the sentences T (true) or F (false).

T F
1. Jane has swimming practice twice a day. .... ....
2. Jane always studies in her house. .... ....
3. Homeschooled athletes only learn about their sport. .... ....
4. Homeschoolers’ parents must write their own learning materials. .... ....
5. Jane likes being a homeschooler. .... ....

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 COMPETENCE TESTS: TEST 1

3 Answer the questions.

1. What time does Jane get up in the morning?
..............................................................................................
2. What time does she begin swimming?
..............................................................................................
3. What is Jane’s goal?
..............................................................................................
4. Where is homeschooling becoming popular for athletes?
..............................................................................................
5. Who decides on the times of Jane’s lessons?
..............................................................................................
6. When does Jane see her friends?
..............................................................................................
4 What do you think are the advantages to learning in school in comparison to homeschooling? Explain.
......................................................................................................................................................................................

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 COMPETENCE TESTS: TEST 1

TEST 1: WRITTEN PRODUCTION

Linguistic Communication Competence Context
Written Production: Mediation:
- analyse an advert - transfer information from an advert to a paragraph
- provide information
- express opinions

Read the advert for a homeschooling academy. Then write a paragraph about the academy.

THE BEST
HOMESCHOOLING
ACADEMY FOR YOU!
We offer:
 Learning programmes for students from
primary school to the end of secondary school
 Personal flexible study plan for each and
every student
 Expert advice
 Optional internet-based lessons

WORLDLINK HOMESCHOOL ACADEMY

Call today: 123-456789 San Diego, California, USA

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 COMPETENCE TESTS: TEST 1

TEST 1: ORAL COMPREHENSION

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Linguistic Communication Competence Context

Oral Comprehension: Personal and Social:
- understand a radio programme - understand the importance of social interaction
- understand details - understand differences of opinion
- understand opinions

1 Listen to the radio programme and choose the correct answer.

1. Greg Ryan works for … . 4. Last year, Harry wanted to talk about … with his friends.
a. a radio station a. homeschooling
b. a TV channel b. his parents
c. a homeschooling academy c. his schoolwork
2. Rachel’s teacher is her … . 5. At the end of the programme, Greg wants to talk to some … .
a. brother a. teachers
b. mother b. parents
c. friend c. students
3. Harry … homeschooling.
a. didn’t like
b. loved
c. didn’t try
2 Listen again and tick (✓) Rachel, Harry or both.
Who … ? Rachel Harry
1. is a homeschooler now .... ....
2. was a homeschooler last year .... ....
3. has got a brother .... ....
4. doesn’t study with a sister .... ....
5. sees friends during school hours .... ....
6. does online lessons .... ....

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 COMPETENCE TESTS: TEST 1

TEST 1: ORAL PRODUCTION

Linguistic Communication Competence Context
Oral Production: Social Interaction and Mediation:
- have a conversation - collaborate and transfer written and oral information into other forms
- exchange information
- express opinions

Student A

1 Imagine you’re the teenager below. Tell your partner your opinion of the schooling you get.
Name: Alex
My schooling: traditional school
General opinion of schooling: very good
• learning with friends
Advantages: • excellent science laboratory
• different teachers for different subjects (more interesting)
• many students in each class
Disadvantages: • no free time in morning or early afternoon
• no responsibility for own timetable

Useful Language
I go to …
In my opinion, …
An advantage of traditional schooling is …
A disadvantage of traditional schooling is …

2 Now imagine your partner gets different schooling from you. Listen to his / her opinion of the schooling
and complete the chart.

My partner’s schooling:
Partner’s opinion of schooling:

Advantages:

Disadvantages:

3 What do you think is the biggest advantage of each type of schooling? Tell your partner.

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 COMPETENCE TESTS: TEST 1
TEST 1: ORAL PRODUCTION
Linguistic Communication Competence Context
Oral Production: Social Interaction and Mediation:
- have a conversation - collaborate and transfer written and oral information into other forms
- exchange information
- express options

Student B

1 Imagine your partner gets different schooling from you. Listen to his / her opinion of the schooling and
complete the chart.

My partner’s schooling:
Partner’s opinion of schooling:

Advantages:

Disadvantages:

2 Now imagine you’re the teenager below. Tell your partner your opinion of the schooling you get.
Name: Sam
My schooling: homeschool
General opinion of schooling: very good
• getting personal attention
• flexible study time
Advantages:
• helping parents decide which subjects to learn and when
to learn them
• always studying with adults, not other students
Disadvantages: • most lessons in the living room
• parents not experts on all subjects

Useful Language
I am a …
In my opinion, …
An advantage of homeschooling is …
A disadvantage of homeschooling is …

3 What do you think is the biggest advantage of each type of schooling? Tell your partner.

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