Full sentences

Some papers specify that complete sentences are required. Others say that they aren't. Either way, it is important that Rajiv knows what this means. This does not mean that a thorough grasp of English grammar, from subjects and predicates through parts of speech to clause analysis is necessary. However, Rajiv will need practice in writing an answer that makes sense as a piece of information, that clearly relates to the passage and could stand on its own. For example, in answer to the question, 'Why do you think Patterson hides under the bed?', 'Because he is scared', would not do but 'Patterson hides because he is scared', would. In general, beginning an answer with 'because' is not a good idea. However, in answer to, 'When Patterson hears the footsteps coming down the long corridor, what does he do?', it is a waste of time to write out all of the information in the question again. 'When he hears the footsteps, he jumps out of the window', is quite sufficient.

These days, many papers require full sentence answers for only some questions and this is made clear. Some questions will need only a one-word answer, e.g. 'What is the man's name?' 'Patterson'. Much time can be wasted on writing out, 'His name is Patterson', when this is not required. The rubric at the top of the paper should make this clear.

Rajiv should be advised to leave a couple of lines after each answer. Very often, in the checking time at the end, he may realise that he has answered only half the question or that there is quite a lot more he could say to strengthen his answer. This is much better presented if written on a spare line rather than crammed in over the top or asterisked to elsewhere on the paper.

Finishing early is not a good idea. While Rajiv needs to understand that it is important to get moving quickly and not to waste time, the paper is not a race and higher marks are not awarded to those who finish first. Ideally, as we said above, the paper will be so well constructed as to enable good/average candidates to finish in time, just. The vital thing is that if Rajiv finishes early, he does not sit back and watch everyone else write, but that he uses every spare minute he has. Careful checking is vital (see pages 46-52) both of what he has written and of how he has written it.

Points to look for:
a) Does my answer make sense?
b) Does it answer the question I was asked?
c) Does it answer the whole question I was asked?
d) Is it the same answer as I give to another question? If so, have I understood the questions because no two answers should be the same?
e) Have I left any blanks? It is always better to write some kind of answer rather than nothing. A blank space cannot earn any marks. Even a wild guess, though it may not be right, may be partially right and earn a mark or two. A candidate asked to define a word in the passage may not normally have a clue as to what, for example, 'alacrity' means, but should be able to make a guess which may be near enough to earn a mark. Don't leave gaps!
f) Have I written enough? If a question is worth 8 marks, it will require a fuller answer than a question worth 2 marks.
g) Are my answers spelled and punctuated correctly? (See pages 46-52 on checking.)