Showing posts with label lagosbooksclub. Show all posts
Showing posts with label lagosbooksclub. Show all posts

22 November 2013

ORIGINAL AND CURRENT WAEC SYLLABUS FOR MAY/JUNE AND OCT/NOV EXAMS-ENGLISH LANGUAGE

[caption id="attachment_2609" align="alignleft" width="125"]CURRENT WAEC SYLLABUS FOR MAY/JUNE AND OCT/NOV EXAMS-ENGLISH LANGUAGE waec logo[/caption]

WEST AFRICAN SENIOR SCHOOL CERTIFICATE EXAMINATION- ENGLISH LANGUAGE SYLLABUS ( Nigeria  Only)

THE SCOPE OF THE SYLLABUS
This examination sets out to test the different basic skills of communication in English using the mediums of speech and writing. The examination will test the receptive and productive abilities of candidates. These abilities will be demonstrated in the following forms: Reading Comprehension, Summary, Vocabulary, Lexis and Structure, Listening Comprehension and Recognition of different aspects of English speech.

AIMS AND OBJECTIVES
The objective of the syllabus is to measure the extent to which the aims of the teaching syllabuses of member countries have been realized in candidates‟ Secondary School career. The examination sets out to examine candidates‟ ability to
(i) use correct English;
(ii) write about incidents in English that are appropriate to specified audiences
and situations;
(iii) organize materials in paragraphs that are chronologically, spatially and logically coherent;
(iv) control sentence structures accurately;
(v) exhibit variety in the choice of sentence patterns;
(vi) comply with the rules of grammar, spelling and punctuation;
(vii) comprehend written and spoken English;
(viii) recognize implied meaning, tones and attitudes;
(ix) use an acceptable pronunciation that can be comprehended by others;
(x) isolate and summarize relevant information from set passages.

OUTLINE
Candidates will be required to take three papers. Total marks for the three papers will be 220 marks for The Gambia and Sierra Leone and 200 for Nigeria.
PAPER 1: 2½ hours - Essay Writing, Comprehension and Summary - 120 marks
PAPER 2: 1 hour - Multiple Choice questions (Lexis and Structure) - 50 marks
PAPER 3: 45 minutes – Test of Orals – 30 marks (for Nigeria only).

WEST AFRICAN SENIOR SCHOOL CERTIFICATE EXAMINATION- ENGLISH LANGUAGE-DETAILED SYLLABUS

PAPER 1: This paper will be divided into three sections (A, B and C).

SECTION A: ESSAY WRITING (50 marks)

Candidates will be required to spend 50 minutes on this section. There will be five questions in all and candidates will be required to answer only one question.
The questions will test candidates‟ ability to communicate in writing. The topics will demand the following kinds of writing:
(i) letter;
(ii) speech;
(iii) narrative;
(iv) description;
(v) debate/argumentative;
(vi) report;
(vii) article;
(viii) exposition;
(ix) creative writing.

Credit will be given for
(i) Content: relevance of ideas to the topic and its specified audience and purpose;
(ii) Organization: formal features (where applicable), good paragraphing, appropriate emphasis and arrangement of ideas;
(iii) Expression: control of vocabulary and sentence structure;
(iv) Mechanical Accuracy: grammar, punctuation and spelling.
The minimum length expected will be 450 words.

SECTION B: COMPREHENSION (40 marks)

Candidates will be required to spend 50 minutes on this section. The section will consist of two passages each of about three hundred (300) words. Candidates will be required to answer questions on the two passages.
The questions will test the candidate‟s ability to
(i) find appropriate equivalents for selected words and phrases;
(ii) understand the factual content;
(iii) make inferences from the content of the passages;
(iv) respond to uses of English expressions to reveal/reflect sentiments/emotions/attitudes;
(v) identify and label basic grammatical structures, words, phrases or clauses and explain their functions as they appear in the context;
(vi) identify and explain basic literary terms and expressions;
(vii) recast phrases or sentences into grammatical alternatives.
The passages will be chosen from a wide variety of sources all of which will be suitable for this level of examination in terms of theme and interest. The passages will be written in modern English that will be within the experience of candidates. The comprehension test will include a total of three questions based on (vi) above in any one paper.

SECTION C: SUMMARY (30 marks)

Candidates will be required to spend 50 minutes on this section. The section will consist of one prose passage of about five hundred (500) words and will test the candidate‟s ability to
(i) extract relevant information;
(ii) summarize the points demanded in clear, concise English;
(iii) present a summary of specific aspects or portions of the passage;
(iv) avoid repetition, redundancy and extraneous material.
The passage will be selected from a wide variety of suitable sources, including excerpts from narratives, dialogues and expositions of social, cultural, economic and political issues in any part of the world.

PAPER 2: This is an objective/multiple choice paper comprising 100 questions: 40 lexical and 60 structural items. Each question/item will have four options lettered A to D.

A. LEXIS

In addition to items testing knowledge of the vocabulary of everyday usage (i.e. home, social relationships, common core school subjects) questions will be set to test the candidate‟s ability in the use of the more general vocabulary associated with the following fields of human activity:
I. (a) Building;
(b) Plumbing;
(c) Fishing;
(d) Finance – commerce, banking, stock exchange, insurance;
(e) Photography;
(f) Mineral exploitation;
(g) Common manufacturing industries;
(h) Printing, publishing, the press and libraries;
(i) Sea, road, rail and air transport;
(j) Government and politics;
(k) Sports and entertainment;
(l) Religion;
(m) Science and Technology;
(n) Power production – hydro, thermal, solar;
(o) Education;
(p) Transport and Communication;
(q) Military;
(r) Journalism and Advertising.
II. Idioms, i.e. idiomatic expressions and collocations (e.g. “hook, line and sinker”, “every Tom, Dick and Harry” etc.) the total meaning of which cannot be arrived at simply by consideration of the dictionary meanings of the words in the structures in which they appear.
III. Structural elements of English e.g. sequence of tenses, matching of pronouns with noun referents, use of correct prepositions.
IV. Figurative usage
By “more general” vocabulary is meant those words and usages of words normally associated with the field of human activity in question which are generally known, used and understood by most educated people who while not engaged in that field of activity may have occasion to read, speak or write about it. Thus, for example, in the vocabulary of transportation by sea, one would expect knowledge of terms such as “bridge” and “deck”, which most educated people understand, but not “halyard”, “dodge”, “davit” or “thrust block”, which are specialized.
All items will be phrased in such a way as to test the use and understanding of the required lexis, rather than dictionary definitions and explanations. In practice, the test of lexis will be so designed as to explore, not merely the extent of the candidates‟ vocabulary but more importantly their ability to respond to sense relations in the use of lexical items e.g. synonyms, antonyms and homonyms.
In the testing of figurative language, candidates will be expected to recognize when an expression is used figuratively rather than literally.

B. STRUCTURE

Structure here is used to include:
(i) The patterns of changes in word-forms which indicate number, tense, degree, etc.;
(ii) The patterns in which different categories of words regularly combine to form groups and these groups in turn combine to form sentences;
(iii) The use of structural words e.g. conjunctions, articles, determiners, prepositions, etc.

PAPER 3 ORAL ENGLISH (30 marks)
This paper will test candidates‟ knowledge of Oral English.

ALTERNATIVE C: TEST OF ORALS (For School and Private Candidates in Nigeria)A Test of Orals format is a multiple-choice paper of 60 items testing a wide range of areas or aspects of Orals as contained in the syllabus.

The Test of Orals will cover the following areas:
(1) Vowels – pure vowels and diphthongs;
(2) Consonants (including clusters);
(3) Rhymes;
(4) Word Stress/Syllable Structure;
(5) Emphatic Stress/Intonation Patterns;
(6) Phonetic Symbols.
The items to be tested in the specified areas are in accordance with the following blueprint:

SECTION/AREA/FEATURE/NO. OF ITEMS
1.Test of Vowels-15 (10 pure vowels, 5 diphthongs)
2.Test of Consonants-15
3.Test of Rhymes-5
4.Test of Stress (4 – Syllable word)-5
5.Test of Stress (2/3 – Syllable word)-5
6.Test of Emphatic Stress/Intonation-5
7.Patterns in Sentences-10 (5 vocalic and 5 consonantal)
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7 November 2013

ARSENAL AND "SIR ARSENE WENGER" TAKE POUND OF FLESH FROM DORTMUND AND BOASTFUL COACH...WHO IS LEWANDOWSKI AND WHO CARES?

Borussia Dortmund 0 - 1  Arsenal


ARSENAL TAKES ITS POUND OF FLESH FROM DORTMUND



Soccer-Patient Arsenal beat Dortmund 1-0 to take group lead


DORTMUND, Germany, Nov 6 (Reuters) - Arsenal snatched an important 1-0 win at last season's runners-up Borussia Dortmund in the Champions League on Wednesday, thanks to an Aaron Ramsey header, to take control of Group F with two games left to play.

Arsenal, who avenged a 2-1 loss to Dortmund in London last month, bided their time for more than an hour in pouring rain, soaking up Dortmund attacks before striking with their first effort on goal.

The visitors scored against the run of play with Wales international Ramsey sneaking into the box to head home in the 62nd minute. The result lifts Arsenal to nine points from four games with Dortmund on six.

Dortmund, who until Wednesday had never lost at home to English opposition in seven contests, wasted half a dozen clear chances but failed to make their dominance count. (Reporting by Karolos Grohmann; Editing by Clare Fall

Live Text Commentary


90:00 +4:40 Full timeFull Time Second Half ends, Borussia Dortmund 0, Arsenal 1.90:00 +3:46Attempt saved. Robert Lewandowski (Borussia Dortmund) right footed shot from the centre of the box is saved in the bottom right corner. Assisted by Kevin Großkreutz with a cross.90:00 +3:26Offside, Arsenal. Nicklas Bendtner tries a through ball, but Mesut Özil is caught offside.90:00 +3:03Mesut Özil (Arsenal) wins a free kick on the right wing.90:00 +3:03Foul by Marcel Schmelzer (Borussia Dortmund).

90:00 +0:45 SubstitutionSubstitution Substitution, Arsenal. Thomas Vermaelen replaces Tomas Rosicky.

89:40 SubstitutionSubstitution Substitution, Arsenal. Nicklas Bendtner replaces Olivier Giroud.

88:58Attempt missed. Robert Lewandowski (Borussia Dortmund) header from very close range is too high. Assisted by Kevin Großkreutz with a cross following a corner.

88:39Corner, Borussia Dortmund. Conceded by Kieran Gibbs.

85:51 SubstitutionSubstitution Substitution, Borussia Dortmund. Julian Schieber replaces Marco Reus.

85:15Mesut Özil (Arsenal) wins a free kick in the defensive half.

85:15Foul by Nuri Sahin (Borussia Dortmund).

83:58Attempt blocked. Marco Reus (Borussia Dortmund) right footed shot from the right side of the box is blocked. Assisted by Nuri Sahin.

79:56Delay over. They are ready to continue.

79:15Delay in match Laurent Koscielny (Arsenal) because of an injury.

78:38Attempt missed. Laurent Koscielny (Arsenal) header from the centre of the box misses to the left. Assisted by Mesut Özil with a cross following a set piece situation.

78:14Aaron Ramsey (Arsenal) wins a free kick in the attacking half.

78:14Foul by Nuri Sahin (Borussia Dortmund).

74:50 SubstitutionSubstitution Substitution, Arsenal. Nacho Monreal replaces Santiago Cazorla.

74:08 SubstitutionSubstitution Substitution, Borussia Dortmund. Jonas Hofmann replaces Sven Bender.


73:51 Substitution

Substitution Substitution, Borussia Dortmund. Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang replaces Jakub Blaszczykowski.

73:36

Offside, Arsenal. Bacary Sagna tries a through ball, but Olivier Giroud is caught offside.

72:08

Corner, Borussia Dortmund. Conceded by Bacary Sagna.

69:30

Attempt missed. Per Mertesacker (Arsenal) header from the centre of the box is just a bit too high. Assisted by Santiago Cazorla with a cross following a set piece situation.

68:58

Santiago Cazorla (Arsenal) wins a free kick in the attacking half.

68:58

Foul by Jakub Blaszczykowski (Borussia Dortmund).

68:30

Foul by Aaron Ramsey (Arsenal).

68:30

Sokratis (Borussia Dortmund) wins a free kick in the defensive half.

66:22

Attempt missed. Marcel Schmelzer (Borussia Dortmund) left footed shot from outside the box is close, but misses to the left. Assisted by Nuri Sahin.

64:58

Corner, Arsenal. Conceded by Roman Weidenfeller.

64:55

Attempt saved. Aaron Ramsey (Arsenal) right footed shot from the centre of the box is saved in the centre of the goal. Assisted by Olivier Giroud with a cross.

61:24 Goal scored

Goal! Goal! Borussia Dortmund 0, Arsenal 1. Aaron Ramsey (Arsenal) header from very close range to the bottom left corner. Assisted by Olivier Giroud with a headed pass.

60:38

Offside, Borussia Dortmund. Henrikh Mkhitaryan tries a through ball, but Nuri Sahin is caught offside.

57:35

Delay over. They are ready to continue.

57:10

Delay in match Marcel Schmelzer (Borussia Dortmund) because of an injury.

56:09

Offside, Borussia Dortmund. Jakub Blaszczykowski tries a through ball, but Marco Reus is caught offside.

55:30

Attempt blocked. Marco Reus (Borussia Dortmund) left footed shot from outside the box is blocked. Assisted by Neven Subotic.

55:02

Offside, Arsenal. Wojciech Szczesny tries a through ball, but Olivier Giroud is caught offside.

54:44

Offside, Borussia Dortmund. Robert Lewandowski tries a through ball, but Marco Reus is caught offside.

53:40

Attempt missed. Marco Reus (Borussia Dortmund) right footed shot from outside the box is too high from a direct free kick.

52:43

Foul by Mikel Arteta (Arsenal).

52:43

Robert Lewandowski (Borussia Dortmund) wins a free kick in the attacking half.

51:00

Offside, Borussia Dortmund. Jakub Blaszczykowski tries a through ball, but Marco Reus is caught offside.

50:56

Attempt saved. Jakub Blaszczykowski (Borussia Dortmund) right footed shot from the right side of the box is saved in the centre of the goal. Assisted by Henrikh Mkhitaryan.

50:16

Attempt missed. Henrikh Mkhitaryan (Borussia Dortmund) right footed shot from outside the box is high and wide to the right following a corner.

50:04

Corner, Borussia Dortmund. Conceded by Aaron Ramsey.

49:37

Corner, Borussia Dortmund. Conceded by Wojciech Szczesny.

49:35

Attempt saved. Marco Reus (Borussia Dortmund) header from the centre of the box is saved in the bottom left corner. Assisted by Sven Bender with a cross.

49:03

Foul by Bacary Sagna (Arsenal).

49:03

Marco Reus (Borussia Dortmund) wins a free kick on the left wing.

48:29

Mesut Özil (Arsenal) wins a free kick on the left wing.

48:29

Foul by Kevin Großkreutz (Borussia Dortmund).

45:13

Foul by Olivier Giroud (Arsenal).

45:13

Sokratis (Borussia Dortmund) wins a free kick in the defensive half.

45:00

Second Half begins Borussia Dortmund 0, Arsenal 0.

45:00 +1:04 Half time

Half Time First Half ends, Borussia Dortmund 0, Arsenal 0.

42:55

Attempt missed. Robert Lewandowski (Borussia Dortmund) right footed shot from outside the box misses to the left. Assisted by Sven Bender.

40:50 Booking

Booking Robert Lewandowski (Borussia Dortmund) is shown the yellow card for a bad foul.

40:45

Aaron Ramsey (Arsenal) wins a free kick in the defensive half.

40:45

Foul by Robert Lewandowski (Borussia Dortmund).

38:04

Foul by Tomas Rosicky (Arsenal).

38:04

Nuri Sahin (Borussia Dortmund) wins a free kick in the defensive half.

36:49

Attempt missed. Henrikh Mkhitaryan (Borussia Dortmund) left footed shot from the centre of the box is close, but misses to the left. Assisted by Jakub Blaszczykowski following a fast break.

36:06

Bacary Sagna (Arsenal) wins a free kick in the defensive half.

36:06

Foul by Sven Bender (Borussia Dortmund).

35:17

Foul by Mikel Arteta (Arsenal).

35:17

Robert Lewandowski (Borussia Dortmund) wins a free kick on the left wing.

33:37

Foul by Aaron Ramsey (Arsenal).

33:37

Sokratis (Borussia Dortmund) wins a free kick in the defensive half.

31:48

Mesut Özil (Arsenal) wins a free kick in the attacking half.

31:48

Foul by Henrikh Mkhitaryan (Borussia Dortmund).

28:27

Tomas Rosicky (Arsenal) wins a free kick in the attacking half.

28:27

Foul by Marco Reus (Borussia Dortmund).

27:31

Mikel Arteta (Arsenal) wins a free kick in the defensive half.

27:31

Foul by Robert Lewandowski (Borussia Dortmund).

26:52

Offside, Arsenal. Santiago Cazorla tries a through ball, but Kieran Gibbs is caught offside.

24:55

Attempt missed. Jakub Blaszczykowski (Borussia Dortmund) right footed shot from the centre of the box is close, but misses the top right corner. Assisted by Kevin Großkreutz with a cross.

23:40

Foul by Tomas Rosicky (Arsenal).

23:40

Sokratis (Borussia Dortmund) wins a free kick in the defensive half.

22:45 Booking

Booking Mikel Arteta (Arsenal) is shown the yellow card for a bad foul.

22:39

Foul by Mikel Arteta (Arsenal).

22:39

Jakub Blaszczykowski (Borussia Dortmund) wins a free kick in the attacking half.

21:05

Attempt missed. Marcel Schmelzer (Borussia Dortmund) left footed shot from outside the box misses to the left following a corner.

21:03

Attempt blocked. Marcel Schmelzer (Borussia Dortmund) left footed shot from outside the box is blocked.

20:36

Corner, Borussia Dortmund. Conceded by Laurent Koscielny.

18:46

Hand ball by Olivier Giroud (Arsenal).

16:40

Foul by Olivier Giroud (Arsenal).

16:40

Sokratis (Borussia Dortmund) wins a free kick in the defensive half.

16:13

Attempt missed. Neven Subotic (Borussia Dortmund) right footed shot from the centre of the box is close, but misses to the left. Assisted by Sven Bender following a set piece situation.

15:41

Foul by Mikel Arteta (Arsenal).

15:41

Robert Lewandowski (Borussia Dortmund) wins a free kick on the left wing.

10:36

Henrikh Mkhitaryan (Borussia Dortmund) wins a free kick in the defensive half.

10:36

Foul by Tomas Rosicky (Arsenal).

9:22

Corner, Arsenal. Conceded by Marco Reus.

8:39

Foul by Henrikh Mkhitaryan (Borussia Dortmund).

8:39

Mikel Arteta (Arsenal) wins a free kick in the defensive half.

3:53

Corner, Borussia Dortmund. Conceded by Per Mertesacker.

0:00

First Half begins.


16 September 2013

HOW TO WRITE FORMAL AND INFORMAL LETTERS FOR WAEC/NECO SSCE AND GCE EXAMS



...students of Mason College,Festac,Lagos...


INTRODUCTION TO LETTER-WRITING
If you ask examiners they will tell you that a very substantial part of essays marked are letters…formal or informal…the obvious reason is that students tend to regard letter-writing as a way out as opposed to  the monumental task of crafting other brain-bursting essays inside the exam hall…is this due to ill preparation or laziness?…or is it due to examination tension and the temporary paralysis of the brain leading to inability to think of relevant points to put  together for an impressionable score?…
We have already submitted a write up  for narratives/ story telling and hope that tutors will make some effort at getting  students to know how and why it is easy to construct narrative essays or tell stories under tension in an exam hall…we will follow this up  by more technical notes on descriptive, argumentative essays…we shall also give notes on how to prepare for debates, craft speeches and have them delivered appropriately…it is obvious that the last bits will be more useful to students beyond their days for WAEC/NECO exams….isn’t it?

With reference to letter-writing it is one thing looking for the easiest way out and it is another eventually finding your self in a maze or getting caught like mouse in a trap!…our honest opinion is that most letters are mouse traps for students and their tutors need to let them know this.… why do we say so?
a…letters are the most technical of all the essay forms!…there is a list of content that must be seen  and included in certain ways without which students can lose substantial  marks…
b…letters hardly give examiners room for discretion or sympathy to students as in other forms of essay…
c…students hardly feel compelled to study the finer details of what is required for letters…the usual attitude is that they have written letters for long and should be able to accumulate “enough” marks with lesser effort than would have been expended on other forms of essay.

d…the advent of e-mails and net writing (such as  we are presently using for this write-up)  have ensured that students commit more spelling and punctuation mistakes which they don’t even realize … especially when writing informal letters!
…having said this what then are the essentials of letter-writing?…is there a check list for tutors and students to use for doing well in  letter-writing?…please find below our humble submissions under layout,language and style for both formal and informal letters…
FORMAL LETTERS
1. Date.
2. Address of writer.
3. Designation of the addressee.
4. Company’s or Organization’s address in full.
5. Salutation.
6. Heading/Title.
7 .Reason for writing stating any reference or advert seen with name of source and date of publication if possible.
8. Tone of letter should show the respect or deference to the addressee if a senior or a person you expect some favor from…even if it is a letter of complaints on something you are angry about your words need to be diplomatic and never uncouth!
9. Short sentences are preferable.
10. AVOID GRAMMATICAL,PUNCTUATION AND SPELLING ERRORS (more notes on these coming up).
11. Balance the length of sentences and link your paragraphs.
12. Balance the number of sentences in each paragraph.
13, Apart from your introduction and conclusion use  only 3-5 paragraphs with each expressing different ideas.
14. For conclusion restate the reason for writing.
15. State yours “faithfully” with small letter “f”.
16.  Don’t forget to sign and write the name of the writer or your name.

INFORMAL LETTERS
1. Date.
2. Address of writer.
3. NO DESIGNATION OF THE ADDRESSEE TO BE INCLUDED!
4. Informal salutation such as Dear Daddy,Dear Uncle Wale or Dear Bobby
5. DON’T LET YOUR INQUIRY ABOUT HEALTH OR WELL-BEING OCCUPY MORE THAN A LINE!…SOME STUDENTS OFTEN DECEIVE THEMSELVES  ASKING AFTER THE BABY,DOG OR EVEN THE  FIGHT THEIR SISTER OR MOTHER HAD IN THE MARKET A FEW MONTHS BEFORE THE LETTER!…ALL IN A BID TO ACCUMULATE ENOUGH WORDS TO MEET THE MINIMUM NUMBER OF WORDS REQUIRED…its a wonder that students do not know or are not just prepared to know that such games are easily discoverable and promptly decoded with lesser marks.
6. A letter to a friend can be chatty and should reflect some measure of familiarity between two friends…tutors should please spend more time in giving examples to students because this is their Achilles heel as they tend to let go of their guard…very merrily!
7. Long sentences are allowed and can predominate…CONTRACTED FORMS SUCH AS WEREN’T,OR DON’T ARE ALSO ALLOWED (NOT ALLOWED FOR FORMAL LETTERS!)
8. Avoid the same errors from grammar,punctuations and spellings.
9. Balance the length of sentences and link your paragraphs.
10. Balance the number of sentences in each paragraph.
11. Apart from your introduction and conclusion use  only 3-5 paragraphs with each expressing different ideas.
12. For conclusion restate the reason for writing.
13. For Yours sincerely,truly,lovingly etc those italicized words must start with a small letter.
14. No signature  but first name of writer allowed.
15. Though colloquial expressions and slangs may be permitted know that they are very risky…also be careful about using new acceptable words such as femme fatale which might be known and approved more by markers from urban areas of the country…anyway,why risk words that are not likely to add more marks to your essay?
…for both formal and informal letters the tone should agree with the purpose of the letter…if it is for sympathy or condolence it should give comfort…even if it is a complaint against certain behavior it should show disapproval of such behavior without  betraying annoyance or anger of the writer.
NOTE
Again,we wish to say that if  in doubt the student should use the following questions as guide…what?…where?…when?…why?…how?…of the topic or subject…or just remember the nouns,verbs,adjective which are related to the subject matter …of course these are emergency measures against mental blankness…
Good luck!
APOLOGY

PLEASE FORGIVE OUR INDISCRIMINATE USE OF CAPITAL LETTERS ABOVE TO EMPHASIZE OUR POINTS.STUDENTS ARE TO NOTE THAT THEY DO NOT HAVE SUCH  LIBERTY OR DISCRETION IN WAEC/NECO EXAMS