END OF YEAR TEST ● ANSWER KEY

Writing

Sample answers
Task 1
Can show the relationship between an opinion and a counter argument in a discursive text.

As more and more adults and young people are using social media to communicate with each other,
large numbers of parents are connecting with their own children by becoming their online friends.
While parents may consider it ‘cool’ to become involved in their teenagers’ lives in this way, it is not
necessarily beneficial to the young people.
There are undoubtedly certain advantages to parents and children being connected online. For
example, it could help them to gain more understanding of each other. Parents would be able to get
insights into what their children talk about with their friends, and what their concerns are. It might help
them to become more aware of the difficulties and problems that young people face.
That said, there are also some important drawbacks. For example, it is difficult for young people to
have any privacy if their parents are watching their every move online. What young people might find
is that they are less able to talk openly about their problems to their friends, especially if their
problems involve their parents. Moreover, becoming independent is an important part of growing up,
but it is impossible for young people to gain independence if their parents refuse to let them lead their
own lives.
All things considered, although there may be some benefits to parents and children being connected
online, I believe it is preferable for parents to stand back and allow teenagers the freedom to express
themselves online without supervision.
(244 words)

Task 2
Can write a structured text clearly signalling main points and supporting details.

Leave it to the experts!

It has been suggested that schools should teach computer programming to all students. Why? Of
course it is undoubtedly true that computers are essential for our modern lives. We all spend more and
more time browsing the Internet on our tablets or smartphones, or making use of the latest apps, and
it’s difficult to imagine living without modern technology now. But this doesn’t mean we need to
understand exactly how computers work, and we don’t need to know how to produce software
ourselves.
Most of us believe that computer programming should be offered as an option in schools, for students
who are interested in it and have a talent for it. In my school, I can think of a significant number of
students who would welcome the opportunity to learn programming skills. But I wouldn’t support it
being compulsory. Learning to program a computer requires considerable mathematical skills, and
forcing students to try to understand such a complicated subject could result in them losing motivation.
Surely it’s better to let all students concentrate on the subjects they are interested in and talented at.
For me, a computer is like a car, a TV or a phone. I benefit from using these devices, and I can’t
imagine life without them, but I have absolutely no idea how they work, and I have no interest in
finding out. I’m quite happy to leave that to the experts!
(240 words)

Mark scheme
The task is worth 20 marks. Award up to 4 marks for each section of the mark scheme, according to the

© 2016 Pearson FOCUS 4 PHOTOCOPIABLE 1

 END OF YEAR TEST ● ANSWER KEY
Writing

descriptions below.
Mar Content Task Organisation Range Accuracy
ks achievement and structure
0-1 Content is Completes only No clear Uses only very Lots of errors
difficult to one or two paragraph basic vocabulary even in basic
understand. aspects of the structure. and grammar, language, which
Ideas are basic task. May not with a lot of impede
and not use the correct errors. communication.
developed, and genre and only
no opinions are covers one or
expressed. two of the points
specified in the
task.
2-3 Content is Completes the A fairly clear Uses simple Generally
comprehensible majority of the paragraph vocabulary and accurate, but with
. Ideas are fairly task. Uses the structure. Some basic grammar some errors,
simple but well correct genre paragraphs may structures especially in more
expressed. and covers the be very short, and accurately. Uses advanced
Some ideas are majority, but not paragraphs may some more language.
developed by all, of the points not always have a advanced
giving reasons specified in the clear purpose. vocabulary, and
or examples. task. uses some more
Some details advanced
are added, and grammar
some opinions structures with
are expressed. errors. Uses some
linking devices
accurately.
4 Content is Completes all The text is clearly Uses a wide range A few mistakes in
comprehensible parts of the task divided into of vocabulary more advanced
and interesting. fully, including paragraphs. Each appropriately, and language
Ideas are the correct genre paragraph has a uses a wide range structures, but
developed with and all the clear purpose, and of grammar generally very
reasons, points specified each contains structures accurate.
examples, etc. in the task. ideas that are accurately and
Details are developed appropriately.
added and Uses more
opinions advanced
expressed, vocabulary and
giving the text a grammar
lively feel. accurately. Uses a
wide range of
linking devices
accurately.

© 2016 Pearson FOCUS 4 PHOTOCOPIABLE 2

 END OF YEAR TEST ● ANSWER KEY
Writing

© 2016 Pearson FOCUS 4 PHOTOCOPIABLE 3