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GP - Types of Aq

The document discusses skills for answering application questions (AQs) on comprehension passages. It explains that AQs assess higher-order thinking, require strong arguments, and are the most challenging part of the exam. It then presents the GREAT strategy for tackling AQs: Grasp the question, Refer to annotations, Extract relevant ideas, Arrange points logically, and Time yourself. The document provides examples of practicing AQ questions and scoring criteria to help students improve their application skills.

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12K views18 pages

GP - Types of Aq

The document discusses skills for answering application questions (AQs) on comprehension passages. It explains that AQs assess higher-order thinking, require strong arguments, and are the most challenging part of the exam. It then presents the GREAT strategy for tackling AQs: Grasp the question, Refer to annotations, Extract relevant ideas, Arrange points logically, and Time yourself. The document provides examples of practicing AQ questions and scoring criteria to help students improve their application skills.

Uploaded by

helixate
Copyright
© Attribution Non-Commercial (BY-NC)
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Download as PPT, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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com
An Open Source Education Project

Application Skills
Skills For Answering
Application Question
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An Open Source Education Project

Introduction
What is the Application Question? (AQ)
Usually the last comprehension question
About 7 – 12 marks (high weightage – can be
up to 1/3 the total marks)
Most demanding in requirements, most time-
consuming and therefore the most
challenging.
Expected to employ higher order thinking
skills (e.g. evaluation, synthesis, comparative
analysis, problem solving, etc.)
Must be able to present strong arguments!
Take the AQ skills very seriously!
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An Open Source Education Project

Application Skills

Is it similar to the Summary Question?


 NO! You will surely fail the AQ (get 1 sympathy
mark) if you merely summarise the author’s
points.
You must make the transition from
summary skills to application skills
Differences between AQ and Summary
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An Open Source Education Project

Application Skills
 Types of Question
 About 7 types of AQ (Can be a combination)
3. 1. Critique Issues and Formulate Arguments
4. 2. Generate New Ideas and Alternatives
5. 3. Compare and contrast
6. 4. Solve Problem
7. 5. Predict Consequences/ Possibilities
8. 6. Draw own conclusions and make decisions
9. 7. Anticipate Responses
Exercise to Identify Question Type
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Application Assessment
How is the AQ graded?
Good news … you won’t get zero if you write something
sensible!
The examiner uses the REEC Criteria
R = Requirement
E = Explanation (Ex)
E = Evaluation (Ev)
C = Coherence
ABC Bands (Depends on mark range)
Refer to Marking the Application Question
Handout (Read it very carefully!)
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An Open Source Education Project

Application Assessment
Requirement – Meet what the examiner expects of you; your
response must fit the given question. Text reference is mandatory!
Reference to your own society (Singapore) must be made if the
question specifies that!
Explanation (Ex) – Must be able to explain terms and
concepts and develop own ideas to justify the evaluation. Must be
able to present suitable elaboration and support.
Evaluation (Ev) – Able to offer personal opinions which are
relevant and insightful; Able to make decisions, judgements,
suggestions; able to develop ideas to a logical conclusion
(dependent on the Question Type);
Coherence – able to organise your ideas/ arguments well and
show logical connection from paragraph to paragraph (good
paragraphing and use of conjunctions)
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An Open Source Education Project

Application Skills

The GREAT Strategy


 Effective and useful; simple to recall during the
exams
 Adopt a systematic approach to answering the AQ
G – Grasp the Question Type and Requirement
R – Refer to your marginal annotations of the passage
E – Extract the relevant ideas and express your
personal stand with conviction
A – Arrange your points logically
T – Time yourself and work as fast as you can
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An Open Source Education Project

The GREAT Strategy

G – Grasp the Question Type and


Requirement

Analyse the question carefully – Circle/


underline/ highlight key words!
What is the Question Type?
What is the specific task(s) required by the QT?
Do I understand the key task words and
implications of the question?
How many parts does the question have?
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An Open Source Education Project

The GREAT Strategy


R – Refer to your marginal annotations of the
passage
As you read the passage:
 - Make notes. / Pick out main points.
 - Question the author’s assumptions
 Challenge the author’s stand. Be critical!
 - Write your personal responses. Be
independent!
Think!– How are my marginal annotations relevant
to the question?
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An Open Source Education Project

The GREAT Strategy


E – Extract the relevant ideas and express
your personal stand with conviction
Have I thought through and written down all
relevant points?
Do I have a clear thesis statement?
Have I put across my views strongly and
persuasively?
Signal your personal evaluation clearly with
“I think/ believe/ feel that …”!
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An Open Source Education Project

The GREAT Strategy

A – Arrange your points logically

Plan your AQ essay before you write!


Do a rough outline.
Refer to the handout: Checklist –
The AQ Framework
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An Open Source Education Project

The GREAT Strategy


T – Time yourself and work as fast as you
can

Depending on your ability level, you should


leave about 20 to 25 minutes for the AQ
Advice: Though AQ is the last question, do not
leave thinking about it to the last!
You should read the Application Question from
the start and let your subconscious mind work
on it as you plough through the rest of the
compre paper.
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An Open Source Education Project

Practice 1 (Short Application Essay)


Critical Thinking Skills
Refer to handout 4 & Practise marking up
three short texts.
Analyse Arguments
Identify and Evaluate Assumptions
Clarify and Interpret Ideas
Judge Acceptability and Credibility of Claims
Evaluate Arguments
Written Work: Should the SAT be abolished?
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An Open Source Education Project

Practice 2 (Full Application Essay)


Topic: Discipline – Spare the Rod and Spoil the
Child? The Hard Vs Soft Approach
Task 1
Read both passages carefully once through and
highlight the main points. Annotate your texts.
Passage A – The Hard Approach: New French
Law that tolerates no nonsense
Passage B – The Soft Approach: Britain Told to
Ban Use of Force to Discipline Kids
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An Open Source Education Project

Practice 2
Analyse & Evaluate
Decisions/Recommendations
1. What makes this decision necessary?
 2. What is recommended & on what grounds?
 3. What are the options/alternatives? Are they
realistic or unusual?
 4. What are the likely consequences of the various
options?
 5. How important/serious are these consequences
for all those affected?
 6. Compare all the alternatives: is the recommended
course the best one?

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An Open Source Education Project

Practice 3 (Comprehension 1)
Apply the The GREAT Strategy
Comprehension on Education
Application Question: Requirements
1. Identify the shortcomings of education in both
passages.
2. Assess the validity of their views.
3. Text Reference. Make a reference to your own
educational experience (i.e. in your own society)
Plan your AQ essay before you write!
Do a rough outline. Refer to the handout:
Checklist – The AQ Framework
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An Open Source Education Project

Practice 4 (Comprehension 2)
Apply the The GREAT Strategy
Comprehension on Animal Rights
Application Question: Requirements
Question Type (Compare & Contrast)
 Decide which of the two writer’s arguments is more
convincing.
 Justify (Give sound reasons to support your decision.)
 Link the authors’ points to your society (e.g. Singapore)
- specify how your country can adopt a balanced
approach to the issue.
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An Open Source Education Project

Compare & Contrast


If the question is on "compare & contrast",
this is how you analyze & evaluate the
passage:
1. How are they similar?
2. How are they different?
3. What similarities and differences
seem significant?
4. Do you see any patterns in the
significant similarities and differences?
5. What conclusion is suggested
by the significant similarities and
differences?

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