Answers and Discussion
Look at the discussion of the points raised by the Phase 1b tasks. What would you recommend to your students as the most efficient strategies for dealing with these tasks?
- How is this phase related to Phase 1a?
Phase 1a is related in theme to Phase 1b and aims to activate the candidates’ ideas on the topic. - How can candidates best use the preparation time for this task?
Candidates are given one minute to prepare and to make notes. They should take full advantage of this time by using the different ideas in the prompts as headings to structure their presentation and to note down two or three ideas under each heading to enable them to keep talking for the allotted time. They should be prepared and able to make statements, give opinions, exemplify, explain, compare and contrast, narrate and structure the discourse using appropriate markers such as ‘firstly, on the other hand, in addition, finally’ etc. The second candidate is given up to 15 seconds to read his/her notes again before presenting. - Do candidates have to use all of the prompts on their task card?
No. The prompts are there to provide support for candidates and to help them to structure their presentations. Candidates do not have to make use of them, and indeed may not have time to use of all of them during the two minute presentation. Similarly, candidates can include other areas if they wish. - What type of questions or comments might a candidate ask or make after their partner’s presentation?
Candidates are expected to be able to ask questions to clarify or go more deeply into issues their partner has raised, and comment on what their partner has said, agreeing or disagreeing or adding further examples to the argument. They can make notes while their partner is speaking, but they do not have time to think of questions to ask once their partner has finished their presentation. - How many questions do candidates have to ask about their partner’s presentation?
There is no set number of questions to ask or comments to make, but it is a good idea for candidates to have several questions or comments prepared. Candidates should be aware that they might not have time to use them all. - Can the listening candidate ask their partner a question during the formal presentation?
No. Candidates should not interrupt during their partner’s presentation and must save their questions and comments for when their partner has finished speaking. - Will the assessor always ask questions?
No. If the assessor has sufficient information on which to base marks, they may not ask questions.