Understanding the prompt – common and classic exam prompts

In this checkpoint we’re going to talk about how to understand the prompt when you have a common or classic exam prompt.

A common and classic exam prompt is a topic that has been used multiple times. Examples of such topics are:

• Junk food
• School uniforms
• Homework
• Rubbish
• Country vs. City
• Sports
• Extended weekends
• Teachers
• Superhero power
• Languages / what should be taught in school
• Smoking
• Bullying
• Voting

While they’re common and classic topics, you still need to make sure that you’re reading and understanding the question correctly.

This is probably the most important but least regarded of all steps and is an area to watch out for.

Why?

It is the most important as it sets up your understanding of the issue and directs how you will plan and subsequently write your essay. Further, if you misunderstand or misinterpret the question, you will not have answered the question properly as your planning and writing is set up on a misunderstanding.

It's terrible to have written out a very well-written piece with great arguments to only then realise that you're not answering the question. You get marks for answering the question.

So how do you do it?

1. Read the exam question once and circle the key words
2. Now ask yourself the following: (a) Does it require me to make a decision? (b) What is that decision? (c) What themes or issues does it touch upon?
3. Read the question again, and given your thoughts in point 2. (a) – (c) above, ask yourself whether your thinking relates specifically back to the exam question and to the key words of the exam question.
4. If so, it's likely that you have understood the exam question correctly. If not, you may have misunderstood the exam question.

Let's put this into action with the following questions of understanding the question correctly and then not understanding the question correctly/misreading it.

People who litter should be made to complete community service. Do you agree or disagree? Argue your point.

Litter is a by-product of modern life. Discuss.

Littering should be banned. Do you agree or disagree? Argue your point.

Smoking should be banned. Do you agree or disagree? Argue your point.

Smoking should be banned in public areas. Do you agree or disagree? Argue your point.

Common errors in understanding the question

There are two main common errors in understanding the question, even when there is a classic and common prompt.

They are:

Not giving an answer to the question

If the question is asking you to form a view, i.e. "Do you prefer cats or dogs?", don't just say "It depends". This occurs because people don't make a decision and bet either way hoping to score points. This is not an ideal answer because (1) the question requested that you form a view, and (2) it's difficult to argue because arguing in essence requires a view on one side against another.

You can prevent this by forming a view on one side if the question asks you to do so.

Not addressing the correct question in your response and therefore, indicating that you don't understand the question

If you base your essay on the misunderstanding, it will show quite clearly to the examiner. To reduce this error from being made, follow the guide in understanding the question as shown above.

Key Rules to remember

• Read the exam question once and circle the key words
• What is the question asking you to do and how will it influence your planning?
• Read it for what it is – don't make assumptions.

Practice time!

Now, it's your turn to practice.

The questions in this checkpoint are provided to help you develop your writing skills.

To do your practice questions, click on the below to download your question paper. You can print it out or work from the electronic version. We do recommend that you write your answers by hand in a notebook or on paper.

PDW-CP13-Questions.pdf

Once you have completed your questions, review the suggested solutions. You can download (and print if you wish) the PDF suggested solutions and/or watch the suggested solutions video (all below).

Once you're done with reviewing the practice question suggested solutions, move on to the next checkpoint.

PDW-CP13-Answers.pdf

---