Tips for Paper IV
Practice for Paper IV is perhaps the most difficult for
students. There are no quick, last‑minute solutions, but there are ways
you can improve your knowledge of and confidence in spoken English.
1 Meet other students and friends and speak
in English to each other. You don't have to speak for very long (5‑10
minutes), but try to do this every day. If someone speaks Cantonese, make them
pay a forfeit!
2 If you keep a journal/ diary, then
record your journal on a tape recorder in English.
Listening, reading and writing practice will also help
you with Paper IV. You will become more familiar with how English is used. You
will constantly learn new vocabulary and phrases and listening will help you
with your pronunciation.
1 When you are at home, turn on the English
radio or listen to English music.
2 Watch the English channels on TV.
3 Watch English films.
4 Read English books, newspapers and
magazines.
5 Look for the English around you:
public signs, shops, tourist information, etc.
Remember, the most important thing is to have English in your
life every day, not just in the classroom!
PART A
Do...
1 read through the instructions
clearly during the preparation time and ask yourself:
• Who am 1?
• What is my name?
• Why am 1 asking these questions?
• Who is Examiner 1?
• Who is Examiner 2?
2 ask your questions clearly and write them down so you don't
forget them when the interview begins.
3 remember to smile and show the
examiner you are ready to start.
4 if there's something you don't
understand, clarify and check with the examiner.
5 if you are uncertain about your
answer, apologise and explain before you give your answer.
PART B
Do...
1 initiate the discussion ‑
someone has to, why not you?
2 keep the discussion going ‑ don't
let there be a silence in the discussion.
3 keep to the topic and your role.
4 be polite.
5 if there is something you don't
understand, ask for an explanation or more details.
6 help the other students ‑ be
supportive.
7 take turns so no one is too talkative
or too quiet.
8 remember there are no right or wrong
ideas ‑ what is more important is how you express yourself in English.