Foreign language (English): grammar, vocabulary, writing
The English exam tests reading comprehension, grammar and vocabulary in context, and a short written response where the opinion must be supported.
Grammar core
- Present Perfect (have/has + V3) for a state or result connected to now, with for, since, already, yet, ever. Past Simple with finished time markers: yesterday, in 2019, two years ago.
- Passive: be + V3, the tense is carried by be - The bridge was built in 1998; The letter is being checked now.
- Conditionals: 1st - if + Present Simple, will + V1; 2nd - if + Past Simple, would + V1; 3rd - if + Past Perfect, would have + V3.
- Reported speech: backshift one tense (present to past, will to would); pronouns and time markers change (today to that day).
- Articles: a/an for first mention of a countable singular; the for specific or unique things; zero article for general plurals and abstractions.
Vocabulary and word formation
- Prefixes change meaning: un-, in-, dis-, mis-. Suffixes change part of speech: -tion, -ment, -ness, -ful, -less.
- Collocations: make a decision, take part in, do research, pay attention to.
Worked example
Complete: I ______ (live) in Astana since 2019. Reasoning: since marks a starting point and the action continues up to now, so Present Perfect gives have lived. Past Simple (lived) would need a finished period, for example lived there in 2019.
Traps that cost marks
- I am living here since 2019 - Present Continuous cannot take since for this state.
- will after if in the condition clause.
- Double superlative: the most easiest.
- Missing -s in third person singular (he go).
- An opinion essay without a clear thesis and supporting reasons.