Today topic- BEGLA- 135- UNIT- 16- Doing Away with Exams- English in Daily Life- IGNOU Subject
INTRODUCTION
- Further we will read and form an opinion about the evaluation system in schools, viability of exams and whether exams are important or not in their present form.
- In the present scenario some students are afraid of examinations.
- Councellor give advice to those students to overcome their exams fear.
- This chapter will help students to develop writing skills on essay writing and personal letters.
READING COMPREHENSION: DOING AWAY WITH EXAMS
- Dear Papa, This is in answer to your letter about my transgression.
- Yes, my first rank slipped to the second.
- You advised that I should think before answering the papers.
- Father, we've never really been close and I can't rightly say you've been my friend, philosopher, guide, etc.
- yet, I would like you to be aware of my thoughts.
- You are highly educated and you provide very well for the family.
- But in your departmental store, do you apply Pythagoras' Theorem or Newton's Law of Gravity?
- Papa, my grandfather speaks of a carefree and beautiful childhood, of days spent in plucking mangoes and guavas from their orchards, of picnics on the banks of the river where the men cooked mouth-watering food, of playing marbles and gilli-danda.
- Papa, my grandmother is semi-literate.
- Yet, she is at peace with her pots, pans, her flowers and garden, her Bhagvad Gita and scriptures.
- My mother, highly qualified, is highly strung, tense and nervous.
- Do you think literacy makes us restless, afraid and frustrated? Oh Papa, last week, my rose plant almost died.
- I asked my Biology teacher what I should do to save it, and she was cross.
- She said, "Go ask the guy who keeps gardening things.
- He'll tell you." We learn about pesticides but we do not know how to use them.
- Oh father, it matters not to me why the apple does not fall upwards,
- What matters to me is that my rose plants remain healthy.
- I should know how to make a desk for myself with my carpenter's tools.
- Instead I learn about square roots.....
- Papa, once I asked my grandmother how she got to be so wise.
- Do you know what she said? By living and experiencing.
- And she laughed as though I had asked something which was so obvious.
- Are we missing out on the essence of life?
- And Papa, if he says George Bush is the President of India, it will have to be so.
- If he says the sun rises in the west, so be it: and if he says the earth is flat, it will be, my Papa.
- At least on my answer papers.
- My first rank is at stake, you see.
- Still, my dearest Papa, I shall keep your advice in mind and try not to lose any quarter marks.
- As always, Your ever obedient son, Rahul
LISTENING
( Audio Text )
- Today I am going to talk about some general exam stress-busting tips:
- Please remember you have the ability to succeed.
- If you prepare for the exams properly, you should do fine.
- Therefore there is no need to worry.
- It is great to succeed.
- But keep things in balance.
- If you think that anything less than an A+ means you have failed, then you are creating unnecessary stress for yourself.
- Develop a time-table and phase out your studies so that you don't get burdened at the last moment.
- Take breaks during revision to keep your mind refreshed.
- Try some Yoga asanas, this will keep you calm and balanced.
- A relaxed mind helps you focus better.
Are Examinations Important
- Different people will have different points of view regarding the utility of examinations.
- Young students normally are not responsible or mature enough to understand the importance of education.
- It is the fear of exams that leads them to study seriously.
- There is no denying the fact that the present system of evaluation needs to be revamped.
- Media hype and certain sections of society have created a monster of the examination system.
- As a result, students are under a lot of stress.
- Moreover scoring high marks is more important to them than gaining actual knowledge.
- It has become a rat - race and only those who score the highest marks are considered successful.
- Rather than being a traumatic experience for the learner, it should be pleasant and friendly.
- Remember, students who are apparently 'weak' in one area, may prove to be very strong in another aspect.
READ MORE- BEGLA- 135- UNIT- 15 ( Young Leaders )
