7. Answer the questions:

1) How do we know that Miss Dove was a strict teacher?

2. How did the children call their teacher?

3. Describe the way the lessons end.

4. What methods did Miss Dove use as a penalty?

2. What did the teacher sometimes remember when she looked at her pupils?

2. Did she allow Randy Baker to read his brother's letter? Why?

3. What has happened to Thomas Baker once?

4. Tell the main content of the letter.

5. Why did Randy's face become very red?

10) What was that kiss compared with? Do you agree? Why?

8. Discuss the text:

1. Do you agree with the statement "Miss Dove was too strict and cruel with her pupils"?

2. What would you do in Thomas Baker's place at the time when he was alone on the raft in the open ocean?

3. Can men be born brave?

4. Is it important to be self-disciplined in order to be brave?

5. What had helped Thomas to stay alive?

6. Can you prove that Mrs Dove loved her pupils?

7. Did she think of the future of her pupils? What makes you think so?

8. Can you name the main thing Mrs Dove taught her children?

9. Was Miss Dove a good teacher?

10. Do you like her as a person? Why (why not)?

11. What do you think the real 'medal' for Mrs Dove is?

12. Do you want to be a teacher? Why (why not)?"

13. What is your idea of a good teacher?

9. Answer the questions of this questionnaire honestly and find out how ready you are for taking your exams: Are you Ready to Take your Exams!

1) When you study, do you:

1. try and find a quiet well-lit room?

2. read while lying on your bed or taking a bath?

3. play the latest rock record?

2) Do you study:

1. if possible, during the morning with regular breaks every two or three hours?

1. for twenty minutes, then get up and make some coffee, phone a friend, another twenty minutes, more coffee?

e) mostly at night?

3) When you learn something, how long do you remember it?

1. I don't know, about a month, I suppose.

2. Once I've learnt something, I can remember it.

3. Probably less than twenty-four hours, so I must make an effort to revise.

4) If you come across a word you don't understand, do you:

1. ignore it?

2. look it up in the dictionary immediately?

3. read on and try to work out the meaning from the context?

5) How often do you go over your notes?

1. Every day.

2. Every month.

c) The night before the exam.

6. When you're in class, do you:

1. entertain yourself by playing games with your neighbours, doing crosswords, etc?

2. talk with your neighbour as much as possible?

3. join in as much as possible and ask questions when you don't understand?

7. When you're given homework, do you:

1. hand it in on time?

2. hand it in late?

3. think of an excuse (e.g. the dog ate it) and not hand it in at all?

8. If you get bad marks, do you:

1. check how the others did, to see if they got bad marks as well?

2. ask the teacher to give you better marks?

3. leave the room in a temper?

9. When the teacher corrects your work/paper do you:

1. try and understand the mistake you made?

2. put it in your bag and forget about it?

3. put it in your bag and promise to look at it later?

10. Can you reproduce what was taught in class by looking at your notes?

a) Yes.

b) Yes, if I can read my own handwriting. c) No, because I don't take any.

11. Do you ever take notes in a diagram form?

1. No, I just write down what the teacher says.

2. Yes, I think it's clearer when I revise.

3. What's a diagram?

12. At the end of your class, do you:

1. ask your friend for his/her notes?

2. clutch your bag and dash out of the classroom?

3. think over what you've just learnt?

13. How much do you know about the exams you're taking?

1. Well, I know the general structure of the exam.

2. I'm still waiting for the teacher to tell me.

3. I've already studied all the preparatory materials.

14. When you start revising for exam do you:

1. panic a few weeks before and all day and night?

2. not worry at all and put it off until the night before?

3. work out a timetable which allows you plenty of time?

15. What material do you use for revision?

1. The course book, because the exam is based on it.

2. Notes, course book, further reference books, e.g. dictionaries, grammar books.

3. I prepare cribs.

16. The evening before an exam, do you

a) work all night?

b) do something other than revision and go to bed early?

c) take your mind off the exam by staying out late?

17. In the written exam, do you

1. read the whole paper carefully and answer those questions you can do quickly?

2. work steadily through the paper without reading it through.

3. read the whole paper and then move closer to your neighbour so that you can copy his/her answers.

How to score:

1. a) 5	b) 2	с) 0	10. a) 5	b) 2	с) 0
2. a) 5	b) 0	c) 1	11. a) 2	b) 5	с) 0
3. a) 2	b) 0	c) 5	12. a) 2	b) 0	c) 5
4. a) 0	b) 2	c) 5	13. a) 1	b) 0	c) 5
5. a) 5	b) 3	с) 0	14. a) 2	b) 0	c) 5
6. a) 0	b) 0	c) 5	15. a) 1	b) 5	c) 1
7. a) 5	b) 2	с) 0	16. a) 1	b) 5	с) 0
8. a) 5	b) 0	с) 0	17. a) 5	b) 2	с) 0
9. a) 5	b) 0	c) 1

Now add up your total score.

• 61-85 points: Well done, you are preparing yourself for the exams very efficiently but don't be too satisfied with yourself. Make sure you keep up the good work with regular revision and by reading as much as possible. And don't forget to do some practice papers under exam conditions - and that means timing yourself!

• 31-60 points: You'll have to make more effort if you want to do well. Be little more positive in class and do make sure you've made a revision timetable which you can stick to. Cut down on those discotheques and parties; studying can be fun as well!

• 0-30 points: Oh dear, you've got a lot of work to do if you're going to catch up! But there's still time if you get down to work immediately. Try and think very carefully about everything you do in class. Write your notes down on small cards and read them while you're cleaning you teeth or waiting for the bus. There's no time to lose!