Choose one topic. Think first, then try to write without help. Stuck? Open the suggested plan: it gives you a structure and some ideas, but the best ideas will be yours!
1One exam to decide your future?
In 1982, the SAT had “a reputation for determining people's entire futures”. Today, nearly 80% of American colleges no longer require it. Should a single exam decide which university a student can go to?
On a sheet of paper, write 200 to 250 words.
Need help? Click the triangle to see a suggested plan
Introduction
- Present the SAT and the story of question 17 in two sentences.
- Ask the question: is one exam a fair way to choose students?
Part 1 — Why a single exam can be fair
- Everybody takes the same test, on the same day: it is easy to compare students.
- It doesn't depend on your school or on your teachers.
- It motivates students to work hard.
Part 2 — Why it can be unfair
- One bad day, stress or illness can ruin years of work.
- Exams can contain mistakes, like question 17: 10 points could change a student's future.
- An exam only measures some skills, not creativity or motivation.
Conclusion
- Give your opinion clearly.
- Suggest another solution: continuous assessment, interviews, a portfolio… You can compare with the French system (bac, Parcoursup).
Useful phrases
On the one hand…On the other hand…What is more,However,For instance,To my mind,All things considered,2Daring to say “You're wrong”
Out of 300,000 students, only three dared to write to the examiners and tell them flat out: “You're wrong.” Why is it so difficult to challenge an authority, and why is it important?
On a sheet of paper, write 200 to 250 words.
Need help? Click the triangle to see a suggested plan
Introduction
- Tell the story of the three students in a few words.
- Say why it is surprising that so few people reacted.
Part 1 — Why most people stay silent
- We trust experts and institutions.
- We are afraid of being wrong, or of looking arrogant.
- We think nobody will listen: “No one cares.”
Part 2 — Why it matters
- Mistakes can have serious consequences for many people.
- Science makes progress when someone questions what everybody believes.
- The students' letters changed the results of 300,000 people.
Part 3 — How to do it well
- Have proof, like the students: “they proved it”.
- Stay polite and explain your reasoning.
Conclusion
- Give a personal example: a time you (or someone you know) dared to disagree.
- Say what you learnt from it.
Useful phrases
It takes courage to…Most people would rather…This shows that…As a result,If I had been in their shoes, I would have…In my opinion,3Learning by doing
The video ends with this idea: “there's no substitute for hands-on exploration”. The narrator understood the problem with coins and cardboard, not with a formula. Do you learn better by doing experiments than by learning rules?
On a sheet of paper, write 200 to 250 words.
Need help? Click the triangle to see a suggested plan
Introduction
- Explain how the coin experiment helped to understand question 17.
- Ask the question: experiments or rules, which is the best way to learn?
Part 1 — The power of hands-on learning
- You see the result with your own eyes, so you remember it.
- It is more fun and more motivating.
- Give an example from a science lesson, a sport or a hobby.
Part 2 — The limits
- Experiments take time and equipment.
- Our intuition can be wrong: the narrator's first answer was three!
- You still need rules and proofs to be sure, like the whiteboard proof.
Conclusion
- Give your opinion: maybe the best way is to combine the two.
- Say which method works best for you, and why.
Useful phrases
Thanks to…It helps you to…Not only… but also…Nevertheless,That is whyPersonally,