Requirement of the Examination on Orals

The aspects of oral English tested in the examination include the following: vowels, consonants, rhymes, word-stress, emphatic stress and phonetic symbols.

Vowels: There are twenty vowels in the English language. They include twelve pure vowels and eight diphthongs.

Consonants: There are twenty four consonants in the English language. They are classified into three groups, place of articulation, manner of articulation and state of the glottis.

Word-stress: This refers to the amount of pressure exerted when pronouncing a particular syllable of a word. The syllable with the stress is marked with a slash at the top in the dictionary.

Emphatic Stress: This is the stressing of particular word more than other words in a sentence. Such  a stress normally has its implications in terms of the meaning of the sentence.

Rhymes: When two or more words have a similar sound at the end, they are said to rhyme.

Evaluation: Exercise 1, Question A, nos 1 – 10, page 91, Oral English for Schools and Colleges.

Topic: Hints on Lexis and Structure.

Lexis refers to the vocabulary or the entire stock of words in a language. The English language examination seeks to test the scope of the candidate’s vocabulary and his skills to use appropriate words in a given context. It covers such aspects as the use of items in various areas of human endeavour.

In the study of English grammatical structure, we learn how words combine with other words of form larger units. A list of words, expressions or terms that are regularly used in relation to a particular subject-matter or associated with a particular area of human activity and development is referred to as a register.

Evaluation: Building, exercise, page 124, countdown to English.

Topic: Hints on answering Comprehension Questions.

Comprehension means understanding.

Useful hints on answering comprehension questions.

1. Read the passage carefully and quickly to get what it is all about.
2. Read the questions that follow it.
3. Read the passage all over again, this time jotting down points that will help you to answer the questions.
4. Write out your answers in clear, correct English
5. Read over your answers to ensure that there are no mistakes.

Note: In the process of answering comprehension questions, you are advised to obey the instructions to the letter.

No information which is not required should be given.

Never give two answers where one is demanded.

When replacing a word in the passage, test your equivalent in the passage to see if the original meaning of the passage or sentence has been retained.

Evaluation: Exercise II, Page 77, countdown to English.

Reading Assignment: Vowels and Consonants

Weekend Assignment: Practice Exercise three, passage A, page 283, countdown to English.