Directions: In this question, you will be asked to give your opinion about a
familiar topic. After you hear the question, you will have 15 seconds to
prepare your response and 45 seconds to speak.
Some professors give
final grades based on numerous small quizzes, homework, and mid-term and
final exams. Other professors only give final grades based on one or two
examinations. Which method do you think gives a better representation of a
student’s abilities and why? Give details and examples in your opinion.
<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<< Answer
I think a better representation of a student’s abilities
would be a final grade based on numerous quizzes, homework,
and two big exams. There are lots of people who are just bad
test-takers. A student could study all semester day and
night for an exam, and then on the last day of class, the
student could suddenly forget lots of things. Any other day
of the semester, the student would be able to explain to you
all the material they have studied, but the student stresses
out over the one or two tests and then doesn’t do well on
them. That really wouldn’t be a very good representation of
the student’s abilities. If there were lots of little
opportunities to test the student, in a more stress-free
atmosphere, the student could really show what they have
learned. Also, for a test day, the student could be sick and
has to spend time going to the bathroom and blowing his
nose. This could really cut into the time it takes for a
test and not allow the student to finish.