Up and Away - National Council for Curriculum and Assessment

156
Making multiple-choice questions
Class Organisation
Pairs/small groups.
Theme
Use for any theme.
Type of activity
Pair/group writing.
Materials needed
Dictionaries.
Photocopies of Worksheets A
and B.
Aims
Develop dictionary skills.
Build confidence in using a
dictionary.
Expand vocabulary range.
Develop writing skills.
Develop speaking skills.
Variation
The activity can be used to revise (or extend)
pupils’ vocabulary range relating to specific
themes, as with Worksheet A which loosely
focuses on the home.
Alternatively, it can be used purely as a basis for
developing confidence in using a dictionary
with no restrictions placed on the words pupils
choose.
Pupils at a higher level of proficiency can write
their own definitions for the words.
Focus Time
60 minutes over
two sessions.
Suitable for
Third class and
above.
Approach
1. Put pupils into pairs/small groups and distribute one
dictionary and copies of Worksheet A to each pair/group.
2. Demonstrate the activity by working through number 1.
Make sure each pair/group finds the word ‘decorate’ in the
dictionary and checks it against the three possibilities on
Worksheet A.
3. Ask pupils to complete the exercise. Monitor – make sure
that the members of each pair/group work together and
share the dictionary. Prompt ideas and help with dictionary
use where necessary.
4. Explain to the class that they are going to use the dictionary
to find five ‘difficult’ words and make the same type of
activity.
5. Distribute one or two sheets of paper and encourage each
pair/group to work together to find words and to write the
task.
6. Monitor. When ready, hand out one copy of Worksheet B
per pair/group, and ask pupils to copy their work.
Observations
Note that the activity is based on dictionary
definitions. It is not a free-writing exercise.
Encourage pupils to find ‘difficult’ words,
especially if the finished page is to be circulated
to other classes/groups.
As pupils develop their own multiple-choice
questions, make sure that everyone participates
in looking up and selecting the words to use,
and in creating the false definitions. More
involvement in the decision-making process
increases the need for pupils to communicate.