Unfair exam question?

[zotler.]

Today, on my English writing exam one of the tasks/questions was to write informatively about Social Networking, we had to write about Facebook, Bebo, MySpace, how they're educational, how they're not, how and why to not misuse them, etc.

Am I the only one who thinks this is an unfair question for an exam? (The second one was a lot better, writing a letter the manager of a restaurant complaining about the service) Surely there must be households with teenagers taking this exam who don't have a computer or the internet and don't know how social networking works? What are they suppose to write about?

Or has social networking reached the point that every teenager in the UK understands them and uses a SN website regularly?

[Braden]

That's amusing. I suppose they have some sort of knowledge of how a scoial site works though?

[zotler.]

That's amusing. I suppose they have some sort of knowledge of how a scoial site works though?
Yeah, but only what they've heard on the news or from other people. Surely they don't wouldn't know enough about it to fully answer a 15 mark question?

[Crimson Dynamo]

Today, on my English writing exam one of the tasks/questions was to write informatively about Social Networking, we had to write about Facebook, Bebo, MySpace, how they're educational, how they're not, how and why to not misuse them, etc.

Am I the only one who thinks this is an unfair question for an exam? (The second one was a lot better, writing a letter the manager of a restaurant complaining about the service) Surely there must be households with teenagers taking this exam who don't have a computer or the internet and don't know how social networking works? What are they suppose to write about?

Or has social networking reached the point that every teenager in the UK understands them and uses a SN website regularly?

The simple answer is no there are no people like you suggest.

[Patrick]

No its not unfair.

The majority of people have a computer and even those who dont should of studied it, I persume this is Media maybe Zoe?

Its also a very easy question, so you wouldnt even have to study it anyway.

[zotler.]

No its not unfair.

The majority of people have a computer and even those who dont should of studied it, I persume this is Media maybe Zoe?

Its also a very easy question, so you wouldnt even have to study it anyway.

No, this was a seperate English exam I had to do, my Media exam is on Reality TV, lol.
We didn't prepare for it though, Patrick. We didn't know what it would be... :conf:

[Crimson Dynamo]

An unfair exam question would be

1. Why dont 6th form boys get their hair cut and stop looking like big fannies?

[Patrick]

No, this was a seperate English exam I had to do, my Media exam is on Reality TV, lol.
We didn't prepare for it though, Patrick. We didn't know what it would be... :conf:

Oh right then that is abit unfair if you didnt even know those type of questions would be in it.

[Braden]

Tbh, you shouldn't give a **** about the people that don't have knowledge of what a social network site is, your there for your education and not anyone elses, so be glad that you know :p

[Shasown]

I dont understand your reasoning that it was unfair.

You are being asked simply to answer a question it probably doesnt have to be accurate or backed with information or references. It was an English question and is being used hopefully to test that you understand how to read a question and understand what is required of you. Then to phrase a reply that covers all points asked about in a logical way.

If you think the question is unfair, you are in for some shocks later in life, because, get this: LIFE IS UNFAIR!

Now stop your snivelling and your whining and get back to your revision:wink:

[Patrick]

Not stop your snivelling and your whining and get back to your revision:wink:

Like she said though she couldnt revise or prepare for this question as they didnt tell her that question would be on it.

[BGT-FAN!]

I would have loved that question.
I could have gone on and on about it.

[Shasown]

Like she said though she couldnt revise or prepare for this question as they didnt tell her that question would be on it.

Lots of English examinations are like that. The questions can be on opinions views or even drafting letters, responding to correspondance. Its simply to see if you can put thoughts into a logical sentence structure with good grammar and spelling etc.

Revising for an English exam, i would recommend finding a site that has exam type questions suitable or equivalent to the standard you are undertaking.

[zotler.]

For God sake, I was only pointing it out. -.-.

[Lucy.]

I think it's unfair too Zoo.
Yes it was an easy question but some people genuinly don't have experience of social networking and that doesn't make them stupid it's just a fact of life.