M6-1 Midterm Study Guide

2025-2 - Wide Angles 3 Units 10-11.1

1. Vocabulary

Key terms and phrases related to digital literacy, communication, and general expression.

Digital & Online Terms

  • Hacked (v): To gain illegal access to a computer or account.
  • Data (n): Facts and statistics collected together for analysis.
  • Context (n): The situation in which something happens; helps explain meaning.
  • Genuine (adj): Real, authentic; not fake.
  • Fake (adj): Not real; made to look like something else to trick people.
  • Claim (v/n): To state that something is true, often without providing proof.
  • Verify (v): To check or prove that something is true.
  • Spread (v): To cover a larger area; to share information with many people.

Common Expressions & Phrasal Verbs

  • After all: Used to add a reason or explanation; "in spite of what was said before."
  • For instance: For example.
  • In case: To be prepared for a possibility. ("Take an umbrella in case it rains.")
  • Of course not: A strong way to say "No".
  • Too bad: Used to express sympathy or regret.
  • Make up (something): To invent a story or lie.
  • Right now: At this exact moment.
  • All the time: Very often; frequently.

General Academic

  • Knowledge: Information and skills acquired through experience or education.
  • Understand: To perceive the intended meaning.
  • Organized: Arranged in a systematic way; efficient.
  • Accurately: Correctly; without errors.
  • Trust: Belief in the reliability or truth of someone/something.
  • Freedom of expression: The right to express one's opinions without censorship.

2. Grammar Focus

A. Simple Present vs. Simple Past

  • Simple Present: Used for facts, habits, and general truths.
    • I check my email every day.
  • Simple Past: Used for completed actions in the past.
    • I checked my email yesterday.

B. Past Perfect Tense

Used to show which of two past actions happened first.

  • Structure: Subject + had + Past Participle (V3)
  • Usage: The first action uses Past Perfect. The second action uses Simple Past.
    • Example: "When I arrived (2nd), the train had left (1st)."

C. Intensifying Adverbs

Adverbs that make adjectives stronger.

  • With Emotions: deeply, completely (deeply moved, completely happy)
  • With Probability: extremely, highly (extremely likely)
  • With Opinions/Beliefs: strongly, firmly (strongly believe)
  • With Extreme Adjectives: absolutely (absolutely correct - NOT very correct)

D. Indefinite Pronouns & Adverbs

Words referring to non-specific people, things, or places.

  • Positive Sentences: Use Some- (Someone, Something, Somewhere)
    • I need something to eat.
  • Negative Sentences / Questions: Use Any- (Anyone, Anything, Anywhere)
    • I don't have anything. / Do you know anyone?
  • Universal (All): Use Every- (Everyone, Everything, Everywhere)
  • Absence (None): Use No- (No one, Nothing, Nowhere)
    • There is nothing here.

E. Articles (A, An, The, No Article)

  • A / An: Indefinite (general singular nouns). Use An before vowel sounds.
    • I saw an elephant.
  • The: Definite (specific/unique nouns).
    • Look at the moon. / I liked the movie we saw.
  • No Article: General plural nouns or uncountable concepts.
    • I love (-) pizza. / (-) Cats are cute.

F. Sequencing Words

Words used to order ideas or events.

  • Start: First, Firstly
  • Middle/Add: Second, Secondly, In addition, What's more
  • Contrast: However, On the other hand, Nevertheless
  • End: Finally, Lastly, In conclusion

3. Reading Skills

Misinformation Online (User Generated Content)

  • Goal: Identify if a source is reliable.
  • Checklist:
    1. Source: Is it a known, reputable website?
    2. Author: Is a real name listed?
    3. Date: Is the story old or out of context?
    4. Tone: Does it try to make you angry or afraid? (Emotional manipulation).

Comparing Reviews

  • Look for contrast words (however, but, on the other hand) to find pros and cons.
  • Identify positive vs. negative adjectives to understand the reviewer's opinion.

4. Conversation Skills

Topic: Giving and Responding to Feedback

Giving Feedback Politely

  • Don't say: "This is bad."
  • Do say: "I see your point, but have you considered trying...?"
  • Do say: "I think it might be better if we..."

Responding to Feedback

  • Accepting: "Thank you for the feedback. I will fix it immediately."
  • Asking for Clarification: "Can you be more specific about what I should change?"
  • Disagreeing Politely: "I understand what you mean, but I think...

Try the practice test.

M6 Midterm Practice: Digital Literacy & Grammar ---instructions Reading Comprehension: Identifying Misinformation Read the passage below about checking sources online. ---text In today's digital world, "viral" content spreads faster than ever before. A photo or article can reach millions of people in just a few minutes. While this connects us, it also allows misinformation to spread easily. Many "fake news" stories are written specifically to make people angry or afraid, because strong emotions make people click the "share" button. To protect yourself, you must look at the context. First, check the source. Is it a well-known newspaper, or a website you have never heard of? Second, look for an author's name. If there is no author listed, that is a warning sign. Finally, check the date. Old stories are often shared again to look like new events. If you are not sure if a story is genuine, do not share it. ---questions-4 Q: Why do some fake news stories try to make people angry? A: To make people buy newspapers. A: Because strong emotions make people want to share the story. [correct] A: To help people find new friends. A: Because the authors are angry people. Q: According to the text, what is a warning sign that a story might be fake? A: It has a lot of pictures. A: It is on a well-known website. A: There is no author listed. [correct] A: It is very long. Q: What should you do if you are not sure a story is true? A: Share it with your friends to ask them. A: Do not share it. [correct] A: Print it out. A: Write a comment. Q: Why is checking the date important? A: Because old stories are sometimes shared to look like new events. [correct] A: Because calendars are expensive. A: So you can wish the author a happy birthday. A: To know what day of the week it is. ---instructions Vocabulary: Context Clues Select the best word to complete the sentences based on the vocabulary list. ---questions-5 Q: I don't believe that story is real. I think someone _____ it up using AI. A: hacked A: made [correct] A: trusted A: claimed Q: The scientist _____ that the new medicine is 100% safe, but we need more proof. A: claims [correct] A: spreads A: hacks A: organizes Q: Please bring an umbrella _____ it rains later this afternoon. A: after all A: for instance A: in case [correct] A: too bad Q: First, we need to gather reliable ____. A: data [correct] A: knowledge A: spread A: context Q: "I didn't get the job." "Oh, that is _____! You worked so hard for it." A: genuine A: too bad [correct] A: accurate A: organized ---instructions Reading: Product Comparison Read the two reviews for different laptops and answer the questions. ---text Review A (The ProBook 5): "I firmly believe this is the best laptop for designers. The screen colors are extremely accurate, and the graphics are amazing. However, it is very heavy and difficult to carry around." Review B (The Traveler Go): "This laptop is perfect for students. It is very light and fits in any bag. The battery lasts for 12 hours! On the other hand, the screen is quite small and not good for watching movies." ---questions-3 Q: Which laptop would a student who walks to school probably choose? A: The ProBook 5 because it has good graphics. A: The Traveler Go because it is light and has a good battery. [correct] A: The ProBook 5 because the screen is small. A: The Traveler Go because it is heavy. Q: What is the main problem with the ProBook 5? A: It is too heavy. [correct] A: The colors are not accurate. A: The battery is too good. A: It is too small. Q: Which linking word is used to show a contrast in Review B? A: Firmly A: However A: On the other hand [correct] A: Because ---instructions Grammar: Intensifying Adverbs Choose the correct adverb to make the adjective stronger. ---questions-4 Q: I _____ believe that education is important for everyone. A: firmly [correct] A: heavy A: completely A: extremely Q: After the marathon, the runner was _____ exhausted. A: completely [correct] A: firmly A: strongly A: accurately Q: It is _____ likely that it will snow in December. A: extremely [correct] A: deeply A: completely A: firmly Q: She was _____ moved by the beautiful music. A: deeply [correct] A: strongly A: firmly A: heavily ---instructions Grammar: Past Perfect vs. Simple Past Choose the correct verb form to complete the sentence. ---questions-4 Q: When we arrived at the station, the train _____ already _____. A: had / left [correct] A: has / left A: was / leaving A: did / leave Q: She was hungry because she _____ not _____ breakfast. A: has / eaten A: had / eaten [correct] A: did / eat A: was / eating Q: By the time the police came, the thief _____ away. A: ran A: has run A: had run [correct] A: running Q: I realized that I _____ my wallet at home. A: left A: have left A: had left [correct] A: leave ---instructions Grammar: Indefinite Pronouns Choose the best word to complete the sentence. ---questions-4 Q: The room was empty. There was _____ there. A: anyone A: no one [correct] A: someone A: everywhere Q: I am thirsty. I need _____ to drink. A: anything A: something [correct] A: nothing A: anywhere Q: Did you go _____ interesting last summer? A: anywhere [correct] A: nowhere A: someone A: anything Q: I have checked every room, but I can't find my keys _____. A: somewhere A: nowhere A: anywhere [correct] A: nothing ---instructions Grammar: Articles (A, An, The, No Article) Select the correct article for the blank. ---questions-4 Q: My father is _____ electrician. A: a A: an [correct] A: the A: no article Q: I usually have _____ lunch at 12:00 PM. A: a A: an A: the A: no article [correct] Q: Look at _____ moon! It is very bright tonight. A: a A: an A: the [correct] A: no article Q: She wants to buy _____ new car next week. A: a [correct] A: an A: the A: no article ---instructions Conversation Skills: Giving Feedback Choose the most polite and appropriate response. ---questions-3 Q: Manager: "Your report was very short and missed key details." Employee: "_____" A: You are wrong, it was perfect. A: I am sorry. I will make sure to add more details next time. [correct] A: That is too bad for you. A: I don't care about details. Q: Colleague A: "What do you think of my design?" Colleague B: "It is interesting, but _____?" A: have you considered changing the font color [correct] A: it is the worst thing I have ever seen A: why did you do this A: stop designing immediately Q: Boss: "You did an excellent job on the presentation." Employee: "_____" A: Of course I did. A: Thank you. I worked hard on it. [correct] A: I claim it. A: It was fake.