Introduction

For students aged 10 years and upwards

How can a computer program improve your understanding of the English Language? English Skills II is a package of four programs, each designed to aid learning an aspect of English. The topics covered are common to many school curricula and will help in revision for examinations up to 'O' level.

The programs in the package cover the areas of metaphors, opposites, group terms and odd word out. Each program contains easy-to-follow instructions, has a running score total and corrects wrong answers. On finishing, the number of questions attempted is displayed, along with the percentage correctly answered. This allows the student to monitor progress and highlight areas requiring further understanding.

All the programs in the package make full use of the colour and sound facilities of the computer. Also supplied is a comprehensive set of instructions to enable you to get the most from these exciting and educational programs.

Contents

Chapter 1:
INTRODUCTION
A general guide to the English skills II package.

Chapter 2:
LOADING
How to load the programs, their names and where they are located on the tape.

Chapter 3:
COMMON PROGRAM INSTRUCTIONS
An introduction to the general running of the programs.

Chapter 4:
METAPHORS
Instructions for use with the "Metaphors" program.

Chapter 5:
OPPOSITES
Instructions for use with the "Opposites" program.

Chapter 6:
GROUP TERMS
Instructions for use with the "Group Terms" program.

Chapter 7:
ODD WORD OUT
Instructions for use with the "Odd Word Out" program.

Chapter 8:
CERTIFICATES
Description of the certificates that are printed at the end of each program, and possible uses for the data they provide.

Chapter 1: Introduction

The English Skills II package was designed, written and tested in cooperation with teachers. The programs that it contains are suitable for students aged ten to fifteen and cover important sections of almost every O level English syllabus.

The educational aim of this package is to introduce, develop and test the student's understanding of the areas covered by the programs and is intended to be used to complement the work done in the classroom.

All the programs contain brief instructions, which are further explained under the separate chapter headings in this book.

The first program, called "Metaphors', asks the student to give the meaning of forty common metaphors.

Next a program called "Opposites" asks the student to give the opposite meaning to a word chosen from a list of forty. This program has a choice of easy or difficult questions.

Thirdly a program called "Group Terms" asks the student to select the correct group term. There are forty examples within the program.

Lastly a program called "Odd Word Out" asks the student to spot the odd word in a list.

Englishskills II is only one of a rapidly growing range of high quality educational software packages available from Griffin Software for the most popular home computers. For details of the range please see the back cover.

Chapter 2: Loading

English Skills II is a collection of four programs, which can be used in any order.

The programs are recorded on the tape so that there are two on each side. "Metaphors" is recorded first on side A, followed by "Opposites". "Group Terms" is recorded first on side B, then "Odd Word Out". It is a good idea to make a note of the tape count where each of the programs start. This will save you searching through the tape to find the one you want. To load a program, find the correct place on the tape, type CHAIN""and then press RETURN.

Chapter 3: Common Programs Instructions

When the program has loaded you will be asked to type in your name. It must contain more than one letter but less than twenty. Please remember that whatever you type in response to this question must be followed by the RETURN key. You may then choose the volume of sound, following which you will be shown an example.

The questions all have a number of words (or statements) from which to choose your answer. The number which indicates the word (or statement) which you think is correct should be pressed. If you have any difficulties see the appropriate chapter in this book.

At the end of each question your score and the message "Another question? (Y/N)" will be displayed. If you answer yes (by pressing Y), you will be given another question; if you answer no (by pressing N), you will be asked whether you wish to continue using the program, whether someone else is to use it or if you wish to end. If you choose to end the program the Inessage "Are you sure?" will be displayed: answering yes will cause the program to be erased from the computer.

At any time during the program, a flashing star in the lower right hand corner of the screen simply means that the program will wait for you to press a key before proceeding. Pressing the BREAK key will result in the program being erased from memory. Also, as a general guide, if a message is followed by "(Y/N)" it means that you have an option of answering yes (by pressing Y) or no (by pressing N).

Chapter 4: Metaphors

The questions in this program are in the form shown in Fig. 4.1. There are, as you can see, three options from which to choose.

Fig. 4.1

After pressing the number which corresponds to the option you think is correct, your answer will be displayed on the screen along with the appropriate response from the computer.

At the end of each question your current score and the prompt "Another question? (Y/N)" will be displayed. If you reply yes to the prompt, you will be given another question; if you reply no, your certificate will be displayed and, finally, you will have the choice of starting again, allowing someone else to use the program or ending it.

Chapter 5: Opposites

At the beginning of this program you can choose either easy or hard questions. Press the number that corresponds to your choice. Please note that you do *not* need to press the RETURN key.

The questions in both sections are in the form shown in Fig. 5.1. Again, as in the "Metaphors" program, there are three options to choose from. Press the number corresponding to the answer you think is correct.

Fig. 5.1

Fig. 5.2

Your answer will not appear on the screen, but the word that you choose from the list of options will flash. If your answer is right, the word "CORRECT!" will be displayed (see Fig. 5.2), but if your answer is wrong, the word "INCORRECT" followed by the correct answer will be displayed (see Fig. 5.3). This applies to both sections of the program.

Fig. 5.3

At the end of each question, your current score and the prompt "Another question (Y/N)" will be displayed. If you answer yes, you will be given another question; if you answer no, your certificate will be displayed and you may then choose to start again, to allow someone else to use the program or to end it.

Chapter 6: Group Terms

As can be seen from the screen diagram in Fig. 6.1, each question will consist of a short sentence with a group term missing, followed by a list of four options from which to choose the missing term.

Fig. 6.1

Fig. 6.2

As in all the previous programs in this package, to answer you must press the number which is next to the word that you think is the right one. Your answer will be displayed on the screen. A correct answer will produce the appropriate message as shown in Fig. 6.2. and an incorrect answer will produce the message shown in Fig. 6.3.

Fig. 6.3

At the end of each question your current score will be displayed and you will be given the option of attempting more questions. If you choose not to continue, you will be given the option of starting again, allowing someone else to use the program or ending it.

Chapter 7: Odd Word Out

In this program each question consists of a list of five words, from which you must pick the odd word out (see Fig. 7.1).

Fig. 7.1

Press the number next to the word that you think does not belong in the list. Your answer will appear on the screen. If your answer is right, the word "CORRECT!" will be displayed. If your answer is wrong, then the word "INCORRECT" will appear and the odd word in the list will flash (see Fig. 7.2).

Fig. 7.2

After each question your score and the prompt "Another question? (Y/N)" will be displayed. If you answer no to this prompt, your certificate will be shown and you may then choose to start again, allow someone else to use the program or end it.

Chapter 8: Certificates

Fig. 8.1

Every program on the Englishskills II tape prints certificates that contain information telling you how well you coped with the questions. An example certificate is shown in Fig. 8.1.

As you can see, they tell you how many questions you got right, how many you got wrong and your overall percentage. This information can be used to examine your progress over a period of time, or to point out your weak subjects.