Are exams necessary?
Are exams necessary?
Type the missing word(s) exactly. Empty answers are not checked.
Ryan thinks exams are ___, but only in a smart way.
Exams help schools and universities ___.
Exams create a clear ___.
For Ryan, exam pressure helped him ___.
He doesn’t believe exams should be ___ of student ability.
Some students understand deeply, but they feel ___ during tests.
Ryan says exams are useful if they are ___ with projects and presentations.
Exams should test understanding, not ___.
If an exam only asks you to ___, you will forget them quickly.
In short, he says the system needs ___.
Are exams necessary?
Are exams necessary? (Sophie)
Put the ideas in order (1–8). Then click Check answers. Empty items are not checked.
Sophie says she is not a big fan of exams, even though she understands why schools use them.
She thinks it’s unfair when one exam can strongly decide a person’s future.
She explains that people can have a bad day (sick or stressed), so a single result may not show real ability.
She says exams can create bad learning habits: many students cram the night before and forget later.
She adds that multiple-choice tests can become a game of “beating the test” instead of understanding the topic.
Sophie prefers continuous assessment: short quizzes, participation, small writing tasks, and practical projects.
She says exams can still exist, but they should be smaller and less dramatic—supporting learning, not controlling it.
She concludes that the best education builds real skills like communication, problem-solving, and teamwork—not only test-taking.
Are exams necessary?
Are exams necessary?
Listen to the audio, then write the missing exact words (1–6 words). Empty answers are ignored.
Daniel thinks exams are ___.
In real life, we are ___.
An employer needs ___.
Daniel says modern exams should be ___.
For languages, he suggests speaking exams with ___.
In history, he prefers writing opinions ___.
To reduce stress, schools can offer ___ instead of one huge one.
Daniel says ___.
Students learn more if they ___, not only a number.
Exams should not be a ___.
Are exams necessary?
📝 Topic — Are exams necessary?
B1 Intermediate • 3 speakers • Not a dialogue
Hi, I’m Ryan. I think exams are necessary, but only in a smart way. In school and university, we need some method to check progress. Without exams, it can be hard to know if students really understand the material or if they are just present in class. Exams create a clear deadline, and deadlines can help people focus. When I was a student, I didn’t always feel motivated, but before an exam I studied seriously. That pressure helped me build discipline. At the same time, I don’t believe exams should be the only measure. Some people are good at tests, but they don’t use the knowledge well in real life. Others understand a subject deeply, but they feel anxious, forget everything, and perform badly for two hours. That doesn’t mean they are “bad students.” It means the method is limited. So for me, exams are useful if they are balanced with other things: projects, presentations, and regular homework. Also, exams should test understanding, not memorization. If an exam only asks you to repeat facts, you will forget them quickly. But if it asks you to explain ideas, solve problems, or apply knowledge, then it becomes meaningful. In short, yes—exams are necessary, but the system needs variety and fairness.
Hi, I’m Sophie. Honestly, I’m not a big fan of exams. I understand why schools use them, but I think we depend on them too much. In many places, one exam can decide your future: which university you go to, what you study, and sometimes even what job you can get later. That feels unfair to me, because life is not one single day. People can have a bad day, feel sick, or feel stressed, and then the result doesn’t show their real ability. I also think exams often teach students the wrong habits. Instead of learning step by step, many people cram the night before. They memorize information quickly, pass the test, and then forget it. This is common, especially when the exam is mostly multiple choice. It can become a game: learning how to “beat the test,” not how to actually understand a topic. I prefer continuous assessment. For example, short quizzes, class participation, small writing tasks, and practical projects. These show how a person works over time, not just under pressure. I think exams can still exist, but they should be smaller and less dramatic. They should support learning, not control it. For me, the best education helps you grow skills—communication, problem-solving, teamwork—not only test-taking.
Hi, I’m Daniel. I think exams are partly necessary, but we need to change what we mean by “exam.” In real life, we are tested all the time—at work, in interviews, when we solve problems or make decisions. So I understand the idea of evaluation. A school needs standards, and an employer needs proof of skills. Exams can provide that, especially when there are many students and limited time. However, I believe modern exams should be more practical. For example, language students can have speaking exams with real conversation tasks, not just grammar questions. Business students can analyze a simple case and explain their solution. Even in history, students can write a short opinion and support it with facts, instead of memorizing dates. That kind of exam checks real understanding. Another issue is stress. Exams will always create stress, but schools can reduce it by offering different chances: one final exam plus course work, or two smaller exams instead of one huge one. Also, feedback matters. If students only get a number, they don’t learn much. If they get comments, they can improve. So my answer is: yes, exams are necessary as a tool, but not as a “final judgment.” The goal should be learning and progress, not fear.