Literature exam for 10th graders in Hanoi: Contributing to eliminating model essays

The literature exam in Hanoi's 10th grade entrance exam this year is considered humane, evoking strong emotions in students about family affection and patriotism; helping teachers and students confidently "declare war" on model essays in the teaching process.

POSITIVE IMPACT ON TEACHING AND LEARNING LITERATURE IN SCHOOLS

The test did not use the language in the textbook but quoted the poem Happiness by author Giang Nam, which many people said easily touched the emotions of the candidates (TS). From the title to the content, the poem combines the ordinary yet profound confidences of a father to his son, while also awakening national pride after the country's reunification. This is a suitable choice in the context of the whole country celebrating the 50th anniversary of the country's reunification, making it easy for students to be inspired to do the test.

Parents wait for their children outside the 10th grade exam room in Hanoi . The capital has the highest number of 10th grade exam candidates nationwide.

PHOTO: TUAN MINH

Ms. Pham Thai Le, a literature teacher at Marie Curie Secondary and High School (Hanoi), who has always been concerned about the traditional way of making exam questions for 10th grade literature in Hanoi, "breathed a sigh of relief" when she assessed this year's exam questions as "adequate and well-rounded". The social discussion section was good, promoting the creativity and personal emotions of Dr.

According to Ms. Thai Le and many teachers, the way this year's questions are set will contribute to eliminating model essays, positively impacting the way literature is taught and learned in general schools.

Ms. Luong Thi Hong Sen, Cau Giay Secondary School, also assessed that the exam did a good job of promoting the ability and creativity of the candidates. However, this is not an easy exam to get a high score, it is difficult to get a score above 9. "Students with average ability can get 5 or 6 points, good candidates can get 7 or 8 points and only those with good thinking and literary ability, who can relate to reality and are creative can get a score of 9", Ms. Sen predicted.

Commenting on the exam, Ms. Ngo Thi Thanh Huyen, Head of the Literature Group, Ban Mai Secondary School (Ha Dong District), assessed that the use of simple, familiar, and realistic materials did not "puzzle" students and stimulated their creative thinking. The exam showed a clear change in the way questions were set in the direction of developing the qualities and abilities of candidates. Instead of simply testing knowledge, the exam put candidates in meaningful thinking situations, aroused emotions, promoted reading comprehension and writing skills, and respected personal experiences. This is a humane, clear exam that balances knowledge standards and real life, in line with the current goalsof educational innovation.

Many opinions say that although this is the first year of implementing the entrance exam for grade 10 according to the 2018 General Education Program, the literature exam does not pose any difficulties for candidates because the materials and topics are familiar and close to life. The exam has been slightly innovated and it is predicted that many students will achieve high results in literature.

Hanoi candidates today (June 8) will enter the second day of the 2025 public 10th grade exam.

Photo: Tuan Minh

ENGLISH TEST FOCUSING ON APPLICATION ABILITY

Positive comments were also made on the English exam when many teachers commented that the exam not only tested language knowledge but also focused on students' ability to apply, think, analyze, and synthesize through various types of questions. The exam was also practical, appropriate, and close to life...

Ms. Nguyen Nguyet Ngu, Head of the Foreign Language Group at Thai Thinh Secondary School (Dong Da District), assessed that the test focused on basic knowledge, ranging from grade 6 to grade 9. In addition to testing vocabulary and grammar, the test also tested paragraph writing skills through choosing a topic sentence and arranging ideas in a paragraph. With this test, Ms. Nguyet Ngu assessed that the common score that students can achieve is around 7 - 9.

More than 400 candidates dropped out of the exam

At the end of the first day of the 10th grade entrance exam with two subjects: literature and foreign language, Hanoi had more than 400 candidates drop out.

No candidate violated the exam regulations in literature, but one candidate in foreign language brought a cell phone into the exam room and was suspended from the exam. The whole city had 12 candidates who needed assistance with taking the exam and medical support due to health problems.

Source: https://thanhnien.vn/de-mon-van-thi-lop-10-ha-noi-gop-phan-triet-tieu-van-mau-185250607203008391.htm