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Exam Guide
Dictionary

Discuss always proves to be the most difficult task for students. Quite often students will not discuss but end up describing or explaining. This will result in very low, or even no, marks. You have been warned!

To discuss something means to consider at least two possible sides to a situation - more than two if you can. It asks you to consider possibilities. A good dictionary definition is:

“to have a conversation about; consider by talking over”

A conversation implies a two way flow of argument. However silly it sounds, you are required to have a conversation with yourself! Suppose that you’ve been invited to the party of someone you don’t really care for. However, someone else you do care for has also been invited. Before you decide to go to the party, you would have a discussion with yourself (or a friend) and you would weigh up the pros and cons.

Task
With another person in your class (or, if you are all alone, a mirror..!) discuss how talented Madonna (or any other pop idol of your choice...) is as a musical artist.

So to discuss something means to:

1. gather together facts and evidence;
2. look at the pros and the cons of the situation;
3. reach an informed conclusion.

Task

• Discuss whether the UK should join the single European currency (the euro). (A1 and A4)
• “The best way to increase the profits of a business is to increase the prices it charges to its customers”. Discuss. (A2)