Klassenarbeit — Unit 9: School Rules and Rights

Track E · Klasse 7 · Niveau E · 45 Minuten

Track E · Klasse 7 · Niveau E · 45 Minuten

class test ("Klassenarbeit") — Niveau E (45 minutes)
Materials allowed. A monolingual dictionary (Niveau M only).
Time. 45 minutes.
Total. 60 points.

Task 1 — Reading (15 BE) Link to heading

Read the short text below.

Ardenfield Comprehensive in Manchester has a “phones-in-pouches” rule. Every morning, students put their phones into a magnetic pouch and keep the pouch with them all day. The pouch can only be unlocked by a teacher or in the office. The headteacher, Mr Atta, says the rule has cut bullying messages and fights at break time. Some pupils complain it feels like a prison rule. Mr Atta replies: “We are open to a different rule. Bring me one that works.”

  1. What is the “phones-in-pouches” rule? (3)
  2. Where can the pouch be unlocked? (2)
  3. What two changes does Mr Atta credit to the rule? (4)
  4. How does the headteacher answer the criticism? (6)

Task 2 — Use of English (12 BE) Link to heading

A. Modals of obligation/permission (6 BE). Choose: must, mustn’t, can, can’t, should, shouldn’t.

  1. Students __________ put phones in the pouch every morning.
  2. You __________ unlock the pouch yourself.
  3. Teachers __________ help if there’s an emergency.
  4. We __________ ban phones without a discussion first.

B. Passive voice — present (6 BE). Rewrite in the passive.

  1. The school sells the pouches at the office. → The pouches ___ .
  2. A magnet locks the pouch. → ___ .
  3. The headteacher reviews the rule every term. → ___ .

Task 3 — Mediation (10 BE) Link to heading

Your German uncle, who is a teacher, sends you this:

“Wir diskutieren ein Handyverbot an der Schule. Manche Eltern sind dafür, andere finden, dass die Schüler lernen müssen, mit Handys umzugehen, statt sie wegzusperren.”

Write three sentences in English to your English-speaking exchange partner explaining the German debate. Do not translate every word.

Task 4 — Writing (23 BE) Link to heading

Write 100–120 words on the question: “Should phones be locked away during the school day?” Give one reason in favour, one reason against, and your own conclusion. Use:

  • at least one modal of obligation (must / mustn’t / should),
  • at least one passive structure,
  • a connector (although / however / on the other hand).
Expected answer key — class test ("Klassenarbeit")

Task 1 (15 BE).\

  1. Students put phones into a magnetic pouch every morning and keep it with them all day. (3)
  2. Only by a teacher or at the school office. (2)
  3. Bullying messages have decreased; fights at break time have decreased. (4)
  4. He invites critics to propose a better rule that works — i.e. he is willing to change, but only with a workable alternative. (6)

Task 2 (12 BE).
A. 1. must, 2. can’t, 3. can, 4. shouldn’t.
B. 5. The pouches are sold at the office. 6. The pouch is locked by a magnet. 7. The rule is reviewed by the headteacher every term.

Task 3 (10 BE). Sample: “German schools are debating a phone ban. Some parents support it; others think students need to learn to deal with phones rather than have them locked away.” Award for: gist (4), addressee-fit (2), correct grammar (4).

Task 4 (23 BE). Inhalt 12 / Sprache 11.

Rubric — grading scale (Notenschlüssel)
Punkte (von 60)Note
56–601
30–394