Cheat! (A2)

Friends or exams? Which are more important?

Instructions

Do the preparation exercise first and then read the article.  If you find it too easy, try the next level.  After reading, do the exercises to check your understanding

Mo was waiting outside her class. She was feeling sick. She always felt sick in exam week. She had two exams that day. Physics was first and she hated physics, it was her worst subject. But this was the last day of exams! Terry looked back at her from the front of the line, then looked away quickly. Mo thought she looked guilty. She didn’t have a problem with physics. She didn’t have a problem with anything! 

“Hi, Mo, it’s your favourite exam today” said Nima as she arrived. Terry looked back again. “What’s wrong with her?” said Nima. “I thought you were friends.”  “Yes, so did I,” said Mo, “but she hasn’t spoken to me for two weeks.” She promised to help me revise for the physics exam, but then she ignored all my calls and texts. And when I rang her house, her mum told me she was busy. She doesn’t remember who her friends are!” said Mo angrily. “Are you listening Maureen Quinn?” Mr Reed was talking to the class and the other students were going into the exam room. Mo gave Nima a worried look and followed them.

Mo couldn’t answer question number five, it was too difficult. She looked up and saw Terry sitting in the next row. Mo was surprised. Terry was holding her phone under the table and she was reading from it. Mo didn’t know what to think. Is that how Terry always got good grades? She felt really angry at Terry but didn’t know what to do. She thought about telling the teacher, but what would everyone else think of her? It wasn’t fair! Mo never cheated and she failed lots of exams. Terry had already put her phone away when Mo looked up again. She looked back at Mo and smiled sadly. “Stop writing and put your pens down” said Mr Reed as he started to collect the exam papers. Oh no, Mo hadn’t answered two of the questions. She was going to fail again!

Mo wanted to talk to Terry at lunch time, but she couldn’t find her in the dining hall. The next exam was history. That was Mo’s favourite subject but she didn’t feel good. She was angry with Terry. Nima went home for lunch every day, so she couldn’t talk to her either. Mo went to the library to study. She didn’t know what to do about Terry. She thought about telling a teacher, but everyone would hate her if she did that. “It wasn’t fair!” she thought. “Terry was getting good grades by cheating all that time. And I thought we were friends!” Just then, Mr Reed walked past her table. “Mr Reed...”

Mo was sitting behind Terry again in the history exam that afternoon, but Terry didn’t take her phone out. Maybe she didn’t need to cheat at history. Mo was feeling bad again, but she had no problems with the exam. Why did she tell Mr Reed? But it was too late now. He wanted her to look at him and nod if she saw that Terry had her phone in the exam. She was on the last question, when she saw that Terry had her phone under the table. Without thinking, Mo looked up and nodded to Mr Reed. Terry was looking at her phone and didn’t hear him as he walked silently up to her table. He didn’t say anything. Terry looked, surprised. He picked up her exam paper and pointed to the door, to tell Terry to go outside. Terry started crying as she walked to the door. Everyone was staring at her and Mo felt really sorry now.

She was leaving school, when she heard footsteps behind her. It was Terry. “Mo, wait!” she called. “I want to talk to you.” Mo could see Terry had been crying, her face was pale and her eyes were red. Mo couldn’t speak. “Listen, I’m really sorry I didn’t answer your calls, but we’re having a terrible time. My dad had a heart attack and he’s in hospital. He had a big operation today and I was very worried. I know it was stupid, but I was reading texts from my mum to see how it was going, but Mr Reed caught me. He thought I was cheating. But he believes me now.  I’m sorry I didn’t tell you what was happening. I know you’re a good friend. Will you forgive me?”

Brendan Dunne

Discussion

Do you feel stressed when you have exams?

Language level
Average: 5 (2 votes)
Personal online tutoring
EnglishScore Tutors is the British Council’s one-to-one tutoring platform for 13- to 17-year-olds.

Comments

Profile picture for user FlowerQueen

Submitted by FlowerQueen on Fri, 01/06/2023 - 18:41

Hi!
I like writing exams, but only, if I prepared well. I feel stressed if I have geography, german or physics exams. I don't have a problem with the other subjects.
Flowerqueen~♡

Profile picture for user Kostantinus

Submitted by Kostantinus on Fri, 02/05/2021 - 09:44

If I am not prepared well to some exams I feel not good. But if I know the subject I feel very confidence. You should study hard in oder to pass the exam and to get high grade. Just don't be lazy! If you don't understand something don't be shy, ask your classmates for help. I believe, there are some really good kids in your class who can give you a hand :)

Submitted by auli_k035 on Wed, 04/01/2020 - 05:34

If I don't prepare well for the exam, Yeah, I'm stressed! but whatever the conditions I willn't cheat. Hey, I like this story :) very good
Profile picture for user empty

Submitted by empty on Mon, 06/24/2019 - 08:33

I study very well , so I don't need to cheat . And if there's a question that I can't answer , this is my fault and I should have read that part of book better or more . I think students that never study well , Do not deserve a good mark !

Submitted by avocado83 on Fri, 02/01/2019 - 18:22

Yes, I feel stressed when I have tests or exams and I love this story so much !!!

Submitted by taokhonghat on Fri, 02/01/2019 - 15:02

I very hate people who cheat at exam because I think it's not fair with others who doesn't cheat!

Submitted by pearla on Thu, 06/07/2018 - 20:19

Sorry
Profile picture for user Elsa007

Submitted by Elsa007 on Thu, 01/18/2018 - 12:57

I agree with saying "Your silence will place your conduct in an unfavorable light".... ;) Anyway, what a shame that Terry, Mo and the teacher were just focusing on their self-righteous conduct without seeing the whole picture...! :0

Submitted by roy199 on Thu, 01/18/2018 - 09:07

I didnt agree with Mo because she didnt was a good fiend
Profile picture for user Ken

Submitted by Ken on Fri, 01/19/2018 - 08:39

I’m afraid that Mo is just a nut. Do you not want to make a friend w/ Mo? I know a friend just like Mo. I often tell her to focus on her way, otherwise she is easily distracted by the wrong idea, as you know, she’s a loose nut. I want to give up her as hopeless, but unbelievably, she is always saved by her good friend who’s very calm, kind and clever! Jealous! I see them a perfect friends in our school! They help with each other and are generating synergy in spite of her lonesome soul. I hope they are happy!

In reply to by roy199

Submitted by Ben (not verified) on Thu, 08/20/2015 - 09:31

I'II feel stressed if I have math,physics or chemistry exams.I'm not good as these subjects at all!
English courses near you