How to tackle English Examinations?

Paper 1
Section A: Editing Candidates identify and edit grammatical errors in a short written text. 10 sentences. 2 correct. 8 have an error each. Section B: Situational Writing Candidates write on a given situation, which will involve viewing a visual text. This usually involves writing an informal letter, (30) Section C: Continuous Writing Candidates write on one of four topics set. (10) 70 1 hour 50 minutes

(30)

Editing Grammar is only tested in this section, spelling & punctuation For this section around 5-10 minutes should be spent. Take note of mistakes like theses which are commonly made to test us. 1. Practice & Practise 2. 3. Principle & Principal Which & That

Situational Writing 1. Writing of Brochure/Informal Letter 2. 35 minutes should be spent, maximum 45 minutes, should be done last. 3. PACC planning ( Purpose-inform or persuade. Audience-VIP or tourist. Context-offensive to audience. Culture- Buddhist, so no mentioning of other religions.) Brochure Writing Use a 2nd or 3rd person perspective. \Language Structure Perspective: 2nd Person perspective (personal) 3rd Person (Objective, factual, professional, convincing) Tenses: Present, Present perfect, Future Depending on motive: Persuade or Inform.

Persuade: Selling of product. Inform: State new implementations Structure Title(Singapore: Your one stop travel Destination) Introduction( Have nowhere to go this Summer? ) Headings (Attractions) Sub-Heading (Marina Bay Sands) Sub-Heading (Universal Studios) Sub-Heading (Sentosa) Heading (Why Singapore?) Conclusion (Contact Us!) Content Appeals to your audience Catchy words & Tag lines (Grabs attention) Inject Humour to conclusion Also conclusion should reiterate purpose. How to decide when to be formal and informal? Who are your audiences, what is your purpose? -Youths, Holidays, Fun (Humour) -Adults, High Tech Gadgets, Prestigious. (Serious)
Informal Letter Address: Greenville Drive Bencoolen Hills, #08-12 Singapore 985977 Greeting: Dear George, Greetings & State objectives (task) Objectives (task) Cheerful tone when ending letter: Do consider my offer and look forward to hearing from you soon. Sign off: Yours Faithfully

Dick Queck So How Should I Tackle Situational Writing 1. 2. 3. Read the Question Carefull Take note of Bulleted Points Make use of information from visual text. Make sure to elaborate on given information & add in your own in formations/opinions and support them. Dont just copy from visual text. Marking scheme The 30 Marks are allocated as such: 10 Marks is awarded for task fulfillment 20 Marks are awarded for Language Usage Assessment Criteria for Task Fulllment Awareness of purpose, audience Relevance Development & Organisation of information/ideas(Opinions must be backed up) Appropriate use of given information Continuous Writing Around 50 minutes should be spent on this section. OCCR planning Try to twitch story such that it fits theme.

Words need to be vivid and colorful to help the reader feel the same feelings that you felt. Elements of the story need to support the point you are making and you need to remember to make reference to that point in the first sentence.

You should make use of conflict and sequence like in any story. You may use flashbacks and flash forwards to help the story build to a climax. It is usually written in the first person, but third person may also be used. Remember, a well-written narrative essay tells a story and makes a point, morale. However, an impactful last sentence can also be used or an implied ending. Example: Five days later, the police came knocking on Mr Mas door.

Paper 2

Comprehension

50

1 hour 50 minutes

Section A Candidates respond to questions based on Text 1, a visual text.

(5)

Section B Candidates respond to a variety of questions based on Text 2 which is a narrative or a recount.

(20)

Section C Candidates respond to a variety of questions based on Text 3, a non-narrative text, and write an 80-word response to a summary writing task.

(25)

Visual Text A series of questions which involves inference & impetration of authors intentions. Should spend no more than 10minutes.

Comprehension Section A & B Steps 1. 2. 3. 4. Read Questions Read Text. Attempt questions Try to infer or shorten your answers as answers have become less direct.

Summary Marked upon paraphrasing and language use. Hence, try to make summary flow well. Also making replacing exact figures with words like: Countless, Numerous.

For Example: The six hundred of birds gushed out = Countless number of birds charged out Steps 1. 2. 3. 4. Mark out Paragraphs Find points. Its good to pen down 1 or 2 extra just in case. Paraphrase on foolscap. Write them fluently on another piece of foolscap.