GCE O Level Reading paper revised

GCE O Level Reading paper revised

• 1.
  GCE O’ LevelEnglish Language Syllabus Code 1123 Paper 2
• 2.
  Paper2: Reading  1hour 45 minutes  50 marks  This paper has two sections and candidates answer on the question paper.
• 3.
  Section 1: ReadingforIdeas (25 marks) •    Candidates scan a factual communication (or communications) of approximately 700 words • They identify and note down required information – e.g. similarities and differences, orcauses and effects, oradvantages and disadvantages, or problems and solutions, oractions and consequences. •     12 marks are allocated for content points. •     Candidates use these notes to write a summary of 150-180 words (10 words will be already given). Marks are awarded forrelevance and coherence.  These will be short  questions worth 3 marks.
• 4.
  Passage 1 (Factual/Discursive) 1a) Note Making • Write at least 12 content points excluding the given examples. • You may write more than 12. • Accept own words or lifting. However, own words are not recommended as they may cause confusion while writing the summary (which should be in own words). • Write sentences or note form. However, if they are sentences, they should not be entirely verbatim lift. Details and examples should be deleted.
• 5.
  •If written inphrase than the point should be sensible e.g. Extermination carried out. X Extermination carried out for reward. • If point is made in the wrong box OR out of the box, marks are not awarded. • Points should be in order but if not in sequence, they are acceptable. •Spelling and grammatical errors are not penalized here.
• 6.
  1b) Summary Writing •Usenotes to compose a piece of formal, continuous prose. Students may write the summary in one or two paragraphs (prefer two paragraphs for two themes). •At least 12 points should be used to compose the summary. •Use of OWN WORDS is mandatory.(don’t waste your time in changing scientific vocabulary like cloning, mutation etc. •Use varied sentence structures (Simple,  compound and  complex) •For compound use FANBOYS connectors (for/ and/ neither- nor/ but/ or- either/ yet/ so/ since) •For complex use connectors relative pronouns (because/  who/ which/ that/ where/ when) • Use linking words for contrast/ sequence/ result etc.
• 8.
  Serious Errors Serious errorsof language are penalized.* For example:* Wrong verb forms. Serious tense errors. Serious errors of sentence structure, especially in setting up subordination. Omission or obvious misuse of prepositions. Wholesale misunderstanding over the meanings of words used. Serious errors of agreement. Ingrained weakness of punctuation, i.e. the habitual comma replacing the necessary full stop. Mis-spellings of a minor nature. Count as a serious error when the form of the word is severely mangled Obvious slips of repetition or omission Breakdown of sense
• 10.
  Coherence and Relevance •Relevance: relevant to the theme.(focus on the key words of the question) • Fluent and Coherent: variety of sentence structures and variety of punctuation marks are used. • Synthesizing: logical sequence and use of own words. • Linking devices: use of varied connectors (linking  words, relative pronouns and conjunction)
• 11.
  Critical Skills Short QuestionAnswers: • Write or distinguish Fact from Opinion (refer to the relevant paragraph while attempting this question)
• 12.
  • Candidates reada narrative passage (e.g. report, article, story) of approximately 700 words. • They then answer short answerquestions testing theirability to understand the language (both explicit and implicit meanings). Section 2: Reading forMeaning (25 marks)
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  Types of Comprehension Questions ExplicitMeaning Questions Implicit Meaning Questions Literal Inferential Quotation Vocabulary Writer’s craft Own Words
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  Passage 2 (Narrative) ExplicitQuestions •Literal: The answer of such question is quite obvious. Furthermore, the key  word in the question directs you towards the answer. •Quotation: A single word two consecutive or a phrase from the passage is to  be extracted. However, following instruction is very important here. A single word means a single word. •Own Words: The reader needs to look for the keywords/phrases in the  passage and replace them using their synonyms or relevant phrases. The  number of marks tells the number of key words to be found. •Vocabulary:  Select the best possible option, out of the four choices, that is  appropriate to the context. One would be completely wrong/ other two would  be close enough/ so pick up the one which is correct according to the context  (in the passage). 
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  Implicit Questions Inferential: The reader is expected to think about the ideas given  in the passage and draw a conclusion. They usually start: What do you think/ How do you know/ What can you tell?  Etc. Writer’s Craft: Here the reader should mention  meaning and  the effect that the writer wants to create through his words. Meaning: the literal/factual meaning of the phrase Effect: the impact the writer wants to create by using specific  word/words or its symbolic meaning.
• 16.
  Question & Answer Session