Candidates will be given 1 hour 30 minutes to complete this two-part paper.
Part 1 Compulsory essay
Candidates are required to write an essay of 240–280 words summarising and evaluating the key ideas contained in two texts of approximately 100 words each.
Part 2
In Part 2, candidates have a choice of task.
Either:
QUESTIONS 2–4
Writing one of the following:
• an article • a letter • a report • a review
or
QUESTION 5
Writing one of the following, based on reading one from a prescribed list of two books:
• an article • an essay • a letter • a report • a review
Tips!
Read the question very carefully in order to perform the task set effectively – ensure you fulfill all requirements and answer the question.
Get into the habit of planning your answers thoroughly before you begin to write. This will encourage an organised and coherent approach and prevent irrelevant digression.
Be able to use a range of language functions, for example the language of persuasion, description, recommendation and comparison.
You may use key words from the input text but refrain from ‘lifting’ whole phrases as you will not receive marks for this.
Check your spelling and punctuation as this affects communication and will be reflected in the mark awarded.
You will be assessed on four analytic criteria: Content, Communicative Achievement, Organisation and Language. Write with this checklist in mind.
Part 1
Learn to identify the key points in each of the texts, as these points will form the basis of a your essay.
Reading and discussing articles in English on a variety of issues will help them to develop your ideas and extend your vocabulary.
Part 2
Learn to identify the context, the writer’s role and the target reader and this will help you to choose the appropriate register.
Be careful to read the question carefully and identify the requirements in full. If you do not read a question carefully enough, you may seize on a familiar topic and start the task before you have identified exactly what is required. It is always the case that there are at least two, if not three elements in these questions, and only candidates who produce an answer dealing adequately with all elements of the question can expect to gain a higher mark.
You will gain marks if you use a wide variety of grammatical structures and language functions and explore the use of a range of vocabulary and expression.