The ppt encompasses the changes in GCE O Level English Language paper subjected from 2018.

1. GCE O’ Level English
Language
Syllabus Code 1123
Paper 2

2. Paper2: Reading
 1 hour 45 minutes
 50 marks
 This paper has two sections and
candidates answer on the
question paper.

3. Section 1: Reading forIdeas
(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 in phrase 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
•Use notes 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 errors of 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 Question Answers:
• Write or distinguish Fact from Opinion
(refer to the relevant paragraph while
attempting this question)

12. • Candidates read a 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)

13. Types of Comprehension
Questions
Explicit Meaning Questions Implicit Meaning Questions
Literal Inferential
Quotation
Vocabulary Writer’s craft
Own Words

14. Passage 2 (Narrative)
Explicit Questions
•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).

15. 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