Language Exam Tips and Practise

IGCSE English Language IGCSE English Language TipsTips

Format of the examFormat of the exam

Two hour paperTwo hour paper

Question 1 – Directed WritingQuestion 1 – Directed Writing 20 20 marksmarks

Question 2 – PEAQuestion 2 – PEA 10 marks 10 marks

Question 3 – SummaryQuestion 3 – Summary 20 marks 20 marks

Reflective learnersReflective learners

Before we begin planning:Before we begin planning:

What do you think are your What do you think are your strengthsstrengths and and

weaknessesweaknesses with the Language paper? with the Language paper?

Look through your IGCSE folders to help Look through your IGCSE folders to help

remind yourself.remind yourself.

Language Paper – Question Language Paper – Question 11

Question is focused on passage A only Question is focused on passage A only Worth 20 marksWorth 20 marks Write in the appropriate format (diary, interview, Write in the appropriate format (diary, interview,

article, speech, letter)article, speech, letter) Select relevant information onlySelect relevant information only Consider the purpose, form and audienceConsider the purpose, form and audience Use your own words as far as possibleUse your own words as far as possible Focus carefully on spelling, punctuation and Focus carefully on spelling, punctuation and

grammar (worth 5 marks)grammar (worth 5 marks) Suggested time length – 40-45 minutes.Suggested time length – 40-45 minutes.

Question 1: Directed WritingQuestion 1: Directed WritingWe’re going to read over the November 2011 paper – ‘Running with the bulls’We’re going to read over the November 2011 paper – ‘Running with the bulls’

Task:Task:You are going to spend 10 minutes to PLAN your response.You are going to spend 10 minutes to PLAN your response.Write a letter of protest to the organisers. In your letter, persuade the Write a letter of protest to the organisers. In your letter, persuade the

organisers that the event should be stoppedorganisers that the event should be stopped

Begin your letter: ‘Dear Organisers, …’.Begin your letter: ‘Dear Organisers, …’. Base your letter on what you have read in Passage A. Be careful to use your Base your letter on what you have read in Passage A. Be careful to use your

own words.own words. Write between 1½ and 2 sides, allowing for the size of your handwriting.Write between 1½ and 2 sides, allowing for the size of your handwriting.

You will now spend 35 minutes to write your response.You will now spend 35 minutes to write your response.

Mark scheme – key pointsMark scheme – key points

13-15 – ideas are developed throughout with understanding 13-15 – ideas are developed throughout with understanding and originality. Reactions are well linked to the passage. and originality. Reactions are well linked to the passage. Candidates have a strong sense of overviewCandidates have a strong sense of overview

10-12 – some well developed thoughts and feelings; passage 10-12 – some well developed thoughts and feelings; passage is well used but not sustained, some originalityis well used but not sustained, some originality

7-9 – passage is used satisfactorily; plenty of references but 7-9 – passage is used satisfactorily; plenty of references but little originality, mechanical in placeslittle originality, mechanical in places

4-6 – brief inference to the text, little in the way of developed 4-6 – brief inference to the text, little in the way of developed ideas, some evidence of understanding the passageideas, some evidence of understanding the passage

Question 1 Example answer:Question 1 Example answer:Link to the mark schemeLink to the mark scheme

EnvoyEnvoy task: task:

Your task is to go through the marking criteria with your small Your task is to go through the marking criteria with your small group.group.

Share and discuss the criteria and mark each other’s papers. Share and discuss the criteria and mark each other’s papers.

How close have the group got to tackling the task successfully?How close have the group got to tackling the task successfully?

The Envoy will work with the group for 15 minutes before sharing The Envoy will work with the group for 15 minutes before sharing their their

thoughts with the group.thoughts with the group.


Writer’s effect and craftWriter’s effect and craft Analysis at word, sentence and text Analysis at word, sentence and text

levellevel Use appropriate terminologyUse appropriate terminology Use PEA paragraphsUse PEA paragraphs Focus on SPAGFocus on SPAG Worth 10 marks – do NOT spend Worth 10 marks – do NOT spend

more than 30 minutes on this task!!more than 30 minutes on this task!!

Question 2: PEAQuestion 2: PEARe-read the descriptions of…Re-read the descriptions of…

(a)(a)the town of Cascais in paragraph 1, beginning the town of Cascais in paragraph 1, beginning ‘Cascais, along the coast …’;‘Cascais, along the coast …’;

(b)(b)the atmosphere and the events as the ‘Running the atmosphere and the events as the ‘Running with the Bulls’ is about to begin in paragraph 3, with the Bulls’ is about to begin in paragraph 3, beginning ‘The bull run takes place …’.beginning ‘The bull run takes place …’.

Select words and phrases from these descriptions, Select words and phrases from these descriptions, and explain how the writer has created effects by and explain how the writer has created effects by using this language.using this language.

Mark scheme – key pointsMark scheme – key points Key words and phrases should be explored explicitlyKey words and phrases should be explored explicitly

9-10 – wide ranging discussion of language with some high 9-10 – wide ranging discussion of language with some high comments that explore the meaning and association of words; comments that explore the meaning and association of words; demonstrating the writer’s intents and purposesdemonstrating the writer’s intents and purposes

7-8 – Reference is made to a number of words and phrases, there is 7-8 – Reference is made to a number of words and phrases, there is some evidence that the candidate understands how language some evidence that the candidate understands how language worksworks

5-6 – satisfactory attempt made to identify appropriate words and 5-6 – satisfactory attempt made to identify appropriate words and phrases. The answer tends to give the meaning of words and phrases. The answer tends to give the meaning of words and hardly ever explores the effects hardly ever explores the effects

Question 2: PEAQuestion 2: PEAGeneral comments on your responses:General comments on your responses:

TFI (target for improvement)TFI (target for improvement)- Think about the writer’s intentions; why have they Think about the writer’s intentions; why have they

chosen that specific word or phrasechosen that specific word or phrase- Improved identification of words/phrases but not Improved identification of words/phrases but not

enough analysis of the meaning and effectenough analysis of the meaning and effect

WWW (what went well)WWW (what went well)- Improved fluency and awareness of how language Improved fluency and awareness of how language

worksworks- Considering aspects of Considering aspects of humourhumour / irony in the / irony in the

paragraphsparagraphs- Nobody overwriting (hooray!!)Nobody overwriting (hooray!!)

Example of what to Example of what to consider...consider...

Link to the mark schemeLink to the mark scheme

Question 2 student exampleQuestion 2 student example


Before we begin planning:Before we begin planning:

What do you think are your What do you think are your strengthsstrengths and and

weaknessesweaknesses with the Language paper? with the Language paper?

Look through your IGCSE folders to help Look through your IGCSE folders to help

remind yourself.remind yourself.


Question 3: Question 3: StrengthsStrengths

Identifying the key points in the Identifying the key points in the passagespassages

Improved focus on the style of writing Improved focus on the style of writing required for the taskrequired for the task


Question 3: Question 3: WeaknessesWeaknesses

Overwriting Overwriting Timing and efficiencyTiming and efficiency ConcisionConcision Wasting words with generic phrasesWasting words with generic phrases Not enough points for A and/or BNot enough points for A and/or B An imbalanced responseAn imbalanced response


Make effective use of highlightersMake effective use of highlighters Extract relevant points from both passages (min of 15)Extract relevant points from both passages (min of 15) Use only the information in the source textsUse only the information in the source texts Re-order points in a logical way, avoiding repetitionRe-order points in a logical way, avoiding repetition Use your own words where possibleUse your own words where possible NO INTRODUCTIONS OR CONCLUSIONS NEEDEDNO INTRODUCTIONS OR CONCLUSIONS NEEDED No more than ONE SIDENo more than ONE SIDE Write in a clear, concise and impersonal styleWrite in a clear, concise and impersonal style Focus on your SPAG (spelling, punctuation and grammar) Focus on your SPAG (spelling, punctuation and grammar)

worth 5 marksworth 5 marks

List of points to considerList of points to consider

Question 3: SummariseQuestion 3: SummariseSummarise:Summarise:(a)(a)how safety and order are promoted at the Pamplona how safety and order are promoted at the Pamplona Bull Run, as described in Bull Run, as described in Passage BPassage B;;

(b)(b)the reasons why the local people of Cascais enjoy the the reasons why the local people of Cascais enjoy the ‘Running with the Bulls’, as described in ‘Running with the Bulls’, as described in Passage APassage A..

Use your own words as far as possible.Use your own words as far as possible.You should write about 1 side in total, allowing for the You should write about 1 side in total, allowing for the size of your handwriting. size of your handwriting.

Envoy taskEnvoy task

Mark scheme – key pointsMark scheme – key points One mark will be awarded for each relevant point, up to 15 marksOne mark will be awarded for each relevant point, up to 15 marks

Quality of writingQuality of writing5 – All points are made clearly and concisely in your own words5 – All points are made clearly and concisely in your own words

4 – Most of the answers are concise and well-focused, even if there is 4 – Most of the answers are concise and well-focused, even if there is an inappropriate introductionan inappropriate introduction

3 – There are some examples of concision, occasional loss of focus 3 – There are some examples of concision, occasional loss of focus and repetition of wordsand repetition of words

2 – Generally well focused, often unnecessary explanations and 2 – Generally well focused, often unnecessary explanations and excessive response beyond the suggested word limitexcessive response beyond the suggested word limit

1- Grossly long, wordy, written in the wrong form (i.e. narrative, diary 1- Grossly long, wordy, written in the wrong form (i.e. narrative, diary entry) and frequent lifting from the passage (i.e. copying!)entry) and frequent lifting from the passage (i.e. copying!)

IGCSE English Literature IGCSE English Literature TipsTips

Format of the exam:1hr 45mins (2hrs extra time)Romeo and Juliet and Of Mice and Men (50 mins each)60 marks in total•Choice of thematic or character based question•Answer one question in essay format•Include 6-8 paragraphs (PEE123)

Remember to discuss:-theme-context-writer’s craft-personal response

Plan for 8-10 minutes. Take time to check for errors at the end.

Of Mice and MenOf Mice and Men

CharactersCharacters::

You will have a question on one or a You will have a question on one or a

combination of the following combination of the following characters but characters but

be sure to prepare for a ‘curve ball’.be sure to prepare for a ‘curve ball’.

Lennie; George; Curley’s Wife; Crooks; Lennie; George; Curley’s Wife; Crooks;

Candy; CurleyCandy; Curley

Of Mice and MenOf Mice and MenThemes:Themes:

Know your themes really well. You’ll have a Know your themes really well. You’ll have a

question on one of them.question on one of them.• Cruel nature of humanityCruel nature of humanity• Power – literal and metaphoricalPower – literal and metaphorical• Friendship / LonelinessFriendship / Loneliness• The American DreamThe American Dream

Things such as racism, ageism, sexism are Things such as racism, ageism, sexism are

motifs which are represented in the novel.motifs which are represented in the novel.

Tips for use of quotesTips for use of quotes

Keep them bitesize and of course, relevant Keep them bitesize and of course, relevant

to your question.to your question.

Try to embed the quotes into your response Try to embed the quotes into your response

for a more fluid and engaging read.for a more fluid and engaging read.

Extension: Extension: The higher marks will be The higher marks will be achieved by considering the achieved by considering the effecteffect of the of the writer’s word choices and their craftwriter’s word choices and their craft

Of Mice and MenOf Mice and Men

Choose Choose oneone of the following questions. Produce a plan to help of the following questions. Produce a plan to help with your structure:with your structure:

(a)(a)Explore the theme of loneliness in the Explore the theme of loneliness in the novel, considering how successful individual novel, considering how successful individual characters are in overcoming it.characters are in overcoming it.

(b)(b)What do we learn about the character of What do we learn about the character of Curley’s wife and how she reacts to others?Curley’s wife and how she reacts to others?

Exam questions – planning and introductionExam questions – planning and introduction

Suggested points to considerSuggested points to considera) a) Explore the theme of loneliness in the novel, considering Explore the theme of loneliness in the novel, considering how successful individual characters are in overcoming it.how successful individual characters are in overcoming it.

Many different characters are affected by loneliness, and candidates will be Many different characters are affected by loneliness, and candidates will be rewarded for any appropriate individuals selected:rewarded for any appropriate individuals selected:

Shifting nature of work as an itinerant ranch handShifting nature of work as an itinerant ranch handNo home, possessions (bleak bunk house), long-term friendships, No home, possessions (bleak bunk house), long-term friendships, relationshipsrelationshipsNo security in poor job conditions, despite wanting a ‘dream’ of No security in poor job conditions, despite wanting a ‘dream’ of success/farm/stabilitysuccess/farm/stabilityAbove time for G/L (though they do travel together and George looks after Above time for G/L (though they do travel together and George looks after Lennie) (Lennie is more lonely because of his simplicity Lennie) (Lennie is more lonely because of his simplicity and problems)and problems)Crooks – black, disabled (separates him even more)Crooks – black, disabled (separates him even more)Curley’s wife – the only woman, lonelyCurley’s wife – the only woman, lonelyNo-one really overcomes loneliness, although they try to deal with it:No-one really overcomes loneliness, although they try to deal with it:George’s friendship with Lennie is an attempt to counter George’s friendship with Lennie is an attempt to counter lonelinesslonelinessCrooks wants a share in George’s and Lennie’s ‘dream’ of a farmCrooks wants a share in George’s and Lennie’s ‘dream’ of a farmCurley’s wife tries to befriend/seduce the ranch handsCurley’s wife tries to befriend/seduce the ranch handsDespite efforts, there is a bleak ending: dreams are unfulfilled, there is Despite efforts, there is a bleak ending: dreams are unfulfilled, there is Curley’s wife’s death, and George kills Lennie to ‘save’ him from Curley’s wife’s death, and George kills Lennie to ‘save’ him from his troubles.his troubles.

Suggested points to consider Suggested points to consider b) b) What do we learn about the character of Curley’s wife and What do we learn about the character of Curley’s wife and

how she reacts to others?how she reacts to others?

Her appearance – rather cheap-looking. Reference to red dress Her appearance – rather cheap-looking. Reference to red dress (dangerous? provocative?)(dangerous? provocative?)

Her frustration – marriage is not what she hoped/dreamedHer frustration – marriage is not what she hoped/dreamed (Hollywood), after a row with her mother she married Curley (not (Hollywood), after a row with her mother she married Curley (not for for

love)love) Her attempts to seduce the ranch handsHer attempts to seduce the ranch hands She has a mean streakShe has a mean streak Her reactions to others:Her reactions to others: She shows her feelings about Curley and indicates that she has little to She shows her feelings about Curley and indicates that she has little to

do on the ranchdo on the ranch She tries to exert power over others/men ranch hands eg Crooks – she She tries to exert power over others/men ranch hands eg Crooks – she

could get him lynchedcould get him lynched Comes into the men’s territory – the barn – to try to get some Comes into the men’s territory – the barn – to try to get some companycompany She is provocative: gets herself into the situation with Lennie, and She is provocative: gets herself into the situation with Lennie, and

provokes the tragedy.provokes the tragedy.

Romeo and JulietRomeo and Juliet

Themes:Themes:

Know your themes really well. You’ll have a Know your themes really well. You’ll have a

question on one of them.question on one of them.• LoveLove• DeathDeath• Youth v Old AgeYouth v Old Age• Fate/DestinyFate/Destiny

Things such as light and dark, violence Things such as light and dark, violence represented in the play are motifs.represented in the play are motifs.


CharactersCharacters::

You’re sure to have a question on one or a You’re sure to have a question on one or a

combination of the following characters but combination of the following characters but

be sure to prepare for a curve ball.be sure to prepare for a curve ball.

Romeo, Juliet, Tybalt, MercutioRomeo, Juliet, Tybalt, Mercutio

Curve balls include: Curve balls include: Friar Lawerence, Lord or Friar Lawerence, Lord or Lady Capulet, The Nurse…even BenvolioLady Capulet, The Nurse…even Benvolio


Choose Choose oneone of the following questions. Produce a plan to help of the following questions. Produce a plan to help with your structure:with your structure:

(a)(a)What do we learn about the character of What do we learn about the character of Romeo as the play progresses?Romeo as the play progresses?

(b)(b)‘‘The contrast of youth and old age is The contrast of youth and old age is important in this play.’ How far do you agree important in this play.’ How far do you agree with this statement?with this statement?

Exam questions – planning and introductionExam questions – planning and introduction

Suggested points to considerSuggested points to considera) a) What do we learn about the character of Romeo as the play What do we learn about the character of Romeo as the play

progresses?progresses?

Initially he is presented as young, headstrong and playful, Initially he is presented as young, headstrong and playful, being being infatuated/lovesick with Rosalineinfatuated/lovesick with Rosaline

However, when he encounters Juliet he changes his However, when he encounters Juliet he changes his affections being struck by her love and beautyaffections being struck by her love and beauty

He has a naïve charm in wooing her – honeyed courtship He has a naïve charm in wooing her – honeyed courtship wordswords

Despite the family feud, he shows himself capable of Despite the family feud, he shows himself capable of planning a planning a secret marriage to hersecret marriage to her

He becomes more of a peacemaker, trying to break up the He becomes more of a peacemaker, trying to break up the fight in fight in the market-placethe market-place

He has a strong sense of family honour: when Mercutio is He has a strong sense of family honour: when Mercutio is killed he is duty-bound to respond by killing Tybaltkilled he is duty-bound to respond by killing Tybalt

He shows that he is prepared to do anything for love – even He shows that he is prepared to do anything for love – even to die when he thinks Juliet is dead.to die when he thinks Juliet is dead.

Suggested points to considerSuggested points to considerb) b) ‘The contrast of youth and old age is important in ‘The contrast of youth and old age is important in

this play.’ How far do you agree with this this play.’ How far do you agree with this statement?statement?

Clearly there are many examples of contrasting young and old Clearly there are many examples of contrasting young and old characters, so it is hard to argue that it is NOT important. However, characters, so it is hard to argue that it is NOT important. However, more sophisticated responses may note that there are other (more?) more sophisticated responses may note that there are other (more?) important themes. Look for evidence drawn from the portrayal of a important themes. Look for evidence drawn from the portrayal of a range of younger (includes Romeo, Juliet and their peers) and older range of younger (includes Romeo, Juliet and their peers) and older characters (includes older family members, Nurse, Friar).characters (includes older family members, Nurse, Friar).

Youth is commonly represented as impulsive, headstrong, Youth is commonly represented as impulsive, headstrong, passionate, passionate, hasty, naïvehasty, naïve

Older characters are often marked by greater wisdom, caution, Older characters are often marked by greater wisdom, caution, restraint (see especially the Nurse and the Friar)restraint (see especially the Nurse and the Friar)

The young males are energetic, cocksure, aggressiveThe young males are energetic, cocksure, aggressive Older characters (Capulets and Montagues) often have set views, Older characters (Capulets and Montagues) often have set views,

bound by traditional attitudes, hostilities and expectationsbound by traditional attitudes, hostilities and expectations Not all young act in identical way: variations in how they are Not all young act in identical way: variations in how they are

presentedpresented Similarly, some of the older characters reveal more personal and Similarly, some of the older characters reveal more personal and

distinctive traits.distinctive traits.

Remember to PEARemember to PEA

See exampleSee example

Exam questions – planning and Exam questions – planning and introductionintroduction

Language Exam Tips and Practise

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