12/9/2017

PT3 English Tips &

Techniques
BY MISS EVERLYN RAVIDAS

General Tips
BIG MISTAKE = immediately starting to answer the first
question!
EXAM PAPERS REQUIRE PLANNING:
The planning:-
Scan the whole paper quickly, to get overview of all the
questions.
Look at the time allocated for each section and set your
clock according to allocation.

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General Tips
KEEP YOUR EYES ON THE CLOCK!
STAY TRUE TO THE ALLOCATED TIME!
PRACTICE KEEPING TO YOUR TIME IN ANSWERING THE
PAPER. (With practice comes perfection)

General Tips
Question Number Marks Time Allocation
1 10 15 MIN

2 10 15 MIN

3 20 25 MIN

4 15 15 MIN

5 5 5 MIN

6 30 30 MIN

7 10 15 MIN

TOTAL 100 MARKS 120 MINUTES

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Question 1 : Error correction

Read the passage carefully and understand it. While
reading, you need to:
identify tense used throughout the text [same tense used
consistently in each writing.
identify the subject and its verb in every sentence.
The errors are grammatical (Nouns, Pronouns, Articles,
Adjectives, Verbs, Tenses, Modals, Adverbs, Prepositions,
Connectors, Conjunctions, Subject-Verb Agreement,
etc.) - There are no spelling/ punctuation errors in the
text.

Question 1 : Error correction

The errors are almost always in the same grammatical
form as the correct ones. Example: if the error is 'are', the
correct word should be 'were' or vice versa depending
on the text overal tense use. The correct words usually
would not steer away completely from the errors.
A lot of grammar practices will surely help you answer
the question.

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Question 1 : Error correction

REMEMBER to read the text BEFORE and AFTER you find
the answer. Make sure the sentences read well with the
chosen words.
Wrong spelling is not accepted.
Spelling only in British English

Question 2 : Information transfer

Read the text/pic properly.
Scoring is easy because the answer is given and you just
need to correctly identify them in the text and then
transfer them (either the exact phrase or not) to the
graphic form given.
You just need to give 1-3 words in each blank (do not
write more than that). If you think the sentence is too
long, rephrase it.

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Question 3: reading comprehension

(linear text)
Questions (a) to (d): TRUE OR FALSE
The answers are in the text
Highlight the sentences for confirmation of T/F
Question (e), (f), (h) and (i)
Answers can be found in the text
Highlight
the key word in the questions so that you
know what is specifically asked.
Question (g) - word/phrase meaning [from text]

Question 3: reading comprehension (linear

text)
Question (j) - opinion, short email, note, postcard
READ INSTRUCTION CAREFULLY [IDENTIFY THE CORRECT
FORMAT!!]
also identify what the task is required of you
you can refer information in the text as reference for
your writing
you can add your own opinion/saying/ideas
the key word is INTERESTING - make your writing as
interesting as possible
Writemore than 50 words (the more the better)
always check time & the limit set.

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Question 4 : Reading comprehension (linear

text)

Read through the entire passage and the questions

before you do anything.
Read the questions and then underline/ highlight key
words - keep reviewing the key words while reading.
Read the text carefully & thoroughly - highlight the
mainpoint in each paragraph.
Answers from Qa - Qh can be found in the text. Qi (hots)
- your own opinion

Question 5 : Poetry
There are only 3-5 questions given, with some questions
require you to give two or more answers.
Only 5 marks given for this part but REMEMBER THAT
EVERY MARK IS IMPORTANT! IT DOES MAKE A DIFFERENCE!

Please answer all. Do not leave them blank. Better try

than feel sorry after.

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Question 5 : Poetry

Make sure you have done your revision on all your

poems i.e. Sad I Ams, Newsbreak, What Is Red?, My Hero,
Poisoned Talk and The Day The Bulldozer Came.
All answers can be found in the poem itself and also
based on the literary elements you have studied before
EXCEPT LAST QUESTION (d)
Question (d) is based on your own opinion.

Question 6 : Composition
INSTRUCTION & TIPS:
Spend 30 minutes on this task.
If pictures are included, study them carefully.
Identify the main question: what the question ask you to
do
Identify the type of essay you need to do:
formal/informal letter, story/narrative, report, speech,
etc.

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Question 6 : Composition

Always elaborate your points no matter how short they

are.
Add extra information (your own ideas/ points - not
given in the question)
Make sure you write NOT LESS THAN 120 WORDS. The
more the better! BUT within the time limit!!!
THE MOST IMPORTANT PART = Write your draft (will be
explained later).

Question 6 : Composition

HOW TO WRITE YOUR COMPOSITION:

INTRODUCTION
Depending on the essay type, use correct format.
State the MAIN REASON of your essay
ONE paragraph only.
BODY
Include all the points given.
Write ONE POINT IN ONE PARAGRAPH

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Question 6 : Composition

How to elaborate points??

WH Questions [what, where, when, who, why, how]
Give examples where necessary.
Add at least two more points that you can think
of, and elaborate as above.
Write short, simple sentences. MAKE SURE you
understand what you write. If you do not, rewrite
them!

Question 6 : Composition

CONCLUSION
Depending on the format/question
requirement:
Ifit is a story/narrative, write a moral/lesson
learned.
If
it is formal/informal letter, write about your
hopes and necessary details.
Ifit is a report, write suggestion and/or
recommendation.

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Question 6 : Composition

HOW TO BEGIN YOUR WRITING:

Prepare your draft - spend your first 5-10 minutes doing
this!
Allocate 1 extra paper to write all the ideas you think of
into this paper.
Divide your ideas and elaboration according to the
intro, body, conclusion.
While you are drafting, answer all the WH questions as
your elaboration.

Question 6 : Composition
Add examples/details on each points.
When you have finished with your draft, look through the
points again, add details where necessary.
Redo all these again and again, adding/ refining them
until you are satisfied.
Finally, put all those points into your FINAL ESSAY.

Quick tip: - leave a space after each line, it allows you to add in
ideas/words easily and more neatly too!

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Question 6 : Composition

If you suddenly have extra details while you are writing,

add them too but make sure they are appropriate.
When you are done with your final essay, read them
again and make amendments where necessary
(spelling, grammar, etc.)

KEY WORD: INTERESTING!! Make your writing as interesting

as possible~

Question 7 : Novel
INSTRUCTION:
Spend the last 15 minutes of your time on this
question.
Read the instruction given and underline the
thing you are asked to do [write about event,
character(s), quality/ies of a character,
theme(s), setting(s) - all the literary elements you
have studied before]
Write MORE THAN 50 WORDS!!!!!!

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Question 7 : Novel
HOW TO WRITE YOUR RESPONSE:
Since this is also in an essay form, make sure you have
introduction, body and conclusion.
Spend the first 5 minutes to brainstorm your ideas + details &
elaboration + specific examples from the novel.
Draft your ideas (above) in a MINDMAP
After you done your brainstorming, proceed to the essay
part.

Question 7 : Novel
EXAMPLE: Write about a character you like most

Rational Thoughtful
- During a storm,
Starbuck shouts at
Captain Ahab to
turn the ship back. Starbuck He is concerned about
everyones safety. He advices
- On their first fight Captain Ahab not to go after
With Moby Dick, he Moby Dick but he refuses.
asks Captain Ahab Trustworthy
angrily if he did not
learn his lesson from CONCLUSION: These are
his bad experience the qualities I really admire
Captain Ahab leaves Starbuck
with Moby Dick. and because Starbuck
to take charge of the Pequod on the
showed such qualities, he is
last three days of the fight when he
the character I like the most.
Goes to attack Moby Dick.

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Question 7 : Novel
EXAMPLE: Write about an event that makes a difference
in a character's life
INTRODUCTION
Write your introduction like this:-
Based on the novel Moby Dick" written by
Herman Melville, an event that makes a
difference in a character's life is when captain
Ahab lost his leg during his encounter with
Moby Dick.

Question 7 : Novel

BODY:
Reasons why you think this event is interesting:-

Your reason should be the significance of the event

(whether it bring changes to the main character or the
story, it foreshadows what comes next, etc.)
You can give as many reasons as you want, with
sufficient elaboration + specific examples from novel as
support/evidence.

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Question 7 : Novel
CONCLUSION
Restate your STAND
End your essay with something like this:-
"These are the reasons why I think this event is interesting."

Important pointer to note for all writing tasks:

- Besides content points, correct spelling, grammar and
merits help you get better grade
- Be consistent with your tenses & mind your spelling

Thats all folks!

GOOD LUCK AND TRY THE BEST

YOU POSSIBLY CAN

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