Friday, September 25, 2009

TIMES : SPM2009 Last Minute Tips - English

English

SPM English consists of two written papers, Paper 1 (Directed Writing & Continous Writing) – 1 hour 45 minutes and Paper 2 (15 objective questions & 19 subjective questions) – 2 hours 15 minutes. Follow this guide to answer the papers.

Content
1. Strategy to Answering Paper 1
Section A: Directed Writing
Section B: Continuous Writing
2. Strategy to Answering Paper 2
Section A: Graphic Materials, Short Texts and rational Cloze
Section B: Info Transfer
Section C: Reading Comprehension and Summary
Section D: Literature
1. Strategy to Answering Paper 1
Section A: Directed Writing
Candidates are required to write a short composition consisting of 200 to 300 words with the help of a stimulus such as:
a picture
short notes
flow charts
graphs
diagrams, or
a map.

Depending on the requirements, your composition will be in the form of a:
message
speech
letter
story
narrative
descriptive or factual essay
description of processes and procedures
report, or
the minutes of a meeting.

Assessment Objectives
To test candidates’ ability to:
Read & understand the task at hand.
Use given information to generate ideas.
Use clear & accurate standard English in your response.
Use appropriate format, language, tone, style, sentence structures, vocabulary, punctuations, spelling & paragraphing.

Answering Techniques
Firstly, read the question and identify the task & format. Understand what the question wants. Don’t steer out of topic.
Study the given notes & organise your:
Intro, Body & Conclusion
Elaborate and expand your points into sentences, sentences into paragraphs, and paragraphs into composition.
Lastly, check & edit your composition’s grammar, language usage and spelling.

Section B: Continuous Writing
Candidates are required to write a composition of at least 350 words. Five composition topics will be given; choose ONE. Your composition may be a:
narrative
descriptive
expository, or
an argumentative composition.

Assessment Objectives
To test candidates’ ability to:
Produce a piece of continuous prose in accurate standard English.
Respond relevantly & creatively to chosen topic.
Construct sentences of various length, types & structures.
Punctuate & spell accurately over a wide range of vocabulary.
Write in paragraphs which are appropriately linked & show cohesion.
Engage & sustain interest of reader.

Answering Techniques
It’s best to choose a familiar title.
Brainstorm/generate ideas related to topic. Jot down everything.
Plan outline for composition.
Organize points into:
Intro, Body & Conclusion
Expand your points into sentences, sentences into paragraphs, and paragraphs into composition.
Edit for language, organisation & interest.

Characteristics of a Good Essay
Addresses topic clearly & completely.
Uses all points effectively.
Express ideas fluently & creatively.
Use appropriate & accurate varieties of vocabulary & language.
Vivid descriptions & well-constructed plot/story line, with well-organised paragraphs/points.
Sustain interest of reader.
2. Stategy to Answering Paper 2
Section A: Graphic Materials, Short Texts and Rational Cloze

Candidates are required to answer 15 objective questions. The first eight objective questions will test your understanding of the basic who, what, where, when, how-questions, based on a series of:
advertisements
graphic materials, and
short texts.
The rest of the seven objective questions are rational cloze passages that will test your grammar and vocabulary.

Assessment Objectives
Ability to understand and interpret graphics & texts.
Grammar, vocabulary & language usage skills.

Answering Techniques
Firstly, read the questions & understand keywords.
Study the given options & choose the BEST answer according to context.
Note your language structure, tenses & agreement.

Section B: Info Transfer

Candidates are required to answer 10 subjective questions based on a given:
graphic, or
non-graphic stimulus.
Answers can be a:
word
phrase, or
a short sentence.

Assessment Objectives
Ability to make inferences based on a given stimuli.
Ability to transfer relevant information from one text type to another.

Answering Techniques
Firstly, read the information in the given text/stimulus.
Study the questions/situations/table.
Understand the information and draw your conclusion.

Section C: Reading Comprehension and Summary

Candidates are required to answer five questions based on an 800 to 1,000 words extract from:
newspaper articles
essays
dialogues
speeches
memos
reports, or
letters.

You are required to:
recall specific details
identify main points
draw conclusions, and
make inferences.

In the summary questions, candidates are required to summarise a selected area of the text in not more than 130 words.

Assessment Objectives
Comprehension and ability to understand text, language usage & vocabulary.
Ability to extract main points from supporting details and organize them coherently to answer questions.

Answering Techniques
Firstly, scan and read through the passage for general understanding.
Read again to get main idea of paragraphs.
Read the questions & get keywords.
Identify part of text and check for clues.
Understand question.
Read required part of passage and underline related points.
Lastly, rephrase points using own words.

Section D: Literature

Candidates are required to answer three open-ended short response questions based on:
poems
short stories,
and novel.

The questions will incorporate describing the:
plot
characters
setting
language devices
themes, and
messages of the literature components.

Assessment Objectives
Students’ familiarity with poems, short stories & chosen novel.
Comprehension skills of language devices, theme, plot & characters.

Answering Techniques
Understand contextual meanings of words/phrases.
Understand content/message.
Understand theme.
Understand characteristics & plot.
Answer the questions and substantiate your answers with references from text.

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