English
The English paper tests reading, grammar, writing and response to prescribed prose, poetry and supplementary texts. ASSEB-style questions move from short comprehension items to longer writing and literature answers, so accuracy in the early sections protects time for the essays.
Core rules and concepts
- Comprehension: distinguish explicit information from inference. Vocabulary questions require a synonym or a phrase that fits the passage, not a dictionary list.
- Grammar: determiners, tenses, subject-verb agreement, prepositions, clauses, active/passive voice and direct/indirect narration. Apply the rule to the whole sentence, then reread for agreement.
- Writing: notice, report, formal/informal letter, article or speech. Include the required format, a clear opening, organised body and closing. Register must match the audience.
- Literature: identify theme, character motivation, poetic device and tone. A short quotation plus explanation is stronger than a long retelling.
Worked example: passive voice
Active: 'The teacher corrected the scripts.' Passive: 'The scripts were corrected by the teacher.' Reasoning: the object becomes subject; use the correct form of 'be' in the same tense, here past simple plural 'were'; the main verb becomes past participle; the agent is introduced by 'by' and may be omitted if unknown.
Traps that cost marks
- Writing a story summary where the question asks for character or theme.
- Missing format elements in a letter or notice, such as date, salutation or heading.
- Changing tense incorrectly in reported speech.
- Using quotations without explaining their effect.
- Ignoring word limits and producing an unstructured answer.