English Language - Grammar, Reading and Writing
The English paper in the Arts stream tests four linked skills: reading comprehension of unfamiliar passages, vocabulary in context, accurate grammar, and guided writing (a paragraph, an email, or a short essay). Grammar marks are usually awarded per item, so one wrong tense can cost several points across the paper.
Tenses and conditionals
- Present perfect (have/has + past participle) links a past action to now; use since with a point in time and for with a duration.
- Second conditional: If + past simple, would + base verb - an unreal present.
- Third conditional: If + past perfect, would have + past participle - an unreal past.
Reported speech
Backshift one tense: present → past, will → would, can → could. Change time and place words: tomorrow → the next day, here → there, now → then.
Passive and relative clauses
Passive = be + past participle (+ by + agent when relevant). Use who/which/that for defining clauses (no commas) and , who/which, for non-defining clauses.
Writing
Open with a clear topic sentence, support it with two or three developed ideas, and close with a concluding sentence. Use linkers: however, therefore, in addition, on the other hand. Keep the required word limit and register (formal for emails to institutions).
Worked example
He said, “I will finish the report tomorrow.” → He said (that) he would finish the report the next day. Reasoning: the reporting verb is past, so will → would; the time expression tomorrow → the next day; the pronoun stays I → he because the speaker is the same person being reported.
Traps that cost marks
- Leaving the verb un-backshifted in reported speech.
- Using would have in a second conditional.
- Mixing since and for.
- Answering reading questions with copied text instead of a direct answer.
- Ignoring the word limit or the required format in the writing task.