IGCSE First Language English Revision 2007



IGCSE First Language English Revision 2007

Exam dates :

Wednesday 16th May Core/Extended Reading 1h45/2h

Thursday 24th May Directed Writing & Composition 2h

Exam content

Core reading(1 text)

• General comprehension questions based on one text, including a short summary exercise.

• A directed writing task based on the same text.

Extended Reading(2 texts)

• A directed writing task based on the first text.

• A discussion of the language used and its effects in the first text.

• A summary based on the TWO texts.

Directed Writing

• A written task based on a text support. This task could be one of the following: speech, review, report, article, script, letter, diary, continuation of a story/narrative.

Composition

• Writing to argue. Choose 1 of 2 questions which will need an argumentative or discursive response.

General things to remember:

• The Directed Writing tasks will involve looking at a text for information and then using this information in a specific genre. You need to show you can write in different styles (leaflet, speech, conversation etc)adapting the information provided and adding your own, appropriate ideas.

• The Composition task requires you to use persuasive and argumentative techniques to convince the examiner of your point of view or to put forward two opposing opinions.

• You have 2 hours for both D.W and the composition so divide your time up appropriately.

• You cannot afford to lose many points in the general comprehension questions on the Core Reading paper. Read the questions and the text carefully.

• Remember that the summary in the Extended Reading paper is on both texts. The discussion of language is worth 10 points so needs to be detailed – aim for ¾ - 1 page for your answer.

Revision:

I suggest you revise the following things, looking back over the work we have done in class and your notes. Use your First Language text book too for extra practice.

Reading:

Summary writing. Look at the revision sheet I gave you last term. Learn each of the steps to take – those doing core level can do this too as it is a good way of getting valuable points.

Language: Revise the literary techniques we have studied whilst doing literature (metaphor, personification etc) Use the sheet I gave you at the beginning of the year. Think about the EFFECT of these techniques when used.

Try and read as much in English as possible in the period leading up to the exam. This will improve your vocabulary and you will find it easier to understand the unseen texts.It does not matter what you read – magazines, comics, books – as long as it is English!

Directed Writing

Revise the different text types:

• Letter/e-mail (formal/informal)( use class notes & p13 FLE book)

• Speech(use p.22-23 in pink book and the class notes on the language to use)

• Continuing a story/narrative (use the worksheet ‘The Gold-legged Frog’)

• Diary (Use class notes and the work you did on Scott’s Diary,p11 FLE book)

• Writing a report/newspaper report (use class notes. Remember work you did for the First Certificate)

• Script of a conversation(see worksheet we used)

It is really important that you can adapt your writing according to the text-type asked for. Do you know when to use informal/formal language? What vocabulary could you use to enrich your writing? How should you present your work?

Composition

Revise the work we did on writing to argue and persuade(worksheet and A CAMEL SIPS TAR) Make sure you know which techniques to use to make your writing persuasive and convince your audience. Think of good phrases/vocabulary to express your opinion.

Practise writing in timed conditions. You will only have an hour to plan and write your answer.

Exam Technique

Always do the following in all of your exams:

1. Read the question carefully and underline the key words/phrases.

2. Read the texts, underlining important information/vocabulary. Annotate with your ideas. Your text should be covered in writing!

3. Re-read the question asked and brainstorm your ideas.Remeber all rough work must be done on the answer paper.

4. Make a quick plan – what are you going to include in your answer/paragraph?

5. Think of the format of your answer. How are you going to show the examiner that you have understood the question and can write in any genre asked for?

6. Write your answer. You DO NOT have time to write a rough copy. Cross out any mistakes neatly and re-write the word as you are not allowed corrector pens/erasers.

7. Re-read your answer checking for grammatical errors, punctuation, spelling etc. Have you divided your work up into paragraphs?

8. Put a cross through any rough work.

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