SPM English Examination Format

Paper 1
- Duration: 1 h 45 m Section B: Continuous Writing
Section A: Directed Writing - Time suggested: 1 hour
- Time suggested: 45 mins - Narrative/Argumentative/Descriptive/Factual
- Include all given content points!!! Aspect Marks
- Article/Report/Speech or Talk/Informal or Formal Letter Format
Content 50
Aspect Marks
Format 3 Language
Content 12 TOTAL 50
Language 20
TOTAL 35 Mark Description of criteria
range
A - The language is entirely accurate apart
Question Format points (44 – 50) from very occasional first drafts slips
FORMAL LETTER 1. Address of the sender - Sentence structure is varied and
2. Address of the recipient sophisticated – shows the candidate is able
3. Date to use various types of sentences to achieve
4. Salutation a particular effect.
5. Heading/tittle - Vocabulary is wide and used with
6. Closure precision.
7. Signature - Punctuation is accurate and helpful to the
8. Name and post of the reader.
sender - Spelling is accurate across the full range of
vocabulary used.
INFORMAL LETTER 1. Address of the sender - Paragraphs are well-planned, have unity
2. Date and are linked.
3. Salutation - The topic is addressed with consistent
4. Closure relevance.
5. Signature - The interest of the reader is aroused and
6. Name of the sender sustained throughout the writing.
B - The language is accurate; occasional errors
REPORT 1. Title (38 – 43) are either minor or first draft slips.
2. Address - Sentences show some variation of length
3. Signature and type, including some complex
4. Name of the write sentences.
5. Post of the write - Vocabulary is wide enough to convey
intended shades of meaning with some
ARTICLE 1. Title precision
2. Name of the write - Punctuation is almost always accurate and
generally helpful
TALK/SPEECH 1. Greeting - Spelling is nearly always accurate
2. Introduction/opening - Paragraphs show some evidence of
speech planning, have unity and are usually
3. Ending appropriately linked.
- The piece of writing is relevant to the topic
and the interest of the reader is aroused and
sustained through most of the composition.
SPM English Examination Format
Paper 2
- Duration: 2 h 15 m

No. Test Area Task Marks

Section A (15 marks) – Objective, 25mins

Answer questions based short paragraphs, adverts and

1-8 Understanding vocabulary 8
dialogues.

9 - 15 Grammar Fill in the blanks with the best answer. 7

Section B (10 marks) – Subjective, 25mins

16 - 25 Information Transfer Complete the table using information form the text. 10

Section C (25 marks) – Subjective, 50mins

26 -30 Comprehension Answer questions based on the entire passage given. 10

15 marks are given here – 10 for content and 5 for
language. 10 words are given and the summary must not
31 Summary be longer than 130 words. To score full marks, students 15
must follow instructions, summarise the given passage to
at least 10 points and write it in their own words.

Section D (20 marks) – Subjective, 35mins

Answer questions based on In the Midst of Hardship, Are

32 Poem You Still Playing The Flute?, Nature and He Had Such 5
Quiet Eyes.
15 marks are given here – 10 for content and 5 for
language. Answer a question based on Step by Wicked
33 Novel 15
Step. To score full marks, the answers must have an
introduction, 3 evidences + examples and a conclusion.
TOTAL 70
 Cohesive devices
Firstly, secondly, first, second,
finally, lastly, for one thing, to
begin with, next
Also, similarly, furthermore,
likewise, moreover
Besides, other than that, apart
from that, on top of that, in
addition
This is because, this is due to the
fact that
In sum, in short, in conclusion, to
conclude, all in all, overall, to
summarize
Which is to say, in other wars, this
is
For example, for instance, such as,
namely, specifically
Consequently, thus, as a result,
hence, so, therefore
On the other hand, on the
contrary, in contrast, alternatively,
conversely, by comparison,
instead, instead of
Though, however, nevertheless, in
spite of that
Function
To show the logical order of ideas
or time sequence
To link ideas together
To add ideas and to link the new
ideas to the previous ideas
To provide a reason to illustrate an
ideas provided earlier
To summarize ideas either at the
end of sections or to explicitly state
that the essay is concluding
To reinforce the previous idea by
expressing it in a slightly different
way to make it more explicit
To provide an example in order to
illustrate an idea
To demonstrate that the following
idea is a result of the previous idea
To signal differences or alternatives
between two ideas
To state an opposing idea
Example
Firstly, the Internet plays an
important role in the world of
communication.
….the Internet also saves time as
messages can be delivered in a matter
of seconds.
Besides, the Internet also save time as
messages can be delivered in a matter
of seconds.
This is because the Internet offers
easy and inexpensive ways to
communicate such as e-mails,
messenger, chatting, teleconferencing
and blogger.
In conclusion, it is undeniable that
Internet brings us many advantages.
In other words, the Internet helps to
promote students‟ learning.
…. the Internet offers easy and
inexpensive ways to communicate
such as e-mails, messenger, chatting,
teleconferencing and blogger.
Therefore, I strongly disagree with the
writer’s opinions which were
published in your editorial column.
Instead, we should make full use of
the Internet to benefit mankind.
However, I do agree up to a certain
point with the writer that the Internet
has the potential to distract students
from their studies.