TIPS FOR ANSWERING SPM ENGLISH PAPER
- The questions are usually in a proper sequence that is if the answer for
PAPER 2 ( 2 HOURS AND 15 MINS)
SECTION A (15 marks)
This section consists 2 parts. In this section there 15 objective questions.
First part – Question 1 – 7
For each question, a stimulus will be given. Four options will be given (A, B,
C and D)
Read each stimulus carefully. Then, read the question. DO NOT choose the
best answer BUT read all the options given and then only choose the best
answer.
Second part – Question 8 – 15
This section is a cloze passage. It tests your grammar and vocabulary.
Go through the whole passage first so that you know what the passage is
about and what tense you should use. (Past, present, future,etc)
Doing lots of grammar exercises will help you. Besides, reading consistently
(any type of reading material) will also help you greatly.
SECTION B (10 marks)
Information Transfer
This section requires you to transfer information from one form to another.
Eg: From a poster, write answers in a flow chart, a table or even a short
cloze passage.
Things to remember:
- Spelling must be accurate.
- Capital letters and small letters must be accurate. Eg: Proper nouns – John,
Jalan Menjalara, The Mystery, etc
SECTION C (25 marks)
Comprehension (10 marks)
Read the passage at least once. If you have to, read it twice. After you have
read the passage, then only answer the question.
NOTE:
number 1 is from the Paragraph 1, then the answer for question 2 will
most probably be from Paragraph 2 or 3, and it goes on for the other
questions. (if the paragraph is not indicated in the question)
- Identify the key words in each question. Then look for the key words in
the paragraph indicated. The answer will most probably be in the line
where the key words are found.
But sometimes you do have to do a little lifting from a few lines to get the
answer.
Summary
1. Read the question or questions.
2. Identify the lines/paragraphs that needed to be summarized.
3. Read each sentence to get the summary points. Your sentences should
answer the summary questions.
4. BUT sometimes a particular point is found in two or three sentences
which you have to summarise to become one sentence.
5. Identify at least 10 sentences. Of course you can have 12 or more as
long as you keep within 130 words.
6. After you have identified the sentences, shorten the sentences by
deleting unnecessary details or repetition.
7. Then write all the points in ONE paragraph.
8. Count the number of words and write the total number of words on the
right at the bottom of the paragraph.
Prepared by : Jaslynne Gan S.P.
SECTION D (20 marks)
Poem ( 5 marks)
1. Write only the answer that is required. Writing extra will not earn you
more marks.
2. Do what the question requires. Eg:-
(a)Which line in the poem tells you that the grandmother has become
forgetful?
Her soup forgot to boil. (1 mark)
Her back round and hunched and her soup forgot to boil (0 mark)
(b)Which word in the poem means made a mistake?
blundered (1 mark)
Some one had blundered (0 mark)
3. The last question usually asks for your opinion on the poem. Write your
answer based on the themes or moral values of the poem. Always
remember to give a positive answer.
Novel (15 marks)
1. Read the question carefully to know what is the requirement of the
question. Is it about characters, themes, moral values or plot? Some
questions may require you to write about 2 elements of the novel.
Eg:
(a) Write about a moral value that you have learnt from the novel you have
read.
(Questions like these are very clear cut. You only need to write about a
moral value)
(b) “You should not show prejudice against anyone who is different from
you”. Show how a character in the novel you have read has upheld this
principle.
(Questions like these are not so clear cut. But if you read carefully, you
need to write on how a character has shown that he or she does not
show prejudice)
2. Your answer:
1st paragraph
Answer the question
Eg: In the novel, Dear Mr Kilmer, the character that I admire the most is
Richard Knight. I like him because he has many good qualities that I can
emulate.
2nd, 3rd, 4th paragraph
In the subsequent paragraphs, list the points. For every point, there must
be evidence (try to give at least 3 pieces of evidence) to support your
answer. And always end your paragraph by linking your point to the
question.
Eg:
First, I admire Richard Knight because he is a very courageous person.
When the Schermers’ tavern was vandalised, Mrs Hansen, the English
teacher decided that it would be nice to send them a sympathy card. She
asked the students to sign the card. However,Richard was the only person
in his class who was brave enough to sign the card despite the fact that he
might be perceived as an outcast by everyone else. Whereas everyone else
in his class was too cowardly to sign the card because they believed it was
the patriotic not to sign the card. In addition, Richard also stands up
against the class bullies and wins the fight. The class bullies , Abner and
Harry started spitting insults at Richard which escalated to them lunging
towards him to beat him up. Fortunately, Richard fought both of them off
until they started begging Richard to not hit them. Moreover, Richard took
it upon himself to deliver the card directly to the Schermer's in person. He
felt sympathy towards Hannah and her family and thought the card would
make them feel better. Therefore, I admire him for being brave enough to
stand up for what is right.
5th paragraph
The conclusion must sum up all the points and again link it back to the
question.
Prepared by : Jaslynne Gan S.P.
PAPER 1 ( 1 HOUR AND 45 MINS) 1. Before you start writing, read through the points.
2. Make sure you know the format.
SECTION A (35 MARKS) 3. Count the number of content points given to you. Make sure you have
Directed Writing 12 points. Sometimes you may be required to come up with your own
Format - 3 marks points.
Content - 12 marks 4. For every point, there must be a minimum of an elaboration and an
Language - 20 marks example. Of course you can write more than that. (PEE)
5. Ideally, there should be at least 8 paragraphs :
This section tests you on writing an essay with formats. For example: 1st paragraph - Introduction
Talks/speeches, letters-formal and informal, articles, reports 2nd to 7th paragraph - content (2 points in one paragraph)
8th paragraph - Conclusion
This part of the question will actually give you an idea of what is required * However, if your points and elaboration are very long, you can always
of the format. Eg: write one point in one paragraph.
6. Before writing, determine the tense that you are going to use.
When writing the article, you should remember: Present tense, past tense, the imperatives (You should/can/must/have
• to give a suitable title (1 mark) to/ought to, etc)
• to give your name as the writer (1 mark) * Sometimes, you may have to use a few types of tenses in your essay.
• to use all the information given 7. Read through for any mistake you may have made.
8. You DO NOT HAVE TO COUNT THE NUMBER OF WORDS.
When writing the speech, you should remember: 9. You should use only about 45 minutes on this section.
• to address the audience (1 mark)
• to mention the purpose of your speech (1 mark)
● to end your speech appropriately (1 mark)
• to use all the information given

When writing the letter, you should remember:

• to lay out your letter correctly (address, greeting, closure) (3 marks)
● remember your letter is to your cousin
• to use all the information given

When writing the report, you should remember:

• to address your report to the principal (1 mark)
• to provide a title (1 mark)
● to include your name (1 mark)
• give two more points of your own Prepared by : Jaslynne Gan S.P.
SECTION B(50 MARKS)
Continuous Writing
In this section, you are required to choose one out of five essay topics
given and write an essay of about 350 words.
Narrative Essays/Description of an event
1. Think of a story.
2. Centering round the story, write what happens before, during and after
the event/incident.
3. Use the past tense to write the story.
4. Use direct speeches to make the story more interesting. Eg:- John
shouted, “You poor liar. I’ll never trust anymore.”
5. Use idioms and proverbs.
Description of a scene/place
1. Use your five senses to generate the points:-
What you can see?
What you can hear?
What you can smell?
What you can taste?
What you can touch?
2. Give personal responses to what you describe so that your essay is more
interesting.
3. You can use the present or past tense. In depends on how you start the
essay.
Description of people
1. First, how you know the person or how is the person related to you?
2. Then describe the background of the person – family and education.
3. Write the physical descriptions of the person.
4. Then give the characteristics of the person – negative and positive.
Write also his idiosyncrasies/habits.
5. Write about the person’s achievement.
6. Finally, write how the person has influenced your life or what he/she
means to you.
7. You can use the present or past tense.
Note:-If you are asked to describe many people, choose the most
interesting thing that you would want to describe about each person.
Factual essays/Argumentative Essays
1. Give an introduction to the topic.
2. Present your points systemically.
3. For each point, give elaboration and examples.
4. Write a conclusion in your closure.
5. Use the present tense.
Reflective Essays
1. Brainstorm your thoughts and feelings. Include your opinions.
2. Ideas must be well-organised.
3. Approach must be fresh and witty.
4. Write based on your knowledge and experience.
5. Choose this type of essay only as a last resort because it require
creativity and a good command of the language.
Idioms/Proverbs
1. In the past two years, topics like these have been given.
2. Make sure you know the meaning well before you choose.
3. Usually you are asked to write a story based on the idiom or proverb.
4. Can be easy if you know the idiom or proverb well.
* Marks are awarded based on idea/topic (must be relevant to topic
chosen), language, variety of sentence structures, vocabulary(wide and
precise), punctuation (full stops, commas, etc), spelling, and of course
essay must be interesting in order to arouse and sustain interest.
Prepared by : Jaslynne Gan S.P.