What to expect on the Common Assessment Paper 2024 English Paper

In order to facilitate the addition of the CEM computer-based assessment as part of the CAP
examination, the English Paper is now a single 1-hour paper comprising of three sections

• Language multiple choice,

• Comprehension
• Creative Writing.

How have the components of the English section of the CAPS changed?

1) Language Section 10 marks (Pupils are recommended to spend 10 minutes on this

section)
This remains the same as previous years, with 10 multiple choice questions.
2) Comprehension 15 marks (Pupils are recommended to spend 20-25 minutes on this
section)
The comprehension passage has been shortened and the number of marks for this section
reduced. The aim here is to test students’ ability to infer information from the text as well as
their overall understanding of the passage. Responses should be in the students’ own words
as far as possible.
3) Creative Writing (Pupils are recommended to spend 20-25 minutes on this section)
The composition section of the examination has had to change quite significantly due to time
constraints and now consists of a writing prompt, asking students to write half to one side of a
page in response. Pupils will not be expected to write a full composition with an introduction
and conclusion.

Specimen Creative Writing task:

Your answer should be about one side in length.

Plan your answer carefully and take care with spelling, grammar and punctuation.

While scavenging through a dusty attic, you stumble upon a peculiar device unlike
anything you've seen before. It crackles with unseen energy, and strange symbols adorn
its surface. Curiosity burning bright, you activate the device.

Describe the heart-stopping moment of activation and the fantastical (or terrifying)
consequence it unleashes.

You are writing only a part of a story; you do not need to finish the story, just describe what you see
and what happens directly after you activate the device.

CONFERENCE OF HEADS OF INDEPENDENT SCHOOLS IN ZIMBABWE

MARK SCHEME PAPER 1: COMPOSITION
General Marking Guidance:
Answers could be narrative or descriptive in nature- credit both equally.
Credit original and imaginative content as well as good spelling, punctuation and grammar (SPAG)
Total marks: 15
Content
5 • Engaging and a pleasure to read.
• Use of sophisticated, interesting
and engaging vocabulary
• Focused very closely on the
writing prompt and task
requirements.
4 • Well thought out ideas
• Attempts to use interesting,
engaging vocabulary for effect.
• A clear understanding of the
writing prompt and mostly
focused on the task.
3 • Selection of relevant ideas,
images, and details, although
perhaps not engaging or lacking in
originality.
• Mostly focused on the writing
prompt but the task has only been
partly addressed.
2 • Content is relevant but with a
series of very straightforward or
simplistic details.
AND/OR
• Content may not fit task
appropriately
1 • May be completely irrelevant or
off topic.
• Has not followed task at all.
0 2-1
• No creditable response
CONFERENCE OF HEADS OF INDEPENDENT SCHOOLS IN ZIMBABWE
Spelling, Punctuation and Grammar (SPAG)
10 • SPAG practically perfect
• Sentence structure varied and
complex, clear and accurate.
• Perhaps even an attempt to use
sentence structure for effect.
9-8 • SPAG mostly accurate: more frequent
errors and those that exist are minor,
but they do not impede the flow of the
writing.
• Attempts to use more complex
sentence structure.
7-6 • Sentence structure simple but with few
errors of SPAG.
OR
• Complex sentence structure
attempted but with frequent SPAG
errors that start to impede
understanding.
5 • SPAG has some errors, and these are
likely to be more serious and begin to
impede the clarity of the work.
AND/ OR
• Simplistic language and sentence
structure
4-3 • Very simple vocabulary
and sentence structure.
AND/OR
• Frequent serious SPAG errors that limit
communication.
• Very limited vocabulary and sentence
structure OR serious errors of SPAG
that impede understanding.
0 • No creditable response