SPM Paper 1

Paper I tests Reading and Use of English. It consists of 5 parts. The time
allocated is 90 minutes. (40 marks)
Part 1: 8 Multiple Choice Questions consisting of short texts from books,
magazines, advertisements etc. Candidates will choose the best answer from
3 choices given for each question. (8 marks)
ADVICE: Very quickly read through the question before reading the text given.
This gives you an idea of what you will be looking for in the text. After this go
through all the three options given before deciding on the answer. Make sure
you read all the options as there may be slight differences in the answers
given.
Part 2: Cloze Passage. You should try to get all the 10 answers correct. The
passage tests you on grammar and vocabulary. There are 4 options given for
each blank. (10 marks)
ADVICE: Do not attempt to fill in the gaps on your first reading of the text.
First, read through the text quickly to see what it is about and determine the
tense or tenses required for the text. Then go to the answers given and
determine the right word for each blank.
Part 3: Here you will need to read a longer passage and answer 8 questions
related to the text. This is of course a test on reading comprehension. (8
marks)
ADVICE: Take time to read the text carefully before going on to the questions.
Some of the questions direct you to specific paragraphs to look for the
answers. For other questions, look for key words to enable you to zoom in to
the right paragraphs to look for the answers. Once again read through all the
options given before deciding on your answer.
Part 4: In this section you are given a longer text from which six sentences
have been removed. You have to choose the 6 correct sentences from among
8 choices given to fill in the gaps to form a correctly structured paragraph. (6
marks).
ADVICE: Here is where you have to apply your skills on ‘coherence and
cohesion’ to find the correct sentence to fill the blank. Your sentence should
blend in smoothly with the sentences before and after the blank.
Part 5: You are given a few paragraphs on a certain topic to read. You are
given four statements which describe 4 of the paragraphs given. You have to
identify the 4 paragraphs to fit the statements given. For the next 4 questions
you are required to find words (one word each from the text) to complete the
4 sentences given. (8 marks)
ADVICE: Read the short texts carefully and determine the main idea in each
text. This will help you decide to pick the statement which best describes the
text.

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SPM Paper 2
This essay and writing paper is worth 60 marks. However, the weightage in the
overall SPM English paper is still at 25%. The time allocated for this paper is
90 minutes and the paper has 3 parts.
Part 1 - Students are required to write a short note or email in less than 80 words. (20 marks)
ADVICE: Read the email or short note carefully and underline the tasks given
to you so that you will not miss out on any point. For example the task set out
may want you to suggest
 a place to visit
 some activities to be done there (give a few - about three)
 things to bring (suggest a few - about three)
As you have only 80 words to juggle with, you must go straight to the point
with a little elaboration if necessary.

Part 2 - This is Directed Writing in 125 - 150 words. (20 marks)

ADVICE: In this question, notes will be given to you to guide you on what to
write. Whatever it is, the golden rule is to give at least three to four
suggestions so that there will be enough subject matter for you to write
about. Here you may need to give your opinion or provide proof for your
suggestions. Do not write longer than required.
Part 3 - In this section, you are given 3 choices for a descriptive writing
(report/review/article/story). You will need to choose I essay to write in 200 - 250 words. (20 marks)
ADVICE: This essay calls for all your writing skills. Quickly mind-map four to
five main points you want to talk about in your essay. For each point briefly
jot down elaborations/examples/reasons to expand the point. Then organise
your paragraphs with each main point as your topic sentence for each
paragraph. Think of a good introduction and conclusion. The introduction and
the conclusion should not be too lengthy.

For the writing task, you will be assessed

on
1. task achievement - Have you answered according to what is required by the question?

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 What are your key points? Do you support your key points with proof or definite opinion?

2. coherence and cohesion - Are all your paragraphs part of a whole? Does each of the
paragraph have a key point? Do all the sentences in each paragraph talk about the key point? Use
cohesive devices like thus, therefore, moreover, furthermore, on the contrary ... etc to help you.
3. vocabulary - You will need to show you have a wide range of vocabulary at your disposal. A
wide vocabulary enables you to write better essays. To acquire a wide vocabulary you need to
read books, magazines and newspapers. When you come across any good words or expressions jot
them down in your vocabulary book. Learn how to use these words or expressions in the right
contexts. Try not to use descriptive words more than twice in the same essay. For example:
Last holiday my whole family went for a very interesting trip to the East Coast. We stayed at
an interesting holiday resort. While we were there we joined a lot of interesting activities.
Writing a paragraph like the above will show your limited vocabulary usage.

4. grammar - Make sure to use the correct tenses throughout your writing. Punctuations
are equally important as a wrong punctuation may contribute to misunderstanding.

5. 5. sentence structures - Your writing should show

o variety in sentence structures ( There should be a combination of simple, compound and
complex sentences in your essay. Make sentences of different lengths and with different
beginnings.)
o vivid and interesting sentences - Write interesting sentences by adding adjectives to
nouns, adverbs to verbs, adjective phrases and clauses. Students should learn how to use
synonyms, idioms, figurative language, similes, proverbs etc. Avoid making spelling
mistakes.
6. use of direct speech or quotes - Wherever possible adding a quote or a direct speech can break
the monotony in your essay.