Here’s a quick look at the SPM Literature in English paper.

What you’ll need

To score in this paper, students need to have a good grasp of the English language. It would be a torture to students who have very limited language ability and if they dislike reading. The paper also requires students to put on their thinking cap, with the ability to analyse and discuss ideas in class. Students who hope to do well must be inquisitive and should have a broad knowledge through lots of reading. Students who love to watch movies can train themselves by evaluating the plot, justifying and scrutinising issues raised so as to train themselves to have maturity in thought.

Examination format

The candidate must choose one question from each component.

Section A

There are 6 texts to be studied. Only 4 short stories will be selected for testing each year. Each short story will be tested individually. The candidate is required to answer 1 out of 4 questions.

Section B

There are 3 texts to be studied. All 3 novels will be selected for testing each year. Each novel will be tested individually. The candidate is required to answer 1 out of the 3 questions.

Section C

There are 3 texts to be studied. All 3 plays will be selected for testing each year. Each play will be tested individually. The candidate is required to answer 1 out of 3 questions.

Section D

There are 3 themes to be studied. All 3 themes will be selected for testing each year. Each theme will be tested individually. The candidate is required to answer 1 out of 3 questions.

Section A: Short stories (25 marks)

I.Text comprehension (Maximum of 5 marks)

1. First point given.

2. Appropriate supporting information given.

3. Second point given.

4. Appropriate supporting information given.

5. Third point given.

6. Appropriate supporting information given.

7. Overall understanding.

8. Language.

II. Plot expansion (Maximum of 8 marks)

1. Basic description correctly given based on the short story.

2. First point given.

3. Appropriate supporting information given.

4. Second point given.

5. Appropriate supporting information given.

6. Third point given.

7. Appropriate supporting information given.

8. Fourth point given.

9. Appropriate supporting information given.

10. Overall contribution of stated event/incident/occurrence to the plot.

11. Writing techniques used by author given.

12. Language.

III. Evaluation and understanding with reference to the text (Maximum of 12 marks)

1. First point given based on story.

2. Appropriate supporting information given.

3. Second point given based on story.

4. Appropriate supporting information given.

5. Third point given based on story.

6. Appropriate supporting information given.

7. Fourth point given based on personal ideas.

8. Appropriate supporting information with reference to the text.

9. Fifth point given based on personal ideas.

10. Appropriate supporting information with reference to the text.

11. Sixth point given based on personal ideas.

12. Appropriate supporting information with reference to the text.

13. Overall understanding.

14. Language.

Section B Novel, Section C Drama and Section D Poetry are all worth 25 marks each. The guidelines for answering are more or less the same as Section A.

All the best!

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