O-Level English · Paper 1

O-Level English Paper 1: Writing

Time

1 h 50 min

Marks

70

Weighting

35%

Paper 1 has three tasks. You correct grammar in a short text, then write two longer pieces. You choose the essay from four topics.

Each longer task carries 10 marks for what you say and 20 for how you write it.

What the examiners mark

• Your writing suits its purpose, its reader and the situation.
• Your ideas are relevant and well organised.
• Your grammar is accurate in all three tasks.
• You keep to the word range for each task.

Suggested timing

Editing	About 15 min
Situational writing	About 35 min
Continuous writing	About 55 min

The sections

Section	How you answer	Marks	On Zippy
Editing	Write the correction	10	6 practice sets and a guide
Situational writing	Written	30	10 pages and a guide
Continuous writing	Written	30	11 pages and a guide

Editing

Write the correction10 marksGrammar lessons

Correct the grammatical errors in a text of up to 250 words.

How to answer

1. Read the whole sentence for meaning before you change anything.
2. Check the tense and whether the verb matches its subject.
3. Check the other common errors. These include pronouns, prepositions and word forms.
4. Look for grammar only. Spelling and punctuation are not tested here.
5. Write the corrected word neatly and in full.
6. Read the sentence again with your correction in it.

Example

Passage: Ravi play badminton every Saturday morning. Find the grammar error. Write the correction.

Answer: plays

The subject "Ravi" is singular. A singular subject needs the verb "plays" in the present tense.

Common mistakes

Mistake	What helps
Hunting for spelling errors the task does not test.	Every error is a grammar one. Check verbs, pronouns and prepositions first.
Changing a word that was already correct.	If the sentence makes sense, leave the word alone.
A correction that is itself wrong grammar.	Read the sentence again with your correction in it before moving on.
Leaving a blank when unsure.	A blank never scores. Write your best guess.

Open 6 practice sets and a guideThe School CanteenThe Community LibraryThe Park Connector

Situational writing

Written1 task30 marksWriting lessons

Write an email, letter, report or speech of 250 to 350 words for a given situation.

How to answer

1. Work out why you are writing and who will read it. They decide your tone.
2. Note the format the task asks for and learn its frame.
3. Underline every point the task asks you to cover.
4. Take details such as dates, prices or rules from the visual text. Reword them in your own sentences.
5. Write the points in a sensible order and tick each one off.
6. Check your word count, then your greeting and sign-off.

Example

The task asks for an email to your principal Mrs Tan, giving student views on a proposal. You do not know her personally. Which greeting and sign-off pair fits?

Answer: "Dear Mrs Tan" and "Yours sincerely".

She is a senior reader you know by name, so the tone stays formal. A named greeting pairs with "Yours sincerely". Use "Yours faithfully" only after "Dear Sir or Madam".

Common mistakes

Mistake	What helps
Missing one of the required points.	Underline the points before you write and tick each one off.
A chatty tone to an official reader, or a stiff one to a friend.	Decide the tone from the reader before you write a word.
Copying whole phrases from the visual text.	Reword every detail into your own sentence.
A format slip, such as a letter with no sign-off.	Practise the frame of each format until it is automatic.

Open 10 pages and a guideHow to PersuadeHow to InformHow to Complain

Continuous writing

Written1 task30 marksWriting lessons

Write an essay of 350 to 500 words on one of four topics.

How to answer

1. Read all four topics before you choose.
2. Pick the topic you can give real points and examples for.
3. Plan for five minutes. Note your main points and the order.
4. Write from the plan. Give your strongest idea the most words.
5. Watch the word range as you go.
6. Save five minutes to check tenses, agreement and spelling.

Example

You must choose between a narrative topic and an expository topic on canteen food. For the expository one you can already list three arguments and a real example. Which topic should you pick?

Answer: The expository topic on canteen food.

You have material that answers this question. You still need to explain your reasons and organise them clearly.

Common mistakes

Mistake	What helps
Choosing a topic that looks easy, then running out of things to say.	List your points for a topic before you commit to it.
Stopping short of 350 words.	Check which part of the task needs more development. Paragraph lengths should follow your ideas.
Drifting away from the topic in the middle.	Check each paragraph against the topic you chose.
Tense slips and agreement errors near the end.	Use the last five minutes to read the essay through for verbs only.

Open 11 pages and a guidePlan a Strong StoryCreate a SceneExperience and Insight

Format, marks and weighting from the SEAB syllabus.

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