O-Level English · Paper 2
O-Level English Paper 2: Comprehension
- Time
- 1 h 50 min
- Marks
- 50
- Weighting
- 35%
You read four texts and answer written questions on all of them. One text in Section A is visual, such as a poster. Section C ends with a summary of about 80 words.
What the examiners mark
- You understand what each text says and what it only hints at.
- You can explain how a visual text works on its reader.
- You pick out the right points and reword them for the summary.
- Your written answers are clear and in your own words.
Suggested timing
| Section A (visual text) | About 15 min |
| Section B (narrative text) | About 35 min |
| Section C (non-narrative and summary) | About 50 min |
The sections
| Section | How you answer | Marks | On Zippy |
|---|---|---|---|
| Visual text comprehension | Written | 5 | 3 practice sets and a guide |
| Narrative comprehension | Written answers | 20 | 2 practice sets and a guide |
| Non-narrative comprehension and summary | Written answers | 25 | 4 pages and a guide |
Visual text comprehension
Answer written questions on a poster, advert or similar visual text.
How to answer
- Ask first what the text wants the reader to do, think or feel.
- Decide who the text is aimed at and find the evidence for it.
- Read every heading, caption and line of small print.
- For an "explain how" question, name the technique and then its effect.
- Support every answer with this text, using its exact words or picture.
Common mistakes
| Mistake | What helps |
|---|---|
| Naming a technique without saying its effect. | After each technique, ask what it makes the reader feel or do. |
| Naming an audience with no evidence from the text. | Point to the words or the picture that aim the text at that group. |
| Treating a feature as decoration. | Treat every choice as deliberate, from the colours to the font size. |
Narrative comprehension
Answer written questions on a narrative passage, from facts to what the writer only hints at.
How to answer
- Read the question and work out exactly what it asks for.
- Read the instruction: quote, explain, compare and use your own words call for different answers.
- Find the part of the passage that answers it.
- For an inference, connect a detail to what it suggests. For language effects, explain the wording in context.
- Check that every answer comes from the passage.
Common mistakes
| Mistake | What helps |
|---|---|
| Copying a whole sentence when only part of it answers the question. | Underline just the words that answer it, then write those. |
| Answering from your own opinion instead of the passage. | Ask where the answer sits in the passage and point to the line. |
| Missing the second part of a 2-mark question. | Check whether the question asks for evidence and explanation, or two distinct details. Marks alone do not prescribe the structure. |
Non-narrative comprehension and summary
Answer questions on a non-narrative passage, then summarise part of it in about 80 words.
How to answer
- Read the question focus. It tells you exactly what to summarise.
- Use only the paragraphs the question names.
- Underline every relevant point, line by line.
- Reword each point in note form. Change the words and the sentence pattern.
- Join the notes into one paragraph and count the words.
- Trim to about 80 words and check the opening phrase if one is given.
Common mistakes
| Mistake | What helps |
|---|---|
| Missing points because the underlining was rushed. | Look for more points than you need. Some will overlap. |
| Points on one half of the focus only. | Check the focus for "and". Get points on both parts. |
| Copying phrases from the passage. | Reword every point in note form before you write the paragraph. |
| Going over the word limit. | Count at the end and cut the weakest detail. |
Format, marks and weighting from the SEAB syllabus.