Interactive

Learner Guide

Cambridge IGCSETM
First Language English 0500
For examination from 2020
© Cambridge University Press & Assessment 2018 v4 (updated 2023)
Cambridge Assessment International Education is part of Cambridge University Press & Assessment . Cambridge University
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Contents
Section 1: About this guide 4

Section 2: Syllabus content – skills and understanding 5

Section 3: How you will be assessed 6

Section 4: What skills will be assessed 10

Section 5: Example candidate response 11

Section 6: Revision 19

Section 7: Useful websites 33

Changes to this syllabus for 2024

The syllabus has been updated. The latest version of this syllabus is version 1, published September 2021.

You must read the whole syllabus before planning your teaching programme.

Changes to assessment (including changes to specimen papers)

Paper 1 Reading
The assessment of W5: Make accurate use of spelling, punctuation and grammar has been removed from Paper 1
Reading.

The W5 assessment objective has been removed from the following questions and marking criteria:
Question 1f
Question 3

W5 will continue to be assessed in extended responses in the Writing Paper.

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Section 1: About this guide
This learner guide explains what you need to know about your Cambridge IGCSE First Language English course.
It will help you to understand:
99 the skills you should develop by taking this Cambridge IGCSE course

99 how you will be assessed

99 what examiners are looking for in the answers you write

99 how you can revise effectively, using our revision tips and interactive revision checklist (Section 6).

You can use this guide to help you during your Cambridge IGCSE First Language English course, but remember that it is
important to read widely – both for your own enjoyment and to increase your awareness of the different ways in which
English can be used. Try to read different types of text, such as short stories, novels, newspaper reports, magazine articles,
travel writing, autobiographies and biographies.
Reading a wide range of texts will help to inform and inspire your writing, and help to increase your understanding of how to
write for different purposes and audiences.
Alongside your skills in reading and writing, you also need to develop your speaking and listening skills, e.g. by engaging in
conversations.

Cambridge IGCSE qualifications are accepted and valued by leading universities and employers around the world as evidence
of academic achievement. Following the Cambridge IGCSE First Language English course will help you to understand the
subject and develop the skills you need for your next step in education or employment. This guide provides ideas and
information to help you make the most of the opportunities your Cambridge IGCSE course offers to become an appreciative
and critical reader, writer, speaker and listener of English.

Cambridge
learner

4
Section 2: Syllabus content – skills and
understanding
During your Cambridge IGCSE First Language English course you will need to:
• develop your ability to communicate clearly, accurately and effectively when speaking and writing
• learn how to use a wide range of vocabulary, and the correct grammar, spelling and punctuation
• develop your personal style of writing and speaking, as well as your awareness of the audience you are addressing.

You can think of your Cambridge IGCSE First Language English course as having three main areas of skills and understanding:
• Reading
• Writing
• Speaking and listening.
Here is an outline of the skills you should aim to have developed by the end of your course.

Reading
You need to be able to:
R1 demonstrate understanding of explicit meanings
R2 demonstrate understanding of implicit meanings and attitudes
R3 analyse, evaluate and develop facts, ideas and opinions, using appropriate support
from the text
R4 demonstrate understanding of how writers achieve effects and influence readers
R5 select and use information for specific purposes.

Writing
You need to be able to:
W1 articulate experience and express what is thought, felt and imagined
W2 organise and structure ideas and opinions for deliberate effect
W3 use a range of vocabulary and sentence structures appropriate to context
W4 use register appropriate to context
W5 make accurate use of spelling, punctuation and grammar.

Speaking and listening

You need to be able to:
SL1 articulate experience and express what is thought, felt and imagined
SL2 
present facts, ideas and opinions in a cohesive order which sustains the audience’s
interest
SL3 communicate clearly and purposefully using fluent language
SL4 use register appropriate to context
SL5 listen and respond appropriately in conversation.

These skills are sometimes called assessment objectives as they are the skills you will want to show you have when they are
tested at the end of your course.

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Section 3: How you will be assessed
There are four components available in the Cambridge IGCSE First Language English course. You will take either two or three
components in total. Find out from your teacher which components you will be taking, and when you will be taking them.
At the end of your course, your reading and writing skills will be assessed for your final grade for Cambridge IGCSE First
Language English. There are two different options for how this can happen.

Option one
You will take two examinations.

Paper 2
Paper 1 AND Directed Writing and
Reading
Composition

OR

Option two
You will take one examination and submit a coursework portfolio of written assignments completed during your course.

Paper 1 AND
Component 3
Reading Coursework Portfolio

The same reading and writing skills will be tested in both options, and you will be able to access the full range of grades for
the Cambridge IGCSE qualification.
There is also an extra option for assessing your speaking and listening skills:

Component 4
Speaking and Listening
Test

Marks for speaking and listening do not contribute to the overall grade you receive for the reading and writing components.
Instead, where you perform to an appropriate standard, your Cambridge IGCSE certificate will also record an additional
speaking and listening grade.

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Components at a glance
The table below gives you further information about each of the components.

Component Time and marks Skills assessed Details Percentage

of
qualification
Paper 1
Reading 2 hour examination Reading (65 marks) Read three texts in the examination
50%
Passages 80 marks Writing (15 marks) and answer three questions.
(compulsory)
Paper 2
Directed
2 hour examination Writing (65 marks) Read one or two texts in the
Writing and
examination and answer two 50%
Composition 80 marks Reading (15 marks) questions.
(alternative to
Component 3)
Component 3 Complete three written
Coursework Completed during
Writing (65 marks) assignments.
Portfolio your course 50%
(alternative to Reading (15 marks) One of these is a response to one or
80 marks
Paper 2) two texts.

Additional test
10–12 minutes total You will talk for about 3–4 minutes
Component 4
Speaking (30 marks) on a single topic or theme. This
Speaking and 40 marks Separately
individual talk leads into a
Listening Test Listening (10 marks) endorsed
Completed before conversation about your chosen
(optional)
your written topic or theme.
examination(s)
Remember:
• you must take Paper 1
• you take either Paper 2 or Component 3
• Component 4 does not contribute to your overall result, and is marked as a separate examination, for which you will be
given a separate result.

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About each component
Below are further details about each component.

Paper 1 Marks Questions

Reading 30 Question 1 is based on Text A and Text B (The total length of Text A and B
combined will be 700–750 words) This question is divided into separate parts:
2 hour examination
• Comprehension task (based on Text A)
You will answer three
compulsory questions on You respond to a series of sub-questions. These sub-questions test your
three texts (A, B, C). understanding of both explicit and implicit meanings and your ability to
select/use information from the text.
The texts will be printed on
the question paper insert 15 marks are available for reading
and may be on a similar • Summary task (based on Text B)
topic.
You answer a selective summary task using your own words. Your summary
You should spend about 15 must be written as continuous writing of no more than 120 words.
minutes reading the texts,
10 marks are available for reading, 5 marks for writing
leaving approximately
30–35 minutes to respond 25 Question 2 is based on Text C (500–650 words). This question is divided into
to each question. two separate parts:
• Short-answer questions
You respond to a series of sub-questions which require answers of different
lengths. These sub-questions test your understanding of the meaning of
words and phrases used in Text C, as well as the effect they have on the
reader.
10 marks are available for reading
• Language task
You write 200–300 words in response to a question focused on certain
paragraphs in Text C. You must select three relevant examples of
interesting use of language from each of the paragraphs specified and
analyse these examples to show how the writer uses language to convey
meaning and to create effect.
15 marks are available for reading
25 Question 3 is based on Text C (500–650 words).
• Extended response to reading
You should write 250–350 words in response to the task in which you
modify, use and develop ideas and details from Text C. You will be asked
to respond using your own words in one of the following text types: letter,
report, journal, speech, interview and article.
15 marks are available for reading, 10 marks for writing

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 Paper 2 Marks Questions
Directed Writing and 40 Section A Directed Writing is based on one or two texts totalling 650–750
Composition words.
2 hour examination You should write 250–350 words in response to the task in Question 1, using,
evaluating and developing the information in the text(s). You will be asked to
You will answer two
create a discursive/argumentative/persuasive response using your own words
questions: Question 1 and
in one of the following text types: a speech, letter or article.
Question 2, 3, 4, or 5.
25 marks are available for writing and 15 marks for reading
Question 1 is compulsory
and text-based. The text(s) 40 Section B Composition offers a choice of four questions: two descriptive
will be printed on the (Questions 2 and 3) and two narratives (Questions 4 and 5).
question paper insert.
You choose one question title (Question 2, 3, 4 or 5) and use the title to
develop and write a composition. You should write 350–450 words.
40 marks are available for writing

Component 3 Marks Questions

Component 3 30 Assignment 1: Writing to discuss, argue and/or persuade
Coursework portfolio You will be asked to respond to a text or texts in your own words, e.g. to create
an article, a letter, or the words of a speech.
You will submit three
assignments that you have 15 marks are available for writing and 15 marks for reading
completed during your
25 Assignment 2: Writing to describe
course of study.
You will be asked to create a piece of descriptive writing (or poem(s) with
The three assignments
a commentary). You will need to develop ideas and images which create a
will need to demonstrate
convincing, well-defined picture, with varieties of focus.
different writing intentions
and styles to the reader. 25 marks are available for writing
Assignments may be 25 Assignment 3: Writing to narrate
completed in any sequence
You will be asked to create a piece of narrative writing. You will need to ensure
during the course.
the plot is well defined and developed with features of fiction writing, such as
description, characterisation and convincing details.
25 marks are available for writing

Component 4 Time Questions

Component 4 (optional) 3–4 Part 1: Individual Talk
mins
Speaking and Listening Test You will talk for about 3–4 minutes on a single topic of particular interest.
There are two parts to the You will also need to show that you are able to prepare and organise material,
test. are aware of audience, and can select and employ a range of language devices
to make a lively presentation.
There is no question paper.
You will choose your own 7–8 Part 2: Conversation
subject with guidance from mins
You will take part in a conversation with the teacher/examiner about your
your teacher.
chosen topic.
You are not allowed to read
from, or rely on, a script or
extended notes.

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Section 4: What skills will be assessed
In section 2 of this learner guide, you saw that the areas of knowledge, understanding and skills that you will be assessed on
are called assessment objectives (AO) and that there are three sets of assessment objectives for English:
• Reading
• Writing
• Speaking and listening
Assessment What does the AO
What do you need to be able to do?
objectives(AO) mean?
AO1 Reading This is the part of the • Show that you understand the explicit (more obvious) meanings
(50% of your final course where your ability communicated in a particular text
mark) to read and respond in • Show that you can recognise hints and suggestions in a text to
different ways to different understand the implicit (more subtle) meanings and attitudes
types of text is assessed. .
• Evaluate and analyse the facts, ideas and opinions you read by
using, explaining and developing them (and referring to supporting
evidence from the text where it is appropriate)
• Show that you understand how a writer has influenced their reader
through their use of language
• Select and use relevant information from a text to answer different
questions
AO2 Writing This is the part of the • Write convincingly to convey real and imagined experience,
(50% of your final course where your ability thoughts and feelings
mark) to write accurately and • Sequence and connect the ideas and opinions effectively within your
effectively, using Standard written response to interest and influence your reader
English appropriately is
• Use a range of appropriate vocabulary and sentence structures
assessed.
within each written response
• Vary your writing to suit the purpose, audience and form of the task
• Write accurately, avoiding errors of spelling, punctuation and
grammar
AO3 Speaking During your course, • Speak about appropriate thoughts and feelings that relate to the
and listening you will be developing topic of your talk
(This is optional your use of spoken • When you present your talk, ensure the order of your ideas are
and reported English in a range of logical to make it easy to understand
separately. It is not situations. If you choose
• Use a range of appropriate key features to communicate ideas in a
part of your final Component 4 Speaking
way that satisfies the purpose and audience of your task
mark.) and Listening Test, this
is the part of the course • Communicate an appropriate and effective voice that matches the
where your presentation purpose and audience of the different types of talks you present
skills, your ability to • Listen to what others say during a conversation and respond with
participate in engaging appropriate, relevant and thoughtful ideas of your own
conversations and to
respond spontaneously
to questions and prompts
will be assessed.

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Section 5: Example candidate response
This section takes you through an example question and response from a Cambridge IGCSE First Language English specimen
paper. It will help you to understand what is required in a particular response.

Remember, the information and advice in this section is specific to the example question and response being demonstrated.
It will help you to understand how your responses might be viewed by an examiner, but it is not a list of what to do in all
questions.
In your own examination, you will need to pay careful attention to what each question is asking you to do and consider the
evidence of skills and understanding you need to demonstrate for that particular task.

This section is separated as follows:

5.1 Question
The question has been annotated and explained. This
should help you to understand clearly what is required
by the question.

5.2 Mark scheme

This tells you as clearly as possible what an examiner expects
from an answer to award marks.

5.3 Example candidate response

This is an answer by a real candidate in exam conditions.
Good points and problems have been highlighted.

5.4 How the answer could have been improved

This summarises what could be done to gain more marks.

5.5 Common mistakes

This will help you to avoid common mistakes made by
candidates. Candidates lose marks in their exams because
they misread or misinterpret the questions.

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5.1 Question
This is an example of a Paper 1 Question 3 task – an extended response to the text.

Once you have read through The purpose of the response is to

the question instructions, you explain the grandfather’s point of
will need to re-read the text to view as he remembers the events
identify ideas and details you can described in Text C.
adapt to use in your answer.

The audience for the response

Re-read Text C, The Gift, in the insert and then answer Question 3 on this
includes both the interviewer and
question paper.
listeners to the radio programme
Question 3 who are interested in what
You are the grandfather. Some years later you are interviewed about your happened at the time of the story.
memories of that night for a radio programme about local history.
The interviewer asks you the following three questions only:
• What did you see and feel during your journeys through the city that night? You will need to include both
• What do you remember of your granddaughter’s behaviour and reactions explicit (obvious) and implicit
that night? (more subtle) ideas in your
response – making sure you cover
• What were your reasons for taking your granddaughter out that night and
ideas for all three questions the
what do you think she gained from the experience?
interviewer has asked will help you
Write the words of the interview. to do this.
Base your interview on what you have read in Text C, but be careful to use your
own words. Address each of the three bullet points.
Begin your interview with the first question. The response to this question
needs to be in the form of an
Write about 250 to 350 words. interview. Remember in your
Up to 15 marks are available for the content of your answer and up to 10 examination to check which form
marks for the quality of your writing. (or text-type) you need to use to
answer the task.

The number of words suggested is for You will need to use ideas from Text
guidance: write about 250–350 words. C to show evidence of close reading,
Paying attention to the guidance for but be careful not to copy phrases or
word limits will help you to plan your longer sections from the text as doing
time in the examination and target the so suggests that you have not fully
requirements of each question more understood what you have read.
effectively.

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Text C: The Gift is taken from a longer narrative, The Tigers Wife by Téa Obreht. Your teacher will be able to find a full copy of
the 2020 Specimen Paper 1 Insert on our School Support Hub www.cambridgeinternational.org/support
Here is an extract of Text C:

“We were nearing the end of our side street and I assumed the silence of our walk would be shattered by the bustle along the
tramway. …’The newspapers ran a picture of him, standing stark-ribbed in his new pen at the zoo, an advert of better times to
come, hope for the future and the end of the war.”

At this point in the story, it is the night of Natalia’s sixteenth birthday. Her grandfather, a doctor, has arrived back late at night
from visiting patients. He has woken Natalia and asked her to follow him quietly through the streets of their city.

5.2 Marking Criteria for Question 3 (Level 5)

The marking criteria below lists the evidence of reading skills and understanding the examiner will be looking for in your
answer. Level 5 includes a possible mark of 13–15 out of 15 marks available for reading in this question.

READING READING
Level 5 description Explanation
The response reveals a thorough You have considered, adapted and used ideas from the text carefully and shown
evaluation and analysis of the text. your understanding by presenting them from a different perspective to that of the
original.
Developed ideas are sustained and You have paid attention to details, hints and suggestions in the text to extend
well related to the text. ideas in your response, e.g. to suggest what different characters might be thinking
based on the evidence you have.
A wide range of ideas is applied You have selected and used relevant ideas from the whole text and shown that
you understand both explicit (obvious) ideas and implicit (more subtle) ideas and
attitudes.
There is supporting detail You have identified a good number of important details in the text which your
throughout, which is well audience would need to know and/or which help to back up your purpose for
integrated into the response, writing. You include these details by dropping them in where relevant as you write
contributing to a strong sense of your response.
purpose and approach.
All three bullets are well covered. You have paid equal attention to all three bullet points in the question and
included a number of relevant ideas for each bullet.
A consistent and convincing voice You have shown that you understand attitudes and perspectives in the text by
is used. using your own words to create a suitable voice for your response.

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The marking criteria below lists the evidence of writing skills including structure and order and style of language, that the
examiner will be looking for in your answer. Level 5 includes a possible mark of 9–10 out of 10 marks available for writing in
this question.

WRITING WRITING
Level 5 description Explanation
Effective register for audience and Just as we speak differently to different people, we write English differently in
purpose. different circumstances. For example, we might alter the tone we use and/or be
more formal in how we write depending on who is going to read what we write
(the audience) and why we are writing (the purpose).
You will need to use a level and style of writing to suit the audience and purpose
for the task as set.
The language of the response You will need to maintain a suitable style, voice and tone for the whole of your
sounds convincing and consistently response in order to show your expertise in using language in that particular
appropriate. context. You can think of this as like playing a role – your whole response should
be convincing and sound like the real thing.
Ideas are firmly expressed in a Avoid repeating vocabulary from the text, or over-using certain words and
wide range of effective and/ or expressions. You should try to use a wide range of vocabulary, selecting the
interesting language. appropriate words to express your meaning precisely and help communicate your
ideas exactly to your reader.
Structure and sequence are sound Make sure that your reader can follow your writing. Plan, organise and link ideas
throughout. clearly and helpfully. Avoid repeating the same points, listing ideas or simply
replaying information in the order of the passage.
Spelling, punctuation and grammar Try to minimise your errors by spending some time checking and correcting your
almost always accurate. answers. It is especially important to avoid errors which may make your meaning
unclear.

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Learner Guide

5.3 Example candidate response and examiner comments

1 “Hello, thanks for having me on this programme today.” The candidate does not waste time with a long introduction, and
1
remembers to adapt their style to suit that of a radio interview.
“No problem we are welcome to have you. Regarding your memories
of that particular night, what did you see and feel during you 2 This information would be better used in answering the third question as
it explains one reason for taking his granddaughter out that evening.
journeys through the city that night?”

The candidate includes a number of relevant ideas in answer to the

2 “Well, I took my granddaughter out for her 16th birthday. 3
interviewer's first question: it was silent, it was dark and there was no one
We walked to the end of our side street and entered into complete around.
silence. 3 There were no cars and no windows alight 4 at all.
I felt like time had stopped, everything was so silent. Smiling to 4 'Alight' is not the correct use of the word – alight means being on fire not
being illuminated or lit up. More precise use of vocabulary is needed.
myself, I turned left and kept walking until my granddaughter
stopped me. I told her to be quiet 5 , then we carried on, passing This idea answers the second question as it concerns Natalia's behaviour
5
empty shops, lightless buildings and a beggar sleeping like a rock. – suggesting she was too loud and needed to be quiet.
6 Then we reached it. Ecstatic 7 , I told my granddaughter to
Supporting details make the response more convincing. Empty shops,
look across the street, the one with the broken street light. And 6
lightless buildings, a sleeping beggar are explicit details of what
there it was, that majestic creature, walking slowly along the street. grandfather saw (mentioned by Natalia). To show higher level reading
skills, the candidate could develop these ideas by suggesting how
grandfather felt about what he saw, based on the details in the text, e.g.
we can infer that he felt sadness and regret at seeing the city like this.

7 The candidate picks up on details in the text to work out grandfather's

feelings at this point.

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Learner Guide

Amazed by this creature, I could only stand and watch in awe.

8 The candidate works out that the elephant seemed tired and lacking in
It slowly swayed up and down the street, full of lethargy 8 it energy (lethargic). This is an implicit idea – suggested by the way the
dragged it’s trunk across the ground. 9 A few metres in front of animal is moving. Including implicit ideas as well as explicit ideas shows
evidence of careful reading.
it was a young man, coaxing it with a tempting bag filled with food.
We watched as they slowly walked away.”
9 The candidate mentions the creature they saw, but could show they had
read the whole text carefully by mentioning that grandfather had seen
“Wow. And for my next question, what do you remember about the elephant earlier at the train station.
your daughter’s behaviour and reactions that night?”
10 The grandfather's feeling of awe at the elephant is mentioned – this is
based on the suggestions in the text of the elephant's potential power
“I remember she was completely in awe 10 of the magnificent
and size. This development shows that the candidate is focused on the
beast, just like I was. She was extremely surprised at it. She was task and thinking about the events from the grandfather's point of view.
complaining the whole way as well.” 11
11 The candidate offers a very short answer to the second question from the
“And for my final question, what were your reasons for taking your interviewer with just one clear idea – that Natalia was surprised to see the
elephant. The candidate mentions her complaining which is not correct.
granddaughter out that night and what do you think she gained She refused to go further, but followed him without complaining for most
from the experience?” of their journey. This needed more careful explanation.

12 “My reason for taking her out were simple, number one, to give 12 The reason that it was Natalia’s birthday is mentioned earlier in the
answer. The candidate might suggest that this trip was also a present for
her an appreciation of animals and their lives and also, number her birthday. This idea is hinted at in the title of the text 'The Gift'.
two, to give her hope and the courage to live on till the end of the
war. I wish she will have gained the courage and ability to never The candidate offers two more relevant ideas – that the trip to see the
13
elephant was to give Natalia hope, and that grandfather hoped that
give up and that is a very important message. I want to share.” 13
seeing the elephant would help her to appreciate the wonders of nature/
the natural world. The candidate explains that this was important as this
“Amazing. Thank you for that and I appreciate your finding the was all happening during wartime, showing that the candidate has read
the text carefully.
time in coming here today.”

“No problem and thank you for the brilliant show.”

16
5.4 How the answer could have been improved
The candidate includes a good range of ideas, but could have used more ideas from the text in response to the second bullet
especially.
Some ideas are developed but opportunities are not always taken to suggest grandfather’s feelings and his reactions looking
back.
Planning ideas for each bullet before writing their response would have allowed the candidate to organise the route through
their answer and make sure they made the best use of the ideas they had spotted rather than rely on the order of the text. For
example, it could have been better to mention that it was Natalia’s birthday in answer to the third bullet and suggest more
clearly that this was a present for her, rather than including that information at the start of the answer.
The writing is mostly accurate, though there are some errors which could have been avoided with more careful checking.
At times, the candidate repeats vocabulary, e.g. ‘slowly’ – rather than offering a wider range by finding alternatives.

5.5 Common mistakes

Remember that the extended response task is designed to assess both your reading and writing skills. You need to provide the
examiner with evidence to show the skills and understanding you have. You should try to avoid mistakes which suggest you
have misread either the task or text. Below is a list of some of the common mistakes learners make:
• Missing out one or more of the bullet points of the question
Bullet points are included to help you plan your answer to show evidence of your reading skills and understanding. It is
important to identify and include ideas relevant to all three of the bullet points.
• Forgetting to include relevant details
Details such as names, times and locations may be important evidence that you have read closely. Try to include all the details
your audience would need to know to have a full understanding of the ideas you are including in your answer.
• Drifting from the text.
The task is designed to test how well you have read and understood the text. If your answer invents characters, events or
information that are not mentioned or even hinted at in the text, you are missing the chance to show your reading skills and
may have lost focus on the task and text. Make sure that any ideas you include in your answer have been suggested in the text
or task.
• Repeating the text
Simply repeating what happens exactly as it happens in the text is not going to show that you are able to understand implicit
meanings, or make judgements about what you have read. Make sure you pay attention to what the task is asking you to do,
e.g. how it wants you to change perspective (point of view) to show that you have understood more than just the obvious,
explicit ideas.
• Writing from the wrong perspective
The extended response task is designed to give you the best opportunities to show that you have read the text closely and
understood the ideas and attitudes it contains. Make sure you pay close attention to the role you have been given, e.g. you
may have been asked to be a particular character in the text and write from their point of view, or asked to write an article as
if you were a journalist who had interviewed those involved.
• Missing opportunities to develop ideas
You will need to show evidence that you have not just considered the obvious surface meaning of what you have read, but
can read more carefully. Reading carefully and closely will mean that you able to make judgements about what you have read
and show that you understand the implications by extending ideas. Making judgements and extending ideas are examples of
‘development’ you might include to show reading skills at a higher level. You can think of ‘development’ as making obvious
in your answer some of the meanings and ideas which are not as obvious in the original text, e.g. what a particular character
might be thinking at a given point, or what they are likely to do next based on the evidence you have in the text.
• Using inconsistent or faulty style
Your response to the extended reading task will also be assessed for writing skills. It is important to control your writing
throughout the whole response. Make sure that you do not include errors that affect the meaning of what you are writing. Do
not lose focus on the type of text you are meant to be writing in your response, e.g.by forgetting to sign off in character at the
end of a letter.

17
5.6 General advice
• Read the text and question carefully more than once.
• As you read the question, identify the perspective (the point of view or role) you are being asked to take in your answer.
• Underline the text type the question is asking you to use for your response, e.g. letter, interview, speech and keep this in
mind for the whole response.
• Thinking from the perspective you have been asked to take, consider why you are writing (or speaking) and who you are
imagining will be reading (or listening to) what you write or say.
• Use the bullet points in the question to plan the ideas you will include in your response. Make sure you include ideas for all
three bullet points.
• Use your own words most of the time – try not to copy phrases or longer sections from the text.
• Remember to include all the important details your reader would need to know.
• Use and develop ideas from the text – if you find you are simply repeating ideas, re-read the question to check what you
have missed.
• Control and correct your writing, e.g. keep tenses in agreement and use connecting words/phrases to link your ideas.
• Make sure that the voice and register you develop in your response fits your persona/role, audience and purpose.
• Re-read your answer to spot and correct errors in spelling, grammar and punctuation.

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Section 6: Revision
This advice will help you revise and prepare for the examinations. It is divided into general advice for all papers and more
specific advice for Paper 1, and Paper 2.
Use the tick boxes to keep a record of what you have done, what you plan to do or what you understand.

General advice
Before the examination

Find out when the examinations are and plan your revision timetable. Divide the time you plan to use into sections to
cover each part of the course.
 this guide to find out how long each examination is, how many questions you have to answer, and how many marks
Use
there are for each question, to help you plan how long you have for each question.

Find out the choices you have in each examination paper. Make sure you know how many sections there are and which
sections you should answer from.
When there is a choice of question types in a section, or a range of response types possible, make sure you revise all
response and question types equally well.

Make sure you understand the meaning of the words used in questions. Look at past examination papers, highlight the
words and consider carefully what they are asking you to do.
Make revision notes of errors to avoid and/or rules you need to remember, e.g. spellings you often get wrong, or how to
punctuate direct speech correctly. Try different styles of notes, e.g. mind maps, cue cards, extended notes, colour coding,
voice recordings, etc.
Work for short periods then have a break. Revise small sections of the syllabus at a time.
Test yourself by listing the main writing styles and their key features without looking at your notes.
Make a list of the different question types in your examination paper(s) and the things you need to do, or avoid doing, for
each type.
Look at past paper questions so that you are clear about what to expect in an examination.
Look at mark schemes to help you understand how the marks are awarded for each question.

Read and listen to other writers and speakers of English. When revising, you do not have to read or listen to whole texts
and could listen to excerpts or read short sections of longer texts. Write your own examination-type questions based on
what you have read or try to write a paragraph in the same style as the writer.

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In the examination
Read the instructions on the examination paper carefully and make sure that you answer the correct number of questions
from each section.

Plan your time according to the marks for each question. For example, a question worth three marks requires less time
and a shorter answer than one worth ten marks. If a question has several parts, then the parts with more marks will need
more time and more developed answers.
Do not leave out questions or parts of questions. Remember, no answer means no mark.
Read each question carefully so that you are clear what you need to do.
• Identify the key words – you could underline or highlight them.
• Identify the other key words and guidance, e.g. if it is important to use your own words, or write no more than a
certain number of words in your answer, the question will tell you.

Read through all parts of a question before starting your answer. This will help to make sure you do not repeat material
and waste time.

Read any text(s) you are given in the examination more than once – circle or underline key information and ideas to use in
your answer. You might find it useful to use a question mark or wiggly line next to anything in the text you are unsure of
and need to look back at.
Answer the question. Stay focused on what you are being asked to do and only write what is needed to answer the
question.
Plan your answer before you write them. Rambling, muddled or repetitious answers are unlikely to score well – if you
know what you are planning to write before you start it is easier to communicate clearly and make efficient use of the
time in the examination.
Make sure that your answer is presented helpfully, e.g. your hand-writing is clear and any corrections you make to your
work can be read easily. If you continue an answer on another sheet make sure that the continuation is clearly labelled to
show the question number you are answering. Paper 1 advice

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Paper 1 advice
Question 1: Comprehension
Read Text A carefully before you answer any of the questions. As you deal with each question, look back at the section of
the text it is asking about to work out your answer.
Make sure you use your own words where the question tells you to do so.
Pay attention to the specific evidence the question is asking for, e.g. if the question asks for two examples make sure you
give two.
Where a question asks you to explain how or why, make sure you explain ideas fully. You can use ‘because’, ‘as’ and ‘since’
to help you to do this.

Question 1: Summary task

As you read Text B, underline ideas that will help you answer the focus of the summary task.
 your own words where possible when writing your summary. Do not use quotations or copy phrases or longer
Use
sections from Text B.
Keep your summary objective – do not include personal experiences, comments or opinions.
Only include ideas that directly answer the question, any redundant material or extra information from the text should
not be included.
Organise relevant ideas from the text into a logical order. Paragraph your summary if it is necessary and helpful to do so.
Use connecting words/phrases to link or contrast ideas within and between sentences. Do not write in note form or list
ideas.
Ensure your summary is within the word limit. If it is too long, then it is not an effective summary.

Question 2: Short-answer questions

Read the whole of Text C at least once before you start your answers to Question 2. You will need to show that you
understand the meaning of words and phrases as they are used in this context not just the general meaning of them.
Read each question carefully and pay attention to what you are being asked to do to show your understanding, e.g. if the
question asks you to give one word or phrase do not give a whole sentence.
Make sure you use your own words where the question tells you to do so.
As you answer each question, look back at the section of Text C it is asking about in order to work out your answer.
Where a question asks you to explain how or why, make sure you explain your ideas fully. You can use ‘because’, ‘as’ and
‘since’ to help you to do this.

Remember when you are asked to use an example to explain, you will need to identify your example clearly, e.g. put
quotation marks around any words taken from the text. Use your own words in the explanation of how the example
chosen is working to suggest something particular to the reader.

Question 2: Language task

Re-read both of the paragraphs identified in the question, underlining examples of words or phrases you might choose to
explain in your answer.

Select the strongest three examples from each paragraph – that is six in total. Try to include imagery and to choose
examples you can best explain in detail.
 each example you use, make sure that you explain the precise meaning in context and suggest exactly how the words/
For
phrases are meant to make the reader feel in relation to the focus of the question (the ‘effect’ the writer wanted to
create).

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 To help you analyse and explain the effect of your examples, think of the associations of the each of the words and
phrases the writer has used, e.g. consider where else you might expect to hear this word used, what picture(s) it creates,
what sensation(s) it suggests.
Use ‘because’, ‘as’ and ‘since’ to help you extend your explanations.
Where you recognise connections or contrasts in how the writer has used language, explain them in a concluding general
comment or overview.

Make sure that your explanations are precise and specific – avoid empty general comments such as ‘the writer uses a lot
of description’ and do not use the same explanation for more than one example.
Remember Question 2 is not assessed for writing – this means it is better to try to find the right word to explain a
meaning or effect precisely and show your understanding more fully, even if you are not quite sure of the spelling.

Question 3 Extended response to reading

Reading
 attention to the perspective, audience, purpose and form required by the question.
Pay
 the bullet points to help plan the content for your answer.
Use
It
 is important to demonstrate your ability to interpret and use a good range of relevant ideas and details from the text.

Make sure you cover all aspects of all three bullet points – this will help you to include evidence that you have understood
implicit ideas and attitudes, as well as explicit. more obvious meanings.
 your own words where you can – do not just copy expressions from the text.
Use
 to develop ideas – watch out for hints and suggestions in the text such as how characters might feel, or their reasons
Try
for behaving as they did.

Extend explanations and ideas using the evidence you have found by reading Text C – do not invent completely new ideas
or information that could not be backed up with details or clues from the text.

Writing

Ensure the voice, style and register you use fits the persona/role, audience and purpose for the task.

Plan the route through your answer before you start writing to make sure your ideas are ordered logically and linked
helpfully for your reader.

Keep in mind the text type that you are meant to be writing for the whole answer.

Take time to read back and correct your answer to avoid errors which affect meaning.

Paper 2 advice
Section A Directed Writing
Writing
Identify
 the purpose and form (text type) for the task as you read the question and keep these in mind as you plan and
write your answer.

Organise your ideas before writing and plan the structure of your response carefully so that is it helpful and clear for
your reader. For example, if you are arguing a particular point of view make sure you build your argument logically and
persuasively, rather than just list ideas or track through points in the same order as the text(s).
Use
 vocabulary carefully and deliberately – try to use a range of precise and appropriate words, rather than repeating the
same words, using very simple words or copying vocabulary from the text(s).
Control
 sentence structures, keep tenses in agreement and use connecting words/ phrases to link your ideas.
Be
 aware of the audience for your response and adapt your written style to suit the kind of style your reader/ listener
would expect.

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 Check and correct your writing to avoid errors in spelling, punctuation and grammar.

Reading

Read the text(s) carefully, underlining ideas that will help you address the task. Plan to use ideas from the whole text, or
both texts, in your answer.
Do not just repeat ideas from the text(s) – be prepared to criticise or question the ideas in the text(s).
As you read the text(s), look for clues to the attitudes of writers or speakers which may affect their viewpoint or suggest
that something they say may be biased.

Include a range of ideas from the text(s) – including implicit (more subtle) ideas as well as explicit (more obvious) ones
and evaluating at least some ideas in depth.

Make sure the ideas you use are derived from the text(s) – paying attention to the bullet points when you are planning
your content will help you to do this.

Section B Composition
Consider all four choices of task before selecting the one you feel will best allow you to demonstrate your skills as a
writer.

Remember the key features of the type of writing you choose – descriptive or narrative – and keep these in mind as you
plan and write your composition.
Plan your route through your composition – including how it will end – before you start writing.
Try to be convincing and original in your use of detail.
Choose your vocabulary and sentence structures carefully to create specific effects.
Check your writing carefully and correct errors especially those which will badly affect your mark, such as basic spelling,
tense and punctuation mistakes.

Component 3 advice
Coursework portfolio
Do not leave writing your coursework assignments until the last minute.
Adapt your writing to demonstrate a different writing intention and style in each assignment.

Plan your assignment beforehand and be prepared to revise, edit and draft your response to make sure it best suits your
audience and purpose.
Re-read each draft carefully and correct any errors in grammar, spelling, paragraphing, sentence structure or punctuation.
Choose your vocabulary and sentence structures carefully to create specific effects.
Always think carefully about which tense you should be using, and check that your tenses are always in agreement.
It is generally better that you complete more than three assignments during your course from which a suitable choice can
be made for your final portfolio.

Assignment 1: Writing to discuss, argue and/or persuade in response to a text or texts

Reading
Your
 response should include an overview of the argument in the text(s) as a whole.
Show
 your understanding by commenting on specific ideas presented by the author of the text(s).
Do
 not just repeat ideas from the text(s) – be prepared to criticise or question the ideas in the text(s).

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 As you read the text(s), you look for clues to the attitudes of writers or speakers which may affect their viewpoint or
suggest that something they say may be biased.
You evaluate a range of ideas - including implicit (more subtle) ideas as well as explicit (more obvious) ones.

Writing
Keep the purpose and form (text-type) for the task in mind as you plan and write your assignment.
Organise your ideas before writing and plan the structure of your response carefully so that is it helpful and clear for
your reader. For example, if you are arguing a particular point of view make sure you build your argument logically and
persuasively, rather than just list ideas or track through in the same order as the text(s).
Use vocabulary carefully and deliberately – try to use a range of precise and appropriate words, rather than repeating the
same words, using very simple words or copying vocabulary from the text(s).
Control sentence structures, keep tenses in agreement and use connecting words/ phrases to link your ideas.
Be aware of the audience for your response and adapt your written style to suit the kind of style your reader/listener
would expect.
Check and correct your writing to avoid errors in spelling, punctuation and grammar.

Assignment 2: Writing to describe

Remember the key features of descriptive writing and keep these in mind as you plan and write your assignment.
Plan your route through your description – including how you will vary the focus – before you start writing.
Develop the ideas and images you include carefully using well-chosen details.
Try to develop a convincing overall picture.
Choose your vocabulary and sentence structures carefully to create specific effects.
Check your writing carefully and correct errors in spelling, tense and punctuation mistakes.
Be prepared to revise and redraft your assignment to find the best way to engage your reader.

Assignment 3: Writing to narrate

Remember the key features of narrative writing and keep these in mind as you plan and write your assignment.
Plan your route through your narrative – including any twists or turns in the plot and how you will end – before you start
writing.
Decide how best to begin your story to interest your reader from the start.
Avoid using clichés. Try to ‘show rather than tell’ your reader, e.g. include convincing details.
Choose your vocabulary and sentence structures carefully to create specific effects.
Check your writing carefully and correct errors in spelling, tense and punctuation mistakes.
Be prepared to revise and redraft your assignment to find the best way to engage your reader.

Component 4 advice
Speaking and listening
Speak clearly and audibly.
Offer full explanations.
Take account of your listener and consider their reaction(s) to what you say.
Use a range of vocabulary to express your ideas.
Adapt the way you speak to suit your purpose, e.g. by varying your use of tone or emphasis for effect.
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Part 1 Individual Talk
Choose a theme or topic of particular interest which will allow you to create a lively presentation.
Think about the kind of questions you might be asked about your planned topic – if you cannot think of any questions, it
may be that the topic is not interesting enough and you might want to change it.
Prepare and organise the ideas for your talk beforehand – you can bring one small cue card into the examination room to
remind you of the points you want to make, but you are not allowed a script or extended notes.
Think about how you will gain and maintain the interest of your audience, e.g. by making use of creative presentational
styles such as taking up a ‘voice’.
Practise your talk before you undertake the recorded assessment but do not try to memorise everything you will say –
you need to be able to talk naturally and take account of your audience as you speak.

Part 2 Conversation
Try to respond fully to any question the teacher/examiner asks, offering reasons and/or examples to support your ideas,
thoughts and opinions.
Try to develop the conversation by asking the teacher/examiner questions, or moving the conversation on by introducing
another relevant discussion aspect, point or idea.
Listen to any suggestions and comments from the examiner but do more than simply agree or disagree. Be confident to
extend what they are saying with further explanation or examples to illustrate the point, and/or suggest an alternative
viewpoint.

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Learner Guide

Revision checklists
This section of your guide provides some revision checklists you can use to help focus your revision. These checklists do not cover everything you need to know in detail, but will provide
you with an overview of the skills and knowledge from the syllabus that you should revise. For more details you should talk to your teacher about what the syllabus requires.
The table headings are explained below:

Question type You should be able to R A G Comments

Questions for each paper. Skills and understanding you need to You can use the tick boxes to show when you have revised You can use the ‘Comments’ column to:
cover. a part of the course and how confident you feel about it.
• add more information about the details for
R = RED means you are really unsure and lack confidence each point
in that skill; you might want to focus your revision here • include a reference to a useful resource
and possibly talk to your teacher for help
• add learning aids such as rhymes, poems or
A = AMBER means you are reasonably confident in a skill word play
but need some extra practice • highlight areas of difficulty or things that
G = GREEN means you are very confident in a skill. you need to talk to your teacher about.

As your revision progresses, you can concentrate on the

RED and AMBER skills in order to turn them into GREEN.
You might find it helpful to highlight each skill in red,
orange or green to help you prioritise.

Remember to check which of the four course components you are taking – Paper 1 Reading, Paper 2 Directed Writing and Composition, Component 3 Coursework Portfolio and/or
Component 4 Speaking and Listening Test – then use the relevant revision checklists on the next pages to help plan and guide your revision.

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Learner Guide

Paper 1 Reading
Question type You should be able to R A G Comments
1(a–e) Find evidence in the text of explicit (more obvious) ideas

1(a–e) Use your own words to explain explicit (more obvious) ideas from the text

1(a–e) Identify and explain implied (more subtle) ideas in a text

1(f) Select relevant ideas from the text to answer the summary question

1(f) Organise and structure your summary response helpfully for your reader and
to avoid repetition

1(f) Use your own words, concisely, to show you have understood a wide range of
relevant ideas from the text

1(f) Write accurately – avoiding errors of spelling, grammar and punctuation which
affect meaning

2(a–b) Find a word or phrase in the text with a particular meaning

2(a–b) Use your own words to explain the precise meaning of a word or phrase used
by a writer

2(c) Use examples from a short section of text to explain how a writer makes the
reader feel about a character, event or setting

2(d) Choose a range of interesting examples of words or phrases (including

imagery) from two paragraphs of text

2(d) Explain the precise meanings of each of the words and phrases you have
chosen

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Learner Guide

Question type You should be able to R A G Comments

2(d) Explain how and why the writer has used this language to create specific
effects

3 Take account of the persona/role, purpose and audience for the task

3 Consider ideas in the text from a different perspective to that of the Original,
e.g. from a different character’s point of view or a different point in time

3 Adapt your writing to suit different text types, e.g. letter, report, article,
journal, speech and interview

3 Identify a wide range of relevant ideas from the text to fully address each
bullet point of the task

3 Use your own words to respond to the task fluently, accurately and clearly

3 Develop and extend ideas based on the hints and more subtle details of the
text

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Learner Guide

Paper 2 Writing
Question type You should be able to R A G Comments
Question 1 Use an appropriate register (discuss/argue/persuade)
Section A

Identify relevant ideas from the text to address the task bullet points

Evaluate the information (facts and ideas) in the text(s) for use in your answer

Adapt your writing to suit different text types, e.g. speech, letter, article

Make accurate use of spelling, punctuation and grammar

Take account of your audience, e.g. organise ideas and opinions

Recognise and respond to implicit meanings and attitudes – including

perspectives, opinions and bias

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Learner Guide

Question type You should be able to R A G Comments

Question 2/3/4/5 Use the title/task to plan relevant and interesting content ideas before you
Section B write your composition

Engage and interest the reader in your answer

Organise and structure your answer deliberately for effect

Develop the plot clearly in narratives, e.g. use description, characterisation and
convincing details

In descriptions, create a convincing overall picture with varieties of focus

Use precise, well-chosen vocabulary and varied sentence structures, chosen for
effect

Use an appropriate register for your response

Avoid errors in spelling, punctuation and grammar

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Learner Guide

Component 3 Coursework
Question type You should be able to R A G Comments
All assignments Use an appropriate register for each response

Plan, redraft and revise your writing to make it more engaging and effective for
your reader

Identify and correct errors in spelling, punctuation and grammar

Use precise, well-chosen vocabulary and varied sentence structures

appropriate to context

Organise and structure your ideas and opinions for deliberate effect

Assignment 3 Develop the plot clearly, e.g. use description, characterisation and convincing
details

Assignment 2 Create a convincing overall picture with varieties of focus

Assignment 1 Adapt your writing to suit different text types – e.g. speech, letter or article –
and different purposes (discuss, argue and/or persuade)

Assignment 1 Identify relevant ideas from the text to address the bullet points of the task

Assignment 1 Recognise and respond to implicit meanings and attitudes – including

perspectives, opinions and bias

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Learner Guide

Component 4 Speaking and Listening Test

Question type You should be able to R A G Comments
Task 1: Express what you feel, think or imagine in some detail without relying on or
Individual task reading from extended notes or a script
and Take account of your audience – e.g. by ordering your ideas helpfully and using
Task 2: a lively style of delivery
Conversation
Explain experience(s) clearly and effectively – e.g. using tone or emphasis for
effect

Task 2: Listen carefully to what the teacher/examiner says during your conversation
Conversation and respond fully to their questions and ideas

Speak on equal terms with the teacher/examiner during your conversation

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Section 7: Useful websites
The websites listed below are useful resources to help you study for your Cambridge IGCSE First Language English course.
www.cambridgeinternational.org/cambridge-for/parents-and-students/in-class/study-resources/
This is the Cambridge International Assessment Education public website where you can find the syllabus and the most recent
past papers to download in the Resource centre.
Please note: The website links below provide direct access to internet resources. Cambridge Assessment International
Education is not responsible for the accuracy or content of information contained in these sites. The inclusion of a link to
an external website should not be understood to be an endorsement of that website or the site's owners (or their products/
services).
The website pages were selected when the guide was produced. Other aspects of the sites were not checked.
https://www.thepaperboy.com/uk/index.cfm
This provides front page articles from a variety of newspapers in real time.
www.ted.com/talks
Find some interesting and engaging talks to study and analyse.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/learningenglish
Some interesting activities, games and videos to help secure your skills of writing, reading and, speaking and listening. This
website also has the feature of learning English with the support of other languages, e.g. Mandarin, Gujarat and Hindi.
learnenglish.britishcouncil.org/en/
This site contains resources and activities to help improve your English.

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