Overview (Cambridge (CIE) IGCSE English Language)
Revision Note
Written by: Deb Orrock
Reviewed by: Kate Lee
Paper 1 is the compulsory paper for the CIE IGCSE English Language course. You must take Paper 1, but for the rest of the IGCSE you may either be sitting Paper 2 or completing a coursework portfolio.
Paper 1 overview
The Paper 1 exam is 2 hours long and you will have three questions to answer, although questions 1 and 2 are further divided into sub-questions. The exam is worth 80 marks. These marks are divided into two skills - reading and writing - as follows:
Total marks for reading = 65
Total marks for writing = 15
As well as your question paper and answer booklet, you will also be given an insert containing the three texts you will use to answer the questions on the exam paper. All three texts will be on a similar topic.
CIE recommends that you spend 15 minutes reading the texts, and approximately 30-35 minutes responding to each question. However, as each question makes different demands on you in the exam and are worth different marks, we suggest that you consider the following timings for this exam paper:
Question | Marks | Timing (including reading time) |
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Question 1(a-e) | 15 | 15-20 minutes |
Question 1(f) | 15 | 20 minutes |
Question 2(a-c) | 10 | 15 minutes |
Question 2(d) | 15 | 20 minutes |
Question 3 | 25 | 40 minutes |
Paper 1 breakdown
Question number | Type of question | What you are asked to do |
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Question 1(a-e) | Comprehension | Read Text A |
Respond to a series of sub-questions | ||
Question 1(f) | Summary | Read Text B |
Write a summary of no more than 120 words based on the text | ||
Question 2(a-c) | Short-answer questions | Read Text C |
Respond to a series of sub-questions | ||
Question 2(d) | Language task | Read Text C |
Write 200-300 words in response to a question focused on certain paragraphs in Text C | ||
Select three relevant examples of interesting uses of language from each of the paragraphs specified | ||
Analyse these examples to show how the writer uses language to convey meaning and to create effects | ||
Question 3 | Extended response to reading | Read Text C |
Write 250-350 words in response to the task | ||
Use and develop ideas and details from Text C | ||
Write in your own words in one of the following formats: letter, report, journal, speech, interview or article |
What skills are being assessed
There are only two assessment objectives for this IGCSE, each worth 50% of your overall grade. However, these are then divided into the following sub-objectives:
AO1: read and respond in different ways to different types of text | Sub-objective | What this means |
R1: demonstrate understanding of explicit meanings |
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R2: demonstrate understanding of implicit meanings and attitudes |
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R3: analyse, evaluate and develop facts, ideas and opinions, using appropriate support from the text |
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R4: demonstrate understanding of how writers achieve effects and influence readers |
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R5: select and use information for specific purposes |
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AO2: write accurately and effectively, using Standard English appropriately | W1: articulate experience and express what is thought, felt and imagined |
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W2: organise and structure ideas and opinions for deliberate effect |
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W3: use a range of vocabulary and sentence structures appropriate to context |
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W4: use register appropriate to context |
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W5: make accurate use of spelling, punctuation and grammar |
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You can find detailed notes on how to answer each question on this paper in the following revision guides:
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