Overview (Cambridge (CIE) IGCSE English Language)
Revision Note
Written by: Deb Orrock
Reviewed by: Kate Lee
Paper 2 Overview
Paper 2 is the optional second exam 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 as an exam or completing a coursework portfolio. You must take either Paper 2 or Component 3 (coursework).
Paper 2 overview
The Paper 2 exam (called Directed Writing and Composition) is 2 hours long and you will answer two questions: Question 1 and Question 2, 3, 4 or 5. The exam is worth 80 marks. These marks are divided into two skills - reading and writing - as follows:
Total marks for writing = 65
Total marks for reading = 15
As well as your question paper and answer booklet, you will also be given an insert containing one or two texts. Question 1 is compulsory and based on the reading texts. Both questions are worth 40 marks, so you should divide your time equally between the two questions. Although you are mainly assessed for writing on this paper, you should be aware that there are up to 15 marks available for reading in Question 1.
Paper 2 breakdown
Question | What you are asked to do |
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Section A: Directed Writing | This question will be based on one or two texts |
You will be asked to write 250-350 words in response to the task | |
You will be required to evaluate and develop the information in the text(s) - using some of the same skills as in Paper 1 Question 3 | |
You will be asked to create a discursive/argumentative/persuasive response, using your own words, in one of the following formats: speech, letter or article | |
Section B: Composition | Section B offers a choice of four questions: two descriptive writing questions (Questions 2 and 3) and two narrative writing questions (Questions 4 and 5) |
You should choose one title (either Question 2, 3, 4 or 5) and use the title to develop and write a composition of 350-450 words |
What skills are being assessed
There are only two assessment objectives for this IGCSE, each worth 50% of your overall grade. These are then divided into sub-objectives. Because the majority of marks in this paper come from writing, the table below starts with AO2:
AO2: write accurately and effectively, using Standard English appropriately | Sub-objective | What this means |
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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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AO1: read and respond in different ways to different types of text | Sub-objective | What this means |
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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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You can find detailed notes on how to answer each question on this paper in the following revision guides:
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