Overview (Cambridge International IGCSE English Language)
Paper 1 is the compulsory paper for the Cambridge IGCSE First Language English 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.
In the following guide you will find:
- An overview of Paper 1
- A breakdown of Paper 1
- What skills are being assessed
Paper 1 overview
The Paper 1 exam is 2 hours long and you will have four compulsory questions to answer, although questions 1, 2 and 3 are further divided into sub-questions.
The exam is worth 80 marks. These marks are divided into two main skills 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.
Cambridge recommends that you spend 15 minutes reading the texts; we suggest that you consider the following timings for this exam paper:
| Question | Marks | Timing |
|---|---|---|
| Reading | N/A | 15 minutes |
| Question 1 (short-answer) | 20 | 20 minutes |
| Question 2 (summary and short-answer) | 20 | 25 minutes |
| Question 3 (short-answer and language task) | 20 | 25 minutes |
| Question 4 (extended response to reading) | 20 | 35 minutes |
Paper 1 breakdown
| Question | Type | What this means | Marks |
|---|---|---|---|
| Question 1(a-f) | Comprehension | Give a series of short answers to questions on Text A | 20 |
| Question 2(a) | Summary | Write a summary of no more than 120 words based on Text B | 15 (reading = 10) (writing = 5) |
| Question 2(b) | Short-answer question | Give a short answer using details from Text B | 5 |
| Question 3(a-c) | Language | Explain language used in Text C | 10 |
| Question 3(d) | Language | Analyse language used in Text C, in 200-250 words | 10 |
| Question 4 | Extended response | Write about 250-300 words in one of the following text types: - letter - report - journal - speech - interview - article This will be in response to Text C | 20 (reading = 10) (writing = 10) |
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 | - Show that you understand the obvious meanings communicated in a text | |
| R2: demonstrate understanding of implicit meanings and attitudes | - Show that you can recognise hints and suggestions in a text to understand the more hidden meanings and attitudes of the writer | |
| R3: analyse, evaluate and develop facts, ideas and opinions, using appropriate support from the text | - Evaluate and analyse the facts, ideas and opinions you read by using, explaining and developing them - Refer to supporting evidence from the text where appropriate, such as using quotations or references to the text | |
| R4: demonstrate understanding of how writers achieve effects and influence readers | - Show that you understand how a writer has influenced their reader through their use of language - Consider the deliberate choices a writer has made and why they have made those choices | |
| R5: select and use information for specific purposes | - Select and use relevant and appropriate information from a text to answer the different questions | |
| AO2: write accurately and effectively, using Standard English appropriately | W1: articulate experience and express what is thought, felt and imagined | - Write convincingly to convey real and imagined experience, thoughts and feelings |
| W2: organise and structure ideas and opinions for deliberate effect | - Sequence and connect the ideas and opinions effectively within your written response to interest and influence your reader | |
| W3: use a range of vocabulary and sentence structures appropriate to context | - Use a range of appropriate vocabulary and sentence structures deliberately within each written response to achieve certain effects | |
| W4: use register appropriate to context | - Vary your writing to suit the purpose, audience and form of the task | |
| W5: make accurate use of spelling, punctuation and grammar | - Write accurately, avoiding spelling, punctuation and grammar errors |
You can find detailed notes on how to answer each question on this paper in the following revision guides.
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