20 Apr 2012
Students sitting the English language papers in the O- and N-level
examinations from next year will be tested on grammar in one
section.
In this new component of Paper 1, they will be required to spot and
correct grammatical errors in a short piece of written text.
Students should take no longer than 10 minutes on this part of the
paper, which will make up 5 per cent of the marks.
WHAT'S NEW
Grammar: New section where students must spot
errors and edit short written text
Listening: Students must show understanding
of audio recordings
Comprehension: Will now include section
testing understanding of visuals, such as advertisements
WORRIED STUDENT
'My friends who read a lot need only about five minutes to edit a
two-page article. I take at least 15 minutes and still don't do as
well.'
Secondary 2 student Lucas Hsu, 14
WORRIED PARENT
'Students used to be able to refer to the 10-year series as a
guide, but now, with this new system, they have no way to judge the
level of difficulty.'
Housewife Julia Looi, whose son is in Secondary
3
All in, the English language examination at the O and N levels will
have four papers - the oral, the writing, the comprehension and a
new listening examination, which was previously only for students
in the Normal (Technical) stream.
http://www.straitstimes.com/BreakingNews/Singapore/Story/STIStory_790779.html