These are the questions asked during the visit by the CIE team in 2006. The answers are very useful in the teaching of composition for English Language Paper 1 (1120). The handouts were given to English Language teachers in my school during the sharing session that the English Department organised last week. These answers are useful to ensure students write correctly in order to score well in the exam.

Questions for Cambridge: English Language O Level

Paper One: Part One (Composition)
1. Is it correct that direct speech in a narrative lifts the candidate's mark?

It is not essential to use direct speech in a narrative but if used well it can lift the

candidate's mark.
2. How are marks deducted for compositions, which are not relevant to the topic
chosen or shorter than 350 words?

Irrelevance

Each of the grade descriptions in the mark scheme refers to relevance However,this is just one part of the picture when assigning a script one of the levels of performance. Also, it must be remembered that in the composition we are primarily testing writing skills, not reading skills. If a candidate has wandered away from the subject and has (probably not intentionally) produced a composition that does not address itself fully to the topic, this is called minor irrelevancy. This irrelevance is taken into account when allocating the script to a marking grade, but is only one of the pieces of evidence that will contribute to the assessment. Examiners are instructed not to go on an 'irrelevancy hunt'. Candidates are being asked to produce writing at very short notice under exam conditions and may well misread or misinterpret a title. Examiners are instructed not to be severe in these circumstances and are tolerant of work that answers only part of the question or which reveals an imperfect understanding of the 'flavour' of the title. Only when deliberate and blatant 'twisting' of the subject, to accommodate prepared work, is suspected, is a penalty considered. Questions are set in the hope that they will not be misunderstood, but unexpected interpretations may occur.
If a candidate evades the purpose of the examination by deliberate and consistent distortion or change of subject, or by the inclusion of memorised material, these scripts are identified as blatant irrelevancy. These scripts are likely to be rare and are treated as blatantly irrelevant only where there is clear evidence.

Short scripts
Short scripts tend to penalise themselves to some extent and so are marked in the normal way. This is because a short script may not provide the same opportunity to display a variety of effective language skills, to develop a logical progression of events and ideas, to use coherent paragraphing and to sustain the interest of the reader, and so may automatically fall within a lower level of performance.
However, very short scripts (i.e. those under 150 words) can be awarded no more than a maximum of 20 marks. These scripts are first marked in the usual way and allocated to the appropriate grade category, using the grade descriptions in the mark scheme. They are then marked out of a maximum of 20.

3. Could these compositions still receive a pass mark?
Yes, it is still possible to receive a pass mark if the irrelevance is minor and/or if the script is short, depending on how the composition performs in other aspects (of language).

4. What is the pass mark?
It varies from session to session, to reflect variations in demand of the examinations the papers are designed to achieve a distribution of marks and to have a pass mark in a certain range.

Paper One: Part Two (Task Based Directed Writing)

5. Please give specific advice on the layout required for personal letters, formal letters, as several different versions are possible nowadays. Blocked or indented addresses? Blocked or indented paragraphing? Blocked or middle closure?
We do not expect one particular layout for letters in the examination as there is more than one correct way to lay out a letter. Therefore, there are no deductions of marks for using different layouts.

6. How much slang is allowed in a personal letter?
Candidates are advised in every year's report to avoid slang. However, some colloquial expressions are perfectly acceptable in a personal letter. Candidates may be expected to demonstrate that they can use a less formal tone in a personal letter but they will never be penalised for avoiding slang and/or colloquial expressions.

7. How many marks are allocated for layout in letters, reports, articles?Please specify what layout is preferred in reports.
We do not expect one particular layout for reports as there is more than one correct way to lay out a report. Therefore, there are no deductions of marks for using different layouts.
There are no specific marks allocated for layout. Suitable register, tone and format are taken into consideration in the Grade Descriptions used on a 'best fit' basis to award the overall Language/Style mark. Part 2 asks candidates to consider what sort of format and style they are being asked to provide. So, if they are asked to write a lively letter, examiners would expect a letter format, and an informal tone. If it is a report to a Head Teacher, examiners would expect a formal tone, and some simple indication of report layout such as a title, rather than the salutation 'Dear Principal'. However, examiners are flexible about the detail - there is more than one correct way to lay out a letter or a report, and what matters is that the candidate has shown an understanding of whether formality or informality is required and responded appropriately.

8. Tone and register are important. What else is emphasised in marking guided writing?
Of the 20 marks available for Part Two, 5 marks are available for relevant content points, and 15 marks for language/style. The latter uses the same grade descriptions that are used for the composition, but with a smaller mark range (15 instead of 40 marks). As mentioned in the mark scheme, the qualities to be rewarded are accurate standard English and style and tone appropriate to the task. The assessment takes into consideration the variety of fresh vocabulary supplied structural range and merits of linking and arrangement. Credit is given to those candidates who can adapt their style to suit the needs of the particular writing task.