Guidelines for Section 1/ Reading Paper (GCE O’ Level English Language -1123)

Reading for Ideas

By Saima Abedi

Summary writing in GCE O’ Level English language paper has tasks to do:

Ø     Note Making

Ø     Using your own words for summarizing the content points.
A    Answering critical thinking questions

Read the question properly, themes given in the question will help you out in finding the relevant content points. The tentative themes are advantages and disadvantages; compare and contrast, action and consequences; causes and effects or a timeline (for increase/ decrease in popularity or uses in former/ modern times). 

For note-making, the following guidelines will ensure maximum marks :

1.      Read the themes carefully along with the paragraph numbers (material for information).

2.    Find at least 15 relevant content points from the particular paragraphs (Do not include the given examples). The task is of 12 marks but the extra point would give you an edge in case any of the points is marked incorrect.

3.      While you extract the content points, underline the topic sentences and key facts.

4.      Leave out details and examples (easy to identify: such as/ for example/ like/ written in brackets or after the colon).

5.      Write the points legibly in the specified space (under the correct theme).

6.      While note-making, do not use your own word that may cause confusion later (in summary writing).

7.      Stick to the given information in the passage (do not display your general knowledge for the theme).


For the summary, the following guidelines will ensure maximum marks :

8.      After note-making, do not read the passage again; use your own words to summarise the content points as far as possible. Use a variety of sentence structure simple, compound and complex.  Add connectors.

9.      Be concise. Write the summary in the given space. Do not exceed the word limit (180 words).

1.  Once you have written your summary, you should review it for style, grammar, and punctuation.


For the critical thinking question, reread the paragraph specified in the question and answer accordingly. Most of the time, candidates are instructed to identify and write down facts and opinions. Remember, facts can be proven true and are supported by evidence and experiences whereas opinions are statement or views that are not conclusive. 

               Examples: Nelson Mandela was a politician and philanthropist. (Fact)
                                  Apple pie is the best dessert in the world. (Opinion)