It is crucial that you understand the different exercises in English as a Second Language Reading and Writing paper. Read below for tips on approaching each reading and writing exercise.

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How to approach the ESL reading and writing paper?

For the reading and writing paper, you need to answer all questions on the paper. Some of the exercises have several questions.

Let’s start with some general reading and writing tips before we tackle the different exercises: 

1. Plan your time: Before the exam, decide how you’ll manage your time. Make sure to leave enough time for the writing exercises, which need longer responses.
   
2. Stick to the word limit: Know how many words you write per line. This helps you estimate the number of lines needed for the writing exercises.
   
3. Skim and scan: For reading exercises, quickly skim the text to get the main ideas. Then, scan the text more carefully to find specific answers.
   
4. Select information carefully: The text will have both useful information and distractions. Focus on what directly answers the questions.

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5. Clear handwriting: Make sure your handwriting is easy to read, especially for names and proper nouns. Use capital letters correctly.
   
6. Review your work: Save some time at the end to review your answers. Check that each response makes sense and answers the question. Correct any spelling errors.
   
7. Check punctuation and grammar: For writing exercises, leave time to check your punctuation and grammar. If you go over the word limit, edit your work to fit the requirement.

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Reading exercises – Precision is the key!

The reading exercises of the English as a Second Language paper mainly test your reading comprehension skills. We will discuss what the examiners are looking for in your response to these kinds of exercises.

Short answer questions tips

1. Skim the text first: Quickly read through the text to get a general idea of the content. Pay attention to headings, subheadings, and any highlighted or bolded words.
   
2. Identify question words: Look for question words like ‘who’, ‘what’, ‘where’, ‘when’, ‘why’, and ‘how’. These will guide you on what kind of information you need to find.
   
3. Highlight key information: As you read the text, underline or highlight key facts, opinions, ideas, and attitudes. This will make it easier to locate answers later.
   
4. Match keywords: Match the keywords in the questions with the corresponding parts of the text. Look for exact words or synonyms.
   
5. Read carefully: Once you find the relevant section, read it carefully to understand the context and extract the correct answer.
   
6. Keep answers short: Provide concise answers. A single word or a short phrase is usually sufficient.
   
7. Look for multiple details: For the final question, ensure you find and list all three required details. Separate each answer clearly.
   
8. Check for synonyms: If you can’t find the exact word from the question in the text, look for synonyms or phrases with similar meanings.
   
9. Spell correctly: Make sure your answers are spelt correctly. Incorrect spelling can lead to losing marks.
   
10. Follow the order: Remember that the questions usually follow the order of the text. This can help you locate answers more efficiently.

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Multiple-matching exercises tips:

1. Skim the text first: Quickly read through the entire text or all the shorter texts to get a general understanding of the content and structure. Pay attention to headings, subheadings, and any highlighted or bolded words.
   
2. Identify keywords in questions: Underline important words in each question, such as nouns, verbs, adjectives, and adverbs. These words will help you locate the relevant information in the text.
   
3. Match questions to sections: Try to match each question to the section of the text that seems most relevant. Look for keywords or ideas that correspond to the question.
   
4. Read carefully: Once you think you’ve found the right section, read it carefully to ensure it contains the information or idea needed to answer the question. The wording might be different, so look for synonyms or paraphrased ideas.
   
5. Use the process of elimination: If you’re unsure about a match, use the process of elimination. Rule out sections that clearly do not contain the relevant information.
   
6. Look for specific details: Pay attention to specific details, such as dates, names, or technical terms, which can help you pinpoint the correct section.
   
7. Check for multiple matches: Some sections might contain information relevant to more than one question. Make sure you read thoroughly to avoid missing any details.

Note-taking exercise tips:

1. Skim the text first: Quickly read through the text to get a general understanding of the content. Pay attention to headings, subheadings, and any highlighted or bolded words.
   
2. Identify keywords in questions: Underline important words in each question, such as nouns, verbs, adjectives, and adverbs. These words will guide you to the relevant information in the text.
   
3. Match questions to text: Try to match each question with the corresponding part of the text. Look for keywords or ideas that align with the question.
   
4. Read carefully: Once you find the relevant section, read it carefully to ensure it contains the information needed to answer the question. The wording might be different, so look for synonyms or paraphrased ideas.
   
5. Keep answers short: Provide concise answers. A single word or a short phrase is usually sufficient. Avoid writing full sentences to save time and avoid including unnecessary details.
   
6. Be specific: Ensure your answers are detailed enough to capture the full idea. For example, instead of just writing “dig wells,” include additional context like “working with villagers to dig wells” if required.
   
7. Avoid repetition: Do not repeat the same idea in different words. Each idea can only earn a maximum of one mark.
   
8. Organise answers clearly: Write each answer under the correct heading and use bullet points for separate ideas. If an answer is in the wrong place, it cannot be marked correctly.
   
9. Copy from the text: It’s recommended to copy words directly from the text. You don’t need to use your own words, but if you do, ensure all the correct information is included.
   
10. Spell correctly: Make sure to spell words correctly, as misspellings can change the meaning and result in lost marks.

Multiple-choice tips:

1. Skim the text: Quickly read through the text to get a general idea of what it’s about.
   
2. Read questions first: Look at all the questions before you read the text again. This helps you know what to look for.
   
3. Highlight keywords: Underline important words in the questions and answer choices. These will help you find the right part of the text.
   
4. Match with text: As you read the text again, try to find where the keywords from the questions appear.
   
5. Check context: When you find a possible answer, read the surrounding sentences to make sure they fit.
   
6. Eliminate wrong answers: Cross out answers that are clearly wrong to narrow down your choices.
   
7. Look for clues: Pay attention to words like “always,” “never,” “only,” and “most” to help decide if an answer is too extreme or correct.
   
8. Consider opinions: For questions about opinions or attitudes, look for words that show how the author feels.

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Summary writing – Keeping to the word limit

In the summary writing task, examiners want to see that you understand the text and can rewrite the main ideas in your own words. Make sure your summary is accurate, flows well, and clearly presents the key points.

In your summary, you should:

1. Understand the task: Know that your goal is to extract key information from the source text and summarise it as a whole.
2. Skim the text: Quickly read through the text to get a general idea of the main points and structure.
3. Identify key points: Highlight or underline the main ideas and important details that are essential to the summary.
4. Use your own words: Paraphrase the information instead of copying it directly from the text. This shows your understanding and helps you avoid plagiarism.
5. Organise your summary: Structure your summary logically. Start with an introduction that briefly states the main idea, followed by the key points in a coherent order.

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6. Be concise: Aim to write approximately 180 words. Focus on the most important information and avoid unnecessary details.
7. Use a range of vocabulary and grammar: Demonstrate your language skills by using varied vocabulary and different grammatical structures. This will make your summary more engaging and show your proficiency in English.
8. Check for clarity and accuracy: Make sure your summary accurately reflects the source text and is easy to understand. Avoid adding your own opinions or interpretations.
9. Proofread: Before submitting, review your summary for any spelling, grammar, or punctuation errors

Important note: The Cambridge IGCSE English as a Second Language exam no longer includes a summary task. However, the Edexcel exam still retains this component.

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Writing exercises – Develop own ideas

There are usually two writing tasks. The first task requires an informal style to address all bullet points. The second task needs a formal style and persuasive language to convince the reader of your opinions.

For both writing exercises, you must make sure to: 

Understand the stimulus:

• Carefully read the short text provided.
• Observe the picture(s) closely.
• Review the list of items to write about.

Identify key information:

• Determine the purpose of your writing.
• Identify your audience.
• Note the required form (informal or formal).

Stay on topic:

• Keep referring back to the stimulus and instructions.
• Ensure all bullet points or prompts are addressed.

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Plan your writing:

• Outline your main points before you start.
• Organise your ideas logically.

Expand your ideas:

• Provide details and explanations to support your points.
• Develop your arguments thoroughly.

Check your work:

• Review for spelling, punctuation, and grammar errors.
• Ensure your writing flows smoothly and is well-organised.

Practice regularly:

• Use past paper questions to practise.
• Review model answers to understand what examiners look for.

Tip: To achieve marks in the higher bands, you must introduce independent, well-developed ideas in both tasks. You will not be given credit for using language which has simply been copied from the prompts. 

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Master the writing skills

For the two writing exercises, you’ll respond to a prompt. This could be a short text, a picture, or a list of items. You’ll get information about why you’re writing, who your audience is, and what format to use. Here are some detailed tips to help you master informal and formal writing skills.

Informal writing tips:

1. Know your audience: Write as if you’re talking to the person. This helps you use the right conversational tone and informal language.
   
2. Focus on the main content: When writing a letter or email, skip introductory details like addresses or subjects. Spend most of your time on the main body of your answer.
   
3. Cover all points: Write at least one paragraph for each bullet point given in the question. This ensures your writing is balanced and complete. You’ll lose marks if you miss any points.
   
4. Structure your writing: Start and finish your writing clearly. Without a clear structure, your writing might turn into a story and lose its tone.

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5. Engage the reader: Make your writing enjoyable to read.
6. Use idioms sparingly: If you use idioms (e.g., “over the moon,” “don’t cry over spilt milk”), don’t overdo it. Too many idioms can make your writing sound unnatural. Ensure they fit the task.

Formal writing tips:

1. Decide your approach: Before you start, decide if you’ll write from two sides (for and against) or just one (your opinion).
2. Develop ideas: Use phrases and opinions from the question, but develop them further to get higher marks. Don’t just copy them.
3. Generate original ideas: Think of your own ideas that match the task and include them in your writing.
4. Support your ideas: For each idea, provide evidence or examples. The examiner knows these can be made up and doesn’t expect them to be factual.
5. Organise your writing:
   1. Introduction: Start with an introduction.
   2. Body: Include a middle section with your main points.
   3. Conclusion: End with a conclusion.
6. Use linking words: Use formal linking words like “firstly,” “another point,” or “to sum up.”
7. Make forceful statements: Avoid weak phrases like “I think that,” “maybe,” or “perhaps.” Use rhetorical questions to make your reader think.

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