GUIDELINES TO ANSWERING THE LITERATURE COMPONENT QUESTIONS
SECTION A: Multiple-Choice Questions on the Anthology
These question based on selected extracts from the anthology require you to choose the most suitable answer out of the four given.
As it is not known which poem or short story will be tested, you are required to know all the poems and short stories very well.
Make sure that you understand all the difficult words or phrases in the poems and short stories you have read. When you are asked to explain a word in an extract, ensure that the meaning is the one intended by the poet or the writer.
Although the questions in this section test basic comprehension skills, it is useful to know the main theme or message of the poems or short stories in your anthology, as well as the main characters, plot, setting, moral values or lessons learnt.
SECTION D: Short-Response Questions on the Anthology
These open-ended questions require you to give short answers based on selected extracts from the anthology. Your answers may be in the form of a phase or a few short sentences.
Again, as you don't know which poem or short story will be tested, you must be familiar with all the poems and short stories in your anthology.
The questions in this section will require slightly more detailed knowledge, so it is useful to have a good idea of the content, main theme or message, characters, plot, setting, moral values and lessons learnt of each of the poems and short stories.
SECTION D: Personal Response Question on the Novel
The question on the novel requires you to write a short essay giving a personal opinion.
To do well in this question, you must have a very good understanding of key elements of the novel such as theme, character, plot, setting, moral values and lessons learnt.
Your answer should be not less than 100 worlds. The marks allocated for this question will give you an idea of of the number of points you are expected to give.
You are advised to spent about 20 minutes on this section.
Read the question carefully and decide on the novel you want to write about.
Start your answer by mentioning the title of the novel and the author. Then answer the question directly by stating your opinion.
Remember to refer closely to the novel in your answer. Support every point you make with examples from the novel.
If possible, write a concluding statement to restate your opinion.
When you have finished writing your essay, read it through to ensure that there are no errors in spelling, grammar and punctuation.