This is general educational guidance. Check the linked official sources and your child’s school instructions for the applicable syllabus and assessment year.
Map the paper before practising
The 2026 Syllabus 1184 Paper 2 contains work based on visual and written texts, narrative or recount material, non-narrative material and a summary task. Review the official paper description for the correct examination year.
Keep a record of error types: locating evidence, inference, vocabulary in context, language effect, expression or summary selection.
Answer from the command and scope
Underline whether the question asks for one detail, a comparison, an explanation or evidence. Note the paragraph or text range so the response does not drift.
After finding evidence, decide whether it can be copied, must be paraphrased or needs explanation. The wording of the question usually signals the required operation.
Make inference visible
An inference answer should connect a clue to a reasonable conclusion. Practise stating both: the evidence suggests the conclusion because of its meaning in context.
For language effect, name what the wording shows and how the specific image or choice creates that impression. Generic comments such as ‘it is effective’ add little.
Build summary in two stages
First select valid content points within the stated scope. Only then combine, paraphrase and reduce them. Trying to rewrite while still searching can cause missed points and repeated ideas.
Check that paraphrasing preserves meaning. Concision should remove repetition and excess detail, not weaken accuracy.
Use the following sequence to prepare and check the summary:
- Mark the summary scope and focus.
- List candidate points briefly.
- Remove overlap and irrelevant examples.
- Combine related points and check meaning.
- Confirm the required length for the current syllabus.