Dear all,

Here are some last minute tips and reminders for tomorrow's CA1 Paper.

Remember to highlight the key words and draw the arrows for the clues. Most importantly, look out for the grammar rules and for singular / plural and tenses.

For the passages given to you, please read through first and then jot down the main idea. After which, remember to highlight the key words and look out for the grammar rules in place.

Comprehension Cloze

1. Read the passage first.
2. Jot down the main idea
3. Highlight they key words (tenses/plural/singular)
4. Draw the arrows (You can get some of the answers to the blanks from the words in the passage thus it is important to read through once first)
5. Re-read and check with your answers.

Remember to visualise / form the pictures of the passage in your mind as you read.

Comprehension OE 

1. Look at the questions first.
2. Do your Pre-reading activity (What I Know / What I Want to Know)
3. Highlight key words in the questions (5W1H and tenses)
4. Read the passage for understanding
5. Highlight the parts from the passage that answer the question

When you copy a word from the passage from questions that ask you to quote a word or phrase or sentence from the passage, remember to pay attention to the punctuation and spelling.

Synthesis 

Remember that you are always tested for grammar structures in the form of conjunctions.
Pay attention to the structures that I have told you to focus on.

Vocabulary 

Always read the passage for the given context / situation before you answer. Certain words may have the same meaning but only one word can fit the given situation.

Narrow down your options through the elimination method. Then, check if the word in the passage is used negatively or positively. This will help you greatly.

'lie' and 'lay' rule 

Lie (bluff)(present tense) Lied (past tense) Lied (perfect tense)

Lie (rest)(present tense) Lay (past tense) Lain (perfect tense)

Lay (place or put down)(present tense) Laid (past tense) Laid (perfect tense)

Lay (as in to lay an egg)(present tense) Laid (past tense) Laid (perfect tense)

All the best! My target is to achieve all 35 Band 1s! :)

Sincerely,
Mr Nelson Ong