For O levels

1. Past Years’ Questions (A Review)
Year
1997
Format
An article for school newspaper
1998
1999
A formal letter to the Manager of a
factory
A report to the Principal
2000
An informal letter to your mother
2001
2002
2003
An article for your school magazine
A talk to other students
A formal letter to your teacher
2004
A report for the principal
2005
A letter to a friend (informal letter)
2006
A letter to a friend (informal letter )
2007
A talk to students
2008
2009
An article for a school magazine
A report to the Principal
2010
A letter to your cousin
2011
A speech to Red Crescent Society
members
An article
2012
2013
2
Task
To inform students about the nature
club and persuade them to join.
To request a visit for your school
consumer club.
To inform the principal about the poor
condition and services of the library.
To ask for some money to buy a
birthday gift for your brother.
How to cope with stress
Road Safety
To state the choice made by your class
on a trip after the end-of-year
examination and give reasons for the
choice.
To write on matters in your school
which could be improved.
To describe your experiences at a
three-day outdoor camp.
To give reasons why he/she would
make a good Head Prefect
To give a talk on a reference book that
is useful for secondary students
To write an article about your friend.
To give reasons for the lack of interest
in sports and provide suggestions to
overcome the problems.
To tell him/her about the benefits of
the National Service Programme and to
encourage him/her to go.
To inform them on how to manage a
sprained ankle.

2. TOTAL MARKS FOR DIRECTED WRITING
Aspects
Format
Content
Language
TOTAL
Marks
3
12
15
30
CATEGORY DESCRIPTIONS FOR ASSESSMENT
Language 15 Marks
MARK RANGE
A
14-15
B
11-13
C
08-10
DESCRIPTION OF CRITERIA
● The language is accurate apart from occasional draft slips.
● Sentence structure is varied and shows that the candidate is
able to use sentence length and type to achieve an intended
effect.
● Vocabulary shows some sophistication and is used with
precision.
● Punctuation is correct.
● Spelling is correct across the whole range of vocabulary used.
● Paragraphs have unity.
● The tone is appropriate for a talk to students.
● The language is almost always accurate but there may be more minor
or first draft slips.
● Errors may also arise from more ambitious structures which are
imperfectly understood.
● Sentences show some variations in length and type, including
the confident use of complex sentences.
● Vocabulary is wide enough to show intended meaning.
● Spelling is nearly always accurate.
● The tone is quite suitable for a talk to students. The
reader is satisfied that a genuine attempt has been made.
● The language is largely accurate to communicate meaning
clearly to the reader.
● Simple structures are used without error; mistakes may occur
when more sophisticated structures are attempted.
● Vocabulary is adequate to convey intended meaning although it
may not be sufficiently developed to achieve precision.
● Sentences shows some variety of length and structures although
there is a tendency to repeat some sentence types, giving it a
monotonous effect.
● Punctuation is generally accurate although errors may occur in
more complex uses.
● The talk is written in paragraphs which show some unity,
although links may be absent or inappropriate.
● The tone of the talk lapses into slang or informal language.
3

3. ASPECTS OF FORMAT
a
Formal report
To: The principal
Addressee
Poor Conditions
Topic/Title
(Paragraphs)
Reported by,
Hassan
b
Formal letter
Arsalan
Gulistan Town
Quetta
The manager
XYZ
Lahore
Writer’s name & post
Sender’s name
Recipient’s address
2 February 2014
Date
Dear sir,
Salutation
Asking permission to visit …
Title
(Paragraphs)
c
Informal letter
Yours faithfully
Arsalan Raza
Secretary
123, Jalan ABC
2500 KUANTAN
Dear Sara,
Complimentary Close
(name & designation)
Sender’s address
Salutation
friend’s name)
(Paragraphs)
d
A Speech / Talk
Yours sincerely,
Good morning,
The title of my speech is
Complimentary Close
Greeting
Topic/Purpose
(Paragraphs)
e
f
Thank you
An Article for school magazine / HEALTHY LIFESTYLE
by Umer Hashmi
school newspaper
Leaflet/Flyer
(Paragraphs)
(sharing&informative)
Bonefire
(Paragraphs)
(sharing&informative)
Ending
Title
Writer’s name
Tone
Title/Slogan
Introduction
Tone