ISEB Common Entrance English Exam
Candidates are given a passage of literary prose from a novel, a play, a biography or travel writing. This is followed by questions to test understanding as well as the student’s ability to analyse and evaluate. There is no pattern to be found in the texts that are selected but an introductory line of explanation may precede the extracts. This should give candidates the context they require to attempt the question.
Skills to be tested at the appropriate level include the following:
• basic understanding and vocabulary
• use of text to illustrate answers
• drawing of inferences
• evaluation of style, language and purpose
• delivery of opinions/judgements/arguments based on given material
• awareness of how grammar, syntax and punctuation affect meaning
• capacity to make comparisons and evaluate contrasts
Candidates are encouraged to read widely, to acquire and develop the skills of discriminating reading and to express their responses to what they read.
(50 marks; 1 hour 15 minutes which includes reading and note-making time) The paper will be divided into two sections.
Section A: Reading (25 marks) This section will contain a passage of literary prose followed by about five questions which seek to test understanding as well as powers of analysis and evaluation.
Section B: Writing (25 marks) Candidates will be asked to select one of four essay titles. Three essay titles will require the use of prose for a practical purpose; the fourth essay title will be a choice of literary topics. Their planning sheet will not be sent to the senior school.
(50 marks; 1 hour 15 minutes which includes planning time) The paper will be divided into two sections. Section A: Reading (25 marks) This section will comprise about five questions on an unseen poem to test both understanding of poetic technique and personal response.
Section B: Writing (25 marks) Candidates will be asked to choose one of four essay titles which provoke imaginative, descriptive or narrative responses. Their planning sheet will not be sent to the senior school.
Candidates should be able to:
- AO3 read substantial passages unaided and give independent written responses to questions requiring a range of comprehension skills;
- AO4 show evidence of independent literary work both with an unprepared text and with texts studied during their time in junior school;
- AO5 show evidence of original creative work in the form of their choice within the limitation of a timed examination.