Menu
O-Level Visual Text Comprehension: Changes You Need to Know!
- Posted By corsivalab_maintenance
- 02/23/2023
Hello, dear readers! In this post, I’ll be discussing the new assessment format for the visual text component in the O Level English examination comprehension paper (Paper 2 Section A). To give our readers some context, updates and changes were introduced for the assessment format of this particular component (hereinafter referred to as P2SA) recently. As such, this post is written with the intention of giving our readers some sense of what candidates will now see when they attempt P2SA.
Before we continue, do note that we will be discussing only the changes made to P2SA of the O Level English paper, and not the changes made to the Normal (Academic) English paper. I should also mention that this post should not be taken as the definitive word on the assessment format of the O Level P2SA as the changes were made so recently, and because we do not yet have enough resources to make absolute claims about what students will see for P2SA. The intention is again, to give our readers an understanding of the changes that have been made, how they are different from the previous assessment format (based on whatever we know at the present time of writing), and what they could see for P2SA moving forward.
First of all, take a look at a screen grab of Text 1 and its accompanying questions in the 2021 O Level P2SA:
Let’s now have a look at what the new format could look like! Below are examples of what the new visual text and accompanying questions could look like:
Now that you have seen both assessment formats, I will compare the two formats to show how the previous one is affected by the new updates and revisions:
Total Marks:
Take note that the total marks for P2SA is still 5 marks (no change from the previous assessment format).
Number of Texts:
Text Authenticity:
When we say that a text is ‘authentic’, we mean that the text is taken from and used in the real world (e.g. posters, advertisements, campaigns that have been published and used in the real world). When we say that a text is not authentic, we mean that the text was created solely for the purposes of the examination, and is not meant to be used in the real world and seen by anyone else outside the context of the examination.
Textual and Visual Elements in Text:
Questions in the Previous Assessment Format:
In this part, we are concerned with the types of questions asked, the focus of the questions, and question requirements.
In summary, the changes we see from the updated format signal to us that the focus has shifted — even more so than the previous format — towards testing the student’s understanding of the texts. The nature of the questions is such that students are required only to find and identify the right answers, or produce answers that show that they have understood the texts accurately. Where there is more thought processing required on the part of the student (e.g. in the more evaluative questions like Q1 and Q3 in the sample of the new format given earlier), the questions provide students with multiple options and do not require students to phrase their answers into sentences — which reduces the burden placed on them and truly focuses only on testing their understanding of the texts.
At this point, I would like to remind our readers that the observations we have made above about the new format are based on the resources we currently have access to from studying the new format introduced by the Singapore Examinations and Assessment Board, and only presents what could appear in the new P2SA assessment format. They should not be interpreted by our readers as an exhaustive and definitive template and explanation for the new assessment format as the format is as new to us as it is to the general public, and could be adapted and changed even further in the examinations.
Having discussed the updates and how the new P2SA format differs from the previous one, I hope that our readers now have a better understanding and idea of what they can expect to see for P2SA in the future. Overall, we believe that the changes that have been introduced are positive ones in that they fairly and truly assess students on what the paper should be testing candidates on: their understanding of the texts. It does however, also mean that students have to really study and analyse the texts well, and to take extra care to find the right answers. I hope that this post has helped to elucidate and make the new P2SA assessment format a little clearer to you, and that you will be as excited as we are to see what new question types will feature in P2SA in the future O Level English examinations.
Thank you, and on behalf of the Lil’ but Mighty family, stay happy, stay safe, and stay healthy!
How Your Child Will Benefit From Our Secondary English Tuition
- Become purposeful and structured in approaching English components (precision in adhering to the question requirements, application of strategies to break down questions)
- Use English in a grammatical and appropriate manner to convey meaning and achieve impact in various contexts
- Improvement by the next exam (typically 10-20 more marks)
- Develop confidence and a love for English and its intricacies
Lil' but Mighty Team
The Lil’ but Mighty team is composed of passionate and innovative educators with extensive teaching experience. Dedicated to creating engaging and effective English lessons, our teachers continuously develop fresh strategies to enhance learning. Every tutor at Lil’ but Mighty undergoes our comprehensive Movers and Shakers Teacher Training Programme, ensuring they are equipped with the skills needed to excel in the classroom.
Other related posts
10 Beautiful Vivid Verbs to Boost Your Writing and Oral! | Primary School English
- Creative Writing & Compo, Oral
3 Family-Friendly Shows on Netflix (Educational & Entertaining)!
- English in the real world
10 Beautiful Words You Can Use in Narrative / Descriptive Writing | Secondary School
- Secondary School English
Understanding Purpose-Related Questions in Visual Text Comprehension
- Visual Text Comprehension
How Playing Video Games Can Improve Our English (With Practical Tips for Parents!)
- English in the real world
2021 Mother’s Day Contest Winners + Our Founder’s Journey (Mother’s Day Special)!
- Company News
Understanding Verb + Adverb Collocations: A Guide for Students
- Cloze Passage and Editing, Primary School English, Vocabulary
PSLE ORAL | Compiled Prelim 2021 Oral Topics + Questions!
- Free Downloads, Oral
If you’re looking at getting recent PSLE Prelim Oral topics and practice questions, this will be an excellent resource for you!
5 Steps to Convert a Newspaper Article into a Cloze Passage
- Cloze Passage and Editing, Free Downloads, Primary School English
I would like to share with you 5 steps on how authentic articles can be transformed into cloze passages easily. Read on here!
PSLE English | Oral Conversation: Free SG50 Sample Practice + Model Answers
- Free Downloads, Oral, Primary School English
In this blogpost we will be touching on the oral stimulus-based conversation topic of National Day and SG50! Read on here!
PSLE English | Oral Conversation: Filling your Story with Details Easily + Free Revision Cards
- Free Downloads, Oral, Primary School English
By simply using the 5W1H, your children will be able to lengthen their stories (hence, the conversation!). Read on here!
Primary School Situational Writing: Q&A + Formal vs Informal Writing Comparison Chart
- Free Downloads, Primary School English, Situational Writing
To aid you in your situational writing revision, here is a comparison chart that shows the differences between formal and informal writing!
PSLE English Tips | Oral: Stimulus-Based Conversation Checklist
- Free Downloads, Oral, Primary School English
To help my children handle the Stimulus-Based Conversation examination, here are some instructions again about using the checklist!
A Little Encouragement | DIY Motivational Bookmark (Easy to personalise too!)
- English in the real world, Free Downloads, Reading
A bookmark with a quote to motivate is also a chance for them to see the power of words and how words can mean more than what they seem.
Situational Writing: Step-by-Step Guide + Free Revision Card
- Free Downloads, Primary School English, Situational Writing
I believe a walkthrough on the process of doing situational writing is in order. Here are the requirements for content and language!
I Love Reading | 5 Ways to Motivate Reluctant Readers
- English in the real world, Free Downloads
One of the most important ingredients necessary for a child or anyone learning English is the habit of reading. Get motivated to read now!
PSLE English | Printable Ultimate Grammar & Synthesis Summary
- Free Downloads, Grammar, Sentence Synthesis
Today, we are sharing two lists of essentials in our Ultimate Grammar and Synthesis Summary Printable. Download them free here!
How Well Do You Know Your Past Participles?
- Free Downloads, Grammar
While we are familiar with the past, present and future tenses, the little less known but equally important tense is the past participles.
Primary Composition Writing | Starting Sentences with Introductory Clauses
- Creative Writing & Compo, Free Downloads
Today, we'll be revising the use of sentence starters to help you create variety in your sentence structures. Read on here!
The Sentence Train | Lower Primary English
- Free Downloads, Grammar
Today, we are going to learn what makes up a sentence. It will come in handy when you do the word order activity in school! Read on here!
PSLE English Tips | Oral: Reading Checklist
- Free Downloads, Oral, Primary School English
This Oral Reading Checklist can be used by children when they practise reading on their own. Download it now!
Language of COVID | 10 Words Added to the Dictionary
- English in the real world, Vocabulary
Expressing Character Feelings Too! | Using Show-Not-Tell (Part 2)
- Creative Writing & Compo
Which Picture Should I Use? | Choosing the Best Picture to Use for Composition!
- Creative Writing & Compo
Previous
Next
Like what you are reading?
Subscribe now to receive news and tips hot off the press!
