📰 Non-Narrative Comprehension
The non-narrative text is typically an argumentative or discursive article. Questions require you to understand the writer's purpose, track arguments, and evaluate effectiveness.
Summary
8 marks (typically 1 mark per content point identified, up to 7 points, + 1 mark for language)The summary question appears in Section C and asks you to identify and synthesise key points from a specified portion of the non-narrative passage. You must write a continuous prose summary of no more than 80 words, demonstrating the ability to select relevant information, paraphrase effectively, and connect ideas using appropriate linking words.
💡Strategy: First, underline all the key points in the specified paragraphs. Aim for 6-8 content points. Paraphrase each point using your own words. Use connectors to link points smoothly. Count your words carefully. Do not include examples, descriptions, or minor details. Check that your summary reads as a coherent paragraph, not a list of disjointed sentences.
Evaluative / Personal Response
2 marks (1 mark for clear stance + 1 mark for relevant supporting evidence/reasoning)These questions ask you to make a judgement or give your opinion about something in the passage, supported by evidence from the text. You may be asked whether you agree with a character's actions, whether the writer's argument is convincing, or how effective a particular approach is. You must justify your response with clear reasoning.
💡Strategy: State your position clearly at the start. Provide at least one piece of evidence from the passage to support your view. Then, add your own reasoning or a real-world connection. Avoid sitting on the fence; take a clear stance. There is no single "right" answer, but you must argue convincingly and support your view with relevant evidence.
Sequencing
1-2 marks (1 mark per correctly identified sequence element)Sequencing questions test your ability to identify the order of events or the logical flow of ideas in a passage. You may be asked to arrange events chronologically, identify what happened before or after a specific event, or explain the progression of an argument. These questions assess your understanding of text structure.
💡Strategy: Skim the relevant paragraphs and note the time markers (e.g., "initially," "subsequently," "finally," "before this," "after"). Create a mental timeline of events. Be careful of flashbacks or passages that are not written in chronological order. Use the logical connections between events to determine the correct sequence.
Visual Text
1 mark per question (5 questions in Section A, totalling 5 marks)Visual text questions appear in Section A and test your ability to read and interpret a combination of visual and written elements such as advertisements, posters, infographics, flyers, and brochures. You must extract information from headings, images, logos, captions, fine print, and layout choices. Questions may ask about purpose, target audience, persuasive techniques, or specific details.
💡Strategy: Read every element carefully: headline, subheadings, body text, images, captions, logos, fine print, and terms and conditions. Pay attention to font size, colour, and layout as these are deliberate choices. For "purpose" questions, identify whether the text aims to inform, persuade, instruct, or entertain. For "effectiveness" questions, comment on how visual and textual elements work together.
The Sentence Structure Question
How to answer correctly
- ✓Combine the given sentences using the specified connector
- ✓Check that meaning is preserved — no added or lost information
- ✓Ensure grammar is correct after combining
Common mistakes
- ✗Changing the meaning when combining sentences
- ✗Forgetting to remove repeated words
- ✗Using the wrong connector (although vs despite)