English paper 1

editing, situational writing, composition

What are the main types of errors tested in Editing?

Tenses, subject-verb agreement, subject-pronoun agreement, adverbs, prepositions, nouns, conjunctions/connectors, singular/plural errors.

What should you do when you identify an error in editing?

circle the word with the error and correct the word.

What is the simple present tense used for?

actions that happen regularly or generally.

What is the structure of the simple present tense?

Subject + base verb. For he/she/it, add -s/-es where needed.

What is the simple past tense used for?

Something that happened and was completed in the past.

What is the present perfect tense used for?

Something that happened in the past but is connected to the present.

What is the structure of the present perfect tense?

subject + have/has + past participle

What is the present continuous tense used for?

Something that is happening now or around now.

What is the structure of the present continuous tense?

Subject + am/is/are + verb-ing

What is the past continuous tense used for?

Something that was happening at a particular time in the past.

What is the structure of the past continuous tense?

Subject + was/were + verb-ing

What is the future tense used for?

Something that will happen in the future.

What is the structure of the future tense?

Subject + will + base verb

What is the basic rule for subject-verb agreement?

A singular subject takes a singular verb while a plural subject takes a plural verb.

What should you NOT do when checking subject-verb agreement?

Don’t get distracted by words between the subject and verb.

What words usually mean a singular subject?

Every, everyone, each, one, somebody, nobody

What happens with “either…or” and “neither…nor”

The verb agrees with the subject closest to it.

What does a preposition show?

The relationship between things, especially time, place, position or connection.

When do we use ‘at’ for time?

For a specific point in time.

When do we use ‘on; for time?

For specific days and dates

When do we use ‘in’ for time?

For longer periods of time

When do we use ‘in’ for place?

When something is on a surface

When do we use ‘at’ for place?

For a specific location/point

What does “to” show?

Movement towards a place

What does “into” show

Movement from outside to inside

What does “from” show?

Where someone/something originates or comes from

What does “of” show?

A relationship or belonging

What does “by” mean when talking about the person doing something?

It identifies the person who performs an action

What does “with” show?

The means/tool used or being together with someone

What does “since” show?

The starting point of a period of time

What does “for” show when talking about time?

The length/duration of time

What does “during” mean?

Something that happens within a particular period/event

What does PAC stand for?

purpose, audience, context

What does purpose mean in PAC?

Why you are writing it

What does audience mean in PAC?

Who you are writing to or for

What does context mean in PAC?

What you want your reader/audience to know or do

What does PAC help to determine?

The register and tone of the writing

What is register?

How formal or informal your language should be

What are some possible tones?

friendly, serious, neutral etc

What should you include at the beginning of an informal letter/email

greeting, small talk, context, purpose of writing

Why should you include small talk?

To establish a friendly relationship and create a smooth transition into the main purpose

What should you do after the introduction?

Address all the required points.

How should you organise your content?

Use paragraphs

What should your conclusion do?

conclude/reiterate and end with a hope for a reply or further contact

What are some features of an article?

title, possible sub-headline, byline, engaging opening, paragraphs and ending

How can you make your article interesting?

Use questions, descriptions, drama, emotions, quotations, facts/ statistics and personal opinions where appropriate.

Why use a question in an article?

To engage the reader and make them think

Why use emotive words?

To evoke feelings in the reader

Why use facts and statistics?

To support opinions

Why use expert opinions?

To make the article’s points more convincing

Why use direct quotes?

To add interest and support the article’s ideas

What kind of tone can an article use to establish a relationship with the reader?

A personal tone

What is a shocking statement used for?

To produce strong response and grab the reader’s attention

What is a rhetorical question used for?

Engaging the reader and introducing an idea

How should you end off your informal letter/email?

love always, lovingly, love, your friend, hugs and kisses, your name

What should you put before your introduction in your informal letter?

full home address and date

What is an example of a full home address and date?

7 hougang central
#12-05
Singapore 538766

15 May 2026

What should you put before your introduction for your informal email?

To:
from:

date:

subject:

What should you put in your introduction for feature articles to lure readers in?

A hook, questions, descriptions, drama, emotions, interesting quotes

How should you make a headline?

leave out forms of the verbs ( e.g. do, have , be, is, am ) and articles ( e.g. a, an, the )

Capital letters for the first letter of each word

use coma instead of and

present tense

What is a personal recount?

A story about a real or believable personal experience

What POV should we use for personal recounts?

First person/I

What is the basic structure for personal recounts?

hook, orientation, rising action, climax, resolution, reflection

What should a hook do?

grab the reader’s attention

What should a orientation include for personal recounts?

5W1H and background information

What is rising action?

The events that build towards the main problem

What should be included in the rising action?

thoughts, feelings, increasing tension

What is a climax is personal recounts?

The problem/ highest-tension moment of the story.

How to make the climax longer and more detailed for personal recounts?

5 senses, thoughts, feelings, actions, speech.

What is the resolution of personal recounts?

What happens after the climax

What is the reflection of personal recounts?

What you changed, learnt, realised or understood from the experience

Does the character have to succeed to overcome something?

No. ( they can overcome fear, doubt, hesitation, unwillingness to give up )

What should you avoid in personal recounts?

too many unrelated details/events, rushing the climax, just listing what happened, no feelings/thought, no clear ending/reflection

What is descriptive writing?

helps the reader visualise and experience a place/person/object

What should you focus on when describing a place?

5 senss

How can you describe sounds?

mention specific sounds and how they affect the atmosphere? ( humming fan, distant footsteps )

How can you describe sight?

use specific details, colours, movement, light/shadows and shapes.

How can you describe atmosphere?

How the surroundings feel ( peaceful, eerie, tense )

What to avoid in descriptive writing?

repeating “i saw”
listing objects with no detail
saying it was scary without showing why

What goes at the top of an informal email?

To:
From:

Date:

Subject:

dear, ______

What do you include in your introduction for informal emails/letters

greeting, small talk, context, purpose of writing

What should the body contain for informal letter/email

all the required content points

How should you end an informal letter/email

love,
( your name )

What to put before intro for informal letters?

7 hougang central

#12-05

Singapore 123456

15 May 2026

Dear, ____