Grade 8 June Examination Study Guide 2026

English

• Examination Duration: $1.5$ Hours
• Total Marks: $50$ Marks
• Assessor: G Edmondson
• Areas of Examination Coverage:     - Language and Grammar:         - Comprehensive review of all materials covered during the academic year.         - Parts of Speech: Including Nouns, adjectives, verbs, adverbs, prepositions, conjunctions, and articles.         - Register: Distinction between and application of formal and informal writing styles.     - Comprehension: Analysis and interpretation of provided texts.     - Poetry:         - Core elements of a poem.         - Figurative Language: Specific focus on metaphor, simile, personification, and hyperbole.         - Sound Devices: Identification and usage of alliteration, assonance, and onomatopoeia.     - Visual Literacy:         - Elements and analysis of cartoons.         - Film Study: Understanding of technical aspects including shot distances and shot angles.
• Relevant Study Materials:     - All printed class notes and activity sheets.     - All digital material uploaded to the class Microsoft Teams platform.

Afrikaans

• Examination Duration: $2$ uur ($2$ Hours)
• Total Marks: $90$ punte ($90$ Marks)
• Assessors: R. Schalkwyk, K. Theron, C. Malan, L. Clay
• Areas of Examination Coverage:     - Afdeling A (Section A): Reading and Interpretation ($25$ Marks)         - Vraag 1: Leesbegrip (Reading comprehension)         - Vraag 2: Infografiek (Infographic analysis)         - Vraag 3: Advertensie/Tydskrifvoorblad (Advertisement or magazine cover analysis)     - Afdeling B (Section B): Gedigte (Poetry) ($20$ Marks)         - Vraag 4: "As Lara Glimlag"         - Vraag 5: "Braaibroodjie"     - Afdeling C (Section C): Spookstories (Ghost Stories) ($25$ Marks)         - Vraag 6: "Oerspook"         - Vraag 7: "Branders in jou are"     - Afdeling D (Section D): Taalstrukture (Language Structures) ($20$ Marks)         - Vraag 8: Sinstrukture (Sentence structures)         - Vraag 9: Woordstrukture (Word structures)
• Relevant Study Materials and Guidance:     - General Strategy: Prioritize understanding question words to interpret what is being asked. Read every question with extreme care.     - Gedigte & Spookstories: Study notes made during class, practice questions, reader annotations, and specialized Quizlets.     - Sinstrukture (Sentence Structures):         - Verlede tyd (Past tense): GBA textbook pages $123$ to $124$.         - Toekomende tyd (Future tense): GBA textbook pages $123$ to $124$.         - Voegwoorde (Conjunctions): Groups $1$, $2$, and $3$; GBA textbook page $125$.     - Woordstrukture (Word Structures):         - Meervoud (Plurals): Refer to Afrikaans $2026$ booklet.         - Verkleining (Diminutives): Refer to Afrikaans $2026$ booklet.         - Afkortings (Abbreviations): GBA textbook page $90$ and Afrikaans $2026$ booklet.         - Intensiewe vorm (Intensive forms): GBA textbook pages $48$ to $49$ and Afrikaans $2026$ booklet.         - Rang- en telwoorde (Ordinal and cardinal numbers): Refer to Afrikaans $2026$ booklet.

IsiZulu

• Examination Duration: $2$ Hours
• Total Marks: $100$ Marks
• Assessors: N Nyabeni, N Pule
• Areas of Examination Coverage:     - SECTION A: Reading and Visual ($30$ Marks)         - Isifundo sokuqondisisa (Comprehension)         - Visual Literacy     - SECTION B: Poetry ($15$ Marks)         - Inkondlo: Focus on "ingaphandle lenkondlo" (external features of the poem).     - SECTION C: Language and Grammar ($20$ Marks)         - Ulimi nohlelo (Language and system/grammar).     - SECTION D: Urban Life ($15$ Marks)         - Impilo yasemadolobheni.     - SECTION E: Creative Writing ($20$ Marks)         - Imibhalo yokuziqambela: Focus on Incwadi yobungane (Friendly letter).
• Relevant Study Materials:     - Language Workbook: Content for Isifundo sokuqondisisa / ukufunda nokubukela.     - Language Workbook: Ingaphandle lenkondlo notes on pages $92$ to $93$.     - Teams Content: Notes on Inkondlo efundiwe ekilasini (poem studied in class).     - Language Workbook Grammar:         - Izivumelwano zenhloko (Subject concords): Pages $34$ to $35$.         - Izinkathi (Tenses): Pages $131$ to $142$.         - Ukusebenzisa u ‘Na’ (Use of 'Na'): Pages $24$ to $27$.         - Ubunye nobuningi (Singular and Plural): Refer to notes on Microsoft Teams.     - Impilo Yasemadolobheni (Urban Life): Specific focus on Soweto (Isifundo sokuqala nesesibili).     - Incwadi yobungane: Format and structure (Isakhiwo sencwadi).

Mathematics

• Examination Duration: $2$ Hours
• Assessor: S. Kumalo
• Areas of Examination Coverage:     - Ratios / Rate / Ratio:         - Highest Common Factor ($HCF$) and Lowest Common Multiple ($LCM$).         - Simplifying ratios.         - Rate.     - Integers:         - Operations with integers.         - Order of operations ($BEDMAS$).         - Squares, cubes, and roots.     - Exponents:         - Application of mathematical laws of exponents.     - Algebraic Expressions (Part 1 & 2):         - Relevant terminology.         - Creating algebraic expressions from given information.         - Handling like and unlike terms through addition and subtraction ($+, -$).     - Algebraic Expressions (Part 3 - Including Exponents):         - Multiplying algebraic expressions.         - Raising monomials to further powers.         - Application of the Distribution Law.         - Dividing algebraic expressions.         - Squares, cubes, and roots in algebraic contexts.     - Algebraic Equations:         - Solving linear equations.         - Processing and solving word equations.
• Relevant Study Materials (Workbook MB):     - Chapter $1$: Pages $24$ to $41$.     - Chapter $2$: Pages $43$ to $58$.     - Chapter $3$: Pages $60$ to $70$.     - Chapter $6$: Pages $97$ to $105$ and pages $106$ to $116$.     - Chapter $7$: Pages $117$ to $133$.

Economic and Management Sciences

• Examination Duration: $1.5$ Hours
• Assessor: N. Sikhakhane
• Areas of Examination Coverage:     - Chapter $1$: The Government.     - Chapter $2$: National Budget.     - Chapter $3$: Standards of Living.     - Chapter $4$: Factors of Production.     - Chapter $5$: Circular Flow.
• Exam Format Strategy:     - Section A: Objective questions including Multiple Choice, Matching Columns A & B, Business Dictionary terms, and True/False questions.     - Section B: Subjective and analytical questions including paragraph-type responses and Case Study analysis.
• Relevant Study Materials:     - PowerPoint slides available on Microsoft Teams.     - Course Workbook and associated activities.     - Notes taken during classroom instruction.

History

• Examination Duration: $2$ Hours
• Assessors: K. Hathorn, D. Sechogela, K. Duncan
• Areas of Examination Coverage:     - Introduction to History:         - Definitions: What is history?         - The ‘What’ of History.         - Chronology.     - Sources in History:         - Types of sources: Visual, Written, Oral, and Artefacts.         - Analysis: Determination of values and limitations of sources.         - Classification: Primary vs. Secondary sources.         - Critical Thinking: Identifying bias and assessing reliability.     - Archaeology:         - Types of archaeology and dating methods.         - Note: Specific examples of archaeological sites do not need to be memorized.     - Scramble for Africa:         - State of Africa prior to colonisation.         - The Berlin Conference.         - Causes and motivations for colonisation.         - Factors enabling rapid European colonisation of Africa.         - Results and long-term impacts of colonisation.         - Forms of resistance to colonisation.     - World War 1 (WW1) - Origins:         - Alliance systems.         - Industrial economies.         - Arms race (naval/at sea competition).         - Competition for colonies.         - Nationalism and the specific catalyst: The Assassination of the Archduke.     - World War 1 (WW1) - Course and Impact:         - The societal mood in Europe in $1914$.         - Evolutions in warfare: Transition to Trench warfare, roles of Artillery, cavalry, and infantry.         - Introduction of new weaponry.         - Trench warfare: Detailed focus on the reality of life in the trenches.         - South Africa’s involvement: Specifically the tragedy of the SS Mendi.         - The role and impact of Women in the war.     - Source Analysis Skills: Revision of skills required to analyze a source, including identifying origin and purpose.
• Relevant Study Materials:     - Class handouts.     - Slides and notes hosted on Microsoft Teams.     - Active History materials.

Physical Sciences

• Examination Duration: $2$ Hours
• Total Marks: $120$ Marks
• Assessors: A. Govender, M. Ramuthaga-Musampa, A. Naidu
• Areas of Examination Coverage (Booklets):     - Scientific Skills: Pages $1$ to $47$.     - Density: Pages $1$ to $17$.     - Matter and Materials: Pages $1$ to $28$.
• Mandatory Examination Requirements:     - Every student must bring their own calculator.     - Every student must bring a $30\,cm$ ruler.
• Relevant Study Materials:     - All provided booklets.     - All PowerPoint slides, notes, and materials issued in class or on Microsoft Teams.     - Personal workbooks and class notes.     - Review of all activities completed throughout the term.

Dramatic Arts

• Theoretical Examination Duration: $1$ Hour ($50$ Marks)
• Practical Examination Duration: $1.5$ Hours ($50$ Marks)
• Assessors: K. De Abreu, A. Basson
• Theoretical Component Coverage:     - Elements of Drama.     - The Structure of a Dramatic Text.     - The Voice and the Actor.     - Preparation for Practical Performance.     - Glossary of dramatic terms.
• Practical Component Coverage:     - Performance of a workshopped play.
• Relevant Study Materials:     - Grade $8$ Drama Booklet: Pages $8$ to $9$, $11$, $14$ to $25$, $36$, and $38$.     - Original Group Script for the practical component.     - Drama Booklet: Pages $36$ to $37$.

Music

• Theory Component Duration: $1$ Hour
• Practical Component Duration: $2$ Hours
• Assessors: K. King, A. Basson
• Theory Component Coverage:     - The Stave.     - Writing High and Low Notes.     - Treble and Bass Clefs.     - Middle C.     - Grade $1$ Notes, Note Values, and Rests.     - Bars, Bar Lines, and Time Signatures.     - Tones and Semitones.     - Accidentals.     - Keys: Focus on C Major, G Major, and F Major.     - The Tonic Triad specifically in the Key of C Major.     - Key Signatures and Intervals.
• Practical Component Coverage:     - Aural Skills: Trinity Aural (Initial Level).     - Sight Reading: Clapping $4$ Bar Rhythms utilizing Minims, Crotchets, and Quavers (beamed in twos).     - Instrument Electives:         - Brass: Notes practiced in class and general instrument knowledge.         - Marimba: Scales practiced in class and general instrument knowledge.         - Woodwind: Notes practiced in class and general instrument knowledge.
• Relevant Study Materials:     - Trinity Grade $1$ Theory Book: Pages $6$ to $35$.     - Trinity Aural Practice Videos.     - Rhythm Randomizer tool for sight-reading preparation.     - Practice notes provided by specific practical teachers.