Read question correctly

‘IF you had the opportunity to move to another part of Malaysia, where would you choose to live? Explain your choice.’

This was in the English SPM 2017 Paper 1 Continuous Writing section. In this section, five essay topics were given. Students had to select one and write 350 – 400 words on it.

It was reported that some SPM students misunderstood the question and wrote about living in other countries instead.

The Continuous Writing section is marked based on impression.

The student is to write the essay based on their experiences, thoughts or reflections.

The examiner will read the script and mark the paper on good vocabulary, expressions and accuracy of language.

Minor and gross errors in writing will be underlined and noted.

The writing is assessed based against the most appropriate band.

The marks in highest band A – range from 44 – 50, that is, full marks.

The criteria for Band A is as follows:

> Language – entirely accurate, with occasional first draft slips;

> Sentence structures, varied and sophisticated – achieve particular effect;

> Vocabulary – wide and precise – shades of meaning;

> Punctuation and spelling – accurate and helpful;

> Paragraphs – well-planned, unified and linked;

> Topic – consistently relevant; and

> Interest – aroused and sustained throughout writing.

It can be seen that an A script should have accurate and precise language and be interesting.

There is a criterion that stipulates that the topic should be consistently relevant.

Based on this, it would be difficult for a student to get Band A even if he had written an error- free piece about moving and living outside Malaysia because the question is about moving and living within Malaysia.

Generally, based on experience, markers will place the student in Band B (38 – 43).

Putting the student in Band A will be unfair to other students who wrote good essays on the topic consistently.

Ultimately the Malaysian Examination Syndicate (MES) will decide on this ‘error in reading exam question’ and will brief the Examination Panel on how to assess the students.

If many students committed this error in reading, which I think may not be many because the ques­tion is direct, then MES might decide they be dropped a Band.

Examination pressure, time and other factors can impact students when they read exam questions and answer them. Good students are able to meet these challenges and overcome them and achieve excellence.

Some years ago in the Miss World pageant finals, there was a section where the contestants were asked questions in English to test their language and knowledge.

One contestant was asked to talk about a living legend she admired and the contestant talked about Mother Theresa and her contributions.

She spoke eloquently about Mother Theresa and mesmerised the audience and the judges.

The contestant went on to win the Miss World title that year notwithstanding that Mother Theresa had died three years before.

SAMUEL YESUIAH

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