FORM 4s must stop writing like Form 3s and start writing like O-Level candidates. What follows here are the three big changes from Form 3 to Form 4.
Form 3 students should know this: Form 3 =250 words Form 4 =350- 450 words. No more short story. Form 3 = copying from passage.
Form 4 = own words. You will lose marks if you copy.
At Form3 use simple grammar.
At Form 4 = you use complex grammar and idioms.
In week: you focus on Paper 2- sometimes referred to as the Killer Paper. Do daily in 30 minutes every day. A. Summary drill –This is where they fail O-Level.
Use this formula: Find- Change – Count. Find 7 points from passage. Change words: “big”-
“huge/large” “difficult”- “challenging” –Count: 90 words only. If 95 words cut 5 words.
Grammar Section C-20 Free marks. These topics must be mastered now: Monday: Direct and Indirect speech. Tuesday: Punctuation . . . “;
Wednesday: Parts of Speech-Noun. Verb. Adjective Adverb
Thursday: Prepositions – at on in between among
Fridays: Tenses- Past Present Future Perfect. Example drill for Thursday:
Fill in: “The book is – the table” (o) / She arrived- Monday” (on)”
Week 3-4 Paper- Composition
Composition types for O-Level. Narrative: Write a story ending with . . . I will ever forget that day”. Descriptive: “Describe the bus terminus in Gweru at 5pm” Argumentative: “Money is the root of all evil. Discuss”
Factual: “How to prepare for O-Level examinations.
These have been repeated for emphasis. As students use the following structure. Paragraph 1:-
Define topic and give your stand. Paragraph 234: Body -3 points each with example from
Zimbabwe. Paragraph 5: Counter –argument (for argumentative) /Climax (for narrative).
Paragraph 6: Conclusion-Proverb lesson question.
Read and learn to use – these idioms – 2 marks each at O-Level: In the nick of time – at last
moment. A blessing in disguise- good from bad.
Through thick and thin-in hard times. Make ends meet – survive with little money. Burn the midnight oil- study hard at night. Hit the books – study hard.
The ball is in your court – your turn to act. Every cloud has a silver lining –hope in problems. Cut a long story short – to summarise. Actions speak louder than words.
Example sentence: “Mrs Moyo burnt the midnight oil cooking samosas to make ends meet” Your daily practice work: Ready to copy. Monday Work: to work or any appropriate time. Comprehension: Mrs Moyo passage already given.
Grammar: Change to indirect Speech: Mrs Moyo said; “Education is the only thing your relatives cannot take from you”.
Tuesday Work: Summary: “Problems faced by vendors in Zimbabwe” –
90 words. Vocabulary: Write sentences with: widow municipal terminus
income forgive. Wednesday Work: Composition plan: “Poverty reveals
true character”- Write 6-point plan only. Punctuation: Add punctuation:
mrs moyo sold samosas at gweru bus terminus she woke up at 4am.
Thursday Work: Preposition and Tenses test-20 marks. Idioms: use 5 idioms from list in sentences.
Friday Work: Full mock: Paper 1 (350 words) + Paper 2 summary.
Holiday Homework to Form 4. Most students when they go for festive holidays totally forget about their books and studying. It is very true during this time of the year one needs to break up and rest.
But you should not forget about the essentials of schools. All this offered here is
to help form 3s to get ready for Form 4 to help them work hard to pass O –Level examinations. Carry this to Form 4.
Do 5 compositions (350 words each). Do 10 summaries (90 words each) Read 1 English novel or Animal Farm. Memorise 20 idioms and 50 new vocabulary words.
Language and grammar –Form 3 = simple grammar basic sentences.
Form 4 = complex and compound sentences idioms and advanced vocabulary. Overview of 4 weeks: your fast track plan. Week 1
Assessment and Summary: Find change count. Diagnostic assessment of current writing level.
Learn to write summaries accurately. Week 2 Comprehension: Full sentences + grammar. Answer comprehension questions in full sentences. Introduction to complex and compound sentences.
Grammar focus: tenses conjunctions correct punctuation.
Composition: 6 paragraph structure + 10 idioms. Master the 6- paragraph essay structure for Form 4. Introduction to 10 common idioms and how to use them. Write planning and linking ideas.
Mocking Examinations and O-Level Mind-set –Full mock examination paper 1(Paper1 and Paper2 style) Examinations techniques: timing planning checking answers. Develop O-level mind set confidence clarity and precision.
How to use these exercises. Complete one week at a time 4-5 days per week. Write all answers neatly in your exercise book or on the provided lines. Check your work and track your progress each week.
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