Ms. P's Place
AICE ENGLISH GENERAL PAPER
2020-2021
Mrs. Portuondo
COURSE OVERVIEW
EXAM OVERVIEW
The aim of Cambridge International AS Level English General Paper 8021 is to improve learners’ skills in reading and writing and the ability to think critically about contemporary issues. It also seeks to improve communication in English.
As they explore modern issues in this course, learners become aware that not everyone sees the world as they do. Where we live and what we value play important roles in shaping our views. Students should strive to approach modern matters with both maturity and sensitivity. Activities featured in the scheme of work are designed to help them do this. Learners will take responsibility to pay attention in core courses such as science, math, history, and the arts to help reinforce their understanding of these topics.
The strategies for reading and writing explored in this course can transfer to any academic field, making it foundational to learners’ overall educational experience. Each unit builds reading skills, which scaffold into writing.
KEY SKILLS
Reading
Writing
Application of information
Analysis & Evaluation
UNIT TOPICS
The Digital Era
History's Greatest
Food, Water, Resources
Leisure, Media, Entertainment
AIMS
-
develop understanding and use of English language in the context of contemporary topics
-
encourage and appraise a broad range of topics
-
develop a wider awareness and knowledge of contemporary issues through reading
-
develop independent reasoning skills
-
develop the skills of interpretation, analysis, evaluation and persuasion
-
develop skills in writing structured and developed arguments, and present reasoned explanations
-
develop the ability to present a point of view clearly, and consider and reflect upon those of others.
EXAM RUBRIC
Paper 1 - Essay Mon. April 26th, 2021
-
Candidates answer one essay question (600-700 words) from a choice of 10 for 30 points.
-
1 hour 15 minutes, weighted at 50%
-
Candidates are assessed on how clearly they communicate their response including the range, accuracy, and appropriateness of vocabulary and spelling, use of register (type of written communication skills required for entering employment or further study), grammar, and punctuation. Assessment includes how the essay is structured in order to develop an argument, link and evaluate ideas, and draw supported conclusions.
-
Check out the potential topics for these essays here.
Paper 2 - Comprehension Wed. May 28th, 2021
-
Candidates answer compulsory questions on reading material for 50 points divided into two sections of 25 marks each.
-
1 hour 45 minutes, weighted at 50%
-
Candidates answer a range of sub-questions, including those that require short answers and more extended responses of up to 120 words.
Section A: Candidates are required to explain and interpret the information provided in the material to show understanding. They are also required to respond by writing a persuasive text that expresses an opinion and justifies a conclusion.
Section B: Candidates are required to demonstrate the ability to read for detailed understanding at word, sentence, and paragraph level. They must demonstrate understanding of how language features are used in a variety of styles and registers (tones). Candidates are assessed on how they analyze and evaluate the material to show an awareness of the strengths and weaknesses of different kinds of information presented, identifying and analyzing inferences along the way.
EXAM NOTES
-
All questions will be based on unseen material on an insert accompanying the question paper. Texts may come from the print(ed) media or online
-
reports, reviews, essays, blogs, scripts, speeches
-
and descriptions, diagrams, data, and notes.
By participating in the Cambridge program, students receive TWO bonus points for their GPA and have the potential to receive an AICE diploma, which affords them more scholarship (like automatic 100% Florida Bright Futures) and college admission opportunities. That power also results in more responsibility—and oftentimes—more work. Please understand this and remind yourselves about it as needed. The course serves as an English credit and will therefore encompass the Language Arts Florida Standards set forth by the Department of Education.
GRADING PROCESS
CIE receives over 8 million essays yearly from all over the world. Every exam needs the correct mark so that everybody gets the correct, fair grade. See how this works by looking at a flow chart or watching a brief video here.