How to Download 2018 O/L English Paper
If you are a student in Sri Lanka who is preparing for the General Certificate of Education (GCE) Ordinary Level (O/L) examination, you might be wondering how to download past papers, especially the English paper. The O/L exam is a crucial milestone for your academic and career prospects, as it determines your eligibility to pursue further studies at the Advanced Level (A/L) or vocational training courses. The English paper is one of the core subjects that you have to take, along with Mathematics, Science, Sinhala/Tamil, Religion, and History. The English paper tests your language skills in reading, writing, listening, and speaking. It also assesses your knowledge of grammar, vocabulary, literature, and communication.
Downloading past papers is a great way to prepare for the O/L exam, as it helps you to familiarize yourself with the exam format, question types, marking scheme, and difficulty level. It also allows you to practice your skills, measure your progress, identify your strengths and weaknesses, and improve your time management and accuracy. In this article, we will show you how to find and download the 2018 O/L English paper from various sources. We will also give you some tips on how to use past papers effectively and how to ace the exam.
download 2018 o l english paper
How to Find and Download 2018 O/L English Paper
There are two main types of sources where you can find and download past papers: official sources and unofficial sources. Official sources are those that are authorized by the Department of Examinations of the Ministry of Education, which is the body that conducts the O/L exam in Sri Lanka. Unofficial sources are those that are not affiliated with the Department of Examinations, but provide past papers for free or for a fee. Both types of sources have their advantages and disadvantages, so you should use them wisely.
Official sources
The most reliable source for past papers is the Department of Examinations website (). This website provides past papers for all subjects from 2010 onwards in Sinhala, Tamil, and English mediums. You can access them by clicking on "Examination" on the top menu bar, then selecting "G.C.E. (O/L)" from the drop-down list. You will see a table with links to different years and mediums. Click on the link that corresponds to "2018" and "English Medium". You will be directed to a page where you can download the PDF files of all the papers for that year. To download the English paper, click on "English Language". You will need a PDF reader software such as Adobe Acrobat Reader to open and view the file.
Another official source for past papers is the School Support Hub (). This website is managed by Cambridge Assessment International Education, which is the international partner of the Department of Examinations for the O/L exam. You can access past papers, mark schemes, examiner reports, syllabuses, and other resources for all subjects from 2015 onwards in English medium. You will need to register and log in to access the website. To download the 2018 O/L English paper, click on "Past Papers" on the left sidebar, then select "GCE Ordinary Level" from the drop-down list. You will see a list of subjects with codes. Click on "1123 - English Language". You will see a table with links to different components and series. Click on the link that corresponds to "November 2018" and "Paper 1 - Reading". You will be able to download the PDF file of the paper. To download the mark scheme, click on the link that corresponds to "November 2018" and "Mark Scheme 1". You will need a PDF reader software such as Adobe Acrobat Reader to open and view the files.
Unofficial sources
Besides the official sources, there are also many unofficial sources where you can find and download past papers. These sources are not endorsed by the Department of Examinations or Cambridge Assessment International Education, but they may provide past papers that are not available on the official websites. However, you should be careful when using these sources, as they may contain errors, viruses, or malware. You should also check the authenticity and accuracy of the past papers before using them.
One of the most popular unofficial sources for past papers is Past Papers Sri Lanka (). This website provides past papers for all subjects from 1997 onwards in Sinhala, Tamil, and English mediums. You can access them by clicking on "O/L" on the top menu bar, then selecting "English Medium" from the drop-down list. You will see a list of subjects with links to different years. Click on the link that corresponds to "2018". You will be directed to a page where you can download the PDF files of all the papers for that year. To download the English paper, click on "Download Paper". You will need a PDF reader software such as Adobe Acrobat Reader to open and view the file.
Another unofficial source for past papers is OL Exam Papers (). This website provides past papers for all subjects from 2000 onwards in Sinhala, Tamil, and English mediums. You can access them by clicking on "O/L Past Papers" on the top menu bar, then selecting "English Medium" from the drop-down list. You will see a list of subjects with links to different years. Click on the link that corresponds to "2018". You will be directed to a page where you can download the PDF files of all the papers for that year. To download the English paper, click on "Download Paper". You will need a PDF reader software such as Adobe Acrobat Reader to open and view the file.
Other unofficial sources for past papers include online forums and groups where students and teachers share their resources and experiences. Some examples are O/L Exam Forum () on Facebook. You can join these groups and ask for past papers or other materials that you need. However, you should be respectful and courteous when interacting with other members, and avoid spamming or scamming.
How to Prepare for the 2018 O/L English Paper
Now that you have downloaded the 2018 O/L English paper, you might be wondering how to use it effectively to prepare for your exam. Here are some steps that you can follow to make the most out of your past paper practice.
Review the syllabus and exam format
The first step is to review the syllabus and exam format of the O/L English paper. The syllabus outlines the aims, objectives, content, and assessment criteria of the subject. It also specifies what skills and knowledge you are expected to demonstrate in your exam. The exam format describes how the paper is structured, how many sections and questions there are, how many marks are allocated for each question, and how much time you have to complete the paper.
You can find the syllabus and exam format of the O/L English paper on both official sources mentioned above: Department of Examinations website (). You can also find them on the first page of the past paper PDF file. You should read and understand the syllabus and exam format carefully, as they will help you to plan your study and revision strategy, and to know what to expect in your exam.
The O/L English paper consists of two components: Paper 1 (Reading) and Paper 2 (Writing). Paper 1 has 50 marks and Paper 2 has 60 marks, making a total of 110 marks. The duration of the paper is 2 hours and 15 minutes. The paper is divided into three sections: Section A, Section B, and Section C. Section A has 20 marks and tests your reading comprehension skills. It contains two passages with multiple-choice and short-answer questions. Section B has 30 marks and tests your summary writing skills. It contains one passage with a summary task and a guided note-making task. Section C has 60 marks and tests your essay writing skills. It contains four topics with different purposes and audiences, from which you have to choose one and write an essay of about 250 words.
Practice with past papers and mark schemes
The second step is to practice with past papers and mark schemes. Past papers are the best way to simulate the real exam conditions, as they expose you to the types of questions, topics, and texts that you will encounter in your exam. Mark schemes are the official answers and guidelines that are used by the examiners to mark your paper. They show you how the marks are allocated for each question, what points and keywords you need to include in your answers, and how to avoid common errors.
You can find the mark schemes for the O/L English paper on both official sources mentioned above: Department of Examinations website (). You should download and use the mark schemes along with the past papers, as they will help you to check your answers, evaluate your performance, identify your strengths and weaknesses, and improve your skills.
When practicing with past papers and mark schemes, you should follow these steps:
Choose a past paper that is relevant to your level and syllabus.
Set a timer and try to complete the paper within the given time limit.
Use a pen or pencil and write your answers on a separate sheet of paper or on the space provided on the paper.
Do not look at the mark scheme or any other sources while answering the questions.
After finishing the paper, check your answers with the mark scheme and mark yourself according to the criteria.
Calculate your total score and compare it with the grade boundaries.
Analyze your performance and identify your strengths and weaknesses.
Review your mistakes and learn from them.
Repeat the process with different past papers until you achieve your desired score.
Tips and tricks for acing the exam
The third step is to apply some tips and tricks that will help you to ace the exam. These tips and tricks are based on the experience and advice of successful candidates, teachers, and examiners. They will help you to revise effectively, write confidently, and avoid common mistakes.
Here are some tips and tricks for acing the O/L English paper:
Revise vocabulary, grammar, and comprehension skills regularly. Use flashcards, quizzes, games, books, newspapers, magazines, websites, podcasts, videos, or any other sources that interest you. Learn new words, phrases, idioms, collocations, synonyms, antonyms, spellings, meanings, usages, etc. Practice grammar rules, tenses, structures, forms, functions, etc. Read different types of texts (fictional and non-fictional, formal and informal, descriptive and argumentative, etc.) and answer different types of questions (literal and inferential, factual and opinion-based, direct and indirect, etc.).
Write effective essays, summaries, and letters. Use a clear structure, with an introduction, a body, and a conclusion. Use appropriate language, tone, style, and format for your purpose and audience. Use a variety of sentences, paragraphs, transitions, connectors, and punctuation. Use relevant examples, evidence, arguments, and counterarguments. Use your own words and avoid plagiarism. Use a word count tool to check your length.
Avoid common mistakes and pitfalls. Read the questions carefully and understand what they are asking. Follow the instructions and answer all the questions. Do not write more or less than the required number of words or points. Do not repeat or contradict yourself. Do not leave any blanks or cross out any answers. Do not use slang, abbreviations, or informal expressions. Do not use incorrect spelling, grammar, or punctuation. Do not use irrelevant or inaccurate information.
Conclusion
In conclusion, downloading past papers is a useful way to prepare for the O/L English paper. You can find and download the 2018 O/L English paper from various official and unofficial sources. You can also use past papers effectively by reviewing the syllabus and exam format, practicing with mark schemes, and applying some tips and tricks. By doing so, you will be able to improve your language skills, boost your confidence, and achieve your goals.
We hope that this article has helped you to understand how to download 2018 O/L English paper and how to use it for your exam preparation. We wish you all the best for your O/L exam and your future endeavors.
FAQs
Here are some frequently asked questions about the O/L exam in Sri Lanka:
When is the O/L exam held in Sri Lanka?
The O/L exam is usually held in December every year. However, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the exam dates may change depending on the situation. You should check the official website of the Department of Examinations () for the latest updates and announcements.
How many subjects are there in the O/L exam?
The O/L exam consists of nine subjects: six core subjects and three optional subjects. The core subjects are Mathematics, Science, Sinhala/Tamil, English Language, Religion, and History. The optional subjects are chosen from a list of 22 subjects that include languages, arts, commerce, technology, etc.
What is the passing mark for the O/L English paper?
The passing mark for the O/L English paper is 40%. However, this may vary depending on the difficulty level of the paper and the performance of the candidates. The grades are given as follows: A (75% or above), B (65% to 74%), C (55% to 64%), S (40% to 54%), W (below 40%).
Where can I find more resources and guidance for the O/L exam?
You can find more resources and guidance for the O/L exam on various sources such as textbooks, workbooks, guides, notes, videos, websites, blogs, podcasts, etc. You can also consult your teachers, tutors, peers, seniors, parents, or mentors for advice and support.
How can I cope with exam stress and anxiety?
You can cope with exam stress and anxiety by following some strategies such as planning your study schedule well in advance, setting realistic goals and expectations , revising regularly and effectively, taking breaks and relaxing, eating well and sleeping well, exercising and meditating, seeking help and support, staying positive and motivated, etc. 44f88ac181
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