english 1123 sample essays

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CIE O’level Exam Prep English Language-1123 – Narrative Writing

• Kanwal Hafeez
• December 8, 2023

Table of Contents

Narrative writing.

Narrative writing involves crafting a compelling and engaging story. Students are tasked with developing characters, setting, and plot in a way that captivates the reader’s attention. Through vivid descriptions, well-paced sequences, and thoughtful use of dialogue, narrative writing aims to transport the audience into the fictional world created by the writer. The challenge lies in constructing a cohesive narrative structure, incorporating elements like exposition, rising action, climax, falling action, and resolution. 

Successful narrative writing in the 1123 examination not only demonstrates a command of language and storytelling techniques but also showcases the ability to evoke emotions and sustain reader interest throughout the narrative journey.

1. Understanding Elements of Plot

In narrative writing, understanding the elements of plot is crucial. This includes introducing the exposition (setting, characters), establishing the conflict, developing rising action, reaching a climax, falling action, and ultimately, the resolution. Writers should craft a well-paced plot to maintain reader engagement. Click here for some useful resources. 

2. Developing Characters and Settings

Narrative writing in involves creating characters that are relatable and dynamic. Develop characters with distinct personalities, motivations, and conflicts. Settings should be vividly described, providing a backdrop that enhances the overall atmosphere of the story. Both characters and settings should contribute to the narrative’s themes and mood. For some useful graphic organizers and resources, click here . 

3. Structure

Structure is the framework that holds a narrative together. Narratives should have a clear beginning, middle, and end. Consider how events unfold, ensuring a logical sequence that builds tension and interest. A well-structured narrative helps readers navigate the story smoothly.

4. Creating Dialogues

Dialogues play a crucial role in narrative writing. They bring characters to life and advance the plot. Effective dialogue should be natural, revealing character traits, relationships, and moving the story forward. Use dialogue tags, varied sentence structures, and punctuation to make conversations engaging and authentic.

Context Embedded Grammar

Context-embedded grammar refers to the incorporation of grammatical principles within the broader context of language usage. It emphasizes understanding and applying grammar rules in real-world situations, such as those encountered in reading passages or writing prompts. Rather than treating grammar in isolation, context-embedded grammar acknowledges that effective language use involves considering the nuances of context, audience, and purpose. 

In English Language 1123 examinations, this approach may require students to apply grammatical concepts—such as sentence structure, punctuation, and verb tense—within the specific communicative tasks presented, ensuring that grammatical accuracy aligns seamlessly with the broader language context in which it operates. This approach not only assesses the knowledge of grammar rules but also evaluates the ability to use them effectively within the given linguistic context.

Conclusion:

In conclusion, narrative writing in CIE English Language 1123 is an art that goes beyond storytelling. It demands a nuanced understanding of plot elements, character development, structure, and the use of dialogues. Successful narratives showcase not only language proficiency but also the ability to evoke emotions and sustain reader interest.

The incorporation of context-embedded grammar further emphasizes the practical application of grammatical principles in real-world language use.

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Article Writing Format | Sample | O Level English (1123) | Best Notes

If you want to know how to write an amazing article , you will love these notes I am about to share with you.

So if you want to ace your O Level English exam , keep reading.

But first of all, let me tell you that article writing is a piece of content that is published for a large audience. We can divide this topic into two sub-topics.

• Magazine article
• Newspaper article

But the basic format of writing for each of them is the same.

You should remember that this question is a part of directed writing (paper 1) for GCE O Level English (1123). However, the format and sample I am about to share with you will satisfy the needs (generally for this topic).

So let’s dive into the topic without further introduction.

We'll take a look at:

Format of Article Writing:

Once you know the topic on which you have to write, you can use the format below to start and write an amazing article.

• Title (heading)
• By-line (the name of the writer)

Note : You can also write “written by”, but “by-line” is preferred.

• First paragraph (introduction)
• Second paragraph (first argument + evaluation)
• Third paragraph (second argument + evaluation)
• Fourth paragraph (third argument + evaluation)
• Fifth paragraph (conclusion)

If you are confused about what exactly is evaluation, you will understand it later (check out the video below).

But for now, note that evaluation is how you describe your point.

Now, let’s take a look at each of the above points in detail.

Title (heading):

This is the most important part of your article. Why?

This is because if you write a catchy heading that grabs the attention of your reader, you are on the right path. But how can you write a good heading ?

Let me tell you how to write a wonderful heading, step-by-step.

• Understand the topic .

This is the first thing you have to do. Read the question [carefully] and find out what the examiner wants from you.

When you know what to write about, move on to the next step (which is to understand your audience).

• Understand your audience .

The question will clearly tell you what your audience is (the people you are writing to).

Your target audience will help you write a good title because your headline can perfectly target the emotions of your readers.

And let me tell you that targeting emotions can be a really good technique to write great headings (but not always). With this, it is time to move on to the next tip, which is to use “power words”.

• Use “ power words “.

Power words (as the name suggests) are those words that persuade someone to read your content (article in this case).

Some of the power words that you can use in your titles are:

Profound (for happiness), Unforgettable (for memorability), Basic (for simplicity), Thrilling (for excitement) etc.

Introduction and Body:

The first paragraph (introduction) of your writing matters a lot. And let me tell you, writing an introduction is not difficult at all!

In the introduction , you have to do the following:

• Thank your audience for their response to your previous article.
• Mention the purpose of your writing (why are you writing?).

Moving on, the body of your article comprises of three paragraphs .

But how? Let me tell you.

You will make one paragraph for each content point (the point to be covered that is given the question). Since you have three content points, you will make three paragraphs (one for each).

Remember that this is the most important part of your writing. Therefore, try to provide relevant information . This is because articles are meant to be relevant and concise.

Conclusion:

This is the final part of your article. Here you have to do the following:

Ask your audience (the people reading) to give feedback and thank them for reading your work.

You can also reinstate the purpose of your writing, but if you have mentioned that in the introduction, I recommend preventing that.

This is because you have to prevent repetition in your work (and as I mentioned earlier, keep your article brief and to the point). Note that in conclusion, it is very important to provide a sense of closure .

Further Reading:

Report Writing | Format and Sample

Account Writing Format (with Example)

How to Write a Perfect Narrative | O Level English

But how can you do that?

Simply, you have to “put it all together”. This means that you have to summarize the points you made (above) because the conclusion is not the place to introduce new ideas.

Now when you know something about the format, let me provide you with a sample . You should read it carefully to identify the areas of improvement along with the strong aspects.

Sample Article:

Write an article for your school magazine on the upcoming Cambridge exams preparation tips. You should include the following points as well:

• How a revision schedule helps students?
• Feeling hopeful is better than feeling dishearted.
• The impact of studying habits on preparation.

Cover all three points in detail . You should make your article informative. Start your article with a suitable title.

Candidates Response:

Acing the Exams

by: Adam Ryan

I truly appreciate your overwhelming feedback on my previous article. Therefore, I have decided to provide some exam preparation tips to you. This is because of the upcoming Cambridge exams this June.

First of all, it is essential to make a study schedule because it ensures the (proper) coverage of the syllabus on time. As a result, the lengthy topics (in your syllabus) become manageable, and the schedule keeps you aware of the future plans. A schedule keeps you organized, and you do not have to panic about missing anything. This is because it will help you use your time wisely and learn as much information as you can (in the shortest possible time).

Apart, it is important to be stress-free before your exams. This is because exam fear does not allow students to perform with their complete capabilities. Thus, their performance is negatively affected. This is the reason I advise you to adopt an optimistic and positive approach. It will ensure that you are comfortable and ready to face all challenges in your exams.

The study techniques such as taking breaks, consulting your teachers and preventing distractions (such as mobile phones) make a student more focused. Similarly, these habits ensure healthy and quality learning, which is essential to ace Cambridge exams. However, the practices such as only studying overnight can produce unpleasant results in the examination.

To conclude , let me know what you think about these suggestions through your feedback. Thank you for reading and article, and do follow these proven tips to get your desired results. I wish you the best of luck with your upcoming exams.

Examiners Feedback:

(The strong aspects):

This article is a perfect sample to discuss some key points.

• Talking about the positive points of the response, it is started by a proper heading (title) and a by-line . This shows that the student followed the instruction given in the question.

The answer has 5 paragraphs ( one for each content point along with an introduction and conclusion) which are good.

• The article is relevant and follows the word limit (200 to 300 words).

Note that the article needs to be brief and to the point (as I mentioned earlier). One thing I want to discuss over here is the introduction and conclusion.

Many students write a very lengthy introduction and conclusion. You should know that an introduction should not be more than 4 to 5 lines . Similarly, keep your conclusion brief as well.

[ Important Note ]:

Here’s a thing. If you want to ace O Level English, you HAVE to read examiner reports (document containing details about the exams).

But what if I tell you, you DO NOT have to read examiner reports anymore.

Here’s why.

Recently, we conducted a HUGE case study where we analysed 200 exams and 30 examiner reports! Then, the results (findings) were compiled in the form of an ebook.

This incredible ebook contains:

• Most common student mistakes
• How to solve them?
• Tips straight from the examiners’ desk to ace your English exam

So what are you waiting for? If you do not want to get into the hassle of reading the examiner reports, you can get this ebook now.

It is a must-read if you want to ace GCE O Level English.

Now back to the article.

• The response is coherent (logical).

You would have noticed that the candidate has used transition words in the response (for example, “Apart, it is important to be stress-free … etc). But why is this important?

This technique ensures that there is unity in the work (and this unity makes the work coherent as well).

Note : The “language” and “task fulfilment” are of 15 marks (each) in directed writing. So you have to work on both of them to secure good marks.

A tip-over here for you is that sentences that logically follow each other (ideas) are considered to be coherent. This is the reason you should try to connect your ideas (using connectives – conjunctions and connecting adverbs etc).

• The spellings and grammar are generally good.

When reading the above sample, you would have hardly seen any spelling mistakes (which is great).

Remember that spelling mistakes can really hurt your marks (especially, if it is a silly one). The candidates choice of words is understandable.

And the basic rules of sentence construction and punctuation are followed as well. This is what good grammar is!

(The areas of improvement):

After reading the sample, what things do you think could have been improved? Is it the sentence structure or the variety in ideas?

But before that, here are some things that could have been improved.

• The candidate should have used complex and compound-complex sentences ( varying sentence structure ).

In the response, you would have noticed that there are simple and compound sentences (used frequently). However, there are few complex and compound-complex sentences.

If you do not know about these sentence structures, you can read the description below (for a better understanding).

Simple Sentences: It is an independent clause with no dependent clause and conjunction.

Example: Adam went to school.

Compound Sentences: A sentence in which two independent clauses (that can form complete sentences standing alone) are joined by a conjunction (such as but, so, nor, yet etc).

Example: I like Tea, and John likes Coffee.

Complex Sentences: A sentence that contains an independent clause and one or more dependent clauses.

Example: Although he was rich, he was still unhappy.

Compound-Complex Sentences: It contains multiple independent clauses and (at least) one dependent clause.

Example: Rose doesn’t like movies because they are boring, so she doesn’t watch them.

Now when you know about sentence structures, do go back to the sample. Then, try to find out how many types of sentence structures are used by the student?

Done? So, let’s move on now.

• The heading could have been improved.

Is the heading, “Acing the Exams”, good? What do you think?

I think you will agree with me over here – the heading is fine, but it could have been improved.

This is because the heading is meant to be eye-catchy . If your heading does not impress your reader, there are good chances that he might not be interested in reading any further.

So this is your only chance (to impress your reader). If you have been following me throughout this article, I have explained (above) how to write an amazing title .

But in case you missed it, you can check that out (above).

• The tone (register) could have been improved.

The question asked to make your tone informative. And honestly, the tone was informative (to some extent). But, there could have been an improvement.

Let me tell you how.

Below are some things that you should consider while dealing with the “tone problem”.

• Word choice : If a word feels incorrect for a particular tone, try replacing it with a new one.
• Read aloud : The best thing you can do is to read your sentence after writing it. It will give you a clue on what your tone is!
• Consistency : Try to be consistent throughout. Even one wrong sentence (in terms of tone) can impact your while work.

These were some areas of improvement. What other areas of improvement do you see in the sample? Do let me know in the comments below.

Now here is a practice question for you to try.

Practise Question:

Your team recently won a sports competition. Your English teacher has asked you to write an article about your success. You should include the following points as well.

• Which sports competition did your team win?
• What improvements made your team successful.
• How this victory helped your team.

Cover all the above points in detail. You should make your tone polite and informative. Start your article with a suitable heading.

Final Thoughts:

Now it’s your turn. Which part of article writing do you find the most challenging?

Is it the heading or the body? Do let me know.

And do not forget to try the “practise question” given above. Then, do get it checked by your teacher or your friend. Thank you very much for reading and staying with me till the end. Stay tuned for more.

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English 1123 O Level Example Candidate Responses

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Programmes & Qualifications

Cambridge o level english language (1123).

• Syllabus overview

Cambridge O Level English Language is designed for learners who speak English at home or at school, at near first language level.

The course enables learners to:

• develop the ability to communicate clearly, accurately and effectively when writing
• use a wide range of vocabulary, and the correct grammar, spelling and punctuation
• develop a personal style and an awareness of the audience being addressed.

Learners are also encouraged to read widely, both for their own enjoyment and to further their awareness of the ways in which English can be used. Cambridge O Level English Language also develops more general analysis and communication skills such as inference, and the ability to order facts and present opinions effectively.

The syllabus complements other areas of study by encouraging skills of more general application.

The syllabus year refers to the year in which the examination will be taken.

• -->2023 Syllabus (PDF, 294KB)
• -->2024 - 2026 Syllabus update (PDF, 144KB)

Syllabus updates

We revise our qualifications regularly to make sure that they continue to meet the needs of learners, schools and higher education institutions around the world and reflect current thinking.

What are the main changes to the syllabus?

To support teachers and learners, we have:

• updated the syllabus aims and assessment objectives
• updated the syllabus content to continue to reflect current educational thinking and practice. There is more information and new wording but the teaching content remains largely the same
• introduced a list of command words to the syllabus to help learners understand what will be expected of them in the exam.

What are the main changes to the assessment?

• The order of the question papers has changed to: Paper 1 Reading and Paper 2 Writing.
• There are significant changes to the style, format and content of the questions in Paper 1 Reading and in Paper 2 Writing. Please see the syllabus, specimen papers and marking criteria for more detail about these changes.
• There is more integration of skills across the papers with more writing skills assessed in the Reading paper and more reading skills assessed in the Writing paper.
• The duration of both examinations (Paper 1 and Paper 2) has increased to 2 hours each.

When do these changes take place?

The updated syllabus is for examination from June 2024 onwards. Examinations are available in March 2024 for India only. Please see the 2024-2026 syllabus above for full details.

Coming soon

We are developing a comprehensive range of resources to help teachers deliver this updated syllabus.

We aim to provide a scheme of work and other relevant classroom resources. Example Candidate Responses will be available following the first examination in 2024. Visit the School Support Hub from June 2022 onwards for details.

Endorsed resources

Cambridge O Level English Language (Second edition) (Hodder Education)

Written by renowned expert authors, our Cambridge O Level English Language Student’s Book enables learners to effectively and successfully master the content of the revised syllabus (1123) for examination from 2024.

Read more on the Hodder Education website

Cambridge O Level English Language (Third edition) (Cambridge University Press)

Work through the Cambridge O Level English Language syllabus with clear and accessible resources. Includes ‘Language support’ boxes for quick and easy tips, as well as exam-style questions and sample answer.

Read more on the Cambridge University Press website

Important notices

Find out more about our range of English syllabuses to suit every level and ambition.

School Support Hub

Teachers at registered Cambridge schools can unlock over 30 000 teaching and learning resources to help plan and deliver Cambridge programmes and qualifications, including Schemes of work, Example candidate responses, Past papers, Specimen paper answers, as well as digital and multimedia resources.

Schemes of work

Example responses, past papers, specimen paper answers.

Register your interest in becoming a Cambridge School

Stay up to date

Sign up for updates about changes to the syllabuses you teach

• Past papers, examiner reports and specimen papers
• Published resources

• O Level English 1123 Example Candidate Response and Syllabus

An Example Candidate response lets students know how an examiner check a candidate’s test. Many candidates answer to the common errors made by them.

The candidate’s work labeled with a reasonable explanation of where and why marks were given or removed. It was lead by examiner feedback about how the answer should have been improved.

In this way, you can consider what candidates have done and what they can do to support their response. It will help the candidate to work on their common mistakes to avoid losing their marks., Plus will be improved their writing skills.

The example candidate response will help students see the performance level needed to achieve the perfect answer to the question and understand exactly what examiners are looking for. It will increase your critical thinking.

Tips to navigate the Syllabus during the semester

• At the start of the classes, read the whole material carefully, and get a sense of the course layout. Before starting a chapter or unit, create a list of all the topics, plus the important ones in the Syllabus of the unit so that the learning of unnecessary or irrelevant topics does not waste time.
• Knowing the course and the weight of multiple sections specifically allows you to determine how much time you can spend on each team.
• The specifics instructions in the Syllabus can often sound a little confusing or hard to understand. So if something is unclear about the course, ask your instructor for help.
• Use the textbook to understand how vital a subject is and how much time you can spend on essential issues.
• Even though Now we are more connected to the internet so it will be easy for students to access CIE syllabus through the internet where all material is available for them.
• Note that “Teachers spend more time preparing their Syllabus, and a teacher is nothing more frustrated than a student who does know their subjects very well, so it’s better to ask for help before the exam.

The Syllabus prepared by  Cambridge International Examinations (CIE)  expert teachers summarize the core topics covered in  O Level English 1123 . The Syllabus included an in-depth explanation of subjects with great real-life examples to clear the concept of that topic.

It indicates students know what issues they have to cover to attain maximum grades in their respective subjects.

By providing the central and comprehensive option, the Cambridge syllabus is designed for various levels of skills. Students may select either the main level of specific subjects or the extended level, which means that they may prefer to learn the topic at a fundamental or advanced level.

O Levels recognizes that not all students have a shared passion in all areas. It gives the students the versatility to provide an outline or to specialized in the topic in-depth with the same goal.

O Level English 1123 Example Candidate Response and Syllabus:

1123_example_candidate_responses:, 1123_example_candidate_responses_paper_1_(for_examination_from_2018):, 1123_example_candidate_responses_paper_2_(for_examination_from_2018):, read also: o level maths 4024 example candidate response and syllabus, 1123_scheme_of_work_(for_examination_from_2018):.

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