JPJC GP P2 Skills Package 2026 ver7.7

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General Paper 8881 Paper 2 Overview Paper 2 (P2) Comprehension consists of 3 passages with 3 sections : The Short Answer Questions (SAQs) , Summary Question (SQ) and Application Question (AQ). The total time allocated for P2 is 90min or 1h 30 min . See the table below and the subsequent sections in this P2 Skills notes for more information on the various sections. PASSAGE NUMBER OF QUESTIONS MARKS ALLOCATION TIME MANAGEMENT Passage 1 4-6 SAQs 9-11 marks 30 min Passage 2 SQ 8 marks 20 min Passage 3 Comparison SAQ: ✔ 1 SAQ with Passage 1 ✔ 1 SAQ with Passage 2 4-6 marks 10 min All 3 passages AQ 12 marks 30 min Total Content All Qs 35 marks Total Time: 90 min Language Based on SQ & AQ 15 marks Tips for Paper 2: ✔ Complete P2 in chronological order from the SAQs, SQ, Comparison SAQ and then AQ. Doing this will help you understand the passages better and might help you to glean the main points from the 3 passages. ✔ Routines for P2: o Start by reading the Lead-ins and Application Question to get an overview of the topic. o Read Passage 1 and attempt the SAQs Question (Q1-6) in 20 minutes. o Read Passage 2 and attempt the SQ in 30 minutes. o Read Passages 2 and 3 and attempt the comparison SAQ questions (typically questions 8-9) in 10 minutes. o Identify points for AQ from Passages 1-3 and complete the AQ in 30 minutes. ✔ When reading the Passages, do not feel overwhelmed or discouraged if you do not fully understand some parts or some words in the Passages. You may be able to infer or guess the meaning of the word/s or phrases from the context. ✔ As you read each question, focus on the question requirements, re-read the relevant paragraphs or lines again and use the methods suggested in the subsequent sections to answer the questions. ✔ Paraphrasing skill is crucial for SAQs as ALL answers for SAQs must be paraphrased. 3

Section 1: Short Answer Questions (SAQs) OVERVIEW SAQ Question Types ✔ There are 4 main SAQ Question Types which require different techniques/ methods to answer the question. ✔ All answers must be PARAPHRASED regardless of the SAQ Question Type. ✔ A point does not necessarily refer to an entire sentence . A sentence can contain more than one point. ✔ Select your answers from the right parts of a passage (lines OR entire paragraph). ✔ The completeness of your points is important in securing the full mark for a question . Capture all key phrases that correspond to a question’s requirements . ✔ 4 Question Types: 1. Direct Questions: ▪ Literal (5Ws1H - Identify and paraphrase) ▪ Reasons/Explanations (Explain…Why) ▪ Direct Vocab 2. Inferential: ▪ Inferential General ▪ Techniques: a. Diction b. Literary Devices c. Punctuations d. Illustration/Claim/Support e. Introduction/ Conclusion 3. Hybrid/Others: ▪ Inverse Paraphrasing ▪ Direct + Inferential ▪ Similarities & Differences (can be Direct or Inferential) 4. Comparison Questions MARK ALLOCATION 5-STEP SAQ METHOD ✔ While there may be exceptions, the number of points you identify should roughly correspond with the total mark possible for a question: No. of Points No of points 1 m 1 - 2 points 2 m 2 - 3 points 3 m 3 points ✔ Read the question and highlight the key requirements and the number of marks allocated. ✔ Identify the Question Type. ✔ Take note of how to answer the Question. ✔ Read the relevant parts of the passage and identify the keywords or contextual clues to answer the Question. ✔ Formulate your answer by paraphrasing or inferring from the keywords. 4

PARAPHRASING TECHNIQUE How to Paraphrase Effectively? Paraphrasing is an important skill for P2 as it is expected that you paraphrase for every SAQ. To paraphrase effectively, ensure you paraphrase by considering CATL : C ontext, A ccuracy, T horoughness and Avoid L ifting [1] CONTEXT When paraphrasing, always consider: ● the overall topic of the passage ● the author’s argument, purpose, or stance ● how a word or phrase is used in that particular situation ● the specific paragraph in which the word or idea appears ● the phrasing and demands of the question Note: Many words have multiple meanings ; the correct interpretation depends on context . Phrase/ Keywords Paraphrased ✖ Paraphrased ✔ The author argues that economic growth has become an end in itself. “end” is not a conclusion in this context “end” refers to a goal or objective in the context of this passage. The policy was criticised for being superficial rather than substantive. “substantive” does not simply mean “large” “substantive” means meaningful or significant , not simply “large in this context. The report highlighted structural weaknesses in the education system. “structural” does not refer to merely physical structures. “structural” refers to underlying systemic features in this context. 5

[2] ACCURACY A paraphrase must capture the precise meaning, degree, and nuance of the original word or idea. Ask yourself: ● Does the paraphrase reflect the intensity or strength of the original expression? ● Has the meaning been weakened, exaggerated, or altered ? Phrase/ Keywords Paraphrased ✖ Paraphrased ✔ drastic measures changes (inaccurate as it is too general and does not accurately reflect the degree) extreme or far-reaching action. tentative optimism confidence (inaccurate as it does not include a paraphrase of ‘tentative’ which is ‘cautious’ or ‘uncertain’) cautious confidence systemic failure mistake failure rooted in the system as a whole. Students should develop sensitivity to fine differences in meaning and expand their vocabulary accordingly. [C] THOROUGHNESS Ensure that all relevant ideas required by the question are included in the answer. ● Do not generalise or paraphrase part of the key points leaving out essential key points that should be paraphrased. ● Check that every part of the question has been addressed. Question Paraphrased ✖ Paraphrased ✔ According to the author in lines 37 - 39, what is the impact of those smartphone users who make ‘loud and intrusive phone calls’? [1] Loud phone users disrupt activities. (Answer is inaccurate as it is too general, did not specify the activity as stated in the passage) Loud phone users increase the noise level in public domains. 6

[D] AVOID LIFTING Paraphrasing requires expressing ideas in your own words . ● Do not copy key words or phrases from the passage. ● Even if the meaning is correct, you will be penalised for lifting. Lifting = 0m. ● Do not use the root word or form of the word. Phrase Paraphrased ✖ Paraphrased ✔ ‘erodes interpersonal skills’ Erodes people’s ability to interact effectively = 0m (‘erodes’ is lifted) weakens people’s ability to interact effectively ‘culture of