Welcome to The ZAscension GP Genie 
, the Page of FAQs 😎
This page is designed as a platform to let you ask any questions that you may have for GP. We remember how awesome it is to have genius friends who could answer any of our questions when we were studying for A Levels, and we want to offer that to you too! GP Genie is here to help!
We will try our best to address the questions posed by students. We will feature FAQs and Answers here so that it is easy to see everything on one page 😃
How to ask questions? Scroll all the way down to the ‘Comment’ Section below and ask away!
27 Important FAQs for GP (Compre Skill)
Compre Passage Analysis
1. FAQ: How do I start when doing Compre? Do I need to read all the questions first? Or just read the passage?
Answer: We would probably want to begin looking at the title first because it tells us what we can expect from the passage. With that, we get a mental blueprint to navigate the passage with much more ease. Adding to that, we should also read the AQ because it will highlight key concerns the passage will deal with. We should be actively thinking of the AQ as you are reading the passage (even for the first time).
As for whether we have to read the SAQ beforehand, I would say they don’t matter as much because there are too many questions and we probably can’t remember them all. If we want we could scan through the SAQ just to get some inkling of the issues, but I personally don’t do that. The title, AQ and summary question are good enough for me
2. FAQ: How much time should I spend reading the passage?
Answer: For Compre passages, we should take about 10-15 minutes to read it. Many students tend to only read for 5 minutes and some even for less than 2 minutes. It is necessary to spend substantial time on reading because we need to analyse and evaluate while we read.
We should be making annotations while actively considering points that have been put forth by the author. Responding to ideas as we process them is key to active reading and understanding. As such, it would take some time. However, time spent reading could be saved later on when we attempt the questions because we will be very familiar with the passage
3. FAQ: Would you say speed reading is helpful in Paper 2?
Answer: Reading faster is certainly a good skill to have considering that Compre has very limited time. We often have to rush to finish Compre and many have difficulties finishing the paper. Speed reading is nice with the caveat that we are also reading with understanding. Some students mistaken speed reading to mean quickly glossing through the passage to get a general sense. The truth is close reading is extremely important to get the nuances of the passage. These nuances would directly translate into the precision of our answers as well as the depth of our evaluation. Hence, speed reading is great but critical and close reading would be even more valuable
Compre Short-Answer Questions (SAQ)
1. FAQ: For summary, are there points that need to be inferred? Or can I just direct paraphrase?
Answer: Most points are what we would term Literal, meaning they are directly paraphrased and the point is already mentioned explicitly by the author. The converse would be Inferential ones that are hinted at but not said, and would therefore need a degree of deduction and conclusion on out end. Literal points would of course be easier since the only requirement would be to paraphrase. Inferential requires us to draw from clues.
The good news is that most points for Summary would usually be Literal. The only Inferential ones are probably those that involve examples, literary devices, or quotes. These should be inferred rather than forcefully paraphrased because they are actually tools used by the author to make a larger argument
2. FAQ: Should I read all the paragraphs then attempt the SAQ or should I read one paragraph and attempt the SAQ relating to it and then move on with reading the rest?
Answer: Definitely read and finish annotating the whole passage BEFORE attempting the Compre questions. The reason is because paragraphs often build on the same idea, so you can only get a comprehensive perspective when you read on.
And to infer some points correctly, it requires an entire contextual understanding of the passage. Analysing the entire passage will be very helpful. If you jump between reading and answering questions without first knowing the flow of the entire passage, it can become an impediment in your comprehension of the passage’s ideas/arguments
3. FAQ: Is there a standard way to answer metaphor questions for paper 2?
Answer: Actually all the language questions found in Compre have a standard way we approach them and structure our answer. For metaphor, the first part of the answer needs to explain the metaphor. It will explain without any context, just simply explaining what the phrase itself means when used in any context.
The next part then goes to context. We would need to apply the metaphor back to the passage and explain what it means in the context of the passage. This contextualisation step is in fact a very key step for many language questions. To make it easier, we may also question what’s the purpose of the metaphor when we are thinking of the answer, it will make a lot more sense in that way
4. FAQ: How to improve my SAQ?
Answer: The first step is knowing the different types of SAQ and determining which types we find most challenging. The types include: Literal, Inferential, Language.
If we struggle with Literal questions, we would likely need to work on paraphrasing accuracy or close passage analysis because the points are in the passage. If we struggle with Inferential questions, we need to work on connecting clues in the paragraph to the larger context of the passage.
For language questions, we can improve by knowing the structure required for language questions. For example, we should answer irony questions with: 1) Expectation, 2) Reality. We can improve our SAQ when we know what specific issues we face (based on question type), and proceed to address those issues
5. FAQ: How do I make better inferences for Compre?
Answer: Inference questions mean there is a gap between the what is found in the passage and what the question is asking for. In other words, the passage offers clues but we have to connect these clues to the question. To properly do that, we must have a firm understanding of the context of the passage.
An analogy would be: if we know someone’s personality well, we would be able to better infer certain meanings from their words and actions. Similarly, knowing the context forms the bigger picture that would help us decide how to interpret the finer clues of the passage. Context refers to the author’s unique perspective on the issue, including the author’s tone and attitude
6. FAQ: Why does mark allocation matter in Compre short questions?
Answer: Mark allocation for SAQ can provide a good idea of how much we need to write in our answers. In other words, how many points we need to find. However, the marks only inform us the minimum number of points we need, not the maximum/correct number. For example, a 2m question may have 3 or even 4 points. The marks do not determine a set number of points, rather they tell us the minimum number of points. A 3m question should certainly have at least 3 points. So when we are writing our SAQ answers, we can keep this at the back of our minds
7. FAQ: Should we memorise the various literary devices for paper 2 language questions?
Answer: When it comes to literary devices, we can focus on understanding them. Memorising is not necessary. Understanding them includes: how it is used, its effect, examples of it. We should always think of why the author chooses to use the device, and what it accomplishes. As long as we are familiar with these, there is nothing we have to memorise. Remember to contextualise our answers based on the passage, when answering language SAQ
8. FAQ: Can I lift if the question does not say ‘use your own words as far as possible’?
Answer: Regardless of whether that phrase is written in the SAQ, we will always paraphrase key ideas. We only lift words that are found in the question, or words that are truly impossible to substitute. Otherwise, the default is always to paraphrase. Answers that are lifted are not awarded marks and can even detrimentally affect our language marks. So be sure to remember to paraphrase key ideas for every question
9. FAQ: Are language questions in paper 2 all inferential questions?
Answer: Inferential questions refer to those where answers are not found in the passage. Instead, only clues are provided. Most language questions require us to infer to figure out what the device/punctuation means and what purpose it is trying to achieve.
However, I have also come across questions where the explanation of this device has been provided by the author and we are only required to paraphrase that. For example, some authors could go on to clarify and specify what their metaphor means. To put it simply, not all language questions are Inferential, it depends on what is provided in the passage
10. FAQ: Why is tone important in paper 2? I’m referring to the passage.
Answer: Tone in writing is like colors in painting/photography. With tone, we can easily get an impression of what the author is trying to convey. Essentially it allows us to better decipher the meaning. This is especially useful when we have difficulties understanding some parts of the passage. Specifically, we can look at positive and negative connotation in word choices to determine what the author’s stand is on the issue
11. FAQ: How to analyse short answer qn in paper 2?
Answer: When we look at SAQ, we want to pay attention to 2 main things. Firstly, what type of question, e.g. literal/inferential/language. This affects how we approach the question. Secondly, we want to analyse the directive terms found in the question. For example, a ‘Why’ question is very different from a ‘How’ question. This directive term would guide us to look out for the right clues/points when we refer to the passage. To ensure we have answered the question, we must also check whether our answer addresses this directive term
Compre Summary
1. FAQ: For summary should I write the point when I don’t know how to paraphrase?
Answer: I would say don’t write a point that is completely lifted because that doesn’t award any marks and worse still it compromises your language score. Ideally, just try your best to paraphrase, even if you’re not sure just give it a shot. Trying means having a chance to get it right whereas lifting/completely not writing the point just loses the potential mark
Some tips for paraphrasing: it doesn’t always have to be a direct synonym. Try your best to express the point in a logical way thst matches what the author wants to convey, instead of trying to match word-for-word. In short, try your best to paraphrase, always attempt to do so even if you aren’t entirely sure
2. FAQ: How many points do I need to find for summary?
Answer: For summary, it’s important to understand that the number of points found directly determine your marks allocated. It’s unlike essay where it’s focused more on quality than the actual number of points. With that said, to get the full 8 marks, we should aim to have 14-16 points.
It will be very helpful to keep this in mind and do a check to see if you have at least 14 points. If you don’t have enough points, you should go back to the passage and pay attention to lines that you did not highlight/underline, or lines that you ignored parts of the sentence. You can also think about whether the example/quote in the passage needs to be paraphrased. If it has some significance to the argument you need to infer and include it
3. FAQ: How many points to find for summary?
Answer: I’m glad this question was asked! It’s very important to think of summary from a ‘points approach’, meaning aiming to find a standard number of points. We should aim to find at least 15 points.
This is the usual number to get the full 8 marks, although it can differ from question to question depending on what the author has discussed. But it is really helpful for us to aim for 15 points because if we fall short we will be reminded that we have to search more closely, or perhaps make some inferences rather than completely ignoring a particular point
4. FAQ: How do I know if I have enough points for summary?
Answer: Begin with a goal in mind. We should aim to look for at least 15 points for our summary practices. 15 is the usual needed to get the full 8 marks. If we have below 15 points, that would be an indication that we are lacking points.
Note that some sentences could contain a few points in just one sentence. In such cases, be sure not to only paraphrase part of the sentence because we would end up losing valuable points! Generally, a new point means a different idea. If we are lacking points, we can try to see if there are examples that can be inferred and therefore count as a point
5. FAQ: What can I do if I can’t find enough points for summary?
Answer: There are 3 main things we can do. First, look at which lines we have not highlighted, these lines could very well have a point if we consider more thoughtfully. Second, look at the lines that we have only highlighted partially. Are there points in the other parts of that same line? Did we miss out on those because we read too quickly or because it seems repetitive? Could it possibly be different?
Finally, we can look out for points that are less direct. These points need to be inferred, possibly from an example or quote or list or analogy. Focus on identifying enough points before going on to write
6. FAQ: How do I find enough points for summary?
Answer: First, know that we should be aiming for about 16 points in order to get the full marks. Second, some points have to be inferred, while others could come from the significance of examples. These are the points that are easier to miss and we should be sure to keep a lookout for them. Third, read every line closely, especially lines where there are seemingly no points. These are the lines that could actually hold a point if we take a closer look. This also applies to parts of a sentence where we did not highlight
Compre Application Question (AQ)
1. FAQ: What do I have to do for AQ?
Answer: Think of AQ as 2 components. You have to first EVALUATE the author’s points and then APPLY that to the local context. When you APPLY, you’re trying to explain whether the points are relevant to Singapore, and you will provide Singapore examples to show whether the points hold true #FAQ
2. FAQ: What are some common types of AQ examples?
Answer: I could give an overview of some useful AQ examples.
1) Famous individuals in Singapore (can be politicians, celebrities, business owners, activists etc.)
2) Issues that have happened (especially those that gain significant attention in the media)
3) Policies/Intiatives in Singapore (e.g. Education, Healthcare, Data, Fake News). We can refer to Stat Boards or Ministries.
4) Trends/Key characteristics of Singapore (the socio-economic climate, internet penetration, investment in tech, green spaces, preference for healthier food etc)
5) Events/Programmes/Campaigns that happen quite frequently (it reflects our priorities and concerns)
6) Companies and NGOs
Essentially, the aim is to highlight some unique ideas that help us understand Singapore’s context (and apply the author’s arguments to this context)
3. FAQ: How many paragraphs I need to write for AQ?
Answer: One thing to remember is that AQ is 10 marks while SAQ is 17 marks, and Summary is 8. This means that AQ shouldn’t take up so much time such that you cannot do the other components properly. I would recommend maximum 25 mins for AQ.
On that note, you would only need 2 paragraphs for AQ (excluding intro and conclusion), but of course these have to be 2 solid paragraphs that are well-elaborated. They should contain proper evaluation (reason why you agree/disagree with the author), and apt examples from the Singapore context. Also, do ensure that each paragraph takes a different view so that the overall AQ is balanced. You may also include more than 1 example per paragraph
4. FAQ: Do I need to create my own arguments for AQ?
Answer: Understand that AQ differs from Essay in how you need to respond. The focus is on responding to and evaluating arguments made by the author(s), instead of simply crafting your own arguments. The first priority is to explain whether you agree or disagree. From there, the next priority lies in using the Singapore context to explain and substantiate your evaluation.
Agree = Why are the arguments especially relevant to Singapore. Disagree = Why are the arguments incompatible with Singapore.
To answer your question, there are minimal original arguments that you have to create. Instead, you need to evaluate and provide reasons. Engage with the arguments that have been put forth by the passage and build/deconstruct those instead of discussing completely new and separate arguments
5. FAQ: Is there any way to prepare content for AQ?
Answer: Unlike Essay, AQ is actually even broader and cannot properly be classified into themes. It can be anything from green spaces, to plastic surgery, to clothing, to museums, to social media. The good news is we do not have to worry about preparing for AQ.
The focus of AQ is on Singapore and it’s easy to relate events and policies in Singapore to any issue, as long as we have been keeping up with local news. We should focus on evaluating the author’s points and drawing connections between those points and what we can observe in Singapore
6. FAQ: Is content preparation required for AQ? What should I read?
Answer: For AQ and for the entire Compre, the content topic being discussed is extremely varied. It can be about anything under the sun and unlike Essay there will only be 1 topic without any choice. Hence, it is not very practical for us to try and prepare for the topic. The good news is we don’t have to either. Compre and AQ are very much about responding to the author’s arguments and reading them closely. We don’t need too much prior knowledge for that.
As for AQ, of course it would be ideal to have some background knowledge. However, even without that, we can still respond by having a good understanding of the local context. In other words, we can focus on getting to know Singapore, including its unique characteristics and latest developments. The more we know, the easier AQ will be
7. FAQ: What skills do we need for AQ? What to take note of?
Answer: The good thing about AQ is that if is essentially a mini-essay which means most of the skills we use for Essay would be directly applicable. To name some of these skills, we have: Question Analysis, PEEL structure, Topic Sentences that clearly address the question, Focusing on Logic in Arguments instead of just being Descriptive, Clearly explaining the point of our Examples etc.
The only key difference is that AQ is a response where we address the author’s points. This means that Evaluation is especially important in AQ where we engage with the point and note its strengths and limitations. Apart from that, all the other essay skills would still apply
ZAscension GP Genie is a new initiative, the list will continue to expand when we receive more questions, so please feel free to ask!
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