Question 2

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Cambridge (CIE) IGCSE · English Language · Paper 1

Question 2: Summary & Writer's Attitudes

The big idea: Question 2 tests whether you can pull out ideas from a text accurately (2a) and work out how a writer really feels, even when they don't say it directly (2b) — and prove it with evidence.

Quick Overview

Question 2 is split into two parts: 2(a) is a summary task (15 marks), and 2(b) asks you to assess the writer's attitude (5 marks). Both are based on Text B.
2(a) tests R1 (explicit meaning), R2 (implicit meaning), and R5 (selecting information) for content — plus W1–W3 for how well you write it.
2(a) answers must be no more than 120 words, written in continuous prose (not bullet points), and mostly in your own words.
2(b) tests R2 (implicit attitudes) and R3 (analysing/evaluating with support). You typically need three details from the text.
The golden rule for both: never just copy the text — you must show understanding by processing the information, not repeating it.
Total time budget: roughly 15–20 minutes for 2(a) and 5–10 minutes for 2(b).

Part 1 — Question 2(a): The Summary Task

What Exactly Is a Summary?

Think of summarising like giving a friend the highlights of a two-hour film in 30 seconds — you keep every important plot point, but you cut the boring bits, and crucially, you tell it in your own words, not by reciting the script line-for-line.

A good summary has four qualities:

Quality	What it means
Objectivity	Stick to the facts in the text — don't add your own opinion or invent anything.
Concision	Condense the important information; leave out unnecessary detail.
Structure	Organise your points logically so the reader can follow easily (you don't have to follow the order of the original text).
Accuracy	Everything you write must be correct and reliable — don't twist the meaning.

Important twist for this examNormal summarising lets you repeat words from the text. But for Question 2(a), you're also being tested on paraphrasing — rearranging the text and putting it into your own words. So this task is really summarising + paraphrasing combined.

How the 15 Marks Break Down

Skill	What it means	Marks
R1: explicit meaning R2: implicit meaning R5: selecting info	Base your answer on both stated and implied information. You need a wide range of ideas, skilfully combined — not just 3 or 4 points listed randomly. Aim for 7–10 points.	10
W1: clarity W2: organisation W3: vocabulary & sentence structure	Write in continuous form (proper paragraphs, not notes), no more than 120 words, in your own words, summarising what you learn about the question's focus.	5

Why "just list 3 or 4 points" failsThe mark scheme specifically punishes narrow answers. Even if your 3 points are perfectly written, you're capped low because you haven't shown a wide range of understanding. Breadth matters as much as accuracy.

The 5-Step Method (Steps to Success)

Read & highlight the question. Mark the command word (what you're told to do) and the focus (what to look for in the text). Note the word limit.
Scan Text B and highlight evidence. Aim for the "10-point goal" — a wide range across different parts of the text. Ignore anything not directly relevant to the focus.
Plan before you write.
Write your answer.
Re-read and check:

Worked Example: Breaking Down a Question

What to Memorise

2(a): 15 marks

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Also in the full note

Part 2 — Question 2(b): Writer's Attitudes & Opinions
Concepts Checklist
Exam Tips & Common Mistakes
Making It Flow: Continuous Form & Connectives
What Is This Question Really Asking?
Finding the Clues: Implicit Attitude
The 6-Step Method
The Skill of Selecting & Using Evidence

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