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GP ROCKS!

General
Paper
GCE ADVANCED/
ORDINARY
LEVEL
Subject Code
8006
General Paper is about developing…
Communicative/ writing skills
Communicate/ write clearly, accurately,
effectively

Evaluative skills
 Analyse a broad range of arguments and
opinions before taking a stand

 Life long learning skills


 Develop the interest and ability to conduct
independent reading and research
AIMS of General Paper
• Understand the world
– Develop a critical awareness of what is
happening in the world and how events shape
the human experience

• Understand the nature of


knowledge
- Realise that ideas across disciplines are
inter-related
AIMS of General Paper
 Local, regional, global outlook
 Broadenyour global outlook while
remaining mindful of local and regional
experiences

 Demonstrate maturity of thought


 Think analytically by applying critical and
creative thinking skills
 See multiple perspectives
The General Paper is
NOT…
• primarily a test of general knowledge
or current affairs
• simply a test of language proficiency
The General Paper
REQUIRES
1. Content / Current Affairs knowledge
2. Essay writing and reading skills
3. Synthesis of knowledge and skills
4. Language Ability
The
General Paper
EXAM!!!
The GP EXAM!
Paper 1 - Essay
Description Mk Weighting Duration
range

Paper comprises Do any 1 out C: 30 50% 1hr 30min


12 questions. of the 12 L: 20
Topics:
Issues from 500-800
across disciplines words
& issues of local
interest and
national concern
The GP EXAM!
Paper 1 - Sample questions
1. Does the modern world place too
much reliance on technology?
2. Was life for young people better in the
past than it is today?
3. ‘The task of the media is not simply to
convey the facts, but to make them
interesting.’ Discuss.
The GP EXAM!
Paper 2 - Comprehension
Description Mark Weighting Duration
range

Text comprises 1 or 2 Do all qns. C: 35 50% 1hr 30min


passages Qns will be L: 15
Types of questions: set on 1 or 2
Short questions (literal different
& inferential) 10- passages
15mks (1200 words)
Vocabulary 5-7mks that allow
comparative
Summary 8-10mks analysis.
Application Question:
7-10mks
The GP EXAM!
Paper 2 - Application Question: an example

Victoria Sherborne argues in favour of choice, whereas Tim


Parks has grave reservations about the benefits it is supposed
to bring.

Do you regard the increased degree of choice available to you


and your generation as broadly beneficial or harmful?

In your answer, develop some of the points made by the


authors, and give your own views and some account of the
experiences which have helped you to form them.
A quick
preview of
GP @ JJ
JC1 General Paper Programme
3 Sessions a week (3 ½ hours in total)
• 1 X 1 ½ hours (Content and Current
Affairs lesson)
• 2 X 1 hour (Skills lessons)
Content Knowledge

Range of Issues under the


broad thematic areas of

 Culture & Civilisation


 Society & Self
 Globalisation
 Science and Technology
 Politics & Conflicts
Instructional Pedagogy
1. Small group Tutorial Class

2. Exploratory and Experiential learning

3. Includes strategies such as


• Interactive discussion
• Debates
• Peer group work
• Mind mapping & Brain-storming session
• Collaborative learning
• Movies/ Documentaries
Survival Tips for GP
• Attend ALL classes.
• Prepare for lessons by reading up and completing
all work assigned prior to class.
• Submit your assignments on time.
• Participate actively in class activities and
discussions
• Be willing to engage with issues and to think
critically about them
• Develop good note-taking skills
What else can you do?
• Keep yourself well-informed
- Read: newspapers, magazines, books on GP-
related topics, model essays and GP readers in
our library, online articles
- Watch: documentaries, news, current affairs
programmes, movies with GP-related themes
Let’s look
forward to
GP lessons!

Some Matters

• Please pay $2.40 to your OG reps when you meet them after
today’s lecture, or if you have already done so, good job! 
• Your OG rep should collect a set of notes (reading skills, pop
culture, sport) from the photocopying lady anytime this week.
• You should have your notes with you for next week’s lectures

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