Paper 2 Skills: Evaluation (Cambridge (CIE) AS English General Paper): Revision Note

Paper 2 summary

Paper 2 of your CIE AS English General Paper exam is the comprehension paper:

• 1 hour 45 minutes

• 50 marks

• 2 sections each worth 25 marks

• 50% of the AS level

• Source materials will be provided in a separate insert booklet:

  • The materials may come from reports, reviews, essays, blogs, scripts, speeches and descriptions, and may include visual data such as diagrams or graphs

  • The materials will be up to 900 words in length

Below we break down the skills required to demonstrate your ability to evaluate in the Paper 2 exam, along with the types of questions that assess these skills.

Evaluation

Evaluation involves making an informed judgement based on careful analysis and consideration of the evidence. You must be aware of bias, whether intentional or unintentional, and objectivity. 

In Paper 2, some questions ask you not just to understand or explain the text, but to make a judgement: to decide which source, idea, or argument is better, more reliable or more effective. It is not enough just to describe or summarise: you need to show how and why you reached your conclusion.

To achieve the highest marks, you should:

• Choose the most important and relevant details to support your judgement:

  • Do not include random or minor points

• Don’t just say what is true; explain why it matters:

  • Your points should include interpretation and reasoning

• Show a balanced judgement if required:

  • Sometimes you need to show awareness of both sides before making a final decision

• Present your argument fluently and logically

Exam questions: evaluation

These questions commonly use the command words “evaluate” or “assess”, and demand a judgement based on reasoned arguments and evidence. Evaluation tasks require you to judge the quality, importance, value or significance of something.

Some questions may require you to evaluate the quality or trustworthiness of information by assessing potential bias or objectivity. Other question types may require you to weigh multiple factors (advantages and disadvantages) to make a supported decision. You may also be asked to evaluate consequences.

Examples:

You earn marks when you can demonstrate that you know not only what the text says, but can clearly explain what it means, how effective it is and/or why your judgement makes sense.