Paper 2 Skills: Similarities and Differences (Cambridge (CIE) AS English General Paper): Revision Note
Exam code: 8021
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 identify similarities, differences, contradictions and contrasts in the Paper 2 exam, along with the types of questions that assess these skills.
Similarities and differences
In the Paper 2 exam, you may be asked to identify similarities, differences, contradictions or contrasts in part of a text. These types of questions require you to apply logical reasoning to precisely identify inconsistencies or contradictions.
A difference means two sources say different, but not necessarily opposing, things
A contradiction or contrast means the two sources say opposite or incompatible things
Similarities means things that are the same, similar or comparable
You should always read the question carefully first, and then annotate the relevant source material as you read. Examiners reward answers that demonstrate clear textual reference. However, do not over-explain or evaluate; these questions are not asking for reasons or judgements, only identification.
You can use linking words to help structure your answers where required:
Differences or contradictions: e.g. whereas, in contrast, on the other hand
Similarities: e.g. likewise, similarly
Exam questions: similarities, differences, contradictions and contrasts
For these types of questions, the assessment moves beyond single-word retrieval to recognising relationships between two pieces of information.
Examples:
For each of the three restaurants, identify one contradiction between claims made by the restaurants on their websites and opinions expressed by customers in the online reviews.
(8021/21, May/June 2024)
[3 marks]
Contrast the effect on volunteers when they watched the video of a campfire and a static upside-down image of a fire.
(8021/23, October/November 2024)
[1 mark]
Explain in your own words as far as possible: the similarities between Einstein and Steve Jobs, as stated in paragraph 5.
(8021/02 specimen paper)
[3 marks]
You may also be asked to “identify one difference” or “identify one contradiction”.
Worked Example
The text for this question can be found on pages 2-3 of the May/June 2024 8021/21 insert. (opens in a new tab)
For each of the three restaurants, identify one contradiction between claims made by the restaurants on their websites and opinions expressed in the online reviews.
[3 marks]
(i) Feast of Frugali
restaurant website claim: come and feast on our dishes in a truly relaxing environment
contradicts
opinion in online review: the acoustics made the room noisy and the staff seemed stressed and rushing about all the time
[1 mark]
(ii) Mama Ana Knows Best
restaurant website claim: we offer traditional local dishes cooked in strict accordance with Mama Ana’s original recipes
contradicts
opinion in online review: as for Mama Ana, I think that I know more than she did about how to cook tasty traditional Frugali dishes
[1 mark]
(iii) Restaurant International at Hotel Gambetta
restaurant website claim: savour the dishes at your leisure for a memorable experience
contradicts
opinion in online review: we only just finished our desserts before our allotted 90-minute time slot was up
[1 mark]
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