PAPER II

SECTION A (20 marks)

NOTE-MAKING, COMPREHENSION AND SUMMARY
 NOTE-MAKING

 It is the process of arranging important points from a written passage into a

clear set of note.
 The first paragraph gives an overview of what the passage is all about. It usually
contains the title as well.
 The rest of the paragraphs contain:
a. main points
b. major supporting points
c. minor supporting points
 Usually, the passage meant for note-making contains four main ideas with their
supporting points
Parts of Note-making

 The good notes should have the following:

a. Title
b. Main points
c. Supporting points
Title

Usually found in the last sentence (concluding sentence) of the first paragraph
The title should:
✓ be capitalized
✓ be centralized
✓ not be underlined
✓ have no full stop at the end of it because it is a phrase
✓ have no symbols and abbreviations
Main points

Usually found in the first sentence of the subsequent paragraphs

Derived from topic sentences of each paragraph
Main points should:
✓ have no symbols and abbreviations
✓ have their first letter capitalized
✓ be written from the left margin
✓ be written in small letters and underlined
✓ be numbered.
Supporting points

These are ideas that make the main points clear

Found in the remaining sentences in the paragraphs after extracting the main
points
Supporting points should:
▪ be numbered consistently like a, b, c or i, ii, iii
▪ be written some inches away from the margin
▪ use standard symbols and abbreviations
▪ be written as phrases and not sentences
▪ be written in small letters without capitalizing the first letter
▪ not be underlined
Example

There are several activities that can help teachers impart knowledge and skills
of learning and writing to learners. One of the activities neglected by many
teachers, especially in secondary schools is dictation. It is a simple exercise if
teachers are familiar with the stages in this activity. Therefore, let us have
some time to look at stages that are followed in dictation.
Firstly, the teacher reads a number of books and identifies a passage. The
teacher reads several times to find out if the things he or she wants the learners
to achieve are available in it. When choosing the passage, the teacher makes
sure it simple, clear and short. The passage must not contain ambiguous words to
avoid confusing learners. In addition, the teacher must make sure that the
passage contains the spelling pattern which he or she wants the learners exhibit.
For example, if the teacher wants learners to exhibit knowledge or skills on
words ending in –tion or –sion, the passage must have more of such words than
others.
Sample response

STAGES FOLLOWED IN DICTATION

1. Read books and identify passage
a. reads passage several times
i. to find out if things he/she wants the learners to achieve are available
b. chooses simple, clear & short passage
c. must not contain ambiguous words
d. make sure that the passage contains sp patterns e.g –tion/-sion
i. must have more of such words than others
Marking the Note-making

 Marks allocation
▪ Content (8 marks)
½ mark for each correct point (minimum of 16 points)

▪ Layout (8 marks)
2 marks for the title
4 marks for main points ( a mark each)
1 mark for consistent numbering
1 mark for consistently underlining the main points
Marking the Note-making cont’d

Style (4 marks)
1 mark for use of phrases when writing the supporting points
1 mark for abbreviations, short forms and contractions
1 mark for use of standard symbols
1 mark for achieving brevity through the use of phrases, abbreviations, short
forms and contractions and standard symbols
SECTION B (40 marks)
Comprehension
Guidelines in answering comprehension questions
1. Brevity of the answer
The longer the response the more mechanical errors there may be.
2. Responses must be expressed in the candidate’s own words i.e avoid word
lifting.
3. Responses should be properly punctuated
➢ Answers that are in form of sentences must begin with a capital letter and end
with a full stop
Eg. Why did Zagwa leave his native country?
Ans: Zagwa wanted to find money to support his family.
Guidelines in answering comprehension
questions cont’d
 Answers that are in form of phrases must begin with a small letter and end
without a full stop.
Eg. Why did Zagwa leave his native country?
Ans: to find money to support his family
4. The verb tense used in the question must be maintained in the response.
Eg. What led Pilirani to be chased from her father’s house?
Ans: She got into a relationship with Zagwa.
5. Questions requiring expression of meaning should follow the rules below:
Guidelines in answering comprehension
questions cont’d
 There are two types of questions requiring candidates to express meaning,
namely:
 a. Give the meaning of the following words as used in the passage. This
question requires one-word answer. The form and grammatical value of the word
in question must be maintained in the response the candidates give.
Eg. yelling – shouting
fabricate – create
b. Explain the meaning of the following words as used in the passage.
Questions under this category come in form of phrases picked from the passage.
The candidates have to provide responses in form of phrases as well .
Eg. turned a blind eye – did not pay attention
hatched a plan – devised a way
Guidelines in answering comprehension
questions cont’d
6. Questions requiring character description
Provide an adjective that describes the behaviour of the character then back
it with evidence from the passage.
Eg. Describe the character of Zagwa.
Ans: He is responsible as he went abroad to find resources to support his
family.
Guidelines in answering comprehension
questions cont’d
7. Questions requiring suggesting of a title
A title is a brief and inclusive heading of the passage.
A title has the following characteristics:
o It is not a sentence.
o It is short and concise.
o It must capture the general idea of the passage.
o For the sake of examinations, it should not be a proverb or saying
When suggesting the title, attach it to the main character, plot, or theme.
Eg. Pilirani the Courageous Girl
Pilirani’s Misfortunes
Summary writing

 Read the passage with proper understanding

 Identify main events – not less than 6

 Join the main points into 1 paragraph i.e in your own words

 Check if the summary is within the word limit of 70-100 words.

Check list for a summary

 Candidates must consistently use one tense, past or present

 Lifting should be avoided at all cost

 All grammatical and orthographical rules must be followed

 Symbols, abbreviations and contractions are not allowed

 The summary should be written in one paragraph

Cont…

 A zero is awarded to a candidate who

 Writes a folktale e.g Long time ago…, Once upon a time …
 Lifts from the passage
 Summarises a different story
 Summarises the passage in another language
 Writes a summary without characters or with characters with different names
 Summarises the passage in point form or uses any form of numbering
 NOTE: for all stories in the first person point of view, don’t use ‘I’ rather
use ‘the narrator’
Examples of main points

 Kalikokha was chasing Kamundi, a member of the gang

 Kamundi was running towards a car, where his friend, Chagwa was waiting for
him
 Kalikokha almost caught kalikokha but the latter through a bundle of clothing
to triple him
 The two thieves sped away
 Kalikokha expertly threw a knife which burst one of the tyres
 The car lost control and overturned
 Kalikokha and his friends finally caught the thieves
Sample summary

Kalikokha was chasing Kamundi, who was a member of a gang. Kamundi was
running towards a car, where his friend Chagwa was eagerly waiting for him,
ready to escape. Kalikokha nearly caught Kamundi but the latter threw a bundle
of clothing to triple him, and he fell on the ground. This allowed the two thieves
to drive away and escape. Then Kalikokha expertly threw a knife, targeting one
of the worn-out tyres which eventually burst. The car lost control and
overturned. Finally, Kalikokha and his friends caught the thieves and tied them
up.
Marking key

 Content = 6 marks
 Mechanical accuracy = 2 marks
 Flow = 2 marks

 When the passage is below 70 words, here is the marking key

 Content = 3
 Mechanical accuracy = 1
 Flow = 1