IGCSE English Language 0500

Topic: Reading

Objective: Demonstrate understanding of explicit meanings in texts.

This section focuses on your ability to identify and understand information that is directly stated in a text. Explicit information is clearly presented and easily found within the passage. You will need to locate key details, facts, and the author's direct statements.

Key Skills

• Identifying factual information
• Locating specific details
• Understanding direct statements by the author
• Distinguishing between explicit and implicit information

Strategies for Answering Questions about Explicit Meanings

1. Read Carefully: Pay close attention to the wording of the text.
2. Identify Keywords: Look for words that signal important information (e.g., "because," "therefore," "in addition").
3. Locate the Information: Use the text to pinpoint where the answer is stated.
4. Quote Directly: When possible, use direct quotes from the text to support your answer.
5. Paraphrase Accurately: If you paraphrase, ensure you maintain the original meaning.

Types of Questions

Question Type	Example Question	How to Approach
Direct Recall	What is the main character's name?	Scan the text for the character's name.
Finding Specific Details	According to the text, where did the event take place?	Read the section describing the event and look for location details.
Identifying Author's Statements	What does the author explicitly say about the weather?	Look for sentences where the author directly describes the weather.
Understanding Definitions	The text defines 'ambitious' as... What is the definition?	Find the sentence or phrase where the definition is provided.

Example Text

The old house stood on a hill overlooking the village. It had been empty for many years, and the villagers whispered stories about it. The windows were dark and dusty, and the paint was peeling. Inside, the furniture was covered in white sheets, and a thick layer of dust coated everything. A single, crooked tree grew in the garden, its branches reaching out like skeletal fingers. The house was known for its unsettling atmosphere, and no one dared to go near it after dark.

Practice Questions (Based on the Example Text)

1. According to the text, where is the house located?
2. What details suggest the house has been neglected?
3. What is the overall atmosphere of the house described as?
4. What does the text explicitly state about people's behavior regarding the house after dark?

Answers:

1. The house is located on a hill overlooking the village.
2. The windows are dark and dusty, the paint is peeling, the furniture is covered in white sheets, and there is a thick layer of dust.
3. The overall atmosphere of the house is unsettling.
4. The text explicitly states that no one dared to go near the house after dark.