The structure of essay paper questions
By Marjorie Henry, Contributor

Students prepare for class. - Contributed Photo

IN THE last lesson I gave you an overview of the structure of the question paper. How you should select your questions and manage your time during the examinations. This week, as promised, I want to share with you the
structure of the questions on the essay paper - paper 2.

Each question has a three-profile dimension, namely:

Profile 1 - Practical skills
Profile 2 - Knowledge
Profile 3 - Use of knowledge.

The marks allocated to each profile vary with the proficiency level. Most marks are allotted to profile 3 in the general paper.

Let us discuss each profile. Invariably, some stimulus material is given in profile 1. You may recall that in the previous lesson, I had indicated that skills were tested in the other questions and just not in map reading. What is given in profile 1 is a further test of skills. This stimulus material comes at the beginning of the question, and can take the form of sketches, charts, graphs, tables or maps.

You are given questions based on the stimulus material. You are required to look at what is given and find the answers. Where stimulus material is not given, skill is tested when you are asked to do such things as to draw a sketch, or a diagram, or to construct a graph.

Let me deviate a while to remind you about decoding the question. This is important for you to understand the question. A question has three parts, namely:

• A key verb - the word that tells you what you are supposed to do.
• An object - which tells you on what to perform your task.
• A limiting factor - that tells you how to go about it.

The key verb or command word varies with each profile. Let me give you some examples: Study is often used in profile 1 of the question. For example:

Study the diagram below, ... , then answer the following questions.

Since profile 2 is testing knowledge, the command words include list, state, name, define and describe. You are being asked to recall the facts. Explain and compare are two examples of key verb use for profile 3 to ensure the use of knowledge.

May I encourage you to simply follow the command words. Do not waste time writing unnecessary information. What do I mean by this? Let me refer to a question to explain.

Describe TWO conditions necessary for the occurrence of mass wasting.

In your response you simply write down the details on how mass wasting will occur, limiting yourself to two conditions. You were not asked to define mass wasting so there would be no need for you to offer a definition for it.

Structure of the questions

Each has different sections identified by (a), (b), (c), etc. and sometimes sub-sections identified by (i), (ii), etc. There is no continuous writing for the questions. When writing your answers use the same structure. Marks are allocated for each section and sub-section. Use these to guide you in how much to write. If a section carries three marks, there is no need to write a whole page in response. Focus on what you were asked about.

In answering your questions, remember that terms that are acceptable when writing your English A essays and short stories, are not necessarily suitable when writing your geography essays.

In closing, may I encourage you to do careful revision. Questions will be given testing all sections of the syllabus. Note however, that it is hardly likely that an entire question will be given on a single topic from the syllabus. A question from the industrial system, for example, may include two or three different industries. Choose your questions wisely. Those you select should be the ones you are best prepared for.

All that is left for me to do now is to wish you good success in your examinations.