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IB English B: Assessment: Papers 1–2, oral, HL literature
Text types and writing, listening and reading, individual oral, HL literary works. 4 subtopics, 16 key terms.
In this topic: 6.1 · 6.2 · 6.3 · 6.4
6.1Paper 1: productive skills (writing)
Key terms
- Paper 1
- Writing: one task from a choice of three, 30 marks, 25 %; SL 1 h 15 min (250–400 words), HL 1 h 30 min (450–600 words).
- Criterion A · Language (12)
- Range and accuracy of vocabulary and grammar.
- Criterion B · Message (12)
- Relevance, development and organisation of ideas.
- Criterion C · Conceptual understanding (6)
- Choice of text type, register, tone, audience and purpose; conventions.
Each task gives a context, purpose and audience and suggests three text types: choose the most appropriate.
The full notes, worked example, interactive diagram and check questions for this subtopic are in the app.
Exam tip: Criterion C is the easiest to secure: show 4–5 clear conventions of the chosen text type.
6.2Paper 2: receptive skills (listening and reading)
Key terms
- Paper 2
- Listening (25 marks, 25 %; SL 45 min, HL 1 h) and reading (40 marks, 25 %; 1 h).
- Gist / detail
- Overall meaning / specific information.
- Inference
- Working out meaning that isn't stated directly.
- Distractor
- A wrong option designed to look right.
Listening: three audio texts; question types include multiple choice, gap-fill, short answers, matching.
The full notes, worked example and check questions for this subtopic are in the app.
Exam tip: Watch for paraphrase: the question rarely uses the same words as the text.
6.3The individual oral
Key terms
- Individual oral
- Internal assessment: 12–15 minutes plus preparation; 30 marks, 25 %.
- SL stimulus
- A visual linked to one of the themes and the target-language culture(s).
- HL extract
- An extract (up to 300 words) from one of the two literary works studied.
- Interactive skills
- Understanding and responding naturally, keeping the conversation going.
Structure: presentation (3–4 min) → follow-up discussion (4–5 min) → general conversation on at least one other theme (5–6 min).
The full notes, worked example, interactive diagram and check questions for this subtopic are in the app.
Exam tip: Practise the general conversation on all five themes: it's where you show spontaneous range.
6.4HL literature HL
Key terms
- Literary works
- HL students study two works originally written in English.
- Character
- A person in a literary work.
- Theme
- A central idea explored in a work.
- Narrative voice
- Who tells the story and how.
Know each work's plot, characters, themes, key passages and context.
The full notes, worked example and check questions for this subtopic are in the app.
Exam tip: For each work, prepare 5 key extracts you could be given and practise presenting each in 3–4 minutes.
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