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S4 English: DSE Paper 2 Writing (Paper 4, error repair)
S4 English: DSE Paper 2 Writing (Paper 4, error repair)
Ten items repairing the most common writing errors: Yours faithfully in a letter to a friend, a thesis that carries a stand plus a reason, Part A at 200 of 600 words (33.33%), a paragraph ending that returns to the topic sentence, ten minutes per paragraph when four paragraphs fill 40 minutes, who rather than which for people, local before-and-after data as the strongest evidence, nevertheless as the contrast marker, the double opinion marker in my opinion I think, and the single 400-word block that hides the argument.
Direct answer Most writing marks are lost to loose format, loose paragraphs and loose argument, not to weak vocabulary.
01 Paper details (check answers afterwards)
| Item | Detail |
|---|---|
| Questions | 10 |
| Suggested time | 25 |
| Difficulty mix | Foundation 4 · Intermediate 3 · Challenge 2 · Error redo 1 |
| Chapter | Chapter: S4 English: DSE Paper 2 Writing |
| Level | Four error-repair, three advanced, two challenge and one combined repair item |
02 Questions (10 items)
- FoundationA letter to a close friend ends with Yours faithfully. What is wrong?
- FoundationWhich sentence is a clear thesis for an essay on school canteen food?
- FoundationPaper 2 allows 600 words; Part A takes 200. What percentage of the total is Part A?
- FoundationWhat is the job of the last sentence of a body paragraph?
- IntermediateYou plan four paragraphs in 40 minutes. How many minutes per paragraph on average?
- IntermediateRead: Students which study late perform worse. What is wrong?
- IntermediateWhich evidence best supports an essay arguing for a later school start?
- ChallengeWhich linking word signals contrast: moreover, nevertheless or therefore?
- ChallengeRead: In my opinion, I think that uniforms are useful. What is the error?
- Error redoError repair: a student writes the whole essay as one 400-word paragraph. What is wrong, and what is better?
03 Answers and one-line notes
| # | Answer | One-line note |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Yours faithfully belongs to Dear Sir or Madam; a letter to a friend needs a friendly closing | Yours faithfully pairs only with an unnamed formal reader, so a friendly closing such as Best wishes is needed. |
| 2 | The canteen should offer healthier meals because students eat there every day | A thesis states a stand plus a reason, so the reader knows what the whole essay proves. |
| 3 | 33.33% | Two hundred out of six hundred is about 33.33 per cent, leaving two thirds for Part B. |
| 4 | It ties the evidence back to the topic sentence | The closing sentence links the evidence back to the topic sentence, which is what makes the paragraph argue. |
| 5 | 10 minutes | Forty minutes across four paragraphs is ten minutes each, which still leaves time to check. |
| 6 | Which cannot refer to people; use who | Which refers to things, so people need the relative pronoun who. |
| 7 | A local survey showing attendance rose after the start time moved to 8:30 | Specific local evidence with before-and-after figures is strongest; general statements prove nothing. |
| 8 | nevertheless | Nevertheless marks contrast, while moreover adds and therefore draws a conclusion. |
| 9 | Two opinion markers repeat each other; keep only one | In my opinion and I think say the same thing twice, so one of them must go. |
| 10 | One block hides the structure; split it into paragraphs with one idea and a topic sentence each | Without paragraphs the marker cannot see the argument, so each point needs its own paragraph and topic sentence. |
04 What to do after marking
- After marking, redo only the wrong items and write down which step went wrong (formula, unit, or misread number).
- Repeat the same item two days later; move to the next paper only when both attempts are correct.
- Parents only need the answer and note columns; there is no need to explain every item.
Questions and answers are written originally by the TutorZone team and are not taken from any school, publisher or examination authority paper. Every value is checked by computer.
