O Level English Language (1123): Why Students Lose Marks in Comprehension & Summary. How to Fix It Before Final Exams

O Level English Language (1123) is one of the most decisive subjects in a student’s overall result, yet it is also one of the most misunderstood. Many capable students work hard, practise regularly, and still fall short of their expected grades, especially in Paper 1 comprehension and summary questions.

After over 15 years of teaching and examining Cambridge O Level English, one clear pattern appears every exam session: students do not lose marks because of weak vocabulary alone, but because they do not understand how marks are awarded.

The good news is that this can be fixed, even in the months leading up to the May/June exams. If students focus on the right skills rather than practising blindly.

Why Comprehension Is Not Just “Finding Answers”

A common misconception among students is that comprehension is about locating information and copying it into their answer. In reality, Cambridge examiners assess understanding, interpretation, and precision.

Students often lose marks because:

• They lift sentences directly from the passage without adapting them

• They include irrelevant details

• They fail to answer the question exactly as asked

For example, when a question asks “Why was the writer disappointed?”, many students list events instead of explaining the reason behind the feeling. This shows surface reading, not comprehension.

High-scoring answers paraphrase clearly, remain focused on the question, and demonstrate understanding of the writer’s ideas, not just their words.

The Real Reason Students Struggle With Summary Writing

Summary writing is one of the highest mark-loss areas in O Level English. Students either write too much, include unnecessary explanations, or fail to identify the correct points altogether.

Cambridge does not reward length. It rewards:

• Selection of relevant ideas

• Concise expression

• Clear organisation

Many students lose marks simply because they do not know how examiners select points from the mark scheme. Writing ten correct sentences will not score higher than writing six precise ones, in fact, it often scores lower.

Effective summaries show control, clarity, and discipline. These are skills that must be trained, not guessed.

Language Marks: The Silent Grade Killer

Even when content points are correct, students often overlook language marks. Errors in tense, sentence structure, repetition, and poor phrasing quietly reduce scores.

Examiners look for:

• Accurate grammar

• Varied sentence structures

• Appropriate vocabulary

• Clear expression

This is why students who “know the answer” still receive average grades. English rewards how something is said, not just what is said.

Can English Results Really Improve Before May/June?

Yes, but only with targeted preparation.

General reading and random practice are not enough at this stage. Students need:

• Examiner-style feedback

• Practice based on real past paper patterns

• Clear techniques for comprehension and summary

• Guidance on common mistakes that lose marks

This is where structured crash courses make a real difference.

Why Our O Level English Crash Course Delivers Better Results

Our O Level English crash course is designed specifically for students preparing for the May/June examination session, using an examiner-focused approach developed over 15 years of Cambridge teaching and assessment experience.

Students do not just practise papers, they learn:

• How examiners think and award marks

• How to decode comprehension questions accurately

• How to write summaries that score full content and language marks

• How to improve expression quickly and effectively

Every session includes guided practice, personalised feedback, and model answers, so students understand exactly what separates an average response from a high-scoring one.

Most importantly, students gain confidence. They walk into the exam knowing what to do, how to structure answers, and how to avoid the mistakes that cost marks year after year.

Final Thought

English is not a subject where improvement depends on talent alone. It depends on technique, awareness, and guided practice. With the right approach, measurable improvement is possible — even in the final months before the exam.

If you want structured preparation, examiner insight, and focused support, our O Level English Crash Course is built to do exactly that.

English Language Crash Course for May/June Exams

Our O Level English Language Crash Course for the May/June examination session is carefully structured to address the exact demands of the Cambridge syllabus and marking criteria. The course places strong emphasis on extensive past paper practice, ensuring students become familiar with real exam-style comprehension, summary, and writing questions. Each paper is broken down systematically, with students guided on how to interpret questions accurately, structure high-scoring responses, and avoid common examiner-flagged mistakes. Classes are delivered by experienced, Cambridge-trained and qualified faculty who bring examiner insight into every session, helping students understand not just what to write, but how to write it for maximum marks. Through regular feedback, targeted skill development, and focused exam techniques, students develop the confidence, accuracy, and language control required to perform strongly under exam conditions.