❖ Methodology ❖ Section II ❖ Language & Vocabulary ❖

Language Section (15 pts)

The most predictable section: 5-7 exercises on grammar, vocabulary, word formation, and functions. With good preparation, you can score 12-15 out of 15.

The 7 typical exercises

Exercise	Skills	Marks
1. Vocabulary fill-in	Choose the right word from a list	2-3 pts
2. Matching / synonyms	Match words to definitions or synonyms	2-3 pts
3. Word formation	Put the word between brackets in the right form	2-3 pts
4. Grammar transformation	Active→passive, direct→reported, conditional, etc.	3-4 pts
5. Sentence combination	Linkers, relative pronouns, addition/concession	2-3 pts
6. Function matching	Identify which function each sentence performs	1-2 pts
7. Situational response	Write what you'd say in a given situation	1-2 pts

Strategy by exercise

① Vocabulary fill-in

Read all the words in the list first.
Identify the part of speech of each word.
For each blank, identify what's needed: noun? verb? adjective?
Eliminate options that don't fit grammatically.

② Word formation

The key: identify the WORD CLASS needed.

After "a / an / the" → noun.
After "to be / seem / look" → adjective.
After a noun → maybe a verb (gerund) or adjective.
After a verb → maybe an adverb (-ly).

Then add the right suffix:

-tion, -ment, -ity, -ness, -ence/-ance → noun
-ful, -less, -ous, -al, -ic, -y, -able, -ive → adjective
-ly → adverb
For negation: un-, in-, im-, il-, ir-, dis-

③ Passive voice

Identify the active tense.
Move the object to the front (it becomes the new subject).
Conjugate "be" in the same tense + past participle (V3).
"By + agent" only if the agent matters.

④ Reported speech

Choose the right reporting verb: said / told / asked / advised / suggested.
Backshift the tense one step.
Change pronouns (I → he/she).
Change time/place: today → that day, here → there.
Remove the question mark in reported questions.

⑤ Conditionals + wish

Identify the time of the situation: present or past?
Real present → Type 1 (if + present, will + V).
Unreal present → Type 2 (if + past, would + V).
Unreal past → Type 3 (if + past perfect, would have + V3).
Wish + past simple = present wish. Wish + past perfect = past regret.

⑥ Relative pronouns

who/whom for people, which for things, that for both (informal).
whose for possession.
where for places, when for time.

⑦ Function matching

Pre-memorise the signal phrases for each function:

"I'm sure / definitely / no doubt" → Certainty.
"I doubt / may / probably" → Uncertainty.
"You should / why don't you" → Advice.
"Sorry / apologise" → Apologising.
"I refer to / defined as" → Defining.
"Congratulations / great news" → Responding to good news.
"Sorry to hear / poor you" → Responding to bad news.
"I wish / if only" → Regret.

⑧ Situational response

The exam gives a context — you write the response.

Identify the function asked (advice, apology, congratulation, etc.).
Use 1-2 sentences, with a polite opener and a clear follow-up.
Show variety: don't use the same phrase as elsewhere in the exam.

Time strategy — 45 minutes for 15 pts

1-2 min per matching question (vocab, function, synonym).
2-3 min per transformation (passive, reported, conditional).
3-5 min for situational response (write more carefully).
If stuck on one, move on. Come back at the end.

Top tips

Memorise patterns, not just rules. Pattern recognition is faster in an exam.
Do many past exams — the questions repeat with minor variations.
Don't change a correct answer. Your first instinct, well-trained, is usually right.
Check tense consistency. Reported speech is the #1 source of errors here.
Write clearly. Sloppy handwriting can turn a correct answer into an "uncertain" one for the corrector.

❖ Pro tip

Section II is where students earn easy points. If you've done your unit work, you should aim for at least 12 out of 15 here — even a fair Letters student can score 13-14 with practice.