O Level English Comprehension
Introduction
English Comprehension is one of the most important and scoring components of the O Level English exam. Whether you are appearing for the Cambridge O Levels or any similar board examination, your ability to understand, analyze, and respond to a reading passage plays a major role in determining your final grade. Many students believe comprehension is difficult because the passages seem long, unfamiliar, or confusing. However, with the right strategies, proper practice, and exposure to past paper questions, this section can become one of the easiest areas to score high marks.
The 2025 update of the O Level English Comprehension format places greater emphasis on critical thinking, inference, vocabulary interpretation, and the ability to explain ideas clearly. Students are not only tested on what the passage says, but also on what it implies. This means that the days of simple, direct-lifting answers are gone. Examiners now look for answers that demonstrate understanding, clarity, and precise language. Therefore, solving past paper questions is essential, as it allows students to familiarize themselves with the type of language writers use, the way questions are structured, and the expectations of examiners.
This guide brings you the Top 5 Solved Past Paper Questions with detailed, high-quality answers based on the latest marking criteria for 2025. Each solved example shows you how to identify key information, understand the author’s tone, analyze deeper meanings, and structure answers correctly. These solved questions are not only meant to provide ready-made solutions, but also to train you to think like a top-scoring student.
You will learn how to:
- Identify main ideas and supporting details
- Understand implied meanings and hidden messages
- Interpret vocabulary from context
- Recognize tone, purpose, and attitude
- Write clear, logical, and concise answers
- Avoid common mistakes that cause mark loss
The goal of this guide is to help you build confidence, improve your comprehension skills, and approach the exam with a clear strategy. Whether you are preparing on your own, studying with a tutor, or learning in the classroom, these solved questions will serve as a strong foundation for your revision.
By the end of this guide, you will not only understand how to answer comprehension questions effectively but also develop the skills needed to excel in the 2025 O Level English exam. Let’s begin your journey toward achieving outstanding results!
1. Question: What is the writer’s attitude towards technology in the passage?
Sample Answer:
The writer’s attitude towards technology is cautiously optimistic. While acknowledging its ability to make life more convenient and connected, the writer also warns against becoming overly dependent on it. Phrases such as “an amazing servant but a dangerous master” suggest that the writer appreciates technology’s usefulness but fears it could control us if misused. Overall, the tone is balanced: neither overly enthusiastic nor dismissive, but realistic and thoughtful.
2. Question: Explain in your own words what “time is a thief” means.
Sample Answer:
The expression “time is a thief” means that time silently takes away moments from our lives without us realizing it. Just as a thief steals valuable possessions, time steals youth, opportunities, and experiences. The phrase highlights the idea that once time passes, it can never be recovered, reminding us to make the best use of every moment instead of wasting it.
3. Question: Give two ways the writer creates suspense in the passage.
Sample Answer:
The writer creates suspense firstly by using short, abrupt sentences which build tension and quicken the pace. For example, the sudden pauses mirror the character’s nervous heartbeat. Secondly, the writer withholds important details until the end of the paragraph, keeping the reader guessing about what will happen next. This deliberate delay in revealing key information keeps the audience on edge and eager to read further.
4. Question: Identify and explain the effect of one metaphor in the passage.
Sample Answer:
The metaphor “The city was a jungle” compares the city to a wild, chaotic forest. The effect is to suggest danger, unpredictability, and the need for constant alertness. Just as animals in a jungle struggle to survive, the metaphor implies that people in the city must fight for survival in a harsh, competitive environment. This creates a vivid and powerful image for the reader.
5. Question: What impression do you get of the narrator’s personality?
Sample Answer:
The narrator comes across as thoughtful and observant. He notices small details about the setting, which shows he is attentive and reflective. At the same time, his use of humor and light-hearted comments suggests he has a positive and approachable nature. However, moments of hesitation and doubt reveal that he may also be slightly insecure. Overall, the narrator seems human and relatable, combining intelligence with vulnerability.
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