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G2 English Papers 3 & 4: listening and oral

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The last two G2 English papers are listening and oral. Listening (Paper 3) is 30 marks and 10%; Oral (Paper 4) is 30 marks and 20%, computer-delivered around a video clip. Reading aloud is not part of G2 oral.

Key facts

Paper 3Listening — 30 (10%), ~45m
Paper 4Oral — 30 (20%), ~20m
Oral formatcomputer, video clip
Reading aloudnot in G2

Paper 3: Listening (30 marks)

A range of task types — multiple-choice, matching, a graphic organiser — over spoken material, with most sections played twice and a note-taking task heard once. It checks following meaning, picking out detail, and grasping a speaker's purpose. Reading the questions before the audio plays is the single biggest technique gain.

Paper 4: Oral (30 marks)

Computer-delivered around a video clip, with about 10 minutes' preparation. Part 1 is a planned response (/15) — speaking on a topic linked to the clip — and Part 2 is a spoken interaction (/15) responding to follow-up questions. There is no reading-aloud component (that returns only at G1).

How to score

For listening, practise with clear spoken English and rehearse shorthand for the single-play task. For oral, speak out loud regularly on everyday and issue-based topics, develop answers with a reason and an example rather than one-liners, and work on pace and clarity. Together these papers are 30% of the grade and very trainable.

Frequently asked questions

How are G2 Papers 3 and 4 weighted?

Listening (Paper 3) is 30 marks and 10%; Oral (Paper 4) is 30 marks and 20%.

What is the G2 oral format?

Computer-delivered around a video clip: a planned response (15 marks) and a spoken interaction (15 marks), with about 10 minutes of preparation.

Does G2 oral include reading aloud?

No — reading aloud is not part of G2 oral; it returns only at G1.

How is the listening paper heard?

Most sections are played twice; the note-taking task is heard once.

Vivek Hathiramani
Founder & Tutor, LearnUp

Vivek teaches English and Chemistry to primary and secondary students in Singapore through LearnUp, with a focus on exam confidence built through structure rather than pressure.

Secondary English, with a method

LearnUp teaches writing, comprehension and oral through clear frameworks and exam-format practice. Explore the programmes on BrainBuzz.

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