PSLE open-ended comprehension: answering in your own words
The open-ended comprehension in Paper 2 is where many marks are won or lost. It rewards answering in your own words, drawing inferences, and supporting answers from the text — and it penalises lifting whole sentences without adapting them.
Key facts
| Where | Paper 2, Booklet B |
| Reward | own words + inference |
| Penalty | lifting without adapting |
| Technique | Point–Evidence–Explain |
Answer in your own words
When a question asks you to explain or describe, paraphrase rather than copy. Lifting a whole sentence from the passage usually loses the mark, because it doesn't show understanding. Find the relevant part, then say it in your own words — keeping the meaning exact.
Handle inference: the 'why' and 'how'
Inference questions ask what the text implies rather than states. The answer is built from clues in the passage plus reasoning. Point to the evidence and explain what it suggests — this is where a Point–Evidence–Explain habit pays off, the same discipline as PEEL.
Quote precisely, then adapt
When you do use words from the text — for vocabulary-in-context or to support a point — quote the exact phrase, then explain or rephrase it. Read the question stem carefully: “In your own words” and “Using evidence from the text” are instructions, not suggestions, and answering the wrong way costs marks even when the idea is right.
Common mistakes
Lifting; answering a different question than the one asked; giving one-word answers where development is needed; and ignoring the marks available (a 2-mark question wants two ideas). Reading the question twice, and checking your answer against it, catches most of these.
Frequently asked questions
Why do I lose marks for 'lifting' in comprehension?
Copying a whole sentence from the passage doesn't show understanding. Open-ended comprehension rewards answering in your own words while keeping the meaning exact.
How do I answer inference questions?
Use clues in the text plus reasoning: point to the evidence and explain what it implies — the Point–Evidence–Explain habit.
When should I quote the text?
For vocabulary-in-context or to support a point — quote the exact phrase, then explain or rephrase it in your own words.
How do I avoid common comprehension mistakes?
Read the question twice, answer exactly what's asked, match the number of ideas to the marks, and paraphrase rather than lift.
PSLE English, with a method
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