ENGLISH FIRST ADDITIONAL LANGUAGE
PAPER 1
GRADE 12 
NSC PAST PAPERS AND MEMOS
FEBRUARY/MARCH 2018

INSTRUCTIONS AND INFORMATION 
This memorandum must be used together with the attached English FAL assessment  rubrics for SECTIONS A, B and C. 

MEMORANDUM 

SECTION A: ESSAY 
QUESTION 1 
Instructions to Markers: 

• Candidates are required to write on ONE topic only.
• The ideas listed below the topics are only some ways in which the topic could be  interpreted.
• Full credit must be given for the candidate's own interpretation.
• Marking must be objective. Give credit for relevant ideas. 
• Use the 50-mark assessment rubric to mark the essays. The texts produced by  candidates must be assessed according to the following criteria as set out in the  assessment rubric: 
  • Content and planning (30 marks)
  • Language, style and editing (15 marks)
  • Structure (5 marks) 
    NOTE: 
  • Adhere to the length of 250–300 words as prescribed in the CAPS document.  However, should the maximum word count be reached mid- sentence, read  to the end of that sentence.
  • No additional penalties may be imposed as the rubric itself imposes  penalties.  

1.1 An escape  
Narrative/Reflective/Descriptive 

• If narrative, the essay must have a strong story line and an interesting  ending. The essay is usually written in the past tense. 
• If reflective, the essay should convey emotional reactions and feelings  the candidate experiences/experienced. 
• If descriptive, the candidate should create a picture in words, using as  many senses as possible to make the description clear.
  NOTE: A candidate may write an essay which contains elements of more  than one type of essay. [50]

1.2 We have been friends since Grade 1 
Narrative/Reflective/Descriptive 

• If narrative, the essay must have a strong story line and an interesting  ending. This topic lends itself to the possibility of being written in both the  past tense and the present tense. 
•  If reflective, the essay should convey emotional reactions and feelings  the candidate experiences/experienced.
• If descriptive, the candidate should create a picture in words, using as  many senses as possible to make the description clear.
  NOTE: A candidate may write an essay which contains elements of more  than one type of essay. [50] 

1.3 The home in which I grew up 
Descriptive/Reflective/Narrative 

• If descriptive, the candidate should create a picture in words, using as  many senses as possible to make the description clear. 
• If reflective, the essay should convey emotional reactions and feelings  the candidate experiences/experienced. 
• If narrative, the essay must have a strong story line and an interesting  ending. The essay is usually written in the past tense.
  NOTE: A candidate may write an essay which contains elements of more  than one type of essay. [50] 

1.4 'Life is really simple, but we insist on making it complicated.' – Confucius Discuss this statement. 
Discursive/Narrative/Reflective/Descriptive/Argumentative 

• If discursive, the arguments for and against must be well-balanced and  clearly analysed in the essay. Supporting evidence must be provided for  arguments given. The candidate may come to a particular conclusion at the  end of the essay which should include recommendations.
• If narrative, the essay must have a strong story line and an interesting  ending.
• If reflective, the essay should convey emotional reactions and feelings the  candidate experiences/experienced.
• If descriptive, the writer should create a picture in words, using as many  senses as possible to make the description clear.
• If argumentative, the essay must reflect a specific argument or viewpoint for  or against the topic. The candidate should give a range of arguments to  support and substantiate his/her view. The conclusion should be a strong,  clear and convincing statement of the writer's opinion.
  NOTE: A candidate may write an essay which contains elements of more  than one type of essay. [50] 

1.5 We are responsible for what future generations will inherit from us Argumentative/Reflective/Discursive 

• If argumentative, the essay must reflect a specific argument or  viewpoint for or against the topic. The candidate should give a range  of arguments to support and substantiate his/her view. The  conclusion should be a strong, clear and convincing statement of the  writer's opinion.
• If reflective, the essay should convey emotional reactions and  feelings the candidate experiences/experienced.
• If discursive, the arguments for and against must be well-balanced  and clearly analysed in the essay. Supporting evidence must be  provided for arguments given. The candidate may come to a  particular conclusion at the end of the essay which should include  recommendations.
  NOTE: A candidate may write an essay which contains elements of more  than one type of essay. [50] 

1.6 Freedom of speech is both a right and a responsibility. Do you agree? Argumentative 

• The essay must reflect a specific argument or viewpoint for or against  the topic.
• The candidate should give a range of arguments to support and  substantiate his/her view. 
• The conclusion should be a strong, clear and convincing statement of  the writer's opinion.
• If discursive, the arguments for and against must be well-balanced and  clearly analysed in the essay. Supporting evidence must be provided for  arguments given. The candidate may come to a particular conclusion at  the end of the essay which should include recommendations.  [50]

1.7 Interpretation of pictures 
Narrative/Descriptive/Reflective/Argumentative/Discursive 

• The candidate should give the essay a suitable title.
• The candidate may interpret the pictures in any way.
• The candidate may choose to write any type of essay.
• The interpretation must be linked to the picture.
• The candidate may write in any appropriate tense. 

1.7.1 Picture: Tap 

• Literal interpretations: the importance of water in our lives, lack  of service delivery, access to water.
• Figurative interpretations: drought, water conservation. 

1.7.2 Picture: An athlete 

• Literal interpretations: sport, talents, competition.
• Figurative interpretations: rat-race, competing to be the best,  taking up challenges. [50] 

 TOTAL SECTION A: 50

SECTION B: LONGER TRANSACTIONAL TEXT 
QUESTION 2 
Instructions to Markers: 

Related Items

• Candidates are required to answer ONE question.
• Marking must be objective. Give credit for relevant ideas.
• Use the 30-mark assessment rubric to mark the responses in this section. The  texts produced by candidates must be assessed according to the following criteria  as set out in the assessment rubric: 
  • Content, planning and format (18 marks)
  • Language, style and editing (12 marks)
    NOTE:
  • Adhere to the length of 120–150 words as prescribed in the CAPS document. However, should the maximum word count be reached mid sentence, read to the end of that sentence.
  • No additional penalties may be imposed as the rubric itself imposes  penalties.  

2.1 FRIENDLY LETTER 
A letter of congratulations 

• The letter should have an introduction, a body and a conclusion. 
• The tone and register of the letter should be friendly and informal. 
• The following aspects of format must be included: 
  • Address of sender 
  • Date 
  • Greeting/Salutation 
  • Suitable ending 
• The candidate must express his/her congratulations to the friend. [30]

2.2 LETTER OF APPLICATION 
Application for the position of general assistant 

• Acceptable variations of format must be allowed.
• The letter should be addressed to the production manager.
• The tone and register of the letter should be formal.
• The letter should have an introduction, a body and conclusion.
• The following aspects of format must be included: 
  • Address of sender 
  • Date 
  • Recipient: The Production Manager
  • Name of the production company 
  • Address of recipient 
  • Greeting/Salutation 
  • Subject line 
  • Suitable ending 
  • Signature 
  • Name of sender 
• The purpose of the letter must be clear. [30]

2.3 INFORMAL REPORT 
A report on a project  

• The report must have: 
  • A topic 
  • A recipient 
  •  A sender 
• The report must be written using an informal format but formal language.  [30]
• Slang or colloquial language is NOT acceptable. 
• Information about the project must be included. 

2.4 INTERVIEW 
Interview with a private nurse  

• A context must be provided at the beginning of the interview. 
• The dialogue must be between yourself and the nurse. 
• The tone and register should be appropriate to the person being  interviewed. 
• The questions must be probing and to the point. 
• The names of the speakers should be followed by colons. 
• A new line should be used to indicate each new speaker. [30]

TOTAL SECTION B: 30

SECTION C: SHORTER TRANSACTIONAL TEXT 
QUESTION 3 
Instructions to Markers: 

• Candidates are required to answer ONE question.
• Marking must be objective. Give credit for relevant ideas.
• Use the 20-mark assessment rubric to mark the responses in this section. The  texts produced by candidates must be assessed according to the following criteria  as set out in the attached rubric: 
  • Content, planning and format (12 marks)
  • Language, style and editing (8 marks)
    NOTE:
  • Adhere to the length of 80–100 words as prescribed in the CAPS document.  However, should the maximum word count be reached mid- sentence, read  to the end of that sentence.
  • No additional penalties may be imposed as the rubric itself imposes  penalties.  

3.1 INVITATION CARD 
Invitation to a farewell dinner 

• The invitation must include the following aspects: 
  • Date, venue and time 
  • Type of function 
• Language should be suited to the context. 
• Full sentences are not necessary. 
• No marks should be awarded for illustrations. [20]

3.2 DIARY ENTRIES 
The candidate's feelings before and after his/her first day at work. 

• There MUST be TWO diary entries with two different dates/times.
• The diary entries should be written in the first person.
• The language should be simple and informal.
• The tone must reflect suitable emotions. [20]

3.3 DIRECTIONS 
Directions from the shopping centre to the local post office 

• The directions may be in point or paragraph form. 
• Complete sentences are not necessary. 
• Directions must be in the correct sequence, including reference to  distance, turns and landmarks.
• No marks are awarded for sketches or maps. [20] 

TOTAL SECTION C: 20
GRAND TOTAL: 100

ASSESSMENT RUBRIC FOR ESSAY – FIRST ADDITIONAL LANGUAGE [50 MARKS]

ASSESSMENT RUBRIC FOR LONGER TRANSACTIONAL TEXT – FIRST ADDITIONAL LANGUAGE [30 MARKS]

ASSESSMENT RUBRIC FOR SHORTER TRANSACTIONAL TEXT – FIRST ADDITIONAL LANGUAGE [20 MARKS]