English is an official language in South Africa and is one of the two options students can select as their Home Language (HL) for the matric exams. Choosing a home language is mandatory, and it displays native-level fluency in the selected language.
This language is also offered as a First Additional Language (FAL) and Second Additional Language (SAL) and is designed for students who do not speak the language at home. Students who pick English as HL or FAL must study for three papers.
This article provides the 2018 matric English past exam papers from November and June, which students can solve before the exams.
Table of Contents
Overview of Practicing English Past Papers
When studying a language such as English for the matric exam, it is essential to have a clear grasp of grammar. This will also help students comprehend literature and improve their essay-writing skills.
When students practice past exams, such as the 2018 matric English past exam papers, they can help evaluate their understanding of grammar rules. It can also help point out any weak areas and whether they are affecting the way they write their essays or format their letters.
Students are expected to appear for three English exams, which test different elements of the language. The final grade that the student is awarded for English is based on the total of the three papers. Therefore, students must practice all three of the 2018 matric English question papers.
Paper 1: Focuses on language and covers topics such as comprehension and language structures.
Paper 2: This paper covers the literature aspect and how well students have comprehended the reading list. This includes novels, dramas, short stories, and poetry.
Paper 3: Students are tested on their writing skills and are expected to know how to write essays, formal letters, diary entries, speeches, etc.
2018 Matric English Past Papers November with Memos
It is essential to practice a language regularly to gain fluency and understand its subtexts. One of the best ways students can test their knowledge of English is by solving matric English paper 1 2018 and matric English paper 2 2018. These papers test students’ comprehension, grammar, and ability to understand the literature reading material.
Students who pass the matric exam are awarded a pass level: bachelor’s, diploma, or higher certificate. When English is chosen as the home language, students need to score aminimum of 40% to achieve one of these levels.
The table below consists of the 2018 Matric English past exam papers and memos in PDF format.
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English Question Papers |
English Memos |
Read more about the Minimum Requirements to Pass Matric
2018 Matric English Past Papers May/June with Memos
The May/June matric exams are for individuals who wish to rewrite or upgrade their matric. Students unsatisfied with their English exam results from the November matric exam can opt to reappear for the exam.
These exams also include three papers and cover the same curriculum as the November matric exams. Students can request a matric certificate replacement to have their old scores updated.
These 2018 Matric English past exam papers should be considered bonus practice papers to help students perfect their understanding of the language.
The table below contains the June 2018 matric English past papers and their respective PDF memos.
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English Question Papers |
English Memos |
Learn about the Difference Between Matric Rewrite and Upgrade
How to Effectively Use 2018 English Question Papers for Preparation?
The matric is the most important exam high school students in South Africa prepare for. Therefore, it is necessary to prepare diligently and use all the available resources to help students gain a high score.
We have provided June and November 2018 matric English past papers that students can use to test their curriculum knowledge. These can also help them identify their weak areas. This could be a particular poem or essay writing.
These are some benefits of solving the 2018 Matric English past exam papers:
Understanding the Paper Structure
Students can better understand how the upcoming exam will be structured when they download and solve past exam papers, such as the November 2018 matric English past exam papers.
It also allows students to become familiar with the types of questions the English paper features. If students are uncomfortable understanding the context of specific segments, such as long passages or comic strips, they can spend additional time practicing those.
- Students can create time to study topics that carry a higher weight.
- Students can practice writing for Paper 3 and check against the memo to see if they cover key points.
- Identify weak topics and spend additional time clearing the doubts.
Creating a Timetable
Some subjects, such as English, require students to appear for multiple papes for the matric. If a student has multiple subjects where they must write more than one paper, they need to devise effective study tactics to ensure they get enough time to study, practice, and revise the syllabus.
Timetables help to bring structure into the day and allow students to focus on their daily tasks. When students have goals, they are motivated and focused to complete the task within the allotted time frame.
- The timetable can be created to study for one or multiple subjects simultaneously.
- Create a daily schedule that allocates set times for studying and breaks.
- Further, study times should be divided to include practising past papers such as 2018 Matric English past exam papers, evaluating answers, and revising weak points.
Read more on How to Make a Study Timetable
Understand the Scoring Guidelines
Students must understand the scoring guidelines for a subject like English, which requires students to appear for three papers. This allows them to understand each paper’s weightage and the marks allotted for individual questions.
Students can identify high-scoring sections when solving papers such as the 2018 Matric English past exam papers. For example, the essay in Paper 3 is scored out of 50 marks, making it one of the most critical sections of the exam. Students must:
- Dedicate additional time to practice questions that carry high marks.
- Evaluate their answers with the November 2018 English memos to understand better the techniques needed to score on these sections.
These are the maximum scores for the English exams:
English as a Home Language
English HL Paper 1: 70 marks
English HL Paper 2: 80 marks
English HLPaper 3: 100 marks
English as First Additional Language
English FAL Paper 1: 80 marks
English FAL Paper 2: 70 marks
English FAL Paper 3: 100 marks
Understand How Matric Final Marks are Calculated
Identify Repeated Topics
When students notice topics of questions that they predicted as part of their matric exam, it helps to boost their confidence. They can easily identify recurring topics by solving past exams, including the 2018 matric English past exam papers. When a student notices a particular type of question in several papers, it demonstrates its importance for the examiners. This allows students to:
- Create time in their study schedule for extra practice on repeated topics over the years.
- Study strategically by concentrating more on these elements, such as essay writing.
- Feel confident that they are prepared.
All the exams and memos of the 2018 matric English past exam papers have been sourced from the Department of Basic Education’s past papers.
Conclusion
As students complete their preparation for the matric exams, they should make time to solve past papers. This will help them understand the format of different exams and manage their time effectively.
The matric English exam papers in PDF format allow students to easily download past years’ papers. By working through these past papers, students can gain insight into the exam’s structure and practice idea formulation and their writing skills.
Students must use the 2018 Matric English past exam papers to their advantage as they enter the final preparation stage for the matric exams.
Check Reginsights on the Regenesys website for more information on the matric exams.
FAQs on 2018 Matric English Past Papers
What are the main components of the English matric exams?
The English matric exams consist of three papers: Paper 1 focuses on language and comprehension, Paper 2 covers literature, and Paper 3 assesses writing skills.
How can past papers help in exam preparation?
Solving past papers, such as 2018 matric English past exam papers allows students to familiarise themselves with the format, practice time management, and identify recurring questions.
What should students do if they struggle with writing essays?
Identifying weak areas allows students to allocate more study time to those topics. Students should practice writing multiple essays and check against the memos to see if they cover key points.
Can I skip the 2018 matric English FAL paper 1 because I speak English?
Students should practice FAL Paper 1 since it helps to test their understanding of the correct usage of English comprehension and grammar.
Do I need to practice the 2018 matric English home language paper 1 and the 2018 matric English home language paper 2?
Students should practice both since Paper 1 covers language and Paper 2 is focused on literature.
