English Past Paper 2023(2024) O/L

Test 1

Picture Caption Matching Quiz

1. 📖 Vocabulary Development (English Past Paper)

Firstly, this activity introduces everyday English words like thermometer, umbrella, and sunglasses 🕶️, helping students expand their vocabulary in a practical context.

2. 👀 Visual Literacy

In addition, by matching descriptions to pictures 🖼️, students learn to interpret visual cues and connect them with language — a skill tested in the O/L English exam.

3. 📘 Comprehension Skills

Moreover, the task strengthens reading comprehension 📖 by requiring students to understand short descriptive phrases and identify their meanings accurately.

4. 📝 Exam Relevance (English Past Paper)

As a result, this format mirrors actual exam questions 🧠, making it ideal for revision and familiarizing students with picture-based vocabulary tasks.

5. 🧩 Guided Learning

Furthermore, including a completed example ✅ supports learners by reducing confusion and modeling how to approach the task correctly.

6. 🎯 Practical Application

Finally, the activity blends language with real-world objects 🌍, reinforcing functional English and logical reasoning — key goals of the GCE O/L syllabus.

English Past Paper

2023(2024) O/L English Past Paper

Answers to tests 1 to 16


1. 📖 Complete Guide for Students (English Past Paper)

At first, The Sri Lanka GCE O/L English Syllabus – Complete Guide for Students provides a clear overview of the skills and knowledge required for success in the examination. It helps learners understand what areas they need to focus on and how to prepare effectively.

2. 📝 Exam Syllabus in Sri Lanka

Furthermore, the GCE Ordinary Level English Exam Syllabus in Sri Lanka outlines the essential areas of study, including grammar, vocabulary, comprehension, and literature. As a result, this ensures students know exactly what topics will be tested.

3. 📚 Study Resources (English Past Paper)

After that, Students can benefit from the Sri Lanka O/L English Language Syllabus and Study Resources, which offer structured practice materials and guidance for exam preparation. On the other hand, these resources include notes, worksheets, and practice papers.

4. ✍️ Grammar, Vocabulary, Literature & Tips

Then, to strengthen performance, the O/L English Exam Syllabus Sri Lanka – Grammar, Vocabulary, Literature & Tips highlights key focus areas and practical strategies. This section emphasizes exam techniques and common mistakes to avoid.

5. 📂 Past Papers & Preparation Guide

Finally, the Sri Lanka GCE O/L English Syllabus 2025 – Past Papers & Preparation Guide ensures learners have access to updated exam formats, marking schemes, and practice questions. Past papers are a vital tool for building confidence and achieving success.

English Past Paper

English Past Paper 2024(2025) O/L

Test 16.1

Educational Programmes on Television

Complete the passage by selecting the correct words from the dropdowns.

Educational programmes on television play an important role. They viewers useful things. They show lessons, facts, and clearly. Students can many things without spending extra . These programmes are .
There are many types of educational . Some programmes teach school . Others show about animals and the environment. Some explain history and . Certain shows teach special .
Educational programmes help . They use pictures and . Students revise , improve their , and practise .
Programmes are also useful for the general . They give important about health and services. They help people stay and aware. These programmes are very . Watching them is .

English Past Paper 2024(2025) O/L

Test 15

Magellan — Reading Passage

Five hundred years ago, sailing even in familiar waters was an adventure. There were no radios, weather reports, or good maps. Sailors were on their own. Many died in shipwrecks. So little was known about the Earth and its seas that no one was sure that the world was round.

Then Ferdinand Magellan led a crew of 265 on a voyage. They were the first men to sail around the world. They were also the first Europeans to cross the Pacific Ocean. They set sail in September 1519. Magellan commanded the ‘Trinidad’. The other ships in his fleet were the ‘San Antonio’, ‘Concepcion’, ‘Victoria’, and ‘Santiago’.

In November they reached Brazil’s shore. They rested there. On Christmas Day, they started going down the South American coast. The fleet set out again in August 1520. In October, they found a bay. Magellan sent two ships to explore it. A violent two-day storm began. The ships took shelter in a small inlet. They found that it was a long waterway. Although it had land on both sides, the water was salty. They had discovered the Strait of Magellan at the tip of South America! They came back and got the rest of the fleet. For the first time, people sailed from the Atlantic Ocean to the Pacific Ocean. It took one month.

The weather was awful, and the captain of the San Antonio turned his ship around and fled. It took the remaining ships from November 1520 until March 1521 to cross the Pacific Ocean and reach the Philippines. Magellan was killed when he tried to force the natives there to become Christians. But enough of his crew survived that the other two ships returned to Spain in September 1522. Only 18 men had survived the trip. One had kept a log about this adventure that proved once and for all that the world was round.

Answer the Questions

(1) True or False
(a) Sailing was dangerous as sailors had no modern equipment.
(b) There were four ships in Magellan’s fleet.
(c) Magellan’s voyage proved the world was round.
(d) Magellan returned to Spain in 1522.
(2) Why didn’t people know the progress of sailors?
(3) Magellan commanded which ship?
(4) How did sailors prove the world was round?
(5) What does “His” refer to? (Copy and paste only one word.)
(6a) “explore” meaning:
(6b) “awful” meaning:

English Past Paper 2024(2025) O/L

Test 14

Letter Activity — Choose the Correct Answer

Select the correct words from the dropdowns to complete the letter.

The Secretary
Language Club
Vijaya College
25th November 2025

The Principal
Sandamal College

Dear ,

We are happy to you that our Language Club is an inter-school debate competition to celebrate its fifth anniversary. The debate will be held in . It will take place on 15th March at .

We kindly request you to send your school’s team to take part in this event. It would be a great honour to have your students join us. Please send us a of your school’s participation.

Thank you.

Yours ,
Secretary, Language Club

English Past Paper 2024(2025) O/L

Test 13

Match the Extracts with the Headings

Choose the correct heading for each extract.

Extract (i): We invite those who are competent and confident in handling two or more languages including English because we need to communicate with foreign communities. Priority will be given for the ones with experience in managerial level of which three years as an internal supervisor.
Extract (ii): Your presence in the event is highly valued and it is a great honour to our school since you are a reputed past pupil. This will be a great opportunity for our students to be inspired and motivated in their career development. We would be much grateful if you could send us your profile.
Extract (iii): Veganism is more than just a dietary choice. It’s often a lifestyle dedicated to avoiding harm to animals. Some people think that it negatively affects human health but many people justify it based on ethical and environmental reasons.
Extract (iv): Check the documents of the item very carefully. Complete them with legible handwriting and correct spelling. Don’t use black ink pens or correction fluid. Submit the documents with a copy of your identity card. Make sure that the item works properly before you purchase it.
Extract (v): Keep the electronic devices in the cupboard, provided for that purpose outside the hall. Keep them on silent mode. Don’t leave the hall without due permission. Inform your urgent physical requirements to the invigilator. Leave the hall when the third bell is rung.

English Past Paper 2024(2025) O/L

Test 12

Underline the Correct Verb Phrase

Select the correct option from the brackets for each sentence.

(1) If you jog every morning, you your weight.

(2) If you your speech, you would have delivered it flawlessly.

(3) If I had time, I shopping with you.

(4) Unless you study hard, you the examination.

(5) If Kamal a telescope he would watch the stars every night.

English Past Paper 2024(2025) O/L

Test 11

Living a Stress-Free Life

Fill in the blanks using the words given below:

Word bank: concentration, setting, mind, to, like, improve, as, practising, also, that, with, focus, helps, meditation

Living a stress-free life is possible with some good practices. First it is important prioritize self-care by aside time for activities bring you joy such hobbies or spending time loved ones. Mindfulness techniques meditation can help you concentration and manage anxiety. meditation can regularly enhance span and the ability to on tasks. Meditation you to calm the and body. It can reduce stress levels significantly. generally improves your overall mental well-being.

English Past Paper 2024(2025) O/L

Test 10

Trip to the National Park

Complete the passage by selecting the correct form of the verbs.

Last weekend, I went on a trip with my family. We visited a place called the National Park, full of beautiful trees, birds, and other animals. The weather was sunny, perfect for sightseeing. We packed our lunch and early in the morning so that we could spend the whole day exploring nature.

First, we walked along a long trail in the forest, where we saw so many colourful birds among trees.

After walking for a while, we reached a big hill. It was a bit tiring to , but when we got to the top, the view so amazing. I could see the whole park from up there, and everything amazing. I could look so small and we felt as if we were standing on the top of the world.

English Past Paper 2024(2025) O/L

Test 9

Read the passage and select the correct words from the dropdowns.

‘Charlotte’s Web’ by E.B. White is a children’s book that tells a lovely story between a pig named Wilbur and a spider named Charlotte. Wilbur is born on a farm and is in danger of being killed.

The most significant part of the story is the between Charlotte and Wilbur. Charlotte writes such as ‘gentle’, ‘caring’ and ‘humble’ in her web to show the farmer the qualities of her friend Wilbur. Her clever words make the farmer change his idea of killing Wilbur.

The book important qualities such as friendship, kindness and loyalty. Charlotte’s care for Wilbur tells readers how she acted to save Wilbur. This story truly shows the power of friendship to the reader.