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

Quiz: Inverted Commas (Quotation Marks) ✍️

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1, What is the correct sentence?

  • “Hurry up!” shouted the coach.
  • “Hurry up”, shouted the coach.
  • “Hurry up!” shouted the coach.
  • Hurry up!” shouted the coach.

The correct sentences are:

  • “Hurry up!” shouted the coach.
  • “Hurry up!”, shouted the coach. (This option is also correct, following similar comma placement rules to the previous examples, though less common than placing the comma inside a quotation with a period).

The other two options are incorrect due to:

“Hurry up!” shouted the coach. (The comma is missing after “Hurry up!” to separate the quote from the dialogue tag “shouted the coach”).

Hurry up!” shouted the coach. (Missing opening quotation mark).

2, What is the correct sentence?

  • Rani said, “I am coming”.
  • Rani said “I am coming”.
  • Rani said, I am coming.
  • “I am coming”, said Rani.

The correct sentences are:

  • Rani said, “I am coming”.
  • “I am coming,” said Rani.

The other options are incorrect due to punctuation errors:

  • Rani said “I am coming”. This is incorrect because a comma is missing after “said” to introduce the direct quotation.
  • Rani said, I am coming. This is incorrect because quotation marks are missing around the direct speech.

Quiz: Apostrophe Used to Show Possession ✍️

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Exclamation Mark (!) ✍️

An exclamation mark (!) is a punctuation mark used to show strong feelings, emphasis, or sudden expressions in writing. It adds emotion, excitement, surprise, or urgency to a sentence. Unlike a period (.), which ends a neutral sentence, the exclamation mark makes the sentence more expressive and lively. 😊

1. To Show Strong Emotions ❤️😮

Exclamation marks are used when a sentence shows happiness, anger, surprise, fear, or excitement.

Wow! That was amazing! 🌟
Oh no! I forgot my homework! 📚
Hurray! We won the match! 🏆
Stop! Don’t touch that! ⚠️

2. To Show Commands or Urgent Instructions ⚡

When giving a command, warning, or instruction, exclamation marks make it more forceful.

Sit down! 🪑
Run fast! 🏃‍♂️💨
Be careful! 🚨
Help! Someone is in trouble! 🆘

3. In Interjections 🌟

Exclamation marks are used with interjections, which are short words expressing emotion or reaction.

Wow! That’s incredible! ✨
Oh! I didn’t see you there. 👀
Ouch! That hurts! 😖
Hooray! We are free! 🎉

4. To Add Emphasis in Sentences 🔥

Sometimes, exclamation marks emphasize a point, making it stronger or dramatic.

What a beautiful painting! 🎨
I can’t believe it! 😲
That’s the best cake I’ve ever eaten! 🍰
✨ Summary
The exclamation mark (!) is essential for expressing strong feelings, commands, surprises, or excitement in writing. Using it correctly makes sentences more lively, emotional, and engaging. But be careful: using too many exclamation marks can make writing seem overdramatic. Balance is key! 📝😊

Comma (,) ✍️

✍️ Comma (,)

A comma (,) is a punctuation mark used to show a short pause in a sentence. Commas help make writing clearer, organized, and easier to read. They separate ideas, list items, and prevent confusion. 😊

1. To Separate Items in a List 📝

Commas are used to separate three or more words, phrases, or items in a sentence.

I bought apples 🍎, bananas 🍌, oranges 🍊, and grapes 🍇.
She packed pencils ✏️, notebooks 📓, erasers, and a ruler.
We visited Paris 🇫🇷, London 🇬🇧, Rome 🇮🇹, and Berlin 🇩🇪.

2. Before Conjunctions (and, but, or) ⚡

Commas are often used before conjunctions to join two independent clauses.

I wanted to go to the park 🌳, but it started raining 🌧️.
She likes ice cream 🍦, and he prefers cake 🎂.
He studied hard 📚, so he passed the exam 🎯.

3. After Introductory Words or Phrases 🌟

Use a comma after introductory words, phrases, or clauses at the start of a sentence.

Yes, I will help you. ✅
After school, we went to the library 📖.
In the morning, the birds 🐦 were singing.

4. To Separate Extra Information (Non-Essential Clauses) 🧩

Commas are used to set off extra information that is not essential to the main meaning.

My brother, who is very tall, plays basketball 🏀.
The book, written by a famous author, is on the table. ✍️
Our dog, a playful Labrador, loves swimming. 🐕

5. With Direct Speech 🗣️

Commas are used before or after direct speech to separate it from the rest of the sentence.

She said, “I am going to the park.”
“Please sit down,” the teacher said.
“Hurry up,” shouted the coach. 🏃‍♂️

6. With Dates, Addresses, and Numbers 📅📍

Commas help organize dates, addresses, and large numbers.

He was born on August 15, 2005.
I live at 12, Elm Street, Colombo.
The population of the city is 1,234,567.
✨ Summary
Commas make writing clear, smooth, and readable. They show short pauses, separate items, organize ideas, and prevent confusion. Remember: a comma can change the meaning of a sentence, so use it carefully! 📝😊

Inverted Commas (Quotation Marks)

Inverted commas, also known as quotation marks (“ ”), are punctuation marks used to show exact words spoken, quotations, titles, or to highlight special words. They help make writing clearer and more expressive. 😊

🔹 1. To Show Direct Speech 🗣️

“I’m going to school now,” said Rani. 🎒
“What time is it?” asked Tom.
“Please help me,” the boy cried.

🔹 2. To Quote Someone’s Words 📖

The teacher said, “Reading makes you smarter.” 📚
My mother always says, “Be kind to everyone.” 💛

🔹 3. To Show Titles of Short Works 🎵📘

I love the song “Shape of You.” 🎶
We read the poem “The Road Not Taken.”
Did you watch the episode called “The Lost Map”?

🔹 4. To Highlight Special or Unusual Words ✨

The word “courage” means bravery. 💪
He gave me a “look” that I will never forget.
This machine can detect even the smallest “signals.”

🔹 5. Punctuation with Inverted Commas ⚠️

“Sit down,” the teacher said.
“Thank you.” 😊
✨ Inverted commas are essential for dialogue, quoting, titles, and highlighting words. Place punctuation correctly inside the marks. 📝✨

Apostrophe Used to Show Possession ✍️

An apostrophe ( ’ ) is used to show possession, meaning that something belongs to someone or something. This is one of the most important uses of the apostrophe in English. When we add an apostrophe, we show who owns or possesses something. 😊

🔹 1. Possession with Singular Nouns

For most singular nouns, we add ’s to show ownership.

The girl’s bag 🎒 (the bag belongs to the girl)
The teacher’s book 📘
The dog’s bone 🦴
The child’s toy 🧸
My brother’s bicycle 🚲

🔹 2. Possession with Plural Nouns Ending in -s

If the noun is plural and already ends with s, we add only an apostrophe ( ’ ) after the s.

The students’ classroom 🏫
The teachers’ meeting
The cars’ engines 🚗

🔹 3. Possession with Plural Nouns NOT Ending in -s

If the plural noun does not end in s, we add ’s.

The children’s playground 🛝
The men’s uniforms
The women’s handbags 👜

🔹 4. Possession with Names Ending in -s

For names ending in s, both forms are acceptable, but the most common is ’s.

James’s car
Chris’s laptop
The Joneses’ house (family name, plural)

🔹 5. Possession of Things

We can also show possession with things, places, or groups.

The country’s population 🌍
The school’s rules
The company’s offices
✨ Summary
Use an apostrophe to show ownership, but remember the correct form depends on whether the noun is singular, plural, or ends with s. Apostrophes make writing clearer and more meaningful. 📝😊

Quiz: Apostrophes in Contractions ✍️

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