Q&A - PSLE English

[mathsparks]

Synthesis and Transformation:


Qn. The story must be original. The story must also be spell-binding.

Ans1. Not only must the story be original, but it must also be spell-binding. \t

Ans2. Not only must the story be original, it must also be spell-binding.

Any idea which is the correct answer? Or is the difference due to American / British English?

[ChiefKiasu]

mathsparks:

Synthesis and Transformation:


Qn. The story must be original. The story must also be spell-binding.

Ans1. Not only must the story be original, but it must also be spell-binding. \t

Ans2. Not only must the story be original, it must also be spell-binding.

Any idea which is the correct answer? Or is the difference due to American / British English?

Shouldn't it be simply put as : \"The story must be original and spell-binding.\" ?

[KingRascal]

Hi Mathsparks

Ans should be (2) I think...

[mathsparks]

ChiefKiasu:

Shouldn't it be simply put as : \"The story must be original and spell-binding.\" ?

Sorry chief, I forgot to mention answer must start with Not only...

[mathsparks]

japhys:

Hi Mathsparks

Ans should be (2) I think...

I thought it should be ans2 as well. But son's cher said it should be ans1. When I googled, I found both are used frequently. So I suspect perhaps it has to do with UK/US Eng?? :?

[KingRascal]

Gosh, it’s really beyond our times…


Haiz, my son just had his English SA1. He found the whole paper relative easy, except for 1qn under Comprehension with MCQ. I am very sure he has it wrong. In summary, he did not think "neighbours" as those staying other than the next door, meaning, even though the passage describes the two girls staying 2 doors away, he didn’t think of them as neighbours…so he opted for other choice of answer. Haiz, I am lost for words…

Rather disappointing but my husband says I am too harshed on myself…

[mathsparks]

Oops, that’s a pity for yr son. Mine took his ICAS Science today and forgot to do last page. haiz.


On top of trying to make sense of teacher’s answers, having doubts about teacher’s ability, our kids are also careless at times.

tough really.

[Jennifer]

I checked Collins Cobuild English Grammer, ‘but’ is used to illustrate contrast.


Eg. a small but comfortable hotel, poor but happy.

"For stronger emphasis, you can put ‘not only’ or ‘not just’ in front of the first word group, and ‘but’ or ‘but also’ between the two groups.'

Eg. "The team is playing really well, not only in England but now in Europe."
"Employers have got to think more seriously not only of attracting staff, but of keeping them."

‘Original’ and ‘Spell-binding’ do not seem to be contrasting elements. So I would choose ans2

[mathsparks]

thanks Jennifer; Now I'm back to doubting the Eng standards of son's teacher. :?

[lizawa]

mathsparks:

japhys:

Hi Mathsparks

Ans should be (2) I think...

I thought it should be ans2 as well. But son's cher said it should be ans1. When I googled, I found both are used frequently. So I suspect perhaps it has to do with UK/US Eng?? :?

Hi mathsparks,

Both are acceptable. Should go and get the mark from the teacher.
I checked a book on \"PSLE guided synthesis and transformation\".
This kind falls under
\" not only .... (but) also\" So \"but\" is optional.

This is used when two or more traits are mention, and the second trait compliments the first.

hope this helps !