A reading answer is stronger when each point is backed by the exact words from the text. Use three parts: the point, the evidence, and a short link that connects them.
This lesson is part of the SPM subjects and learning resources collection for Iban Language.
Point, evidence, link
- Point: answer the question in your own words.
- Evidence: quote the short phrase from the text that proves it.
- Link: say in a few words how the phrase supports the point.
If you skip the evidence, the marker cannot tell whether you understood the passage or guessed.
Worked example: a fictional passage
This passage is invented to show the method, and it is given here as an English summary so the structure is easy to follow. In your own work the evidence you copy must be the exact Iban words from your text.
The passage describes a family preparing for a harvest festival. The grandmother wakes before dawn to start cooking. The father repairs the fence of the vegetable garden. The daughter sweeps the floor and hangs decorations, and at the end the mother says the house is ready to welcome the guests.
Question (3 marks): How does the family show that they are getting ready for guests?
Answer with no evidence: “The family is busy and everyone is helping.”
It is a fair summary but proves nothing.
Answer with point, evidence and link:
- Point: Each family member does a job to prepare the house.
- Evidence: the daughter sweeps the floor and hangs decorations. In your answer, copy the exact Iban phrase from the passage here, inside quotation marks.
- Link: this shows the preparation is for the guests, since the house is being made tidy and welcoming.
A second point could use the grandmother cooking before dawn. Each point gets its own short quote.
Choosing the right line
Follow these steps for any question.
- Underline the key words in the question, such as “how” and “guests”.
- Scan the passage for the same idea, which may use different words.
- Pick the shortest phrase that proves your point.
- Check that the phrase answers the question, and not a neighbouring one.
For this question, the sentence about the fence also shows preparation but does not mention guests. The daughter’s decorations and the mother’s closing line are closer to the question.
The mistake that costs marks
The common slip is quoting a long stretch of text and letting the marker find the point. A whole paragraph in quotation marks shows only that you can copy.
| Step | Weak | Strong |
|---|---|---|
| Evidence length | A full paragraph | A short phrase that matches the point |
| Link | Missing | One sentence saying how the phrase supports the point |
| Accuracy | Changed spelling | Copied exactly, including spelling |
Copying exactly also matters because a changed word can change the meaning in any language.
Keeping the language clear
If you are unsure about a word in the passage, use context. A few surrounding sentences often show the meaning. Ask your teacher about words that keep appearing so you are not guessing.
Keep your own sentences short and simple. A clear short answer earns more than a long one with errors.
Check yourself
Using the same fictional passage, answer this in one sentence for the point and one for the link: “What shows that the father is involved in the preparation?”
Answer
Point: The father repairs the fence of the vegetable garden.
Link: This shows he is helping to prepare the home area for the festival, so it is neat when guests arrive.
In a real answer, add the exact Iban phrase from the passage between the two parts, in quotation marks.
What to study next
Go on to revising an original short response using a checklist, then review your answer with the structured-answer self-review tool.
Assessment arrangements stay with your school. If you want a teacher to read Iban passages with you, see online one-to-one Iban Language tuition.