A multi-part question asks for more than one thing in one block. Split it into labelled parts and give each part its own short answer.
This lesson is part of reading-response development. If your single answers are still padded, revisit concise and unsupported answers.
How do I plan a multi-part answer?
Number the parts in the margin, then decide what each part is asking: state a fact, give a reason, or give an opinion. Write one labelled answer for each and leave a clear gap between them.
Worked example: leftover vegetables
Here is an original passage.
சந்தையில் காய்கறி விற்கும் மீனா, தினமும் மீதமான காய்கறிகளை அருகிலுள்ள முதியோர் இல்லத்துக்குக் கொடுப்பாள். அதனால் இல்லத்தினருக்குப் புதிய உணவு கிடைத்தது. மீனாவுக்கும் வீணாகும் காய்கறிகள் குறைந்தன.
In English: Meena, who sells vegetables at the market, gives the leftover vegetables to a nearby elders’ home every day. So the residents got fresh food. Meena also had less vegetable waste.
Question.
- (a) What does Meena do with her leftover vegetables?
- (b) State two benefits of this.
- (c) Would you do the same? Give a reason.
| Part | Asks for | Answer |
|---|---|---|
| (a) | A fact | மீதமான காய்கறிகளை முதியோர் இல்லத்துக்குக் கொடுக்கிறாள். |
| (b) | Two benefits | இல்லத்தினருக்குப் புதிய உணவு கிடைத்தது; வீணாகும் காய்கறிகள் குறைந்தன. |
| (c) | An opinion and reason | ஆம், செய்வேன். உணவு வீணாவதைத் தடுத்துப் பிறருக்கு உதவலாம். |
Part (c) in English: Yes, I would. It stops food from being wasted and helps others.
Each part has its own label and its own evidence. Part (b) names two benefits because it asks for two, and each one comes from a different sentence of the passage.
The mistake that costs marks
The common slip is to write one flowing paragraph that mixes the three parts. The marker then struggles to find part (b)’s two benefits, and you may give only one.
| Problem | Result | Fix |
|---|---|---|
| Parts blended in one paragraph | One benefit is missed | Label (a), (b), (c) |
| Part (b) gives one benefit | Loses one mark | Count the items the question wants |
| Part (c) has no reason | Opinion earns nothing | Add “because” with a reason |
Check yourself
Question: (a) Who received the vegetables? (b) Why were fewer vegetables wasted? (c) Suggest one other way Meena could use leftovers.
Answer
(a) The residents of a nearby elders’ home (முதியோர் இல்லத்தினர்).
(b) Because she gave the leftover vegetables away each day instead of letting them spoil.
(c) Any sensible suggestion with a reason earns the mark, for example selling them at a lower price in the evening, because people buy cheaper produce and less is thrown away.
Each part has one label and one idea, so no part is hidden.
What to study next
Go on to reviewing a response with a transparent checklist. Test the set in the reading-response practice questions.
For a teacher to go through your multi-part plans, see online one-to-one SPM Bahasa Tamil tuition.