Questions on poetry, ghazals and nazams previously required candidates to explain verses; however, this has now been replaced by analysis

Questions on poetry, ghazals and nazams previously required candidates to explain verses; however, this has now been replaced by analysis. We do not feel that it is possible for an O Level candidate to analyse ghazals, where all the verses are distinct from each other, if they have only been given a single reference point. This is also the case with nazam, afsanas (short stories), mazameen (articles) and dramas. Please clarify the requirements of these questions.

Although the previous version of this syllabus required candidates to explain verses of ghazals, the current specification, which was examined for the first time in 2015, does not require candidates to analyse verses of ghazals.

Please refer to the specimen papers, mark schemes and Principal Examiner’s Reports, available on the School Support Hub, for examples of questions on ghazals, nazam, afsanas, mazameen and drama, and an explanation of how marks were awarded.