Synthesis
One Structure. One Complete Sentence. Full Meaning Preserved.
A page for careful sentence transformation.
Synthesis rewards structural accuracy. One small error in a key structure may cost all 2 marks.
Parent Note
Synthesis is one of the most mark-sensitive components. A structurally correct answer gets 2 marks; a minor non-structural error gets 1 mark; a wrong structure gets 0. Encourage your child to practise identifying the synthesis type first before writing anything. Rushing here is costly.
Student Note
“In Synthesis, a tiny structural error can be a big mark loss.”
“Check the cue word. Protect the structure.”
① Identify the Synthesis Type First
Before writing anything, name the type. Each type has a fixed structure and cue word rule.
“Name the type first. The structure follows from the type.”
② Bracket Key Structural Elements
Mark the cue word or phrase in the answer line. Then mark the words that must change form, tense or pronoun.
③ Preserve Full Meaning
The new sentence must mean exactly the same as the original. Not more, not less.
④ Common Change Points
- Word form: advised → advice, argue → arguing.
- Tense backshift: are → were, went → had gone.
- Pronoun shift: your → their, I → he or she.
- Auxiliary removal where required.
⑤ Cue Word Rules
- instead of → gerund follows.
- without → noun phrase follows.
- Having → past participle follows.
- no matter → how + adjective or adverb.
- Not only → auxiliary inversion required.
⑥ Mark Scheme Awareness
2m: fully correct. 1m: minor non-structural error. 0m: wrong structure, wrong key word, key word misspelt or meaning changed.
“In Synthesis, precision is not optional. One structural error changes everything.”
“In Synthesis, precision is not optional. One structural error changes everything. Know the type before you write.”