HL-SL Paper 2: Comparative Essay

According to the HL-SL Paper 2 guidelines, how many questions appear on the exam, and how many must students answer?

• Four questions appear; students must answer one.

• Four questions appear; students must answer two.

• Three questions appear; students must answer one.

• Five questions appear; students must answer one.

What is the duration of HL-SL Paper 2: Comparative Essay?

• 1 hour 30 minutes

• 1 hour 45 minutes

• 2 hours

• 2 hours 15 minutes

Which statement best describes the weighting of Paper 2 for SL and HL?

• 35% HL and 25% SL

• 25% HL and 35% SL

• 30% HL and 30% SL

• 20% HL and 40% SL

Under exam conditions for Paper 2, what are students expected to do regarding the studied works?

• Include extensive quotations from both works.

• Compare and contrast two works with detailed reference but without quotations.

• Summarize three works using brief quotations.

• Paraphrase two works with minimal reference.

Which requirement applies to the selection of works for Paper 2?

• Students must use three works studied during the course.

• Students may select any texts, including unseen works.

• Students must compare two works studied during the course.

• Students can reuse a work already assessed for another component.

Which practice regarding work selection is highly recommended for Paper 2 preparation?

• Choose the works spontaneously during the exam without prior planning.

• Preselect three studied works in consultation and use them to prepare for varied questions.

• Limit preparation to one preferred work to ensure depth.

• Avoid discussing work choices with anyone before the exam.

Which purpose of the learner portfolio aligns with preparing for Paper 2?

• To be formally assessed as part of Paper 2 marks.

• To provide a place to practice and develop skills necessary for Paper 2 without being formally assessed.

• To replace the comparative essay with portfolio entries.

• To store quotations for use during the examination.

Which learner portfolio activity best supports exploring how different works approach a common issue?

• Collecting exam-time quotations for both works.

• Developing awareness of differences between literary forms and their bearing on approaches to a theme.

• Avoiding comparisons to focus on individual analysis only.

• Limiting study to one genre to reduce complexity.

Which portfolio strategy helps students plan which works are most productive for varied Paper 2 questions?

• Randomly pairing works regardless of theme.

• Considering combinations of works that address a variety of potential essay questions.

• Focusing exclusively on the longest work studied.

• Choosing only works with similar settings.

What does the portfolio encourage students to do to understand multiple interpretive lenses for Paper 2?

• Inquire into connections between works and areas of exploration in the course.

• Memorize quotations for every possible theme.

• Avoid thematic groupings to prevent bias.

• Limit analysis to author biography only.