EWS General English preparation over the shared Grades 12–13 programme, not an official annual or term division.
Understand the idea
Separate a claim from evidence when writing about an achiever. A prize or a specific contribution supports a claim better than an adjective such as amazing. Scan for names, dates and achievements, then explain why the achievement matters. A relative clause can add useful information without beginning another sentence. Use a source’s facts accurately, and do not turn a practice character into a real historical person. The passage below is an invented EWS learning example.
A researcher who tests a useful idea can help a community. Evidence makes praise credible.
Original EWS reading
Maya, an invented researcher in this practice text, designed a low-cost rain gauge with a school club. During a six-week trial, the club compared its readings with a standard gauge and recorded small differences. Maya did not claim that one trial proved the design suitable everywhere. She asked another school to test it in a different location before recommending wider use.
2. Living in harmony: listening and respectful response
EWS General English preparation over the shared Grades 12–13 programme, not an official annual or term division.
Understand the idea
A respectful discussion can include disagreement. First summarise the other speaker’s point accurately; then state your concern and suggest a practical response. Modals change the strength of advice: could offers an option, should recommends, and must expresses a strong requirement in context. Do not confuse understanding a view with agreeing to it. In a group discussion, ask a follow-up question and let another person finish before responding. Aim for a decision that explains its reasons.
වෙනත් අදහසක් නිවැරදිව සාරාංශ කර, ගෞරවයෙන් තම මතය හා යෝජනාව දක්වන්න. could, should හා must දෙන බලය වෙනස්ය.
Worked example
I understand your concern about noise. Could we move the meeting to the hall?
Original EWS reading
A school club wanted to rehearse music after lessons, while another group needed a quiet room for reading. The representatives listened to both concerns. They agreed to use different rooms and test the arrangement for a week. The reading group would report any disturbance, and the musicians would check whether the hall was available before each rehearsal.
EWS General English preparation over the shared Grades 12–13 programme, not an official annual or term division.
Understand the idea
An inference combines evidence with reasonable interpretation; it is not an invented fact. When reading about relationships, notice actions, word choices and what is left unsaid. The same short reply may sound different depending on context. Explain your interpretation with a precise detail and acknowledge uncertainty when evidence is limited. In writing, use a consistent viewpoint and show a feeling through an action instead of naming every emotion. Avoid diagnosing a character from one sentence.
She folded the letter twice before answering. This action may suggest hesitation; it does not prove one exact motive.
Original EWS reading
When her friend offered to help with the presentation, Nila said she could manage alone. Later she left a draft on his desk with two questions in the margin. He returned it with brief comments and an invitation to practise together. The next morning, she thanked him and asked whether he could listen to her opening paragraph.
4. English locally and globally: audience and register
EWS General English preparation over the shared Grades 12–13 programme, not an official annual or term division.
Understand the idea
Language choices depend on audience, purpose and situation. A friendly message and a formal application can communicate the same request using different levels of formality. A local variety of English is not automatically an error; distinguish a different usage from wording that makes the meaning unclear in a particular task. In an examination, follow the required format and write consistently. Explain a language choice through its effect on the reader rather than calling every long word formal.
Informal: Can you send the notes? Formal: Could you please send the meeting notes by Friday?
Original EWS reading
A student wrote a quick message to a friend asking for class notes. For a request to a visiting lecturer, she used a clear subject line, introduced herself and specified the session date. Both messages asked for notes, but the second included context because the lecturer did not know her personally. She checked the attachment name before sending.
5. Crime and social responsibility: facts, claims and advice
EWS General English preparation over the shared Grades 12–13 programme, not an official annual or term division.
Understand the idea
A report should distinguish a witnessed fact, a reported claim and an opinion. State what is known, identify uncertainty and avoid accusing someone without evidence. Reported speech can explain what a person said, while time and place details help readers follow events. For safety advice, choose a clear, proportionate modal and specify who should act. This is English-language practice, not a statement of the current law or instructions to investigate a real incident yourself.
The librarian said that a bag had been left near the door. The owner should contact the office.
Original EWS reading
A bag was found outside the library at three o’clock. The librarian took it to the school office and recorded where it had been found. A student said she had seen a similar bag in a classroom, but she was not certain who owned it. The office announced that the owner should describe the contents before collecting it.
6. The cyber world: clear emails and source checking
EWS General English preparation over the shared Grades 12–13 programme, not an official annual or term division.
Understand the idea
A useful email makes its purpose clear early, then gives the details needed for action. Check the recipient, subject, attachment and requested deadline before sending. When reading online information, compare a claim with the original source and check when it was published. A confident tone or a large number of shares does not establish accuracy. In a summary, preserve the source’s meaning and distinguish what it says from your own recommendation. Keep passwords and private details out of practice messages.
Please find the revised timetable attached. Could you confirm receipt by Thursday?
Original EWS reading
Ravi received a forwarded message claiming that Friday’s workshop had been cancelled. Before changing his plans, he checked the organiser’s dated notice. It said only that the starting time had moved from nine to ten. Ravi sent his group the official notice link and a short summary of the change. He did not forward the inaccurate cancellation claim.
7. Education after school: compare options and ask questions
EWS extension on the shared General English education/employment themes. Not an official Grade 12/13 term division or a real course/job advertisement.
Understand the idea
Comparing courses requires more than choosing the most attractive name. Identify the purpose of the information and separate entry requirements, course length, teaching mode and application steps. A requirement is something an applicant must meet; a preference is something an applicant would like. Use a comparative to contrast two options and because to explain a reason. When information is missing, ask a precise question instead of inventing an answer. A polite enquiry should identify the course and request only the details you need. The practice notice below is fictional: its dates, fees and requirements are not advice about a real institution.
Option A lasts six months; Option B lasts three months. A is longer than B. Could you tell me whether evening classes are available?
Original EWS reading
At a school careers session, Meera compares two fictional courses. Course A is a six-month practical programme with classes on weekday mornings. Course B is a three-month introduction taught on Saturday afternoons. Both require an application form, but the notice gives no fee information. Meera helps at home on weekdays and hopes to try the subject before choosing a longer programme. Her friend prefers regular practical work and can attend morning classes. The adviser asks them to list their priorities, check the missing details with each provider and explain their choices. She does not say that one route suits everyone.
For example: What is the total course fee, including materials?
නොමැති තොරතුරක් නිශ්චිතව අසන්න.
For example: B is shorter than A. It may suit Meera because she is free on Saturdays. Accept accurate alternatives.
සැසඳීමක් හා හේතුවක් ඇති වාක්‍ය කියන්න.
Dear Course Coordinator, I am interested in the three-month introductory course held on Saturday afternoons. Could you please confirm the total fee and tell me how much practical work the course includes? I would also like to know whether any materials must be purchased separately. I am comparing study options after school and would appreciate a course outline. Thank you for your help. Yours faithfully, Meera. Adapt details to the actual task; do not send this fictional enquiry.
8. Entering work: read a notice and build a covering letter
EWS extension on the shared General English education/employment themes. Not an official Grade 12/13 term division or a real course/job advertisement.
Understand the idea
A covering letter connects the writer’s experience with the particular role. Begin by naming the position, then choose evidence relevant to its tasks. A claim such as I am organised becomes stronger when followed by an example. Students can discuss a school project or volunteer activity honestly; they should not invent employment, qualifications or achievements. Use a clear subject line when applying by email and follow the requested attachment format. A closing sentence can offer further information without assuming an interview is guaranteed. The fictional notice in this lesson is for language practice, and does not offer a real vacancy.
Weak: I am very good. Stronger: I kept the class library list accurate by checking each returned book. Subject: Application — Library Support Trainee.
Original EWS reading
A fictional community centre seeks a library support trainee for Saturday mornings. Duties include recording borrowed books, helping visitors find shelves and answering simple enquiries politely. The notice asks applicants to email a short covering letter and a one-page CV as PDF attachments by 5 p.m. on Friday. Arun has not had a paid job, but he has helped maintain his school library register. He decides to explain that experience, describe one example of careful record keeping and state his availability. Before sending an application, he checks the actual address and deadline and makes sure that both requested files are attached.
Separate answers and explanations · වෙනම පිළිතුරු හා හේතු
Any two: record loans, help visitors locate shelves, answer simple enquiries politely.
දැන්වීමේ සඳහන් කාර්ය දෙකක් තෝරන්න.
A short covering letter and a one-page CV, both as PDF attachments.
අදාළ ලිපිය හා පිටුවක ජීව දත්ත පත්‍රය PDF ලෙසය.
False. He can honestly describe relevant school experience; no paid-work requirement is stated.
නොමැති වැටුප් අත්දැකීමක් කියන්න අවශ්‍ය නැත.
I helped keep my school library register accurate by recording borrowed and returned books carefully.
ගුණයක් සඳහන් කරන විට අදාළ උදාහරණයක් දෙන්න.
in
interested in යන සම්බන්ධය භාවිත කරන්න.
(b), because it identifies the purpose and position.
අරමුණ හා තනතුර පැහැදිලි මාතෘකාව තෝරන්න.
5 p.m. on Friday. The fictional notice provides no calendar date.
ලබා දී ඇති වේලාව හා දිනය පමණක් සඳහන් කරන්න.
Check the recipient and deadline; confirm both requested PDFs are attached. Accept relevant equivalent checks.
ලබන්නා, දිනය හා ඇමුණුම් පරීක්ෂා කරන්න.
Connect careful record keeping and polite communication with one honest example; do not promise skills without evidence.
කාර්යයට අදාළ සැබෑ උදාහරණයකින් පිළිතුර දෙන්න.
I am writing to apply for the Library Support Trainee position. At school, I helped maintain our library register and checked that returned books were recorded correctly. This taught me to work carefully and ask for help when a record was unclear. I also enjoy helping classmates find books and would bring a polite approach to visitors’ enquiries. I am available on Saturday mornings. My CV is attached, and I would be pleased to provide any further information you require.
Source-linked supporting videos, not complete unit recordings. The exact topic/creator was checked; full playback and a complete EWS video sequence remain unreviewed. British Council published free resources and keys remain free at the source. EWS is independent.