Course Overview: Components and Assessment Objectives

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Notes de leçon

What IGCSE World Literature is

Cambridge IGCSE World Literature (syllabus code 0408) is the study of poetry, prose and drama from different countries and cultures.
Texts are either written in English or read in English translation — you might study a Russian play, an Argentinian novel and a Scottish short story in the same course.
The course asks you to read closely, understand literal and implicit meaning, think about contexts, and give an informed personal response.
It is graded A×to G and takes about 130 guided learning hours.
You cannot take 0408 in the same exam series as Cambridge IGCSE Literature in English (0475).

The three components

Component 1 Coursework — 50 marks, 38.5%. Two written assignments: a critical essay and an empathic response. Marked by your school and externally moderated by Cambridge.
Paper 2 Unseen Poetry — 1 hour 15 minutes, 30 marks, 23%. Two compulsory questions on one poem you have never seen, 15 marks each.
Paper 3 Set Text — 1 hour 30 minutes, 50 marks, 38.5%. One extract-based question (Section A) and one essay question (Section B), 25 marks each.
Everyone takes all three components.
Paper 3 is closed book: you may not take the set text into the exam room, so quotations must be learned.

The four assessment objectives (AOs)

AO1 Knowledge: show detailed knowledge of the content of texts, supported by reference to the text (quotation and close detail).
AO2 Understanding: understand meanings and contexts, and explore texts beyond surface meanings to show awareness of ideas and attitudes.
AO3 Writer's methods: recognise and appreciate how writers use language, structure and form to create meanings and effects.
AO4 Personal response: communicate a sensitive and informed personal response.

How the AOs are weighted

Each AO is worth 25% of the qualification.
Each AO is also worth 25% within every component — Coursework, Paper 2 and Paper 3.
So every answer you write is assessed on all four AOs at once: detail and quotation, meaning, methods and your own response must all be present.
A retelling of the story shows AO1 only; an answer full of technical terms with no meaning attached shows little AO2 or AO4.

Set texts for Paper 3

2026: Samanta Schweblin×Fever Dream×; Ama Ata Aidoo×Anowa×; Fabio Geda×In the Sea There are Crocodiles×; Anton Chekhov×The Cherry Orchard×.
2027: Chinua Achebe×A Man of the People×; Lillian Hellman×The Little Foxes×; Fabio Geda×In the Sea There are Crocodiles×; Anton Chekhov×The Cherry Orchard×.
Both years also set 14 poems from×Songs of Ourselves×Volume 1, Part 5 (Poems from the 19th and 20th Centuries) and 10 stories from×Stories of Ourselves×Volume 2.
You need to study at least one set text; you may answer both Paper 3 questions on the same text or on two different texts.
Set texts rotate, so always check the list for your year of examination.

How answers are marked

Answers are marked with levels-based mark schemes: the examiner places the whole answer in the level that fits best, then chooses a mark within that level.
Paper 2 answers are marked in 5 levels (out of 15); Paper 3 answers in 6 levels (out of 25); coursework in 8 levels (out of 25).
Marking is positive: marks are not deducted for errors or omissions, and there is no single required answer — valid, well-supported ideas are rewarded.
Top-level answers integrate well-selected reference, sustain a critical understanding, respond in detail to the writer's effects and give a perceptive, evaluative personal response.

Command words and question phrasing

The syllabus command word is Explore —×write in detail about particular aspects×.
You will also see: How does the writer convey…?, In what ways does the writer…? and What do you find particularly memorable…?
Adverbs in questions matter:×powerfully×,×vividly×,×strikingly×,×memorably×invite you to judge how effective the writing is (AO4), not just what happens.
Every question is really asking how the writer creates an effect, so answers should keep returning to the writer's choices.

Reading literature in translation

Several set texts were written in Russian, Spanish or Italian; you read a translation, and Cambridge usually nominates an edition for the Paper 3 extracts.
You may use any edition, but it must not be abridged or simplified.
Write about the text you have in front of you: images, structure, dialogue and dramatic effects all survive translation.
Be careful about claims that hang on a single word's sound (such as alliteration) in a translated text — say "in this translation" if the point depends on it.
Context matters more when the culture is unfamiliar: know the time and place well enough to explain characters' choices.

Diapos

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1.What is the Cambridge IGCSE World Literature syllabus code?
Easy
- A0408
- B0475
- C0500
- D0992
2.How many components do all candidates take?
Easy
- ATwo
- BFour
- COne
- DThree
3.What percentage of the qualification is Paper 2 Unseen Poetry worth?
Easy
- A25%
- B50%
- C23%
- D38.5%
4.How long is Paper 3 Set Text?
Easy
- A45 minutes
- B1 hour 30 minutes
- C1 hour 15 minutes
- D2 hours
5.How long is Paper 2 Unseen Poetry?
Easy
- A1 hour 15 minutes
- B1 hour 30 minutes
- C1 hour
- D2 hours 15 minutes
6.How many marks is each Paper 2 question worth?
Easy
- A25
- B30
- C10
- D15
7.How many marks is each Paper 3 question worth?
Easy
- A50
- B20
- C25
- D15
8.Which assessment objective is about how writers use language, structure and form?
Medium
- AAO4
- BAO3
- CAO1
- DAO2

Plus de questions

9.Which assessment objective asks you to communicate a sensitive and informed personal response?
Medium
- AAO4
- BAO3
- CAO1
- DAO2
10.Which assessment objective asks you to explore texts beyond surface meanings and understand their contexts?
Medium
- AAO1
- BAO3
- CAO4
- DAO2
11.Supporting your points with quotation and close detail mainly shows which assessment objective?
Medium
- AAO3
- BAO4
- CAO1
- DAO2
12.What weighting does each assessment objective have within Paper 3?
Medium
- AIt varies by question
- B25%
- C40%
- D10%
13.What does 'closed book' mean for Paper 3?
Medium
- AYou may not take the set text into the exam
- BYou may bring an annotated copy
- CThe texts are printed in full on the paper
- DYou may bring a list of quotations
14.Which command word does the syllabus define as 'write in detail about particular aspects'?
Easy
- ADescribe
- BSummarise
- CIdentify
- DExplore
15.Which novel is a set text for 2027 but not for 2026?
Medium
- AIn the Sea There are Crocodiles
- BThe Cherry Orchard
- CA Man of the People
- DFever Dream
16.Which play is set for 2026 but not for 2027?
Medium
- ARomeo and Juliet
- BAnowa
- CThe Cherry Orchard
- DThe Little Foxes
17.Which anthology supplies the set poems for 2026 and 2027?
Easy
- ASongs of Ourselves Volume 1, Part 5
- BSongs of Ourselves Volume 2, Part 2
- CStories of Ourselves Volume 2
- DSongs of Ourselves Volume 3
18.In a levels-based mark scheme, what does the examiner do first?
Medium
- ACount the quotations
- BDeduct marks for each error
- CTick each correct point
- DPlace the answer in the level that fits it best
19.A candidate retells the plot of the extract accurately but says nothing about the writer's choices. Which AO is weakest?
Medium
- AAO4
- BNone — this is a top-level answer
- CAO3
- DAO1
20.Why do question words such as 'powerfully' or 'vividly' matter?
Medium
- AThey show the question is worth fewer marks
- BThey ask you to judge how effective the writing is
- CThey tell you which extract to use
- DThey are decoration and can be ignored
21.When writing about a translated text, which kind of point needs the most care?
Medium
- AA point about the sound of a single word
- BA point about a character's choices
- CA point about the structure of a scene
- DA point about the setting
22.Who marks the coursework first?
Easy
- AA Cambridge examiner only
- BAnother candidate
- CNobody — it is not marked
- DThe candidate's own school
23.Which of these are components of IGCSE World Literature? (select all that apply)
Medium
- ASet Text
- BSpeaking and Listening
- CUnseen Prose
- DCoursework
- EUnseen Poetry
24.Which set texts appear on BOTH the 2026 and 2027 lists? (select all that apply)
Medium
- AA Man of the People
- BAnowa
- CThe Cherry Orchard
- DIn the Sea There are Crocodiles
- EFever Dream
25.Which features describe a top-level Paper 3 answer? (select all that apply)
Medium
- AAs many technical terms as possible
- BSkilfully integrated, well-selected reference
- CA sustained critical understanding
- DDetailed response to how the writer achieves effects
- EA full retelling of the plot
26.Which of these question phrasings might you meet? (select all that apply)
Medium
- AHow does the writer convey…?
- BIn what ways does the writer…?
- CWhat do you find particularly memorable…?
- DList five facts about the author's life.
- ERewrite the passage in modern English.
27.Every answer in World Literature is assessed on all four assessment objectives.
Easy
True or false?
28.You may take your set text into the Paper 3 exam.
Easy
True or false?
29.Candidates may take IGCSE World Literature and IGCSE Literature in English (0475) in the same exam series.
Easy
True or false?
30.Paper 2 has no set texts.
Easy
True or false?
31.Marks are deducted for errors and omissions.
Medium
True or false?
32.You must answer both Paper 3 questions on the same set text.
Medium
True or false?
33.An abridged or simplified edition of a set text is acceptable.
Easy
True or false?
34.Match each assessment objective to what it asks for.
Medium
- AO1
- AO2
- AO3
- AO4
- Detailed knowledge supported by reference to the text
- Meanings, contexts and ideas beyond the surface
- How language, structure and form create effects
- A sensitive and informed personal response
35.Match each component to its weighting.
Medium
- Component 1 Coursework
- Paper 2 Unseen Poetry
- Paper 3 Set Text
- 38.5%
- 23%
36.Match each set text to its writer.
Medium
- The Cherry Orchard
- Anowa
- Fever Dream
- A Man of the People
- The Little Foxes
- Anton Chekhov
- Ama Ata Aidoo
- Samanta Schweblin
- Chinua Achebe
- Lillian Hellman
37.Put the steps an examiner follows with a levels-based mark scheme in order.
Medium
- Choose a mark within that level
- Read the whole answer
- Decide which level fits best
- Weigh all four AOs together
38.Order the components from lowest to highest mark total.
Easy
- Paper 3 (50 marks)
- Paper 2 (30 marks)
39.Complete the sentence.
Easy
Paper 3 has two sections: Section A contains ____-based questions and Section B contains essay questions.
40.Complete the sentence.
Easy
The coursework is internally marked and externally ____ by Cambridge.
41.Complete the sentence.
Medium
The two coursework assignments are a critical ____ and an ____ response.
42.Which grade range does IGCSE World Literature award?
Easy
43.Name the Russian dramatist on both the 2026 and 2027 set-text lists.
Medium
44.Explain why retelling the story is not enough to reach the top levels.
Medium
45.Explain how the closed-book rule for Paper 3 should shape your revision.
Medium
46.Describe the difference between Section A and Section B of Paper 3.
Medium
47.Explain what you should bear in mind when analysing the language of a text you read in translation.
Hard

Notes de révision

## The course - **0408**: poetry, prose and drama from different countries and cultures, in English or **in translation**. Grades **A*–G**. Not with 0475 in the same series. ## Components - **Coursework** (50 marks, **38.5%**): critical essay + empathic response; internally marked, externally moderated. - **Paper 2 Unseen Poetry** (1 h 15, 30 marks, **23%**): two 15-mark questions on one unseen poem. - **Paper 3 Set Text** (1 h 30, 50 marks, **38.5%**): Section A extract + Section B essay, 25 marks each; **closed book**. ## Assessment objectives (25% each, in every component) - **AO1** knowledge + reference · **AO2** meanings and contexts · **AO3** language, structure, form · **AO4** personal response. ## Set texts - 2026: *Fever Dream*, *Anowa*, *In the Sea There are Crocodiles*, *The Cherry Orchard*. - 2027: *A Man of the People*, *The Little Foxes*, *In the Sea There are Crocodiles*, *The Cherry Orchard*. - Both: 14 poems (*Songs of Ourselves* Vol 1 Part 5), 10 stories (*Stories of Ourselves* Vol 2). ## Marking - Levels-based, best fit, positive. Command word **Explore**; evaluative adverbs (*powerfully*, *vividly*) invite judgement of effect.

Component 1 Coursework: Two assignments — a critical essay and an empathic response — worth 38.5%.
Paper 2 Unseen Poetry: A 1 h 15 exam: two 15-mark questions on one poem you have not seen before; 23%.
Paper 3 Set Text: A 1 h 30 closed-book exam: one extract question and one essay question, 25 marks each; 38.5%.
AO1: Detailed knowledge of the text supported by reference to it.
AO2: Understanding meanings and contexts beyond the surface.
AO3: Appreciating how language, structure and form create effects.
AO4: A sensitive and informed personal response.
Closed book: The set text may not be taken into the exam room.
Levels-based marking: The examiner places the answer in its best-fit level and then chooses a mark within it.
Explore: The syllabus command word: write in detail about particular aspects.
External moderation: Cambridge checks a sample of a school's coursework marking.

Cartes mémo

What is the World Literature syllabus code?

0408.

What are the three components?

Component 1 Coursework, Paper 2 Unseen Poetry, Paper 3 Set Text.

Weightings of the components?

Coursework 38.5%, Paper 2 23%, Paper 3 38.5%.

Paper 2: length and marks?

1 hour 15 minutes; two questions on one unseen poem, 15 marks each (30).

Paper 3: length and marks?

1 hour 30 minutes; Section A extract + Section B essay, 25 marks each (50).

What does 'closed book' mean?

You cannot take the set text into the exam — learn quotations.

AO1?

Detailed knowledge of the text, supported by reference.

AO2?

Meanings and contexts; exploring beyond surface meaning.

AO3?

How language, structure and form create meanings and effects.

AO4?

A sensitive and informed personal response.

How are the AOs weighted?

25% each, overall and within every component.

2026 novels and plays?

Fever Dream, Anowa, In the Sea There are Crocodiles, The Cherry Orchard.

2027 novels and plays?

A Man of the People, The Little Foxes, In the Sea There are Crocodiles, The Cherry Orchard.

Which poetry and stories are set?

14 poems from Songs of Ourselves Vol 1 Part 5; 10 stories from Stories of Ourselves Vol 2.

What is the command word?

Explore — write in detail about particular aspects.

How is a levels-based mark scheme used?

Best-fit level first, then a mark within the level; marking is positive.

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