Here is a page which compiles the Top 10 types of essay questions that Cambridge asks.
For each type of question, a complete list of GCE ‘A’ Level questions (from 2000 to 2010) that are associated with the question type (and corresponding skill) is included.
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A quick summary of what’s mentioned on the page linked above is given below:
Types of essay questions
1. The ABSOLUTE question
Recommended approach: Disagree with the absolute (argue the side which only requires you to prove one instance/exception; e.g. disagree with “never” but agree with “ever”)
2. The COMPARATIVE question
Recommended approach (for those who frequently fail to meet requirements): Avoid these questions
Recommended approach (for those who do not have a problem with meeting requirements): Consider avoiding these questions. If you choose to do them, use a yardstick
3. The TOO MUCH question
Recommended approach (for those who frequently fail to meet requirements): Avoid these questions
Recommended approach (for those who do not have a problem with meeting requirements): Disagree (argue “a lot but not too much”) and use a yardstick
4. The TWO CLAUSES question
Recommended approach: Disagree with either or both clauses
Recommended approach (for those who do not have a problem with meeting requirements): Disagree with either or both clauses
Recommended approach (for those who do not have a problem with meeting requirements and want to try to be clever): In the event that the two clauses are separated by “but”, consider whether you can link the two clauses with a “because” instead of a “but”. Note that you may have to reverse the order of the clauses for a “because” link to work.
5. The STILL question
Recommended approach (for those who frequently fail to meet requirements): Avoid these questions
Recommended approach (for those who do not have a problem with meeting requirements): Consider avoiding these questions. If you choose to do them, use a CA-R paragraph structure if you disagree, and an A-CA-R paragraph structure if you agree.
6. The EITHER/OR / (FALSE) DICHOTOMY question
Recommended approach (for those who frequently fail to meet requirements): Pick one of the either/or options as your stand. Consider whether you know how to reconcile your counter arguments – many students end up attempting to reconcile their counter-arguments by comparing the two ideas, which then turns it into a comparison question. When this happens, avoid these questions.
Recommended approach (for those who do not have a problem with meeting requirements): Consider avoiding these questions if your approach ends up turning it into a comparison question.
Recommended approach (for those who do not have a problem with meeting requirements and want to try to be clever): Consider whether a false dichotomy is presented. If so, choose an alternate stand (one that is neither choice).
7. The CONDITIONAL STATEMENT / EMBEDDED CONTEXT question
Recommended approach (for those who frequently fail to meet requirements): Avoid these questions
Recommended approach (for those who do not have a problem with meeting requirements): Consider avoiding these questions
8. The REALLY question
Recommended approach (for those who frequently fail to meet requirements): Avoid these questions
Recommended approach (for those who do not have a problem with meeting requirements): Consider avoiding these questions. If you choose to do them, use a CA-R approach if you disagree (stand: “not really”), and an A-CA-R paragraph structure if you agree (stand: “really”).
9. The SHOULD question
Recommended approach: Consider the status quo and address the key issues and debates behind the push to change the status quo.
10. The OTHER question
Recommended approach: -
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Question type (1) is the most common question type, (8) is the least common. (9) cuts across various question types covered in (1)-(8). (10) lists all the other questions.
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Important note: If I have personally given you advice that contradicts the general advice above, take the advice that I gave you personally and ignore what is given above.
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