CXC English Homepage

Short Story Writing

• The Short Story
  Being able to write a good short story is essential to acing the CXC English Exams. Like Comprehension, the Short Story comprises 25% of marks awarded for CXC English. Learn to master it.
• Short Story Writing: A Narrow Escape (Involving Danger and Violence)
  Here is a great example of a very suspenseful short story entitled “A Narrow Escape.” This original piece of literature was written during one of my CXC classes during year 2023-2024.
• CXC English Short Story Topics
  Here are some examples of short story topics or instructions that appear in the CXC English exams. Here, I also give guidelines on how to write on these short story topics, titles, or prompts.
• I Awoke to the Sound of Loud Banging on my Bedroom Window (Short Story Writing)
  Here is a great short shorty with strong rising action and full of suspense. Can you identify all the elements of the plot? This short story is based on a real life event.
• Short Story Writing: I Saw Two Hands Rising Out of the Water
  If you were asked to write a short story which contains the line “I saw two hands rising out of the water,” how would you go about it? Here are some ideas!
• Short Story: It All Depended on us to Defend Our Country
  Here is a great action story on the theme of war. This work of fiction is a great example of how to grab the reader’s attention and keep them in suspense using captivating language.
• The Haunted House (Short Story Writing)
  When sitting the CXC English Exams, you might have the option of writing on the topic, “The Haunted House.” Here is a heartwarming short story in which elements of horror culminate into a captivating plot twist.
• Short Story: The Day I Got Lost
  If you were asked to write a short story on “The Day I Got Lost,” how would you go about it? Here is a good example of a short story where several kids get lost in the jungle.
• Short Story: A Day I Will Never Forget (Embarrassing Experience)
  Sometimes, for the CXC English exam, you may be asked to write a short story entitled, “A Day I Will Never Forget.” How would you go about it? Here are some guidelines and an example.
• Short Story: You Receive a Note from the Principal of Your School
  Sometimes, you are asked to write a short story “based on” a line or sentence. In that case, the line may or may not appear in the short story, but it must be clear that the story is based on the idea expressed in the line.

Parts of Speech

• “My Family and Me” or “My Family and I”?
  One of our fans sent us a question. Which is correct: “my family and me” or “my family and I”? The answer is: both are correct. It depends on the context. Here is the explanation.
• Who or Whom?
  Who and whom are both pronouns. They stand in place of a noun, usually a person. But when do you use “who” and when do you use “whom”? This article breaks it down.
• The Transitive Versus the Intransitive Verb
  A transitive verb carries its action across to an object whereas an intransitive verb doesn’t. A transitive verb needs an object for completion whereas an intransitive verb is complete by itself. In this article, we delve deeper into the difference between transitive and intransitive verbs.
• The Word “Did” is Always Followed by a Present Tense Verb
  Did you go to school yesterday? Or did you went to school yesterday? The auxiliary verb “did” always requires the simple present tense of a verb, so the first option is correct. This article explains why “did” is always followed by the simple present tense.
• The Word “to” is Always Followed by a Present Tense Verb
  The word “to” is always followed by a present tense verb even if the action described happened in the past. This is one of the many exceptions to the rule which come naturally to native speakers but can confuse learners of English as a second language.
• Determiners Are Also Called “Limiting Adjectives”
  Determiners are a type of adjective. However, if you study advanced grammar, you will learn that determiners are a distinct part of a speech. Determiners specify “what,” “which one,” “how much,” or “how many.”
• “Articles” are an Additional Part of Speech
  “Articles” are a part of speech in the English language. In lower levels, you will learn that there are only eight parts of speech. At this stage of learning, the “article” will be grouped under adjectives and classified as a type of adjective. In advanced English, you will learn to separate the article into a ...

Vocabulary

• General Versus Precise Words
  General words have a broad meaning while precise words have a more specific meaning. Here are some examples of how to refine your writing style by using the best word for the job.
• Cagliari Market – Reading Comprehension
  This article provides illustrations and definitions to help you understand the comprehension passage “Cagliari Market” which is found in the textbook “A Comprehensive English Course: Book 5.”
• Comprehension: Pimento Season
  Pimento Season is a comprehension passage in the textbook, “A Comprehensive English Course for CXC: Book 5.” This article empowers you with the vocabulary needed to understand and enjoy the passage.
• Comprehension: Releasing the Hawk
  This article gives guidance on how to study and answer the questions of the comprehension passage on 47 of the textbook, “A Comprehensive English Course for CXC: Book 5.”
• Sanction – A Double-Meaning Word
  The word “sanction” has two almost opposite meanings. So how do you know which meaning applies? When you see the word “sanction,” look for the context in which it is used. Here is the explainer.
• Suspect, Accused, Convict – Three Closely Related Words
  Even if someone is seen committing a crime, by legal definition, they are not a criminal until convicted by a court of law. At that point, they become a “suspect.” This article explains the use of the words “suspect,” “accused,” and “convict” in reporting the news.
• What is Your Achilles Heel?
  The expression “Achilles’ heel” is an idiomatic expression. It is a metaphor for someone’s weakness or vulnerable spot. This article explains the meaning of the idiom “Achilles’ heel.”
• Do Dogs Love Unconditonally?
  You’ve probably heard talk about a dog’s unconditional love in the past. But do dogs really love unconditionally? This article discusses the nuances of the expression “a dog’s unconditional love.”

Written Expression

• General Versus Precise Words
  General words have a broad meaning while precise words have a more specific meaning. Here are some examples of how to refine your writing style by using the best word for the job.
• The Simile
  The simile is a literary device which compares two things with the use of like or as. It harnesses our knowledge of a common object or idea to help paint a clearer picture of another thing or idea. This article explains how to use the simile in speech and writing.
• How to Write a Simple Application Letter
  We’ve got fan mail! One of our readers asked for help in writing an application letter for a job in Guyana. Here’s our response.
• The Letter of Resignation
  During your career or professional life, you may need to write a resignation letter to indicate your intention of leaving a job. This article gives guidelines on how to write a good resignation letter.
• Short Story Writing: A Narrow Escape (Involving Danger and Violence)
  Here is a great example of a very suspenseful short story entitled “A Narrow Escape.” This original piece of literature was written during one of my CXC classes during year 2023-2024.
• CXC English Short Story Topics
  Here are some examples of short story topics or instructions that appear in the CXC English exams. Here, I also give guidelines on how to write on these short story topics, titles, or prompts.
• I Awoke to the Sound of Loud Banging on my Bedroom Window (Short Story Writing)
  Here is a great short shorty with strong rising action and full of suspense. Can you identify all the elements of the plot? This short story is based on a real life event.
• Short Story Writing: I Saw Two Hands Rising Out of the Water
  If you were asked to write a short story which contains the line “I saw two hands rising out of the water,” how would you go about it? Here are some ideas!
• Short Story: It All Depended on us to Defend Our Country
  Here is a great action story on the theme of war. This work of fiction is a great example of how to grab the reader’s attention and keep them in suspense using captivating language.
• The Haunted House (Short Story Writing)
  When sitting the CXC English Exams, you might have the option of writing on the topic, “The Haunted House.” Here is a heartwarming short story in which elements of horror culminate into a captivating plot twist.

English Literature

• Short Stories, Like Novels, Mirror Reality
  Although novels and short stories are works of fiction, they often mirror reality. A good short story interweaves a strong plot. The protagonist or main character is faced with a debilitating problem. He or she may face an external conflict against elements of nature, a human opponent, or an internal conflict within his or her ...

Comprehension

• Introduction to CXC English Comprehension
  In order to pass the CXC English examinations, you must develop outstanding comprehension skills. This will not just help you to pass the exams, but to function better in real world situations.
• Cagliari Market – Reading Comprehension
  This article provides illustrations and definitions to help you understand the comprehension passage “Cagliari Market” which is found in the textbook “A Comprehensive English Course: Book 5.”
• Comprehension: Pimento Season
  Pimento Season is a comprehension passage in the textbook, “A Comprehensive English Course for CXC: Book 5.” This article empowers you with the vocabulary needed to understand and enjoy the passage.
• Comprehension: Releasing the Hawk
  This article gives guidance on how to study and answer the questions of the comprehension passage on 47 of the textbook, “A Comprehensive English Course for CXC: Book 5.”

• Classifying Sentences: Sentence Types
  All in all, there are eight sentence types: four by structure and four by purpose. In this article, I explain the various sentence types.
• The Imperative Sentence
  The imperative sentence gives a command. It is one of the four sentence types by structure. This article explains how to use the imperative sentence.
• The Compound Sentence
  The compound sentence is made up of two independent clauses which is the same as two simple sentences. In this article, I explain how compound sentences are formed.
• Using “And” to Form Compound Sentences
  We can use the coordinating conjunction “and” to fuse two simple sentences into one compound sentence. We do this when the two simple sentences share agreeable ideas. This article explains when to use “and” to form compound sentences.
• Using “But” to Form Compound Sentences
  Use the coordinate conjunction “but” to fuse two simple sentences which show contrasting ideas. This article explains when to use “but” to form the compound sentence.

Literary Devices

• Literary Devices
  Literary devices are used by writers to enrich their writing or enhance their power of expression. We also use literary devices in our everyday speech without even realizing it. In fact, most languages are rife with literary devices.
• The Simile
  The simile is a literary device which compares two things with the use of like or as. It harnesses our knowledge of a common object or idea to help paint a clearer picture of another thing or idea. This article explains how to use the simile in speech and writing.
• The Personification
  The personification is a literary device or figure of speech which give human qualities to non-human things. Here are some examples.
• The Naked Truth: An Extended Personification
  The story of the naked truth is an example of an extended personification. It personifies the Truth and Lie in a classic fable which effectively describes a human tendency.
• The Metaphor
  The metaphor is a literary device, more specifically a figure of speech, which compares two things without the use of the word “like” or “as.”
• The Metaphor: Playing Pinocchio
  The metaphor compares two things without the use of “like” or “as.” In this article, we’ll compare a naive youth to the fictional character Pinocchio.
• The Sitting Duck: A Metaphor for Vulnerability
  The expression “sitting duck” is a metaphor for vulnerability. A sitting duck is easily shot. In a similar way, if you are in a situation where danger lurks and you have no defense, you are, metaphorically speaking, a sitting duck.

Common Caribbean Errors

• “My Family and Me” or “My Family and I”?
  One of our fans sent us a question. Which is correct: “my family and me” or “my family and I”? The answer is: both are correct. It depends on the context. Here is the explanation.
• The Word “Did” is Always Followed by a Present Tense Verb
  Did you go to school yesterday? Or did you went to school yesterday? The auxiliary verb “did” always requires the simple present tense of a verb, so the first option is correct. This article explains why “did” is always followed by the simple present tense.
• The Word “to” is Always Followed by a Present Tense Verb
  The word “to” is always followed by a present tense verb even if the action described happened in the past. This is one of the many exceptions to the rule which come naturally to native speakers but can confuse learners of English as a second language.

Spelling and Pronunciation

• How Do You Pronounce “Iron”?
  The word “iron” is one of the most commonly mispronounced words in the Caribbean. It’s not pronounced the way it is spelled! Learn how to pronounce the word “iron.”
• How Do You Pronounce “Herb”?
  How do you pronounce the word “herb”? This word may trip or confuse some Caribbean speakers because of regional variations.