English HL P2 memo

May-June 2025 — Grade 12 / Matric — English

Memo 2025 Grade 12 English - HL English Hub →

↓ Download PDF 📄 649.6 KB View Exam Paper

Preparing document

📋 Document Analysis

🎯 80 marks 📄 28 pages 📝 57 items found 📚 7 topics 📖 5 language components

See full analysis

Questions — A Preview of What to Expect in the Document

This section provides a quick preview of questions from the document. It may not display every question or the complete wording of each one. For the full content, including diagrams, tables and other information, view the original PDF above.

Q1— Section header —

Q2— Section header —

2.1Even though the speaker is still in e xile, he is determined return to his home country./ Despite still being in exile, t is inevitable that he will return sometime in the future [Award 2 marks for two distinct points.]

2.2The double negative emphasis es the speaker s rejection of the floral tributes. It highlights his feelings of guilt at being celebrated as he had avoided the suffering in his country. He is emphatic/insistent/forceful/adamant about not

2.3.1Metaphor

2.3.2The weapons of the heroes are compared to a wingless stone which

2.4

Q3— Section header —

3.1.1Alliteration Onomatopoeia

3.1.2The word , ' whining is associated with a never ending irritating noise. This suggests that the woman has been

3.2Colloquial language makes the poem more accessible. This relates to the speaker s message about the importance of opening channels of communication. Colloq uial language is more familiar and less intimidating

3.3The phrase, rubbish heap is used to highligh t the appalling conditions in which bla ck South Africans were forced

3.4The central message of this poem explores the idea that no matter how evil the oppressive regime it will be necessary to communicate with them if freedom is ever to be achieved. The speaker s tone is urgent/

Q4— Section header —

4.1The words laugh weep suggest that life is composed of both happiness and sadness. When a person is happy, people are drawn to her/him . However

4.2The pronoun, you involves the reader and makes the poem more personal. The speaker is directly addressing the reader in a conversational manner, and

4.3.1Person ification/Metaphor

4.3.2

4.4The central message of this poem explores the idea that even though there will be moment of connection everyone will, ultimately, have to face life challenges alone. The phrase one by one

Q5— Section header —

5.1The speaker admires her mother and holds her in high esteem. She acknowledges and appreciates the impact her mother has had o n her life. The speaker is celebrating all the things her mother means to her

5.2The speaker s mother is no longer alive/present in the speaker s life. She is reflecting on her childhood with nostalgia. As the poem is an exploration of her memories, it is appropriate for the past tense to be used.

5.3.1Metaphor

5.3.2By comparing her mother to water, the speaker is implying that her mother is an infinite source of life. Her mother provides growth and nourishment. The speaker s mother could also be seen a cleansing

5.4The poem highlights how the steadfast presence of the mother i s instrumental in the child 's development, shaping and influencing who she becomes. The mother

Q6— Section header —

7.2Dorian s reaction might be shocked/incredulous; h e is surprised /flattered that such an elegant and witty man would find him interesting because Dorian is unaware of the effect that he has on other people.

7.3The fact that Lord Henry is always late suggests that he is self absorbed and is inconsiderate of other people s time. Lord Henry likes to create the impression of being non conformist and unconcerned with social etiquette. He

7.4Lord and Lady Henry are both at the opera but not with each other. Her spending little time with her husband, suggests that she lives on the fringes o her husband s life. Lord Henry s cynical view of marriage is reflected in their

7.5d Henry believes in the princip s of aestheticism, valuing beauty above substance. He is stylish and elegant and it would be expected that his wife would reflect these ideals; this description of Lady Henry contradicts this

7.9YES The death of a commoner is of no importance to Dorian; he finds this whole matter bothersome and boring. Dorian does not value the lives of the working class, a rrogantly believing that money will compensate the man

7.10VALID In this extract, Dorian is relieved that he has escaped James s revenge. He has avoided taking any responsibility for the role he played in Sibyl s suicide. Similarly, Dorian is not held accountable for murdering Basil, blackmailing Alan

Q8— Section header —

9.1Pi and his family encountered the three religious leaders (t he priest, the p ndit and the imam \ who reve al that Pi has been practising each of their religions. They are horrified that Pi refuses to choose a religion

9.2s father s tone might be surprised/shocked/incredulous. He is taken aback by Pi s request and it takes a moment for him to realise the unusual nature of s wish. There might be a tone of irritation/annoyance as he has been

9.3s father is not comfortable having to address the matter of Pi s unusual religious choices with him. He does not understand Pi fervour and would rather not have to discuss the matter with him./ father is generally not as

9.4s mother s affection for him is evident in these lines. She and Pi share a close bond which has been developed by a common interest in reading . Her nurturing and tolerant nature build his confidence in

9.5Pi has a multi faith approach and his love for God is all compassing. After the loss of his family and , realis ing that he is alone at sea, he is danger of falling into a deep depression. However

9.6Reading and story telling spark s curiosity and imagination: his mother encouraging him to read and his exposure to his aunt Rohini s stories about the Hindu deities inspire his love of stories. It is the stories that are related to

9.7s upbringing in a zoo and his father s lessons about the danger of tigers have taught him much about the habits of animals. He understands the importance of demarcating territory and the need to become the alpha

9.8The reader might feel fear/respect/awe in response to Richard Parker strength and ferocity. hese lines serve to remind the reader that Richard Parker is

9.10VALID While Pi is initially fearful of having the tiger aboard the lifeboat, even considering allowing him to drown, he quickly realises that he and Richard Parker need each other to survive. Richard Parker

Q10— Section header —

Q11— Section header —

11.3Claudius has created an environment in which distrust and deception revail. Spying is used by more than one character in the court to acquire information; either to protect themselves or their reputation, to

11.6.1Afraid of Hamlet s aggression during their exchange, Gertrude calls for help. Polonius, behind the arras, echoes her call and Hamlet, thinking that it is Claudius who is eavesd ropping, fatally stabs Polonius.

11.6.2Rosencrantz and Guildenstern follow Claudius s instructions without hesitation; they are immediately available and do his bidding without question. Their loyalty to Hamlet has been replaced by blind allegiance

11.8Hamlet might mimic the holding and squeezing of a sponge. He might also have a wide grin/smirk on his face. His tone might be scornful/mocking/ derisive/jeering/ridiculing as he accuses Rosencrantz and

Q1— Section header —

13.8Othello listens intently to everything that Iago tells him. He believes that Iago is wise because of his understanding of women and Venetian society. He trusts Iago and does not question him. However, Iago

13.9Iago might stand with his arms folded/rub his hands together in satisfaction as he contemplates the detrimental effect his machinations will have on Othello. He takes pleasure at the thought of driving Othello mad with jealousy. His tone

Q15— Section header —

15.2Parris is offended by Abigail lack of gratitude and appreciation for his benevolence. He feels that she has taken advantage of his kindness and that her improper actions have now brought his home into

15.3Although Putnam appears to be supportive of Parris and his position as inister , he is vin dictive and wants Parris to fail. Parris , on the other hand,

15.7Proctor deliberately presents his argument objectively to counter the hysteria generated by the girls accusations. He is non confrontational and a ware of the need to appease the court

15.8Hale expresses concern about the integrity of the proceedings being followed by the court and the fact that there are doubts about the veracity of the charges. These concerns are ironic in light of his earlier reliance on his own theoretical

15.10Danforth s justice is questionable as he does not interrogate the evidence given by the girls; he simply believes the allegations. He does not wa nt to allow further testimony as will then have

Language Components

Essay/ArgumentGrammar ExerciseLiterature AnalysisCreative WritingOral/Debate

Topics Identified

ComprehensionLanguage in ContextLiteratureEssay WritingGrammarCreative WritingOral Communication

Mark Allocation

Total80 marks

Sections10 + 10 + 10 + 10 + 10 + 25 + 25 + 25 + 25 + 25 + 25 = 200 marks

Paper information

SubjectEnglish

Year2025

SessionMay-June

TypeMemo

PaperPaper 2

LanguageEnglish (HL — verified from PDF)

Pages28

Downloads4

Examination context

Decade2020s

Years ago1y

Season—

Start day—

Exam period—

Days since exam—

About English examination preparation

Grade 12 English involves reading, language use, interpretation, and clear written communication. Paper 1 tests comprehension, summary writing, and language in context, while Paper 2 covers literature and essay writing.

Every available Grade 12 English past paper and memorandum is collected in the English hub at english.freemode.co.za — browse all years, sessions and languages in one place.

How to use this resource for revision

A past examination paper is most useful when it is treated as an active revision exercise. Try the questions yourself before checking the corresponding memorandum. Where you make an error, identify the reason — was it a knowledge gap, a calculation mistake, an interpretation issue, or an examination technique problem?

For stronger examination practice, complete the paper without unnecessary interruptions and keep track of the questions that take the most time. Afterwards, review the memorandum and separate knowledge gaps from mistakes caused by interpretation, calculation, structure, or examination technique.

reading and comprehension

language accuracy

interpretation

structured written responses

clear communication

A practical revision approach

English rewards structured argument over length. Plan your response for 5 minutes before writing — a well-structured 2-page essay consistently outperforms a disorganised 4-page response.

Grade 12 subject hubs

Each matric subject has its own dedicated hub on Freemode with every past paper and marking memorandum we have archived for that subject.

➗ Mathematics View papers → 📊 Mathematical Literacy View papers → ⚗️ Physical Sciences View papers → 🧬 Life Sciences View papers → 📒 Accounting View papers → 💼 Business Studies View papers → 📈 Economics View papers → 🌍 Geography View papers → 🏛️ History View papers → 📖 English 📍 You are here 🇿🇦 Afrikaans View papers → 🗣️ IsiNdebele View papers → 🗣️ IsiXhosa View papers → 🗣️ IsiZulu View papers → 🗣️ Sepedi View papers → 🗣️ Sesotho View papers → 🗣️ Setswana View papers → 🌾 Agricultural Sciences View papers →

Corresponding examination paper

Examination paper available

Open the corresponding examination paper to practise the questions before reviewing the marking memorandum on this page. Attempt every question under timed conditions for the most realistic preparation.

English HL P2 →

File details

File size649.6 KB

Pages28

Archived on7 September 2026

File age46d

ContributorFreeMode

Fingerprint5DF779D61CCF

Questions and learner discussion

No questions or discussions have been posted yet.