Find stated facts in a text
Read notices, messages and articles for exact factual information.
Exam scope and assessment notes
This is an original, short starter sequence, not a complete language course or a full mock examination. Cambridge recommends a course of about 130 guided learning hours. Original isiZulu wording, translations, grammar explanations and browser-generated speech need review by a qualified isiZulu teacher before publication. Browser speech synthesis is supplemental, may not have an isiZulu voice and is not Cambridge audio. There is no assessed speaking component in 0531. Practice feedback is formative, not an official Cambridge mark or grade.
Before you begin
Work on paper. Try each question before revealing help, and explain why your method works.
Quick readiness check
Which approach best supports a reliable answer?
What you will learn
- R1 · Understand specific factual information.
- Apply this skill to a familiar task and check the response against the text or prompt.
Separate the detail from the topic
A text may mention several dates, places or people. First decide exactly what the question asks for, then scan for the matching kind of detail.
After you find a possible answer, read the whole sentence around it. A nearby number can describe a deadline while the question asks for an event time.
Short isiZulu practice phrase: «Angikhulumi isiZulu.» means “I do not speak isiZulu.” Check that the negative verb «angikhulumi» matches the stated meaning; do not infer a reason from it.
Keep answers precise
For a one-detail question, give one supported detail. For a question asking for two items, check that both are present.
When you answer in isiZulu, use the information in the source and keep the response short enough to avoid changing its meaning.
Sources for this lesson
Pause and explain
What should you do after locating a likely answer?
Worked example
A notice says: «Umhlangano uqala ngo-09:00. Abafundi bahlangana emtatsheni.» When does the meeting start?
Show the worked solution
- Identify the question type: it asks for a time.
- Scan for the time marker «ngo-».
- Check that the time belongs to the meeting, not another event.
Answer It starts at 09:00. The place in the second sentence is not the answer to a time question.
Try a topic test
Choose Easy, Normal or Difficult. Save your answers and open worked review after finishing.
Test this topic →From guided practice to a new situation
Write your answer and reasoning first. Use a hint only if you are stuck. The model solution is for self-checking; your written work is not automatically marked.
Read: «Ibhasi isuka esikoleni ngo-08:15.» Give the departure time.
Give me a hint
Find the time phrase, then check which event it describes.
Compare my reasoning
- Locate «ngo-08:15».
- Check that it follows the bus departure statement.
- Answer with the time only.
The bus leaves at 08:15. The time is stated directly in «isuka … ngo-08:15».
Look for these in your work
- Finds the exact time
- Links it to the bus
- Does not add unsupported detail
A school notice lists a meeting on Tuesday at 14:00 and says forms are due on Monday. Which day is the meeting?
Give me a hint
Distinguish the event date from the form deadline.
Compare my reasoning
- Find the event named in the question.
- Match the day attached to that event.
- Ignore the separate deadline.
The meeting is on Tuesday. Monday is the deadline for forms, not the meeting date.
Look for these in your work
- Matches the correct event
- Separates two dates
- Answers directly
A travel notice gives a bus departure time, a school meeting point and a return time. A learner asks where to meet. What should you report?
Give me a hint
Classify the requested detail before scanning.
Compare my reasoning
- Recognise that the question asks for a place.
- Locate the meeting-point phrase.
- Leave both times out of the answer.
Report the stated meeting point only. Departure and return times are relevant to the trip but do not answer where to meet.
Look for these in your work
- Selects the correct information type
- Uses the matching source detail
- Rejects time distractors
Common mistakes
- Choosing a nearby detail of the wrong type
- Adding an explanation the source never gives
- Copying a full sentence when one fact is enough
What can you explain now?
What should you do after locating a likely answer?
Compare with the explanation
Read the surrounding sentence to confirm what the detail describes
Context confirms that the number or name answers this question rather than another one.
After trying it yourself, choose your next review. This is your self-assessment.
Your review choice appears on Today. Sign in to sync it across devices.
Make it stick
Explain one decision that helped you: r1 · understand specific factual information.
If you needed the solution, close it and solve the problem again from a blank page. A correct answer is stronger when you can explain the reason for each step.