Comments and suggested answers for the Literature exam (according to the old program)

The following are comments and suggested answers for the Literature exam according to the old 2006 GeneralEducation Program.

According to Dr. Do Thi Cam Van, lecturer at Ho Chi Minh City University of Education, the 2025 Literature exam with the text Nep nghia and the excerpt from Vo chong A Phu has the same exam structure, harmonizing reading and writing. The exam consists of 2 familiar parts: Part I - Reading comprehension (3.0 points): Modern poetic text (Nep nghia - Nguyen Duc Mau). Part II - Writing (7.0 points): Question 1 (2.0 points): Social argumentation (write a 200-word paragraph). Question 2 (5.0 points): Literary argumentation, analyzing the excerpt from Vo chong A Phu (To Hoai), clarifying the change of the character Mi. This is a stable structure, helping students easily prepare for review and allocate time when doing the test.

Literature exam (according to the old program), High school graduation exam 2025. Photo: Hai Yen

The reading comprehension material is the poem Nep nghia. This is an interesting poem, rich in philosophy and emotion. With the modern poetic form, the test creates conditions for students to deeply reflect on attitudes towards life, laziness in thinking and the consciousness to overcome adversity.

The questions are designed to be diverse from recognition to application. Including: Identifying expressive language (question 1), indicating content (question 2), explaining literary terms (question 3), reading and understanding details of the expression of "way of thinking" (question 4), answering open questions - assessing philosophy of life (question 5).

The above reading comprehension question system helps students demonstrate their ability to read deeply, understand implicit meanings and express personal opinions naturally.

The Writing section is traditional in nature, with an open approach.

Question 1 - Social argument (200 words): Requires presenting thoughts on the need to change people's thinking in the current context. This is a practical question, requiring critical thinking and connection to social reality.

Question 2 - Literary essay (5 points): Analyze the development of Mi's mood in Husband and Wife A Phu through the excerpt. This is a way of giving questions that reproduce - analyze in detail - evaluate inner changes, helping students exploit the depth of the character and from there expand to the writer's humanitarian thoughts.

This way of giving questions is still the familiar character analysis type - which has almost become a "pattern" in review. Students only need to memorize the analysis of Mi to be able to do well, it does not really promote the ability to think new, expand connections or deeply feel personal feelings like the 2018 General Education Program.

The 2025 Literature exam with the text "Nep nghia" and excerpt from "Vo chong A Phu" is a safe, suitable, humane and in-depth exam, suitable for graduation assessment goals and general knowledge foundation.

“This is a test that ensures standards and correct orientation, but to more closely approach the requirements of developing students' capacity in the new era, the test needs to be improved in the direction of: diversifying materials - integrating interdisciplinary - stimulating critical thinking - expanding the space for personalization for learners" - said Dr. Do Thi Cam Van.

* Suggested answer

Mr. Nguyen Ngoc Hung, a Literature teacher in Tan Phong ward, Bien Hoa city, gives some suggested answers for this Literature exam as follows:

Sentence 1: The text is written in free verse.

Sentence 2: According to the text, people are tired of searching for "new things"/"so many new things".

Sentence 3: The repetition: "Why not" has the effect of:

- About art: creating sound, rhythm, increasing musicality for poetry.

- Regarding content: impressive, emphasizing the importance and urgency of changing old "paths" and old ways of thinking in life. The author wants to call on everyone to boldly change their old lifestyle and way of thinking and be more creative and innovative.

Question 4: Suggested life lessons

- Know how to appreciate the simple things around us because it is the daily joys and sorrows that create the true meaning and value of life.

- Don't try to chase after things that are far away, unrealistic, vague, and don't bring any meaning to your life.

- We need to be alert, courageous and aware of what real values we should strive for, and what are illusory and frivolous things we should stay away from...

In the social argumentative essay section, candidates need to explain why they need to renew themselves and give the benefits of "renewing" themselves. Candidates need to choose appropriate and realistic evidence as well as give convincing arguments to express their point of view.

For the literary argumentative essay analyzing the development of the mood of the character Mi in the excerpt Winter Night (the night of untying A Phu) of the short story Husband and Wife A Phu . It can be seen that this is a fairly easy requirement for candidates who have prepared carefully.

After analyzing, candidates need to write a paragraph commenting on the humanitarian ideology that writer To Hoai expressed in the excerpt. That is the writer's sympathy and pity for the tragic fate of the characters Mi and A Phu - people who suffered from oppression and exploitation by theocracy and tyranny.

Hai Yen

Source: https://baodongnai.com.vn/xa-hoi/giao-duc/202506/nhan-xet-va-goi-y-dap-an-de-thi-mon-ngu-van-theo-chuong-trinh-cu-3c20663/