Free Practice Questions for GCE O/L Tamil Language & Literature
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Key Facts: GCE O/L Tamil Language & Literature Exam
Subject 22
Official Department of Examinations Subject Code
Department of Examinations, Sri Lanka
40 MCQs
Paper 1 Multiple-Choice Item Count
Department of Examinations, Sri Lanka
4 Hours
Total Official Exam Time (Paper 1: 1h + Paper 2: 3h)
Department of Examinations, Sri Lanka
Grade S
Minimum Passing Grade Benchmark (35 Marks)
Department of Examinations, Sri Lanka
100 Items
Practice Bank English-Language Adaptation Items
OpenExamPrep Practice Adaptation
Sri Lanka GCE O/L Tamil Language & Literature (Subject Code 22) is the compulsory first-language examination for Tamil-medium Grade 11 candidates, testing grammar, orthography, classical Sangam texts, and modern Sri Lankan literature across Paper 1 (40 MCQs, 1 hour) and Paper 2 (structured/essay, 3 hours).
Sample GCE O/L Tamil Language & Literature Practice Questions
Try these sample questions to review concepts for the GCE O/L Tamil Language & Literature exam. Each question includes a detailed explanation. Start the interactive quiz above for the full 100+ question experience with AI tutoring.
1In classical Tamil grammar according to Nannool, how many total letters constitute the 'Muthaleluthu' (primary letters)?
2How are the 12 Tamil vowels (Uyireluthukkal) classified based on their duration of articulation?
3What is the acoustic measure of time (Maathirai) allotted to a pure consonant (Meiyeluthu) in Tamil prosody?
4According to the traditional grammatical treatise Nannool, how many primary classes of 'Sarbeluthu' (dependent letters) exist in the Tamil language?
5Which of the following groups consists exclusively of 'Mellinam' (nasal consonants) in Tamil?
6In the study of Kuttriyallugaram (shortened 'u' sound), to which subcategory does the word 'காடு' (kaadu) belong?
7What are the strict phonotactic rules governing the placement of the Aaytha letter ('ஃ') in a standard Tamil word?
8Which of the following represents the four canonical word classes (Sol) in Tamil grammatical analysis?
9In the classification of nouns (Aruvagai Peyar), which of the following is an example of a 'Sinaipeyar' (part or limb noun)?
10In the structural analysis of an inflected word (Pagupatham), what is the primary grammatical role of the 'Vikuthi' (suffix)?
About the GCE O/L Tamil Language & Literature Exam
The Sri Lanka General Certificate of Education (Ordinary Level) Tamil Language & Literature examination (Subject Code 22 / தமிழ் மொழியும் இலக்கியமும்) is the compulsory first-language assessment conducted annually by the Department of Examinations, Sri Lanka, for Tamil-medium Grade 11 students. Prescribed by the National Institute of Education (NIE), the syllabus establishes mastery across classical Tamil grammatical treatises (Nannool), morphosyntax, phonological distinctions (Mayangoligal), Sangam classics, didactic works (Thirukkural, Naladiyar), epic poetry, devotional hymns, and modern Sri Lankan Tamil literature. Success in this examination is essential for awarding the G.C.E. Ordinary Level certificate and qualifies students for senior secondary studies in the GCE Advanced Level Arts, Commerce, Science, and Technology streams. Format note: this practice question bank provides a 100-question English-language MCQ study adaptation of the Tamil Language & Literature examination, retaining key Tamil linguistic terms and script for conceptual study.
Exam sponsor: Department of Examinations, Sri Lanka (doenets.lk). The requirements and fees below concern the certification or admission exam, separate from our free practice resources.
Assessment
The G.C.E. O/L Tamil Language & Literature examination comprises THREE written papers. Per the Department of Examinations timetable, Papers I and II are issued together and answered in a single 3-hour-10-minute session, and Paper III is sat separately for 2 hours.
Time Limit
Papers I and II: one session of 3 hours 10 minutes; Paper III: 2 hours
Passing Score
Grade S or higher
Exam / Certification Fees
Free for school candidates; nominal fee for private candidates
Exam sponsor websiteReported exam pass rate: Approximately 70% to 75% of candidates achieve a Grade S or higher nationally.. This describes exam candidates, not OpenExamPrep users or results from using our resources. Exam sponsor website
Fees, eligibility, and exam policies can change. Confirm them with the exam sponsor before applying or paying.
Our practice resources: topics covered
We aim to reflect publicly available exam outlines and topic information in our study resources. Coverage, format, and difficulty may differ from the actual exam, and we cannot guarantee that every detail is accurate or current. Confirm exam requirements, fees, and policies with the official exam sponsor.
Tamil Grammar & Phonology (இலக்கணம்)
Eluthu (Muthaleluthu, Sarbeluthu), Sol (Peyar, Vinai, Idai, Uri), Vetrumai (cases 1 to 8), Sandhi rules (Thondral, Thirithal, Keduthal), Vinai classification, and Thodar syntax.
Tamil Orthography & Vocabulary (எழுத்தமைதியும் சொல்வளமும்)
Mayangoligal (ண/ன/ந, ல/ள/ழ, ர/ற distinctions), punctuation conventions, idioms (Marabu thodargal), proverbs (Pazhamozhi), homonyms, and contextual synonyms.
Classical Tamil Literature (செவ்விலக்கியம்)
Sangam poetry (Ettuthogai, Pathupattu, Tinai poetics), Pathinenkilkanakku moral literature (Thirukkural, Naladiyar), Epic literature (Silappadikaram, Manimekalai), Bakthi poetry, and Kamba Ramayanam.
Modern & Sri Lankan Tamil Literature (நவீன ஈழத்து இலக்கியம்)
Modern poetry pioneers (Bharathiyar, Bharathidasan), modern Sri Lankan Tamil literature (Mahakavi, Eelattu poetics, regional fiction and drama), and figures of speech (Ani ilakkanam).
Preparing for the GCE O/L Tamil Language & Literature Exam
What You Need to Know
- Passing score: Grade S or higher
- Assessment: The G.C.E. O/L Tamil Language & Literature examination comprises THREE written papers. Per the Department of Examinations timetable, Papers I and II are issued together and answered in a single 3-hour-10-minute session, and Paper III is sat separately for 2 hours.
- Time limit: Papers I and II: one session of 3 hours 10 minutes; Paper III: 2 hours
- Exam / certification fees: Free for school candidates; nominal fee for private candidates Official sources
Using Our Practice Resources
- Work through all 100 available questions
- Review every answer and explanation
- Track weak areas and revisit them
- Use our AI tutor for tough concepts
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the examination structure of GCE O/L Tamil Language & Literature?
The examination consists of two papers administered over a single testing window: Paper 1 has 40 compulsory multiple-choice questions (1 hour, 40 marks), and Paper 2 comprises structured questions on grammar, comprehension, literary appreciation, and essay composition (3 hours, 60 marks). The marks combine for a total of 100.
Is Tamil Language & Literature compulsory for Tamil-medium O/L candidates?
Yes. Tamil Language & Literature (Subject Code 22) is the compulsory first-language examination for all Tamil-medium school candidates sitting for the GCE Ordinary Level in Sri Lanka.
Why is this practice bank presented in English with Tamil terminology?
This practice bank is an English-language MCQ study adaptation developed to help students systematically revise grammatical rules, phonological principles, literary history, and rhetorical devices. Key technical terms, letter classifications, and textual examples are preserved in transliterated format and Tamil script to maintain academic fidelity.
What are the passing grades awarded by the Department of Examinations?
Results follow the national GCE grading standard: Grade A (Distinction, 75–100), Grade B (Very Good Pass, 65–74), Grade C (Credit Pass, 55–64), Grade S (Simple Pass, 35–54), and Grade F (Fail, 0–34). A Grade C or higher in first-language Tamil is generally required for admission to GCE A/L Arts streams and teacher training programs.
Which literary eras and Sri Lankan texts are featured on the examination?
The syllabus spans Sangam anthologies (Ettuthogai, Pathupattu), didactic works (Thirukkural, Naladiyar), epics (Silappadikaram, Manimekalai), devotional literature (Thevaram, Thiruvasagam, Divya Prabandham), Kamba Ramayanam, modern poets like Bharathiyar and Bharathidasan, and Sri Lankan Tamil literary milestones by figures such as Mahakavi, Arumuga Navalar, and contemporary Eelam writers.
How are Sandhi (punarchi) and Mayangoli questions tested?
Grammar questions test Sandhi mechanics including insertion (Thondral), transformation (Thirithal), and elision (Keduthal) at word boundaries. Orthography questions test precise phonological pairs (ண/ன/ந, ல/ள/ழ, ர/ற) through minimal pair definitions, contextual sentence completion, and spelling correction.