Paper 1: Reading (Cambridge (CIE) IGCSE English Language): Exam Questions

Read Text B, Is cycle touring right for you?(as found in the June 2021 (0500/11) insert (opens in a new tab)) and then answer Question 1(f).

According to Text B, what are the various attractions of cycle touring?

You must use continuous writing (not note form) and use your own words as far as possible. 

Your summary should not be more than 120 words. 

Up to 10 marks are available for the content of your answer and up to 5 marks for the quality of your writing.

Read Text C, Into the sunrise: cycling the world, part 2, (as found in the June 2021 (0500/11) insert (opens in a new tab)).

Identify a word or phrase from the text which suggests the same idea as the words underlined. 

(i) Chris mended the broken bicycle.

Read Text C, Into the sunrise: cycling the world, part 2, (as found in the June 2021 (0500/11) insert (opens in a new tab)).

Identify a word or phrase from the text which suggests the same idea as the words underlined. 

(ii) Vivian only stopped briefly when she talked.

Read Text C, Into the sunrise: cycling the world, part 2, (as found in the June 2021 (0500/11) insert (opens in a new tab)).

Identify a word or phrase from the text which suggests the same idea as the words underlined. 

(iii) Vivian had adopted the solution of pushing her bicycle along.

Read Text C, Into the sunrise: cycling the world, part 2, (as found in the June 2021 (0500/11) insert (opens in a new tab)).

Identify a word or phrase from the text which suggests the same idea as the words underlined. 

(iv) Vivian and Chris met up with their hosts for the evening.

Read Text C, Into the sunrise: cycling the world, part 2, (as found in the June 2021 (0500/11) insert (opens in a new tab)).

Using your own words, explain what the writer means by each of the words underlined:

After more walking / cycling we closed the day making camp by Lake O’Hara. I’d found a great spot with inspirational views of snowy peaks. Vivian seemed concerned about wildlife, particularly bears: ‘I’ve been camping on petrol station forecourts.’

‘Are you serious?’ ‘Yes. I decided it was safer.’

Vivian wasn’t exactly happy but began to erect her tent and unpack. I did the same, somewhat faster, then cooked us dinner on my trusty stove. Vivian’s stove was one of the many things she’d thrown away.

(i) closed

Read Text C, Into the sunrise: cycling the world, part 2, (as found in the June 2021 (0500/11) insert (opens in a new tab)).

Using your own words, explain what the writer means by each of the words underlined:

After more walking / cycling we closed the day making camp by Lake O’Hara. I’d found a great spot with inspirational views of snowy peaks. Vivian seemed concerned about wildlife, particularly bears: ‘I’ve been camping on petrol station forecourts.’

‘Are you serious?’ ‘Yes. I decided it was safer.’

Vivian wasn’t exactly happy but began to erect her tent and unpack. I did the same, somewhat faster, then cooked us dinner on my trusty stove. Vivian’s stove was one of the many things she’d thrown away.

(ii) wildlife

Read Text C, Into the sunrise: cycling the world, part 2, (as found in the June 2021 (0500/11) insert (opens in a new tab)).

Using your own words, explain what the writer means by each of the words underlined:

After more walking / cycling we closed the day making camp by Lake O’Hara. I’d found a great spot with inspirational views of snowy peaks. Vivian seemed concerned about wildlife, particularly bears: ‘I’ve been camping on petrol station forecourts.’

‘Are you serious?’ ‘Yes. I decided it was safer.’

Vivian wasn’t exactly happy but began to erect her tent and unpack. I did the same, somewhat faster, then cooked us dinner on my trusty stove. Vivian’s stove was one of the many things she’d thrown away.

(iii) erect

Read Text C, Into the sunrise: cycling the world, part 2, (as found in the June 2021 (0500/11) insert (opens in a new tab)).

Use one example from the text below to explain how the writer suggests his thoughts and feelings that evening.

Use your own words in your explanation. 

After more walking / cycling we closed the day making camp by Lake O’Hara. I’d found a great spot with inspirational views of snowy peaks. Vivian seemed concerned about wildlife, particularly bears: ‘I’ve been camping on petrol station forecourts.’

‘Are you serious?’

‘Yes. I thought it was safer.’

Vivian wasn’t exactly happy but began to erect her tent and unpack. I did the same, somewhat faster, then cooked us dinner on my trusty stove. Vivian’s stove was one of the many things she’d thrown away.

Read Text C, Into the sunrise: cycling the world, part 2, (as found in the June 2021 (0500/11) insert (opens in a new tab)).

Re-read paragraphs 18 and 24.

• Paragraph 18 begins ‘I woke next morning... ’ and is Chris’ description of Vivian’s attitude.

• Paragraph 24 begins ‘For weeks... ’ and is about the changing landscape.

Explain how the writer uses language to convey meaning and to create effect in these paragraphs. Choose three examples of words or phrases from each paragraph to support your answer. Your choices should include the use of imagery. 

Write about 200 to 300 words. 

Up to 15 marks are available for the content of your answer.

Re-read Text C, Into the sunrise: cycling the World part 2, (as found in the June 2021 (0500/11) insert (opens in a new tab)).

You are Vivian. Several months after completing your journey you have written a book about the experience. You are interviewed for a television show to promote your book. The interviewer asks the following three questions only:

• Can you tell us about the early part of your journey and the kind of difficulties you faced?

• Part of your journey was travelling with Chris — what benefits and drawbacks were there for each of you in travelling together?

• You finished your journey alone — why was that? How do you think the journey changed you?

Write the words of the interview.

Base your interview on what you have read in Text C but be careful to use your own words.

Write about 250 to 350 words. 

Up to 15 marks are available for the content of your answer and up to 10 marks for the quality of your writing.