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

Read Text B, Tough Mudder, (as found in the June 2022 (0500/11) insert (opens in a new tab)) and then answer Question 1(f).

According to Text B, why did Jayden Dee want to take part in this particular event?

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, What it’s like to be married to a future Ironman, (as found in the June 2022 (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) The writer was slightly unsure that it was a good idea to publish their blog entry.

Read Text C, What it’s like to be married to a future Ironman, (as found in the June 2022 (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) Her husband’s training had little effect on the daily life of the family to begin with.

Read Text C, What it’s like to be married to a future Ironman, (as found in the June 2022 (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) Fitting in bike rides to the family’s weekend schedule was perfectly manageable.

Read Text C, What it’s like to be married to a future Ironman, (as found in the June 2022 (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) The writer accepted grumpily that they hadn’t changed their mind about Sam competing in the Ironman.

Read Text C, What it’s like to be married to a future Ironman, (as found in the June 2022 (0500/11) insert (opens in a new tab)).

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

June was all about Ironman. Endless weekends with Sam gone until 5pm each day. After exercise he would need to sleep for an hour or so, thus he was technically gone for longer. I was desperate for us to go away and have a break from it.

(i) endless

Read Text C, What it’s like to be married to a future Ironman, (as found in the June 2022 (0500/11) insert (opens in a new tab)).

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

June was all about Ironman. Endless weekends with Sam gone until 5pm each day. After exercise he would need to sleep for an hour or so, thus he was technically gone for longer. I was desperate for us to go away and have a break from it.

(ii) technically

Read Text C, What it’s like to be married to a future Ironman, (as found in the June 2022 (0500/11) insert (opens in a new tab)).

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

June was all about Ironman. Endless weekends with Sam gone until 5pm each day. After exercise he would need to sleep for an hour or so, thus he was technically gone for longer. I was desperate for us to go away and have a break from it.

(iii) desperate

Read Text C, What it’s like to be married to a future Ironman, (as found in the June 2022 (500/11) insert (opens in a new tab)).

Use one example from the text below to explain how the writer suggests their feelings about Sam’s approach to training for the Ironman event.

Use your own words in your explanation. 

There was so much laundry (‘different road conditions’) so much extra food (‘fuel’) and so much gear (multiple pairs of goggles with different tints ‘because you never know’)! Smiling understandingly, Sam assured me the next one will be cheaper. Next one?

Read Text C, What it’s like to be married to a future Ironman, (as found in the June 2022 (500/11) insert (opens in a new tab)).

Re-read paragraphs 10 and 12.

• Paragraph 10 begins ‘Because it’s there ’ and is about the writer’s reactions to other people’s views.

• Paragraph 12 begins ‘Having said all that ’ and is about the writer’s feelings at the end of the race.

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, What it’s like to be married to a future Ironman, (as found in the June 2022 (0500/11) insert (opens in a new tab)) and then answer Question 3.

You are Sam. After completing the race you are interviewed for a podcast about your experience and the advice you would offer to anyone thinking of entering an Ironman. The interviewer asks you three questions only:

• How exactly do you need to prepare for a challenge like Ironman and why is each aspect of that preparation important?

• How do you think preparing for Ironman affected other areas of your life and what advice would you offer anyone considering entering an Ironman for the first time?

• What were the rewards of completing an Ironman for you and your family?

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. Address each of the three bullet points.

Begin your interview with the first question.

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.