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

Read Text B, Kayaking is good for your health, (as found in the June 2022 (0500/12) insert (opens in a new tab)) and then answer Question 1(f).

According to Text B, what are the benefits of taking up kayaking as a hobby?

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, Paddling Alaska, (as found in the June 2022 (0500/12) 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 bear’s mouth and nose were huge.

Read Text C, Paddling Alaska, (as found in the June 2022 (0500/12) insert (opens in a new tab)).

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

(ii) The towns in southern Alaska were spread out at different points a long way away from each other.

Read Text C, Paddling Alaska, (as found in the June 2022 (0500/12) insert (opens in a new tab)).

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

(iii) Audrey would go on paddling trips when she could manage to find any time for a holiday.

Read Text C, Paddling Alaska, (as found in the June 2022 (0500/12) insert (opens in a new tab)).

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

(iv) She knew before setting off that her kayak was in a good enough condition to sail on the sea.

Read Text C, Paddling Alaska, (as found in the June 2022 (0500/12) insert (opens in a new tab)).

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

My yellow colour scheme was reinforced when my order of foul-weather gear arrived. I tried it on, laughing at my incongruous image in the mirror. ‘Getting older aren’t you?’

(i) reinforced

Read Text C, Paddling Alaska, (as found in the June 2022 (0500/12) insert (opens in a new tab)).

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

My yellow colour scheme was reinforced when my order of foul-weather gear arrived. I tried it on, laughing at my incongruous image in the mirror. ‘Getting older aren’t you?’

(ii) arrived

Read Text C, Paddling Alaska, (as found in the June 2022 (0500/12) insert (opens in a new tab)).

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

My yellow colour scheme was reinforced when my order of foul-weather gear arrived. I tried it on, laughing at my incongruous image in the mirror. ‘Getting older aren’t you?’

(iii) incongruous

Read Text C, Paddling Alaska, (as found in the June 2022 (0500/12) insert (opens in a new tab)).

Use one example from the text below to explain how the writer suggests that other boats might be better suited to the planned journey.

Use your own words in your explanation. 

My inflatable kayak would be the smallest boat to attempt this distance, an impertinent toy compared to the crafted cedar-log-dugout canoes paddled for centuries along these misty shores, or sturdy modern fibreglass canoes.

Read Text C, Paddling Alaska, (as found in the June 2022 (0500/12) insert (opens in a new tab)).

Re-read paragraphs 4 and 8.

• Paragraph 4 begins ‘Looking at...’ and is about the choice of route for the journey.

• Paragraph 8 begins ‘He sneered...’ and gives a description of the kayak.

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, Paddling Alaska, (as found in the June 2022 (0500/12) insert (opens in a new tab)).

You are a journalist writing for a teenage magazine some years after the events described in the text. You decide to write a feature article about Audrey Sutherland and her first attempt to paddle Alaska.

In your article you should explain:

• the opinions and reactions of other people to Audrey’s plan to paddle Alaska for the first time and what was remarkable about the journey

• the preparations she made for this first Alaskan journey and why these preparations were necessary

• why she wanted to paddle Alaska and the rewards of the trip.

Write the words of the article.

Base your article 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.