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

Read Text B, Why I am quitting motivational speaking, (as found in the June 2023 (0500/11) insert (opens in a new tab)).

According to Text B, what were the writer’s reasons for giving up motivational speaking?

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, Running for my life, (as found in the June 2023 (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) Anna’s journey through New Zealand took her from one end of the country to the other.

Read Text C, Running for my life, (as found in the June 2023 (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) Anna was going to run the whole way with absolutely no help or assistance.

Read Text C, Running for my life, (as found in the June 2023 (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) Anna did think about buying a GPS to help her find her way.

Read Text C, Running for my life, (as found in the June 2023 (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) Kevin felt that lots of the people attempting it were not at all ready to deal with the challenges of the trail.

Read Text C, Running for my life, (as found in the June 2023 (0500/11) insert (opens in a new tab)).

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

‘It just comes down to a choice about how you live your life,’ I shrugged. ‘I’m a ‘‘work-it-out -when-I-get-there’’ kind of person.’

This was perhaps the reason why I’d failed to read even 10 per cent of the trail notes before setting out. And possibly why a perceptive work colleague had introduced me to Kevin who would meet me at the airport.

Local expert Kevin had quizzed me about sections of the trail. Mostly my responses were: ‘Umm, I’m not too sure on that particular bit.’

(i) perceptive

Read Text C, Running for my life, (as found in the June 2023 (0500/11) insert (opens in a new tab)).

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

‘It just comes down to a choice about how you live your life,’ I shrugged. ‘I’m a ‘‘work-it-out -when-I-get-there’’ kind of person.’

This was perhaps the reason why I’d failed to read even 10 per cent of the trail notes before setting out. And possibly why a perceptive work colleague had introduced me to Kevin who would meet me at the airport.

Local expert Kevin had quizzed me about sections of the trail. Mostly my responses were: ‘Umm, I’m not too sure on that particular bit.’

(ii) quizzed

Read Text C, Running for my life, (as found in the June 2023 (0500/11) insert (opens in a new tab)).

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

‘It just comes down to a choice about how you live your life,’ I shrugged. ‘I’m a ‘‘work-it-out -when-I-get-there’’ kind of person.’

This was perhaps the reason why I’d failed to read even 10 per cent of the trail notes before setting out. And possibly why a perceptive work colleague had introduced me to Kevin who would meet me at the airport.

Local expert Kevin had quizzed me about sections of the trail. Mostly my responses were: ‘Umm, I’m not too sure on that particular bit.’

(iii) trail

Read Text C, Running for my life, (as found in the June 2023 (0500/11) insert (opens in a new tab)).

Use one example from the text below to explain how the writer suggests her attitude during the interview.

Use your own words in your explanation. 

I was sitting, star-struck, in the Southland FM’s Invercargill studio, marvelling at radio host Rach’s seemingly exotic accent. I already loved the way that people here pronounced my name as ‘Inna!’ I grinned widely from behind a microphone bigger than my head.

Rach continued: ‘So, are you brave or stupid?’

‘Perhaps both,’ I laughed enigmatically. ‘And excited.’

Read Text C, Running for my life, (as found in the June 2023 (0500/11) insert (opens in a new tab)).

Re-read paragraphs 7 and 12.

• Paragraph 7 begins ‘We discussed the attractions ...’ and is about Anna’s feelings ahead of the run.

• Paragraph 12 begins ‘No, I’d no idea ...’ and is about the natural landscape Anna encountered on the trail.

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, Running for my life, (as found in the June 2023 (0500/11) insert (opens in a new tab)).

You are Anna. After completing your run successfully you return to the UK and are asked to give a motivational speech to young people.

In your speech you should:

• explain the details of the challenge you undertook and the reasons you wanted to do it

• evaluate your preparation for the challenge and what you wished you had done or realised beforehand

• discuss the highlights of the whole experience, what you gained and why you would recommend your audience to take on challenges.

Write the words of the speech.

Base your speech 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.