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

Read Text B, Seasonal work, (as found in the June 2023 (0500/12) insert (opens in a new tab)).

According to Text B, what are the advantages and disadvantages of taking a seasonal job?

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, Wanaka, (as found in the June 2023 (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 writer felt that the training presentation had been designed to emphasise that the least attractive job on the resort was being a liftie.

Read Text C, Wanaka, (as found in the June 2023 (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) As well as guests staying in hotel accommodation, there were great numbers of hikers passing through the resort who needed somewhere to stay.

Read Text C, Wanaka, (as found in the June 2023 (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) The writer struggled to walk, almost falling, as he arrived back at his accommodation.

Read Text C, Wanaka, (as found in the June 2023 (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) Boss expressed himself in a tone of gloating satisfaction.

Read Text C, Wanaka, (as found in the June 2023 (0500/12) insert (opens in a new tab)).

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

Here are the answers:

• No ‘quick-laps’ in week one. Apparently, they’re a trick used by experienced lifties who take turns to run the lift they’re working on – each person doing two people’s jobs, while their partner takes the lift to the top and skis or snowboards back down again. It’s a great way to get a sneaky bit of extra riding in, and generally overlooked by bosses – providing each person crewing the lift is capable of running it on their own. I wasn’t.

• ‘Back-country’ was everything outside the marked boundaries of the ski-area (avoided for fear of avalanches).

(i) overlooked

Read Text C, Wanaka, (as found in the June 2023 (0500/12) insert (opens in a new tab)).

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

Here are the answers:

• No ‘quick-laps’ in week one. Apparently, they’re a trick used by experienced lifties who take turns to run the lift they’re working on – each person doing two people’s jobs, while their partner takes the lift to the top and skis or snowboards back down again. It’s a great way to get a sneaky bit of extra riding in, and generally overlooked by bosses – providing each person crewing the lift is capable of running it on their own. I wasn’t.

• ‘Back-country’ was everything outside the marked boundaries of the ski-area (avoided for fear of avalanches).

(ii) crewing

Read Text C, Wanaka, (as found in the June 2023 (0500/12) insert (opens in a new tab)).

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

Here are the answers:

• No ‘quick-laps’ in week one. Apparently, they’re a trick used by experienced lifties who take turns to run the lift they’re working on – each person doing two people’s jobs, while their partner takes the lift to the top and skis or snowboards back down again. It’s a great way to get a sneaky bit of extra riding in, and generally overlooked by bosses – providing each person crewing the lift is capable of running it on their own. I wasn’t.

• ‘Back-country’ was everything outside the marked boundaries of the ski-area (avoided for fear of avalanches).

(iii) avoided

Read Text C, Wanaka, (as found in the June 2023 (0500/12) insert (opens in a new tab)).

Use one example from the text below to explain how the writer suggests his opinion of the training provided.

Use your own words in your explanation. 

Our Lift Supervisor (‘Boss’) marched us around every lift in the ski-field. ‘So now you know the lifts,’ he informed us. ‘See you all bright and early tomorrow!’

And that was it: training was over! I’d never pushed a button, had only the flimsiest concept how a ski lift even worked, much less how to fix one if something went wrong, didn’t know how to test the equipment, use the radio in case of emergency or assist guests on and off the lift. Ski lifts spin all day, every hour transporting skiers and riders of all ability levels up the mountain. I didn’t know how many things I didn’t know about my new job — but suspected there were plenty.

Read Text C, Wanaka, (as found in the June 2023 (0500/12) insert (opens in a new tab)).

Re-read paragraphs 6 and 8.

• Paragraph 6 begins ‘Next morning ...’ and is about the process of getting up and down the mountain each day.

• Paragraph 8 begins ‘One Wednesday ...’ and describes the consequences of bad weather on the mountain.

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, Wanaka, (as found in the June 2023 (0500/12) insert (opens in a new tab)).

You are a journalist writing an article about the job of a ski-lift attendant (liftie) as part of a series on interesting seasonal jobs for young people.

In your article you should:

• explain what attracts visitors to Wanaka and why

• describe what being a liftie involves and what might appeal to young people about this job

• suggest what someone might find challenging about working as a liftie and useful advice for any young person considering applying for any job at this resort.

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.