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

Read Text B, Is it wrong to swim with dolphins?, (as found in the November 2022 (0500/13) insert (opens in a new tab)) (opens in a new tab).

According to Text B, what are the arguments against swimming with dolphins and what are responsible tour operators doing to improve the situation?

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, Ocean Hotel, (as found in the (opens in a new tab)November 2022 (0500/13) insert (opens in a new tab)).

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

(i) In the beginning, Ocean Hotel had been a base for studying marine life.

Read Text C, Ocean Hotel, (as found in the (opens in a new tab)November 2022 (0500/13) insert (opens in a new tab)).

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

(ii) Eloise and Jenny often went scuba diving in earlier years.

Read Text C, Ocean Hotel, (as found in the (opens in a new tab)November 2022 (0500/13) insert (opens in a new tab)).

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

(iii) Eloise pulled a disrespectful expression at Ocean King’s appearance.

Read Text C, Ocean Hotel, (as found in the (opens in a new tab)November 2022 (0500/13) insert (opens in a new tab)).

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

(iv) Ocean King, costume removed, was now dressed in a dark blue scuba suit.

Read Text C, Ocean Hotel, (as found in the (opens in a new tab)November 2022 (0500/13) insert (opens in a new tab)).

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

In its vicinity were coral reefs. My heart raced at this thought: I knew this would be our next trip away. As I pointed out to Eloise on the phone, she had chosen our last getaway – a sojourn in a sedate hotel where we’d reclined in comfortable chairs in the gardens, and she’d taken photographs of distant rolling hills.

(i) In its vicinity

Read Text C, Ocean Hotel, (as found in the (opens in a new tab)November 2022 (0500/13) insert (opens in a new tab)).

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

In its vicinity were coral reefs. My heart raced at this thought: I knew this would be our next trip away. As I pointed out to Eloise on the phone, she had chosen our last getaway – a sojourn in a sedate hotel where we’d reclined in comfortable chairs in the gardens, and she’d taken photographs of distant rolling hills.

(ii) sedate

Read Text C, Ocean Hotel, (as found in the (opens in a new tab)November 2022 (0500/13) insert (opens in a new tab)).

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

In its vicinity were coral reefs. My heart raced at this thought: I knew this would be our next trip away. As I pointed out to Eloise on the phone, she had chosen our last getaway – a sojourn in a sedate hotel where we’d reclined in comfortable chairs in the gardens, and she’d taken photographs of distant rolling hills.

(iii) reclined

Read Text C, Ocean Hotel, (as found in the (opens in a new tab)November 2022 (500/13) insert (opens in a new tab)).

Use one example from the text below to explain how the writer suggests the narrator Jenny’s feelings during the day and evening.

Use your own words in your explanation. 

I passed the rest of my day diving happily, while Eloise sat on a sea wall, staring out across the ocean. In the evening, I took an energising freshwater shower, streamed marine conservation documentaries, played animated board games with a taciturn Eloise and feasted on both our pizzas, delivered with a regal bow by Ocean King.

Read Text C, Ocean Hotel, (as found in the (opens in a new tab)November 2022 (0500/13) insert (opens in a new tab)).

Re-read paragraphs 8 and 10.

• Paragraph 8 begins 'Our introduction to hotel rules...' and is about Ocean King's appearance as he explains the rules of Ocean Hotel.

• Paragraph 10 begins 'Almost immediately...' and is about Jenny's scuba diving experience in the lagoon next to Ocean Hotel.

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, Ocean Hotel, (as found in the (opens in a new tab)November 2022 (0500/13) insert (opens in a new tab)).

You are Eloise. After you arrive home from your stay at Ocean Hotel, you write an entry in your journal about your experience. In your journal entry you should:

• explain how you felt when you first learnt about Jenny’s plan to stay at Ocean Hotel and why you felt like this

• describe Ocean Hotel and your reactions to what happened there

• describe your feelings now and your thoughts on how to approach Jenny about the next trip away.

Write the words of the journal entry.

Base your journal entry 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.