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

Read Text B, Visiting a cave,(as found in the November 2023 (500/12) insert (opens in a new tab)).

According to Text B, what could make visiting a cave dangerous?

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, The lost cave, (as found in the November 2023 (500/12) 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 ivy completely covered the rock face.

Read Text C, The lost cave, (as found in the November 2023 (500/12) insert (opens in a new tab)).

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

(ii) Shaima thought about a time in the future when she might be able to attend a live excavation.

Read Text C, The lost cave, (as found in the November 2023 (500/12) insert (opens in a new tab)).

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

(iii) Shaima did not know what was happening in the garden.

Read Text C, The lost cave, (as found in the November 2023 (500/12) insert (opens in a new tab)).

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

(iv) Rohaan looked closely into the cave mouth.

Read Text C, The lost cave, (as found in the November 2023 (500/12) insert (opens in a new tab)).

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

Rohaan lifted himself to his elbows. He hadn’t broken, twisted or pulled anything important, and he freed himself from the remaining foliage.

(i) lifted

Read Text C, The lost cave, (as found in the November 2023 (500/12) insert (opens in a new tab)).

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

Rohaan lifted himself to his elbows. He hadn’t broken, twisted or pulled anything important, and he freed himself from the remaining foliage.

(ii) freed

Read Text C, The lost cave, (as found in the November 2023 (500/12) insert (opens in a new tab)).

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

Rohaan lifted himself to his elbows. He hadn’t broken, twisted or pulled anything important, and he freed himself from the remaining foliage.

(iii) remaining

Read Text C, The lost cave, (as found in the November 2023 (500/12) insert (opens in a new tab)).

Use one example from the text below to explain how the writer suggests Rohaan’s feelings when he first sees the cave entrance.

Use your own words in your explanation. 

He looked at what was left of the rock face. A gaping hole stared defiantly back at him, as if inviting a stand-off. Rohaan dropped his eyes to break the gaze and received an immense surprise. Half a metre from the base was the floor of a cave entrance. It was surely inviting him to look inside.

Read Text C, The lost cave, (as found in the November 2023 (500/12) insert (opens in a new tab)).

Re-read paragraphs 5 and 10.

• Paragraph 5 begins ‘In the garden...' and is about how Rohaan becomes momentarily covered by ivy when it suddenly comes loose from the rock.

• Paragraph 10 begins ‘Armed now with a torch..’ and is about Rohaan’s first experiences as he enters the cave.

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, The lost cave, (as found in the November 2023 (500/12) insert (opens in a new tab)).

You are Shaima. A year after Rohaan discovered the cave in your garden, you have written a book about the experience and what has happened since then. You are interviewed for a television show to promote your book.

The interviewer asks the following three questions only:

• Can you outline what Rohaan was doing at first in the garden and how he discovered the cave?

• What made him realise that his discovery was significant?

• How did the discovery affect your plans for the garden and have your lives changed since then?

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.

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.