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

Read Text B, A career in music, (as found in the November 2023 (500/13) insert (opens in a new tab)) (opens in a new tab).

According to Text B, what attracts a person to playing a musical instrument?

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 violinist, (as found in the November 2023 (500/13) insert (opens in a new tab)).

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

(i) Seth was wandering around the town.

Read Text C, The violinist, (as found in the November 2023 (500/13) insert (opens in a new tab)).

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

(ii) Seth was very close to a shop that sold music.

Read Text C, The violinist, (as found in the November 2023 (500/13) insert (opens in a new tab)).

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

(iii) The man who’d found the violin had tried to locate its owner but his efforts had been in vain.

Read Text C, The violinist, (as found in the November 2023 (500/13) insert (opens in a new tab)).

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

(iv) A woman in the audience appeared to be trying very hard to look at the violin Seth was playing.

Read Text C, The violinist, (as found in the November 2023 (500/13) insert (opens in a new tab)).

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

‘I dare you ’ the violin’s eyes teased.

‘How quirky yet attractive,’ thought Seth. ‘I wonder if it plays well.’

(i) teased

Read Text C, The violinist, (as found in the November 2023 (500/13) insert (opens in a new tab)).

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

‘I dare you ’ the violin’s eyes teased.

‘How quirky yet attractive,’ thought Seth. ‘I wonder if it plays well.’

(ii) quirky

Read Text C, The violinist, (as found in the November 2023 (500/13) insert (opens in a new tab)).

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

‘I dare you ’ the violin’s eyes teased.

‘How quirky yet attractive,’ thought Seth. ‘I wonder if it plays well.’

(iii) attractive

Read Text C, The violinist, (as found in the November 2023 (500/13) insert (opens in a new tab)).

Use one example from the text below to explain how the writer suggests Seth’s experiences and feelings when he plays the violin.

Use your own words in your explanation. 

Violin in hand, Seth stopped four strings with his fingers, and drew the bow over them with one rapid sweep. He’d produced a rich chord. He was surprised by how strong the sound was. He raised his bow again and the violin replied enchantingly.

Seth felt excitement shooting through him.

Read Text C, The violinist, (as found in the November 2023 (500/13) insert (opens in a new tab)).

Re-read paragraphs 3 and 11.

• Paragraph 3 begins ‘Partially concealed ’ and is about the violin that Seth sees in the back of the shop.

• Paragraph 11 begins ‘The arrival of the audience ’ and is about the activity in the concert hall before the concert begins. 

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 violinist, (as found in the November 2023 (500/13) insert (opens in a new tab)).

You are Seth. Sylvia has told you that her parents are happy for you to contact them. When you get home that night, you write a letter to Sylvia’s parents.

In the letter you:

• explain the circumstances under which you came across the violin

• describe your thoughts and feelings about the violin at the time of discovering it and since the time of discovering it

• consider ideas about what should happen to the violin now.

Write the words of the letter.

Base your letter 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.