Question 4 Model Answer: Interview (Cambridge (CIE) IGCSE English Language): Revision Note
Syllabus Edition
First teaching 2025
First exams 2027
Exam code: 0500 & 0990
For this task, you will be asked to produce a piece of writing in a particular format, based on what you have read in Text C. You may be asked to write in one of six possible formats (genres):
A letter
A report
A journal entry
A speech
An interview
An article
The following guide will demonstrate how to answer Question 4 in the format of an interview. The task itself is taken from a past exam paper.
Text C
The following is Text C taken from a past exam paper. It is about a writer’s experience of supporting her husband’s training to compete in an extreme event.
Question:
Question 4 interview model answer
Worked Example
You are Sam. After completing the race you are interviewed for a podcast about your experience and the advice you would offer to anyone thinking of entering an Ironman.
The interviewer asks you three questions only:
How exactly do you need to prepare for a challenge like Ironman and why is each aspect of that preparation important?
How do you think preparing for Ironman affected other areas of your life and what advice would you offer anyone considering entering an Ironman for the first time?
What were the rewards of completing an Ironman for you and your family?
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. Address each of the three bullet points.
Begin your interview with the first question.
Write about 250 to 300 words.
Up to 10 marks are available for the content of your answer and up to 10 marks for the quality of your writing.
[20]
Answer
Interviewer: How exactly do you need to prepare for a challenge like Ironman and why is each aspect of that preparation important?
Candidate: Preparation is brutal. You must dedicate immense time to building stamina; I started six months prior to the event. Crucially, I hired an experienced coach to keep me on track and motivated when I felt like quitting. Since Ironman requires diverse skills, you must ensure your training balances cycling, swimming, and running. My advice is not to focus on what you find easy; you gain the most ground by ruthlessly targeting your weakest discipline, however painful that is.
Interviewer: How do you think preparing for Ironman affected other areas of your life and what advice would you offer anyone considering entering an Ironman for the first time?
Candidate: Sacrifices are inevitable. Training consumed my weekends, meaning I missed precious family moments, including our regular camping trips. While my partner was incredibly supportive, be warned: your social life will suffer. My advice to first-timers is to involve your family — train together where possible so you don't drift apart. Also, do not underestimate the financial cost; from bikes to wetsuits, the kit is expensive, so you must budget carefully before signing up.
Interviewer: What were the rewards of completing an Ironman for you and your family?
Candidate: Crossing that finish line to the roar of the crowd gave me an overwhelming sense of achievement. Seeing my children there was a cherished memory; I believe I’ve set a strong example of resilience for them. Inspiring my wife to enter next year is the icing on the cake — if I can do it, anyone can! Finally, on a practical note, the publicity has provided a fantastic boost to my new travel company, proving the pain was worth it.
[20]
Commentary
The response demonstrates the skill of selecting appropriate information to sit comfortably within the word limit
The response maintains the conversational yet authoritative tone suitable for an interview
It uses direct address and rhetorical strength
The response contains the critical development of points required for high reading marks:
For example, it develops the point that it helps business by saying that this proves the pain was worth it
The structure follows the question and answer format clearly
Summary
Remember to read the question carefully and highlight the:
Instructions (what you have to do)
Focus of each bullet point
Re-read Text C and highlight the relevant information you can use in your answer
Address each bullet point in order:
Make sure you cover all of the bullet points as equally as possible
Base all of your answer on the ideas and details you find in Text C
Decide on the voice and style you want to create and maintain that in your answer
Do not just repeat details of what happened:
You need to develop your ideas to demonstrate understanding
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