Question 3 (Cambridge (CIE) IGCSE English Language): Exam Questions

Read Text C, Running for my life, in the insert and then answer Question 3(a-d).

3(d) Choose three powerful words or phrases from the extract below to analyse how the writer uses language to describe the mountainous landscape Anna faces on the trail.

"No, I'd no idea what speed I would do carrying the backpack. I'd wildly over-estimated and certainly hadn't accounted for the massive mountains sprawled across the landscape like giant sleeping tarantulas with their hairy tussock-covered legs forming sharp ridges and deep basins, punctuated by icy streams and seas of chest-high grass. Trails were easy to follow at first using those orange trail-markers designed for tourists but would peter away leaving a confusing connection of gaps in the complex maze of slippery roots and leaves covering the forest floor, any of which could have been trails themselves."

Write about 200 to 250 words.

Up to 10 marks are available for the content of your answer.

Read Text C, Wanaka, in the insert and then answer Question 3(a-d).

3(d) Choose three powerful words or phrases from the extract below to analyse how the writer uses language to describe the frozen ski lifts and the lifties' preparations.

"Next morning, we assembled indoors, armed ourselves for combat and headed out again. Our opponents were the lift chairs, which overnight had turned into fantastic frozen sculptures. Relentless weather, coupled with dramatically sub-zero temperatures, transformed these humble steel and wooden frames into a series of massive ice-monoliths, layered and carved by snow and wind into intricate abstract shapes. They were breathtakingly beautiful, and a pain to clear before we could ride them to our allocated stations at given points up the (inventively named) Giant Ski Slope."

Write about 200 to 250 words.

Up to 10 marks are available for the content of your answer.

Read Text C, “The new job”, in the insert and then answer Question 3(a-d).

3(d) Choose three powerful words or phrases from the extract below to analyse how the writer uses language to describe the arrival of the first passengers.

“Edgar's expression began to radiate mild exasperation and Jeswin turned to see its focus: a small knot of passengers wandering uncertainly towards the Golden Tours check-in area. Their luggage trolley was performing a shaky dance, not dissimilar to the movements of Jeswin's own feet a few minutes earlier. A small child hung onto its side trying to deter three disobedient suitcases from unscheduled disembarkation.”

Write about 200 to 250 words.

Up to 10 marks are available for the content of your answer.

Read Text C, The violinist, in the insert and then answer Question 3(a-d).

3(d) Choose three powerful words or phrases from the extract below to analyse how the writer uses language to describe the violin.

“Partially concealed at the back of the shop was a display of string instruments, at the centre of which sat an absurdly squat violin. To Seth it looked just like a plump monarch holding court amidst other carefully arranged instruments. He stared at it, drawn by its commanding presence. The maker had put considerable effort into carving the decorative top (or scroll) into a magnetically charming face with generous lips pulled sideways and flattened into an expression of permanent merriment. But it was the cheerful eyes, now apparently winking and dancing at Seth, that really captivated him.”

Write about 200 to 250 words.

Up to 10 marks are available for the content of your answer.

Read Text C, The lost cave, in the insert and then answer Question 3(a-d).

3(d) Choose three powerful words or phrases from the extract below to analyse how the writer uses language to describe Rohaan entering the cave.

“Armed now with a torch, Rohaan advanced into the cave. At first, it was dry and vaguely warm. As he travelled deeper, Rohaan found himself contorting his shoulders and lowering his head to navigate an increasingly confined space. He walked down a gentle slope with caution, trying to avoid treacherously loose stones underfoot. The walls swallowed the light. He flashed the torch up to the ceiling then right and left ahead of his feet.”

Write about 200 to 250 words.

Up to 10 marks are available for the content of your answer.

Read Text C, The big adventure, in the insert and then answer Question 3(a-d).

3(d) Choose three powerful words or phrases from the extract below to analyse how the writer uses language to make the storm vivid and dramatic.

“At two in the morning, Josephine snapped her mooring line. In the cockpit there was mayhem. Tarpaulins and ropes were flogging violently, and the air seethed with driven rain and spray. Screaming winds made it impossible to communicate as Josephine listed alarmingly, any chance of saving her sinking with every wave slamming her side.”

Write about 200 to 250 words.

Up to 10 marks are available for the content of your answer.