IGCSE FIRST LANGUAGE The exam Paper 2 reading

IGCSE FIRST LANGUAGE

The exam Paper 2: reading passages Paper 3: Directed writing and composition Reading marks: 40 % Writing marks: 10% =50% Reading marks: 10 % Writing marks: 40% =50% 2 hours

Paper 2: Reading Passages (2 hours) Questions will relate to two passages of approximately 600 -700 words each, linked by a common theme. These passages will be printed on the question paper. • Question 1 (20 marks), which may be subdivided, will require candidates to respond to Passage 1 only. It will test your reading comprehension (15 marks): Your ability to understand collate explicit and implicit meanings and attitudes Your ability to select, analyse and evaluate what is relevant to specific purposes In addition, 5 marks will be available for Writing.

EXAMPLE (June 2008 paper) Imagine that you are Donovan Webster. You are being interviewed for a television programme about your visit to Diudiu in Mongolia. Your interviewer asks the following questions: • Could you start by telling the viewers a little about Diudiu’s lifestyle? • What did you admire most about Diudiu? • How has your meeting with her made you consider your own life-style and values? Write the words of the interview. Begin as follows: Interviewer: Could you start by telling the viewers a little about Diudiu’s lifestyle? Donovan Webster: Yes, of course. I think the first thing I noticed was… You should write between 1 ½ and 2 sides, allowing for the size of your handwriting. Up to 15 marks will be available for the content of your answer, and up to 5 marks for the quality of your writing. [Total: 20]

• Question 2 (10 marks), which may be sub-divided, will be based on Passage 1 only. It will test your ability to understand how writers achieve effects (10 marks). • Question 3 (20 marks), which may be sub-divided, will require candidates to summarise material in each of the passages (15 marks). In addition, 5 marks will be available for Writing. Candidates are advised to spend approximately 15 minutes reading the passages. Dictionaries may not be used.

QUESTION 2 (June Paper) Re-read the descriptions of: (a)the countryside in paragraph 1; (b) Diudiu in paragraph 6. By selecting words and phrases from these paragraphs to support your answer, explain the effects the writer creates in using these descriptions. [Total: 10]

QUESTION 3 (June Paper) Summarise: (a)the things that make the writer’s lifestyle difficult in Passage B; (b) the things that enable Diudiu to cope with the challenges of her lifestyle in Passage A. Use your own words as far as possible. You should write about 1 side in total, allowing for the size of your handwriting. Up to 15 marks will be available for the content of your answer, and up to 5 marks for the quality of your writing. [Total: 20]

Paper 3: Directed Writing and Composition (2 hours) This paper will be divided into two sections: Section 1 – Directed Writing (25 marks) Candidates will read one or more short texts which will be printed on the question paper. They will be required to use and develop the given information in another form, e. g. a letter, a report, a speech, a dialogue. This question will test the following Writing Objectives (15 marks): Articulate experience and express what is thought, felt and imagined Order and present facts, ideas and opinions Understand use a range of appropriate vocabulary Use language and register appropriate to audience and context Make accurate and effective use of paragraphs, grammatical structures, sentences, punctuation and spelling In addition, 10 marks will be available for Reading.

Section 1: Directed Writing (June Paper) Many schools experience disruptive and anti-social behaviour, sometimes on a daily basis. Imagine that you attend the school at which Mrs Rodriguez is the Headteacher. Mrs Rodriguez has decided to tackle bad behaviour at your school. Recently there have been some very serious incidents and she has decided to launch a new scheme that has proved successful elsewhere. She has sent a letter to parents outlining the scheme and has also invited comments from students. Read the letter to parents, which is printed on the opposite page, and consider the comments of two classmates which follow it. Write an article for the school magazine in which you highlight the advantages and disadvantages of the proposed scheme. You should: • Base your ideas on the letter to parents and on the students’ comments • Add your own ideas and comments based on the reading material • Remember that you are trying to influence your fellow students Begin as follows: Fellow Students! Big changes are on the horizon… You should write between 1 ½ and 2 sides, allowing for the size of your handwriting. Up to 10 marks are available for the content of your answer and up to 15 marks for the quality of your writing. [25]

Section 2 – Composition (25 marks) At least two argumentative/discursive, two descriptive and two narrative titles will be given. Candidates will be required to write on one title only. Candidates will be advised to write between 350 and 450 words. This section will test the same Writing Objectives (25 marks): Dictionaries may not be used.

Explain… argumentative/discursive Descriptive narrative

Section 2: Composition (June Paper) Write about 350 – 450 words on one of the following: Argumentative/discursive writing 2 (a) ‘The world is an increasingly dangerous place to live in. ’ Discuss what you think and feel about this statement. [25] OR (b) ‘Teenagers are always talking, singing and writing about falling in love, but they are far too young to know what love really is. ’ What are your views? [25]

Descriptive writing 3 (a) For many years you have heard exciting and humorous tales about an elderly aunt/uncle in your family. Someone gives you a diary that once belonged to this relative, who is now dead. Write two diary entries, each describing a memorable moment in this person’s life. [25] OR (b) Describe the discovery of your own secret hideaway. It could be an overgrown garden or a deserted shack. Concentrate on the detail and atmosphere of the place. [25]

Narrative writing 4 (a) Everyone thinks you are an ordinary teenager, living an ordinary life. Noone knows, nor must they ever find out, that you have powers which can only ever be used for the good of humankind. Write about a day in ‘The Secret Life of…’. [25] OR (b) ‘The radio crackled as the distant voice spluttered and died. Now they felt completely alone, but surely there must be others like them out there? ’ Write a narrative using this quotation asthe beginning or end of your story. [25]

Homework Find 1 instance of each type of text: argumentative/discursive descriptive narrative