Exam-style questions

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Section 1:
Preparing for Paper 1 –
Reading
There are certain ‘command words’ in Paper 1. Understanding what they
are asking you to do will help you with your answers.

Command words and what they mean

Describe: state the points of a topic; give characteristics and
main features.
Explain: set out purposes or reasons; make relationships between things
evident; provide reasons why and/or explain how. Support these answers
with relevant evidence from the text.
Give: produce an answer from a given source (this might include a
certain paragraph or section of text) or from memory (recall).
Identify: find information; name, select, recognise.

This section is for you to practise

answering exam-style questions.
Improving your reading skills for Paper 1
Look at the type of texts you might find in a Paper 1 exam and some of
the questions you might encounter. Before you begin the questions, read
all of the texts through first to get an idea of their subject and see if there
is a common theme or link.
Read the text and answer the question below.
How to walk in a city. This is part of a newspaper article on the benefits of
walking in London.

Craig Taylor and Philippa Perry on the art of getting lost in an

urban area
Cities deserve to be experienced by a person in motion. You will
pass through an extraordinary amount of time, and cross the
world, as you move between buildings from the 12th century to
the modern day, from old English markets to modern Chinese
restaurants.
I’m a wanderer. We are so used to reading maps and having maps
with us all the time, but wandering cultivates the mind. I love that
feeling when I don’t know where I am: all your senses become
heightened and you are aware of what is happening around you.
All walks begin somewhere that you know. From that familiar
starting place, you will head down streets you recognise, until you
find ones you only know a bit. Keep wandering, and if you’re lucky
you’ll realise you’ve arrived somewhere new. Your understanding
of the geography of the city grows as streets link up, and you can
connect up different areas in your mind.

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Walking through a city, you will experience more than you would
in a landscape that’s more uniform. The streets and buildings
may not change often, but there is a cast of people that do. You
may not witness the same beautiful vistas that you would in the
countryside, but you do get an endless procession of interesting
faces.
As you walk, remember to look up. Near Baker Street in London,
there is a block of 1930s flats with a whole load of train parts
such as buffers and couplers embedded in the building. In New
York, you might look up and find yourself at the bottom of a deep,
manmade canyon, unlike anything you’ve seen before – if you
come from a small town, like me.
People often ask me my favourite place in Britain. I don’t like the
idea of a favourite static spot – I have favourite routes. In London,
walk down Marchmont Street, past Judd Books, cut across and
sneak through the British Museum. There’s something very
satisfying about wandering past great artefacts on your way to
somewhere else.
Craig Taylor

I’m interested in people, buildings, history, communities and

although the beauty of lakes, mountains and valleys are not lost on
me, I find more to engage with on an urban walk.
(...) When I know I have a certain amount of time without
interruption, I allow myself to have more contact and connection
not only with the surroundings, but with myself as well. (...) When
I’m walking, and hear or have an idea, the very act of walking helps
me to embody it. Some of the landmarks on my walks are forever
associated in my mind with the ideas I had when being near them.
Philippa Perry

Question 1
According to the writers how can you experience more by wandering
through a city than walking in the countryside?
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.

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Use these guidelines to help you get started:
a. Keyword the question:
According to the writers how can you experience more (1) by wandering
(2) through a city (3) than walking in (4) the countryside (5)?

1. Suggests more than just looking at a place or building.

2. Suggests a random, unplanned stroll.

3. Suggests being in a place that’s densely populated with many buildings.

Compare this to open areas of countryside.

4. On a purposeful walk or hike. How are they different?

5. Views and fresh air; plenty of space, maybe boring, same landscape.

Before you start, think about:

• What are you being asked to do exactly?
• What is the difference between “wandering” and “walking”?
• Do you “experience more” in a city or urban area than in the country?
• What do you need to find?

b. Identify the relevant points and underline them in pencil.

• Number them in the margin and make notes as you go along.

c. Go back to the question

• Think about how you need to structure or organise the points to
answer the question.

d. Look at the numbers in the margin on the text and re-arrange them
or change them to a system of numbers and letters so your summary
will have a logical structure.

e. Write out the summary by hand.

f. Tick off the points in the margin and on the text as you go.

g. Double check your spelling and grammar.

h. Count the words again and put the total in brackets under your
summary.

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Now mark another student’s summary of the same question. Remember
that this question tests both reading and writing skills.

Give 10 marks for reading assessment objectives:

R1 demonstrate understanding of explicit meanings.
R2 demonstrate understanding of implicit meanings and attitudes.
R5 select and use information for specific purposes.

Give 5 marks for the following assessment objectives:

W2 organise and structure ideas and opinions for deliberate effect.
W3 use a range of vocabulary and sentence structures for the context.
W5 make accurate use of spelling, punctuation and grammar.
(Total marks: 15)

Sample student answer

1 According to the writers, how can you experience more by wandering
through a city than walking in the countryside?

Sample student answer

Wandering in a city offers more interesting experiences than walking
in the countryside because there is so many more varied things to
see. Urban streets may appear the same at first glance, but when
one studies one’s surrounding one sees history and a wide variety of
inhabitants or locals, and those doing shopping or there for work.
You go through a variety of time epochs as you past historic and
modern buildings in different styles and architecture from medieval
to glass-fronted office sky-scrapers, to tiny shops or a Chinese
resteraurant. There are exciting experiences when you see something
unexpected or dramatic such as a train in a rooftop or notice that
the space between high offices is like a cannon.
(120 words)

The content is sound, but look at the repetitions and spelling mistakes. This
student repeats certain words too often. What does this suggest about his or her
vocabulary? What should the student have done before handing in the answer
paper?

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Directed Writing questions
Read this letter, then read the information about three schools that
follows on the next pages. Sanne is Greta’s sister-in-law.

Dear Sanne,
She wants to find a school
Your brother Jens has been offered a senior engineering post in
suitable for both twins.
Lapland! We’re all thrilled, especially the twins. Sam and Louisa
will have to go to boarding school, which is something they have
always wanted to do. Louisa is very academic.

Jens and I want the twins to stay together, but as you know,
Louisa is very ambitious and serious about her education (she Louisa is sporty.
spends hours on her homework and comes top in everything –
including cross-country running) and Sam is not very academic. Sam is not academic.
He likes his school drama society best. They put on a musical at
Christmas and we discovered our son has got a fantastic voice and
Sam likes drama.
a real talent for this type of thing. But Louise can’t be bothered
with anything like singing and dancing so it’s no good looking
for a performing arts academy. Not that we’d be very happy with The parents want their children
that anyway; we want the twins to have a sound, all round basic to have good all round basic
education and not go to a
education so they can make good choices for further education.
specialist school.
They will both go on to do A Levels or the IB Diploma; they are
both bright, even if Sam is a bit unenthusiastic about studying at
the moment. They both like school in their different ways. This will prepare them for
further education.
Would you look on the Internet for me, please? I’ve got a laptop
here, but it never seems to work properly and no one can fix it.
Sam would benefit from more
All the best,
personal attention.
Greta

Sanne does as Greta requests and selects three schools that might be
suitable for Sam and Louisa.

Question
You are Sanne. Write a letter to your brother and sister-in-law saying
why you have selected these three schools and which of the three you
recommend for the twins.
Write between 250–350 Words.
Start your letter like this:

Dear Jens and Greta,

I’ve looked at information about a number of schools on the
Internet and…

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http://www.robertstevensonacademy.org

Robert Stevenson Academy (Aberdeen)

The key to success at Robert Stevenson Academy is high House tutors complement and support students’
expectations. Everyone at the RSA is expected to go the personal tuition programmes and report to parents on a
extra mile academically, to reach higher and achieve monthly basis.
better than their best. In addition to term grade sheets, the RSA runs
Our teachers offer the right classroom environment a merit system to reinforce and reward hard-working
for academic learning through encouragement and, when students. Prizes are awarded in all subjects for
necessary, control, making sure every pupil at the RSA examination success.
achieves his or her full potential. More talented pupils are A solid grounding in all key subjects is guaranteed at
put on the fast track for 6th form and university entrance, RSA. But it’s not all work. Despite being in the heart of
and students who find themselves struggling to keep up the old city, Robert Stevenson Academy has excellent
are given extra tuition. sports facilities and can offer extra-curricular activities
Our academic achievements are renowned: RSA such as boxing and fencing.
students all go on to university.
Classroom tuition is from 9 a.m. until 4 p.m. each
weekday. Students then have a short break before starting
their supervised personal study until 6p.m. each evening.

http://www.cambergrammar.com

Camber Grammar School (near Wynchester)

Camber Grammar was founded in 1556 for the sons of swimming pool and a fully-equipped theatre. Students
Wynchester wool merchants. It is now a co-educational can also participate in a wide variety of school clubs,
independent school for full boarders, weekly and including the school orchestra and choral society. Judo,
day students. The school combines strong academic ballet and fencing teachers offer extra-curricular lessons.
achievement and excellent facilities with caring pastoral Deep and enduring friendships are formed at
supervision. Academic progress, personal welfare and Camber. We believe we have found the right blend of
individual happiness of each of our students are the intellectual, physical and cultural development, meaning
keys to Camber’s success as a school and our students’ students at Camber not only do well in their compulsory
success in their chosen careers. subjects but also discover what else they are good at,
Camber offers a full range of academic subjects, thus acquiring skills for life.
including a wide range of A-Levels or the IB Diploma in To fully appreciate the atmosphere of Camber a personal
the 6th form. Being in a rural location, we can also offer visit is recommended. Contact our Registrar to arrange a
after-school activities such as cross-country running, visit, when you can meet our students and staff, and find out
orienteering and horse-riding. There is a heated indoor more about the all-round education our students enjoy.

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http://www.threeoakscollege.org

Three Oaks College (Wales)

Three Oaks College, Llandar, was established in 1980 students in their future professions. To this end, Speech
for international students. Today, with approximately and Drama are compulsory subjects at Three Oaks.
1,200 students of all nationalities and an emphasis Teachers and pastoral staff work together as a family,
on Modern Foreign Languages and the Arts, the Three guiding and encouraging students to enjoy and succeed
Oaks education programme offers a broad arts-based at whatever they choose. After signing up for Maths,
education programme at secondary school level. Apart English (including Speech and Drama), Science and one
form a sound basic education in compulsory core of the Humanities (History or Geography), students can
subjects, Three Oaks also specialises in the Performing then select another two or three subjects from a long list,
Arts. The school has its own orchestra, dance studio and which includes: five languages, Art, Performance Drama,
fully-equipped theatre. Music (modern and classical) and Ballet.
Preparing students to compete on a global stage Three Oaks is the ideal choice for talented young people.
these days means more than just studying the three Fill in the online admission form and email us today ...
Rs. Every aspect of learning here is designed to help

How to answer this question

1. Read the question (which is a writing task) and identify the keywords.
Some key points from the letter have been identified for you.
2. Identify relevant points in the three school advertisements.
3. Annotate the texts.
4. Number the points you need to make to write the letter.
5. Start the letter as advised.
6. Explain why you have selected these three schools.
7. Explain which of the three schools best suits both the twins (so they
stay together).
8. Be sure to write in a relatively informal style. (Remember, you are
Sanne and it’s a family letter.)
9. Count your words (not more than 350).
10. Proofread and edit what you have written.
Now look at two sample answers for the question:

Sample answer A
Dear Jens and Greta,
I’ve looked at information about a number of schools on the Internet
and I’ve found three for you. The best choice is Three Oaks for Sam.
He will do good there. Every student does speech and drama and
they learn languages, which is good if you live in foreign countries.
Three Oaks has got an orchestra. It doesn’t say if they sing but if they
do music they probly do. Stevenson Acadamay sounds to strict and
Camber sounds nice but it won’t be right for Sam because it hasn’t
got drama.

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If Sam is lazy you could think about sending him to the first one
they have to do homework with a teacher standing over them and if
they don’t they don’t get any merit points or a prize on speech day.
I don’t think he will like it there, but you could send him it would do
him good. It’s in a city, I think, which is good if he wants to be an
actor and they’ve got good exam results if you want to make him go
to university. Louise can go there, she will like it there aswell.
I’m glad your brother has got a good job now and I hope you like
your new house it’s a shame theres no schools for the children if they
don’t want to go away.
See you soon,
Sanne
(230 words)

Sample answer B
Dear Jens and Greta,

I’ve looked at information about a number of seems to be what you want for your twins. Camber
schools on the Internet and I’ve found three for also offers sports activities. I didn’t know Louisa
you. There are three which cater for children like likes running. At Camber she can try orienteering
the twins and say they get good exam results if if she likes running in the countryside and Sam
you want the twins to go on to university. can do after-school drama. If you ask they may
Robert Stevenson Acadamy is an academic be able to get him a proper singing teacher
institution that lays a lot of emfasis on studying – they’ve got a drama society and a school
hard. They have a merit system and there are orchestra so I’m sure they must do singing as
prizes for the best students each year in each well.
subject. This school would be good for Louisa if I’m glad you’re pleased about going to
she is ambitious and it would be good for Sam if Lapland. Do you think you could get a job working
he is lazy because the students have supervised for Santa Claus? (Ha ha) If you want the twins to
study which means a teacher watches them do come and stay with me during the holidays tell me
their homework (so he wouldn’t be able to escape they are very welcome.
it). All the best and say hello to Jens and Sam and
Three Oaks sounds really nice. They do Louisa. Hope to see you soon.
languages and it’s international so the twins
will make friends from all over the world. This Sanne
school says it prepares its students for life, which (362 words)
is important these days if you are not going to
be with the twins to teach them what’s right or
wrong. Sam will do well at Three Oaks, it’s got
everything he needs, but it might not be so good
for Louisa if she’s very ambitious and wants to go
to a top university.
For these reasons I think Camber School is
the best option. It sounds friendly and supportive
(for students a long way from home) the
information says they have found the right blend
of intellectual and cultural development – which

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The teacher’s marking
Sample A does not use information contained in the letter (task)
adequately. The writer does not find a suitable school for both twins.
Material from the letter and the schools’ information has not been
developed sufficiently; the answer is too short (the minimum word count
should be 250 words and this letter has only 230 words). The answer uses
poor grammar and limited sentence structure.
Sample B could get a medium level grade, but there are a few mistakes
that could easily be corrected for a higher grade.
Look at how a teacher has marked Sample B:

Teacher’s
comments

Dear Jens and Greta, Correct start

I’ve looked at information about a number of schools on the Internet and I’ve found ✔
three for you. There are three which cater for children like the twins, and say they get ✔
good exam results if you want the twins to go on to university.
✔
Robert Stevenson Acadamy is an academic institution that lays a lot of emfasis on
✔/spelling
studying hard. They have a merit system and there are prizes for the best students each
year in each subject. This school would be good for Louisa if she is ambitious and it ✔/spelling
would be good for Sam if he is lazy because the students have supervised study which Development
means a teacher watches them do their homework (so he wouldn’t be able to escape it). Good dev. here
Three Oaks sounds really nice. They do languages and it’s international so the twins Limited vocab.
will make friends from all over the world. This school says it prepares its students for
life, which is important these days if you are not going to be with the twins to teach ✔
them what’s right or wrong. Sam will do well at Three Oaks, it’s got everything he needs, ?
but it might not be so good for Louisa if she’s very ambitious and wants to go to a top ✔
university.
Good point
For these reasons I think Camber School is the best option. It sounds friendly and
✔
supportive (for students a long way from home) the information says they have found
the right blend of intellectual and cultural development – which seems to be what you Good point
want for your twins. Camber also offers sports activities. I didn’t know Louisa like Has used text
running. At Camber she can try orienteering if she likes running in the countryside, and well here
Sam can do after-school drama. If you ask they may be able to get him a proper singing
✔
teacher – they’ve got a drama society and a school orchestra so I’m sure they must do
singing as well. Development

I’m glad you’re pleased about going to Lapland. Do you think you could get a job Development
working for Santa Claus? (Ha ha) If you want the twins to come and stay with me Text used well
during the holidays tell me they are very welcome.
Good
All the best and say hello to Jens and Sam and Louisa. Hope to see you soon. development
here
Sanne

Teacher’s comments
This student demonstrates a sound understanding of the material, has used the
instructions and has developed the texts appropriately.
Some spelling and grammar mistakes are to be found. Vocabulary is somewhat
limited and there is a lack of editing and proofreading.

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Using the teacher’s comments and the points above, think about how this
student could have improved the essay. Then re-write it.
Write your version here.

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Writing Compositions
Choosing your best writing style
Think about all the different types of compositions you write at school
and where you get the best grades: it may be for descriptive writing
because you have a flair for atmosphere and a good vocabulary. It may be
discursive or argumentative essays because you can set out your thoughts
in a clear and logical manner; it may be narrative because you can tell a
good story.
Look at the three questions below and decide what style of writing is
needed for each. (Descriptive, narrative, or discursive/argumentative.)
1. Describe the most untidy place you know.

2. “To hate people is always wrong.” Do you agree?

3. “In the castle at night” Write an opening scene.

Choose one title and write down the key elements for the style of writing
you wrote down.
For example:
Descriptive
● Don’t tell a story.
● Use a wide vocabulary and vary types of sentences.

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Avoid basic mistakes
In exams, one of the biggest mistakes students make is not writing the
number and option letter of the question at the top of their answer.
Compositions should also have a title.
The student who wrote the answer below has not written down which
question he or she is answering, nor is there a title.
Read the first few lines of the answer. Refer back to the three questions
on page 14, and decide which question the student could be answering.

Moonlight shone weakly through the small window in the thick stone
walls. We were in someone’s bedroom by the look of it. All the floor
was covered in what looked like sheets or rags, or perhaps someone’s
clothes. I hate mess: I hate people who make a mess . . .

As you see, this sample could apply to any of the questions. If you were
the teacher, what would you do?

Now choose one of the questions and practise your writing skills.
Remember to put the number and title at the top of the composition!

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