Name Anaaya Mittal Date
Spend around 30 minutes on this section.
Read Text A (an online article titled ‘History of Space Travel’), then answer questions 1–9.
Text A
Human beings are natural explorers. Since time began, we’ve been lured to test our
limits to find food or create more space, to maximise profits, or just to find out what is
beyond the horizon whether by land, air or sea. Last century our explorations reached
new heights — literally. Travelling by air shortened distances, enabled more people to
5 travel the globe, and allowed us to view the Earth from a new perspective. The
emergence of space travel then allowed us to aim even higher.
Human exploration of space started as a race between the United States and the former
Soviet Union. In 1957 a dog called Laika was the first living creature sent into space, to
test whether surviving the voyage was even possible. Four years later she was followed
10 by the first human astronaut, Soviet Cosmonaut Yuri A. Gagarin. That led to mankind’s
obsession with landing on the moon. The United States got there first, landing two
astronauts on its rocky surface in 1969. This led the way for more intensive exploration
of space with probes launched into orbit to study the solar system, space stations
glittering like stars in the night sky and space shuttle orbiters ferrying astronauts and
15 satellites to man and maintain them. Space-travel technology had advanced light-years
in just thirty years.
Science fiction films don’t portray space travel realistically. Travelling through space
involves complex equations – actual rocket science – to get from planet to planet (or
moon) across the solar system. In the 1970s the Voyager mission was possible due to a
20 rare alignment of Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, and Neptune allowing a reduction in travelling
time of nearly two decades. Space travel also poses many dangers: more than 20
astronauts have perished while performing their duties.
1
But many people are still getting prepared to blast off! A range of private companies are
developing their own space programs aiming to take civilians into space. One called
25 Planetary Resources hopes to send robotic astronauts to the Asteroid Belt to mine for
precious metals. Many organisations have set their sights on the ‘red planet’, Mars:
SpaceX is hoping to land astronauts on its dusty surface within 20 years — maybe you’ll
be one of them? Don’t forget to do your maths homework!
1 Give one word from lines 1–3 that means ‘tempted’.
“lured” [1]
2 Explain, using your own words, two ways in which humans have shown themselves to be
explorers (lines 1–3).
They have invented how to fly in air and explored a way to do that. Humans have traveled to new places to find food and
make more space to live.
[2]
3 The writer uses a pun ‘new heights’ in line 4. Explain the two meanings of the phrase as it is
used in the text.
New heights" refers to the physical act of flying higher and reaching higher altitudes than before. It also means making great
progress, as human exploration advanced from traveling on land and sea to flying in the sky and even going into space
4 Explain, using your own words, why a dog, Laika, was sent into space in 1957.
Laika was sent into space in 1957 to check if a living creature could survive the journey. Scientists wanted to
test the effects of space travel on a living being before sending humans.
[1]
5 What is the main purpose of paragraph 2? Tick () one box.
to persuade people to support space travel
to outline the progress made in space travel
to inform about the role of dogs in space travel
to celebrate the success of space travel [1]
6 Explain how the final sentence of paragraph 2 uses language effectively.
The last sentence uses a metaphor to compare the fast growth of space technology to the huge distance of light-years, making it
sound very impressive. The dashes create a pause to highlight this idea.
[1]
2
7 Explain, using your own words, two challenges of space travel mentioned in paragraph 3.
Space travel requires complex calculations to plan the journey between planets and moons.
It is dangerous, as some astronauts have lost their lives while carrying out their missions.
[2]
8 Give one word from paragraph 3 which means ‘unusual’.
“rare” [1]
9 Look at the final paragraph. Give one example of interesting language and one example of
interesting structure. Explain why your examples are effective.
Language example: "More than 20 astronauts have perished while performing their duties."
Explanation: The word "perished" is powerful and emotional, making the danger of space travel feel
serious and dramatic.
Structure example: The paragraph is short and ends the passage with a fact about astronaut deaths.
Explanation: This makes the ending strong and memorable, reminding the reader of the risks of space
travel.
3
Read Text B (an extract from a book called How We’ll Live on Mars),
then answer questions 10–15.
Text B
Anyone who watched Neil Armstrong set foot on the moon in 1969 can tell you that,
for a moment, the Earth stood still. The wonder and awe of that achievement was so
incomprehensible that some people still believe it was staged on a Hollywood set. When
astronauts stepped onto the moon, people started saying, ‘If we can get to the moon,
5 we can do anything.’ They meant that we could do anything on or near Earth. Getting to
Mars will have an entirely different meaning: If we can get to Mars, we can go
anywhere.
The achievement will make dreamy science fiction from films like Star Wars and Star
Trek begin to look real. It will make the moons of Saturn and Jupiter seem like
10 reasonable places to explore. Most important, it will expand our vision past the bounds
of Earth’s gravity. When the first humans set foot on Mars, the moment will be more
significant in terms of exploration than any that have come before it.
These explorers are the beginning of an ambitious plan not just to visit Mars and
establish a settlement but to reengineer the planet — to make its thin atmosphere of
15 carbon dioxide rich enough in oxygen for humans to breathe, to raise its temperature
from an average of −81 degrees Fahrenheit to a more tolerable 20 degrees, to fill its dry
stream beds and empty lakes with water again, and to plant foliage that can flourish in
its temperate zone on a diet rich in CO2. These astronauts will set in motion a process
that might not be complete for a thousand years but will result in a second home for
20 humans, one which may eventually rival the home planet in resources, standard of living
and desirability.
When these rockets land on Mars in the future, it will be far more than a great moment
for exploration. It will be nothing less than an insurance policy for humanity in the
future. There are real threats to the continuation of the human race on Earth, including
25 ecological destruction, collision with an asteroid, or even our own sun growing larger.
Long before that happens, we must become a spacefaring species, capable of living on
another planet. The first humans who emigrate to Mars are our best hope for the
survival of our species.
10 Identify the metaphor in lines 1–4 and explain its effect.
Metaphor: "For a moment, the Earth stood still."
Effect: This metaphor suggests that the moon landing was so incredible that it captured the attention of
people worldwide, making it feel as if time had stopped.
[2]
4
11 Explain, using your own words, why people thought the moon landing was ‘staged on a
Hollywood set’ (line 3).
Some people found the achievement too amazing to believe, so they thought it was faked using special effects like those in
movies.
[1]
12 Why does the writer use the word ‘dreamy’ to describe science-fiction films (line 8)?
The word "dreamy" suggests that these films show exciting but unrealistic ideas, making space
exploration seem like a fantasy.
[1]
13 What is the main message of paragraph 2? Tick () one box.
that landing on Mars is an inevitable step in space exploration
that landing on Mars is only possible in films about space exploration
that landing on Mars will make anything possible in space exploration
that landing on Mars is not an achievable aim for space exploration [1]
14 Read paragraphs 3 and 4. Make a list of what the first explorers on Mars would
need to do to enable humans to survive there and why humans may need to live there in the
future.
Make the atmosphere rich in oxygen so humans can breathe.
Raise the temperature to make Mars warmer.
Bring back water to fill lakes and streams.
Plant vegetation that can survive on Mars.
Create a long-term settlement for people to live there.
Mars could be a second home for humans.
Earth faces dangers like ecological destruction and asteroids.
Moving to Mars could help ensure human survival.
[3]
5
15 Write a summary of up to 50 words about what the first explorers on Mars would need to do to
enable humans to survive there and why humans may need to live there in the future. Include at
least five points from your answer to question 14.
The first explorers must make Mars livable by producing oxygen, as
well as warming the planet, restoring water, and planting
vegetation. In addition, they need to establish a permanent
settlement since Earth faces threats like environmental damage and
asteroid impacts. Therefore, living on Mars could ensure the
survival of the human race. [2]
Section B: Writing
Spend around 30 minutes on this section.
1 Write an article for your school magazine called ‘My Greatest Achievement’.
You should consider:
why you are proud of your achievement
what hard work and determination were involved
what you learned and gained from the experience. [25]
6
Space for your plan:
7
Write your article.
My Greatest Achievement
"Hard work pays off."
My greatest achievement was winning my first school debate
competition. It was not just about getting a trophy but proving to
myself that I could overcome my fears through hard work.
At first, I lacked confidence in public speaking. I often felt nervous in
front of an audience and doubted my ability to speak clearly. However,
I was determined to improve. I spent hours researching my topic,
writing strong arguments, and practicing my speech daily. I also asked
my teachers and friends for feedback and recorded myself to improve
my tone and expression.
On the day of the competition, my heart was racing, but I reminded
myself of all the effort I had put in. As I spoke, I gained confidence, and
by the end, I felt proud of myself. When the judges announced my
victory, I realized that hard work truly pays off.
This experience taught me that success requires dedication,
preparation, and self-belief. More importantly, it showed me that
challenges can be overcome with persistence. Winning the debate was
just the beginning, but the lessons I learned will stay with me forever.
8
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10
Part 2: Fiction
Section A: Reading
Spend around 30 minutes on this section.
Read this text (an extract from Games at Twilight by Anita Desai),
then answer questions 1–13.
It was still too hot to play outdoors. They had had their tea, they had been washed and
had their hair brushed, and after the long day of confinement in the house that was not
cool but at least a protection from the sun, the children strained to get out. Their faces
were red and bloated with the effort, but their mother would not open the door,
5 everything was still curtained and shuttered in a way that stifled the children, made
them feel that their lungs were stuffed with cotton wool and their noses with dust and if
they didn’t burst out into the light and see the sun and feel the air they would choke.
‘Please Ma, please,’ they begged. ‘We’ll play in the veranda and porch – we won’t go a
step out of the porch.’
10 ‘You will, I know you will, and then –’
‘No – we won’t, we won’t,’ they wailed so horrendously that she actually let down the
bolt of the front door so that they burst out like seeds from a crackling pod into the
veranda, with such wild maniacal yells that she retreated to her bath and the shower of
talcum powder and the fresh sari that were to help her face the summer evening.
15 They faced the afternoon. It was too hot. Too bright. The white walls of the veranda
glared in the sun. The garden outside was like a tray made of beaten grass, flattened out
on the red gravel and the stony soil made in all shades of metal – aluminium, tin, copper
and brass. No life stirred at this time of day – the birds still dropped like dead fruit, in
the papery tents of the trees; some squirrels lay limp on the wet earth under the garden
20 tap. The outdoor dog lay stretched as if dead on the veranda mat, his paws and ears and
tail all reaching out like dying travellers in search of water. He rolled his eyes at the
children and attempted to lift his tail in a wag but could not. It only twitched and
lay still.
Then, perhaps roused by the shrieks of the children, a band of parrots suddenly fell out
25 of the eucalyptus tree, tumbled frantically in the still, sizzling air, then sorted themselves
out into battle formation and streaked away across the white sky.
The children, too, felt released. They too began tumbling, shoving, pushing against each
other, frantic to start. Start what? Start their business. The business of the children’s day
which is – play.
30 ‘Let’s play hide and seek.’
‘Who’ll be It?’
11
‘You be It.’
‘Why should I? You be –’
‘You’re the eldest –’
35 ‘That doesn’t mean –’
The shoves became harder. Some kicked out. The motherly Mira intervened. She pulled
the boys roughly apart. There was a tearing sound of cloth but it was lost in the heavy
panting and angry grumbling and no one paid attention to the small sleeve hanging
loosely off a shoulder.
40 ‘Make a circle, make a circle!’ she shouted, firmly pulling and pushing till a kind of vague
circle was formed. ‘Now clap!’ she roared and, clapping, they all chanted in unison: ‘Dip
dip dip – my blue ship –’ and every now and then one or the other saw he was safe by
the way his hands fell at the crucial moment – palm on palm, or back of hand on palm –
and dropped out of the circle with a yell and a jump of relief and jubilation.
45 Raghu was It. He started to protest, to cry, ‘You cheated – Mira cheated – Anu
cheated –’ but it was too late, the others had all already streaked away. There was no
one to hear when he called out, ‘Only in the veranda – the porch – Ma said – Ma said to
stay in the porch!’ No one had stopped to listen, all he saw were their brown legs
flashing through the dusty shrubs, scrambling up brick walls, leaping over compost
50 heaps and hedges, and then the porch stood empty . . .
1 Give one word from the first paragraph which shows that the children feel trapped.
[1]
2 Explain, using your own words, why the house was ‘still curtained and shuttered’ (line 5).
[1]
3 ‘Their faces were red and bloated with the effort, but their mother would not open the door,
everything was still curtained and shuttered in a way that stifled the children, made them feel
that their lungs were stuffed with cotton wool and their noses with dust and if they didn’t burst
out into the light and see the sun and feel the air they would choke’
(lines 3–7).
a Give one phrase from the lines here where the writer uses language effectively to show
how being shut in the house affects the children.
[1]
12
b Explain how the writer uses language effectively in your chosen phrase.
[1]
4 Why does their mother decide to let them outside (lines 8–14)?
[1]
5 ‘they burst out like seeds from a crackling pod’ (line 12)
a What language technique is this an example of?
[1]
b Explain what it tells you about the children.
[1]
6 ‘They faced the afternoon. It was too hot. Too bright. The white walls of the veranda glared in
the sun. The garden outside was like a tray made of beaten grass, flattened out on the red
gravel and the stony soil made in all shades of metal – aluminium, tin, copper and brass’ (lines
15–17).
How does the writer use language and structure to make the garden sound unpleasant? Give
one example of each and explain your choice.
Language example:
Explanation:
Structure example:
Explanation:
[4]
7 a What language technique is ‘the papery tents of the trees’ (line 19) an example of?
[1]
13
b Explain what it tells you about the trees.
[1]
8 a Give two pieces of evidence to show that the animals are suffering from the heat from
lines 16–23.
[2]
b Explain, using your own words, how the parrots offer a contrast to the other animals in
lines 24–26.
[1]
9 Explain, using your own words, what the writer suggests by the phrase ‘The business of the
children’s day which is – play’ (lines 28–29).
[1]
10 What impression of the children do you get from their dialogue in lines 30–35?
[1]
11 Give two impressions of Mira that you get from lines 36–44. Support each one with a
quotation from the text.
Impression:
Quotation:
Impression:
Quotation:
[4]
14
12 What does the word ‘streaked’ (line 46) tell you about the children’s movement?
[1]
13 Suggest two ways in which the writer makes the description of Raghu dramatic through the
use of structure in the final paragraph.
[2]
Section B: Writing
Spend around 30 minutes on this section.
1 Write a story about a group of friends spending the afternoon together.
You should consider:
the setting of your story, including the weather
which characters you include
what happens during the afternoon. [25]
Space for your plan:
15
Write your story.
16
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