Reading — Assessment objectives: past paper questions
Real questions on reading — assessment objectives
The newest 20 of 59 written questions. Open one to see it on the real paper.
- 1123/21 · October/November 2023 · Q2[1]
Re-read paragraphs 5 and 6, and write down two pieces of advice given by the writer in paragraph 5, and one piece of advice given by the writer in paragraph 6. Paragraph Paragraph Paragraph Section 2: Reading for Meaning Read Passage 2, The Novel, in the insert and answer all the questions below. From paragraph 1
See it on the paper → - 1123/21 · October/November 2023 · Q3a[1]
What decision did the writer have to make?
See it on the paper → - 1123/21 · October/November 2023 · Q3b[1]
Why could the writer not take in ‘any of the words’ from the books? From paragraph 2
See it on the paper → - 1123/21 · October/November 2023 · Q4a[1]
Why do you think the writer changed ‘names, places and situations’?
See it on the paper → - 1123/21 · October/November 2023 · Q4b[1]
What did the writer do that made her feel ‘calmer’?
See it on the paper → - 1123/21 · October/November 2023 · Q4c[1]
The writer describes getting to university as ‘an astonishing achievement’. Explain in your own words how she feels about getting to university. From paragraph 3
See it on the paper → - 1123/21 · October/November 2023 · Q5a[1]
What do the words ‘usual student rituals’ tell us about her graduation day?
See it on the paper → - 1123/21 · October/November 2023 · Q5b[2]
Give two ways in which the tutor made the writer ‘sorry’ that she had given him the notebook. (i) (ii) From paragraph 4
See it on the paper → - 1123/21 · October/November 2023 · Q6a[1]
Why was the writer so surprised that the publisher wanted to print her story?
See it on the paper → - 1123/21 · October/November 2023 · Q6b[2]
The writer’s mood ‘altered’. (i) What was her mood to start with? (ii) What does her mood become? (i) (ii) From paragraph 5
See it on the paper → - 1123/21 · October/November 2023 · Q10a[1]
‘‘‘Don’t touch a comma,” he told me.’ (lines 23–24) Meaning: Effect:
See it on the paper → - 1123/21 · October/November 2023 · Q10b[1]
‘the aroma of the books enveloped me’ (lines 32–33) Meaning: Effect:
See it on the paper → - 1123/22 · May/June 2023 · Q6b[1]
The silence was broken by ‘a clattering sound which resonated through the room’. Explain in your own words what broke the silence.
See it on the paper → - 1123/22 · May/June 2023 · Q6c[1]
‘Needless to say, there was no wallet and no phone.’ Why do you think the writer says this information was ‘needless to say’? From paragraph 6
See it on the paper → - 1123/22 · May/June 2023 · Q7[1]
‘The mystery was solved.’ What was the ‘mystery’?
See it on the paper → - 1123/22 · May/June 2023 · Q9a[1]
‘he was wasting his life’ (lines 8–9) Meaning: Effect:
See it on the paper → - 1123/22 · May/June 2023 · Q9b[1]
‘It took a few slow moments to register (what he had just seen)’ (line 21) Meaning: Effect:
See it on the paper → - 1123/22 · October/November 2022 · Q10a[1]
‘searched for something upbeat (to say to her)’ (line 8) Meaning: Effect:
See it on the paper → - 1123/22 · October/November 2022 · Q10b[1]
‘squadron of grandmothers’ (line 24) Meaning: Effect:
See it on the paper → - 1123/22 · May/June 2022 · Q4b[2]
Give two reasons why it was difficult for the writer to go to the pharmacy. (i) (ii)
See it on the paper →
What examiners said
In Question 2, candidates were asked to re-read paragraphs 5 and 6, then write down two pieces of advice from paragraph 5 and one from paragraph 6. The most successful candidates followed the rubric to ‘write down’ the advice as it is given in the text without missing, or adding, words or phrases. They realised that if a word is missed, it can change the overall meaning and additional material can...
— Examiner report, October/November 2023, 1123/21 Q2 (Cambridge)
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