Reading — Skills: past paper questions
Real questions on reading — skills
The newest 20 of 332 written questions. Open one to see it on the real paper.
- 1123/21 · October/November 2023 · Q1a[12]
Notes Identify and write down the ways in which farming methods developed in former times and the disadvantages of intensive farming methods in modern times, as outlined in the passage. USE MATERIAL FROM THE WHOLE PASSAGE. At this stage, you do not need to use your own words. Use note form. To help you get started, the...
See it on the paper → - 1123/21 · October/November 2023 · Q1b[10]
Summary Now use your notes from 1(a) to write a summary of the ways in which farming methods developed in former times and the disadvantages of intensive farming methods in modern times, as outlined in the passage. Use your own words as far as possible. You will be awarded marks for producing a piece of writing which i...
See it on the paper → - 1123/21 · October/November 2023 · Q7[1]
The writer ‘moved absent-mindedly’ along the shelves. Which one word used later in the paragraph conveys the opposite idea? From paragraph 6
See it on the paper → - 1123/21 · October/November 2023 · Q8a[1]
‘my mother was incredulous and my father began to brag about me’. Explain in your own words how the writer’s parents reacted to her success.
See it on the paper → - 1123/21 · October/November 2023 · Q8b[1]
What is it about the novel that makes the writer say: ‘I doubted that I would ever be able to write another’?
See it on the paper → - 1123/21 · October/November 2023 · Q9a[1]
quizzed (line 2) A tested B asked C troubled D distracted
See it on the paper → - 1123/21 · October/November 2023 · Q9b[1]
remedy (line 6) A escape B medicine C cure D end
See it on the paper → - 1123/21 · October/November 2023 · Q9c[1]
timidly (line 17) A reluctantly B shyly C fearfully D quickly
See it on the paper → - 1123/21 · October/November 2023 · Q9d[1]
pounding (line 26) A skipping B breaking C stopping D thumping
See it on the paper → - 1123/21 · October/November 2023 · Q9e[1]
considerable (line 38) A large B sufficient C thoughtful D fair
See it on the paper → - 1123/22 · October/November 2023 · Q2[1]
Re-read paragraphs 4 and 5, and write down one piece of advice given by the writer in paragraph 4, and two pieces of advice given by the writer in paragraph 5. Paragraph Paragraph Paragraph Section 2: Reading for Meaning Read Passage 2, A Summer Job, in the insert and answer all the questions below. From paragraph 1
See it on the paper → - 1123/22 · October/November 2023 · Q3a[1]
Why was it natural for the writer to go to the doctor’s wife to ask for a summer job?
See it on the paper → - 1123/22 · October/November 2023 · Q3b[1]
Give two reasons why the writer describes her summer job as ‘good news’. (i) (ii)
See it on the paper → - 1123/22 · October/November 2023 · Q3c[1]
The writer’s ‘mood didn’t change’ when she spoke to her mother. Why might her mood have changed? From paragraph 2
See it on the paper → - 1123/22 · October/November 2023 · Q4a[1]
Why do you think that the writer says she had a ‘thousand things’ in the canvas bag?
See it on the paper → - 1123/22 · October/November 2023 · Q4b[1]
Give two reasons why the writer ‘went home exhausted every evening’. (i) (ii) From paragraph 3
See it on the paper → - 1123/22 · October/November 2023 · Q4b(ii)[1]
From paragraph 3
See it on the paper → - 1123/22 · October/November 2023 · Q5[2]
‘…uneasily, she ventured’ to say a few words to the girls. Explain in your own words how Marisa is behaving here. From paragraph 4
See it on the paper → - 1123/22 · October/November 2023 · Q6a[1]
‘…unwillingly,’ Marisa led Linda away. Which one word used later in the paragraph repeats this idea of ‘unwillingly’?
See it on the paper → - 1123/22 · October/November 2023 · Q6b[1]
‘Marisa was holding Linda who was crying.’ What caused Linda to cry?
See it on the paper →
What examiners said
In Question 7, candidates had to write the single word used later in Paragraph 5 which gave the opposite idea to moving ‘absent-mindedly’. It is important with questions which ask for ‘one word’ or ‘one idea’ that candidates stick to this requirement; most candidates followed this. Being ‘absent-minded’ is about being easily distracted and successful candidates chose ‘focused’ from the writer’s ti...
— Examiner report, October/November 2023, 1123/21 Q7 (Cambridge)
In Question 2, candidates were required to select and write down three pieces of advice given by the writer, one from Paragraph 4 and two from Paragraph 5. In some cases, candidates did not appear to fully understand what constitutes advice. It is important that candidates follow the rubric and ‘write down’ the advice as it is given in the text without omissions, additions or the use of ellipsis....
— Examiner report, October/November 2023, 1123/22 Q2 (Cambridge)
In Question 2, candidates were asked to re-read paragraphs 1, 3 and 6 and to write down one piece of advice given by the writer from each of these paragraphs. A mark was awarded for the identification of each piece of advice. Although candidates can use their own words, the most successful followed the rubric to ‘write down’ the advice as it is given in the text without omissions or additions. In...
— Examiner report, May/June 2023, 1123/21 Q2 (Cambridge)
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