Cambridge Paper 2 
Exam 2 
Variant 1 
 
 
Name: ……………………………….. 
Group: ………………………………. 
minutes 
Exercise 1           / 13
  Exercise 2            /10
Exercise 3            /  9
  Exercise 4            /16
Exercise 5            /16

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 2

Exercise 1

Read the article about the Socotra dragon tree, and then answer the following questions.

The Socotra dragon tree

The Socotra dragon tree is an unusual tree, as it looks
rather like an open umbrella. It is found on the island
of Socotra, off the coast of Africa. Although the island
is nearer to Somalia than Yemen, it actually belongs to
the latter.

The island of Socotra has been separated from the

mainland for 34 million years, and this has led to its
unique flora. Of the 825 different plant species found
there, 37% do not occur anywhere else in the world,
and the same is true of 90% of its reptiles. Because of
these factors, there is increased tourism to the area. While this is improving the island’s economy, it
has also resulted in more building work, which has had an impact on the areas where the trees live.

Reaching an average height of ten metres, the trees are commonly found in the Haggeher mountains
and the flat areas in the centre and east of the island. These regions experience frequent low clouds
at certain times of the year, which provide the trees with the moisture they need. However, because
of climate change, the amount of rain is decreasing, which scientists think will have an effect on the
trees.

The dragon tree has been important for centuries. The tree produces a sticky liquid called resin,
and this is taken as a medicine by people on the island, and in many parts of the world. As early as
60 CE, people referred to this resin as cinnabar, and in the seventeenth and eighteenth centuries, it
was used to give a rich colour to the world-famous violins made by the Stradivarius family.

The design of the tree’s leaves is important. They measure up to sixty centimetres long and only
three centimetres wide. When rain falls on the surface of each leaf, the long narrow shape allows
the tiny drops of water to run down to the roots of the tree. The leaves are densely-packed, and
provide shade for young trees growing beneath the adult tree. Socotra dragon tree leaves have
traditionally been harvested and used to make ropes. If there is increased demand for ropes, the
effect on the trees could be a concern.

Like the leaves, the flowers appear at the ends of the branches. They are small and greenish-white
in colour, and produce green berries which gradually turn black as they ripen. They become orange
when they are fully ripe. Farmers on the island feed the berries to their animals as they are thought
to be good for them. Eating too many though can cause sickness, which is why they are only given
in small quantities. If animals are allowed to feed in areas where there are Socotra trees, there is a
danger that any young trees could be eaten before they have the chance to develop.

The importance of the island of Socotra, and the smaller islands nearby, is recognised internationally
because of their unique plant and animal life. International commercial trade in the various species
found there is controlled and new nature zones have been created. Researchers are working on
projects to grow young trees, but widespread efforts are needed in order to ensure that the Socotra
dragon tree will survive for future generations.
 3

1 Which country is the island of Socotra part of?

.................................................................................................................................................... [1]

2 What percentage of Socotra’s plants can only be found on the island?

.................................................................................................................................................... [1]

3 How tall do Socotra dragon trees typically grow?

.................................................................................................................................................... [1]

4 What enables the Socotra dragon trees to grow well in particular locations on the island?

.................................................................................................................................................... [1]

5 How is the substance that the Socotra dragon trees produce used today?

.................................................................................................................................................... [1]

6 How do the trees’ leaves benefit Socotra dragon trees? Give two details.

..........................................................................................................................................................

.................................................................................................................................................... [2]

7 What colour are the Socotra dragon trees’ mature berries?

.................................................................................................................................................... [1]

8 What problem must people be aware of when feeding berries to their animals?

.................................................................................................................................................... [1]

9 What factors can negatively affect the future of the Socotra dragon trees? Give four details.

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.................................................................................................................................................... [4]

[Total: 13]
 4

Exercise 2

Read the article about four people (A–D) who live in very different environments. Then answer
Question 10 (a)–(j).

WHAT’S IT LIKE WHERE YOU LIVE?

A Suraya

Everyone in my city knows the problems that the rainy season brings, like being trapped at school
by floods or falling over in heavy rain. At times like these, I wouldn’t recommend driving and I tend
to use trains instead. They might be late and crowded, but at least you’re safer with other people
around. Plus, you can usually find shelter at stations if you have to phone your family or wait for
the rain to stop. Another problem that bothers me is mosquitoes, which are everywhere in the rainy
season! It’s definitely advisable to cover up your arms to avoid being bitten when you go outside.
Hot, humid weather can also easily upset your stomach so I try to stick to light food and keep away
from anything that’s too oily. To be honest, I don’t like the rainy season but I know other people see
the positives, like the dramatic colours of storm clouds.

B Vincent

Where I live, I’ve noticed that the fierce desert heat does sometimes get people down. You can’t do
anything about it, so for a happy life it’s essential to change your attitude towards it. Instead of seeing
the heat as your enemy, try to appreciate the things it can offer like the beautiful wild landscapes and
the strange-looking desert plants. Yes, it’s true that life here can be difficult, but you soon learn ways
to cope. For example, it might look a bit odd, but I now always keep a towel inside my car so I can
use it to hold the steering wheel when it becomes too hot to touch. And before any long car journey,
I always check that my mobile phone is fully charged as the battery runs out quickly inside a hot car.
I must admit though, one thing I never do is wear long-sleeved shirts to keep the sun off my skin.
They’re far too hot! I’d rather stay in the shade instead.

C Harmony

Average winter temperatures here are around minus 10 degrees Celsius but it can get as cold
as minus 30 some days, so I guess everyday life is a bit different to that in other countries. One
difference is that teenagers in other countries seem to text or take photos outside with their friends
every five minutes. We definitely don’t do that here – your fingers would freeze and your phone
would probably stop working! I’ve also noticed that people here generally worry less about the latest
trends – that’s certainly the case for me. People here have come up with lots of ways to cope with
the cold. For example, every Saturday morning I get together with my neighbours to help clear the
snow from the pavement in our street. It’s quite hard work but it really warms me up.

D Aki

My city is at high altitude. Tourists coming here on holiday often rush into energetic mountain
activities before they’ve had time to get used to being so high up, but then find themselves feeling
sick and exhausted. Eating particular foods can help you feel better, but the most important thing
is to adjust slowly. It’s not only people that feel worn out though: your mechanic will have to keep
adjusting your car’s engine, but it will still lack power. Things just work differently at altitude – it’s a
fact of life here. Unfortunately though, this rule also applies in the kitchen. Food reacts differently
when you’re cooking, so beans seem to take ages to cook, cakes tend to sink and bread falls apart.
I’ve tried to get used to it, but these problems constantly annoy me.
 5

10 For each question, write the correct letter A, B, C or D on the line.

Which person ...

(a) warns against using a mobile phone outdoors? ............. [1]

(b) recommends wearing long sleeves for protection? ............. [1]

(c) mentions a way for people to benefit both themselves and their
local community? ............. [1]

(d) accepts that regular vehicle maintenance is necessary? ............. [1]

(e) avoids eating certain things because of the effect on their body? ............. [1]

(f) suggests that the way they use a common object could seem surprising? ............. [1]

(g) feels irritated by an everyday activity? ............. [1]

(h) explains their reasons for using a certain type of transport? ............. [1]

(i) is unconcerned about keeping up with fashion? ............. [1]

(j) believes that it’s important to think positively? ............. [1]

[Total: 10]
 6

Exercise 3

Read the article about a new method of farming called vertical farming, and then complete the notes.

Vertical farming
In some cities around the world, people are growing food in tall buildings,
in a process known as ‘vertical farming’. Vertical farms are tall city blocks
made of concrete and glass, and fitted with platforms where fruit and
vegetables can be grown in a closed environment. With an ever-increasing
world population, and water and land being limited resources, the question
of how we are going to feed and house everyone is a serious one. If we
need more land for housing, then farmlands and forests will shrink. But
farmland is required to feed the population, and the forests are needed to
produce oxygen and to support the life forms that are part of the ecology.
Vertical farms are seen as one possible alternative to more traditional
farming methods.

Vertical farms are designed to be built in cities, with the result that food is
grown in the area where it will be eaten as cities are the places where most
people live. Land for building these farms is more expensive, which is a fact
that people who want to set up a vertical farm need to take into account.
And of course, growing the food is only the first stage. The next part is preparing and packaging the
food, as in fact, much of what we eat is processed in some way. In order to have truly local food,
there also need to be processing factories nearby. This presents its own set of problems, such as
the pollution that these processing factories create.

Those people who support the idea of vertical farms point out that there are no insects to attack
the plants. This is an increasingly important consideration for the many people nowadays who are
concerned about the substances that are often sprayed onto the plants in open-field farms to prevent
insect damage. In vertical farms, there is no need for chemicals, meaning the plants are organic. It is
true, however, that insects are vital to the process of crop pollination, which is needed if plants are to
produce fruit. This means that if vertical farms are completely insect-free environments, pollination
needs to be done by hand, which takes time and labour.

The closed structure of a vertical farm means that the crops will be protected from extreme weather
conditions. Global weather patterns are more and more unpredictable, and global warming is such a
recognised problem that vertical farming is becoming increasingly attractive. Furthermore, the plants
can grow all year round with the use of special lights. Of course, although the extra cost of this
lighting is passed on to consumers, this is balanced by the fact that during the year a larger number
of plants can be grown.

While we might not see vertical farms in every city for some years, there are a number of projects
already under construction around the world, and some completed vertical farms are already
producing food.
 7

You are going to give a talk about the advantages and disadvantages of vertical farming to your class
at school. Prepare some notes to use as the basis for your talk.

Make short notes under each heading.

11 Advantages of vertical farming:

• ...............................................................................................................................................

• ...............................................................................................................................................

• ...............................................................................................................................................

• ...............................................................................................................................................

• ...............................................................................................................................................

• ......................................................................................................................................... [6]

12 Disadvantages of vertical farming:

• ...............................................................................................................................................

• ...............................................................................................................................................

• ......................................................................................................................................... [3]

[Total: 9]
 8

Exercise 4

14 Read the article written by a journalist about teaching school children about money.

Write a summary about the financial skills that school children should learn AND the
problems of teaching finance in schools.

Your summary should be about 100 words long (and no more than 120 words long). You
should use your own words as far as possible.

You will receive up to 8 marks for the content of your summary, and up to 8 marks for the style and
accuracy of your language.

Are school children learning the right things about money?

Many schools around the world now teach financial education alongside other subjects to prepare
young people for the decisions they will need to make later in life. But is this financial education
focusing on the right things? How relevant, for example, is it to teach teenagers about tax or
pensions? By the time these young people are old enough to have to deal with these things, the
regulations will most probably have changed.

Instead, financial education should perhaps concentrate on things like comparing the advantages
and disadvantages of different products. Being able to do this effectively is essential nowadays for
young consumers, who are faced with increasingly complicated choices of goods in shops. Just as
important for modern consumers is the ability to decide whether special offers are worth it, so that
they understand what is really being sold. And with more and more shopping being done online,
knowing how to do this safely is something that should certainly not be overlooked.

The consequences of young people growing up without an understanding of money can be

considerable. If people do not make the right financial decisions, this can have a long-lasting impact
on them and on their families as well. So it is no surprise that many countries have introduced
financial education into the school curriculum. Unfortunately, however, subjects like this are often
not seen as a priority, as schools tend to focus on academic subjects like English and maths
instead. In addition, while most other subjects have a head of department, a recent survey showed
that the majority of UK schools do not have a member of staff who is responsible for financial
education in their school.

Despite these difficulties, there are some simple but effective ways that schools can teach financial
education. It is important for children to get into the habit of saving when they have spare money,
even if it is just a little, and some schools have started using virtual money games to encourage
children to do this. Elsewhere, schools have organised competitions in which teams are given a
task and are challenged to save as much money as they can. Activities like games and competitions
can make a real difference because they are motivating and fun, and do not need to take up a lot
of classroom time.

Another factor that could prevent schools from introducing a new subject like financial education
into the curriculum is that there is often little money to buy new teaching resources. However, this
should not be an issue as there is plenty of free material available online. Many teachers also say
they are not trained to teach financial education. What they do not realise is that there is expert
help available to schools from banks and local businesses, often for free.

A good financial education can help young people to make effective career and education choices
throughout their lives and successfully participate in modern society. So let’s make sure the skills
that young people are taught today are the right ones for their future.
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[Total: 16]
 

Exercise 5: 

‐ Some students think that they should not have homework, but others believe that it is important. 

 Write an article to your school magazine giving your opinion about the topic. 

You will get up to 8 marks for the content and up to 8 marks for the language                            Total:  16 marks 

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