CAMBRIDGE IGCSE Use and develop ideas and details from Text C

Extended
Write in your own words in one of the
response to
FIRST LANGUAGE ENGLISH 0500 following formats: letter, report, journal,
reading
speech, interview or article
PAPER 1: READING
WHAT SKILLS ARE BEING ASSESSED:
OVERVIEW
There are only two assessment objectives for this IGCSE, each worth 50% of your overall grade. However,
Paper 1 is the compulsory paper for the CIE IGCSE English Language course. You must take Paper 1, but these are then divided into the following sub-objectives:
for the rest of the IGCSE you may either be sitting Paper 2 or completing a coursework portfolio.
Sub-objective What this means
PAPER 1 OVERVIEW: R1: demonstrate • Show that you understand
understanding of explicit the obvious meanings
The Paper 1 exam is 2 hours long and you will have three questions to answer, although questions 1 meanings communicated in a text
and 2 are further divided into sub-questions. The exam is worth 80 marks. These marks are divided into • Show that you can
two skills - reading and writing - as follows: recognise hints and
R2: demonstrate
suggestions in a text to
• Total marks for reading = 65 understanding of implicit
understand the more
• Total marks for writing = 15 meanings and attitudes
hidden meanings and
attitudes of the writer
As well as your question paper and answer booklet, you will also be given an insert containing the three • Evaluate and analyse the
texts you will use to answer the questions on the exam paper. All three texts will be on a similar topic. facts, ideas and opinions
you read by using,
CIE recommends that you spend 15 minutes reading the texts, and approximately 30-35 minutes R3: analyse, evaluate and
explaining and developin g
responding to each question. However, as each question makes different dem ands on you in the exam develop facts, ideas and
AO1: read and them
and are worth different marks, we suggest that you consider the following timings for this exam paper: opinions, using
respond in • Refer to supporting
appropriate support from
different ways to evidence from the text
Question Marks Timing (including reading time) the text
different types of where appropriate, such as
Question 1(a-e) 15 15-20 minutes text using quotations or
Question 1(f) 15 20 minutes references to the text
Question 2(a-c) 10 15 minutes • Show that you understand
Question 2(d) 15 20 minutes how a writer has
Question 3 25 40 minutes influenced their reader
R4: demonstrate
through their use of
understanding of how
PAPER 1 BREAKDOWN: language
writers achieve effects
• Consider the deliberate
and influence readers
Question Type of choices a writer has made
What you are asked to do
number question and why they have made
Read Text A those choices
Question 1(a-e) Comprehension
Respond to a series of sub-questions • Select and use relevant and
R5: select and use
Read Text B appropriate information
information for specific
Question 1(f) Summary Write a summary of no more than 120 words from a text to answer the
purposes
based on the text different questions
Short-answer Read Text C W1: articulate experience • Write convincingly to
Question 2(a-c)
questions Respond to a series of sub-questions and express what is convey real and imagined
Read Text C thought, felt and experience, thoughts and
Write 200-300 words in response to a question imagined feelings
focused on certain paragraphs in Text C AO2: write • Sequence and connect the
Select three relevant examples of interestin g accurately and W2: organise and ideas and opinions
Question 2(d) Language task uses of language from each of the paragraphs effectively, using structure ideas and effectively within your
specified Standard English opinions for deliberate written response to
Analyse these examples to show how the appropriately effect interest and influence your
writer uses language to convey meaning and reader
to create effects • Use a range of appropriate
W3: use a range of
Read Text C vocabulary and sentence
Question 3 vocabulary and sentence
Write 250-350 words in response to the task structures deliberately
 structures appropriate to within each written Question 1 example:
context response to achieve certain
effects
• Vary your writing to suit
W4: use register
the purpose, audience and
appropriate to context
form of the task
W5: make accurate use of • Write accurately, avoiding
spelling, punctuation and spelling, punctuation and
grammar grammar errors

QUESTION 1: COMPREHENSION

HOW TO ANSWER QUESTION 1: COMPREHENSION

Paper 1: Reading is the compulsory exam in the CIE IGCSE, and CIE examiners recommend that you
complete the questions in the order they are set. Question 1 is split into two tasks: a comprehension
task and a summary task. The comprehension task will be based on Text A in your reading insert. The
following guide will provide you with the information you need to answer Question 1: Comprehension
confidently.

OVERVIEW FOR QUESTION 1:

For this task, you will respond to a series of sub-questions about Text A. These sub-questions will test
your understanding of both explicit and implicit meanings, and your ability to select and use
information from the text (Assessment Objectives R1, R2 and R5). The sub-questions are worth 15 marks
in total and are broken down as follows:

Question What you are asked to do Marks

1(a) Identify two specific pieces of information from the text 1 STEPS TO SUCCESS:
Explain, using your own words, what a word or phrase in
the text means Following these steps will give you a strategy for answering this question effectively:
1(b)(i) 2
The word or phrase will have a surface meaning for you
to explain 1. Read the question and highlight:
Explain, using your own words, what a word or phrase a. The command words (what you are instructed to do)
means b. The focus of the question (the words or phrases you have to look for in the text)
1(b)(ii) The word or phrase will have a more implicit meaning, 2 c. When highlighting, take note of the marks given for each sub-question
which means you will have to consider its meaning a little
2. Scan Text A and highlight the evidence that answers the question, or the words or phrases you
more carefully
need to explain:
1(c) Identify two specific pieces of information from the text 2
a. Remember that there may be more than one answer - make sure your answer provides
1(d)(i) Identify two specific pieces of information from the text 2 what the question instructions have asked for
Explain something, making three separate points, based
1(d)(ii) 3
on the text 3. Write your answers according to the question instructions:
Explain something from the text using your own words, a. If the question asks for two examples, then make sure you give two separate examples
making three separate points b. If the question asks you to use your own words, then make sure you do not repeat words
1(e) 3
Use inference here to find the suggested or hidden from the text
meaning c. Check how many marks are awarded for each question, and tailor your answers
accordingly
BREAKING DOWN THE QUESTIONS: d. When explaining the meaning of a phrase, consider the context of the text (do not just
guess the meaning without context)
Question 1: Comprehension will be divided into seven sub-questions. It is important that you read each e. Remember, not all of the answers will be explicit:
question carefully and highlight: i. You will have to make some inferences or read between the lines
• The command words in each question (what you have to do)
• The focus of each question (what you are looking for in the text) You are advised to spend no more than 15-20 minutes on this question (including reading time).
• How many marks each question is worth (this indicates how much you need to write)
QUESTION 1 SKILLS: EXPLICIT AND IMPLICIT MEANINGS
 • Lyuba is a one-month old baby mammoth who lived about 40,000 years ago
Question 1: Comprehension on Paper 1 of your IGCSE tests you on your ability to understand the more • Scientists do not know how she died
obvious meanings in a text, as well as your ability to use clues and hints in a text to explore the more • She was discovered on a riverbank in Siberia
hidden meanings. You also need to be able to select and use information from the text for specific • She is the most perfectly preserved woolly mammoth ever discovered
purposes.
What is implied in the text is:
The sections below will explain the difference between explicit and implicit meanings and how to
recognise them. • This is an amazing, unusual and rare scientific discovery (“Only a handful have ever been found
before”/”none like her”/”most perfectly preserved woolly mammoth ever discovered”)
EXPLICIT VERSUS IMPLICIT MEANINGS: • Scientists around the world are astounded and excited by her discovery (“Lyuba has mesmerised
the scientific world”)
Explicit information is clear and directly expressed. Implicit refers to something that is understood, but • Her discovery is big news (“creating headlines across the globe”)
not described or stated clearly or directly. Something stated implicitly uses implication, assumption
and inference to generate meaning. What’s most important is that you have evidence for all of your implied meanings (as in each of the
examples above).
For example:
CRITICAL READING TOOLS:
• The explicit information in this sentence
is that the corridor is long, cold and Think of critical reading as a bit like an autopsy: you have a piece of text laid out in front of you and
The long corridor was cold and windswept you need to dissect it. To do that, you need to learn what tools there are, how to use them, and when to
windswept, making my candle • The implicit meaning in this sentence is select the right one. These reading tools are going to help you to better interrogate the texts you’re
flicker and the shadows quake that the corridor is creepy and frightening given in the exam. The 4 tools are:
and shudder. • This is shown by the use of imagery, such
(a) Question
as “candle flicker” and “shadows quake
(b) Clarify
and shudder”
(c) Evidence
(d) Infer
Something that is implicit is inferred; this means you need to make a logical inference based on the
evidence you are presented with. In the above example, the fact that the corridor seems to be a
QUESTION 1: SUMMARY
frightening place is a logical inference to make, based on the fact that even the shadows “quake and
shudder”.
HOW TO ANSWER QUESTION 1: SUMMARY
ANALYSING EXPLICIT AND IMPLICIT MEANINGS:
Paper 1: Reading is the compulsory exam in the CIE IGCSE, and CIE examiners recommend that you
complete the questions in the order they are set. Question 1 is split into two tasks: a comprehension
When identifying and analysing the explicit and implicit meanings in a text, it is important that you
task and a summary task. The summary task will be based on Text B in your reading insert.The followin g
explain your ideas clearly, based on the context of the text.
guide will provide you with the information you need to answer Question 1: Summary to a high standard.
This means that you should:

OVERVIEW:
• Develop your ideas and analysis based on the information you have been given in the text (rather
than jumping to illogical conclusions):
For this task, you will respond to one question about Text B. The question will test you on your ability
o For example, in the sentence “The man stumbled into the house, tripping and cursin g his
to understand explicit and implicit meanings and ideas in a text, and to select and use information for
way up the stairs,” a logical inference would be that the man is drunk
specific purposes. It will also assess your ability to organise and structure your ideas in writing, use a
o This is because of the writer’s use of the the words “stumbled”, “tripping” and “cursing”
range of suitable vocabulary and sentence structures and write accurately, with correct spelling,
o Jumping too far would be to suggest that the man is an alcoholic; there is no evidence in
grammar and punctuation. The question is worth 15 marks in total and is broken down as follows:
this sentence to support this
• Zoom in on particular words that support the inference you are making
Assessment Objective
• Explain why the writer may have chosen those particular words to use Question What this means Marks
tested
R1: demonstrate
For example, consider the following text:
understanding of
explicit meanings
Only a handful have ever been found before. But none like her. Her name is Lyuba.
Base your answer on both
A one-month old baby mammoth, she walked the tundra about 40,000 years ago, 1(f) - reading
R2: demonstrate explicit and implied 10
then died mysteriously. Discovered on a riverbank in Siberia, she’s the most perfectly objectives
understanding of information in Text B
preserved woolly mammoth ever discovered. Lyuba has mesmerised the scientific
implicit meanings and
world with her arrival - creating headlines across the globe.
attitudes

The explicit information in this text is:

 R5: select and use • Disregard any information or extra details which are not directly relevant to the f ocus of
information for specific the question:
purposes o In the above example, the focus of the question is on “reasons why” - you should
W2: organise and therefore ignore any “reasons why not”
structure ideas and 3. Plan your answer before you start writing:
opinions for deliberate • Use bullet points for this
Write an answer of no more
effect • Make sure each idea in each bullet point is distinct and complete (you are not repeatin g
than 120 words.
yourself)
W3: use a range of 4. Write your answers according to the question instructions:
1(f) - writing Summarise, in your own
vocabulary and 5 • Do not just copy whole paragraphs from the text, or use quotes from the text
objectives words and in continuous
sentence structures • You must summarise using your own words as much as possible
form (not note form), what
appropriate to context • Remember, not all of the information will be explicit (obvious):
you learn about the focus
o You will have to make some inferences or read between the lines
of the question in the text
W5: make accurate use 5. Re-read your answer when you have finished to check whether:
of spelling, punctuation • It answers the question
and grammar • It makes sense
• It is accurate (correct any obvious spelling, grammar or punctuation errors)
The question, taken from the June 2022 exam paper, looks like this:
You are advised to spend no more than 20 minutes on this question (including reading time).

EXAM TIPS:

• Read the command words and the question carefully:

o This will allow you to demonstrate a thorough understanding of the requirements of the
task
• Make sure that you demonstrate that you understand a range of ideas in the text, as relevant to
the focus of the question
• Write your answer in paragraph form, expressing yourself clearly, fluently and concisely:
o Explain the ideas in a way that someone who had not read the text themselves would
understand
• Do not just copy from the text or use quotes - this is not a language analysis question
• Try not to repeat the same idea - the examiner can only credit you once
• When summarising, you should use Standard English:
o Therefore, if Text B is written using a more informal register, adapt this to a more formal
style suitable for a written summary
• Start your answer with a focus on the question:
o Do not waste time on unnecessary introductions
• As you read Text B, highlight a range of ideas from different parts of the text:
o Then re-organise them more efficiently for the reader
o You do not need to work through the ideas in the order they appear in the text
• It is a very good idea to make a brief, bulleted plan of your answer before you start writing:
o This will help you structure your response concisely
• Ensure you do not write too little or too much:
o 120 words is approximately half a page of A4 in average handwriting
STEPS TO SUCCESS:

QUESTION 1 SKILLS: HOW TO SUMMARISE

Following these steps will give you a strategy for answering this question effectively:

Question 1(f): Summary on Paper 1 of your IGCSE tests you on your ability to understand and use explicit
1. Read the question and highlight:
and implicit information in a text, and to summarise that information in your own words.
• The command words (what you are instructed to do)
• The focus of the question (the words or phrases you have to look for in the text)
The sections below will explain what summarising is and how to summarise information successfully.
• When highlighting, take note of the word count guidance and make sure you are using the
correct text (Text B)
WHAT IS SUMMARISING?
2. Scan Text B and highlight the evidence that answers the question:
• In the above example, this would be anything that tells you why Jayden Dee wanted to
Summarising is an important literacy skill, useful not just for your IGCSE in English Language. When
take part in the Tough Mudder event
you summarise, you are expressing the most important facts or ideas from a text in shortened form,
using your own words. A summary should effectively explain all of the important information in a text single accidental discovery of a frozen • Scientists were able to carefully
in a clear and concise way, taking only the information that is directly relevant and ignoring less baby mammoth in the Siberian tundra and retrieve her, avoiding damage
important details. how the discovery has enriched our
understanding of these extinct What scientists hope to discover by
The key elements of a summary are: magnificent beasts. studying her:
• Objectivity: a summary sticks to the facts and is unbiased
• Concision: a summary should condense the important information, leaving out unnecessary The programme begins with the incredibly • Better understanding of these
detail fortunate discovery of Lyuba by a reindeer extinct beasts
• Structure: a summary should be well-organised, preferably in chronological order, so that it is herder who feared that disturbing the • How she died
as clear as possible remains of the dead might lead to a curse. • What life was like during the Ice
• Accurate: the information provided in a summary needs to be correct and reliable Too often with such findings, the Age
preserved creature would be dug up and • Information about climate
The summary you have to produce in your exam for Question 1(f) needs to get across the information sold, leading to irreversible decomposition change
the examiner requires in a clear and accurate way. This means that you need to distinguish between the and the loss of a treasure trove of valuable
important information and the irrelevant information in the text. However, while summarising as a skill information. However, the herder had
normally allows direct repetition of the words in a text, for this task in the exam you are asked to write enough foresight to contact authorities,
in your own words as far as possible. In this way, this task is actually a combination of summarising and scientists began the careful retrieval
and paraphrasing, which means rearranging a text and putting it into your own words. process. Everyone wanted to know how
Lyuba had died. What could she tell us
HOW TO SUMMARISE IN THE EXAM: about life during the Ice Age and the
Earth’s changing climate?
To complete this task effectively in the exam, it is essential that you understand exactly what you are
being asked to summarise. Let’s consider what exactly you are being asked to summarise in this example
of Question 1(f) from the June 2020 exam paper:
SUMMARISING IN CONTINUOUS FORM:
Exam question What you need to do
Here, there are two things you are Normally, when you summarise from a text, you can choose the most appropriate format in which to
being asked to summarise: present your information, such as bullet points. However, in the exam, you are asked to use continuous
According to Text B, what made Lyuba such a writing and your own words. Therefore, you need to structure your answer into clear paragraphs,
remarkable and precious scientific • What made Lyuba such a ensuring that you still convey the important information listed above.
specimen and what did scientists hope to remarkable and precious A good way to start this is by using the wording of the question. For example:
discover by studying her? specimen
• What scientists hoped to
discover by studying her

Once you have broken down the question, it is possible to go back to the text and identify the
information directly relevant to the two bullet points above. You then need to start with the first point from the text, but consider how to modify the words in order
to make them your own. For example:
Working through the text in logical order will help you to structure your summary. Let’s look at how to
do this, using the first three paragraphs of the text:

Important information (relevant to

Text
the focus of the question)
Only a handful have been found before. It is also useful to make good use of connectives in order to link your poin ts, to give a sense of
But none like her. Her name is Lyuba. A What made Lyuba such a remarkable
overall coherence to your answer. For example:
one-month-old baby mammoth, she and precious scientific specimen:
walked the tundra about 40,000 years ago,
then died mysteriously. Discovered on a • Only a handful of mammoths
riverbank in Siberia, she’s the most have ever been found
perfectly preserved woolly mammoth ever • Most perfectly preserved woolly
discovered. Lyuba has mesmerised the mammoth ever discovered
scientific world with her arrival - creatin g • Discovered by accident
headlines across the globe. • The man who found her did not EXAMINER TIPS AND TRICKS:
disturb her remains or try to sell
“Waking the Baby Mammoth”, a new her Ensure that you cover all of the important points, and avoid any unnecessary information, such as Lyuba
television programme, tells the tale of this being the subject of a new television programme. This won’t get you any marks.