Writing and Cambridge International Examinations

UNIVERSITY OF CAMBRIDGE INTERNATIONAL EXAMINATIONS General Certificate of Education Ordinary Level

ENGLISH LANGUAGE Paper 1 Writing SPECIMEN PAPER

1123/01 For Examination from 2011 1 hour 30 minutes

Additional Materials:

Answer Booklet/Paper

READ THESE INSTRUCTIONS FIRST If you have been given an Answer Booklet, follow the instructions on the front cover of the Booklet. Write your Centre number, candidate number and name on all the work you hand in. Write in dark blue or black pen. Do not use staples, paper clips, highlighters, glue or correction fluid. Answer both Section 1 and Section 2. NB: Remember that Section 1 and Section 2 of this paper are worth the same number of marks, so you should divide your time carefully between them. At the end of the examination, fasten all your work securely together.

Notes To facilitate an understanding of the changes in the revised syllabus for the writing component, this specimen question paper is based on the June 2008 question paper. Centres are advised to compare the two question papers in order to appreciate the changes. This specimen paper shows the assessment objectives from the syllabus for each question – this information may not appear on the actual question paper.

This document consists of 3 printed pages and 1 blank page. [Turn over

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2 Communicate W1 appropriately, W2 clearly, W3 accurately, W4 creatively Section 1: Directed Writing You are advised to write between 200 and 300 words. Total marks for this part: 30 (15 for Task Fulfilment and 15 for Language).

Task Your Principal wants to make an award to a student who has done something special for the school. The award can be made to any student and for any good reason. You are asked to write a letter recommending a particular student to be given the prize. Write your letter. You must include the following: • • • who the student is (such as name and other relevant details) so that the Principal knows exactly whom you are describing what the student has done to deserve the award what would be an appropriate prize for that particular student and why it would be so suitable.

Cover all three points above in detail. You should make your letter persuasive and helpful for the Principal. Start your letter ‘Dear Principal,’ and remember to provide a suitable ending.

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3 Communicate W1 appropriately, W2 clearly, W3 accurately, W4 creatively Section 2: Creative Writing Begin your answer on a fresh page. Write on one of the following topics. At the head of your essay put the number of the topic you have chosen. You are advised to write between 350 and 500 words. Total marks for this part: 30. 1 2 3 4 5 Describe the best and the worst weather conditions that you can remember. (Remember that you are describing the scenes and not just telling a story.) ‘Young people are no longer interested in religion.’ What is your view? Write a story in which you include the sentence: ‘As I entered the room I saw what I hated most.’ Teamwork. Write a story in which an interview is important. (Remember that you should give full details of what happens in the interview itself, to show that it is an important part of your story.)

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© UCLES 2009

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