Question 1 Model Answer: Speech

For this task, you will be asked to produce a piece of writing in a particular format, based on the
opinions, ideas and information you are presented with in one or two reading passages. You may be
asked to write in one of three possible formats (genres):

A letter

A speech

An article

The following guide will demonstrate how to answer Question 1 in the format of a speech. The task
itself is taken from a past exam paper. It includes:

Addressing the reading assessment objectives

Planning your response

Speech model answer

Unannotated model answer

Summary

Addressing the reading assessment objectives

Up to 15 marks are available in this task for your ability to evaluate both the explicit and implied
ideas, opinions and attitudes expressed in one or two texts, and assimilate them to write a
developed and sophisticated response.

Let’s take a look at how you do this, using the following Question 1 example:

CIE IGCSE English Language Paper 2 question 1 speech example question

Your response here has to be based on the ideas, opinions and attitudes contained in the following
two texts:

CIE IGCSE English Language Paper 2 speech Text A part 1

CIE IGCSE English Language Paper 2 question 1 speech Text A part 2

CIE IGCSE English Language Paper 2 question 1 speech text B

After carefully reading the task, you should read the texts and highlight the ideas and opinions that
could inform your writing. Your response might use the following ideas from these texts:

Text A:

Student representation was “once fashionable”, but it may just be a passing fad

School councils take up too much time and energy from schools and teachers when they have more
important things to be getting on with

If student representation is fake or just to tick a box, then it has no substance, especially if views and
ideas are not acted upon

Teachers are accountable to parents and should put education first

Even some students are disillusioned with the idea of student representation when nothing is acted
upon, especially given the time and effort involved

Experienced teachers should make decisions, not children - trust should be placed in the people
appointed to run the school and deliver the education

Text B:

An “enlightened” approach is needed to make school councils work and it takes real commitment

Student participation is very popular and well regarded

Student participation works when children are involved in “real” issues

Students can take responsibility for difficult problems such as behaviour or bullying

Participation can make a difference to students’ attitudes to school

Attendance and results are improved by participation

Students can learn important skills such as negotiation, communication and decision-making

Students can have a fresh eye on issues

Decisions made may have a major impact on them, so students are motivated to participate

Planning your response

Once you have read the text(s), identified relevant opinions, ideas and attitudes and bullet-pointed
these in your own words, you should then spend five minutes planning your written response. In
your plan:

Decide on your “voice” and point of view

Write a statement that summarises your point of view, based on your reading

Note down which points you can develop that support your point of view in your first paragraph

Decide whether you are going to make a counter-argument, and note down which points you can
develop to support this

Return to your main argument, ensuring that you have included ideas and opinions from both texts
(if more than one)

Note down the points you can make to address the second bullet point in the task

Note down how you are going to start and finish your response, ensuring that it establishes the
correct style and tone

Speech model answer

The following model answer demonstrates a top-mark response to the above task:

CIE IGCSE English Language speech model answer part 1

CIE IGCSE English Language speech model answer part 2

CIE IGCSE English Language speech model answer part 3

Unannotated model answer

Thank you for coming to listen to me today on the topic of whether students should participate in
decisions made about our school. As you are aware, we currently do not have a school council, which
I personally believe is short-sighted and denies us the opportunity to develop important life skills.
Student participation in school decisions, such as via a school council, can be a divisive topic, and a
lot of the time the effectiveness of a school council is dependent on the type of school you go to and
how well student participation is managed. A school with a council in which students’ feedback and
decisions are not valued is indeed pointless. If student representatives are in a meeting in order just
to tick a box, then this has no substance. If I was a student representative and I put a lot of time and
effort into preparing for a council meeting, only to have my views and the views of my fellow
students ignored, then this would leave me feeling disillusioned and unheard. In these cases, student
and teacher time would be better spent on actual teaching and learning.

I can also imagine that, in fee-paying schools, parents would expect their children and the teachers
to put education first, and leave the big decisions to those entrusted with running the school in the
first place. However, we are not in a fee-paying school, and in addition, not having a school council
implies a lack of belief in our ability to make informed decisions about the place where we currently
spend the majority of our time. Just because we are young, this does not mean that we are incapable
of making good decisions and providing good feedback.

Having a school council or some other form of student representation can bring real benefits to a
school and its pupils. Students can feel valued, and at the same time develop life skills such as
communication, negotiation and decision-making. Being a member of a school council is well-
regarded and looks good when it comes to college, university or job interviews, and students can
offer a fresh perspective on issues that can be challenging to solve, such as behaviour and bullying.
When students are given more responsibility, this can result in more positive attitudes, better
attendance and results. Given this trust, we would be more motivated to participate in decisions that
have a major impact on our lives.

As part of my preparation for this speech, I read a guide for teachers on setting up school councils,
and while some ambitious claims were made about their benefits, I wonder how realistic the guide is
when considering the amount of time and commitment a school council requires from both students
and teachers. The guide only promoted the benefits, and while I believe that we do need student
representation in this school, I do think it has to be balanced and well-considered. I think the most
effective type of participation is one in which pupils have a say on the real issues that affect our
school, and where we have the opportunity to shape key policies for the future. This enlightened
approach, however, should not just be rushed into. For this to work in our school it will take real
commitment, with real benefits attached for both students and teachers alike. Ultimately, I believe
that we should be trusted with the responsibility in shaping the course of our own education, and a
school council would be one of the ways in which we can do this.

Thank you for listening.

Commentary:

The speech starts as instructed and demonstrates an understanding of the task, its purpose and
intended audience

The introduction establishes a clear voice and point of view

Ideas and opinions from both texts are implied in the response

The response uses conventions of a speech, such as inclusive pronouns and direct address, to
connect to the audience

The argument is sustained throughout

Spelling, grammar and punctuation are accurate

Summary

Remember to read the question carefully and highlight:

What you are writing, who your audience is and why you are writing

The focus of each bullet point

Read the text(s) and highlight the relevant information that could be developed in your answer

Bullet-point this information in your own words

Plan your writing, focusing on one main idea or opinion per paragraph

Address each bullet point in order:

Make sure you cover all of the bullet points as equally as possible

Decide on the voice and style you want to create and maintain that in your answer

Do not just repeat details from the text(s):

You need to evaluate and develop the ideas, opinions and attitudes in the text(s) - you are not
summarising them.