Cambridge Lower Secondary Sample Test

For use with curriculum published in

September 2020

English Paper 1
Stage 8
1 hour 10 minutes

Name

Additional materials: Insert

INSTRUCTIONS
• Answer all questions.
• Write your answer to each question in the space provided.
• You should pay attention to punctuation, spelling and handwriting.

INFORMATION
• The total mark for this paper is 50.
• The number of marks for each question or part question is shown in brackets [ ].
• Suggestions for how long to spend on each section are given in the booklet.

English_S8_01/5RP
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Section A: Reading

Spend 30 minutes on this section.

Read Text A in the Insert, and answer questions 1–11.

1 Look at the first paragraph (lines 1–3).

Give one word that means ‘fascinated’.
intrigued

[1]

2 Why do you think the boys moved carefully down the hole?
Because the hole was narrow and steep, and they didn’t know what was
inside. [1]

3 Look at line 10.

Why does the writer begin a new paragraph?

[1]

4 Why does the writer begin a sentence with To their surprise (lines 12–13)?
show that the discovery was unexpected.
[1]

5 What does mesmerised (line 15) mean?

Tick () one box.

energised

excited

remembered

captivated

[1]

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6 Look at lines 18–20.

Give one word which means ‘promise’.
Oath
[1]

7 Why do you think Marsal says this is the first commercial exploitation of the cave?
Because they started charging people money to see the cave

[1]

8 Look at this phrase: the news spread like wildfire (line 23).

(a) What literary technique is used in the phrase above?

[1]

(b) Why is this an appropriate description of the way the news of the discovery travelled?

[1]

9 Why is the writer’s use of flocked appropriate in line 27?

Because “flocked” means like a large number of people arriving
together, like birds, which fits the tourist crowd

[1]

10 Give two features of a newspaper report used in Text A.

• Use of specific dates and facts

• Quotes from people involved

[2]

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11 Look at the title.

(a) Why has the writer used inverted commas ( ‘ ’ )?

To show that the phrase ‘underground cinema’ is not meant literally.
[1]

(b) Explain why you think it is appropriate to use the word cinema in the title. Give one
quotation from the text to support your answer.
Because the cave walls were covered with paintings that
seemed to move like a film.
Explanation:

Quotation: a procession of animals, larger than life, that seemed to be moving

[2]

Read Text B in the Insert, and answer questions 12–16.

12 What is the purpose of Text B? Tick () one box.

to instruct

to discuss

to narrate

to persuade

[1]

13 Look at the first paragraph (lines 1–7).

Give two ways in which the writer engages the reader.
• It speaks directly to the reader

• It gives helpful, practical advice.

[2]

14 Look at the last sentence of the first paragraph (lines 6–7).

Give one word which contributes to the idea of sequencing information.

then
[1]

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15 Look at the third paragraph (lines 11–14).

Give one phrase that tells the reader that something has been successfully completed.

hey presto [1]

16 (a) Imagine a friend has a bat trapped in their house.

List the ways in which the bat could be removed, using at least five suggestions from
Text B.
• Close the doors to keep the bat in one room.

•
Open windows and turn off the lights so the bat can
fly out.

•
Stay calm and quiet to avoid scaring it.
•

• Wear gloves and gently catch the bat with a box if

needed.

• Call a local wildlife rescue service for help.

•
[3]

(b) Using your list, write a summary to describe ways to remove a bat from the house. Use
up to 50 words. To remove a bat, stay calm and keep it in one room. Open
this is better then what i have
windows and turn off lights to guide it out. Avoid touching it, but
if necessary, wear gloves and use a box. If it doesn’t leave,
2 marks idk
contact a wildlife rescue service for safe and proper removal.

[2]

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Section B: Writing

Spend 30 minutes on this section.

17 Imagine a situation where something unusual happens that means you need to take action, for
example an injury or extreme weather.

Tell your reader what to do in this situation.

Consider the following:

• the type of situation

• your audience
• what actions need to be taken and why.

Space for your plan:

Plan: Emergency Situation – Sudden Thunderstorm During a School Trip

Type of Situation:

Extreme weather (sudden thunderstorm during a school nature walk)

Audience:

Fellow students (same age group) who are also on the trip

Actions to Take and Why:

Stay Calm

Prevent panic and confusion

Helps everyone think clearly

Find Shelter Immediately

Move away from tall trees or open fields

Go to a nearby solid building or safe covered area

Lightning danger – avoid metal objects and water

Call a Teacher or Trip Leader

Let them know where you are

Follow their instructions carefully

Stay Together

Don’t let anyone wander off alone

Count heads to make sure no one is missing

Wait for the All-Clear

Don’t leave shelter until told it’s safe

Teachers will contact school or emergency services if needed

Why These Actions:

Ensures safety during dangerous weather

Stops injuries or getting lost

Helps teachers manage the group

Write your instructions on the next page. [25 marks]

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Text

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© Lascaux Cave; www.savelascaux.org/Legacy_Funding.php

© Caving; www.artofmanliness.com/2010/08/02/a-beginners-guide-to-caving
© Bat Conservation Trust; www.bats.org.uk/pages/bats_of_the_world
© Bat in the House; Professional Wildlife Removal; www.wildlife-removal.com/batinhouse.html
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© UCLES 2020 E/S8/01