IGCSE CORE Reading
Paper
A Guide to the Paper
Name:
The exam lasts for 1 hour 45 minutes and tests your reading and
understanding.
Paper 1: Reading Passage (Core)
1 hour 45 minutes
Candidates answer two questions on one passage of 700–800 words.
Eligible for Grades C–G.
40% of total marks.
Question 1:
This question is divided into a series of sub-questions requiring answers of
different lengths.
You will need to use the key skills of skimming, scanning and selecting
information and your ability to understand implicit (suggested though not
directly expressed) and explicit (stated clearly and in detail)
Tips:
Make sure you read the question carefully, If it asks you to locate
information from a specific line or paragraph make sure that you are
looking in the correct place.
The short answer questions are a test of READING only.
on to work out the meaning of any key words,
but don’t worry if you don’t understand every word.
words as far as possible.
to make.
Examples:
1. What was John’s main method of transport in the town?
Tests understanding of specific ideas.
2. What is meant by “vintage vehicle”?
Tests understanding of specific words/phrases.
3. What do you learn about John in paragraph 3?
Asks what you learn about a character in the text.
4. What are John’s parents’ views about his hobby?
Asks you to deduce or interpret attitudes or opinions from the text.
Exam Paper: CORE Reading
Task: Read the following extract and answer the questions which
accompany it.
Remember you will only have one passage to read. If there is a word you
don’t understand try to read around it and work out the meaning that way.
Read the following passage carefully and then answer all the questions
on the Question Paper.
The first few questions test your comprehensions skills and ability to
select relevant information from the passage. You need to make sure that
you read the question carefully and locate the information from the
correct section.
The next set of questions will ask you to select specific words/ phrases
from the text and explain the effect.
Notice the number of marks available for each question. You can see that
here you will achieve one mark for each phrase you identify and one for
each explanation you give. Start your explanation ‘This suggests’ or ‘This
implies’.
The effect on the reader created by the writer’s words could be e.g.:
 To stimulate our sense of sight, touch, hearing or smell
 To convey (put across) a particular mood or atmosphere
 To convey a sense of a particular scene or character.
 To convey a particular message or idea.
 To make the reader feel something e.g. anger, pity, fear, sadness.
Where it says to use your own words you must make sure that you do not
quote or copy from the text.
Look at the question on the next page.
Again notice here that you are expected to use your own words.
The summary question means to write concisely (in a small amount of
words) and using your own words (not copying or quoting).
Tips for success:
Locate – find the key points from the text using skimming and scanning.
Select - highlight or underline any information which will help you to
answer the question.
Order: put these points in the best order possible to answer the question,
using your own words.
Write – your summary in sentences using your own words where possible
Question 2:
This is a test of not only your reading but also your writing (directed or
extended writing). You will be expected to write for a particular audience
and in a particular genre e.g. e.g. a letter, a report, a speech or a dialogue
using the information that you have read from the passage to help you.
It will usually specify how much you should write and also give you the
opening that you should use for your piece.
To obtain a C grade on this question you need to demonstrate that
you can do the following:
 I can write in the correct form (letter, article, interview) and for
the correct purpose (e.g. argue, persuade, advise) as directed by the
question
 I can generally use sentences fluently and put them in a logical order
(it would be worth planning your response before you start writing to
allow you to organise your ideas)
 I can structure my writing to reshape material from the passage
 I can punctuate my writing correctly most of the time (. , ; : () ? ! “ “ ‘
-)
 I can generally spell correctly, with only minor errors
 I can use material from the passage and develop it with some idea of
‘voice’ and or viewpoint
This particularly question asks you to write the account of a
conversation therefore I would present it like a script between you
(Gerry) and your brother.
Note it also tells you how to start it off.