IB English B

Question 1

Use an appropriate text type from the options below the task you choose. Write 450 to 600 words.

Your friend recently experienced cyberbullying, and you feel this is an increasingly common problem. You want to involve your school in addressing the problem. Write a text in which you describe what happened to your friend, explain the effects of cyberbullying on the school community, and suggest ways in which your school could tackle the problem.

Email

Letter to the Editor

Proposal

Answer keys:

The three required elements of the task are (i) to describe the cyberbullying experienced by the friend, (ii) to explain the effects that cyberbullying is having on the wider school community, and (iii) to suggest ways in which the school could tackle the problem. (Equal weight does not have to be given to all three elements, but all should be given some developed attention.)

Discussion of (i) may introduce the topic of cyberbullying in general, but should focus on the friend’s experience; (ii) may include impacts on individuals, but it should focus primarily on how the issue affects the wider school community; (iii) may refer to an overall solution but should focus specifically on detailed ways in which the school could tackle the problem.
The practicality of the measures proposed in (iii) should not affect marking, as long as they are relevant and reasonably credible.

Choice of text:

	Text type & Its convention	Rationale
Appropriate	Proposal title summarising the overall subject clearly set-out format, e.g. headings, short clear paragraphs, bullets, numbering, insetting etc. style aimed to persuade a specified audience	The text type is suitable for raising awareness and interest among a large group of people in a school context.
Generally appropriate	Email clear sense of address to a specific person statement of Subject in the heading appropriate opening and closing salutations	This text type is commonly used for individual communication and for the exploration of personal attitudes and experiences. The choice may be considered ‘appropriate’ if the response is specifically addressed to the Principal or other school authority.
Generally inappropriate	Letter to the Editor appropriate opening and closing salutations reference to the original article/issue raised interesting and engaging style	This text type is typically used for raising awareness about an issue of concern to the writer among the general public. It is not used to communicate with a specific individual or group about a localized issue (i.e. ways to tackle cyberbullying at their school).

Register and tone:

Semi-formal to formal register
Serious, polite, and persuasive tone

Sample answer (detailed outline):

Title	Establish the gravity of the issue and state the proposal’s purpose.
Introduction	Opening: Open with a strong statement regarding the pervasive and evolving nature of bullying in the digital age, framing cyberbullying as a critical threat to student well-being. Purpose Statement: Clearly and formally state the proposal’s objective: to urge the school administration to acknowledge this increasing problem and implement comprehensive, proactive strategies. Establish Urgency: Mention that this is not an abstract issue but one currently impacting our immediate school environment, setting the stage for the personal anecdote.
Body 1	Main point 1: Describing the friend’s problems The Incident: Describe how the bullying started (e.g., through a specific platform like a group chat, shared images, or social media comments). Use general terms to protect identity but maintain detail (e.g., "relentless, targeted humiliation," "sharing of edited/private photographs," or "organized online exclusion"). Emphasize the anonymity and 24/7 nature of the attack, showing how it invaded the friend's personal space (no escape). Individual Effects: Detail the short-term consequences on the friend: severe emotional distress, heightened anxiety, social withdrawal, and a noticeable decline in their ability to focus on academics.
Body 2	Main point 2: Explain the effects that cyberbullying is having on the wider school community The Erosion of Trust: Explain that when a student is cyberbullied, and the school appears slow or unable to act effectively, it creates a general atmosphere of fear and distrust. Students become reluctant to report issues, believing it is pointless or will lead to retribution. Academic Disruption: Discuss how the drama and tension generated online inevitably spill into physical school premises, distracting students during lessons, increasing conflict, and leading to higher rates of stress-related absenteeism. Reputational Damage: Briefly note that unresolved cyberbullying incidents damage the school’s reputation within the local community, impacting parent confidence and the perceived safety of the educational environment.
Body 3	Main point 3: Suggestion for solutions Mandatory Digital Citizenship Curriculum: Integrate a dedicated module on digital ethics, empathy, and responsible online communication into mandatory subjects (e.g., PSHE, IT, or advisory periods) for all grade levels. The focus is on prevention and education. Review and Modernise Policy: Update the existing school code of conduct to explicitly define cyberbullying across all platforms (even off-campus, if it impacts the school environment) and clearly outline disciplinary consequences, ensuring swift and consistent enforcement. Dedicated Anonymous Reporting System: Establish an easily accessible, secure, and fully anonymous digital platform or form for students and parents to report incidents 24/7 without fear of identification. Ensure staff are trained to triage these reports immediately. Peer Support and Wellness Training: training from mental health professionals on identifying the signs of both victimisation and perpetration, focusing on digital safety and mental health first aid.
Conclusion	Summary: Briefly restate the core argument: Cyberbullying is a systemic issue that threatens the foundation of a safe, productive learning environment. Final Appeal: Use polite, formal language to urge immediate action. Emphasize that proactive measures now will protect all students. Call to Action: Request a meeting to discuss the implementation of these specific solutions. "We sincerely urge the administration to adopt these measures and would appreciate the opportunity to present this proposal in person.

Question 2

Use an appropriate text type from the options below the task you choose. Write 450 to 600 words.

You are the leader of a community project that aims to make public facilities more accessible to people with disabilities, but the project needs funds. You decide to ask a local business to support the project financially. Write a text in which you describe your project, detail how their funds will be used, and explain why the business should be a sponsor.

Blog

Email

Speech

Answer keys:

The three aspects of the task are [i] “describe the project”, [ii] “detail how their funds will be used”, and [iii] “explain why the business should be a sponsor”. (Equal weight does not have to be given to those three elements, but all should be given some developed attention.)

The response may focus on either one or more than one disability. It could be either physical disabilities or other forms of disability.
The term “local business” can be interpreted as any local company or organization that buys and sells goods or services (e.g. a local shop, a bank, or even a big, multinational corporation).
Explaining why the business should be sponsored can be achieved by explaining the worthiness of the project itself or the benefits a sponsor would bring to the company, for example.

Choice of text type:

	Text type & Its convention	Rationale
Appropriate	Email clear sense of address to a specific person statement of the Subject in the heading appropriate opening and closing salutations	The text type is suitable for the purpose of actively communicating information (funding request and details) to a small group of a specified audience (a local business).
Generally appropriate	Speech catch the audience’s attention at the beginning, and leave a clear impression at the end address the audience and keep contact with them throughout, e.g., use of “we” and “you” etc. elements of speech rhetoric e.g., rhetorical questions, repetition etc.	The text type is suitable for communicating information and/or ideas to a large group of specified audience on a specific occasion, with expectations of some sort of real-time responses. If the response makes the context of the speech clear (e.g., a meeting with the local business), then it may be considered “appropriate”.
Generally inappropriate	Blog first-person statement and/or narration awareness of the reader, e.g. direct address, a lively and interesting style etc. closing statement, e.g. invitation to comment, a conclusion drawn etc.	The text type is primarily read by unspecified readers, and it relies on the readers to seek out the information. If the response makes clear the context of the blog (e.g., a link of a private blog post sent to the local business), then it may be considered ‘generally appropriate’.

Register and tone:

Formal register
Courteous, confident, and persuasive tone

Sample answer (detailed outline):

Title	To: [Name/Title of Business Contact, e.g., Ms. Eleanor Vance, Director of CSR] From: [Your Name], Project Leader, [Project Name, e.g., "Project Civic Access"] Date: [Current Date] Subject: Briefly summarize what you want to do.
Introduction	Salutation: Dear [Name of Contact], Opening Statement: Immediately state the purpose of the communication: to invite [Business Name] to form a transformative partnership that ensures our city’s public spaces are accessible to all residents, regardless of ability. Project Credibility: Briefly introduce the organization: Project A is a volunteer-led initiative dedicated to identifying and eliminating physical barriers in municipal facilities. Value Proposition: Emphasize the shared vision. “We believe that true community leadership is defined by the inclusion and empowerment of every citizen.”
Body 1	Main point 1: Describing the project The Problem and Focus: Describe the issue: current public facilities (focusing on mobility disabilities, e.g., wheelchair users and those with chronic mobility issues) often fail to meet basic accessibility standards, creating systemic exclusion. The Solution: Target Facilities: We have prioritized three high-impact, high-visibility sites: The City Library’s Main Entrance, The Central Park Restrooms, and The Community Arts Center. Specific Actions: The project involves full structural modification, including: Installation of certified, low-gradient ramp systems. Upgrade of all external doors to automated, push-button mechanisms. Conversion of high-traffic restrooms to provide fully ADA-compliant stalls and fixtures. Measurable Goal: Our aim is to complete all modifications within six months, making these three key facilities 100% accessible and establishing them as blueprints for future city-wide adoption. (Standardize your goal. How do you want the results for your project?)
Body 2	Main point 2: Detailing fund allocation Total Funding Goal: State the required investment clearly (e.g., $45,000). Detailed Budget Breakdown: Show transparency by detailing how the funds will be segmented. 55% for Infrastructure and Materials ($24,750): Dedicated to the specialized, durable materials required for three high-quality ramp systems and three sets of automated door hardware. This ensures longevity and safety. 30% for Certified Labor and Installation ($13,500): Covers the cost of specialized, licensed contractors needed to meet strict municipal accessibility codes. 10% for Auditing and Certification ($4,500): Allocated for final inspections and official certification by accessibility experts, ensuring full compliance. 5% for Project Management and Outreach ($2,250): Covers necessary permits, project oversight, and informational signage (including braille/tactile maps). Assurance: Confirm that every dollar is directly traceable and that [Business Name] will receive a full financial accounting upon project completion.
Body 3	Main point 3: Why the business should be a sponsor Enhancing Corporate Social Responsibility: Commitment to Diversity: Sponsoring this project positions [Business Name] as a genuine champion of diversity and inclusion of a powerful message to both consumers and potential employees. Visibility and Reputation: Demonstrate that the impact is physical and permanent. Your company’s name will be prominently and permanently featured on a "Partner in Progress" plaque at each of the newly accessible sites, generating immense goodwill and positive public relations within the local media. Market and Employee Benefits: Increased Patronage: Supporting accessibility directly impacts the spending power of a growing, valuable demographic. A more accessible city is a more marketable city. Employee Morale: Offer opportunities for [Business Name] staff to participate in a sponsored "Launch Day," fostering internal pride and team-building around a positive social cause. Leadership Position: By funding this foundational work, [Business Name] will not merely be contributing; it will be leading the way for other businesses in the city to follow suit, cementing its status as a civic pillar.
Conclusion	Summary: Reiterate confidence that this partnership will yield lasting positive change for the community and substantial reputational benefits for [Business Name]. Call to Action: Request a brief meeting next week to discuss the proposal in detail and answer any further questions regarding the budget or implementation timeline. Closing: Thank you for your time and serious consideration of this vital community investment. Sign-off: Sincerely, Sender: [Your Name] Title: Project Leader, Project’s name

Question 3

Use an appropriate text type from the options below the task you choose. Write 450 to 600 words.

A politician has suggested that high school graduates could contribute more to their country by going straight into work, rather than going to university. You want to express your own views about this suggestion to your peers. Write a text in which you summarize the politician’s ideas, explain how the suggestion would affect you personally, and consider its potential effects on your generation.

Blog

Letter to the editor

Review

Answer keys:

The three required elements of the task are (i) summarize the politician’s ideas, (ii) explain how the suggestion would affect you personally, and (iii) consider its potential effects on your generation. (Equal weight does not have to be given to those three elements, but all should be given some developed attention.)

An effective summary for (i) should include why the politician believes that high school graduates can contribute more by entering the workforce rather than continuing with education. The politician does not need to be identified, nor does it need to make clear where/when the suggestion was made.
Discussion of (ii) may be approached in terms of how going straight into work rather than going to university would affect the student personally, or whether the student personally would contribute more to their country by going to university rather than going straight into work.
It is expected that the discussion of (iii) will focus on the impact of the politician’s suggestion on the student generation. However, the impact on society as a whole should also be accepted.

Choice of text type:

	Text type & Its convention	Rationale
Appropriate	Blog first-person statement and/or narration awareness of the reader, e.g. direct address, a lively and interesting style etc. closing statement, e.g. invitation to comment, a conclusion drawn etc.	The text type is suitable for expressing one’s own views with an audience who shares a common interest (peers).
Generally appropriate	Letter to the editor appropriate opening and closing salutations reference to the original article/issue raised interesting and engaging style	The text type is suitable for expressing one’s own views on a topical issue, but it typically has a more general readership. The choice may be considered “appropriate” if the response makes clear that the text is to be read by the younger generation.
Generally inappropriate	Review title intended to attract and interest the reader name of the reviewer style to engage the reader	The text type is typically used for a critical appraisal of a product or event. It is not usually used to respond to a person’s ideas or opinions. The choice may be considered “generally appropriate” if the response makes clear that this is the review of a text the student read, viewed or heard, e.g. video, radio broadcast, etc and that the review will be read by the younger generation.

Register and tone:

Semi-formal tone with some informality
Engaging, discursive, impassioned tone

Sample answer (detailed outline):

Title	Name your blog that briefly introduces the main topic
Introduction	Greeting and Hook (Informal & Direct): Start with a relatable, challenging question directed at peers (e.g., "Ready to trade those textbooks for a timecard?"). Acknowledge the intense pressure on high school graduates right now. Context Introduction: Introduce the recent controversy sparked by the politician's comment. Use strong verbs like sparked, ignited, or challenged. Thesis: State the post's intention: “to analyze the politician's idea, reflect on how it impacts me personally, and consider the potential cost to our entire generation.”
Body 1	Main point 1: Summarize the politician’s idea High school graduates should forego university and move directly into the workforce. Why? The country needs immediate economic contributions Suggestions that real-world skills and vocational training are more important than theory in universities Acknowledge the apparent logic, but signal that the analysis will now shift to the individual reality.
Body 2	Main point 2: How does this statement affect you? Identifying Personal Goals: Briefly mention your intended path (e.g., aiming for a specialized field like environmental engineering or international law). Ex: For my chosen field, a university degree isn't just a piece of paper; it’s the *foundational knowledge* and license to practice. The Personal Cost of Compliance: Explain the specific negative impact of going straight to work. Professional expertise: Lose the opportunity to gain the deep, theoretical knowledge essential for complex, future-focused careers. The contribution would be limited to entry-level labor. Personal skills: The university experience is about more than just a major; it’s about developing critical thinking, research skills, and independence. Counter-Argument: Argue that by pursuing higher education, I am *contributing more to the country* in the long term by preparing for high-value innovation, not just immediate work.
Body 3	Main point 3: Potential effects on the generation Stifling Innovation: Discuss the collective damage if an entire generation bypasses higher education. Consequence: A lack of specialized researchers, doctors, and advanced engineers. This would create a specialized skills gap, ultimately slowing down national progress and competitiveness. Social Mobility and Equity: Analyze the fairness of the suggestion. Consequence: University acts as a key engine for social mobility. Bypassing it would solidify class divisions, making it harder for talented individuals from disadvantaged backgrounds to break into high-paying, influential professions. The "Contribution" Trap: Challenge the politician's definition of "contribution." Discursive Point: Argue that critical citizens (often developed in higher education) contribute more to a strong democracy than a workforce focused purely on immediate output. This has a subtle yet powerful effect on the generation.
Conclusion	Summary: Reiterate the belief that while immediate labor is valuable, investing in long-term human capital (education) is non-negotiable for a modern country. Summarize the personal and generational risks. Final Thought/Call to Action (Engaging): End with a direct question to the peers, opening up the comments for debate (e.g., "What does 'contribute more' even mean? Drop your thoughts below. Let's keep this conversation going!").

Question 4

Use an appropriate text type from the options below the task you choose. Write 450 to 600 words.

Your city council recently announced a plan to develop an old, traditional part of the city to be more modern and attractive. This proposal has generated a lot of discussion, and you want to share your views with the general public. Write a text in which you describe the city council’s plans, explain how this would impact your city, and give your opinion on it.

Letter to the Editor

Article

Email

Answer keys:

The three required elements of the task are (i) to describe the city council's plans, (ii) to explain how this would impact the city, and (iii) to give their opinion on it. (Equal weight does not have to be given to all three elements, but all should be given some developed attention.)

The description of the plan must be relevant to developing an old, traditional part of the city. A broad interpretation of the word "traditional" should be accepted.
The opinion given may be on the plan itself, on the impact on the city, or both.
The impact on the city as well as the opinion expressed in the response may be positive, negative, or balanced.

Choice of text:

	Text type & Its convention	Rationale
Appropriate	Letter to the Editor appropriate opening and closing salutations reference to the original article/issue raised interesting and engaging style	This text type is suitable for raising awareness about an issue of concern to the writer and members of the public, and expressing the writer’s personal opinion on it.
Generally appropriate	Article relevant headline/title introduction intended to catch the readers’ attention techniques that engage and interest readers, e.g. direct address	This text type is suitable for raising awareness amongst the public, but less suited to communicating personal opinion. The choice may be considered “appropriate” if opinion is presented in a way that is relevant and of interest to the general public.
Generally inappropriate	Email clear sense of address to a specific person statement of Subject in the heading appropriate opening and closing salutations	This text type is typically used to communicate with an individual or a small group of people. It is usually not used to communicate with a mass audience, such as the general public. The choice may be considered “generally appropriate” if the audience is made clear (e.g. it is addressed to the writer´s “fellow citizens”)

Register and tone:

Semi-formal to formal register
Polite, persuasive, and informative tone

Sample answer (detailed outline):

Title	To: [Name/Title of their contact] From: [Your name and address] Date: [Current Date] Subject: Briefly share your idea on what you want to discuss
Introduction	Salutation: To the Editor, introduce yourself Topic Hook: Immediately address the City Council’s recently unveiled "Project Renaissance" for the [Name of Traditional Area/Old Town]. Core Stance: Acknowledge the need for city growth, but immediately state the central concern: Modernity and attractiveness must not come at the expense of our city's soul and history. Thesis: The current proposal is economically attractive but culturally destructive, and we must seek a balanced alternative.
Body 1	Main point 1: Describing the plan Concise details the plan's specific actions relevant to the traditional area. Architectural Overhaul: Describe the shift from traditional, low-rise buildings to high-density, glass-and-steel commercial centers. Mention the mandatory replacement or modernization of historical facades. Functional Change: Highlight the conversion of key traditional spaces (e.g., the 19th-century public market) into high-tech "innovation hubs" or luxury units, effectively removing the area’s historic function as a local gathering space. Council's Justification: Briefly summarize the promised economic benefits (jobs, tax revenue) as the reason for this level of transformation.
Body 2	Main point 2: Analyzing the impact Positive Acknowledgment: Grant that the plan will attract investment and improve transportation, which are essential for future viability. The Critical Impact: Argue that the primary impact will be twofold and profoundly negative: Cultural Loss: The aesthetic homogenization will lead to the irreversible erosion of the city's unique, traditional identity. Our history is housed in those structures, and without them, we would be any other modern city. Community Displacement: The impact of increased property values will be the social displacement of long-standing residents and crucial independent, small businesses that define the area's character.
Body 3	Main point 3: Expressing opinion (This section should be written according to the ideas that were shared in the second section.) Positive side: Improve residents’ lives through tourist attractions, investments in the area Urging the urbanization of the area, increasing the living conditions for its people Negative side: not sustainable growth merely replacement. The plan’s vision is unbalanced, prioritizing financial returns over the preservation of a living, traditional community.
Conclusion	*Proposal for Compromise:* Urge the City Council to revise the plan to incorporate genuine preservation, not just cosmetic nods to history. *Call to Action:* Encourage the general public to demand transparency and dialogue before any foundational historical element of the city is irrevocably altered. *Formal Closing:* Sincerely, / Respectfully, *Sign-off:* [Your Name and Title, e.g., Concerned Citizen / Class President, [School Name]]

Question 5

No exams, no uniform and no football team: Inside the best school in the world

Welcome to High Tech High, where classes are just as likely to be making skateboards as studying maths, yet 95% go on to university.

A group of casually dressed teenagers are chattering about their upcoming lessons. The walls around them are hung with artwork. Subject boundaries are fluid. Maths and physics are taught as one. English and history share time. An art and physics scheme resulted in a school full of life-size wooden staircases which led nowhere.

High Tech High has achieved fame thanks to a documentary called Most Likely To Succeed, which showed the life of the school and has been screened around the world.

At this school, written exams have been replaced by projects that are displayed to an audience of parents, alumni and locals. The teens don’t carry satchels of books and the corridors are locker-free. But everywhere there’s an air of purpose and good fortune.

This is a school that gets results for its pupils. Pupils are not elite: 15% have special educational needs, 50% are low-income and 44% of the graduates are the first in their family to go on to higher education.

High Tech High was envisioned by Larry Rosenstock, who rethought schooling for the 21st century. He looked at all the elements of a child’s education and he posed the question: How can a system of education that was set up to produce workers for the factories of the 19th and 20th century be relevant to young people today?

In previous generations, workers sat in rows in offices or stood in line by conveyor belts*. They needed to learn discipline, patience and an understanding of hierarchy. In the 21st century, employment already looks quite different. With less job security and a fast-changing job market, workers need to learn flexibility, resilience and teamwork. In addition to academic skills, there will also be more focus on technology, politics and language.

The school teaches children aged 14–18. The youngest and most senior years share the ground floor, with the elders acting as positive role models for the newbies.

The school’s approach to teaching and learning reflects Rosenstock’s approach. He discovered that if children made things as they learnt, their comprehension of the topic was improved. Deeper learning is based on encouraging critical thinking, learning to collaborate, and effective presentation skills.

*conveyor belts: a continuously moving strip of rubber or metal which is used in factories for moving objects along

Question

Choose an appropriate ending from the list that completes each sentence.

1. Some subjects at High Tech High are…	A. taught by alumni. B. praised by many famous people. C. graded by other students. D. taught in the same lesson. E. used instead of written assessments. F. organized by subject. G. not needed by students. H. featured in a programme worldwide.
2. The school became famous when it was…
3. In this school, projects are…
4. At this school, reading materials are…

Choose the correct answer.
5. According to the text, half of the students at High Tech High…
A. have specific learning difficulties.
B. get excellent results in their exams.
C. have parents who attended university.
D. are economically underprivileged.

6. High Tech High was created to reflect…
A. the needs of the job market in the 20th century.
B. the approach to education in the 20th century.
C. the needs of students in the 21st century.
D. the approach to work in the 19th century.

Find the words that complete the following sentences. Answer using the words as they appear in paragraphs 7–9.
7. In the past, workers needed attributes such as…
8. These days, employees need to be more adaptable as there is…
9. The less experienced students are led by the example of those in the…
10. Rosenstock found that students’ understanding of a topic was better when they…
11. When focusing on the development of certain key skills, children can acquire...

Choose the correct answer.
12. The main aim of this text is to…
A. advertise High Tech High.
B. show a new trend in high school education.
C. criticize traditional teaching methods.
D. encourage students to learn in a different way

Answer key

1. D. taught in the same lesson

Text evidence: “Subject boundaries are fluid. Maths and physics are taught as one. English and history share time.”
Explanation: Subjects are combined, therefore taught in the same lesson.

2. H. featured in a programme worldwide

Text evidence: “High Tech High has achieved fame thanks to a documentary… screened around the world.”
Explanation: The school became famous because it was shown worldwide.

3. E. used instead of written assessments

Text evidence: “Written exams have been replaced by projects…”
Explanation: This clearly shows that projects substitute exams, so they are used instead of written assessments.

4. G. not needed by students

Text evidence: “The teens don’t carry satchels of books…”
Explanation: Students are not carrying traditional textbooks → implies they are not needed.

Why others are incorrect:

A. taught by alumni – Not related.
B. praised by famous people – Not mentioned.
C. graded by other students – Not relevant.
F. organized by subject. – False and unrelated.

5. D. are economically underprivileged

Evidence: “50% are low-income”
Explanation: “Low-income” means economically underprivileged.

Why others are incorrect:

A have specific learning difficulties – Only 15%.
B get excellent results in their exams – They don’t have exams.
C have parents who attended university – Opposite: 44% are first-generation college students.

6. C. the needs of students in the 21st century

Text Evidence: “He rethought schooling for the 21st century.” “How can a system… from the 19th/20th century be relevant today?”
Explanation: This means High Tech High was created to match what modern (21st-century) students need, not old education approaches.

Why others are incorrect:

A. the needs of the job market in the 20th century – Opposite; the 20th-century model is outdated.
B. the approach to education in the 20th century – The school rejects 20th-century schooling.
D. the approach to work in the 19th century – Incorrect century + outdated.

7. Target answer: discipline, patience and an understanding of hierarchy

Text Evidence: “They needed to learn discipline, patience and an understanding of hierarchy.”
Explanation: the attributes are discipline, patience and an understanding of hierarchy.

8. Target answer: less job security and a fast-changing job market

Text Evidence: “With less job security and a fast-changing job market, workers need to learn flexibility, resilience and teamwork.”
Explanation: These conditions explain why employees need to be adaptable.

9. Target answer: (most) senior years

Do not accept: senior year
Text Evidence: “The youngest and most senior years share the ground floor, with the elders acting as positive role models…”
Explanation: The “elders” guiding the younger students = senior years.

10. Target answer: made things (as they learnt)

Text Evidence: “He discovered that if children made things as they learnt, their comprehension… improved.”
Explanation: This directly states what improved understanding.

11. Target answer: deeper learning

Text Evidence: “Deeper learning is based on encouraging critical thinking, learning to collaborate, and effective presentation skills.”
Explanation: The text explains that deeper learning is what results from the development of certain key skills (critical thinking, learning to collaborate, and effective presentation skills).

12. B. show a new trend in high school education

Explanation: The text describes, explains, and illustrates an innovative school model that breaks traditional boundaries.

Why others are incorrect:

A. advertise – The tone is informative, not promotional.
C. criticize – It mentions old problems but does not mainly criticize.
D. encourage students to learn differently – The text targets readers in general, not students. It describes what the school does rather than giving advice.

Question 6

Useful diet tips on the road to recovery

In a healthy-eating workshop session at a patient support centre in Hong Kong, about 20 people listen attentively as a dietitian explains the benefits of a vegetarian lifestyle. The participants, many of whom have recovered from cancer, are also given tips on how to get all the nutrients they need if they adopt a meat-free approach.

The gathering is one of the highlights of a wellness programme set up by Maggie’s Cancer Caring Centre. Helen Lui, who runs the charity, said it was important to make sure patients got enough nutrients during and after their treatment. Under the theme “Eating Well”, an array of activities have been staged at the organisation’s specially-designed centre, all aimed at helping patients better equip themselves for the challenges of their illnesses. “As well as talks on nutrition, since body conditions among patients vary, we also carry out diet assessment for individuals and make specific recommendations to them,” Lui said.

Dietitian Sally Poon, who losted the healthy-eating workshop, said demand for one-onone diet assessment was huge. When designing personal diet plans for patients, Poon sometimes had to address their concerns about widely-believed food myths, which prompted many to avoid certain ingredients. “I explain to them whether these food myths are substantiated by scientific evidence,” she said. “It’s important for patients to eat enough calories. We don’t normally encourage them to quit any particular type of food.”

Mok Chun-keung, 66, sought advice from the diet expert to deal with his digestive problems. The retiree stopped eating meat after being diagnosed with cancer about two years ago. “I just ate vegetables,” Mok said. He is thankful that Poon has helped him to balance his diet.

The centre was founded by Maggie Jencks, who had first-hand experience of living with cancer. She used this to create a blueprint for a new type of care. The philanthropist saw the need for a welcoming place away from a hospital, where patients, their families and friends could go for support.

The first Maggie’s Centre opened in Edinburgh in 1996, a year after her death. In 2008, the charity opened a temporary centre in Hong Kong, which was relocated five years later to its present address, in a building designed by architect Frank Gehry.

Question
Answer the following questions.
1. What is the main focus of the healthy-eating workshop?
2. When is nourishing food particularly vital for patients?
3. Why are individual diet evaluations and recommendations needed?
Find the word or phrase in paragraphs 1-3 which means the following:
4. presented
5. caused
6. supported

To whom or to what do the underlined words refer? Answer using words as they appear in the text.
7. all aimed at helping… (paragraph 2)
8. encourage them to quit… (paragraph 3)
9. advice from the diet expert… (paragraph 3)
10. She used this to create… (paragraph 4)

Choose the correct answer.
11. Maggie Jencks…
A. formed the idea for the caring centres.
B. created the need for the caring centres.
C. built the first of the caring centres.
D. ran the best of the caring centres.

12. Maggie Jencks hoped that her centre would be…
A. located inside a hospital.
B. supported by her family and friends.
C. welcoming to philanthropists.
D. helpful to patients and their loved ones.

13. The main purpose of the text is…
A. to discuss the benefits of healthy eating.
B. to report on the work of the caring centre.
C. to promote the next workshop activity.
D. to inform the reader about Maggie Jencks.

Answer

1. Target answer: (explains) the benefits of a vegetarian lifestyle

Accept: Other wording with same meaning e.g.: “…vegetarian diet”. “Benefits” is needed for the mark.
Do not accept: tips on how to get all the nutrients they need…. Target answer with “promote” instead of “explain”.

Text evidence: “a dietitian explains the benefits of a vegetarian lifestyle.”
Explanation: This is exactly what the workshop session teaches.

2. Target answer: during and after treatment

Accept: Other wording with same meaning. Both “during” and “after” are needed for the mark.

Text evidence: “important to make sure patients got enough nutrients during and after their treatment.”
Explanation: nourishing food is important during and after treatment.

3. Target answer: (since) body conditions among patients vary

Accept: Other wording with same meaning

Text evidence: “since body conditions among patients vary, we also carry out diet assessment… and make specific recommendations.”
Explanation: The text directly provides the reason why evaluations and recommendations are needed.

4. Target answer: hosted/staged

Text evidence: “an array of activities have been staged at the organisation’s centre”; “Dietitian Sally Poon, who hosted the healthy-eating workshop”
Explanation: Both words describe presenting activities.

5. Target answer: prompted

Text evidence: “…food myths, which prompted many to avoid certain ingredients.”
Explanation: “Prompted” means “caused.”

6. Target answer: substantiated

Text evidence: “I explain… whether these food myths are substantiated by scientific evidence.”
Explanation: “Substantiated by evidence” = supported by evidence.

7. Target answer: (an array of) the activities

Text evidence: “an array of activities… all aimed at helping patients…”
Explanation: “All” refers to the activities.

8. Target answer: patients

Text evidence: “It’s important for patients to eat enough calories. We don’t normally encourage them to quit any particular type of food.”
Explanation: “Them” refers to the patients Poon is advising.

9. Target answer: (Dietitian Sally) Poon

Text evidence: “Mok… sought advice from the diet expert…”...”He is thankful that Poon has helped him to balance his diet.”
Explanation: The “diet expert” is Poon.

10. Target answer: first-hand experience (of living with cancer)

Accept: experience of living with cancer / living with cancer
Do not accept: a first-hand experience

Text evidence: “The centre was founded by Maggie Jencks, who had first-hand experience of living with cancer. She used this to create a blueprint for a new type of care.”
Explanation: “This” refers to “Maggie Jencks, who had first-hand experience of living with cancer.”

11. A. formed the idea for the caring centres.

Text evidence: “She used this to create a blueprint for a new type of care.”
Explanation: A “blueprint” = conceptual origin.

Why others are incorrect:

B. created the need for the caring centres. → No, she responded to a need.
C. built the first of the caring centres. → It opened after her death.
D. ran the best of the caring centres→ She died before it opened; no comparison of “best.”

12. D. helpful to patients and their loved ones.

Text evidence: “a welcoming place… where patients, their families and friends could go for support.”
Explanation: A welcoming place = her centre / helpful to patients and their loved ones = patients families and friends could go for support.

Why others are incorrect:

A. located inside a hospital.→ She wanted it away from hospitals.
B. supported by her family and friends → Misinterprets the phrase; she wanted to support patients’ families, not be supported by them.
C. welcoming to philanthropists → No mention.

13. B. to report on the work of the caring centre

Explanation: The entire article describes: Healthy-eating workshops, Services provided, Individual assessments, Origins of Maggie’s Centre, Its development in Hong Kong → This is reporting on the centre’s work.

Why others are incorrect:

A. Discuss benefits of healthy eating → Only part of the text; not the main purpose.
C. Promote the next workshop → No advertising language or future dates.
D. Inform about Maggie Jencks → She appears, but not the focus.

Question 7

An extract from Exit West

The next day, at work, Saeed found himself unable to stop thinking of Nadia. Saeed’s employer was an agency that specialised in the placement of outdoor advertising. They owned billboards all around the city, rented others, and struck deals for further space with the likes of bus lines, sports stadiums and proprietors of tall buildings.

The agency occupied both floors of a converted townhouse and had over a dozen employees. Saeed was among the most junior, but his boss liked him and had tasked him with turning around a pitch to a local soap company that had to go out by email before five. Normally Saeed tried to do copious amounts of online research and customise his presentations as much as possible. “It’s not a story if it doesn’t have an audience,” his boss was fond of saying, and for Saeed this meant trying to show a client that his firm truly understood their business, could really get under their skin and see things from their point of view.

But today, even though the pitch was important – every pitch was important: the economy was sluggish from mounting unrest and one of the first costs clients seemed to want to cut was outdoor advertising – Saeed couldn’t focus. A large tree, overgrown and untrimmed, reared up from the tiny back lawn of his firm’s townhouse, blocking out the sunlight in such a manner that the back lawn had been reduced mostly to dirt and a few wisps of grass, interspersed with a morning’s worth of cigarette butts, for his boss had banned people from smoking indoors, and atop this tree Saeed had spotted a hawk constructing its nest. It worked tirelessly. Sometimes it floated at eye level, almost stationary in the wind, and then, with the tiniest movement of a wing, or even of the upturned feathers at one wingtip, it veered.

Saeed thought of Nadia and watched the hawk.

When he was at last running out of time he scrambled to prepare the pitch, copying and pasting from others he had done before. Only a smattering of the images he selected had anything particularly to do with soap. He took a draft to his boss and suppressed a wince while sliding it over.

But his boss seemed preoccupied and didn’t notice. He just jotted some minor edits on the printout, handed it back to Saeed with a wistful smile, and said, “Send it out.”

Something about his expression made Saeed feel sorry for him. He wished he had done a better job.

Question

Answer the following questions.
1. What is the defining feature of the work that Saeed’s employers undertake?
2. Which phrase in paragraphs 1-2 suggests that the company was negotiating an expansion of its operations?
3. What was the urgent task Saeed needed to complete before the end of the day?

Choose the correct answer. (paragraph 2)
3. Saeed liked to “customise his presentations”. This tells us that he…
A. wanted to show his clients the creativity in his work.
B. produced work to be sent to overseas clients.
C. produced work to meet the needs of the client.
D. used an established formula to produce his work.

4. What is Saeed’s interpretation of his boss’s advice, “It’s not a story if it doesn’t have an audience”?
A. The storyteller must hope that the audience pays attention to the story.
B. The audience will only pay attention when the story is relevant to them.
C. The storyteller should not just tell the audience what they want to hear.
D. The audience will not listen to a story unless the story is imaginative.

5. Saeed liked to “really get under their skin”. This suggests that his approach involved understanding…
A. how the public felt about the client’s company.
B. the financial health of the client’s company.
C. the way the client’s company was managed.
D. how the client’s company felt about itself.

Find the word or phrase in paragraph 3 which means the following:
7. increasing
8. alternating
9. without moving
10. changed direction

Find the words that complete the following sentences. Answer using the words as they appear in paragraphs 4-7.
11. As the deadline approached, Saeed had to use some of his previous ideas because…
12. Saeed knew the visual content of his work was substandard so he…
13. Before returning the draft pitch to Saeed, his boss first…

Choose the correct answer.
14. Why hasn’t Saeed “done a better job” with the task that his boss has given him to do?
A. He thinks the task is not very important.
B. He does not care about his boss’s opinion.
C. He has spent his time at work daydreaming.
D. He has no talent for creating advertisements.

Answer

1. Target answer: (specialised in the) placement of outdoor advertising

Accept:
Other words with the same meaning.
The focus on “placement” and “outdoor” must be included.

Do not accept:
“outdoor advertising” without “placement”
“placement of advertising” without “outdoor”
Answers with the addition of “an agency”
“they owned billboards all around the city...” as an addition, or on its own

Text evidence: “Saeed’s employer was an agency that specialised in the placement of outdoor advertising.”
Explanation: The sentence directly states what the company does.

2. Target answer: struck deals for further space
Accept:
Other words with the same meaning.
The focus on “struck deals” and “for further space” must be included.
Do not accept
“struck deals” without “for further space”
Answers with the addition of “with the likes of… buildings”

Text evidence: “They … struck deals for further space with the likes of bus lines…”
Explanation: “Struck deals” = negotiated agreements. “Further space” = expanding their advertising locations.

3. Target answer: (turning around) a pitch to a local soap company
Accept:
Other words with the same meaning.
“a pitch to a local soap company by email/before five”
Do not accept:
“an email that had to go out before five” on its own
Answers without both “local” and “soap”

Text evidence: “tasked him with turning around a pitch to a local soap company that had to go out by email before five.”
Explanation: “Saeed needed to finish the pitch before 5” is explicitly stated.

4. C. produced work to meet the needs of the client.

Text evidence: “Saeed … customise his presentations … trying to show a client that his firm truly understood their business … see things from their point of view.”
Explanation: He adapts each presentation to the client’s perspective.

Why others are incorrect

A. wanted to show his clients the creativity in his work.– not mentioned.
B. produced work to be sent to overseas clients. – not stated.
D. used an established formula to produce his work – opposite of customised work.

5. B. The audience will only pay attention when the story is relevant to them.

Text evidence: “show a client that his firm truly understood their business… see things from their point of view.”
Explanation: Relevance = understanding the client’s viewpoint.

Why others are incorrect

A. The storyteller must hope that the audience pays attention to the story – too general.
C. The storyteller should not just tell the audience what they want to hear – not implied.
D. The audience will not listen to a story unless the story is imaginative – irrelevant.

6. D. how the client’s company felt about itself.

Text evidence: “see things from their point of view.”
Explanation: Understanding their point of view = understanding how they see themselves.

Why others are incorrect

A. how the public felt about the client’s company – irrelevant.
B. the financial health of the client’s company – not mentioned.
C. the way the client’s company was managed. – not mentioned.

7. Target answer: mounting

Text evidence: “economy was sluggish from mounting unrest”
Explanation: “Mounting” means growing or increasing, which matches the required meaning.

8. Target answer: interspersed

Text evidence: “…dirt and a few wisps of grass, interspersed with a morning’s worth of cigarette butts…”
Explanation: Interspersed = scattered between / occurring alternately.

9. Target answer: stationary

Text evidence: “…sometimes it floated at eye level, almost stationary in the wind…”
Explanation: “Stationary” means not moving.

10. Target answer: veered

Text evidence: “…with the tiniest movement… it veered.”
Explanation: “Veered” means turned or changed direction.

11. Target answer: he was at last running out of time

Text evidence: “When he was at last running out of time he scrambled to prepare the pitch, copying and pasting…”
Explanation: The sentence explicitly states that due to a lack of time, he used work from previous pitches.

12. Target answer: suppressed a wince (while sliding it over)

Text evidence: “He … suppressed a wince while sliding it over.”
Explanation: A “wince” shows embarrassment or discomfort → he knows it is bad work.

13. Target answer: (just) jotted some minor edits (on the printout)

Text evidence: “He just jotted some minor edits on the printout…”
Explanation: The boss made quick notes (edits) before returning it.

14. C. He has spent his time at work daydreaming.

Text evidence: “Saeed found himself unable to stop thinking of Nadia.” ”Saeed thought of Nadia and watched the hawk.” “He couldn’t focus.”
Explanation: His distraction caused poor performance.

Why others are incorrect

A. He thinks the task is not very important. → text says “the pitch was important.”
B. He does not care about his boss’s opinion. → he wished he had done a better job.
D. He has no talent for creating advertisements.→ normally he prepares detailed, well-researched pitches.