Cambridge Assessment International Education
Cambridge International General Certificate of Secondary Education
FIRST LANGUAGE ENGLISH
*5353097288*
0500/12
Paper 1 Reading Passages
Candidates answer on the Question Paper.
Additional Materials: Reading Booklet
Insert
READ THESE INSTRUCTIONS FIRST
Write your centre number, candidate number and name in the spaces provided at the top of this page.
Write in dark blue or black pen.
Do not use staples, paper clips, glue or correction fluid.
DO NOT WRITE IN ANY BARCODES.
Answer all questions in the space provided. If additional space is required, you should use the lined pages at
the end of the booklet. The question number(s) must be clearly shown.
Dictionaries are not permitted.
The Reading Booklet Insert contains the reading passages for use with all questions on the Question Paper.
The Reading Booklet Insert is not assessed by the Examiner.
The number of marks is given in brackets [ ] at the end of each question or part question.
This document consists of 11 printed pages and 1 blank page.
[Turn over
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Read carefully Passage A, On the highway: the Mongolian Car Rally, in the Reading Booklet
Insert and then answer Questions 1 and 2 on this Question Paper.
Answer all questions using your own words as far as possible.
Question 1
(a) Reread the first sentence. Give two details that suggest there is a problem with the
Renault car.
The car is in a sad position and the fact that it is at the back of a lorry this suggests that the
car is broken. [2]
(b) Using your own words, explain what impression you get of Boris, the truck driver, in
paragraph 1 (‘After a ...’).
Boris is not polite with people and he is not good at his work as he doesn’t care about the
customers car. [2]
(c) Give the meaning of the underlined words in the following three phrases as the writer uses
them in the passage. Then explain how the phrases help you understand the remoteness
of the Gobi Desert.
(i) ‘we made a wrong turn onto a sandy road that stretched interminably towards a hazy
horizon.’ (lines 11–12)
Meaning of the underlined word as the writer uses it: This means that it doesn’t end
[1]
(ii) Explanation of the whole phrase:
This means that the surrounding is a complete desert with no infrastructure to be seen.
Th roads do not come to an end neither can they be seen clearly. [2]
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(iii) ‘we were lost in the brooding wasteland of the Gobi Desert’ (lines 12–13)
Meaning of the underlined word as the writer uses it: Horrified
[1]
(iv) Explanation of the whole phrase:
The place feels like it was abandoned by society and even animals, it now just sits
there doing people no good. [2]
(v) ‘a stony and inhospitable place rutted and scarred by ancient tracks and
pathways.’ (lines 13–14)
Meaning of the underlined word as the writer uses it: Open to danger
[1]
(vi) Explanation of the whole phrase:
The place is rocky, and no one is to be seen. The roads are destroyed which make it
harder to move around. [2]
(d) Reread paragraph 4 (‘The Americans ...’). Give two details that might concern the writer
about spending the night camping in the desert.
The harsh weather
Dangerous animals like snakes and scorpions
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(e) Reread paragraph 6 (‘I tried ...’) and paragraph 7 (‘By nightfall ...’). What three changes
have to be made to the car when the writer reaches Bayankhongor?
• Adding an exhaust system
• Shock absorbers
• Repairing the front suspension [3]
(f) Using your own words, explain what the writer means when they describe other drivers
on the rally ‘leaving a trail of pandemonium behind them.’ (lines 38–39).
The other drivers were leaving a mess behind them creating pollution. [2]
[Total: 20]
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Question 2
Imagine you are the narrator of the events in Passage A. When you return home you are invited to
write an article for a car magazine giving advice to possible entrants for the rally.
Write your magazine article.
In your magazine article you should cover the following:
• the preparations someone should make for their journey
• the dangers competitors face on the rally
• the benefits of taking part.
Base your ideas on what you have read in Passage A, but do not copy from it. Be careful to use your
own words. Address each of the three bullet points.
Begin your magazine article: ‘If you want to participate in the Mongolian Car Rally ...’
Write about 200 to 300 words.
Up to 10 marks are available for the content of your answer, and up to 5 marks for the quality of
your writing.
If you want to participate in the Mongolian Car Rally you can’t just show up empty-
headed, a lot of effort and preparation is to be done. Not only are there many threats
along the way, but this journey tests one’s capability of survival and endurance. Do
you think you can accomplish this tough challenge? Gladly I had a chance to
experience this exquisite once- in-a-lifetime offer, so do listen carefully as this can be
a situation between life and death.
First and foremost, a strong car that will carry you along the terrifying mountains of
Mongolia. My team and I had suffered a lot once we realized that our car was doing
us no good. 17 hours in the journey and our car had already been shredded into
pieces. The exhaust system had completely been demolished, the front suspension
had given up and dents had covered our tiny car. If you are looking for a masterpiece
of a ride, then I strongly suggest buying a Nissan Micra, it does the job brilliantly.
Thankfully we had found a group of Americans that helped us along the way.
Furthermore, you mustn’t take more than what is needed. We loaded a bunch of
watermelons into our car and the next thing you know the bonnet of the car had been
bent. Not only that but it is important to understand the location of where you are
headed. I suggest you find the best route beforehand, this way you won’t wander
around in the middle of the Gobi Desert just like we did. And make sure you have
money always equipped on you; it can come in handy.
Moreover, you may come across many difficulties during this journey, it is indeed a
long and strenuous ride so be prepared for the worst. Be careful to stay on your track
because one wrong turn may be the last decision of your life. In addition, ensure that
your car is fit enough for the journey. Rough terrains and scattered pathways may
annihilate your beautiful car. Always be ready to spend the night on the rocky crust,
not only that but be on the lookout for hazardous animals such as scorpions and
snakes, one deadly bite and you’ll be buried to the ground. You may also face harsh
climates in the Gobi Desert, a cold shock to your body is enough for you to quit this
challenge.
Overall, this experience is unique and done only by those who like to live their life on
the edge. This is your time to prove anyone who doubted you along the way wrong.
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Anyone who is up for a real challenge, I suggest you give it a shot. It’s nothing like
taking a walk to the forest. It teaches you many things, most importantly is to not take
your life for granted. I assure you; you will feel spectacular once you cross the finish
line, its nothing like you ever felt before. The feeling of victory and success is
everlasting. That is if you make it out alive.
[15]
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Read carefully Passage B, Why hot-air ballooning is Richard Branson’s favourite way to
travel, in the Reading Booklet Insert and then answer Question 3(a) and (b) on this
Question Paper.
Question 3
Answer the questions in the order set.
(a) Notes
What do you learn about what Richard Branson achieved and the problems he faced
while hot-air ballooning, according to Passage B?
Write your answers using short notes. Write one point per line.
You do not need to use your own words.
Up to 10 marks are available for the content of your answer.
What Richard Branson achieved and the problems he faced while hot-air ballooning:
1 First person to ever fly a balloon in a jet stream
2 he reached a speed of 390 kph
3 He passed Mount Everest
4 he crossed the pacific in a hot air balloon
5 The balloon shot across to the Canadian arctic
6 He was held hostage
7 lost 2/3 of the fuel
8 The balloon ejection system failed
9 balloons rocketed to 1200 meters above sea level
10 repeatedly got dipped into the water [10]
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(b) Summary
Now use your notes to write a summary of what Passage B tells you about what Richard
Branson achieved and the problems he faced while hot-air ballooning.
You must use continuous writing (not note form) and use your own words as far as
possible. Your summary should not be more than 150 words.
Up to 5 marks are available for the quality of your writing.
[5]
Richard Branson had several mind-blowing experiences. They all consisted of
achievements and dangers. The astonishing record for the first person to fly a
balloon in a jet stream was made by Richard. Furthermore, Richard was the
one who traveled along the pacific using a hot air balloon. Not only that but the
balloon travelled across the Canadian arctic breaking a world record for the
fastest speed travelled which was 390 kph. In addition, he crossed the
Himalayas travelling across Mount Everest and K2.
Along with the achievement, Richard faced difficulties. The ejection
mechanism for the balloon failed as he was trying to fly the balloon in the jet
stream. He was constantly submerged into the water. To make matters even
worse, the balloon flew 1200 meters. He also lost 2/3 of his fuel when
attempting. Furthermore, he was held hostage when he crashed landed in the
Sahara.
[Total: 15]
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Additional Page
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© UCLES 2019 06_0500_12_2019_1.17
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To avoid the issue of disclosure of answer-related information to candidates, all copyright acknowledgements are reproduced online in the Cambridge
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at www.cambridgeinternational.org after the live examination series.
Cambridge Assessment International Education is part of the Cambridge Assessment Group. Cambridge Assessment is the brand name of the University of
Cambridge Local Examinations Syndicate (UCLES), which itself is a department of the University of Cambridge.
© UCLES 2019 06_0500_12_2019_1.17
