Question 3 Model Answer: Journal (Cambridge (CIE) IGCSE English Language) : Revision Note
Question 3 Model Answer: Journal
For this task, you will be asked to produce a piece of writing in a particular format, based on what you have read in Text C. You may be asked to write in one of six possible formats (genres):
A letter
A report
A journal entry
A speech
An interview
An article
The following guide will demonstrate how to answer Question 3 in the format of a journal. The task itself is taken from a past exam paper.
Text C and Question 3
The following example of Text C is about a travel specialist who goes on a cycling journey across the Andes mountain range in South America.
Question:
Question 3 journal model answer
Based on the above question, the following model answer is an example of a full-mark journal response:
Worked Example
As we are now on our way home, I can reflect on our adventure and what I've learned. We were all so excited to be cycling through an incredible landscape, and we felt well prepared with our wet weather gear. I quickly realised that this trip was not going to be easy, as we'd only just reached the top of a mountain pass when hailstones started to fall! I normally love the thrill of a hill descent, but it was so cold I lost feeling in my hands, making it hard to control the bike, and the terrain was truly terrifying. I can't describe how relieved I was when we entered Colquepata and were told it was only 40 minutes downhill to Paucartambo. Well, it wasn't 40 minutes, but at least the roads were smooth and it started to feel fun. I got a real sense of everyday life in Peru, and Paucartambo itself was so picturesque, I started to feel more excited again and what else we would see.
That first day felt tough, especially with another downpour and a flat tyre to deal with. However, my feelings changed as we got further into the jungle. The heady scents and humid air were the complete opposite to the high Andes, and I'll never forget cycling through a haze of butterflies. It was like being in a cartoon! I was a bit disappointed to find out we had to wait a couple of days for a bus out of Pilcopata, but this turned out to be an unexpected bonus as we were able to really immerse ourselves in Peruvian life and talk to the locals. It made me think about how we rush around all the time at home, sticking to schedules and losing the art of conversation. Nobody is in a hurry in the heat of the jungle. I was especially surprised to find out how little money from tourism actually gets to the people of the town. If I've taken away anything from this journey, it's to be more environmentally aware of our actions as tourists, and to buy local when travelling to put money back into the economy.
Even though some of the journey has been really tough, I'm so glad I did it as I feel as though I have grown as a person. I've been able to work as part of a team and learned more about a part of the world I knew very little about.
Commentary
The answer starts clearly in the first person and demonstrates an awareness of the purpose of the task
The response gives a clear and convincing account of the main features of the journey
It uses and develops several ideas, both factual and inferential, from the passage
The response clearly focuses on the writer’s thoughts and feelings
A consistent narrative voice is maintained throughout
It picks up on the references to the understanding of a different way of life and the importance of preserving this and the surrounding environment
The response also demonstrates and develops suggestions about what the writer may have learnt from their journey
Examiner Tips and Tricks
The suggested word count for this task is a guide, and you are not penalised for writing under or over 250-350 words. However, writing too little can mean that your answer does not have enough development or detail. Writing too much can mean that you go off topic and lose focus, which again can be self-penalising. It is therefore a good idea to stick as closely as you can to the word count guidance.
Our model answers are not written in timed, exam conditions. We have therefore shown a range of points that could be included to answer this question, and provided a model you can use to help with the structure of your answer.
You can find further guidance on suggested word counts for CIE here.
Summary
Remember to read the question carefully and highlight:
The instructions (what you have to do)
The focus of each bullet point
Re-read Text C and highlight the relevant information you can use in your answer
Address each bullet point in order:
Make sure you cover all of the bullet points as equally as possible
Base all of your answer on the ideas and details you find in Text C
Decide on the voice and style you want to create and maintain that in your answer
Do not just repeat details of what happened:
You need to develop your ideas to demonstrate understanding
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