Question 3 Model Answer: Journal (Cambridge (CIE) IGCSE English Language)
Revision Note
Written by: Deb Orrock
Reviewed by: Kate Lee
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.
Unannotated model answer
Model answer: As we are now well on our way home, I have time to sit and reflect on the adventure we had and what I’ve learnt from the experience. Despite the fact it was low season, we were all so excited to be cycling through what promised to be an incredible landscape, and we felt well prepared with all of our wet weather gear. I quickly realised that this trip was not going to be easy, as we had only just reached the top of a mountain pass when hailstones started falling! I normally love the thrill of a descent after a gruelling climb, but it was so cold I lost the feeling in my hands, which made it really hard to control the bike; the terrain turned into something truly terrifying. I cannot describe how relieved I felt when we finally entered Colquepata and we were told we were only 40 minutes downhill to Paucartambo. It wasn’t 40 minutes; it was over two hours, but at least the roads were smooth and it started to feel fun. I began to get a sense of daily life in this part of Peru as we passed farmland and animals returning home at the end of the day. Paucartambo itself was so picturesque and I started to feel more excited again about what else we would get to see. That first day felt tough, especially with another downpour again at midnight and a flat tyre to deal with. However, my feelings totally changed as we progressed further into the warmth of the jungle. The heady scents and humid air were like a tonic to the high Andes climate, and the nature around us was just stunning; I don’t think I will ever forget cycling in a haze of butterflies. It was like being in a cartoon, and this experience really made me appreciate the sublime beauty of nature. While I was a bit disappointed at first to find out we had to wait a couple of days for a bus out of Pilcopata, this turned out to be an unexpected bonus as it allowed us to really immerse ourselves in Peruvian life and talk to some of the locals. It really made me think about how we rush about all of the time at home, sticking to our schedules; we’ve probably lost the art of just having a conversation. Nobody is in a hurry in the heat of the jungle, and time makes people more open to talking. I was especially surprised to find out how little money from tourism actually reaches the people of the town. If I have taken anything from this journey, it is definitely to be more environmentally aware of the impact of our actions as tourists, and to buy local and eat local when travelling in order to put money directly back into the economy where it matters. Despite some of the journey being astonishingly tough, and I don’t think I have ever been so wet and utterly exhausted. I’m so glad I did it as I feel as though I have grown as a person, not only through working as part of a team, but also mentally and emotionally by learning more about a part of the world I had such little understanding of. |
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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