Question 3 Model Answer: Report (Cambridge (CIE) IGCSE English Language) : Revision Note
Question 3 Model Answer: Report
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 report. The task itself is taken from a past exam paper.
Text and question
The following text is about a narrator and his friend, Royer, going on a fishing trip together.
Question:
Report model answer
Based on the above question, the following model answer is an example of a full-mark report response:
Worked Example
Earlier today, two men had to be airlifted to safety after a fun fishing trip took an unexpected turn recently at White Cap River. The pair had not been fishing together for years, and were clearly hoping for a real-life adventure at the setting of one of their favourite childhood stories. Leaving their responsibilities behind, the friends decided to catch up over the long drive in a soft-top sports car. The mountain road famously offers impressive views of the valley below, before descending down into the National Forest. The employee of a local fishing tackle shop recalls meeting the pair when they stopped to check their directions, and was surprised they were not in a four-wheel drive vehicle.
There seemed to be a distinct lack of planning and preparation from the pair, who thought that all they needed was a faded atlas, a rod and a fishing reel. It also turned out that the old friends did not know each other as well as they thought, as Royer, the driver, has a phobia of heights. The narrow road proved too much for him, and both men ended up spending the last of the daylight and their fuel searching for a less dangerous route down to the river.
Realising that he hadn't seen the men's car return, the fishing shop employee contacted emergency services. The steep sides and depth of the canyon meant that, if they had gotten stuck, it would have been impossible for them to get back up for help. The mountain rescue team quickly located the men by the river, having spent a cold and sleepless night in their car without blankets or food. Surprisingly, they were in the process of inflating a second-hand dinghy to foolishly tackle the stormy river. The men seemed unfazed by their ordeal, however, although they did accept they would need to be better prepared next time.
Commentary
The response starts with a newspaper report style introductory sentence, showing awareness of format --- although the response does not explicitly start with the opening line given in the task instructions, the first sentence is appropriate to the form and demonstrates clear understanding of the task and text
The response directly refers to details from the text, with appropriate development
The tone and register are appropriate for a newspaper report
Each bullet point in the question is dealt with in a separate paragraph
The level of formality is appropriate for a newspaper report
The response uses logical inferences made from details in the text
The development is based upon specific details from the text
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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