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LANGUAGE (0500)
SUMMARIZED NOTES ON THE MODEL ANSWERS SYLLABUS
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tongue as a shower of blood came in contact with the rain

and dispersed into the surroundings. With a driverless
1. Descriptive Coursework carriage, he had only one choice other than death.
He leaped. He tumbled. He bolted. His fear kept him going.
What was going to happen to him next? He ran as the blades
1.1. Sleepy Hollow
cut him and left mutilations on his unscathed face. His eyes,
The rattle of the rusted wheel across the saturated trail sang not blinking, searched for its next horrendous desire.
in chorus with the thunder in the deafening environment. Thunder continued in the background, a constant reminder
Like a maniac with a gun, the ashen clouds blasted the of terror to the old man. He reached a clearing.
terrain with hefty rain drops, breaking the earth and sending It looked down upon him, a comical figure. It was a great
out eruptions of dust and dirt into the grimy air. The horses contrast: a skeletal frame with a pumpkin head while the
did not impede in this torture: brought up in such atmosphere was filled with horror and death. The man’s
surroundings since they were foals, they had hardened to amusement didn’t last long. He noticed how the figure was
sustain this pain. not looking straight at him, but behind him. Realization hit.
A coat of arms inscribed onto the carriage signified the He turned. A glint of metal. The swish of air being sliced.
importance of the mortal it enclosed. The crest, bordered in Strike.
gold, entailed a traditional windmill: a sign of peace and For a moment, a fountain appeared. The gushing blood
harmony which appeared out of place in the horrific setting. soared through the sky. As it sprayed down, it splattered the
He peered through the murky window; a white and ghastly head of the scarecrow disfiguring his face into a confusion of
face that had lost interest in the world. His luxuriant clothing black ink. The life seeped through the man as the heart
did not balance out with his unnatural deathly composure. continued to pump blood in its last attempts to keep the
His deep grey eyes took in the surroundings but his pursed fountain going. Silence. In the flourishing puddle of scarlet,
lips did not reveal any of his thoughts. The bleached curls of the life of a new plant, lay the unfortunate man. His death
his hair bobbed as the carriage shook with the friction of the had been a quick one but the fear which had filled him in the
rough land. last seconds was of tremendous terrifying terror.
The smoke rose and mist carried across the vista. The man The mist gathered around the body, no one would find him.
slowly swivelled his head to get a better view of the setting. He galloped away in the darkness, a beast with many secrets.
His eyes caught something: against the dark night, there One who could see but couldn’t be seen. One who could kill
appeared to be a bony figure. His arms were outstretched but couldn’t be killed. This was not over – one by one, the
into the depth of the sky, in a motion of one who is praying. human race would be destroyed.
The mist seeped through his stick-like finger as though a man
with superhuman powers. Lightning struck in the
background and illuminated an oversized head lolling to one
2. Discursive Coursework
side. It revealed an unnatural face, distorted in a devilish
fashion with a foreboding grin and petrifying eyes. Who was 2.1. Should Tablet Computers Become
he? What was he doing? Inside the carriage, the old man’s
heart, or what was left of it, froze. He jerked his head back
the Primary Way Students Learn in
and gawked through the window. What he saw astonished Class?
him. He exhaled and regained his self-possession. He had
been frightened by the same deception that birds are scared Technology is advancing at an incalculable rate and people
off with. are getting more and more interactive with the newest forays
Crash. Shudder. Jolt. The carriage trembled as the weather into the depths of binary codes and programming. Life is
worsened. The rain bombarded the roof of the carriage and getting simpler each day with applications and devices that
mysteriously, a breeze blasted through the leather covering revolutionize the way we live. Furthermore, advancements in
and like a hand, wrapped around the wiry neck of the man. technology are saving lives as medicine and surgical
There came the snort of a horse galloping by and the sound procedures are improving exponentially. However, one great
of a sword being drawn. The man finally lost his tranquillity. opportunity for the use of technology that is not being fully
“Driver!” he bellowed. utilized is its adoption into school.
His voice was drowned by an eerie scream. The carriage School and education is the most important part of a
rocked and the man tumbled within it. The rain had turned human’s life. Most of the time, it defines the main personality
crimson. His wrinkled hands finally got a grip and he pulled of that human and also shapes their future. It is therefore
himself up. He hauled his head out of the carriage as the extremely important for schools and other educational
wind grabbed it with an iron hand. What he saw would have institutions to build a system in which not only good quality
traumatized the boldest of soldiers. education is being transmitted but also efficient
His face froze in an expression of horror. His eyes burst out. communication methods are being used so more of the
He screamed. A fountain of blood was left behind from the students are acquiring the skills and knowledge.
hack of a sword. Decapitated. A sour tinge formed in his

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As technology dominates lifestyles, it is not a surprising Citations for Facts and Figures:
statistic when the World Bank says that around 75% of the
world’s population have access to mobile phones. However, http://www.nytimes.com/2013/09/15/magazine/no-child-
it will be an eye-opening fact for most that 94% of high school left-untableted.html
students have used mobile phones in their classes. The http://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation/2013/03/06/am
researchers for this survey go as much as to say that “Based tablet-education/1964389/
on our findings, there is almost no moment during any class http://mashable.com/2011/05/16/tablets-education/
when some pupil isn’t using their cell phone”. This fact is http://www.newswise.com/articles/94-of-high-school-
horrifying for parents and educationalists as it clearly implies students-used-phones-during-class
the lack of concentration of students during their classes. http://www.rferl.org/content/report-says-75-percent-of-
The real question then is how can this be fixed? worlds-population-have-mobile-phones/24648234.html
It is simple enough; we should use the already existent http://blogs.kqed.org/mindshift/2013/09/beyond-the-
enthusiasm in children in a more efficient manner; bring ipad-schools-choices-in-tablets-grow/
tablets into school. A recent study conducted by Harris http://epublishersweekly.blogspot.com/2009/09/ebooks-
Interactive for publisher Pearson showed that 92 percent of save-millions-of-trees-10-ideas.html
children surveyed believe that using a tablet in school will
change how they learn in the future. And 90 percent of
students said using a tablet makes learning more fun. The
3. Response Coursework
survey also found that 44 percent of children are already
using some kind of tablet for learning. 3.1. What Does Peter Wilby Consider to
The main arguments put forward by some teachers and
parents is the fact that they would be a distraction and may
be the Problem of Sport in Schools and
not be used effectively. However, the previous fact about How Does he Create an Impact on the
94% students using mobile phones already constitutes that
students are already being distracted by technology and,
Reader? What is Your Response to the
with or without usage of tablets, this will remain if not rise. Text?
Also, new developments in educational tablets has led to the
creation of softwares which ban applications and websites Wilby believes that sports are given too much importance in
during a class. This technology is available in one of the school. He expresses this fact when he says that he does not
newest educational tablets, Amplify. Amplify has a ‘believe’ that sports have ‘a big’ ‘place in school’. This means
specialized teacher’s tablet that has an app blocker and that sports are being given too much importance in school
monitoring functions that can see and control what is therefore this should be changed and importance should be
happening on the students’ tablets. Another great function is given to the main subjects. School sports are not the place
a one-touch classroom-control. This feature locks the where real talent is developed; Wilby believes that the
students’ screens, replacing whatever was on them with an ‘proper place for children to develop enthusiasm for
eye symbol and the phrase “Eyes on Teacher”. With all these competitive sports is in private clubs’. The main problem with
features already present in the market, these parents and sports in school is primarily the ‘humiliation and indignity’ of
teachers have no right to argue. students who are not as physically able as others. This is
Another important feature of tablets in schools are the mainly due to the ‘rigidities of school timetables and age-
interactive textbooks which are being produced especially for group organization’. It is also very ‘expensive and time-
them. These textbooks are not just text-based anymore; new consuming to organize’ and this affects the education of the
technology has allowed them to become rich with 3D students; more money is spent on sporting equipment and
diagrams, videos and audio. This makes learning much more their teachers rather than focused on important aspects of
attractive to students. Of the students who have started primary subjects such as mathematics and the sciences.
using tablets in school, 73 percent prefer digital textbooks Wilby uses a range of literal and structural technique as well
over the printed. These textbooks also allow students to as specific words to build an effective argument. He
highlight text, take notes in the margin and access a describes the people demanding the return of competitive
dictionary directly within the book itself. Aside from the sports as a ‘chorus’; this word suggests that it is a large group
educational benefits, e-books are saving millions of trees and the idea being expressed is repetitive, the message is
each year and helping the world become more eco-friendly. always the same. Wilby describes their action as ‘demanding’
Overall, I believe that it is high time schools adopt this which is a commanding verb suggesting that they are taking
growing phenomenon and bring tablets into school. The a tough stance and are not negotiating. He includes the sub-
benefits are innumerable and their growing popularity with clause, ‘this, it is argued…’ which changes the tone of the
students’ lifestyles makes it the most attractive device to add article and implies that he is not part of that group.
to the already changing educations of our children. We must Next, Wilby expresses the points which the group had put
take this action in order for our children to succeed further in forward, ‘It would improve performance…create a fitter…and
life, creating a better tomorrow. put an end to…’. After covering the main points of their
argument, Wilby ends with a short sentence, ‘Blair is wrong’.

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This produces an authoritative tone and also deeply impacts

4.1. Question 1
the reader because there is a dramatic pause.
In addition, Wilby uses a semantic field of pain, ‘agony’, Baskerville is the prime location for an escape to nature.
‘humiliation’ and ‘indignity’ to describe the emotions of the
Explorers will enjoy climbing the Belliver and Vixen Tor hills
children who have to take part in competitive sport. This
and view the beautiful landscape it offers from the top.
helps him quickly sum up his main argument and produce
Artists will enjoy sketching the strangely shaped hills. As you
immediate impact on the reader. gaze around the hill, you will see the gentle slopes of the hill
In the third paragraph, Wilby uses an anecdote about the glowing in the evening sun and rare birds flying across the
past of many of the children in the UK describing where and
image of serenity. This will be a great opportunity for bird
how they played sports; ‘narrow back streets of industrial
watchers to settle down and observe the birds in their most
towns…chalked on the wall’. His emotive language draws the
natural habitat. As you observe from the peak, a sense of
emotion of nostalgia in many of the older readers and this calmness and serenity floods you and all the worries of the
makes them more convinced of the argument. He ends the world dissolve. The minimalism of the area, no sound and no
paragraph with hyperbolic language and alliterative phrase,
movement and flowing natural beauty, will inspire creative
‘more precious and more guarded than gold’ to make the
thinkers and relax the stressed. In a cleft of the hills, an avid
argument stronger.
historian would observe a ring of old stone huts. A closer
The end of the third paragraph uses a repetition of the
inspection will reveal that these are the huts that the
power of three technique, ‘crisps, Mars Bars and Big Macs’ Neolithic man inhabited. Your explorer’s instinct will force
and ‘super-fit, muesli-eating, slimline world-beaters’. The
you to follow the well-defined path between large boulders
second power of three also uses a lot of hyperbolic language.
and bushes that will lead you into these ancient huts. Across
This makes the comparison between the food children eat the hills, you will see the two towers of the great Baskerville
and the result parents want even wider. Hall, a mansion representing a past period of architecture
In the fourth paragraph, Wilby uses inclusive language to and design. Just close by the mansion lies the village of
interact with the readers and allow them to understand the
Grimpen; you will feel right at home in the warmth of a pub
extent of the problems. By using a repletion of ‘we’, he is
and the locals would gladly guide you through the simple
blaming the readers and making them feel guilty in order for living style of the area.
them to agree with the argument; ‘we create… we saturate…
we create…’.
He uses facts and figures, for example ’85 percent of 4.2. Question 2
parents…’ which gives him authority and this helps to
persuade the reader into understanding and accepting his a) Doyle describes the sun as ‘already sinking’ which means
idea. These facts and figures are also seen in the fifth the sun was setting however by using a powerful verb such
paragraph when he speaks about major cricketers and rugby as ‘sinking’ implies the movement was fast and therefore
players in the UK who actually began their sporting careers in darkness was approaching quickly. In paragraph 4, the writer
private clubs. metaphorizes the ‘west’ as ‘blazing with scarlet and gold’; by
In the final paragraph, Wilby uses repetition of ‘if’ and ‘let’; ‘if using bright colours to describe this, it implies that the sun
the Prime Minister… let him… If professional clubs… let had caused the west to glow brightly. The colours of scarlet
them… If we want… let us’. He lays out a clear plan which and gold suggest royalty and therefore connote that the sun
moves from one person’s responsibility to collective – ‘him,’ was very powerful. He then describes the reflection as ‘ruddy
‘them’ and finally ‘us’. This shows that he is not willing to patches’ which means the reflection was of reddish light. The
apportion blame to one area and he leaves the reader with effect it produces is of mystery because red light is not
common. Finally, he describes the light produced by the sun
the message of stepping up to the responsibility.
Before reading this article, I would have without a doubt as ‘the golden evening light’. The pathetic fallacy of ‘evening’
agreed to bringing sports back into schools however after produces an effect of calmness and serenity and this is
further implied by the positive words of ‘golden’ and ‘light’.
reading it, I was doubting my previous strong opinion. I
believe that Wilby has discovered and produced many b) The first description of the approach of the stranger is
arguments which are, in fact, quite simple however not ‘sharp clink’. This ringing sound is definitive and helps the
realized by most arguing this issue. Along with these writer produce the effect of sudden movement. ‘Another and
arguments, his usage of literal and structural techniques has yet another’ implies that it is a repetitive sound which
produced a very convincing argument; the facts and emotive produces an effect of tension as you are expecting
language being the most effective. This said, it would not something to happen suddenly. He then says that there was
surprise me if people are completely convinced by his point a ‘long pause’; this contributes in producing the suspense
of view as his article is well structured and has the power to because there is a sudden break in a repetitive pattern. ‘once
manipulate minds. more the footsteps approached’; the return of the repetitive
sound brings again the effect of tension however, after the
long pauses, it suggests that this stranger may have found
4. Summer 2005 Paper 2 something. Finally, the writer says ‘a shadow fell across the
opening’. The fact that there is only a shadow is suspenseful

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because you do not know what the stranger looks like and property. On a party night, it is difficult for us to get to our
produces an effect of mystery. home due to five layers of cars lining the roads.
Secondly, your lavish display of wealth causes us to feel
4.3. Question 3 insecure due to fear of robbery. Your Rolls-Royce is seen
carrying your guests from day to night, acting like an
a) The major land feature Watson observes is the hill and its omnibus rather than the luxury car it should be treated as.
long slopes which were abnormally shaped. All around him, On a Friday, people gather around your house to watch the
the land was barren however in a hill cleft, he observed a five large crates of oranges and lemon being unloaded; not
small circle of stone huts. He also saw pools in the distance only does it make you look wealthy but it also shows the lack
and the marshland of the Great Grimpen Mire. Towards his of thought you have on wasting food. This lavishness is also
west, he observed the two towers of the Baskerville hall and displayed by your classy brass bar stocked with wines older
the village of Grimpen. than many of your guests.
Ramotswe travels through the wide plains of Kalahari. Lining Finally, the noise emitted from your house is incredulous.
the roads she travels on are thorn trees. The land is very dry Past midnight, I can hear the orchestra’s kettle drumming
and desert-like with mounds of thin earth and sand banging in my head and it has caused many sleepless nights.
everywhere. Strewn across the area are grey rocks. However Even with our curtains drawn, bright spotlights flash through
as it is the rainy season, the rain had transformed the desert into our bedroom disrupting the peaceful and calm
and therefore the land was green with newly germinated environment required for a good sleep.
grass, daisies, vines and aloes with stalk flowers. I truly hope you will take all these matters into consideration.
b) Watson initially feels lonely as he observes the barren I sincerely would not like to complain to the authorities
land. As he remembers his task, he feels a chill in his heart however if immediate actions aren’t taken, I will have no
with the mystery and urgency. He grows very excited as he choice.
sees the circle of huts. His excitement continues to grow and
feels adventurous when he reaches closer to the huts. Once 5.2. Question 2
in the hut and looking outside, he does not feel at peace with
nature and feels nervous of the interview to come. However a) The writer describes the lights and colours of the party
he waits patiently and as the stranger approaches, shrinks with descriptive words and imagery. He describes the colour
back despite his curiosity. of the lights as ‘primary colours’; primary colours include red
Ramotswe feels nostalgia and remembers herself when she and yellow which suggests that the lights were very bright
was young as she travels through the desert of Kalahari. In and linked to the colour scheme of ‘gaudy’. The writer says
her flashback, she remembers being frightened of the lions that the party was ‘under the constantly changing light’. The
and the comfort brought to her as her friend hugged her. continuous change is linked to the idea put forward of
However, after she wakes up, she feel much braver and is different people meeting each other and also shows that
not afraid of the grunts of the lions. She finally feels a sense each moment was unique. Finally, the writer says that ‘the
of belonging in the end; though Africa is massive, she feels lights grow brighter as the earth lurches away from the sun’.
that she is truly a part of it. The fact the earth is metaphorically lurching away from the
sun suggests that night is falling however this causes the light
to seem even ‘brighter’.
5. Winter 2005 Paper 2 b) The sounds of the party are firstly described by the
instruments used, ‘oboes and trombones and saxophones
5.1. Question 1 and viols and cornets, and low and high drums’. This large
variety of instruments used by the orchestra suggests the
Dear Mr. Gatsby, diversity of different sounds with different pitches emitting
It is with great displeasure that I must write this letter which from the party, linking with the differences in personality of
expresses the atrocity of your lavish parties. Indeed, I have the people in the party. The writer then says that the ‘air is
respectfully denied myself for writing you a letter concerning alive with chatter and laughter’. He personifies the air and
this matter however I feel that it has reached a point that says that it is alive due to the chatter and laughter. This
without addressing this issue, it will only get worse. suggests that the sounds were very loud because the air felt
My first great problem is the disturbance of daily activities as though it was vibrating. He then says that the ‘orchestra is
due to your parties. Our daily life has been affected greatly in playing yellow cocktail music’ and the ‘opera of voices pitches
a negative effect due to the increased commotion and a key higher’. ‘yellow’ suggests the happiness of the sounds
crowds which gather at your house. Some, of course, are and the higher pitch suggests the increased movement and
your esteemed guests however the most troublesome are excitement which course through the people. Finally, the
the wanderers and gypsies which try to sneak into your ‘orchestra leader varies the rhythm’ for the dancer connoting
parties. They end up ruining the image of our distinguished the change in music which finally ‘begun’ the ‘party’.
town as well as running havoc and destroying public
5.3. Question 3

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Passage A describes the lifestyle of the household of Gatsby a) The sand dunes in the countryside are describes as ‘giant’
and his guests. During weekends, Gatsby’s Rolls Royce was suggesting that they are large in size. The valley is described
used to transport guests from nine in the morning to past as ‘bowl-shaped’ which immediately puts the image of a
midnight. On Monday, eight servants and an extra gardener perfectly spherical shape. The foliage is described
would repair damages and clean the mansion. On Friday, five alliteratively as ‘rich green grasses and reeds’ which connotes
crates of oranges and lemons arrived at the household from the lushness and natural beauty of the area. The lake is also
New York and every Monday, they would leave as pulpless described alliteratively as ‘small lake so saturated with salt-
halves. Every fortnight, caterers arrived to the house with loving bacteria’. Though the fact that it is literally saying that
canvases and coloured lights. On this party day, at seven o’ the lake was full of bacteria, it still puts a positive image due
clock, the orchestra arrived and all the guests got ready for to the words used such as ‘loving’. Due to these bacteria, the
the party. As the sun set, the party got to its full swing and lakes colour is ‘glittering vermilion’; using the word vermilion
this lasted through the night. rather than red makes the place sound more precious and
Passage B describes the lifestyle of a poor, orphaned family the word ‘glittering’ creates the image of a gem. The writer
in Rwanda. Sophia’s day begins as soon as it is light. As soon describes the animals as ‘sheep and goats drift across’. The
as she wakes up, she lights the paraffin lamp because though writer uses ‘drift across’ rather than walk or trot which makes
it is day, their bedroom is very dark. Either she or her sister the movement graceful and harmonic.
climb down the hill and fill water from the water pump in b) The writer describes Diudiu as having ‘dark eyes sharp and
cans. They then make some porridge for breakfast. quick’ suggesting she was a smart and observant person. He
Claudette, her sister goes to school after breakfast while she describes her face as ‘broad planes of cheekbones’ making it
and her and even younger sister, Solange helps clean the sound as though he is talking about a deserted and barren
house; they wash, sweep and scrub. After this, Sophia bathes land. It suggests that Diudiu was undernourished however
Solange and after this, she prepares for the main meal of the strong woman. The writer then describes her face as
day. They eat at about 2 when Claudette comes back from ‘weathered into a map of wrinkles’. Using the word
school. After this, Sophia goes to school and by the time she ‘weathered’ makes her sound old and experienced and ‘map’
reaches home, it is dark. They are all very tired and go to suggests that there were many wrinkles on her face.
sleep together at the same time.
6.3. Question 3
6. Summer 2008 Paper 2 a) The difficulties in the writer’s life include the lack of
warmth when he sleeps in his sleeping bag under tarpaulin.
6.1. Question 1 He also has to sleep in his clothes because it is too cold
otherwise. At work, he is continuously teased and is
Diudiu lives a very simple and reserved life. She is a warm a considered crazy. Due to his long stays in the woodland, he is
hospitable person and we arrived, she filled the tea kettle very sensitive to the temperatures and he feels ill when his
and invited us in. Her room has an earthen platform where office is too hot. Another difficult is to coordinate his laundry
she sleeps and sits and rest of her room is dedicated to due to him having three sets of clothes. Due to his
storage of food and clothing. A small hole in the roof is the continuous movement, on some nights he is very exhausted.
chimney. She keeps a swallow’s nest inside her house as they He has also been ill a few times due to undercooking his
keep her company. Her meal is rice and some vegetables; meat and not filtering the water from the stream properly.
she boils the rice and stir fries her vegetable on her stove. b) Diudiu traded her camel and sheep hair for a mirrored
Every day, she has bottle of a special ‘rice drink’. solar collector which allows her to heat water and keeps her
The thing I admire most about Diudiu is her independence; from having a fire all day. Her cupboards and lockers contain
she is the last of her family and has become an old woman dry food and extra clothes which help her cope with this life.
however she successfully lives her life, carrying out all the She also keeps birds in her house for company. She keeps
daily tasks. She thinks ahead of her time and prepares sheep and goat in pens made of camel dung. During the
everything so she is always satisfied. Even during the winter, she eats the sheep and goat and burns the brick as
summer, she has prepared for the harsh winters and has all fuel to help her survive. She also has containers filled with
her supplies ready from warm clothes and food to fuel for rice drink which she drinks a bottle of every day. This is her
her fire. reaction and her coping mechanism.
After meeting this amazing woman, I feel really bad about my
own lifestyle which relies solely on machines and other
people. The meeting made me realize how dependent I am 7. Winter 2008 Paper 2
on technology and I learnt how I could not survive for even a
week in the conditions where this old woman has lived all her 7.1. Question 1
life.
Tragic death of respected Naval Commander:
6.2. Question 2 Eruption causes terror and destruction in Bay of Naples

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It has been but a week since the horrific explosion of Mount a) The dangers and discomforts of exploring volcanic areas is
Vesuvius and deaths are being reported constantly to the the wading through soft ash to get to the volcano, sometimes
authorities who have no means of rescue. Just a week ago, knee deep. They had to cling to sharp edges which was very
the mountain produced a cloud and rained ash to the dangerous. There is also the showers of rocks from the rock
citizens. 18-year-old Pliny described it as ‘a pine tree’; the which can cause discomfort if not avoided. Paths are usually
cloud shot up like a trunk of a tree and then distributed into covered with ash and if it rains upon them, they become
thousands of branches across the sky. Till now, there have slippery and a danger. The openings in rocks are narrow and
been 10,000 deaths reported but this number is expected to many of the opening let out steam. The volcanic gas can be
rise greatly. felt immediately, hot and acidic. Acid lakes may sometimes
The main cities affected by the volcano was Pompeii, left form and can incinerate you in seconds. When exploring
covered in 30meters of pumice stones and ash, and glaciers, the ice continues to melt and there is a continuous
Herculaneum which has been completely buried under a risk of a tunnel imploding and acidic water flooding in. There
mud slide. Those who immediately ventured into Pompeii to is also always the risk of the volcano erupting.
help find the bodies of their loved ones were also killed by b) The eruption of Vesuvius was terrible firstly because no
the poisonous gas and ash which surrounds the whole of the one could be rescued; there were no rescue teams or
city. Now, however, teams of people have successfully gone emergency hospitals and even if people tried getting in, they
into the city and returned. were killed by poisonous gas and dust. Pompeii was covered
Among the many thousands dead is Naval Commander Pliny with pumice stones and volcanic ash. On the other hand,
the Elder. His academic researches are well recognized Herculaneum was buried under a mudslide. 20,000 of the
including the 20 volumes which analyse wars between the people died due to the volcanic eruption. On top of this,
Romans and Germans. He had survived the initial eruption as black clouds of dust and volcanic gases and flames lit the sky.
he lived at a safe distance however, he bravely set off in a
boat to reach the city in order to rescue people and also
learn the missing science of volcanoes. Unfortunately, his 8. Summer 2009 Paper 2
quest ended in disaster as he was killed himself by the
poisonous gases and dust around him. 8.1. Question 1
7.2. Question 2 Dear Parents,
It has been a week since you left me with your kids and I am
a) Vesuvius is described as ‘dominates your view from every writing back to inform you of their progress and my
angle’. This suggests that the volcano was very powerful and impressions. You of course know that your children are very
also very large. It is described with a simile as ‘like a sentinel’ misbehaving; it was the first impression I got when I entered
which suggests again that the volcano was big and powerful your house. On the first day, two of your kids broke into a
as it guards. The mountains foot is described alliteratively as fight which they described as ‘friendly fighting’ however we
‘fertile foothills’ which means that the volcano was also a lush know what it would have turned into if it lasted a few more
green and beneficial landmark to the city dwellers. The writer minutes. There was great deal of insulting between the
describes it as ‘ghostlike’ in the night and ‘magnificent’ in the children and the elders began to use some indecent
sunshine which suggests that the volcano has double images language too. On one of the visits to town, the children tried
and therefore good impacts as well as bad. Finally, the writer to run off and it just confirmed my first impressions: lazy and
personifies the volcano as it ‘seems to brood secretively … naughty.
full of silent menace’. This produces an ominous image due During the week, I have tried to help develop their skills and
to the fact that it is secretive and a menace which suggests behaviour. Firstly we started around the house; we swept the
that it contains evil. yard and also tidied the house. I also taught them how to
b) The writer compares the cloud’s shape ‘to that of a pine cook organic sugarless cakes which would be very useful to
tree’. By using a simple image, it allows us, the readers, to them later on. To improve their education, I test them on
vividly imagine the cloud especially with further descriptions, mental arithmetic sums and read classics from the 19th
‘great height’, ‘form of a trunk’ and ‘several branches’. As it is century. For the practical side, I taught the children the
compared to a pine tree, it suggests it was massive in size. techniques to identify and eradicate weeds from the garden.
The writer then says that it was ‘white’ at one moment and I also locked away the unhealthy sugary foods which was
‘spotted’ in the other suggesting its volatility and changing ruining the children’s diet.
nature. Later he describes the cloud as ‘black and dreadful’; I have planned many tasks for the next week which
the colour black places an evil image of the cloud. He says incorporate the things we were working on before as well as
that they gust out in ‘fiery, snakelike vapour’ suggesting again new skills. I will continue giving them mental arithmetic tests
the evil and reptilian nature. He finally personifies the cloud
to help improve their scores and move onto 18th century
and says that it ‘yawned open’, suggesting its.
literature for improvement of reading. I am also planning to
go onto planting garden plants and teaching how to nurture
7.3. Question 3 them. Finally, I would like the children to sort out the garage.

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Awaiting your return,

9.1. Question 1
Aunt Pegg
The visit to this school has been a completely horrifying
8.2. Question 2 experience. I am completely dissatisfied with the condition of
the school. A visit to Mr Raj’s room revealed the safety
a) The writer describes Aunt Pegg with a rhyming semantic hazards presented by the school; the room looked as though
field: ‘leering, sneering, peering’ – this shows that Aunt Pegg it had been ransacked and the furniture was broken. The
was not a nice person because all the descriptions were walls were pitted and contained an unknown sticky
negative. She is then metaphorized as a cat ‘pounce on us substance. In the morning, I observed many fights breaking
like a cat’ and this is further implied as the writer says ‘she out however the teachers did not notice and prevent them.
would snarl’. This makes us think of a stealthily and The students were very misbehaved and shouts and laugher
observant person as she is described a cat. Aunt Pegg has could be heard when passing classrooms. There was no
‘eyes on sticks’ which means she can see everything and this system of registration which is a grave problem in case a fire
makes her a scary person. She is described as a ‘tiny person breaks out. The school’s curriculum is based on the
of great muscular strength and energy’; small and muscular philosophy of the Principal that the students ‘should have
are not generally linked and therefore makes the image of freedom’. This has led to gaps in education of core subjects
her alien-like. Finally, her mouth is described as an ‘upside- such as mathematics and sciences while the children just loaf
down new moon’ which means she is always unhappy and around.
this makes her sound like a miserable person. There are many improvements to be made to this school.
b) The writer’s description of the children begins with ‘very Firstly, the Principal should be changed and a more
mournful children’ – mourning is an action carried out after a responsible person should be appointed. A new curriculum
death and as the children are mournful, it suggests that they should be devised and implemented in the school which
are completely lifeless and are not having fun. He then deals more upon educating rather than sporting. The
metaphorizes them as ‘little zombies’ – this further suggests school’s campus should be renovated; the school should be
their lack of energy and their actions being repetitive and cleaned thoroughly and then new furniture where required
slow. The children became ‘uncommunicative’ which is should be placed. Also, the entrance should be rejuvenated
continuing the idea of lifelessness and lack of fun. Finally, the by gardens and flower for a more natural atmosphere.
children feel ‘nostalgic’ as they ‘longed’ for Aunt Pegg to Training sessions should be put into action in which teachers
leave. Nostalgia is an emotion more linked to adults rather are re-trained and shown skills which would help them teach
than children and also suggests that they were clearly better. Last but not least, a registration system should be set
depressed at the present time. up and evacuation points around the school should be
located.
8.3. Question 3
9.2. Question 2
a) A good uncle would being loving and attentive. When he
visits you, he would bring you presents, usually those which a) The school is described as a ‘medieval fortress’ suggesting
your parents do not approve of. He may also take you away that it is an old building and very intimidating. Later, the
on trips and feed you unhealthy and junk food. Unlike writer personifies the school and calls it ‘cruel and
parents, they would encourage you to take risks and would forbidding’. This makes the school sound like an unpleasant
also help rescue you when you are in a sticky position. Your place. The ‘flowerbeds’ in the school compound turned into
uncle should not have the ability to read and should always ‘sandy deserts’ suggesting carelessness as it hasn’t been
be keen to play games. They should be imaginative, creative watered and the bareness of the school. Furthermore, she
and good at story-telling. When they finally leave, they should uses a semantic field of oppression and violence: ‘daily
give you a hearty wave and wink at you. prison’, ‘miserable passages’, ‘place of torture’. These are very
b) The children disliked Aunt Pegg because she was very negative images and produces a sense of dread and
observant and would pounce and shout at them with no horridness of the school she is describing. She may have
notice. She always spoke of her philosophy and kept the hyperbolized the descriptions to make the image more
children occupied with extra cleaning tasks. She also locked impacting.
away all the sugary and salty snacks. She set impossible b) The writer describes the room as ‘ransacked’ showing the
sums to do and made them read old moral stories. She also chaos within it. The writer then uses a simile ‘as if a wild
made them pick weeds in the garden and carry heavy beast had blundered through’ to describe the carnage and
grocery when they went into town. She continuously gave wreckage in the classroom. The writer uses the power of
lectures and gave them lettuce sandwiches when the three ‘scattered tables and chairs and ripped papers’
children completely hated them. producing an overwhelming effect on the reader and
describes literally the appearance of the place. Further on,
the writer hyperbolically says that the furniture was ‘heaped
9. Winter 2009 Paper 2 into a mountain’ to intensify the size. The writer says that the

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‘walls were pitted with holes’ and describes sibilantly that it successes in life. As all great conductors have, my favourite
was ‘splattered with sticky substances’. This produces a piece is Beethoven’s Fifth Symphony and as I ate my curry
disgusting image and makes Mr. Raj’s room sound horrific. before that concert, I felt it playing thorough my head and
again as I was on my way to the concert in the taxi. Truly, I
9.3. Question 3 had got mixed up with the schedule; I thought that the Fifth
was on that day and Sixth on the next while it was the
a) Mr Chappelle taught was not a very good teacher because opposite. Since I arrived late, I couldn’t reconfirm with
when he wrote on the board, it was not in a straight line. He anyone and so when I went onto the stage; I crashed my
continuously rolled chalk between his fingers as he taught hands down in the gesture for the beginning of the Fifth
suggesting he was nervous. He was also a very boring symphony.
teacher and not dramatic; he taught standing up but didn’t Interviewer: Do you think that the time has come for you to
move much and stayed in front of the blackboard. If he asks retire from conducting?
the class a question and nobody would answer, he would Alessandro: This is the biggest problem of the modern
continuously add words as though he was not confident of generation; using everything as though it is disposable and
his question. He would also write all the answers on the so as soon as there is a problem, just throw it away. I
board, even though they followed the same general idea. remember the times in Italy when a car would be bought in
Also, he didn’t think very fast and when Wilhemina answered preparation so the heir of the family will use it. Nowadays, all
a question, he wrote it slowly on the board and listened goods are used for a year or even less and then thrown out.
carefully as though he was learning from her. Yes, I accept my mistake that I began conducting the wrong
b) Ms Jhabvala is an excellent teacher as she arrives early to symphony however, this gives no one the right to just
school and rehearses her lessons to be completely prepared. request me to retire. The beauty of music is that it can be
Her classroom was bright with work displayed on the walls. interpreted from the youngest toddler to the oldest
Though the rest of the school was noisy, Ms Jhabvala’s class grandfather; music has no age limit. The training that went
stood quietly and neatly outside her door and filed into the into me becoming a conductor took many years however it
room. Her class wishes each other good morning politely and can be displayed in a matter of hours in just one concert.
she told a few to straighten their clothes. One of her students After conducting the orchestra for years, I have memorized
gave her a wooden sign with her name on as a present all my music and hardly need to look at the sheet; my
showing the appreciation of her by the students. She was the experience is unchallengeable. With that said, I believe it’s
only teacher who took a register and in only 40 minutes, she hardly time for me to retire and I will continue conducting,
completed many tasks such as reading a story and learning whether professional or not, till my last breath.
some punctuation. Also, she gave the brighter students extra
work so they could improve further. When the class ended, a 10.2. Question 2
little girl that she wished she could stay in Ms Jhabvala’s class
all day showing clearly that she was a good teacher and a) The writer describes the curry as ‘cooked to perfection’
appreciated by her students. She also never lost her temper suggesting that it was perfect and no change could be done
and tried to keep a smile on all the time. to improve it. This is further emphasized when he says that it
was ‘fit for the gods’ and then after a dramatic pause ‘– it is
Heaven’. Heaven and god are linked to perfection and shows
10. Summer 2010 Paper 2 that Alessandro enjoyed the curry so much that he
hyperbolically describes it as perfect. The writer says that ‘the
10.1. Question 1 aroma tickles his nostrils’ – aroma is personified as it is
carrying out an action and ‘tickle’ is a positive verb suggesting
Interviewer: Some people say you are an eccentric man that the aroma was luring Alessandro. This point is also
whose behaviour is odd at times. Are they right? emphasized when the food alliteratively ‘tempts his taste
Alessandro: People may accuse me of being an eccentric man buds’ the story shifts to the subjective narrator as the
however I describe myself as a man with many habits. True thoughts of Alessandro are revealed by ‘ah, so succulent’
my behaviour changes at time but doesn’t every man’s? One describing his emotions and admiration of the food.
of these habits include eating a chicken curry before a b) The writer metaphorically describes the traffic as a ‘sea of
concert because I believe that it helps my adrenaline flow. metal roofs’ suggesting that there were a lot of cars and they
Also, I come in a taxi to my concert because I fell that it appeared endless. The writer that the ‘noise is terrible’
reminds me of my humble origins. Is it a crime to use public however he juxtaposes this as he describes it as a ‘symphony
transport? Finally, I also like to tie my bowtie one minute of motor horns’ – symphony is a good sound and links to
before the concert; it is a habit and I cannot change it. harmony. The writer then contradicts himself and says that it
Interviewer: Can you explain the unexpected happenings that was a ‘ghastly discord’ suggesting his negativity towards it.
took place at the beginning of your Beethoven Concert? Finally, the writer sibilantly says that the ‘soon the sounds
Alessandro: My whole life has been related to music; since become soporific’ suggesting that the sounds were repetitive
my childhood in Southern Italy, music has given way to my and unenthusiastic.

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Mrs. K: Our family for generations have been market

10.3. Question 3
traders and so we continue the legacy by selling assorted
a) Firstly, the orchestra is ‘really terrible’ because it is called garments and clothing. It might have been visible in the
dressing of our children in the wedding.
‘The Really Terrible Orchestra’. The players are hopeless and
Mrs. F-G: Yes it was. On the other hand, our family feels
illiterate in music. They cannot ready the music properly and
that uniformity is very important therefore we all wore
most of the players haven’t touched the instrument in
decades and some can barely play them. The players are the grey suits.
described as ‘sixty squawkers’. The players have little skill and Mrs. K: Yes, I noticed that too. Well it has been lovely
chatting with you Mrs. Ferris-Grebe. I hope to speak to
when pressure is placed on them, they play even worse.
you soon.
Many professional conductors have already left the group
Mrs. F-G: You too. Good day.
because they grew too frustrated. As they play, some of the
players don’t notice that they are playing the same piece as
the others. Some players can’t reach specific notes so they 11.2. Question 2
have set up a system in which someone else takes over from
them when it reaches that chord. a) The church is described as a ‘barn of a place’. The use of
b) Signor Alessandro thinks the qualities of a good conductor the word ‘barn’ suggests that it was rustic and farm-like
include that they know exactly which gestures will which means unclean. It was ‘full of gloomy, eerie corners’ –
communicate best with the players. They should also know this connotes that the room had dark corners which
all the music by heart and shouldn’t glance at the sheet. They contained ‘goodness knows what livestock’. The word
should only move their arms and upper body and never their ‘livestock’ falls in the same lexical family of ‘barn’ and this
feet when conducting. Great conductors should never panic continues that image. Also, as the writer says that ‘goodness
and should always be in control. They should also never be knows’ suggesting that no one knew what was there and this
as rude as to tap their sticks to begin a rehearsal. Great made the room scary. The ‘dripping could be heard from
conductors should always be on time and rely and respect somewhere far away’ implying that the church was very large
their orchestral leaders. and also quiet as you could hear the dripping of water. The
roof is described as an ‘ill-fitting jigsaw’ – ‘ill-fitting’ suggests
the irregularity of the structure and therefore its lack of
11. Winter 2010 Paper 2 design and beauty. ‘Jigsaw’ suggests that there many small
pieces.
b) The writer describes Mr. Kougar as ‘a rainbow of a man’. A
11.1. Question 1
‘rainbow’ is a colourful and joyous feature and therefore
reflects the personality of Mr. Kougar – a jolly man. He was
Mrs. F-G: Well, I expect you must be very proud of your
wearing a ‘loud, garishly striped shirt’. The shirt is personified
son, Fred
as it is ‘loud’ suggesting that the shirt stood out. The word
Mrs. K: But of course; you would be very proud of Cecilia
‘garishly’ produces an image of a gaudy and distasteful
too
design. He had ‘bright purple trousers’ – as they are bright,
Mrs. F-G: Yes however I did not enjoy the ceremony
they again reflect the happy mood of the man. Alliteratively
much.
and sibilantly, the ‘brightness of
Mrs. K: Why is that?
Mrs. F-G: Well firstly, the rainy day really put me off and Kougar’s
the church itself was not in its former glory; I remember
my marriage 25 years ago and it looked like a palace then beaming smile’ ‘seemed to shine’. The semantic field of light;
Mrs. K: Yes that is true. I also felt that the vicar went on ‘brightness’, ‘beaming’, ‘shine’ produces a warm and happy
just too long; all of us were fidgeting by the end of it. Also, image and suggests that the man was completely full of
the best-man’s outcry of the lost ring almost gave me a happiness and joy. With a simile, the writer says that Mr.
heart attack but thankfully he found it in the car. Kougar ‘strutted like a peacock’. The peacock is a colourful
Mrs. F-G: The fact that the photographs couldn’t be taken bird however also a very arrogant animal and this is further
outdoors was a disappointment too along with the emphasized by the verb ‘strutted’ reflecting the superficiality
unrecognizable Wedding March. of the man.
Mrs. K: That is all true but at least the bride and groom
were happy. Do you feel that the marriage was suitable?
11.3. Question 3
Mrs. F-G: It is quite a contrasting mix with an engineer on
one side and a psychologist on the other but I hope for
a) In Chinese tradition, communication for marriage should
the best
be done through letters. The main three letters are the
Mrs. K: That is my wish too. So what does your family do? Request, Gift and Wedding letter. Traditionally, the groom’s
Mrs. F-G: Well, my husband is a major in the army. And family handles all the events before, during and after the
yours?
wedding. The day before the wedding, the bride is isolated
with her closest friends to signify her mourning of loss of

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family and friends. On the wedding day, she is bathed in putting myself up to a lot of risk and I know the chance of me
water and pomelo in order to clean her from bad influences. falling to my death is high however, I believe in fate and that I
The day of the wedding should be a lucky day. The marriage should carry all the tasks that I enjoy because I could die
should occur at half an hour rather than at an hour. The there or I could die walking down a street and car crashes
main colour of the wedding should be red as it is a lucky into me. The point I am trying to make is that we are already
colour and signifies love. The groom should provide a new living in a dangerous world and one way or another, you are
bed and the night before the wedding, a nephew should risking yourself to hazardous things so why not enjoy
jump and down on it and the groom should sleep on it. yourself and do things that you adore.
Finally, on the wedding day, the couple should serve tea and Can you tell us about your relationship with your climbing
the guests should give them gifts. partner, O’Neill?
b) Things which went wrong in the wedding is firstly that the O’ Neill has been my climbing partner for over 12 years now
couple had very contrasting degrees and families. The day of and I have a built a relationship of trust and unity with him
the wedding was rainy and the church looked very gloomy. which cannot be described. He is an extremely good person
Cecilia was late to the wedding and she wore an old and and sacrifices a lot for me. He may not be the best climber
yellowing wedding dress. The families clashed violently with but he supports me in any of my climbs and never fears any
the differences in their appearances and personalities; the of the tasks I put forward. I could have been leading him to
Kougars were colourfully dressed and had fidgety and excite his death today if I hadn’t caught him but he will not
children while the Ferris-Grebbes wore grey suits and were complain and continue climbing with me. For this, I am
stern. The vicar spoke for a very a long time and forgot part eternally grateful to him.
of his speech. The best man forgot where he had kept the
wedding ring. The organist played the Wedding March very 12.2. Question 2
badly. Finally, the photos couldn’t be taken because it was
raining torrentially. a) The writer describes O’ Neill’s fall as a ‘dropping through
space’. By describing it as ‘dropping’, it suggests the lack of

12. Summer 2011 Paper 21 control of O’ Neill and by calling the sky ‘space’, he is
describing it as though it is vast and empty. He says that O’
Neill’s ‘hands flailing, legs splaying’. There is an internal
12.1. Question 1 rhyme emphasizing the words, ‘flailing’ and ‘splaying’ which
suggests helplessness and lack of control, making you feel he
Incredible! How did you manage to climb the face so quickly? was falling to his death. The writer describes him with a
The first step to climbing is removing any fraction of fear you simile ‘like a manic puppet out of control’. As he is a ‘puppet’,
hold; when climbing at extremely high speeds, you are clearly it suggests that he is being controlled by someone else, in
doing something dangerous and worrying about it will not this case gravity, and again emphasizes his vulnerable
help you therefore I try to feel fearless. I also set a goal which position. Next, all the strings of the puppet are cut ‘but one’
I want to achieve before I start for example, before this climb, and he ‘hangs there stunned’. This shows the sudden
I had set my watch to a 3-hour timer as that was my target. movement of his plunge and how it stopped abruptly.
Another key step in climbing fast is that you must pack very b) The promotions manager alliteratively and juxtaposing
minimally; our bodies itself are a huge burden to carry and if describes Potter as a ‘gentle giant’ which suggests that he
we add more safety harnesses, it just makes it more difficult. appears strong and dominating but infect is soft from the
That is why I use the minimal amount required and inside. He says that he had ‘wide-set brown eyes’ along with a
sometimes even nothing. One of the strategies I use is that I ‘prominent and slightly battered-looking nose’. The fact that
don’t wait for my partner to get to the hook before I start his nose is ‘battered’ suggests that he may have been in a few
climbing. This is a risky move however increases speed accidents and therefore it has been ‘battered’. This also
greatly. I put many hours in the gym to keep myself fit makes the character seem experienced. He had a ‘tumbling
because this task is physically challenging and an athletic mane’ which means he had long hair. The writer uses the
body is necessary to carry extreme tasks such as running up word ‘mane’ which is usually linked with a lion linking the two
the mountain face. Before you start the climb, you should images and suggesting Potter’s ferocity and dominance.
always research the face and try to identify a path and the Potter had a ‘barrel chest’ which means that he had a large
obstacles you will face so as to be prepared and get past and wide chest. This suggests his strength and confidence.
them even subconsciously.
How do you answer people who say that what you do is 12.3. Question 3
foolish?
I probably am foolish because of the impossible tasks I a) Paintballing is a safe sport because before you play, you
commit to however that doesn’t mean I don’t believe in are made to fill out a medical form which checks if you are fit
myself or will ever change. Every man has his specialty and if and healthy. Before you play, you must wear protective
mine is climbing, I would like to exploit those skills as much clothing and headgear which has an eye mask. Every eye
as possible. When I climb without any safety harnesses, I am mask is strong enough to withstand a bullet at 205 miles per

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hour. The bullets are just gel capsules that are also edible. were ‘scintillating’ which suggests that the town was
The game enforces strict rules and guidelines. All rifles have a sparkling, shining like a gem. He says with a simile that the
legal speed limit and all equipment is well maintained. The ‘orange roof tiles shone like fire’ suggesting the intensity and
game itself is very safe and there are fewer injuries in vibrance of the colours. He says that ‘stately buildings stood
paintballing than there are in basketball and baseball. resplendent in their smart coats’. The buildings are
b) Climbing the Nose of the EL Capitan is dangerous because personified and are described as ‘stately’ which means that
it is a difficult layout; the beginning is a 2000 feet vertical they were impressive. He says that the walkways and square
climb and this is followed by the rock curving outwards so it were coulured of shades ‘blue and grey to look gentle waves
is very difficult to get to the top. Potter makes this even more lapping up’. This image produced is peaceful and serene and
difficult as he is under-equipped and carries very few safety again links with the idea of perfection.
devices, including a homemade harness. Potter doesn’t wait b) The writer says that there was ‘great confusion’ as the even
for his partner to get to the permanent peg before he starts was being set up producing disrupting the idea of the perfect
climbing again which is very risky. Potter and O’ Neill are city and producing a sense of disorganization. This ‘confusion’
climbing at extremely fast speeds and during the climb, O’ was created by the men ‘gesturing frantically, shouting
Neill almost fell to the ground. They carried out this climb in “Touro, touro!”’. As the men were shouting, it shows the
just three hours and 24 minutes in comparison to the first sense of urgency and emergency. Also, the reader is likely
ever climb which took 45 days. not to understand the word ‘touro’ therefore confusing him
too. The tourists ‘lay there looking baffled’. This shows that
the even was again, disorganized and not informed to
13. Winter 2011 Paper 21 everyone. The writer then says alliteratively that ‘five fairly
menacing bulls drew up’. The word ‘menacing’ makes them
13.1. Question 1 sound powerful and produces a sense of fear in the reader.
Finally, the writer says that the tourists ‘fled’. The action ‘fled’
Dear Organizers, is very sudden and shows urgency. This makes it suspenseful
The ‘Running with the Bulls’ is getting out of hands and for the reader.
producing a negative impact on the beautiful city of Cascais.
Firstly, there has been a greater influx of tourists as they 13.3. Question 3
arrive here to watch this show. They may bring economic
benefits however the negative impacts on the environment a) Safety and order is promoted at the Pamplona Bull Run
and people outweigh them. firstly by the fact that there are special barricades put up.
Every time the event begins, a sense of confusion erupts The runners must wear specific colours in order to be
across the city. People are running in every direction and this identifiable. They must arrive at their places 30 minutes
may cause many children to be lost and parents to get before the start so officials can check that they are the
worried. The event is not properly announced and tourists genuine runners. The runners must wear appropriate
have to rush off the beach in order to feel safe. Also, the fact footwear in order for them to not fall. The barricades have
that it is done on the beach rather than a protected stadium small gaps to allow runners to escape if in trouble. There are
is extremely horrific. Firstly, you are causing the disturbance also officers stationed there in order to prevent spectators
of tourists who would like to enjoy the beach. Secondly, you entering. Medical facilities are dotted along the path of the
are risking the life of the bulls. Every year, a bull gets into the run for any emergencies. It is forbidden to run up the wrong
water and you are risking his life. This is against the animal way of the street as there is a greater risk of falling.
rights organization as well as basic humanity. Furthermore, Photography has been banned in most areas because flashes
you are endangering the lives of the tourists and bystanders may frighten a bull. Also, you are not allowed to call out to a
in case a bull flees out. This occurred once when a bull bull. Locals are told to keep their doors shut to prevent any
reached the entrance of the Hotel Baia. It may also cause damage. You must wear appropriate dress if you want to
irresponsible tourists to take risks, such as the one that watch the run. Finally, there is also a law which prevents
happened this year, and cause serious injuries because they anyone from harassing or mistreating the bulls.
are not trained. To do the actual sportsman, it is an b) The locals enjoy the ‘Running with the Bulls’ firstly because
extremely dangerous sport as you are trying to stop a bull it is a tourist attraction and brings income to many locals.
with ‘life and limb’. This leads to injuries, wounds and even Secondly, it allows them to display their manliness in an
death. It also causes chaos as ambulances travel all over the event. It is a great source of entertainment and people line
city. the beach to watch, whistling and cheering the contestants
on. The event gives rise socializing between the locals as they
13.2. Question 2 discuss past events as well share their knowledge. The run is
heavily betted and allows locals to enjoy betting and having a
a) The writer quotes the description of the city alliteratively chance to win a lot of money.
as ‘picture-postcard perfect little beach town’. This means the
town has no flaws and is impeccable. He says that colours
14. Summer 2012 Paper 21

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b) The writer vividly describes the rain and wind which is

14.1. Question 1
extremely strong and destructive. He says that ‘no person
Lone fisherman survives storm of the century could withstand’ the ‘swirling mass of water’. This hyperbolic
statement helps impress upon the reader the power of the
Storms are common on this narrow spit where the fisherman
winds and rain. He said that it ‘beat him into a crouching
lives on. In the past, the storms have caused devastation.
apology of a man’. This phrase personifies the wind as it
There used to be a full community with a chapel, families,
home and even a market however, the floods destroyed ‘beats’ down the fisherman and again implies the power it
everything that was held dear; all the houses were slowly holds that even man cannot compete with it. The ‘rain
smashes’ against the house. The usage of the strong verb
destroyed. Finally, there were only three houses left including
‘smash’ suggests the destructive and powerful nature of the
the lone fisherman’s. In the last storm, the other two had
rain which makes it a fearful phenomenon to the readers.
been destroyed and finally, there was only one left. When the
The writer then uses a simile to describe it as a ‘demented
storm came in, the fisherman roared at it and his house
flooded in with water. The road had been turned into a hail of shrapnel’. This image is very violent, almost war-like,
emphasizing the ferocity of the rain. Finally, he pluralizes the
narrow rocky track.
rain as ‘sheet of rain’ implying that it was so quick that the
The fisherman refused to leave his home because he loves
the sea and the place where he lives. He believes he is liquid formed a ‘sheet’.
addicted to waking up to a view of the sea. He also enjoys the
felling solitude as there is no one there. Finally, as he gazes 14.3. Question 3
through the blue expanses, he feels that he is the king of all
the area he could possibly sea. a) The sea covers around three quarters of the world and
This storm has been but another storm to this fisherman and much of it lies undiscovered such as the area in the Bermuda
he says he will never leave his home unless it is taken away triangle where no one has reached the bottom. The sea
from him by the sea. He leads a simple life consisting mainly contains many ecosystems which we have yet to discover
of fishing and viewing the scenery. His children live in a town even though discoveries of the sea and its inhabitants are
nearby but this fisherman will continue to live his life as he being made every day. There is enough gold suspended in
has done for many, many years. the water of the sea that every person can get four kilograms
of it. The sea is extremely powerful and waves can reach
above 25 meters; some sailors go even higher and describe
14.2. Question 2
waves the size of a ten-storey building. An amazing feature of
a) The writer gives a clear description of a set of heavy clouds the sea is the way that its surface can change so suddenly; at
one time it may look like a mirror and at others, it would be
which is warning of a great storm. The clouds were a ‘heavy
ferocious with white water and tumbling waves. The sea
bank’ which implies it large size and produces a sense of
hides many beauties which include natural, such as coral
intimidation on the reader. The reader then personifies the
reefs, and human, such as buried Roman cities.
clouds and describes its emotions as ‘full of menace’ which is
b) The fisherman enjoys this desolate place as it provides him
a violent mood and further intimidates the reader. The
atmosphere is described as of ‘tense stillness’. Stillness itself a position where he can observe the sea every morning and
when the sea is calm, it gives him a sense of peace. The
is calm and relaxing however as it is tense, it produces a
fisherman adores the feeling of solitude which is present in
sense of fear as you feel something is going to happen any
the area along with the fact that he believes he is the king of
moment. Furthermore, the writer describes it using a short
sentence as ‘No breeze, no sound’. This factual and curtailed all he can see. He also enjoys observing the sudden changing
weather as it helps him become imaginative and creative. He
sentence helps create the dramatic tension. Finally, he goes
continues to live there because he feels that he can outlive
back to describing the cloud alliteratively as a ‘terrible bowl of
the storms. Though he fears the sea, he also gets excited as
blackness’. The words ‘terrible’ and ‘black’ produce an evil
he watches the sea turn into a monster and the waves crash
image of these clouds.
down upon his house.

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