Oct 2017 EngLang Paper 21
Dear Colleagues,
Last week we had a serious incident involving Astronaut A who had been sent out on an important mission. During her mission to haul some debris out of orbit, Astronaut A had noticed abnormal sounds coming from within her spacesuit. Having noticed no abnormal features in her control boards, she had later experienced an increase in internal pressures of her spacesuit. In addition, the safety valve failed to alert her and in addition, a joint from her suit had popped. Calling the station using the microphone, her screaming had subsequently damaged the audio hardware. She had smashed her head across the control panel and left unconscious for an hour, her actions now remembered with an alarming scar on her forehead. This is a serious matter of concern, as incidents like this not only cause severe physical injury to our astronauts ( in severe cases, death), but also damage our hardware and our general research effort in spending time to rescue them. 5/5
Your spacesuits are designed to fit your size and act as your small personal spaceship. The small propulsion jets help you travel short distances, and the helmet’s visor not only helps protect you from cosmic rays but also turns on automatic sunshade to protect your eyes from the blinding sun. The padded seat and safety harness is to prevent your movement inside the suit, which could cause physical injury. It is also fitted with a microphone to allow you to communicate with mission control at any time, ensuring your safety. It is paramount that you take note of these features and use them properly to your advantage. 3/5
To engage in a safe mission, the most essential task is to make sure you check the condition of your suit properly. Take a look at the internal lockers and the instrument panel to make sure everything is working, no matter how short your trip is. Maintain steady communication with mission control at all times in an articulate, medium-volumed voice through the microphone. Remember to switch on the sunshade in outer space at all times to protect your eyes. To prevent crashing, cut of the drive of your jet as accordingly when you are approaching short distances.
I wish you a pleasant and productive week ahead. Happy exploring!
Sincerely,
Commander of Satellite Control
10/15, 5
2
The usage of imagery regarding human ingenuity and mobility evokes a sense of grandeur and wonder regarding the human efforts in space. The use of the ‘hubcap of a wheel’ as a simile to portray the office minimizes its size and also relates it to a similar piece of technology on earth, creating a sense of connectedness in the outer world and Earth, eliciting a sense of wonder. The simile of the ’giant jigsaw puzzle’ as the construction team’s work outlines its fascinating nature and grandness, the relation to a childhood pursuit further outlining a sense of complicated interestingness, hinting that the humans are like children in their trying to create a piece of grander technology. The ‘slow motion ballet’ outlines to the slow mobility and elegance of the construction workers, evoking a sense of connection between technology and art and connecting both in human ingenuity. And yet the ‘blue-green glory’ is where it all began – the description here pays tribute to Earth as the origin of these technological pursuits and amplifies the awe of its dwellers in their efforts in space.
In paragraph 4, the spacesuit is rendered with aural and visual imagery to be a trustworthy, entertaining friend. The label of ‘baby spaceships’ creates a sense of affinity and protectiveness that is mutual between the astronaut and the spacesuit, emphasizing the trustworthy and loving nature of the spacesuit, humanizing it. The ‘softly chattering’ jets personified their ambient noise to paint them as lovely friends whose company is to be desired during a trip in space, creating a sense of benevolent companionship. The ‘hospitable snugness’ elicits a sense of comfort and belonging and continues to personify the spacesuit as a welcoming figure, amplifying a mood of security and happiness in the spacesuit’s company. Finally, the astronaut is being ‘looked after’ by the personified, trustworthy friend that is the spacesuit, further expanding the friendly imagery of the spacesuit into a parental role in the provision of safety and guidance to the astronaut.
9/10
3
What challenges would a person face if they became a Mars One astronaut, according to Passage B?
3. eight years of training / four months every year in simulation facilities
4. Isolation during training
5. perform physical and electrical repairs
6. cultivate crops in confined spaces
7. address both routine dental upkeep,
8. and serious medical issues such as muscle tears and bone fractures.
9. Harsh conditions during the long flight to mars, no shower, small space
10. Awful food
11. Awful noise
12. So many exercise
13. Rocket might be hit by a storm
1. said goodbye forever to friends and family / relationship, isolation
2. Lagged communication with the earth
14. external environment might be dangerous or unsafe
15. adapt to cold temperatures.
13/15, 3
The challenges faced by a Mars One astronaut begins at the training stage. One must undergo eight years of training in simulation facilities for four months every year, isolated from the world during the those times. One must learn essential skills such as performing electrical and mechanical work on damaged facilities, as well as medical skills of addressing quotidian concerns such as dental hygiene and severe injuries such as muscle damage. Agriculture in limited spacing must also be learned.
The astronaut must also be prepared to face social isolation. They would end all of their relationships on Earth as they will never see their family again due to lagged communication. In Mars, socialization opportunities are available but scarce.
During the flight to Mars, the astronaut will have no shower and a small living space. They will not eat fresh food and they will sleep under constant noise from machineries. In addition to these harsh conditions, they will also exercise daily to maintain muscle. In the event that the rocket is hit by a storm, the astronaut will need to react and take refuge in even smaller areas.
Upon arrival at Mars, the astronaut is expected to live a strict routine which includes growing and cooking fresh food. They must also adapt to cold temperatures of Mars and understand that any exploration they undertake in Mars may take them to dangerous places.
13
Mia’s glamour, self-esteem and rise to stardom is illustrated by celestial and luminous imagery. “Iridescent shimmers’ show the glowing nature in the light and portrays beauty
‘Sparkling jewels’ show the preciousness and the price of eyes, glowing nature,
‘Luminous form’ shows her high self esteem and how she is glowing in the light, stardom.
‘Comet blazing a trial’ forsees downfall as star is falling, despite being very bright
Using imagery of witchcraft, heat and water to show angry reaction to Mia’s appearance and the hurting effect on Mia
‘Cauldron’ – association with witchcraft, hot and treacherous
‘Scalding tears’ hot and effective on face, shameful, noticing
‘Drowned by the audience’ – imagery of water and shows mia could not breath, shocked, overwhelming
‘Waves of anger’ – continuous jesting from the audience to overwhelm and carry Mia away
how can a musician get a record deal?
1. Get a local following
√2. Send cd off to record companies
√3. Get investors to promote you. / knowledge and contact to get your music known√
√4. Print flyers and send it to people at gigs
√5. Play free concerts/ free ticket
√6. Give out freebies with logo on.
√7. Allow people to start fanclub / start fan following
√8. Have songs played on the local radio
√9. Film a music video
√10. Maintain social media and website presence – create an image
√11. Listen to advice on musician’s forums
√12. Use creative ways to get record companies to notice you.
√13. Get an accountant and show record companies that yo uare serious
14. Understand legal aspects of a contract
√15. Have good technical support in recordings
16. Have good music…
13/15
Describe a journey you often take.
A slick, jet-black hallway, decked with glaze that shine and reflect off of each other, does wait ominously in preparation. A television screen sizzles with loudspeakers, with promises of industrially homemade breakfast and paid love, paid care. Birds sing and scat, scattered around, faint sounds that do not resonate. The journey begins by my bedside, and from there I take my quotidian walk to class.
Those daily small runs or slow walks in the dark, with maple forests and cold woodland air around, all but stays upon second sight. They fade into the tropical sun, a sun that glares over an indifferent city and says there should never be machinery here anyways. I must be seeing things; but I don’t mind. And a few hundred other prepared realities are here too, walking beside me, waking in the same hours to similar faces, but I do not mind that they make me ordinary. They are people, but there are others here too, in true flesh and blood unlike us.
It was his tea again; the jaded, confused jug of nothingness and cigarette ends that declare our similarity to some extent in nationality, in substance. The man who washes dishes comes from the same place as me, but I would never be him, nor him me. He holds out xhis phone and squints at the pale bright, and so inside the screen is where he resides. An Indian woman had her mild red dot on the forehead, and she wobbles, here and there, like a lovable penguin too harshly ground by the heat. I never knew what she did: maybe something with the food, maybe nothing, like us with our books and whatnot. The noble teacher stood overseer to us all: he felt his presence properly cheapened by us, by all those around him and he knew, he knew that he could be somewhere else. Littering chatters or indistinctive shapes of mouths and sounds and wonky, childish callings come, all muffled up to my ringing ears, and I smile – or I frown, for I do not know what this is about.
And with their chatters, their pretending that they were never here, the black fades into the grey. The hallway folds and expands into a million worlds of a million people, simultaneously in places I could not know about. With hasty wipes of mouth I clean up myself and run to class, my bag lightly dangling upon my shoulders. After all, I would not want to end up in the hallway – I would grow to despise myself.
Dear Sir/Madam,
I would like to raise some concerns about my recent trip to spot crocodiles. While I was promised an exhilarating and opportunistically safe journey, I found it to be disappointing. I have numerous concerns regarding the safety of the trip. As we traveled on a canoe into the swamp, I suffered heart palpitations as it swayed in warning of potential capsizing. We were without life jackets, and hence we could have drowned. Not only did we travel in shady, weak boats, but we were also without any weaponry to defend ourselves against the large predators. I do not want to battle a three-meter crocodile barehanded! I was told by my very tour guide that a father crocodile could flip the boat over and bite us, despite him saying the chances being slim. The trip, overall, is very dangerous and thickly-skinned to openly admit itself to be so. I did not pay my good money to risk my life away.
My tour guide was consistently indifferent and rude to me throughout the course of the trip. He was knowledgable and eruditely interested in crocs, I’ll give him that, but he treated me like a side object that distracted his attention from seeing crocodiles. He constantly tried to scare me with him seeking potentially large crocodiles, and never addressed my concerns regarding the safety issues of the journey. I was not adequately prepared for the trip thanks to him: I was never told that I needed mosquito repellent while insects gleefully stung me from all directions. Is he too accustomed to this way of life, so as to not even consider the needs of a city dweller? He is unfit to lead this trip and the journey was odd and ill-prepped.
In the future, the expedition would benefit from updated, proper equipment such as fast ships, shotguns for self defense, and proper lighting equipment. There should be more than one guide leading the trip and perhaps the trip should not occur at night time. The tourists should be briefed more carefully before the trip, receiving advice such as bringing mosquito repellent and a big bottle of courage. Adequate life-saving equipment should also be prepared – such as life jackets, and the leaders should also be adroit at diving and swimming incase anyone needed saving. Finally, the trip could overall just benefit from the messy state that it is now.
I look forward to hearing your response regarding any possible reimbursement for my trip.
Thank you.
Sincerely,
Nick
explain your feelings now about the safety of the expedition
- describe your impressions of Jack and how he treated you on the trip
Jack knwoledgable about crocodiles.
• suggest how you think the company might make such expeditions a better experience for the
customer in the future.
- Nick’s fear of crocodiles in paragraph 3, beginning ‘It sounded distinctly possible…’
General feeling is one of a hidden monster with insatiable bloodlust and power
“made my blood run cold” echos the ectothermic nature of crocodires
;monstrous aggressor’
‘sudden snap’
‘wooden touthpicks’
(b) The swamp in paragraph 5, beginning ‘We glided along for some time…’
A mystic, savage picture that bodes apprehension and danger thatn hides beneath
‘pneumatic buzzing’
‘eaten alive’
Dark expanse
‘dotted with reeds’
0500/21/M/J/16
You are Maria from Passage A. The day after the rafting trip you write a letter to a friend back
home.
Write the letter.
Won prize to stay for free
In your letter you should comment on:
- your impressions of the hotel and its staff
√Owner wanted to impress these guests
√Remote from city
√Classical architecture and good landscape, nature
Misogynist – thought husband wrote the thing instead of me
- your thoughts and feelings about your husband’s attitude and behaviour on the holiday
√He was rude and ignorant, always complaining -market stalls, should give a chance, experience local culture.
√Assumed things about the place, close-minded, refuse to visit animals
√Inconsiderate to hotel owner’s demand, bully hotel owner,
√Mean to other guests, think himself the center of everything, selfish –
√Insisting on going to raft- got hurt, in hospital, got what he deserved, a good lesson
Need to constantly apologize for him, feels ashamed, etc.
- your plans for the remaining days of your holiday.
√Write a good review for the hotel as the owner wanted
√Visit husband in hospital and talk to him about his attitude
√Investigate more about the bees and the bee farmer
√Go to the local market and buy souvenirs
√Visit the animal sanctuary
√Try popular dishes in the hotel
13/15
- the winning entry in paragraph 4, beginning ‘He agreed…’
One of amazement at the skill and magical, romanticized imagery painted out in the test
staged scenes – a dramatic opening, outlandish, prompting idealism, formal, beautiful
conjuring – magical, creative, artistic, impressive
entranced – its audience is moved by its content, charmed, under a spell
charming mirage – echos dramatic metaphor, airy, uncertain, beautiful, magical
(b) Al and Mr Head’s visits to the market in paragraph 6, beginning ‘On the second morning…’.
Juxtaposition between Al’s vision of the abundant, bustling market and Mr Head’s vision of a failing, slow and mediocre market.
rainbow of produce – wide range, colorful, fresh, impressive and color imagery
beehive that was the Old Town – bustling, busy, pleasant and full of people
straggling market stalls – mediocre, slow, unimpressive, comparison with above
tatty trinkets – boring, trivialized, unimportant
10/10
What is the importance of honeybees and what are the threats to their well-being?
- √30% of world crops rely on bee pollination / Disappearance could cause global food crisis
- Farmers need to use other pollination techniques / rising cost
- √Bees are unpaid labour for the global food industry
- √Production of honey as a food source
- √bee health indicator for environmental health
- honeybee is one of the oldest forms of animal life
- √Cultural history with honeybee
- Cannot be replaced by wild bees
- √Colony Collapse Disorder (CCD) is intensifying
- √bees’ immune systems suppressed
- √little genetic diversity
- √Varroa Destructor cause them to die
- √pesticides fatally alter bee behavior
- √bees to suffer from stress from too much pollination
- √A changing climate
12/15
0500/23/M/J/16
Our city – a playground for tourists?
An incident involving a child and two successful businessmen tourists occurred in a successful city restaurant√ yesterday. While the two men celebrated√ a business deal, the scrawny child dashed through them to steal a wallet√, but was quickly stopped by the waiter. As one of the men conversed with the waiter in broken Spanish, the other restrained the chil√d. An odd picture was formed – the skinny, sickly c√hild felt out of place in this posh restaurant, and the two men felt out of place in this city. Despite being held off by language barriers in their communication, the two businessmen decided not to report the incident to the police. Instead, the boy received small sums of money from the men, as well as some scolding from the waiter. √
Once a novel and magical escape, tourists had taken to complain that our city has lost its charm. “It used to be undiscovered and unique, and you co√uld find your quiet amidst the loudness.” One tourist claimed, “but now the people despise us.√ They are actively aware that we are here, and they think that we are destroying their city. In truth, the badly behaved tourists shouldn’t speak for all of us.” Another tourist lamented on the calculating nature of our city’s inhabitants: “Restaurants have tourist-specific, higher-priced menus, and everywhere you go there is fake souvenirs√ and fake beggars waiting to take advantage of you√. Thieves√ come and go so often that you could only pray you aren’t their target. The tourism industry here is flaunting itself and destroying its own heels.” While our city is responsible to some extent in its excessively predatory behaviors around tourists, the tourists themselves are to blame to introduce themselves as a visible, unwelcome population in our city. The way tourists flock to local spots and make themselves known to people disrupts the local culture, and awkward conversations, cultural and language barriers sparked mutual hatred throughout the past years. It would take both sides effort to rebuild this relationship, but it is possible.
Not long ago we thought of tourists as blessings to our industry, economy√ and culture, but now we think them a curse to disrupt and threaten our quiet lives. Some feel like the tourists are loud, obnoxious and annoying, and others believe that they disrupt our culture√ and parade their wealth around in a city where wealth inequality is disparaging√. The truth is, we do not need this protectionist attitude for our city. It’s great enough on its own, and we should be proud to showcase our culture. Governments should have guidance programs a√nd awareness signs that help tourists respect local culture, such as issuing pamphlets containing phrases from the city’s official languages. The local scam programs should also be cleaned up, so as to give earnest tourists our city’s very best. Organized tours could prevent the issue of tourists disrupting the local lifestyle, and the locals should have a more open attitude about the different cultures and values these visitors bring. We can regain this precious mutual respect if we simply start to learn more about each other. √
No matter what, it seems that the boy from the restaurant would not be starving tonight. You see, even two casual passersby did something to alleviate the poverty problem here in our city. They would not treat our city like a playground, if we stop to treat them like children.
• report what you observed in the restaurant and how the incident was resolved
• explain the complaints of tourists and how far you think they are justified
• suggest how locals feel about tourists and how both sides could work to rebuild mutual
respect.
- the waiter’s appearance and behaviour in paragraph 3, beginning, ‘Fenton and the waiter…’
Distaste for tourist and would rather want to be somewhere else after a long day.
‘nonchalant reluctance’√
‘ringmaster bored with his act’√
‘Relit a tired tea-light’√
‘staring off into the distance’
(b) the boy in paragraph 7, beginning, ‘By now, I was supporting the kid…’.
A morbid, dying child who suffers malnutrition and is in a miserable state.√
‘sswelling up accusingly’ seeming to go back to question the person holding him√
‘disintegrated carcass’ morbid imagery to show√
‘membrane of a human’ human bodily imagery to show his weakness√
‘rotten miserable sight’ repulsive and saddening√
Sun Ranch: the perfect escapade for urbanized free-spirits
The Sun Ranch is located in southwest Montana – the Western movie place of your dreams. Remote√ from the city flutter, it is the perfect place for any free-spirited cowboys trapped in their menial, 24/7 city desk jobs to rediscover themselves. Apart from views of stun√ning valleys and kaleidoscopic sunrises, river flows free like beers and bone-piercingly cool winds cycle through you and your horse every single day. You are with yourself, always: night and day switch and pass by like high tides along the smooth, indistinguishable features of a life, and you are truly living within you without the distractions of modernity. Committed to conservation, you will truly be saving the environment – and perhaps your soul as well. Cattle roamed√ the land, and wild cre√atures like bears and wolves are the Ranch’s natural guardians or enemies, but these are nothing that a city-dweller can see in their lives. You can disconnect fully – and reconnect yourself with nature.
As a worker at Sun Ranch, you have the entire world to yourself.√ You ride√ horses all day long – and you are the vigilant of the valley. You may need to use your rifle to deal with wild creatures, just like they do in movies. Living in a dreamy log cabin√, you learn to endure the harshness of a cowboy’s life. You diet will consist of rare game mea√t, and you will be herding ani√mals yourself as well. Helping animals graze and managing livestock could be a tough job for a city dweller, but just imagine how cool it would be to eat, drink and sleep in the miniature world of a wood cabin – an entire valley at your eye’s view. This job is bound to fulfill anyone’s childhood dream.
-harsh conditions – coldness√
-wlearn to ride horses
-disconnect from technology
-learn to have common sense, adaptability, gumption√
-survival skills and learning how to use guns, hunt, etc√
A sight of freedom, ethereal beauty and true release√
Winked out of sight√
‘in a torrent√
Flowing across√
Skipping like stones√
The house as a greedy, childish and humorous monster that narrator has learnt to live with.
Gobbled like candy√
Soaked up most of he glow√
Sieves√
Hissed in√
What attracted audiences to Wild West shows according to Passage B?
- Myth of untamed, romantic Wild West√/ Enhanced the truth / glamorized
- American icon comboy
- Has famous characters from the West√
- Long running / ran for 30 years
- Trick performances√
- Shooting exhibitions√
- Rodeo events√
- Buffalo bill’s reputation / novel written
- Horseback parade√
- Expert marksmen in show√
- Wild animals in the show√
- Celebrity performers
- Advertisement/tour across country√
- Educational about culture / curiosity√
Interviewer: Good morning, everyone. I am Jane Doe here in ExtremeRadio with our Mayor, who is prepping for his reelection campaign after his tour around an island. We will be talking about the island itself, his visit and the reaction to it. Stay tuned.
[upbeat music playing]
Interviewer: So tell us about the island, its people and their way of life. What impressed you and why did you decide to visit?
Mayor: Well, to start off I have always wanted to go back to the island. I was born there, so instead of a visit, I’d like to think of it more as a homecoming. I want to reacquaint myself with my home, and to learn more about its culture so I could learn things to serve the people here. It’s the beginning of my journey, I would say, and I have made quite a bit of something out of my humble beginnings on the island. I guess the whole appeal really comes from the culture – the people live simply on the island and they are devoid of the clamor, the impetuousness of the city. They don’t have much, but they treasure everything they have.
Interviewer: So it’s the humbleness, the otherworldliness that impressed you.
Mayor: Yes. And it’s surreal to see me coming from there and myself sitting here, because it’s so different, you know? I think we can all learn something from the island. Despite their financial situations, the people is very hospitable and kind to each other. When my parents left the island, we had no money. We relied on the help of our neighbors to get to this country, as they gave us food, water and their blessings.
Interviewer: What kind of reactions did your visit receive from the media and the islanders?
Mayor:
Islanders deify me / seen as success symbol
Media too brash, overreaction, so many people
Annoying and followed around
Journalist bothered local residents, which I think is not nice
Inquisitive and violated privacy
Too much exaggeration and speculation
Welcomed by islanders
Interviewer: Your speech and gifts to the islanders have been criticised recently and your motives
questioned. What exactly are people’s criticisms and how do you defend yourself against
each of them?
Mayor:
I gave money to the eldest cousin’s charity and statue / hold culture and others
Hospital and school / in reality, these things wouldn’t fit into the local culture. Children are educated at home and we shouldn’t enforce our culture upon them / at future date
My motives to be reelected / I cannot deny that, but it’s a grander motive to reconnect with the island and
Eldest brother use the money badly / it’s a public registered charity everything is transparent
My speech shows class mobility / there is class mobility. I’m not saying everyone can do it, but it’s possible, and anyone can do it.
The facts that are remarkable about the sea women and their work and the factors
that are making this tradition unlikely to survive:
- √Use no breathing equipment
- √Make living from harvesting seafood by hand
- √Work until very old age
- √Dive during winters
- √Suffers arthritis / bad health
- √Reverse tradition gender roles
- √Could die easily from diving
- √Younger women prefer working in tourism
- √Go under water more than 100 times a day
- Farm technology enabled agriculture
- Island hard to live in
- √Divers donate money to village schools
- √Overharvesting
- √Declining income
- Rely on medicine/drug use to dive
12/15
2 Imagine you are standing at the top of the highest building for many miles around. Describe what
you see and hear below you, and the scene around you at the top.
OR
3 Describe the scene from your position on the bank of a river.
The traces of quotidian hypnotism fades fast as the sun escapes our sky, our collective prize that now enters my eyes in the form of piercing reflected rays of BB guns across the sky-risers, across the sweat glands of the Mexican laundromat owner who complains about the absence of piragua in such heat, such nonsensical whimsy of their stories of a life. Yet I don’t see him now: I see the cabinets of a doll’s house, neatly and suffocatingly packed – of meats inside suits, of suits inside boxes, of boxes inside concrete legos, and their faces are identical. Homogenous smiles that turn around to become the horror movie of stealing identities yet there are nothing to steal in the first place. The transcendent, iridescent city is below me, and I miss it so.
2 You open the door to a surprise visitor. Describe the visitor and your thoughts and feelings when
they first begin to speak.
OR
3 Describe the moment when you encounter an animal.
The reckless, eclectic doorbell rings to bring me back to the menagerie, of all the animals I have tamed before in front this very plank of wood. Her eyes lit up in the flatness of the immaculate wallpaper, of the speckled dress fabric that does not belong, of the raucous
2 Describe a holiday resort at a quiet time.
A dead man’s orison heralds nobody’s incoming. The building slants its eye as the morning clears into cloudiness, and corridors fold outwards to the displaced visitor, who had paid, left, and took memories of the view with them.
OR
3 Imagine you have just started a job in a café or restaurant. Describe the place, its customers and your thoughts and feelings as you do your work.
Describe someone you recognise from a distance at an occasion you are both attending years
after you last saw them
Write a description of the spectators at a sports event.
Immense quietness fills the gymnasium; if one filters out all the sounds which matter; one should not hear a thing. It is the hearts of millions that pound here, simultaneously offbeat, across streams of latent consciousness and hypnopompic rue that glares of purple, orange and eclectic, juxtapositional hues of themselves. As the nerves of dilapidated bodies reach out, reach upwards, and expand into something subtle, soda treacle and tears confirm their lack of ambition, the flaws – the dripping fatness in their cheeks, the cheapish cologne that they reek, the sweat and the non-recyclable singularity of their glowing eyes had these outcasts of life reunited here, in this halfhearted stage of animalistic pride, of odd and outlandish specks of athletes being recognized by name, being cheered on.
Perhaps it was never to be transcribed into words. “Ideas never die.” Or the shouts, as they carry dead souls upon them, forcibly veered inwards through the bald tops and the spiky hair, made mountains out of the gentle glow of that runner’s skin, in curvatures thinned and circus masters ringed. And the skin expanded as if in cellular explosion, as if with nuclear fallout’s gentle glow colorized all of its treasure seekers: you are with me here. I am what you could be – and despite a few less years and a few less beers, a less awful family that had my haunting memories spared, I will walk the same damned trail with you to your salvation. And so she sets off, in the muffled gunshot that had all but drowned in the sudden standing-up of all the trespassers of her world, forwards lurching into the plasticine dreams that haunt the fully-grown’s ears.
And to the blue we return, return once more:
Imagine you are Isabelle’s parent. You have made a decision about whether to let her sign the contract or not.
Write a letter to the parents of the birthday girl in which you:
• identify and evaluate the issues you think the Friendship Contract raises about the nature of
friendship
• explain why, or why not, you will let Isabelle sign the contract and any concerns you might
have.
Base your letter on what you have read in the article, but be careful to use your own words. Address each of the bullet points.
Begin your letter, ‘Dear Mr and Mrs Dubois…’.
1st
- √idea of friendship changed – something to invest in
- √A legally binding thing to help be more civilized or less true about it
- √Commercialized friendship and puts children into adult world soon
- Weird – why would friendship need a contract and so young?
- Teaching in schools – A position to fill instead of a nice thing to have
2nd
- √Time limit? Temporary position?
- √Will encourage her not to sign but allow her to make choice
- √Strongly encourage parents to reconsider reality of friendship and what influence this will have on their daughter as well. Friendship is not a legal battle and the purity of childhood must be preserved
- √Hope Isabelle can still go to party
Clad in mist and fury
Write a letter to Paul Lifschultz, giving your views on what you have read in the article. In your
letter you should:
• identify and evaluate the arguments in the article
• explain how far you agree with Paul Lifschultz’s attitude.
Base your letter on what you have read in the article, but be careful to use your own words. Address each of the two bullet points.
Begin your letter, ‘Dear Mr Lifschultz….’
Write about 250 to 350 words.
- √Indifference – not pushing boundaries of privacy
- √Rudeness – but is this just a different generational thing? Surely
- Young people are rude – they are more apt to display their opinion, more relaxed with their √parents, and you yourself may have been like that once
- Believe a strict social hierarchy should be there
- Business skill
- √should change expectation – helps people in a more honest world
- Dropping niceties help people to get point across
- √Courtesies are displayed differently by different people
- √relaxed, more close-knit society
- √Prepares people for their version of society
- help students learn collaboration skills
- Create tight-knit community
- Adapt classes to students needs
- Suitable for smaller schools
- Better behavior
- √seems like an emergency solution to save money
- Classes could be too hard for young and too easy for old
- Too much time for older students spent on teaching/explaining
- Staff end up not knowing what to teach
- Encourages pedophilia/safety concerns if adults are introduced
Oct 2017 EngLang Paper 21
Dear Colleagues,
Last week we had a serious incident involving Astronaut A who had been sent out on an important mission. During her mission to haul some debris out of orbit, Astronaut A had noticed abnormal sounds coming from within her spacesuit. Having noticed no abnormal features in her control boards, she had later experienced an increase in internal pressures of her spacesuit. In addition, the safety valve failed to alert her and in addition, a joint from her suit had popped. Calling the station using the microphone, her screaming had subsequently damaged the audio hardware. She had smashed her head across the control panel and left unconscious for an hour, her actions now remembered with an alarming scar on her forehead. This is a serious matter of concern, as incidents like this not only cause severe physical injury to our astronauts ( in severe cases, death), but also damage our hardware and our general research effort in spending time to rescue them. 5/5
Your spacesuits are designed to fit your size and act as your small personal spaceship. The small propulsion jets help you travel short distances, and the helmet’s visor not only helps protect you from cosmic rays but also turns on automatic sunshade to protect your eyes from the blinding sun. The padded seat and safety harness is to prevent your movement inside the suit, which could cause physical injury. It is also fitted with a microphone to allow you to communicate with mission control at any time, ensuring your safety. It is paramount that you take note of these features and use them properly to your advantage. 3/5
To engage in a safe mission, the most essential task is to make sure you check the condition of your suit properly. Take a look at the internal lockers and the instrument panel to make sure everything is working, no matter how short your trip is. Maintain steady communication with mission control at all times in an articulate, medium-volumed voice through the microphone. Remember to switch on the sunshade in outer space at all times to protect your eyes. To prevent crashing, cut of the drive of your jet as accordingly when you are approaching short distances.
I wish you a pleasant and productive week ahead. Happy exploring!
Sincerely,
Commander of Satellite Control
2
The usage of imagery regarding human ingenuity and mobility evokes a sense of grandeur and wonder regarding the human efforts in space. The use of the ‘hubcap of a wheel’ as a simile to portray the office minimizes its size and also relates it to a similar piece of technology on earth, creating a sense of connectedness in the outer world and Earth, eliciting a sense of wonder. The simile of the ’giant jigsaw puzzle’ as the construction team’s work outlines its fascinating nature and grandness, the relation to a childhood pursuit further outlining a sense of complicated interestingness, hinting that the humans are like children in their trying to create a piece of grander technology. The ‘slow motion ballet’ outlines to the slow mobility and elegance of the construction workers, evoking a sense of connection between technology and art and connecting both in human ingenuity. And yet the ‘blue-green glory’ is where it all began – the description here pays tribute to Earth as the origin of these technological pursuits and amplifies the awe of its dwellers in their efforts in space.
In paragraph 4, the spacesuit is rendered with aural and visual imagery to be a trustworthy, entertaining friend. The label of ‘baby spaceships’ creates a sense of affinity and protectiveness that is mutual between the astronaut and the spacesuit, emphasizing the trustworthy and loving nature of the spacesuit, humanizing it. The ‘softly chattering’ jets personified their ambient noise to paint them as lovely friends whose company is to be desired during a trip in space, creating a sense of benevolent companionship. The ‘hospitable snugness’ elicits a sense of comfort and belonging and continues to personify the spacesuit as a welcoming figure, amplifying a mood of security and happiness in the spacesuit’s company. Finally, the astronaut is being ‘looked after’ by the personified, trustworthy friend that is the spacesuit, further expanding the friendly imagery of the spacesuit into a parental role in the provision of safety and guidance to the astronaut.
3
What challenges would a person face if they became a Mars One astronaut, according to Passage B?
3. eight years of training / four months every year in simulation facilities
4. Isolation during training
5. perform physical and electrical repairs
6. cultivate crops in confined spaces
7. address both routine dental upkeep,
8. and serious medical issues such as muscle tears and bone fractures.
9. Harsh conditions during the long flight to mars, no shower, small space
10. Awful food
11. Awful noise
12. So many exercise
13. Rocket might be hit by a storm
1. said goodbye forever to friends and family / relationship, isolation
2. Lagged communication with the earth
14. external environment might be dangerous or unsafe
15. adapt to cold temperatures.
The challenges faced by a Mars One astronaut begins at the training stage. One must undergo eight years of training in simulation facilities for four months every year, isolated from the world during the those times. One must learn essential skills such as performing electrical and mechanical work on damaged facilities, as well as medical skills of addressing quotidian concerns such as dental hygiene and severe injuries such as muscle damage. Agriculture in limited spacing must also be learned.
The astronaut must also be prepared to face social isolation. They would end all of their relationships on Earth as they will never see their family again due to lagged communication. In Mars, socialization opportunities are available but scarce.
During the flight to Mars, the astronaut will have no shower and a small living space. They will not eat fresh food and they will sleep under constant noise from machineries. In addition to these harsh conditions, they will also exercise daily to maintain muscle. In the event that the rocket is hit by a storm, the astronaut will need to react and take refuge in even smaller areas.
Upon arrival at Mars, the astronaut is expected to live a strict routine which includes growing and cooking fresh food. They must also adapt to cold temperatures of Mars and understand that any exploration they undertake in Mars may take them to dangerous places.
IGCSE REVISION 
