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English Language 1123

MOCK EXAM PAPER-1
SYED XAHID ANWER

Name : ______________________ Campus : ____________________

Read Text A and answer Question 1 and Question 2 on the question paper.

Text A: The Way to School

In the following story set high in the mountains of northern Pakistan, the young son of a village
leader makes the dangerous journey to begin his education.

High up at the head of the Hushe Valley, in the shadow of Masherbrum’s hanging glaciers,
Mohammed Aslam Khan had been a boy in the time before roads. Life in the village proceeded as
it always had. In the summer, boys like Aslam led the sheep and goats to high pastures while the
women made yoghurt and cheese. From Hushe’s grazing grounds, Masherbrum’s broad shoulder
could be seen thrusting into the heavens. 5

In the autumn, Aslam took turns with other village boys driving a team of six yaks in circles around
a pole, so that their heavy hooves would thresh the newly-harvested wheat. Throughout the long
winter, he would huddle as near to the fire as he could creep, competing with his five brothers, three
sisters, and the family’s livestock to find the warmest spot. 10

This was life. It was how every boy in the village could expect to spend his days. But Aslam’s father,
Ghulam Ali, was the head of the most powerful family in Hushe. Everyone said Aslam was the
cleverest of Ghulam Ali’s children, and his father had other plans for him.

In late spring, when the worst of the weather had retreated, but the Shyok river still ran fast with
snow melt, Ghulam Ali woke his son up before first light and told him to prepare to leave the village.
Aslam couldn’t imagine what he meant. But when he saw that his father had packed luggage for
him, he began to cry. 15

Questioning his father’s will was not allowed, but Aslam challenged him.

“But surely I can stay here?” he said, turning to his mother for support, but she remained silent and
looked bravely at her son, shaking her head. By the light of a guttering oil lamp, Aslam was
shocked to see that she, too, was crying. 20

“You’re going to school,” his father said.

Aslam walked with his father for two days. Like every Hushe boy, Aslam had roamed the narrow
mountain paths that clung to the bare cliff sides like ivy tendrils to stone walls. But he had never
been so far from home. Down here the earth was sandy and free of snow. Behind him, Masherbrum
had lost the reassuring bulk that had placed it at the centre of his known universe. Now it was only
one mountain among many. 25

When the trail ended at the bank of the Shyok, Ghulam Ali hung a leather pouch containing two gold
coins around his son’s neck on a cord. 30

“When, Inshallah, you get to the town of Khaplu, you will find a school. Give the Sahib who runs the
school these coins to pay for your education.”

“When will I come home?” Aslam asked, trying to control his trembling lips.

“You’ll know when,” his father said.

Ghulam Ali inflated six goat bladders and lashed them together into a zaks, the traditional Balti raft
for fording a river when it ran too deep to cross on foot. 35

“Hold on tight,” he said.

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Aslam couldn’t swim. His father put him in the water, and Aslam began to cry, struggling to control
the raft. He looked back at Ghulam Ali, standing strong and proud, but as Aslam floated away, he
realised his father had tears in his eyes too. 40

Aslam clung to the zaks as the Shyok sucked him from his father’s sight. He bobbed over rapids,
sobbing openly now that no-one was watching, shivering in the water’s glacial chill. After a passage
of blurred terror that might have taken ten minutes or two hours, Aslam noticed he was moving more
slowly as the river widened. He saw some people on the far bank and kicked towards them, too
afraid of losing the zaks to use his arms. 45

An old man fished Aslam out of the water and wrapped him in a warm yak hair blanket. He stood
shivering and crying. When the old man asked him why he had crossed the river, Aslam told him of
his father’s instructions.

“Don’t be afraid,” the old man counselled Aslam. “You’re a brave boy to come so far from home.
One day, you’ll be honoured by everyone when you return.” 50

He stuffed two wrinkled rupee notes into Aslam’s hand and accompanied him down the path toward
Khaplu, until he could hand him over to another elder. In this fashion, Aslam and his story travelled
down the Lower Hushe Valley. He was passed from hand to hand, and each villager who
accompanied him made a small contribution toward his education. 55

The kindness of these strangers encouraged Aslam, and he soon reached Khaplu and enrolled at
the government school. He vowed to study as hard as he was able.

Khaplu was a bustling city, the largest settlement Aslam had ever seen. When he began his first
term, Aslam didn’t have the fine uniform of the other students, and was dismayed to find they teased
him for his yak skin shoes and woollen clothes. But the teachers at the school pooled their money
and bought him the same white shirt, maroon sweater and black trousers his classmates had, and
he soon blended in happily and made friends. 60

Once his first year of schooling had come to an end, Aslam walked back up the Hushe Valley to visit
his family. As he entered the village, wearing his school uniform and smiling at the family and
villagers who had come out to meet him, everyone gazed at him proudly and said he bought Hushe
great honour. Aslam remembered what the old man had said to him when he had emerged from the
Shyok river, and grinned as he realised the prediction had come true. 65

Section A: Comprehension and Use of Language

Question 1
(a) Give two details that show why Aslam’s father ‘had other plans for him’ than the other children
in his village and family (lines 13-14).
• ..........................................................................................................................................................
• ...................................................................................................................................................... [2]

(b) (i) How did Aslam’s mother feel when Ghulam Ali prepared to send his son away to school
(line 20)? (ii) Give two details from the text to support your answer.
(i) ........................................................................................................................................................
(ii) .......................................................................................................................................................
........................................................................................................................................................[3]
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(c) Give two features of the method Ghulam Ali used to send Aslam down and across the Shyok
river (line 35).
• ..........................................................................................................................................................
• ......................................................................................................................................................[2]

(d) Explain what the writer means by the phrase ‘the water’s glacial chill’ (line 42).
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(e) Using your own words, explain the way Aslam was able to make his way from the old man who
helped him out of the river down to his enrolment at the school in Khaplu (line 46).
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........................................................................................................................................................[2]

(f) (i) What was the reason Aslam found the other students at the school in Khaplu ‘teased him’
(line 60)?
....................................................................................................................................................... [1]
(ii) How did the teachers there make it stop?
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....................................................................................................................................................... [1]

(g) In what way did Aslam think ‘the prediction had come true’ (line 69) when he returned to his
village?
....................................................................................................................................................... [1]

(h) Explain using your own words Aslam’s different feelings about leaving his home and his first
year at school.
Give three details from anywhere in the text to support your answer.
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....................................................................................................................................................... [3]
[Total: 16]
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Question 2
(a) What two impressions does the writer want to convey to the reader in this sentence: ‘From
Hushe’s grazing grounds, Masherbrum’s broad shoulder could be seen thrusting into the
heavens.’ (lines 4-5)?
…….....................................................................................................................................................
............................................................................................................................................................
....................................................................................................................................................... [2]

(b) Explain why the writer uses the phrase ‘like ivy tendrils to stone walls’ to describe the paths in
the sentence ‘Aslam had roamed the narrow mountain paths that clung to the bare cliff sides like
ivy tendrils to stone walls.’ (line 25).
............................................................................................................................................................
............................................................................................................................................................
....................................................................................................................................................... [1]

(c) Read this extract from the text:

‘Aslam clung to the zaks as the Shyok sucked him from his father’s sight.’ (line 41)
What effect does the writer suggest by using the word ‘sucked’?
……..................................................................................................................................................
....................................................................................................................................................... [2]

(d) Read this part of the text:

‘a passage of blurred terror that might have taken ten minutes or two hours’ (line 43)
What does the writer want to suggest to us about the situation at this point in the story?
……..................................................................................................................................................
....................................................................................................................................................... [1]

(e) Identify one example from the text below of how the writer uses language effectively to convey
how Aslam feels on his journey down the Hushe Valley:
‘Behind him, Masherbrum had lost the reassuring bulk that had placed it at the centre of his known
universe. Now it was only one mountain among many.’ (lines 27-28).
Explain the impression the writer creates in the example you have identified.
example ..............................................................................................................................................
explanation .........................................................................................................................................
............................................................................................................................................................
............................................................................................................................................................
....................................................................................................................................................... [3]
[Total: 9]
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Read Text B and answer Question 3 on the question paper.

Text B: The Majestic Pakistan Himalayas Walking Adventure

The following tourist brochure advertises the itinerary of a four weeks tour in the mountainous
northern regions of Pakistan.
Welcome to a land of rugged beauty and unparalleled natural wonders – the Pakistan Himalayas.
Embark on an unforgettable adventure through this breathtaking region, where towering peaks,
ancient glaciers, and a vibrant culture await.

Day 1-2: Arrival in Islamabad:

Begin your journey in the capital city of Islamabad, where you will be greeted with warm Pakistani
hospitality. Immerse yourself in the busy markets, sample traditional street food, and take in the
sights and sounds of this modern and highly impressive metropolis.

Day 3-4: Skardu and Shigar Valley:

Travel in our specially chartered plane to Skardu, the gateway to the mountains. Marvel at the
panoramic views of the western Himalayas and the mighty Karakoram Range behind, as your
journey continues by road into the Shigar Valley. Visit the centuries-old Shigar Fort, with its fully-
restored architecture and museum in the old court, and spend a relaxing spell acclimatising and getting to
know the rich history and culture of Shigar town.

Day 5-20: Concordia and K2 Base Camp:

At this point the serious hiking begins with our expert local guides, and the challenges of mountain
life take over: snow, ice and harsh weather, but worth every step. Embark on the long and thrilling
trek to Concordia camp, a place converging at the foot of some of the world’s highest peaks. Witness
the awe-inspiring beauty of the immense Baltoro Glacier at its millennia-old confluence - one of the
largest outside the planet’s poles - with the Godwin-Austen Glacier and others. Surrounding you are
the formidable peaks of K2, the Gasherbrums, and Broad Peak. As you approach K2 Base Camp,
feel the exhilaration of standing in the shadow of the world’s second-highest mountain, and the
sense of achievement that comes from completing the crossing when you return to Shigar.

Day 21-24: Hunza Valley:

After your accomplishments in the high mountains, it is time to take things at your own pace again,
beginning by venturing into the landscapes and well-preserved culture of the enchanting Hunza
Valley. Explore the ancient Altit and Baltit Forts, witness the centuries-old traditions of the local
Burusho people, and indulge in the flavours of Hunza cuisine - especially chapshuro, a kind of flat
pie crammed with minced meat, spices, tomatoes and onion. Don’t miss the opportunity to visit the
stunning Attabad Lake and the mesmerising Passu Glacier, undulating down from the Batura
Muztagh mountain range.

Day 25-28: Fairy Meadows and return to Islamabad:

Continue your well-earned R&R in the lush green setting of the ethereal Fairy Meadows National
Park. Ringed by snow-capped peaks, this area is known locally as Joot, with jaw-dropping views of
Nanga Parbat, the imposing westernmost major peak of the Himalayas. This is also a great spot for
observing and learning about the region’s wildlife in the hands of local guides, with wild horses,
musk deer and ibex roaming free on the plateau, and even glimpses of brown bears and snow
leopards to be had. If you are feeling active, you can opt to take one last trek to Beyal Camp, an
excellent viewpoint for the Raikot Glacier. From here the adventure comes to a close, returning to
Islamabad on the tour’s final day.

As you embark on this incredible tour, rest assured that your safety and comfort are our top priorities.
We will lead you through well-established trekking routes, ensuring you have a memorable and
thoroughly planned journey.

Prepare to be captivated by the grandeur of the Pakistan Himalayas, where natural beauty meets
timeless cultural heritage. Each step you take will bring awe-inspiring vistas, friendly encounters
with local people, and a deeper appreciation for this extraordinary land.
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Section B: Summary and Short response

Question 3
(a) Summarise the positive experiences a traveller undertaking this tour in the Pakistan Himalayas
might expect, according to Text B.
You must use continuous writing (not note form).
Use your own words where appropriate.
Avoid copying long sections of the text.
Your summary should be 150-180 words.
Up to 10 marks are available for the content of your answer and up to 10 marks for the quality of
your writing.
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(b) Imagine you are a tourist who has just completed the four weeks Pakistan Himalaya tour
successfully and enjoyed the experience.

You are asked in a questionnaire what you think the main benefit of the tour was for you.

Give your answer to the questionnaire, using information from the text.

Questionnaire prompt: We believe our Pakistan Himalaya itinerary inspires and challenges our
customers, enhancing their view of themselves and the world.

Would you recommend the tour to other travellers, and why?

The tourist’s answer:

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[Total: 25]