Cambridge Lower Secondary Sample Test

For use with curriculum published in

September 2020

English as a Second Language Paper 1

Stage 8
45 minutes

Name

No additional materials are needed.

INSTRUCTIONS
 Answer all questions.
 Write your answer to each question in the space provided.

INFORMATION
 The total mark for this paper is 42.
 The number of marks for each question or part question is shown in brackets [ ].

E2L_S8_01/6RP
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Part 1

Questions 1–8

Read the text below.

For each number 1–8, circle the correct word on the next page.

The world’s smallest shark?

No one knows for sure, but the world’s smallest (0) of shark is probably the dwarf lantern

shark. The (1) length of an adult dwarf lantern shark is only around 20cm. (2) to the

world’s largest shark, which is the whale shark, the dwarf lantern shark is (3) tiny. In (4) ,

the dwarf lantern shark is over ninety (5) smaller than the whale shark.

Dwarf lantern sharks are found in the Caribbean Sea off the (6) of Colombia and Venezuela.

They live in deep water, (7) at a depth of around 350 m. It’s very dark this far down, and it’s

hard to find things to eat. Dwarf lantern sharks are able to produce light on certain parts of their

body which they use to (8) the small creatures that they eat.

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Example

0 version model species example

1 maximum great main principal [1]

2 Judged Compared Matched Connected [1]

3 fully totally completely absolutely [1]

4 fact point detail part [1]

5 sums amounts times quantities [1]

6 beach coast edge border [1]

7 clearly definitely obviously typically [1]

8 bring persuade attract invite [1]

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Part 2

Questions 9–13

Read the text in each question.

What does it say?
For each question, circle the correct letter A, B or C.

Example

New Message A Andy would prefer to go sailing with Julia on

Saturday rather than on Sunday.
To: Julia
Send From:
B Andy can go sailing with Julia on Friday if
Andy
she’s not free on Saturday.
Hello Julia
I can’t have Friday off to go sailing. C Andy wants to go sailing with Julia on both
I’m still available on both Saturday Saturday and Sunday if possible.
and Sunday, but Saturday is
better. Let me know what’s best
for you.
Andy

9 Where is Theo going to meet Duncan?

A at the station

Duncan B at the café

I know we said we’d meet
at the cinema, but I arrived
early so I went to the café C at the cinema
[1]
opposite. When you get to
the station, come straight
here.
Theo

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10
NOTICES
School orchestra members
We have a small number of
second-hand instruments
for sale at reduced prices.
Details available from the
school secretary.
Hurry, as they’re certain to
sell fast.
11
Cook in microwave only. Check
contents are hot before serving.
Suitable for home freezing.
12
Peter
Your drum teacher is off today
but will be back in school
tomorrow. Can you please go
for your lesson then instead,
at the usual time?
Mr Green
13
Half-price teenage winter
fashion this month. Full
range of summer clothes
has just arrived.
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A Students should see the school secretary if
they’re interested in buying a musical
instrument.
B The school would like to buy musical
instruments that orchestra members no longer
need.
C Anyone wishing to sell a musical instrument
should let the school secretary know soon.
[1]
A This food can be eaten hot or cold.
B Be careful not to burn yourself when serving
this food.
C You mustn’t put this food in a normal oven.
[1]
Mr Green’s message is
A asking what time Peter normally sees his
drum teacher.
B explaining why Peter’s drum class needs to be
changed.
C reminding Peter about his regular weekly
drum lesson.
[1]
A Some new clothes are now available in the
shop.
B The shop has just started selling clothes for
teenagers.
C All clothes in the shop are cheaper than usual
this month.
[1]
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Part 3

Questions 14–18

Complete the conversation between two friends.

What does Anna say to Ellie?
For questions 14–18, write the correct letter A–H.

Example

Ellie: Hi, Anna. Did you have a good time with your family yesterday?

Anna: H
…………

Ellie: How was the exhibition you wanted

to see?
A It was – we saw lots of interesting things
Anna: 14 ………… [1] from the river.

Ellie: Oh, that’s a shame. Why not? B Maybe – it wasn’t far from the train station.

Anna: 15 ………… [1] C We didn’t go to it in the end.

Ellie: Well that sounds like fun too. D Very! But it was my fault, I suppose.

Anna: 16 ………… [1] E Because we all wanted to take pictures of

the same thing.
Ellie: Did you take any photos?
F My parents decided we should go on a
Anna: 17 ………… [1] boat trip instead.

Ellie: Oh dear! Did you get bored on the G Actually, I left my phone at home by
way there without it? mistake.

Anna: 18 ………… [1] H We had a great day out together, thanks.

Ellie: Well, I’m glad you had a good time

anyway.

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Part 4

Questions 19–26

Complete the emails below.

Write one word for each space.
There is an example at the beginning of the first email.

To: Vincent

From: Rahul

Hi Vincent

(0) How are you?

(19) you like to go to a concert next weekend?

(20) are three bands playing, and they’re all brilliant.

I’m going to get a ticket this afternoon. They only cost $10 – I can get you one too

(21) you want. Just let me know as soon (22)

possible.

All (23) best.

Rahul

To: Rahul

From: Vincent

Hi Rahul

I’m good thanks, and hope you are too.

Thanks for telling me (24) the concert. Unfortunately, I’m visiting

my grandparents next weekend (25) I can’t go.

Anyway, I hope you have (26) really good time.

See you soon!

Vincent

[Total: 8]

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Part 5

Questions 27–36

You are going to read four reviews of books written for teenagers.
For questions 27–36, choose from the sections (A–D) and write the correct letter.
You may choose a letter more than once.

Which review…

explains why the main character chooses to help creatures from

another world? 27

mentions that there will be other books with the same main character? 28

explains that the story is not very original? 29

says what job the main character does? 30

says that the main character has an adventure with someone they know? 31

gives a reason for an enemy’s actions? 32

says that the book is better than another one by the same author? 33

mentions the type of people who might enjoy reading the book? 34

mentions that the main character is different to those in most stories? 35

suggests that being given a present plays an important part in the story? 36

[Total: 10]

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Book reviews

A Treasure Hunt by Jack Mason

In Treasure Hunt, Zack gets something unusual for his twelfth birthday from his
grandfather – a huge, ancient world map. Zack puts it on his bedroom wall, and
quickly discovers it has special powers. Zack and his best friend, Harry, soon find
themselves in an adventure in the mountains, travelling along a path that leads to a
long-buried mystery. They are followed by enemies who’ll do anything to stop them.
According to the author, this excellent novel is the first in a series of stories about
Zack. I can’t wait for the next one.

B Zendor by Alison Evans

Thirteen-year-old Felix Holmes is amazed when he accidentally finds himself on
Zendor, a strange planet full of magical beasts. He’s the kind of person who loves
risk and adventure, and enjoys life when everything is exciting. Felix needs to find a
way home, but Zendor is in trouble. A monster called Maxus is attacking it to steal
the power of Zendor for herself. But Felix realises that the future of his own world is
also in danger so decides to join Zendor’s strange residents in their fight against
Maxus.

C The Midnight Zone by Mitch Philpot

The Midnight Zone is an adventure that mainly takes place deep underwater. Tara
isn’t a typical hero. She’s a scientist doing research into unknown places at the
bottom of the ocean. She’s doing this to try to understand more about the
environmental danger our planet is facing. However, she discovers that it’s even
stranger down there than she was expecting, and this helps her find answers to her
questions. It’s a great improvement on Philpot’s previous novel, Underground
Towns, with far more action and humour. You won’t want to put this exciting
adventure down until you’ve read the final page.

D Magnet Man by Angela Steel

The main character in Angela Steel’s latest book has a lot in common with many
other superhero characters, so readers that are into the usual adventures of this
kind will love it. Timothy Taylor is an average schoolboy, doing normal activities
with his friends, except for one thing. Whenever someone is in danger, he turns
into Magnet Man in order to save them. As you can see, there’s little that’s new in
this novel, and although it’s not as good as any of Steel’s previous books, Magnet
Man is still pretty interesting.

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Part 6

Questions 37–42

Read the text and questions below.

For each question, circle the correct letter A, B, C or D.

The 13-year-old skateboarding champion

Charlotte Wardell talks about her love of skateboarding

In many ways, Charlotte Wardell is just like many other 13-year-olds: she likes going to the
cinema and spending time online. In her back garden, however, there’s a full-size skateboard
track called a half-pipe. Charlotte practises on it every day, and other local skateboarders
come to use it and to learn from her. ‘She’s almost as good at teaching as she is on the
skateboard,’ says Emily, Charlotte’s mother.
Charlotte’s older brother, Jonny, is the reason she started skateboarding. When Jonny first
became interested in skateboarding, he’d let her go to the park with him and use his
skateboard. Before long, she was able to do better tricks than Jonny and started beating him
in competitions. Jonny has now become the cameraperson for his sister, filming her as she
skateboards at big events.
Charlotte’s list of achievements is already long. Aged eleven, she became the youngest
competitor ever at the women’s national skateboard championship. At thirteen, she won the
same event, becoming the youngest ever winner. ‘I knew I had a good chance of winning. It
was close, but I did it!’ explains Charlotte. A few days later, Jonny uploaded his film of her
taking part. Charlotte says, ‘Strangers kept coming up to me and saying, “I saw an online
video of you skateboarding.” I couldn’t believe it!’ She’s also the only female winner of a local
Athlete of the Year award.
So what about the future? ‘I’m sure skateboarding will become more popular now it’s in the
Olympic Games,’ says Charlotte. ‘It’d be amazing to take part in an event like that and I’m
sure I’m good enough. I can’t imagine having to work to make money to live on and only
being able to skateboard in my free time. I actually can’t wait to finish school so I can spend
even more time doing what I really love.’

37 What do we learn about Charlotte in the first paragraph?

A She’s not very good at showing others how to skateboard.
B She sometimes spends all day practising skateboarding.
C She often goes to a park which has skateboard facilities.
D She has other interests as well as skateboarding.
[1]
38 How did Charlotte’s brother Jonny help her skateboarding career?
A He allowed her to try his new hobby.
B He showed her films of top skateboarders.
C He let her watch him in competitions.
D He taught her all of the tricks she knows.
[1]

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39 What surprised Charlotte about taking part in the national skateboard championship?
A coming first in the competition
B being the youngest competitor
C people recognising her afterwards
D beating all the male skateboarders
[1]

40 What does Charlotte say about her future as a skateboarder?

A She thinks she can earn lots of money from it.
B She’d like to continue skateboarding only as a hobby.
C She’s confident she’ll appear in big international competitions.
D She wants to study as well as skateboard professionally.
[1]

41 Which text message would Charlotte send to a friend?

A B
I’m so glad I stopped going to
the cinema so often, so I can
spend the time skateboarding
instead.
I really hope that one day I can
have a skateboard track at
home so I don’t have to practise
with other skateboarders.

C D
Now my brother’s almost as
good as I am, we’ll be able to
take part in international
skateboarding competitions
together.
I can’t believe that playing with
my brother’s skateboard has
ended up with me being the
best female skateboarder in the
country.

[1]

42 What is the writer doing in this text?

A giving advice on how to become a successful skateboarder

B giving information on the development of a young sports star
C giving a warning about the dangers of being a young athlete
D giving details about local skateboarding facilities
[1]

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BLANK PAGE

Copyright Acknowledgements:

Part 5 adapted from © https://www.lovereading4kids.co.uk/book/15806/The-Treasure-at-the-Top-of-the-World-by-Clive-Mantle.html 17 April 2019.

adapted from © https://www.lovereading4kids.co.uk/book/16154/Rumblestar-by-Abi-Elphinstone.html 17 April 2019.

Copyright © UCLES, 2020

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Permission to reproduce items where third-party owned material protected by copyright is included has been sought and cleared where possible. Every
reasonable effort has been made by the publisher (UCLES) to trace copyright holders, but if any items requiring clearance have unwittingly been included, the
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