Cambridge O Level English Language

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O Level
Cambridge
English
Language
Second Edition
9781398360235 Cambridge O Level English 2e.indb 1 31/05/2022 14:01
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O Level
Cambridge
English
Language
Second Edition
John Reynolds & Patricia Acres
9781398360235 Cambridge O Level English 2e.indb 3 31/05/2022 14:01
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ISBN: 978 1 3983 6023 5
© John Reynolds and Patricia Acres 2022
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Contents
Introduction 6
How to use this book 7
Chapter 1 Reading and writing skills 9
Unit 1 Becoming a better reader 10
Unit 2 Becoming a better writer 22
Chapter 2 Travel and exploration 31
Unit 3 Reading comprehension 32
Unit 4 Descriptive writing 57
Chapter 3 New experiences 71
Unit 5 Summary writing 72
Unit 6 Narrative writing 88
Chapter 4 The environment 105
Unit 7 How writers achieve effects 106
Unit 8 Writing to argue or persuade 121
Chapter 5 People and community 135
Unit 9 Further summary writing 136
Unit 10 Directed writing 148
Chapter 6 Preparing for assessment 173
Unit 11 Exam preparation 174
Unit 12 Practice examination-style papers 179
Glossary of key terms 187
Acknowledgements 189
Index 190
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Introduction
The information in this section is taken from Cambridge O Level English Language
syllabus (1123) for examination from 2024. You should always refer to the
appropriate syllabus document for the year of your examination to confirm the
details and for more information. The syllabus document is available on the
Cambridge International website at www.cambridgeinternational.org.
This Cambridge-endorsed textbook is intended for use by students of Cambridge
O Level English Language (1123) for examination from 2024. The aim of the
book is to present comprehensive coverage of the syllabus in a readable and
interesting style. It provides advice and practice exercises to help you develop
skills in the two main areas of study:
» Reading
» Writing.
This book is designed to support you in developing your general reading and
writing abilities, and to equip you with the skills you will require in both your
further studies and the real world. Therefore, it features many articles and other
text types taken from real-world sources and relating to real-world issues.
Assessment
Assessment overview
All students take two exams, as set out in the table below:
Paper Duration Weighting Description
Paper 1 Reading 2 hours 50% Structured and extended writing questions
Questions are based on two reading texts
Paper 2 Writing 2 hours 50% Directed Writing question and a composition task
Assessment objectives
All students take two components in their exam, as follows:
AO1 Reading
Candidates will be assessed on their ability to:
R1 Demonstrate understanding of explicit meaning.
R2 Demonstrate understanding of implicit meaning and attitudes.
R3 Analyse, evaluate and develop facts, ideas and opinions, using appropriate
support from the text.
R4 Demonstrate understanding of how writers achieve effects and influence
readers.
R5 Select and use information for specific purposes.
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AO2 Writing
Candidates will be assessed on their ability to:
W1 Articulate experience and express what is thought, felt and imagined.
W2 Organise and structure ideas and opinions for deliberate effect.
W3 Use a range of vocabulary and sentence structures appropriate to context.
W4 Use register appropriate to context.
W5 Make accurate use of spelling, punctuation and grammar.
How to use this book
Organisation
The book is divided into six chapters, each focused on a specific skill, theme or
aspect of the course:
» Chapter 1 introduces you to some key reading and writing skills that will
prove beneficial throughout the course. You can refer back to this chapter
throughout your studies, and when you are preparing for your exams, to help
you refresh these important skills.
» Chapters 2 to 5 are built around a specific theme; for example, ‘Travel and
exploration’ or ‘The environment’, and contain reading texts and writing
activities relating to that specific topic. Each of these chapters is divided into
two units, each of which is focused on a specific skill required by the syllabus;
for example, ‘Reading comprehension’ or ‘Descriptive writing’ (although many
units also contain exercises that make you practise other skills too).
» Chapter 6 focuses on your exam preparation. Unit 11 contains guidance
on how to approach your revision and advice on good exam practice; Unit
12 is made up of two practice examination-style papers, one reading and
one writing.
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Features
To make your study of English as rewarding and successful as possible, this book
uses the following features:
Key terms Exercises Examples of students’
Key terms are in red Each unit includes a variety of exercises work
throughout the book and aimed at reinforcing and testing your
For some exercises, examples of
definitions are provided learning and, in particular, your ability to
students’ sample answers (written
in these boxes. All the read for understanding and write effectively.
by the authors) are included, giving
definitions are compiled The skills tested in them are not necessarily
you the chance to identify things
into a glossary at the restricted to those discussed in that
that would have been done well and
back of the book. particular unit. Your teacher may specify
areas for improvement.
which elements they want you to do, but you
may also want to tackle others as additional
practice.
An Unexpected Winner
Key terms
The class erupted into squeals of laughter as she bent her head down in shame.
Audience: The people
Sensing the piercing and scornful glances of the popular girls on her, tears
for whom a piece of
In this unit, writing is intended formed in her eyes. Why was she so stupid?
Tone:The mood implied
you will: by a piece of writing,
conveyed through the
The assessment writer’s choice of words,
sentence structures,
objectives relevant etc.
to the focus of Register: The form
of language used by Exercise 1
theunit. a speaker or writer
in a particular social English is rich in synonyms. A good writer will always try to choose the most suitable
context – depending on word to convey a precise meaning. Write sentences for each of the words in each of the
the audience, register groups below to show that you have understood the different shades of meaning they
may be either formal contain.
orinformal 1 Sad; mournful; forlorn; gloomy; morose
2 Difficult; demanding; intricate; painful; troublesome
3 Speak; converse; mutter; proclaim; talk
4 House; dwelling; habitat; home; mansion
In this unit, you will:
l Articulate experience and express what is thought, felt and imagined.
l Organise and structure ideas and opinions for deliberate effect. Unit summary
l Use a range of vocabulary and sentence structures appropriate
tocontext. In this unit, you have learned how to:
l Articulate experience and express what is thought, felt and imagined.
l Make accurate use of spelling, punctuation and grammar. l Organise and structure ideas and opinions for deliberate effect.
l Use a range of vocabulary and sentence structures appropriate to context.
l Make accurate use of spelling, punctuation and grammar.
Think about how you have demonstrated these skills in the exercises in this unit.
Teacher’s comment:
A great response. An effective short story – well written and making effective use of Unit summary
description, especially in the sympathetic way that Ruby’s thoughts and feelings are
conveyed effectively through well-chosen vocabulary. The student captures and sustains TIP Finally, at the end of each unit,
the genre. Well done! Concentration and there is an opportunity to review
alertness help to
make you a good the assessment objectives covered
reader. The more you and reflect on how you have
practise your reading
skills, the better your demonstrated and developed the
Teacher comments understanding of the
skills required.
passages is likely to be.
Likewise, for some exercises, teacher
comments have been written by
the authors, either in the form of
general guidance or as feedback on a
Tips
student’ssample answer.
Please note: The example responses and A range of study tips, notes and
teacher commentaries contained in this things to remember are included
book have been written by the authors. at appropriate points in the text.
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