Name
Date
ek
Part 1: Non-fiction
Section A: Reading
Spend around 20 minutes on this section.
re
Read the following text (an extract from The World Wildlife Fund (WWF) website), then answer
questions 1–7.
-B
at
Tiger
Endangered – Around 3900 Remain!
The beautiful, awe-inspiring tiger is one of our planet’s most iconic animals. But
here’s the shocking truth. Wild tiger numbers dropped by more than 95% from the
beginning of the 20th century. Now, for the first time in conservation history, their
numbers are on the increase.
We aim to help double the number of wild tigers to over 6000 by 2022 – the next
Chinese year of the tiger.
Al
5
We’re working closely with governments and community groups across
Asia – and your support is crucial, as always. Will you join us and help
protect this amazing wild cat?
ah
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a
In recent years, conservation work and the commitment of various governments
has halted the decline in global tiger numbers. But there’s a lot more work to do.
Becci May, Tigers & Asian species regional manager, says:
M
M
s
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‘I am proud to be engaged in supporting our work on tigers, at such an
unprecedented and exciting time in history where wild tiger numbers are
starting to increase globally. In my lifetime, tiger populations declined, but are
now on the up. That’s quite incredible. However, the threats remain, and we need
to do all we can to help achieve the very ambitious goal of doubling the number
of tigers in the wild by 2022 – a goal which was set in 2010 when the wild tiger
population was at an all-time low.’
1
1 What is the main purpose of the text?
Tick () one box.
to inform people about tigers
ek
to persuade people to help conserve tigers
to show how beautiful tigers are
[1]
re
to explain how many tigers are left
2 Give one piece of evidence from lines 1–4 that shows the WWF conservation efforts are
working.
-B
at
[1]
3 Why is 2022 an appropriate year to choose as a target for increasing tiger numbers
to 6000 (lines 5–6)?
[1]
4 Give two things that have helped increase tiger numbers (lines 5–9)?
Al


[2]
a
5 Give one word from lines 5–9 that means the same as ‘stopped’?
[1]
ah
6 How does the last paragraph differ from the rest of the text? What is the effect?
[2]
s
Effect:
M
Difference:
7 Give two layout features used in the article.
M


[2]
2
Part 2: Fiction
Section A: Reading
ek
Spend around 20 minutes on this section.
Read the following text (an extract from The Runaways by Victor Canning), then
answer questions 1–6.
re
Within twenty minutes Smiler was back with the spade. He began to dig at the blocked
entrance to the cave, working hard and fast and expertly. Fortunately the collapsed roof of
-B
at
the den opening was all loose soil and turf. There were no heavy stones among the debris.
After about ten minutes hard going he had worked his way through the top part of the
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blockage, digging slightly downwards all the time.
Suddenly his spade went through the last of the block. A small hole about the size of a man’s
head opened up and the sunlight poured through it. He stopped digging and waited, listening.
Inside the cave, the two cubs had long heard the sound of Smiler working away with the
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Al
spade. When he finally broke through both of them were huddled together against the back
wall of the den. The sudden sunlight blinded them. The male cub arched his back and
snap-hissed, half in fear and half in defiance. The female crouched by him, more hungry than
a
frightened, and gave a series of small mews.
Outside, Smiler clicked his tongue and gave a few low encouraging cries. He reached back and
15
ah
got his haversack. Inside, wrapped in grease paper for his lunch was a small, cold, roast
chicken. He broke off one of the legs and held it just outside the hole. He couldn’t see the
cubs, but he could hear them moving and crying now.
M
Inside the cave both cubs suddenly got the scent of the chicken. They ceased their noise.
The male cub, drawn first by the smell of food, moved slowly forward towards the patch of
daylight at the front of the cave. Two feet from it he stopped. He could see part of Smiler’s
face and the smell of chicken was now stronger. The hunger in him overcame his fear.
s
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M
He climbed up over the loose soil to the opening.
3
1 Give one phrase that tells you Smiler’s digging was speedy and effective (lines 1–3).
[1]


ek
2 Give two pieces of evidence that show Smiler’s task was reasonably easy (lines 1–5).
[2]
re
3 What does ‘huddled together’ (line 9) suggest about the cubs’ reaction to Smiler
digging the hole?
-B
at
[1]
4 Give one phrase that shows the cubs have spent a long time in the dark lines 9-12.
[1]
5 Explain, using your own words, how the cubs react differently to seeing the hole appear.
The male cub:
[2]
Al
The female cub:
6 Give three ways the writer uses language or structure to describe the cubs’
movement in the last paragraph.
ah
a


M

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[3]
4