English
Stage 5
Paper 1 Non-fiction
2026
1 hour
Additional materials: Insert
INSTRUCTIONS
• Answer all questions.
• Write your answers to each question in the space provided.
• You should pay attention to punctuation, spelling and handwriting.
INFORMATION
• The total mark for this paper is 50.
• The number of marks for each question or part question is shown in brackets [ ].
• Suggestions for how long to spend on each section are given in the booklet.
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3125_01_3RP
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2
Section A: Reading
Spend 30 minutes on this section.
Read the text in the insert, and answer Questions 1–7.
1
Look at the first paragraph (lines 3–7).
(a) What does the phrase ‘variety of the elements’ mean here?
Tick () one box.
different kinds of weather
some chemical substances
parts that make up a whole
information about something
[1]
(b) The writer tells us it is not just the elements that make Scottish forests
challenging places to live. What three-word phrase tells us this?
[1]
(c) Tick () one box to complete the following sentence.
The first paragraph explains why it is important for animals to …
spend time making homes.
build a home in the right place.
make different types of homes.
choose the right home to move into.
[1]
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3
2
Look at the second paragraph (lines 9–18).
(a) Creating a burrow has several advantages. Which two advantages are given
in this paragraph?
Tick () two boxes.
Burrows protect animals from cold or wet weather.
Burrows provide animals with space for storing food.
Burrows provide safety from other animals.
Burrows provide a home for young animals.
Burrows protect animals from disease.
[2]
(b) In the phrase ‘master excavators’, the word ‘master’ tells us that badgers are
good at something. What does the word ‘excavators’ tell us they are good at?
[1]
(c) Complete the table, showing how pronouns are used in this paragraph. One
example has been done for you.
Pronoun
their
Meaning
‘the badgers’
these/them
they
[2]
(d) ‘Bits of dried grass’ are not always found outside badger setts. Give one word
or phrase that tells us this.
[1]
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[Turn over
4
3
Look at the third paragraph (lines 20–26).
(a) The writer uses ‘you’ at the beginning of this paragraph. Explain how the writer
wants to make us feel by using ‘you’ here? Give two ideas.
•
•
[2]
(b) Give one word from the text that means the same as ‘variety’.
[1]
(c) The writer emphasises the huge difference in size between the two types of
nest. Which two phrases does the writer use to do this?
•
•
[2]
4
Look at the fourth paragraph (lines 28–33).
This paragraph gives information about wood ants’ nests. Draw lines to match
each piece of information with the order it appears in the text.
Two examples have been done for you.
Information
Order
(1 = first, 5 = last)
What the nests are like inside
1
How big the nests are
2
How the nests are kept dry
3
What helps young ants to develop
4
How the nests are kept warm
5
[2]
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5
5
Look at the fifth paragraph (lines 34–43).
(a) The writer tells us that wasps and ants are ‘quite closely related’. Give one
more word from this paragraph which also tells us that wasps and ants are
closely related.
[1]
(b) Give one word that tells us the writer’s opinion of wasps’ homes.
[1]
(c) Why does the writer use an exclamation mark ( ! )?
[1]
6
Look at the fourth paragraph (lines 28–33) and the fifth paragraph (lines 34–43).
In the fourth paragraph, the writer uses a verb (‘Take…’) to give a command
or instruction.
Give one more verb in the fifth paragraph which gives a command or instruction.
[1]
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6
7
Look at the whole text.
(a) The writer has organised the text into paragraphs. How else has the writer
structured the text to make it easy to read?
[1]
(b) Imagine you are visiting a Scottish forest. Which two of the animal homes
described in the text do you think you would most like to see?
Tick () two boxes.
badger
goldcrest
golden eagle
wood ant
wasp
Give a quotation for each of your choices, and explain why the quotation
makes you want to see that animal’s home.
name of first animal
quotation
explanation
name of second animal
quotation
explanation
[4]
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7
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8
Section B: Writing
Spend 30 minutes on this section.
8
A Room of My Own
What would your perfect room be like? Write an article for an online magazine
giving a description of your ideal room.
You should think about:
•
•
•
what your perfect room would look like
what would be in your room, and why
what makes your room special.
Use the space in the box below to plan your answer.
Do not use the space for your answer. You must write your answer on the answer
lines on the next page.
Space for your plan:
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10
[25]
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