An original Thinka practice paper modelled on the structure and difficulty of the Nov 2024 HL (TZ1) IB Diploma Programme Language B paper. Not affiliated with or reproduced from IB.
Paper 1 (Writing)
Choose one task out of three. Write 450 to 600 words using an appropriate text type choice.
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PastPaper.question 1 · Extended Response
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Your school is planning to launch a "Zero-Waste Week" campaign to reduce plastic waste and promote sustainability among students and staff. However, some members of the school community believe that a completely zero-waste lifestyle, even for a week, is too inconvenient and unrealistic.
Write a response of 450 to 600 words in which you address these concerns and advocate for the campaign.
Choose one of the following text types: 1. An article for the school newsletter 2. A speech for the school assembly 3. An email to the school principal
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PastPaper.workedSolution
Depending on the chosen text type, an effective response must demonstrate the following:
1. **Article for the school newsletter**: - **Title**: A catchy, relevant headline (e.g., 'Zero-Waste, Infinite Impact: Why One Week Can Change Our School'). - **Structure**: Clear introduction, body paragraphs with subheadings, and a concluding call to action. - **Tone**: Engaging, semi-formal, persuasive, and informative. - **Content**: Explain the purpose of 'Zero-Waste Week', acknowledge the concerns about convenience, suggest practical small-scale steps (e.g., carrying reusable water bottles, zero-waste lunchbox ideas), and highlight the collective impact of these actions.
2. **Speech for the school assembly**: - **Opening**: A warm greeting to the audience (e.g., 'Good morning teachers, staff, and fellow students...') and an attention-grabbing hook. - **Structure**: Logical flow of arguments, rhetorical questions to engage listeners, and a powerful concluding statement or call to action. - **Tone**: Enthusiastic, inspiring, respectful, and highly persuasive. - **Content**: Connect emotionally with the audience about the planet's future, validate the worries of convenience, propose collective support mechanisms (e.g., class-level challenges), and rally the community to participate.
3. **Email to the school principal**: - **Header**: Clear subject line (e.g., 'Proposals for an Accessible and Successful Zero-Waste Week Campaign'). - **Structure**: Formal salutation, structured paragraphs with bullet points for readability, and a professional sign-off (e.g., 'Sincerely, [Name]'). - **Tone**: Formal, respectful, objective, and constructive. - **Content**: Directly propose feasible strategies to mitigate student/staff inconvenience (e.g., setting up composting bins, offering discounts at the cafeteria for reusable containers), and explain how these measures will ensure the campaign's success.
PastPaper.markingScheme
Assessment is based on the official IB Language B Paper 1 writing rubrics out of 30 marks:
**Criterion A: Language (12 Marks)** - **9-12 marks**: Command of the language is very effective. Highly accurate and varied vocabulary, appropriate complex grammatical structures, and minimal errors that do not impede communication. - **5-8 marks**: Language is generally effective. Sound vocabulary and basic grammatical structures, though some complex structures may cause errors. Communication is mostly clear. - **1-4 marks**: Limited command of the language. Frequent errors in basic structures, limited vocabulary, and communication is significantly hindered.
**Criterion B: Message (12 Marks)** - **9-12 marks**: Ideas are fully developed, highly relevant to the task, and supported by appropriate examples. The structure is logical, coherent, and cohesive. - **5-8 marks**: Ideas are generally relevant and developed, but may lack depth or contains some minor repetitions/irrelevancies. Development is clear but basic. - **1-4 marks**: Minimal development of ideas. Significant irrelevance or lack of clarity; arguments are incoherent.
**Criterion C: Conceptual Understanding (6 Marks)** - **5-6 marks**: Choice of text type is entirely appropriate to the context, purpose, and audience. Register and style are consistently maintained throughout. - **3-4 marks**: Choice of text type is generally appropriate. There may be minor inconsistencies in register, tone, or style. - **1-2 marks**: Little awareness of the text type conventions, register, or audience; inappropriate tone used.
Paper 2 (Reading Comprehension)
Answer all questions based on the three texts provided in the accompanying booklet.
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PastPaper.question 1 · Multiple Choice
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Based on Text A, what is the primary reason why local communities are more successful at maintaining reforested areas than external government agencies?
A.They have access to larger financial budgets and heavy machinery.
B.They possess ancestral knowledge of local soil and native tree species.
C.They are legally obligated by federal laws to plant a certain number of trees annually.
D.They receive international certification that exempts them from local taxes.
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PastPaper.workedSolution
The author explains that local communities hold invaluable ancestral knowledge regarding native plant species and soil types. This traditional expertise ensures higher survival rates for the saplings compared to generic, standardized planting initiatives led by external government agencies.
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Award 1 mark for option B. Award 0 marks for any other response.
PastPaper.question 2 · Multiple Choice
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According to the editorial in Text B, the primary goal of the '15-minute city' urban planning concept is to...
A.increase the speed of public transit systems so residents can cross the city in fifteen minutes.
B.restrict residents from leaving their designated neighborhood zones without official permits.
C.ensure that all daily necessities are accessible within a short walk or bicycle ride from home.
D.reduce the cost of real estate by converting commercial zones into high-density residential areas.
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PastPaper.workedSolution
The editorial highlights that the '15-minute city' model seeks to design urban spaces so that all residents can access their daily necessities—such as work, groceries, education, healthcare, and leisure—within a short walk or bicycle ride from their homes, thereby reducing reliance on cars.
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Award 1 mark for option C. Award 0 marks for any other response.
PastPaper.question 3 · Multiple Choice
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Based on Text C, what is identified as the main obstacle to implementing asynchronous work schedules in traditional corporate environments?
A.The high cost of subscribing to online communication platforms.
B.A deep-seated managerial culture that equates physical presence with productivity.
C.The decline in the quality of work produced by remote employees.
The text states that the most significant barrier is cultural rather than technological. Traditional managers often still rely on a culture of 'presenteeism'—the deeply ingrained belief that employees must be physically present or constantly online at the same time to be considered productive.
PastPaper.markingScheme
Award 1 mark for option B. Award 0 marks for any other response.
PastPaper.question 4 · Multiple Choice
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According to the author of Text A, how does living in a multi-generational household affect the social relationships of young adults?
A.It increases their feelings of isolation by cutting them off from their peers.
B.It fosters stronger emotional resilience through shared family responsibilities and daily interactions.
C.It causes permanent financial dependency on parents, preventing any personal development.
D.It eliminates all conflicts because of strict traditional hierarchies.
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PastPaper.workedSolution
The author demonstrates that living with multiple generations helps young adults foster stronger emotional resilience and interpersonal skills as they navigate shared family responsibilities and daily social interactions with older relatives.
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Award 1 mark for option B. Award 0 marks for any other response.
PastPaper.question 5 · Multiple Choice
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What does the writer of Text B suggest is the most effective way to encourage sustained social engagement among youth?
A.Offering cash rewards for attending local community board meetings.
B.Giving young people genuine decision-making power over a portion of the local municipal budget.
C.Making community service a compulsory requirement for graduation from high school.
D.Replacing all face-to-face civic meetings with gamified mobile applications.
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PastPaper.workedSolution
The writer argues that youth engagement is sustainable only when young people feel their input has real consequences. This is best achieved by giving them genuine decision-making power, including control over a portion of the local municipal budget, rather than just symbolic advisory roles.
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Award 1 mark for option B. Award 0 marks for any other response.
PastPaper.question 6 · Multiple Choice
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According to the scientific report in Text C, how does artificial light at night (ALAN) affect local ecosystems?
A.It accelerates the photosynthesis of agricultural crops, resulting in double the yield.
B.It disrupts the migratory patterns of nocturnal birds and insect pollination cycles.
C.It purifies local water bodies by killing harmful aquatic bacteria.
D.It forces all land mammals to migrate permanently to polar regions.
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PastPaper.workedSolution
The report explicitly outlines that artificial light at night (ALAN) disorients nocturnal migratory birds, causing them to lose their bearings, and significantly disrupts the natural pollination cycles of nocturnal insects.
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Award 1 mark for option B. Award 0 marks for any other response.
PastPaper.question 7 · Multiple Choice
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What is a major advantage that rural communities have over urban ones when organizing local environmental initiatives, according to Text A?
A.Greater access to national media coverage for their local projects.
B.Stronger pre-existing social ties and a shared sense of collective responsibility.
C.Higher average levels of formal education in environmental sciences.
D.Direct financial subsidies from large multinational green corporations.
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PastPaper.workedSolution
The text notes that rural communities benefit from pre-existing, close-knit social networks and long-standing traditions of mutual aid, allowing them to organize collective action more cohesively and swiftly than fragmented urban populations.
PastPaper.markingScheme
Award 1 mark for option B. Award 0 marks for any other response.
PastPaper.question 8 · Short Answer
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Text A: The Green Wall Project
In 2021, the community of San Ignacio launched 'The Green Wall Project' to combat desertification. Volunteers planted over 5,000 native acacia trees along the eastern border of the town. These trees were chosen because of their deep root systems, which help retain moisture in the soil. Although some residents initially preferred eucalyptus trees for their rapid growth, local ecologists advised against this because eucalyptus consumes excessive amounts of groundwater, potentially worsening the drought conditions in the long run.
According to Text A, why did local ecologists advise against planting eucalyptus trees?
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PastPaper.workedSolution
The passage states that local ecologists advised against planting eucalyptus because they consume 'excessive amounts of groundwater' and could 'worsen the drought conditions in the long run'.
PastPaper.markingScheme
Award 1 mark for mentioning either of the following points: - They consume too much/excessive groundwater. - They can worsen/increase drought conditions in the long run.
Do not accept: 'They grow too fast' or 'They are not native'.
PastPaper.question 9 · Short Answer
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Text A (continued):
Funding for the project was entirely sourced from a local eco-tax levied on single-use plastic bags at supermarkets, which raised over $12,000 in its first year. The local council reported that this funding model not only financed the seedlings but also encouraged residents to shift toward reusable canvas bags.
Based on Text A, how was the Green Wall Project funded?
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PastPaper.workedSolution
The passage specifies that funding was entirely sourced from a local eco-tax on single-use plastic bags at supermarkets.
PastPaper.markingScheme
Award 1 mark for identifying the source of funding as the eco-tax on single-use plastic bags.
Reject: 'By selling canvas bags' or general 'taxes' without specifying plastic bags.
PastPaper.question 10 · Short Answer
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Text B: Urban Rooftop Farms in Sector 4
In Sector 4, rooftop farming has transformed concrete high-rises into lush agricultural spaces. Since its inception in 2018, the initiative has utilized hydroponic systems to grow organic lettuce and tomatoes. The primary challenge faced by the farmers has not been the lack of sunlight, but rather the strong wind drafts at high altitudes, which required the installation of specialized protective glass barriers.
According to Text B, what was the primary challenge faced by the rooftop farmers in Sector 4?
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PastPaper.workedSolution
The text states that 'the primary challenge faced by the farmers has not been the lack of sunlight, but rather the strong wind drafts at high altitudes'.
PastPaper.markingScheme
Award 1 mark for mentioning strong winds / wind drafts (at high altitudes).
Reject: 'Lack of sunlight' or 'Installing protective glass barriers' (which is the solution to the challenge, not the challenge itself).
PastPaper.question 11 · Short Answer
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Text B (continued):
To distribute the harvest, the organizers established a weekly 'zero-emission' market in the central square. Residents can purchase fresh produce only if they bring their own containers, as no packaging is provided. Any surplus vegetables that remain unsold by 2:00 PM are immediately donated to the local community kitchen to prevent food waste.
According to Text B, what is done with the vegetables that are not sold by 2:00 PM?
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PastPaper.workedSolution
The text states that any surplus unsold vegetables are 'immediately donated to the local community kitchen to prevent food waste'.
PastPaper.markingScheme
Award 1 mark for stating that they are donated to the local community kitchen / community kitchen.
Reject: 'They are thrown away' or 'They are sold at the zero-emission market'.
PastPaper.question 12 · Short Answer
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Text C: The Evolution of Remote Work
A recent study by the Institute of Labor Dynamics analyzed the transition of 300 companies to permanent hybrid work models. The researchers found that while employee job satisfaction rose by 18%, managers struggled significantly with tracking productivity. To address this, 40% of the companies introduced 'result-oriented' performance indicators rather than monitoring hours spent online.
According to Text C, what did managers struggle with after the transition to hybrid work?
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PastPaper.workedSolution
The text states that 'managers struggled significantly with tracking productivity' following the transition.
PastPaper.markingScheme
Award 1 mark for mentioning tracking/monitoring productivity.
Reject: 'Employee satisfaction' or 'Monitoring hours spent online'.
PastPaper.question 13 · Short Answer
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Text C (continued):
The study also highlighted a gender disparity in the preference for remote days. Female employees, particularly those with caregiving responsibilities, requested an average of four remote days per week, whereas male employees requested an average of two. This difference has raised concerns among HR specialists about potential long-term impacts on career progression and visibility within the office.
Based on Text C, what concerns HR specialists regarding the different preferences for remote days between male and female employees?
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PastPaper.workedSolution
The final sentence highlights concerns about the 'potential long-term impacts on career progression and visibility within the office'.
PastPaper.markingScheme
Award 1 mark for mentioning either of the following concerns: - Impact on career progression. - Impact on visibility within the office.
Reject: 'Caregiving responsibilities' or references to the number of remote days requested.
PastPaper.question 14 · Short Answer
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Text D: Intergenerational Mentorship Programs
The 'Bridge the Gap' initiative pairs high school students with retired professionals living in the same district. While the initial goal was simply to help students with their career choices, the unexpected outcome was a reduction in reported feelings of loneliness among the elderly participants. Over 90% of the seniors reported that these weekly chats gave them a renewed sense of purpose.
According to Text D, what unexpected positive effect did the mentorship program have on the elderly participants?
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PastPaper.workedSolution
The text states that 'the unexpected outcome was a reduction in reported feelings of loneliness' and that it gave them a 'renewed sense of purpose'.
PastPaper.markingScheme
Award 1 mark for mentioning either: - A reduction in loneliness / feeling less lonely. - Giving them a renewed sense of purpose.
Reject: 'Helping students with career choices' (as this was the initial expected goal, not the unexpected outcome).
PastPaper.question 15 · Short Answer
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Text E: Youth Activism in the Digital Age
Online petitions have become a powerful tool for civic engagement. In 2023, a student-led campaign called 'CleanOurParks' collected over 50,000 digital signatures in just three days, forcing the municipal government to reverse its decision to commercialize the public park on Elm Street. Organizers emphasized that social media algorithms helped target local residents who were directly affected by the proposed development.
According to Text E, how did social media algorithms assist the campaign organizers?
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PastPaper.workedSolution
The author notes that organizers credited social media algorithms with helping them 'target local residents who were directly affected by the proposed development'.
PastPaper.markingScheme
Award 1 mark for mentioning that algorithms helped target/reach local residents directly affected by the project.
Reject: 'Collecting 50,000 digital signatures' or 'Reversing the government's decision' (which are the outcomes of the petition overall, not the specific action of the algorithms).
PastPaper.question 16 · Short Answer
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Read the text below and answer the question that follows.
**Text A: The Great Green Wall** The Great Green Wall initiative is an ambitious project to combat desertification in the Sahel region. While early efforts focused solely on planting trees, modern strategies prioritize community-led agroforestry. This approach helps local farmers restore degraded land while securing sustainable livelihoods through fruit and nut harvesting.
According to Text A, what did the early efforts of the Great Green Wall initiative solely focus on?
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PastPaper.workedSolution
The passage states: "While early efforts focused solely on planting trees, modern strategies..." This indicates that the sole focus of the early efforts was planting trees.
PastPaper.markingScheme
Award [1] mark for "planting trees" or "tree planting". Do not accept "agroforestry", "community-led agroforestry", or "fruit and nut harvesting" (as these refer to modern strategies).
PastPaper.question 17 · Short Answer
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Read the text below and answer the question that follows.
**Text B: Urban Rooftop Gardens** Urban rooftop gardens are transforming cityscapes. Beyond their aesthetic appeal, these green spaces significantly reduce the 'urban heat island' effect by absorbing solar radiation. Moreover, they act as natural stormwater retention systems, which mitigates the risk of flash flooding during heavy downpours.
Based on Text B, how do urban rooftop gardens reduce the 'urban heat island' effect?
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PastPaper.workedSolution
The text explains that the 'urban heat island' effect is reduced "by absorbing solar radiation."
PastPaper.markingScheme
Award [1] mark for "by absorbing solar radiation" or "absorbing solar radiation / sunlight". Reject answers that mention "stormwater retention" or "mitigating flash flooding" as these are unrelated to the heat island effect.
PastPaper.question 18 · Short Answer
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Read the text below and answer the question that follows.
**Text C: Redefining Work Perks** As remote work becomes standard, companies are redefining employee benefits. Instead of traditional office perks like free coffee or gym memberships, modern employers are offering home-office stipends. This financial support allows workers to purchase ergonomic chairs and high-speed internet routers to maintain productivity.
According to Text C, what specific benefit do modern employers offer instead of traditional office perks?
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PastPaper.workedSolution
The text states that "modern employers are offering home-office stipends" instead of traditional perks like free coffee.
PastPaper.markingScheme
Award [1] mark for "home-office stipends" or "home-office stipend" (or "financial support for home offices"). Reject "ergonomic chairs" or "high-speed internet routers" as these are specific items purchased with the benefit, not the benefit itself.
PastPaper.question 19 · Short Answer
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Read the text below and answer the question that follows.
**Text D: Intergenerational Connection** In today's digital age, 'intergenerational mentoring' has emerged as a powerful tool for fostering social cohesion. Younger tech-savvy volunteers teach senior citizens how to navigate digital banking and video calling. In return, older participants share life advice and career wisdom, which helps reduce feelings of isolation among youth.
Based on Text D, what do younger volunteers teach senior citizens?
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PastPaper.workedSolution
The text states that younger volunteers "teach senior citizens how to navigate digital banking and video calling."
PastPaper.markingScheme
Award [1] mark for "how to navigate digital banking and video calling" or "digital banking and video calling" (or "how to use digital technology"). Reject "life advice" or "career wisdom" (which is what the older participants provide).
PastPaper.question 20 · Short Answer
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Read the text below and answer the question that follows.
**Text E: Participatory Budgeting** Participatory budgeting is gaining traction in local municipalities. This democratic process invites residents to directly decide how to allocate a portion of the municipal budget. Citizens submit proposals, vote on the best ideas, and see projects like new playground equipment or community gardens come to life.
According to Text E, what is the first step citizens take before they vote on the ideas?
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PastPaper.workedSolution
The text indicates that the chronological steps are: "Citizens submit proposals, vote on the best ideas..." Therefore, the first step is submitting proposals.
PastPaper.markingScheme
Award [1] mark for "submit proposals" or "submitting proposals" (or "propose ideas"). Reject "vote on the best ideas" or "allocate the municipal budget".
PastPaper.question 21 · Gap Fill
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The following passage is a summary of a text about the modern working world. Fill in blank (1) with the most appropriate word from this list: [flexibility, disconnect, time, trust, salary, stress, productivity, connection]. Summary text: 'Many companies are now adopting a hybrid work model. While this offers greater [1] to employees, it also presents challenges.'
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PastPaper.workedSolution
The correct word to fill in blank (1) is 'flexibility' because the sentence refers to the adaptable schedules and working styles that hybrid models offer to employees.
PastPaper.markingScheme
Award 1 mark for the exact word 'flexibility'. Do not accept any other terms from the list or outside of it.
PastPaper.question 22 · Gap Fill
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The following passage is a summary of a text about the modern working world. Fill in blank (2) with the most appropriate word from this list: [flexibility, disconnect, time, trust, salary, stress, productivity, connection]. Summary text: 'For instance, without clear boundaries, workers often find it difficult to [2] from their tasks at the end of the day.'
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PastPaper.workedSolution
The correct word to fill in blank (2) is 'disconnect' because the sentence describes the challenge of separating one's professional tasks from personal life at the end of the workday.
PastPaper.markingScheme
Award 1 mark for the exact word 'disconnect'. Do not accept any other terms from the list or outside of it.
PastPaper.question 23 · Gap Fill
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The following passage is a summary of a text about the modern working world. Fill in blank (3) with the most appropriate word from this list: [flexibility, disconnect, time, trust, salary, stress, productivity, connection]. Summary text: 'To address this, some organizations have introduced a right to disconnect policy, which aims to protect employees' personal [3].'
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PastPaper.workedSolution
The correct word to fill in blank (3) is 'time' because a right to disconnect policy is intended to safeguard an individual's personal hours and off-duty periods.
PastPaper.markingScheme
Award 1 mark for the exact word 'time'. Do not accept any other terms from the list or outside of it.
PastPaper.question 24 · Gap Fill
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The following passage is a summary of a text about the modern working world. Fill in blank (4) with the most appropriate word from this list: [flexibility, disconnect, time, trust, salary, stress, productivity, connection]. Summary text: 'Ultimately, successful adaptation to this new era of employment requires mutual [4] between managers and their staff.'
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PastPaper.workedSolution
The correct word to fill in blank (4) is 'trust' because working remotely successfully requires mutual reliance and confidence between the leadership and employees.
PastPaper.markingScheme
Award 1 mark for the exact word 'trust'. Do not accept any other terms from the list or outside of it.
PastPaper.question 25 · True/False with Justification
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Based on the text, determine whether the statement is True or False. Justify your answer using a word or phrase from the text. Text: 'GreenWork, a newly founded co-working startup, has designed spaces entirely out of recycled materials. Unlike traditional corporate offices that consume large amounts of electricity, GreenWork relies 100% on solar energy. However, despite their sustainable efforts, some critics point out that the high membership fees make it inaccessible to young freelancers. CEO Clara Dupont argues that the cost reflects the premium quality of the eco-friendly amenities, but she promises to introduce subsidized rates next year to foster greater inclusivity.' Statement: GreenWork's offices are constructed using brand-new sustainable timber.
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PastPaper.workedSolution
The statement is False. According to the text, GreenWork has 'designed spaces entirely out of recycled materials', which contradicts the claim that they used brand-new sustainable timber.
PastPaper.markingScheme
Award 1 mark for FALSE accompanied by a correct justification. Acceptable justifications: 'designed spaces entirely out of recycled materials' or 'entirely out of recycled materials'. Do not award a mark if the justification is incorrect or missing.
PastPaper.question 26 · True/False with Justification
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Based on the text, determine whether the statement is True or False. Justify your answer using a word or phrase from the text. Text: 'GreenWork, a newly founded co-working startup, has designed spaces entirely out of recycled materials. Unlike traditional corporate offices that consume large amounts of electricity, GreenWork relies 100% on solar energy. However, despite their sustainable efforts, some critics point out that the high membership fees make it inaccessible to young freelancers. CEO Clara Dupont argues that the cost reflects the premium quality of the eco-friendly amenities, but she promises to introduce subsidized rates next year to foster greater inclusivity.' Statement: The co-working space uses a combination of different power sources to run its operations.
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PastPaper.workedSolution
The statement is False. The text states that GreenWork 'relies 100% on solar energy', indicating that it does not combine different power sources.
PastPaper.markingScheme
Award 1 mark for FALSE accompanied by a correct justification. Acceptable justifications: 'relies 100% on solar energy' or 'GreenWork relies 100% on solar energy'. Do not award a mark if the justification is incorrect or missing.
PastPaper.question 27 · True/False with Justification
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Based on the text, determine whether the statement is True or False. Justify your answer using a word or phrase from the text. Text: 'GreenWork, a newly founded co-working startup, has designed spaces entirely out of recycled materials. Unlike traditional corporate offices that consume large amounts of electricity, GreenWork relies 100% on solar energy. However, despite their sustainable efforts, some critics point out that the high membership fees make it inaccessible to young freelancers. CEO Clara Dupont argues that the cost reflects the premium quality of the eco-friendly amenities, but she promises to introduce subsidized rates next year to foster greater inclusivity.' Statement: Critics believe that the membership prices are too high for novice independent workers.
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PastPaper.workedSolution
The statement is True. The text mentions that 'critics point out that the high membership fees make it inaccessible to young freelancers'.
PastPaper.markingScheme
Award 1 mark for TRUE accompanied by a correct justification. Acceptable justifications: 'high membership fees make it inaccessible to young freelancers' or 'the high membership fees make it inaccessible to young freelancers'. Do not award a mark if the justification is incorrect or missing.
PastPaper.question 28 · True/False with Justification
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Based on the text, determine whether the statement is True or False. Justify your answer using a word or phrase from the text. Text: 'GreenWork, a newly founded co-working startup, has designed spaces entirely out of recycled materials. Unlike traditional corporate offices that consume large amounts of electricity, GreenWork relies 100% on solar energy. However, despite their sustainable efforts, some critics point out that the high membership fees make it inaccessible to young freelancers. CEO Clara Dupont argues that the cost reflects the premium quality of the eco-friendly amenities, but she promises to introduce subsidized rates next year to foster greater inclusivity.' Statement: Subsidized membership options will be made available by Clara Dupont in the current year.
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PastPaper.workedSolution
The statement is False. The text notes that Clara Dupont 'promises to introduce subsidized rates next year', which shows they are not planned for the current year.
PastPaper.markingScheme
Award 1 mark for FALSE accompanied by a correct justification. Acceptable justifications: 'promises to introduce subsidized rates next year' or 'introduce subsidized rates next year'. Do not award a mark if the justification is incorrect or missing.
PastPaper.question 29 · short_answer
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Based on Text A, paragraph 3 (Lines 12–16), to what does the word 'This' (line 14) refer?
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PastPaper.workedSolution
In paragraph 3, the text states: 'Many modern companies now offer flexible working hours. This has dramatically improved employee retention rates.' Here, the demonstrative pronoun 'This' refers to the action of offering flexible working hours.
PastPaper.markingScheme
Award 1 mark for any phrasing that correctly identifies 'offering flexible working hours' or 'flexible hours'. Do not accept 'companies' or 'employee retention rates'.
PastPaper.question 30 · short_answer
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Based on Text B, paragraph 1, find the word that means 'widespread and destructive damage or devastation'.
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PastPaper.workedSolution
In paragraph 1, the text reads: 'The sheer volume of plastic waste has wreaked havoc on coastal marine ecosystems.' The word 'havoc' fits the definition of widespread destruction or devastation.
PastPaper.markingScheme
Award 1 mark for the exact word 'havoc'. Do not accept variations or longer phrases.
PastPaper.question 31 · short_answer
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Based on Text B, paragraph 4 (Lines 25–30), to what does the pronoun 'them' (line 28) refer?
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PastPaper.workedSolution
In paragraph 4, the text states: 'By planting native saplings, volunteers hope to restore natural habitats. Protecting them from grazing animals is crucial for long-term success.' Here, 'them' refers to the native saplings.
PastPaper.markingScheme
Award 1 mark for 'saplings' or 'native saplings'. Reject 'volunteers' or 'natural habitats'.
PastPaper.question 32 · short_answer
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Based on Text C, paragraph 2, find the word that means 'characterized by or making a loud and confused noise'.
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PastPaper.workedSolution
In paragraph 2, the text reads: 'Escaping the clamorous streets of the downtown district, residents find solace in urban parks.' The word 'clamorous' means making a loud, confused, or noisy din.
PastPaper.markingScheme
Award 1 mark for the exact word 'clamorous'. Do not accept any other words or phrases.
PastPaper.question 33 · short_answer
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Based on Text A, paragraph 1 (Lines 1–6), to what does the relative pronoun 'who' (line 5) refer?
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PastPaper.workedSolution
In paragraph 1, the text states: 'The program pairs retired professionals with local high school students who are looking for career guidance.' The pronoun 'who' refers back to the high school students.
PastPaper.markingScheme
Award 1 mark for 'students' or 'local high school students'. Reject 'retired professionals' or 'guidance'.
PastPaper.question 34 · short_answer
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Based on Text C, paragraph 4, find the word that means 'to care for and encourage the growth or development of'.
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PastPaper.workedSolution
In paragraph 4, the text states: 'Grassroots campaigns strive to nurture a culture of civic engagement among young citizens.' The verb 'nurture' matches the definition of caring for and encouraging development.
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Award 1 mark for the exact word 'nurture'. Do not accept other forms of the verb or different words.
PastPaper.question 35 · short_answer
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Based on Text C, paragraph 5 (Lines 31–36), to what does the possessive word 'their' (line 34) refer?
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In paragraph 5, the text reads: 'When rural communities lose access to basic digital services, their economic growth slows down significantly.' The possessive 'their' refers back to rural communities.
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Award 1 mark for 'rural communities' or 'communities'. Reject 'digital services' or 'economic growth'.