IB DP · Thinka-original Practice Paper

2023 IB DP Language ab initio Practice Paper with Answers

Thinka Nov 2023 SL IB Diploma Programme-Style Mock — Language ab initio

70 marks120 mins2023

An original Thinka practice paper modelled on the structure and difficulty of the Nov 2023 SL IB Diploma Programme Language ab initio paper. Not affiliated with or reproduced from IB.

Paper 1 Section A: Writing

Complete one task from a choice of three. Use an appropriate text type and write 70 to 150 words.

1 Question · 15 marks

Question 1 · Extended Response

15 marks

You recently visited a new traditional restaurant in your town with your family and want to share your experience.

Write a text of 70 to 150 words in which you:
- Describe the restaurant and what you ate and drank.
- Explain what you liked or disliked about the food and the atmosphere.
- Recommend (or do not recommend) this restaurant to others.

Choose the most appropriate text type from the following options:
- Blog post
- Email to a friend
- Review

Show answer & marking scheme

Worked solution

The student response should choose one of the three suggested text types. In this case, a 'Review' is selected.

Sample Response Analysis:
- **Text Type (Review)**: Features a clear title, a rating/evaluation tone, and direct recommendations suitable for a public audience.
- **Word Count**: 116 words, which falls perfectly within the 70-150 word limit.
- **Bullet 1 (Describe restaurant and food/drink)**: Addressed ('The Old Oak', 'wooden furniture', 'roast chicken with vegetables', 'fresh lemonade').
- **Bullet 2 (Like/dislike about food and atmosphere)**: Addressed (liked the juicy chicken, disliked the sour lemonade, liked the warm atmosphere and music).
- **Bullet 3 (Recommendation)**: Addressed ('I highly recommend... to anyone who loves traditional home-cooked meals').

Marking scheme

Assessment Criteria (Total: 15 marks):

**Criterion A: Language (6 marks)**
- **5-6 marks**: Command of vocabulary and grammatical structures is very good. Accuracy is high, with only minor errors that do not impede communication.
- **3-4 marks**: Vocabulary and grammar are generally appropriate, though some repetitive phrasing and minor errors occur.
- **1-2 marks**: Very limited vocabulary and grammar range; frequent errors impede communication.

**Criterion B: Message (6 marks)**
- **5-6 marks**: All three bullet points are fully and clearly developed with appropriate details.
- **3-4 marks**: Most bullet points are addressed, but some are lack detail or are partially unclear.
- **1-2 marks**: Minimal response to the prompt; ideas are not developed.

**Criterion C: Conceptual understanding / Text type (3 marks)**
- **3 marks**: Register, tone, and format are highly appropriate to the chosen text type (e.g., title and subjective evaluation for a review; greeting and informal tone for an email; interactive tone for a blog).
- **2 marks**: Register and format are mostly consistent and appropriate.
- **1 mark**: Little awareness of register and format appropriate to the chosen text type.

Paper 1 Section B: Writing

Complete one task from a choice of three. Use an appropriate text type and write 70 to 150 words.

1 Question · 15 marks

Question 1 · Extended Response

15 marks

Context: Your school recently held a 'Green Week' to raise awareness about protecting the environment.

Task: Write a text in which you:
- describe at least two activities that took place during the week,
- explain why these activities are important for the environment,
- suggest one action that readers can take at home to continue protecting the environment.

Text type options: Choose the most appropriate text type from the three options below:
- Email to a teacher
- Blog post
- Formal letter

Write 70 to 150 words in English.

Show answer & marking scheme

Worked solution

Title: My Green Week Experience!

Last week, our school organized 'Green Week' to help protect our planet. It was amazing!

First, we planted ten new trees in the school garden to clean our air. Second, we collected hundreds of plastic bottles for recycling. These activities are very important because trees produce fresh oxygen and recycling reduces plastic waste in our landfills and oceans.

How can you help? At home, you can easily turn off the lights when you leave a room to save electricity.

What are you doing to save the Earth? Leave your comments below!

Posted by: Alex on October 12

Marking scheme

Criterion A: Language (6 marks)
- 5-6 marks: Vocabulary is appropriate and varied. Sentence structures are varied and generally accurate. Minor spelling/grammar errors do not impede communication.
- 3-4 marks: Vocabulary is appropriate but basic. Some simple sentence structures are accurate, but errors occur in more complex structures.
- 1-2 marks: Vocabulary is very limited. Frequent grammatical errors make communication difficult.
- 0 marks: Does not reach the standard.

Criterion B: Message (6 marks)
- 5-6 marks: All three prompts (describing activities, explaining environmental importance, suggesting home action) are fully addressed and clearly developed.
- 3-4 marks: Two prompts are addressed well, or all three are addressed but superficially.
- 1-2 marks: Only one prompt is addressed, or information is very limited and disorganized.
- 0 marks: No prompts are addressed.

Criterion C: Conceptual understanding / Text Type (3 marks)
- 3 marks: The student correctly chose the 'Blog post' text type. The text includes appropriate blog conventions (engaging title, author/date, direct address to readers, call for comments) and maintains a suitable semi-formal/informal register.
- 2 marks: The student chose 'Blog post' but missed some standard formatting elements, or used an inconsistent register.
- 1 mark: The student chose an inappropriate text type (e.g., email or formal letter) but the content partially suits the task.
- 0 marks: Incorrect text type and register.

Paper 2 Reading Text A

Read Text A and answer questions 1 to 9.

9 Question · 12 marks

Question 1 · True Statement Selection

4 marks

### Text A: The Weekly Farmers' Market

Every Saturday morning, the local farmers' market opens in the town square from 8:00 AM to 1:00 PM. It is a wonderful place for people who want to eat fresh, healthy, and organic food. Many local farmers come here to sell their products directly to the public. You can find a huge variety of seasonal fruits and vegetables, freshly baked bread, homemade cheeses, and organic honey.

Mr. Tanaka, who sells organic apples and pears, says that selling directly to customers allows him to keep prices lower than in big supermarkets. He also enjoys chatting with people and sharing tips on how to use his fruits in different recipes.

Another popular stall is 'The Daily Crumb', a bakery run by Elena. She uses traditional methods to bake sourdough bread. She starts baking at 3:00 AM so that the bread is warm when the market opens. Elena says she often runs out of bread by 11:00 AM because it is so popular.

Visitors are encouraged to bring their own reusable bags to reduce plastic waste. There is also a small seating area in the middle of the market where people can drink fresh coffee or tea and listen to local musicians perform.

***

Based on Text A, select the **four** true statements from the list below. Write the letters of your choices in alphabetical order.

**A.** The market is open on both Saturdays and Sundays.
**B.** Organic honey and homemade cheeses can be purchased at the market.
**C.** Mr. Tanaka's fruits are more expensive than supermarket fruits.
**D.** Mr. Tanaka likes to share cooking ideas with his customers.
**E.** Elena's bakery only uses modern electric machinery to bake bread.
**F.** 'The Daily Crumb' sometimes sells out of bread before the market closes.
**G.** Customers must pay extra if they do not bring reusable bags.
**H.** There is live music entertainment at the market.

Show answer & marking scheme

Worked solution

To find the correct statements, we evaluate each option against Text A:

* **A is false:** The text states the market opens "Every Saturday morning", not Sundays.
* **B is true:** The text mentions that you can find "homemade cheeses, and organic honey" at the market.
* **C is false:** The text states that selling directly "allows him to keep prices lower than in big supermarkets."
* **D is true:** The text says Mr. Tanaka enjoys "sharing tips on how to use his fruits in different recipes."
* **E is false:** The text states that Elena "uses traditional methods to bake sourdough bread."
* **F is true:** The market closes at 1:00 PM, and Elena "often runs out of bread by 11:00 AM."
* **G is false:** The text says visitors are "encouraged to bring their own reusable bags", but does not mention any extra fees or penalties.
* **H is true:** The text says people can sit in the seating area and "listen to local musicians perform."

Therefore, the four true statements are **B, D, F, and H**.

Marking scheme

Award 1 mark for each correct letter identified, up to a maximum of 4 marks:
- **B** (1 mark)
- **D** (1 mark)
- **F** (1 mark)
- **H** (1 mark)

*Note: Do not award marks if more than four options are selected.*

Question 2 · Short Answer

1 marks

Based on Paragraph 1, what kind of meals does the Green Café offer to its customers?

Show answer & marking scheme

Worked solution

According to the first paragraph of Text A, the café 'serves only organic vegetarian meals to promote a healthy lifestyle.' Thus, the correct answer is 'organic vegetarian meals'.

Marking scheme

Award 1 mark for 'organic vegetarian meals' or 'organic vegetarian food'. Reject 'vegetarian meals' without 'organic' or 'organic meals' without 'vegetarian' as both details are required.

Question 3 · Short Answer

1 marks

Based on Paragraph 2, how far from the café is the local community farm?

Show answer & marking scheme

Worked solution

Paragraph 2 states that the café gets its vegetables from a local community farm 'located just 5 kilometers away.' Therefore, the distance is 5 kilometers.

Marking scheme

Award 1 mark for '5 kilometers', '5 km', or 'five kilometers'. Reject a plain number '5' without units unless context is clear, and reject other distances.

Question 4 · Short Answer

1 marks

According to Paragraph 3, what do customers need to bring to get a discount on Fridays?

Show answer & marking scheme

Worked solution

Paragraph 3 notes that customers get a discount 'if they bring their own reusable containers'. Hence, they need to bring reusable containers.

Marking scheme

Award 1 mark for 'reusable containers' (or 'reusable boxes/boxes they can reuse'). Reject 'containers' on its own (the reusable aspect is required) or 'bags'.

Question 5 · Pronoun Reference

1 marks

Read the following sentence from a text about healthy lifestyles:

"My family loves to cook traditional meals. We prepare them every Sunday evening."

To what does the pronoun "them" refer?

Show answer & marking scheme

Worked solution

The pronoun "them" is a plural direct object pronoun that refers back to the plural noun phrase "traditional meals" mentioned in the preceding sentence.

Marking scheme

Award 1 mark for "traditional meals" or "traditional healthy meals".
Do not accept "meals" on its own (too general) or "family".

Question 6 · Pronoun Reference

1 marks

Read the following sentence from a text about local conservation efforts:

"Local community groups are planting young trees in the park because they clean the air."

To what does the pronoun "they" refer?

Show answer & marking scheme

Worked solution

In this sentence, "they" functions as the subject that performs the action of cleaning the air, which refers directly to the "young trees".

Marking scheme

Award 1 mark for "young trees" or "trees".
Do not accept "local community groups" or "the park".

Question 7 · Pronoun Reference

1 marks

Read the following sentences from a text about urban public transport:

"The municipal transport department launched a new ticketing app last month. It has already been downloaded by thousands of commuters."

To what does the pronoun "It" refer?

Show answer & marking scheme

Worked solution

The pronoun "It" at the start of the second sentence is a singular subject pronoun referring back to the newly introduced noun phrase "a new ticketing app".

Marking scheme

Award 1 mark for "a new ticketing app" or "the ticketing app".
Do not accept "transport department" or "commuters".

Question 8 · Pronoun Reference

1 marks

Read the following sentences from a text about workplace communication:

"Each manager must submit a weekly report to the director. She will review the feedback every Friday."

To whom does the pronoun "She" refer?

Show answer & marking scheme

Worked solution

The pronoun "She" is the subject of the second sentence, referring back to the singular female person mentioned in the first sentence, which is "the director".

Marking scheme

Award 1 mark for "the director" or "director".
Do not accept "manager" or "feedback".

Question 9 · Multiple Choice

1 marks

Based on Text A (A Food Market Adventure: Last Sunday, Elena visited the San Miguel market to try traditional tapas. She bought spicy potatoes and fresh orange juice. Although she wanted to try the seafood paella, the queue was too long, so she decided to buy churros with chocolate instead), why did Elena NOT eat the seafood paella?

A.It was too expensive.
B.The queue was too long.
C.She did not like seafood.
D.The market had run out of paella.

Show answer & marking scheme

Worked solution

The text states that although Elena wanted to try the seafood paella, the queue was too long. This directly matches option B.

Marking scheme

Award 1 mark for selecting option B. Award 0 marks for any other option.

Paper 2 Reading Text B

Read Text B and answer questions 10 to 23.

14 Question · 14 marks

Question 1 · Heading Matching

1 marks

Read Text B: 'Working from Home'. Paragraph 1: 'Today, high-speed internet, video conferencing software, and collaborative online platforms allow employees to perform their duties from anywhere in the world. Team members can share documents and chat in real-time as if they were in the same room.' Select the correct heading for Paragraph 1 from the list: I. Saving money on office space, II. Reducing the carbon footprint, III. Challenges of isolation, IV. Technology makes it possible, V. Flexible hours for all.

Show answer & marking scheme

Worked solution

The paragraph describes high-speed internet, video conferencing software, and online platforms. These are technological tools that enable remote work, making 'IV. Technology makes it possible' the correct heading.

Marking scheme

Award 1 mark for the correct answer (IV). Accept 'IV' or 'Technology makes it possible'. Do not accept other options.

Question 2 · Heading Matching

1 marks

Read Text B: 'Working from Home'. Paragraph 2: 'By eliminating the daily commute, working from home significantly cuts down on greenhouse gas emissions. Fewer cars on the road and lower electricity consumption in large corporate headquarters contribute to a healthier planet.' Select the correct heading for Paragraph 2 from the list: I. Saving money on office space, II. Reducing the carbon footprint, III. Challenges of isolation, IV. Technology makes it possible, V. Flexible hours for all.

Show answer & marking scheme

Worked solution

The paragraph discusses cutting down on greenhouse gas emissions and reducing cars on the road, which matches 'II. Reducing the carbon footprint'.

Marking scheme

Award 1 mark for the correct answer (II). Accept 'II' or 'Reducing the carbon footprint'. Do not accept other options.

Question 3 · Heading Matching

1 marks

Read Text B: 'Working from Home'. Paragraph 3: 'Businesses also enjoy major financial benefits. Without the need to lease multiple floors in city center skyscrapers, companies save thousands of dollars on rent, utilities, and office supplies each month.' Select the correct heading for Paragraph 3 from the list: I. Saving money on office space, II. Reducing the carbon footprint, III. Challenges of isolation, IV. Technology makes it possible, V. Flexible hours for all.

Show answer & marking scheme

Worked solution

The paragraph explains how businesses save money on rent and office utilities by not leasing floors in skyscrapers, matching 'I. Saving money on office space'.

Marking scheme

Award 1 mark for the correct answer (I). Accept 'I' or 'Saving money on office space'. Do not accept other options.

Question 4 · Heading Matching

1 marks

Read Text B: 'Working from Home'. Paragraph 4: 'However, remote work is not without its difficulties. Many employees report feeling lonely and cut off from their colleagues. The absence of spontaneous coffee break conversations can sometimes lead to decreased morale.' Select the correct heading for Paragraph 4 from the list: I. Saving money on office space, II. Reducing the carbon footprint, III. Challenges of isolation, IV. Technology makes it possible, V. Flexible hours for all.

Show answer & marking scheme

Worked solution

The paragraph outlines the emotional difficulties of working from home, such as loneliness and lack of social interaction, which fits 'III. Challenges of isolation'.

Marking scheme

Award 1 mark for the correct answer (III). Accept 'III' or 'Challenges of isolation'. Do not accept other options.

Question 5 · short_answer

1 marks

Based on Paragraph 1 of Text B, what was the primary goal of launching the 'Zero-Waste Cafeteria' program?

Show answer & marking scheme

Worked solution

According to the first paragraph of the text, the main goal of the initiative was 'to reduce plastic pollution and organic waste.'

Marking scheme

Award 1 mark for mentioning both or either of 'reducing plastic pollution' and/or 'organic waste'. Reject general responses such as 'helping the environment' without specifics.

Question 6 · short_answer

1 marks

According to the text, how much single-use plastic waste did the school dispose of monthly before the initiative?

Show answer & marking scheme

Worked solution

The text states that the school 'used to throw away over 200 kilograms of single-use plastic cups every month.'

Marking scheme

Award 1 mark for 'over 200 kilograms' (or 'more than 200 kg'). Reject '200 kilograms' without the qualifier 'over' or 'more than'.

Question 7 · short_answer

1 marks

What financial benefit is offered to students who bring their own reusable bottles?

Show answer & marking scheme

Worked solution

Paragraph 2 states that students who bring their own bottles receive a '10% discount on all drinks.'

Marking scheme

Award 1 mark for '10% discount on drinks' or '10% off drinks'. Reject answers that only mention 'a discount' without specifying '10%'.

Question 8 · short_answer

1 marks

Where is the compost generated from the school's organic waste finally utilized?

Show answer & marking scheme

Worked solution

Paragraph 3 explains that the organic waste is turned into compost, which is then used 'to fertilize the school's organic vegetable garden.'

Marking scheme

Award 1 mark for 'in the school's organic vegetable garden' (or simply 'the school garden'). Reject 'behind the biology lab' (which is where the compost bin is located, not where the compost is used).

Question 9 · Sentence Completion

1 marks

Based on Text B, complete the following sentence: To help protect the local environment, the company has decided to completely ban _________.

Show answer & marking scheme

Worked solution

The passage states: 'In an effort to protect the local environment, the directors decided to completely ban plastic bags in all departments.' Therefore, the correct completion is 'plastic bags'.

Marking scheme

Award 1 mark for 'plastic bags' (or 'plastic bag'). Do not accept 'plastic bottles' or other materials not mentioned in the text.

Question 10 · Sentence Completion

1 marks

Based on Text B, complete the following sentence: Employees are offered free public transport passes to discourage them from using their _________.

Show answer & marking scheme

Worked solution

The passage states: 'To decrease carbon emissions, staff members are provided with free public transport passes, discouraging them from commuting in their personal cars.' Therefore, the correct completion is 'personal cars'.

Marking scheme

Award 1 mark for 'personal cars' or 'cars'. Do not accept 'bicycles' or 'public transport'.

Question 11 · Sentence Completion

1 marks

Based on Text B, complete the following sentence: Staff members are allowed to work from home in order to improve their _________.

Show answer & marking scheme

Worked solution

The passage states: 'Under the new policy, staff members are allowed to work from home twice a week to improve their work-life balance.' Therefore, the correct completion is 'work-life balance'.

Marking scheme

Award 1 mark for 'work-life balance'. Reject any other answers such as 'health' or 'productivity' as they are not stated in the text.

Question 12 · Sentence Completion

1 marks

Based on Text B, complete the following sentence: To promote healthier lifestyles, the office cafeteria has started serving only _________.

Show answer & marking scheme

Worked solution

The passage states: 'As part of the health campaign, the office cafeteria has started serving only fresh fruit juices instead of sugary sodas.' Therefore, the correct completion is 'fresh fruit juices'.

Marking scheme

Award 1 mark for 'fresh fruit juices' or 'fruit juices'. Reject 'sugary sodas' or 'organic drinks'.

Question 13 · Multiple Choice

1 marks

Based on the information in Text B, why does the author prefer traditional home-cooked meals over modern fast food?

A.Because they are cheaper and faster to prepare.
B.Because they represent cultural heritage and are healthier.
C.Because they are only eaten during festive seasons.
D.Because they require professional culinary skills.

Show answer & marking scheme

Worked solution

In Text B, the author mentions that traditional home-cooked meals connect people to their family history and use fresh, unprocessed ingredients. Option B correctly summarizes these points.

Marking scheme

Award 1 mark for the correct option (B). Award 0 marks for any other option.

Question 14 · Multiple Choice

1 marks

According to the workplace discussion in Text B, what is the primary benefit of the new flexible working hours policy?

A.Employees can work fewer hours per week for the same salary.
B.Employees have the freedom to choose their own office location daily.
C.It allows employees to better balance their professional and personal lives.
D.It completely eliminates the need for face-to-face team meetings.

Show answer & marking scheme

Worked solution

Text B states that flexible working hours allow employees to manage family commitments alongside their work deadlines, which improves the balance between work and personal life. Option C is correct.

Marking scheme

Award 1 mark for the correct option (C). Award 0 marks for any other option.

Paper 2 Reading Text C

Read Text C and answer questions 24 to 37.

14 Question · 14 marks

Question 1 · Vocabulary Matching

1 marks

Based on Text C (Paragraph 1), find the word that matches the following definition: 'To work jointly on an activity or project with others.'

Show answer & marking scheme

Worked solution

In Paragraph 1 of the text, it is mentioned that freelance workers 'decide to collaborate on projects to achieve better results'. The word 'collaborate' fits the definition of working jointly on an activity.

Marking scheme

Award 1 mark for the correct vocabulary word: 'collaborate'. Minor spelling errors are acceptable only if they do not change the meaning of the word or make it unrecognizable.

Question 2 · Vocabulary Matching

1 marks

Based on Text C (Paragraph 2), find the word that matches the following definition: 'Able to change or be adapted easily to suit different situations.'

Show answer & marking scheme

Worked solution

In Paragraph 2, the author notes that modern offices provide a 'flexible schedule, allowing people to choose their own working hours'. The term 'flexible' directly corresponds to the ability to easily adapt to different needs.

Marking scheme

Award 1 mark for the correct vocabulary word: 'flexible'. Do not accept noun forms like 'flexibility' or adverb forms like 'flexibly'.

Question 3 · Vocabulary Matching

1 marks

Based on Text C (Paragraph 3), find the word that matches the following definition: 'A regular journey of some distance traveled to and from work.'

Show answer & marking scheme

Worked solution

In Paragraph 3, the text discusses the benefits of remote work in 'avoiding the stressful daily commute'. This refers to the regular journey back and forth between home and work.

Marking scheme

Award 1 mark for the correct vocabulary word: 'commute'. Do not accept 'commuting' unless it is used as a direct noun synonym in the context.

Question 4 · short_answer

1 marks

Based on Text C (a passage about a school-led community garden project), determine if the following statement is True or False, and provide a justification from the text. Statement: The community garden project was first proposed by the local city council.

Show answer & marking scheme

Worked solution

The statement is False. According to the text, "The idea was entirely created and developed by a group of high school students," which means the city council was not the originator of the project.

Marking scheme

1 mark: Awarded only if both 'False' and the correct justification (or a very close paraphrase) are provided. No mark is awarded if the justification is incorrect or missing, even if 'False' is correctly chosen. Acceptable justification: 'The idea was entirely created and developed by a group of high school students.'

Question 5 · short_answer

1 marks

Based on Text C, determine if the following statement is True or False, and provide a justification from the text. Statement: Local businesses have refused to support the composting scheme.

Show answer & marking scheme

Worked solution

The statement is False. The text states that "Local cafes and restaurants have enthusiastically joined the scheme by donating their organic waste," proving that they are actively supporting and participating in the composting scheme rather than refusing to.

Marking scheme

1 mark: Both 'False' and the correct justification are required. No partial marks are awarded. Acceptable justification: 'Local cafes and restaurants have enthusiastically joined the scheme by donating their organic waste' (or close paraphrase).

Question 6 · short_answer

1 marks

Based on Text C, determine if the following statement is True or False, and provide a justification from the text. Statement: Only students from the school are allowed to harvest the vegetables.

Show answer & marking scheme

Worked solution

The statement is False. The text explicitly mentions that "Anyone from the local community is welcome to harvest what they need," meaning access is not limited exclusively to the students.

Marking scheme

1 mark: Both 'False' and the correct justification must be present. Reject if the justification is missing. Acceptable justification: 'Anyone from the local community is welcome to harvest what they need.'

Question 7 · short_answer

1 marks

Based on Text C, determine if the following statement is True or False, and provide a justification from the text. Statement: Rare birds have started nesting in the garden's native trees again.

Show answer & marking scheme

Worked solution

The statement is True. The text states: "In just six months, several rare bird species have returned to breed in the garden's newly planted native trees," confirming that rare birds are using the trees to nest and breed.

Marking scheme

1 mark: Both 'True' and the correct justification must be provided. Reject if 'True' is correct but the justification is incorrect or missing. Acceptable justification: 'In just six months, several rare bird species have returned to breed in the garden's newly planted native trees.'

Question 8 · multiple_choice

1 marks

Read the following excerpt from Text C:

'In many modern offices, companies are introducing "Flexible Fridays" where employees can choose to work from home. Recent surveys show that 75% of staff feel more productive when they do not have to commute, while 15% prefer the office routine to keep a clear boundary between home and work life.'

According to the text, why do some employees prefer to work in the office on Fridays?

A.To avoid commuting during busy peak hours.
B.To maintain a clear distinction between home and work.
C.Because they feel more productive at their office desk.
D.To participate in Friday social activities with colleagues.

Show answer & marking scheme

Worked solution

The text states that 15% of employees prefer the office routine 'to keep a clear boundary between home and work life'. This matches option (b).

Marking scheme

1 mark: Awarded for selecting option (b).
0 marks: Any other choice.

Question 9 · multiple_choice

1 marks

Read the following excerpt from Text C:

'To encourage eco-friendly travel, the city council has launched a new bike-sharing scheme. While the scheme is free for the first thirty minutes, users are charged three euros per hour after that. This policy aims to discourage users from keeping the bikes parked at their offices all day, ensuring more bikes remain available for short journeys.'

Based on the text, what is the main purpose of charging users after thirty minutes?

A.To generate extra revenue to improve local bus routes.
B.To prevent bikes from being kept inactive for long periods.
C.To fund the installation of new bicycle parking zones.
D.To encourage residents to purchase their own bicycles.

Show answer & marking scheme

Worked solution

The text explains that the policy of charging after thirty minutes is to 'discourage users from keeping the bikes parked at their offices all day', which keeps them available for short journeys. This corresponds to option (b).

Marking scheme

1 mark: Awarded for selecting option (b).
0 marks: Any other choice.

Question 10 · multiple_choice

1 marks

Read the following excerpt from Text C:

'The office canteen has recently revamped its menu to focus on organic, locally-sourced ingredients. Although some employees complained about the slight increase in prices, the majority welcomed the change, noting that the fresh salads and vegetarian options have significantly improved their afternoon energy levels.'

According to the text, how did the majority of employees react to the new canteen menu?

A.They criticized the company for raising food prices.
B.They asked for more traditional meat options to be added.
C.They were pleased because the fresh food boosted their energy.
D.They demanded a return to the older, cheaper menu.

Show answer & marking scheme

Worked solution

The text states that 'the majority welcomed the change, noting that the fresh salads and vegetarian options have significantly improved their afternoon energy levels', which corresponds directly to option (c).

Marking scheme

1 mark: Awarded for selecting option (c).
0 marks: Any other choice.

Question 11 · cloze

1 marks

Read Text C below and choose the correct word from the options list to fill gap [24].

**Text C: Working in a Modern Office**
Starting a new job can be challenging. In many modern offices, employees are expected to **[ 24 ]** with colleagues from different departments to complete projects. Communication is key, so having regular **[ 25 ]** helps everyone stay on the same page. Additionally, many companies now offer **[ 26 ]** hours, allowing staff to choose when they start and finish their workday. This flexibility improves work-life balance and increases overall **[ 27 ]** among the workforce.

**Word Options:**
- collaborate
- compete
- meetings
- tasks
- flexible
- rigid
- satisfaction
- stress

Show answer & marking scheme

Worked solution

The context of the sentence describes employees working together with colleagues from other departments to finish projects. The verb 'collaborate' is the only option that fits both grammatically (infinitive after 'expected to') and contextually.

Marking scheme

Award 1 mark for the correct answer 'collaborate'. Capitalization is ignored, but spelling must be accurate. Do not accept any other word.

Question 12 · cloze

1 marks

Read Text C and choose the correct word from the options list to fill gap [25].

(Refer to Text C in Question 24 for the full text and options list).

Show answer & marking scheme

Worked solution

The sentence states that communication is key, and regular events help everyone stay updated. The plural noun 'meetings' fits grammatically after 'regular' and conveys the idea of regular group communication.

Marking scheme

Award 1 mark for the correct answer 'meetings'. Spelling must be correct. Do not accept any other word.

Question 13 · cloze

1 marks

Read Text C and choose the correct word from the options list to fill gap [26].

(Refer to Text C in Question 24 for the full text and options list).

Show answer & marking scheme

Worked solution

The text describes an arrangement that allows 'staff to choose when they start and finish their workday.' This is the definition of 'flexible' working hours.

Marking scheme

Award 1 mark for the correct answer 'flexible'. Do not accept 'rigid' as it means the opposite of the described choice.

Question 14 · cloze

1 marks

Read Text C and choose the correct word from the options list to fill gap [27].

(Refer to Text C in Question 24 for the full text and options list).

Show answer & marking scheme

Worked solution

The last sentence explains that better work-life balance leads to a positive result among the workforce. 'satisfaction' is the noun that correctly completes this positive thought.

Marking scheme

Award 1 mark for the correct answer 'satisfaction'. Do not accept 'stress' as it contradicts the positive effect of flexibility mentioned in the text.

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