Cambridge International Examinations

Cambridge International General Certificate of Secondary Education

* 7 9 2 1 0 5 2 8 3 6 *

FIRST LANGUAGE ENGLISH (US) 0524/23

Paper 2 Reading Passages (Extended) May/June 2017
2 hours
Candidates answer on the Question Paper.
No Additional Materials are required.

READ THESE INSTRUCTIONS FIRST

Write your Center number, candidate number, and name in the spaces provided.
Write in dark blue or black pen.
Do not use staples, paper clips, glue, or correction fluid.
DO NOT WRITE IN ANY BARCODES.

Answer all questions in the space provided. If additional space is required, you should use the lined pages at
the end of this booklet. The question number(s) must be clearly shown.

Dictionaries are not permitted.

The Reading Booklet Insert contains the reading passages for use with all questions on the Question Paper.
The Insert is not assessed by the Examiner.

The number of points is given in brackets [ ] at the end of each question or part question.

This document consists of 12 printed pages and 1 Reading Booklet Insert.

DC (SR) 146383
© UCLES 2017 [Turn over
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Read carefully Passage A, After-Hours Vet, in the Reading Booklet Insert and then answer Questions
1 and 2 on this Question Paper.

Question 1

At the end of his first month at the new clinic, Marc decides to write a letter to his parents explaining
his career move and persuading them it was a good idea.

Write Marc’s letter to his parents.

In your letter you should:

• explain what it was like working at your previous job and why you felt you needed to leave
• answer the concerns you know your parents will have about you, your decision, and your
ability to run your own business
• outline how things have been going so far and your plans for the new clinic in the future.

Base your letter on what you read in Passage A, but be careful to use your own words. Address
each of the three bullet points.

Begin your letter, “Dear Mom and Dad,

I know you are not going to like this . . .”.

Write about 250 to 350 words.

Up to 15 points are available for the content of your answer, and up to 5 points for the
quality of your writing.

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Question 2

Re-read the descriptions of:

(a) waking up on the morning of the resignation in paragraph 1, beginning “Unusually, the day
I resigned . . .”

(b) the partners and their reactions to Marc in paragraph 6, beginning “The partners were
sitting . . .”.

Select four powerful words or phrases from each paragraph. Your choices should include imagery.
Explain how each word or phrase is used effectively in the context.

Write about 200 to 300 words.

Up to 10 points are available for the content of your answer.

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Read carefully Passage B, Young Vets, in the Reading Booklet Insert and then answer Question 3(a)
and (b) on this Question Paper.

Question 3

Answer the questions in the order listed.

(a) Notes

According to Passage B, what challenges and difficulties might a young person wanting to
qualify as a vet face, both in terms of training and the job itself?

Write your answer using short notes. Write one point per line.

You do not need to use your own words.

Up to 15 points are available for the content of your answer.

The challenges and difficulties that a young person wanting to qualify as a vet might face,
both in terms of training and the job itself:

1. ...........................................................................................................................................

2. ...........................................................................................................................................

3. ...........................................................................................................................................

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[Total: 15]

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(b) Summary

Now use your notes to write a summary of the challenges and difficulties a young person
wanting to qualify as a vet might face, both in terms of training and the job itself, according to
Passage B.

You must use continuous writing (not note form) and use your own words as far as
possible.

Your summary should include all 15 of your points in Question 3(a) and must be 200 to 250
words.

Up to 5 points are available for the quality of your writing.

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© UCLES 2017 0524/23/M/J/17 [Turn over