Question 1(b) Model Answer: Report (Cambridge International IGCSE English Language)

Question 1(b) is a directed writing task. You will be asked to write a discursive, argumentative or persuasive piece based on two reading texts.

You will be asked to write in a specific form. This will be one of:

• A speech
• A letter
• An article
• A report

The following guide will help you to structure your response in the style of a report.

Addressing the reading assessment objectives

Up to 10 marks are available in this task for your ability to evaluate both the explicit and implied ideas, opinions and attitudes expressed in one or two texts, and assimilate them to write a developed and sophisticated response.

Let’s take a look at how you do this, using the following example:

Your response here has to be based on the ideas, opinions and attitudes contained in the following two texts:

This task asks you to evaluate the views given in both texts about teamwork and competition, and give your own views on the subject, based on what you have read. Your response might use the following ideas from these texts:

Text A:

• The shift in work culture:

  • Develop the point that modern, "wiser" employers value happiness and wellbeing over just salary

• The definition of success:

  • Text A mentions helping colleagues and celebrating their success rather than trying to "outdo" them

• Inclusivity and mentoring:

  • The text describes workplaces where everyone (regardless of experience) has a say and mentoring is available

• The "flatter" hierarchy:

  • The text notes that the days of managers "watching over your shoulder" are disappearing

• Accountability:

  • The text warns that non-contributors in a team become unpopular very quickly because they increase the workload for others

Text B:

• Positive motivation:

  • Text B acknowledges that competition can lead to personal pride, harder work, and commercial advantages (like faster products)

• The dangers of anxiety:

  • The text explains that fear-based management (e.g., "Cash or Cabbages") leads to anxiety, which causes workers to "cut corners" or sabotage others

• Unethical behaviour:

  • The text highlights risks like cheating or stealing ideas to get ahead

• Dealing with "rivals":

  • The anecdote about Jaz and Ravi shows a colleague trying to steal a client and the dilemma of how to react (ignore it vs. confront it)

• The response to sabotage:

  • Jaz decides to be "just as devious" to fight back

Planning your response

Before you write your response, you should spend five minutes planning your written response. In your plan:

• Decide on your “voice” and point of view:

  • Write a statement that summarises your point of view, based on your reading

• Note down which points you can develop that support your point of view

• Decide whether you are going to make a counter-argument, and note down which points you can develop to support this

• Return to your main argument, ensuring that you have included ideas and opinions from both texts (if more than one)

• Note down the points you can make to address the second bullet point in the task

• Note down how you are going to start and finish your response, ensuring that it establishes the correct style and tone

Question 1(b) report model answer

The following model answer demonstrates a top-mark response to the above task:

How Question 1(b) is marked

This question is marked out of a total of 35 marks:

• Reading = 10 marks
• Writing = 25 marks

What examiners look for

Reading

• Integration:

  • You must weave ideas from both texts together seamlessly
  • The mark scheme rewards candidates who “integrate ideas from the text(s) to give a convincing response”, rather than dealing with Text A and Text B separately

• Development:

  • You should not just list facts
  • You must analyse, evaluate and develop the ideas
  • This means taking a point from the text and explaining its consequences or applying it to your argument

• Range:

  • You need to use a wide range of ideas from the texts
  • If you just list points one by one, you will likely be capped at Level 3
  • If you copy whole phrases or sentences, you will drop to Level 2 or lower

Writing

• Structure:

  • Examiners are looking for a carefully structured response that guides the reader
  • Answers that simply rely on the sequence of the original text generally score lower

• Style and register:

  • You must use a highly effective style and a register that is perfectly suited to the audience
  • Writing that is awkward or has an inconsistent style scores lower

• Accuracy:

  • Spelling, punctuation and grammar must be almost always accurate
  • Frequent errors will drop you to a Level 3 or below

Unlike the 2026 syllabus, exams from 2027 will place a significantly heavier emphasis on your writing skills compared to your reading skills for this specific question.