Cambridge O Level

ENGLISH LANGUAGE 1123/02

Paper 2 Writing For examination from 2024

SPECIMEN PAPER 2 hours

You must answer on the enclosed answer booklet.

*0123456789*

You will need: Answer booklet (enclosed)

INSTRUCTIONS
● Answer two questions in total:
Section A: answer Question 1.
Section B: answer one question.
● Follow the instructions on the front cover of the answer booklet. If you need additional answer paper,
ask the invigilator for a continuation booklet.

INFORMATION
● The total mark for this paper is 50.
● All questions are worth equal marks.

This document has 4 pages.

© Cambridge University Press & Assessment 2021 [Turn over

 2

Section A: Directed Writing

Read both texts and answer Question 1.

Text A Text B
Amira, 42 years Li Ping, 23 years

I’ve never understood why people are so keen It’s human nature to want to see and try
to travel to other countries when there is so new things. For young people, travelling
much to see in their native lands. Very few of to other countries opens their eyes to how
us really know our own countries, preferring fascinating and varied the world is. Travelling
instead to hop on a fuel-guzzling aeroplane is educational: you can practise a language,
and travel thousands of miles to far-flung lands learn about different cultures and attitudes,
for our vacations. And what greets us when we try new and exotic foods. Be brave and step
land? Paying ridiculously high prices to enter outside your comfort zone! I went travelling
crowded tourist attractions and then getting after my A Levels, and I can honestly say it
ripped off in restaurants by paying twice as changed me as a person. I had to live on a
much as locals for the same food. I believe really tight budget but had opportunities to
in the staycation – taking a holiday closer to do amazing things and see places that were
home. What better way to understand your breathtakingly beautiful. I also made lots
own country’s history and traditions than by of new friends along the way from different
holidaying there and seeing them for yourself? countries; we learnt so much from each other,
It’s eco-friendly, and even more so if you don’t mostly that we had far more similarities than
use a car: why not try a combination of public differences! Travelling made me realise I
transport, cycling and even walking! If you’re had been too caught up with owning all the
on a low budget, stay with friends and family. right stuff when in reality my needs were
It’s so easy for us to get bored and fail to very simple. I now spend my money on
appreciate where we live – think about all the experiences not things. Travelling taught me
beautiful and interesting places you haven’t that you don’t have to pay to watch a sunset,
seen that are within easy reach. How many enjoy great company, or hike through a forest,
of us can claim that we really know where and you can survive with what you can carry
we come from? Having a holiday with trips to on your back. It made me grow up and helped
historical sites and landmarks of interest will me become a much nicer person, as well. I’d
allow you to gain knowledge about your own advise all young people to get out and see
culture. So, go on! Have a great vacation and the world. It’s smaller than you think!
reduce your carbon footprint at the same time.

© Cambridge University Press & Assessment 2021 1123/02/SP/24

 3

Question 1

Write a magazine article for young people about the advantages and disadvantages of travelling
to other countries.

In your article you should:

• evaluate the ideas and opinions in both texts

• give your own views, based on what you have read in the texts about the advantages and
disadvantages of travelling to other countries.

Base your article on what you have read in both texts but be careful to use your own words.

Address both of the bullet points.

Begin your article with a suitable headline.

Write about 250 to 350 words.

Up to 10 marks are available for the content of your answer, and up to 15 marks for the
quality of your writing. [25]

© Cambridge University Press & Assessment 2021 1123/02/SP/24 [Turn over

 4

Section B: Composition

Answer one question.

Write about 350 to 450 words on one of the following questions.

Up to 10 marks are available for the content and structure of your answer and up to 15 marks
for the style and accuracy of your writing.

EITHER

Descriptive writing

2 Write a description of a crowded place before and during a sudden burst of heavy rain. [25]

OR

Descriptive writing

3 Describe the feelings you experienced leading up to a challenging event and the feelings you
experienced afterwards. (The challenging event could be sporting, academic or any other activity.)
 [25]

OR

Narrative writing

4 Write a story in which something unexpected happens at an important school event.  [25]

OR

Narrative writing

5 Write a story that includes the sentence: ‘When I saw the photograph, the memories came rushing
back.’ [25]

Permission to reproduce items where third-party owned material protected by copyright is included has been sought and cleared where possible. Every
reasonable effort has been made by the publisher (Cambridge University Press & Assessment) to trace copyright holders, but if any items requiring clearance
have unwittingly been included, the publisher will be pleased to make amends at the earliest possible opportunity.

Cambridge Assessment International Education is part of Cambridge University Press & Assessment. Cambridge University Press & Assessment is a department
of the University of Cambridge.

© Cambridge University Press & Assessment 2021 1123/02/SP/24