Northern ireland council for the curriculum examinations and assessment

General Certificate of Secondary Education 1997

English

Paper 2 Tier S

[G29-2S] MONDAY 9 JUNE, AFTERNOON

TIME

2 hours

INSTRUCTIONS TO CANDIDATES

Write your Centre Number and Candidate Number on the Answer Booklet provided.

Answer two questions.

Answer one question from Section A and one question from Section B.

INFORMATION FOR CANDIDATES

The total mark for this paper is 100.

Figures in brackets printed down the right-hand side of pages indicate the marks awarded to each question or part question.

Section A

Advice to Candidates – Read this carefully

• This section deals with reading skills.

• Allow yourself one hour to complete this section.

• Check the number of marks given for each part of the question when you are deciding how long to spend on your answer.

• Make full use of the information given.

Answer either Question 1 or Question 2

Either

1. Study carefully the enclosed leaflet for "Trotters and Friends" and answer the questions which follow.

(a) What two new indoor facilities are being opened in 1997? [2]

(b) In what different ways has the advertiser tried to make this leaflet attractive to look at? Do you think the advertiser has succeeded?

In your answer you should consider the following:

• the use of photographs and drawings

• the use of colour

• the layout

• and any other details you feel are important. [24]

(c) How does the writer of this leaflet use words and phrases to persuade people that "Trotters and Friends" would be an interesting place to visit?

You should write about the words and phrases used in:

• the descriptions of the various attractions

• the headings

• any other examples you feel are important. [24]

Or

2. Read the two newspaper articles, A and B, and answer the questions which follow.

(a) From Article A state the average price of a complete new school uniform. [2]

(b) In Article A, what reasons are put forward by Mr Allen in favour of school

uniforms? How convincing do you find his arguments? [24]

(c) In Article B, the writer has attempted to make her writing lively and interesting to read. How successful has she been?

You should write about:

• the words and phrases used

• the use of interviews

• the organisation of the article

• anything else you think is important. [24]

Article a How to cut the cost of kitting out

By Maureen Coleman

KITTING your child out in a brand new school uniform may be a costly exercise for many parents.

But according to John Allen, a school outfitter in Belfast, it's a cheaper and more practical alternative to a daily change of clothes.

"It's only when your child is starting a new school that you'll actually have to buy a complete uniform and after that it's really a case of replacing the odd blouse or shirt each year," he said.

"A complete new uniform averaging around £200 may sound expensive but it works out a lot cheaper in the long run than having to fork out on designer jeans.

Buying trendy new clothes for your children would definitely cost a lot more."

Mr Allen also pointed out that a school uniform makes everyone equal where wealth is concerned.

"It's more difficult to

tell the difference between a rich and poor child in the same class when they are both wearing uniforms.

And on the practical side, it makes life easier getting ready in the morning because it does away with the choice factor."

The store owner said school outfitters offered competitive prices which compared favourably to

other retailers.

"Compared to high street chains which sell shirts for around £20, our lowest priced shirts go for around £6," he said.

"So, on the whole, kitting your child out at a school outfitters works out better."

Mr Allen said many schools were very strict about uniforms and that this reflected on

disciplinary levels throughout the school as well.

"If a school is strict about uniforms it means they have a great interest in the identity of the school and that's a good thing," he said.