Section A
Read Text A, The new fountain pen in the insert and answer Question 1
Question 1
1 (a) Why was Farris ‘becoming increasingly unhappy in his job’?
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(b) What did the advert claim?
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2 (a) Why do you think Mr. Arsalan and his colleagues stared at Farris ‘in
amazement’ when he spoke?
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(b) One of Farris’s colleagues ‘ventured’ to speak out. Which one word used
earlier in the paragraph conveys this idea of ‘ventured’?
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(c) ‘“Well done, Farris,” announced Mr. Arsalan coldly.’ Why did Mr. Arsalan speak
coldly?
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3 (a) Farris got through the meeting without ‘any of the anxiety that had plagued him’
since early childhood. Explain in your own words how he had felt since early
childhood.
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(b) In the past, what two physical changes would Farris have experienced after a
confrontation with Mr. Arsalan?
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4 (a) Mr Benjamin said to Farris: ‘I was very struck by your analysis’ of the company’s
objectives. Explain in your own words Mr Benjamin’s reaction to what Farris had
said at the meeting.
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(b) What was the ‘opportunity’ that would totally alter the course of Farris’s life?
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5 Give two reasons why the restaurant was ‘the best restaurant in town’.
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6 (a) ‘Time stood still for Farris.’ What emotion do you think Farris was feeling?
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(b) Why did Farris give up his search for the fountain pen?
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[Total
16]
Question 2
(a) Read this extract from the text:
"At the next staff meeting, presided over by the company director, Mr Benjamin,
there was a lively discussion about the company’s objectives for the year."
How does Farris's decision to purchase a fountain pen affect his confidence and
behavior during the staff meeting? (lines 7–8)
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(b) "Farris allowed a few moments to pass before he attacked, point by point,
the arguments put forward by Mr. Arsalan."
What does Farris's reaction to losing his fountain pen reveal about his attachment
to it and its significance in his life? (lines 12–13)
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(c) "When he had finished, there was silence in the room. One of his colleagues
ventured to speak out, saying that Farris had conveyed the staff’s misgivings
perfectly."
How does the relationship between Farris and Mr. Arsalan change throughout the
story, and what role does the fountain pen play in this evolution? (lines 13–14)
(d) Identify one example from the text below of how the writer uses descriptive
language to convey Farris's sense of contentment and satisfaction after the staff
meeting:
Back in his office, Farris sat at his desk and stroked his fountain pen. He closed
his eyes and sighed contentedly. He had got through the meeting without any of
the anxiety that had plagued him since early childhood. Just a few days ago, a
confrontation with Mr Arsalan would have caused his heart to race. He would
have played back their conversation repeatedly in his mind, blaming himself for
some clumsy word, some weak point that would have lost him the argument to
Mr Arsalan. Eating lunch would have brought on an attack of indigestion. Farris
would have gone home miserable at the end of the day. (lines 17–23)
Explain the impression the writer creates in the example you have identified.
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[Total: 9]
[Total: 25]
Section B
Read Text B, Working from home, in the insert and answer Question 3.
Question 3
(a) Summarise considering both the advantages and disadvantages mentioned,
what factors might influence an individual's decision to work from home, and
how might these vary from person to person according to Text B.
You must use continuous writing (not note
form). Use your own words where
appropriate.
Avoid copying long sections of the text.
Your summary should be no more than 150 words.
Up to 10 marks are available for the content of your answer and up to 10 marks for the
quality of your writing.
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(b)How does the author's attitude towards the impact of working from home on
local businesses and public transport services contribute to the overall tone of the
passage?
(Remember, you are required to demonstrate understanding of implicit meanings
and attitudes.)
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[Total: 25]
