Summary writing Banker

Read Text B, then answer the question.Text B: Gardens in the skyIn crowded cities such as Karachi, flat concrete roofs are usually used for nothing more than drying laundry and storing old furniture. A growing number of families, however, are turning them into gardens, and the results are surprising.The most obvious reward is food. A few large pots and old plastic drums can produce tomatoes, chillies, mint and spinach for much of the year, which saves families money at a time when vegetable prices keep rising. Because the vegetables travel only a few metres from soil to kitchen, they are fresher than anything sold in the market, and families know exactly what has – and has not – been sprayed on them.Rooftop plants also make homes more comfortable. A layer of soil and leaves shades the concrete, so the rooms underneath stay noticeably cooler in the fierce summer months, and families run their fans and air-conditioners less. Across a whole neighbourhood, green roofs can help reduce the 'heat island' effect that makes cities hotter than the countryside around them.There are benefits for wildlife too. Butterflies, bees and small birds, which have almost disappeared from many built-up areas, quickly find rooftop flowers. Some gardeners collect rainwater in tanks, which reduces the amount of water rushing into the overloaded drains during monsoon storms.Finally, many rooftop gardeners talk about how the work makes them feel. Spending half an hour watering and weeding in the cool of the evening, away from the noise of the street, is calming. Children who help learn where food comes from and are more willing to eat vegetables they have grown themselves. Neighbours swap seeds and advice, and friendships form across the low walls between roofs.

1. (a) Summarise the benefits of rooftop gardens, according to Text B.You must use continuous writing (not note form). Use your own words as far as possible.Your summary should be no more than 150 words. [20]

Read Text B, then answer the question.Text B: Never too late to learnMany adults believe that learning a new language is something only children can do. It is true that young children pick up the sounds of a language easily, but research and experience show that adults gain a great deal from learning a second or third language – and often learn faster at first, because they know how to study.The most practical advantage is at work. Employers in tourism, trade, health care and technology value staff who can speak to customers in their own language, and bilingual employees are often considered for promotion or work abroad. Travel becomes richer too: instead of relying on guides and signs, a traveller who speaks even a little of the local language can ask for directions, bargain in markets and make friends.Learning a language also exercises the brain. Remembering new words and switching between grammar systems improves concentration and memory, and some studies suggest that people who speak more than one language may keep their minds sharper as they grow older. Adult learners often say that studying a new language helps them understand their own language better, as they notice how sentences are built.There are social and emotional rewards as well. Families separated by migration find that learning a relative's language brings them closer, especially to grandparents and cousins abroad. Reading books or watching films in the original language opens a window on another culture and its way of thinking, which can make people more tolerant. Finally, there is the simple pleasure of achievement: the first time a learner holds a full conversation in a new language is a moment of real pride.

1. (a) Summarise the advantages for adults of learning another language, according to Text B.You must use continuous writing (not note form). Use your own words as far as possible.Your summary should be no more than 150 words. [20]

Read Text B, then answer the question.Text B: The city that switched to bicyclesFifty years ago, the streets of many northern European cities were as jammed with cars as those of any city today. Now, in some of them, more people travel to work by bicycle than by car. How did this change happen?Part of the answer is that city governments made cycling safe. They built wide cycle lanes separated from traffic by kerbs, so that riders no longer had to compete with lorries and buses. Traffic lights were timed to give cyclists a head start at junctions, and speed limits for cars in residential streets were lowered. Parents who once feared for their children now let them cycle to school.Cycling also became convenient. Huge bicycle parks were built beside railway stations, allowing people to cycle to the train and continue their journey. Shops, offices and schools were required to provide racks. In winter, cycle paths are cleared of snow before the roads are.Money played a part too. Petrol prices rose sharply in the 1970s, and parking in the city centre became expensive and difficult, while a bicycle costs almost nothing to run. Many companies give employees an allowance for every kilometre they cycle to work.Finally, attitudes changed. Cycling came to be seen as healthy and modern rather than old-fashioned. Doctors pointed out that regular cycling strengthens the heart and helps people control their weight. Commuters discovered that they arrived at work more alert, and that in the rush hour a bicycle was often faster than a car. Today, government ministers and business leaders are photographed cycling to work, and children grow up thinking of the bicycle as the normal way to get around.

1. (a) Summarise the reasons why cycling became popular in these cities, according to Text B.You must use continuous writing (not note form). Use your own words as far as possible.Your summary should be no more than 150 words. [20]

Read Text B, then answer the question.Text B: Light for the villageIn many villages in Sindh, the national electricity grid either does not reach homes at all or supplies power for only a few hours a day. Over the past ten years, however, small solar systems – a panel on the roof, a battery and a few LED bulbs – have changed daily life for thousands of families.The first difference is simply light after dark. Before, families relied on kerosene lamps, which were expensive to refill, gave off smoke that irritated the eyes and lungs, and could easily start fires in homes with straw roofs. Solar lamps are clean and safe.Children benefit most. With bright light in the evening, they can do their homework after helping with chores during the day, and teachers report that homework is now more often completed. Mothers can sew, cook and do embroidery in the evening, and some sell their embroidery to earn extra income.Solar power also connects villages to the wider world. Families can charge mobile phones at home instead of walking to the nearest town and paying a shopkeeper to do it. With phones charged, farmers can check crop prices before selling and call for help in an emergency. Some households run a small fan, which makes the hottest nights bearable.Once the system is bought, sunshine costs nothing, so families save money on kerosene and charging fees. Some shopkeepers have used solar power to run fridges, selling cold drinks and keeping medicines cool. In a region with more than 300 sunny days a year, the energy supply is reliable, and families are no longer at the mercy of power cuts.

1. (a) Summarise the benefits that solar power has brought to village families, according to Text B.You must use continuous writing (not note form). Use your own words as far as possible.Your summary should be no more than 150 words. [20]

Read Text B, then answer the question.Text B: Waste not, want notAround a third of all the food produced in the world is never eaten. Some is lost on farms and during transport, but a surprising amount is thrown away in our own kitchens. The good news is that households can make a big difference with a few simple habits.The first step happens before shopping. Checking the fridge and cupboards and writing a list helps families buy only what they need. Planning meals for the week makes it less likely that vegetables will be forgotten at the back of the fridge until they rot. Shoppers can also resist special offers such as 'buy two, get one free' unless they are sure they will use the extra item.Storage matters too. Keeping the fridge at the right temperature, storing bread in a cool dry place and putting older food at the front where it will be seen all help food last longer. Many fruits and cooked dishes can be frozen before they spoil.In the kitchen, cooks can measure rice and lentils carefully rather than guessing, so that less food is left over. Leftovers can become tomorrow's lunch: yesterday's rice can be fried with vegetables, and stale bread can be turned into a sweet dish. Peels and scraps that cannot be eaten can be composted for the garden.Finally, families should understand date labels. A 'best before' date is about quality, not safety; food is often perfectly good after it. Food that is still good but will not be eaten can be shared with neighbours or given to organisations that pass it on to people in need.

1. (a) Summarise the ways households can reduce food waste, according to Text B.You must use continuous writing (not note form). Use your own words as far as possible.Your summary should be no more than 150 words. [20]

Read Text B, then answer the question.Text B: Why libraries still matterWhen almost everything seems to be available on a phone, some people wonder why towns still need public libraries. Yet in many places, libraries are busier than ever, because they offer far more than shelves of books.Libraries give free access to knowledge. Not every family can afford to buy books, newspapers or expensive textbooks, and a library card means that a child from a poor home can read as widely as a rich one. Librarians are trained to help people find reliable information, which is especially valuable when the internet is full of rumours and false claims.They also provide free computers and internet, which many people still lack at home. Job-seekers use them to write CVs and apply for work online; older people come to learn how to use email and video calls to keep in touch with family abroad.For students, a library offers a quiet, cool place to study, away from crowded, noisy homes. Many libraries stay open in the evening during exam season.Libraries are also community spaces. They run storytelling sessions for young children, which build a love of reading before school even begins; reading clubs and talks for adults; and language classes for newcomers. In some towns they host health information days and exhibitions by local artists. Best of all, they are among the few indoor public places where anyone can spend time without being expected to buy anything.

1. (a) Summarise the reasons why public libraries are still valuable, according to Text B.You must use continuous writing (not note form). Use your own words as far as possible.Your summary should be no more than 150 words. [20]

Read Text B, then answer the question.Text B: Giving time, gaining moreEvery weekend, thousands of young people around the country give up a few hours to volunteer: teaching children to read, serving meals at shelters, planting trees or helping at animal rescue centres. They help others, of course – but they also gain a great deal themselves.Volunteering builds skills that are hard to learn in a classroom. Organising an event teaches planning and teamwork; explaining a lesson to a group of eight-year-olds requires patience and clear communication. Young volunteers often become more confident as they take on responsibility and see that their efforts make a real difference.It can also help with future plans. Volunteers try out activities they might never otherwise have experienced, and some discover a career they love – a teenager who helps at a clinic may decide to study nursing. Universities and employers look favourably on applicants who have volunteered, and the adults who supervise volunteers can later write references for them.There are benefits for wellbeing too. Studies have found that people who help others regularly tend to feel happier and less stressed, perhaps because they feel useful and connected to their community. Volunteering also brings young people into contact with people from different backgrounds and age groups, breaking down prejudices and widening their understanding of the world.Finally, many volunteers simply enjoy it: they make new friends who share their interests, and some friendships last a lifetime.

1. (a) Summarise the benefits of volunteering for young people, according to Text B.You must use continuous writing (not note form). Use your own words as far as possible.Your summary should be no more than 150 words. [20]

Read Text B, then answer the question.Text B: Around the tableIn many homes today, family members eat at different times – one in front of the television, another with a phone, a third grabbing a snack on the way to tuition. Yet researchers and grandparents agree: sitting down together for a meal has benefits that are worth protecting.Shared meals are good for health. Families who eat together tend to eat more vegetables and fruit and fewer fried snacks, partly because home-cooked meals are usually more balanced. Children who eat with their parents are more likely to try new foods and less likely to overeat, because they eat more slowly when they are talking.Mealtimes are also a chance to talk. In busy households, dinner may be the only time everyone is in the same room. Parents learn what is happening in their children's lives and can notice early if something is wrong. Children who regularly talk with their families at meals tend to have larger vocabularies and better communication skills.Studies suggest that teenagers who share frequent family meals are less likely to feel anxious or low, and more likely to do well at school. The routine of a shared meal gives them a sense of stability and belonging.Family meals also pass on traditions. Recipes are handed down, children learn table manners and the custom of sharing, and stories about relatives and the past are told across the table. Finally, cooking and eating at home is usually cheaper than buying takeaway food.

1. (a) Summarise the benefits of families eating meals together, according to Text B.You must use continuous writing (not note form). Use your own words as far as possible.Your summary should be no more than 150 words. [20]

Read Text B, then answer the question.Text B: The river that carries our rubbishStand on any bridge over a city stretch of the river after the monsoon and you will see it: a slow carpet of plastic bags, bottles and wrappers. Plastic waste is one of the most visible problems facing our rivers, and its effects go far beyond appearance.Plastic bags and sheets block drains and narrow channels, so that even moderate rain causes streets to flood. Fish, turtles and river dolphins swallow plastic, mistaking it for food, or become trapped in fishing lines and nets that have been thrown away. As plastic breaks down in sunlight, it forms tiny fragments called microplastics, which are now found in the water used by farmers and, in some places, in drinking water. Fishermen complain that their nets come up full of rubbish rather than fish, and that their catch is smaller every year. Tourists who once came for boat trips now stay away from the dirtiest stretches.Fortunately, people are fighting back. Several towns have placed floating barriers across canals, which trap rubbish before it reaches the main river so that it can be collected. Volunteer groups organise clean-up days, and the bags they fill are sorted so that some of the plastic can be recycled. Some local governments have banned thin plastic shopping bags and encourage shopkeepers to offer cloth or paper bags instead. Schools run campaigns teaching children not to throw waste into water, and children often persuade their parents to change their habits too. In one village, a small business now pays collectors for every kilogram of plastic they bring in, turning rubbish into a source of income.None of these steps is enough on its own, but together they show that a cleaner river is possible.

1. (a) Summarise the problems caused by plastic waste in rivers AND the ways people are tackling it, according to Text B.You must use continuous writing (not note form). Use your own words as far as possible.Your summary should be no more than 150 words. [20]

Read Text B, then answer the question.Text B: The true cost of cheap clothesIt has never been cheaper to buy a new shirt. Large fashion chains now release new designs every few weeks, and prices are so low that many shoppers treat clothes as almost disposable, wearing an item a handful of times before throwing it away. But this 'fast fashion' has hidden costs.The first is environmental. Growing cotton uses enormous quantities of water: a single pair of jeans can require thousands of litres. Dyeing and finishing fabric releases chemicals that, in some producing countries, flow straight into rivers, turning them unnatural colours and poisoning fish. Many cheap clothes are made of polyester, a kind of plastic; every wash releases tiny fibres that drain into the sea. And because garments are so cheap, mountains of them end up in landfill sites or are burned, often within a year of being made.The second cost is human. To keep prices low, factories pay workers very little, and long hours are common, especially when orders must be rushed. Some factory buildings have been badly maintained, and fires and collapses have killed workers. Workers who complain risk losing their jobs.Shoppers pay a price too. Cheap clothes are often poorly stitched and lose their shape after a few washes, so they must be replaced quickly, and the money saved is soon spent again. The constant flood of new styles encourages people to buy things they do not need, and many young people feel pressure from social media never to be photographed in the same outfit twice.Some brands now offer repair services and recycling schemes, and second-hand clothes have become fashionable. Whether these changes will be enough remains to be seen.

1. (a) Summarise the disadvantages of fast fashion, according to Text B.You must use continuous writing (not note form). Use your own words as far as possible.Your summary should be no more than 150 words. [20]

Read Text B, then answer the question.Text B: On the mountainEvery summer, climbers from around the world arrive in Gilgit-Baltistan hoping to reach the summit of one of the region's great peaks. Few of them would succeed, or even survive, without the local guides and porters who carry their equipment and lead them through the mountains. It is a proud profession, but a hard one.The physical demands are enormous. Porters often carry loads of twenty-five kilograms or more for days over glaciers and loose rock, at heights where there is far less oxygen than at sea level. Altitude sickness, which causes headaches, sickness and in serious cases fluid on the lungs or brain, can strike even experienced mountain men. Avalanches, falling rocks and hidden crevasses in the ice make every expedition dangerous.The equipment problem makes things worse. Foreign climbers arrive with the latest boots, jackets and sleeping bags, but some porters still work in worn-out shoes and borrowed clothes that are not warm enough at night. Frostbite of fingers and toes is not unusual.There are money worries too. The climbing season lasts only three or four months, so families must live on summer earnings for the whole year. A guide who is injured has little insurance and may be unable to work again. If a season is cancelled because of bad weather, political trouble abroad or, as happened recently, a global illness that stopped travel, income disappears completely.Despite all this, many guides are proud of their skills and want their profession to be recognised. Some have now trained as instructors and run their own companies, and a few have climbed the highest peaks in the world themselves.

1. (a) Summarise the difficulties faced by mountain guides and porters, according to Text B.You must use continuous writing (not note form). Use your own words as far as possible.Your summary should be no more than 150 words. [20]

Read Text B, then answer the question.Text B: The sleepless generationDoctors recommend that teenagers sleep between eight and ten hours a night, yet surveys in many countries suggest that most get far less. Why do so many young people struggle to get the sleep they need?Part of the explanation is biological. During adolescence the body's internal clock shifts later, so teenagers naturally feel sleepy later at night and want to wake later in the morning. Early school start times therefore cut directly into their sleep.Screens make the problem worse. Phones, tablets and laptops give off a blue-tinted light that tells the brain it is still daytime, delaying the release of the hormone that makes us drowsy. Messages and notifications that arrive late at night keep teenagers alert, and many feel they will miss out if they switch off. Some keep their phones under their pillows and wake up to check them.Workload is another factor. With school, tuition, homework and, for some, part-time jobs or family responsibilities, the hours left for sleep are squeezed. Stress about exams can make it hard to fall asleep even when a student finally goes to bed.Daily habits also play a part. Energy drinks, strong tea and coffee consumed in the afternoon and evening can keep the body awake for hours. Long naps after school, though tempting, make it harder to sleep at night. In hot climates, a stuffy bedroom or a power cut that stops the fan can make sleep impossible.The consequences – poor concentration, low mood and weaker immunity – are serious enough that some schools have experimented with later start times.

1. (a) Summarise the reasons why many teenagers do not get enough sleep, according to Text B.You must use continuous writing (not note form). Use your own words as far as possible.Your summary should be no more than 150 words. [20]

Read Text B, then answer the question.Text B: Forests between land and seaAlong parts of the coast near Karachi and in the delta of the Indus, forests grow where few trees could survive: in salty mud that is flooded by the sea twice a day. These are mangroves, and although they may look like tangled, muddy thickets, they are among the most useful ecosystems on Earth.Mangroves protect the coast. Their dense roots slow down waves and storm surges, reducing damage to villages behind them during cyclones. The roots also trap mud and sand, which stops the shoreline from being washed away and can even help it build up over time.They are nurseries for sea life. Many kinds of fish, shrimps and crabs lay their eggs among the roots, where the young are sheltered from larger predators. Without mangroves, catches in the open sea would fall, which matters greatly to fishing communities whose income depends on them.Mangroves help fight climate change too. They store large amounts of carbon, not only in their trunks and leaves but in the deep mud beneath them, which can hold it for centuries if the forest is left undisturbed.Local people use the forests in many ways. Camels graze on the leaves, honey is collected from bees that feed on mangrove flowers, and fallen wood is gathered for fuel – though cutting too much has damaged some areas in the past. Birdwatchers and tourists come by boat to see flamingos, herons and other migrating birds, bringing income to boatmen and guides.In recent years, large replanting projects have restored many thousands of hectares along the coast.

1. (a) Summarise the benefits of mangrove forests, according to Text B.You must use continuous writing (not note form). Use your own words as far as possible.Your summary should be no more than 150 words. [20]

Read Text B, then answer the question.Text B: The fading craft of blue potteryFor centuries, the craftsmen of Multan have made blue pottery: plates, vases and tiles decorated with deep cobalt blue and turquoise patterns. Their work decorates shrines and palaces. Yet today the number of workshops is shrinking, and many craftsmen fear their art will not survive another generation.One problem is competition. Factory-made ceramics, many of them imported, are sold at a fraction of the price of handmade pieces, and most shoppers cannot tell – or do not care about – the difference. Craftsmen also find that the price of raw materials, especially the colours and the fuel for their kilns, has risen steeply, while the prices they can charge have not.Young people are turning away. A single large vase can take weeks to shape, decorate and fire, and the income is uncertain. Sons of potters often prefer office jobs or work abroad, which offer a steady salary and more respect. Because the skills are passed down within families rather than taught in schools, each young person who leaves takes a whole tradition with him.Many craftsmen have no direct link with their customers. They sell to middlemen, who resell the pieces in big-city shops at several times the price and keep most of the profit. Few potters have the knowledge or the money to sell online or at international exhibitions.Some government programmes and designers are trying to help by creating modern designs and connecting craftsmen with buyers abroad, but these efforts reach only a handful of workshops.

1. (a) Summarise the reasons why the traditional craft of blue pottery is in decline, according to Text B.You must use continuous writing (not note form). Use your own words as far as possible.Your summary should be no more than 150 words. [20]

Read Text B, then answer the question.Text B: Crossing the TharToday, travellers can cross the Thar Desert by road in a day, but for the merchants and explorers who crossed it on camels a century and a half ago, the journey could take weeks and was full of danger.Water was the greatest worry. Wells were few and far apart, and some had dried up or turned salty since the travellers' guides last visited them. Caravans had to carry heavy water skins, which leaked in the heat. A single mistake in navigation could mean days without water.Finding the way was itself difficult. Shifting sand dunes changed shape after every storm, burying the tracks and landmarks that guides relied on. Many caravans travelled at night, using the stars, to avoid the heat – but this made it easy to stray off course.The climate was brutal. Daytime temperatures in summer soared above forty-five degrees, while winter nights could be bitterly cold. Sandstorms could last for hours, forcing travellers to shelter behind their kneeling camels with cloth over their faces, unable to see or breathe properly.The animals had their own problems. Camels could go many days without drinking, but they needed grazing, and in years of drought there was little to eat. A lame or sick camel had to be left behind with its load.Finally, travellers sometimes faced bandits who knew the desert well and attacked slow, heavily laden caravans. Many merchants paid local chiefs for protection, adding to the cost of the journey. It is little wonder that those who completed the crossing were treated as heroes when they returned.

1. (a) Summarise the difficulties faced by early travellers crossing the Thar Desert, according to Text B.You must use continuous writing (not note form). Use your own words as far as possible.Your summary should be no more than 150 words. [20]

Read Text B, then answer the question.Text B: Reefs under pressureCoral reefs cover less than one per cent of the ocean floor, yet they are home to about a quarter of all marine species. Over recent decades, however, many reefs have suffered serious damage.The biggest threat is rising sea temperature. Corals live in partnership with tiny algae that give them food and colour. When water becomes too warm for too long, the corals expel these algae and turn white, a process called bleaching. Bleached corals are not dead, but if the heat continues they starve.The ocean is also becoming more acidic as it absorbs carbon dioxide from the air. This makes it harder for corals to build their limestone skeletons, so reefs grow more slowly and become more fragile.Pollution from land adds to the stress. Fertilisers washed into the sea feed seaweed that smothers corals, and soil from cleared land clouds the water and blocks the sunlight that corals need. Sewage brings diseases.People damage reefs directly too. In some regions fishermen have used explosives or poison to stun fish, destroying the coral at the same time. Overfishing removes the fish that graze on seaweed and keep it under control. Boats drop anchors on reefs, and careless divers and snorkellers break off fragile branches or take them home as souvenirs. Coastal building projects sometimes dredge or bury whole sections of reef.Many countries have created marine reserves where fishing and building are restricted, and scientists are growing corals in nurseries to replant damaged areas.

1. (a) Summarise the threats to coral reefs, according to Text B.You must use continuous writing (not note form). Use your own words as far as possible.Your summary should be no more than 150 words. [20]

Read Text B, then answer the question.Text B: Why the bees are disappearingFarmers have always known that bees are valuable. As they move from flower to flower collecting nectar, bees carry pollen that allows fruit trees, sunflowers, mustard and many vegetables to produce seeds and fruit. Without them, harvests of crops such as apples, almonds and melons would fall sharply. Bees also produce honey and wax, which give many rural families extra income.Yet in many parts of the world, bee numbers are falling, and scientists believe there is no single cause. One of the most serious is the use of certain pesticides. Even when these chemicals do not kill bees outright, they can confuse them so that they cannot find their way back to the hive. Another is the loss of wild flowers. When hedges and field edges are cleared to make room for huge fields of a single crop, bees may have plenty to eat for two weeks a year and almost nothing for the rest.Diseases and parasites add to the damage. A tiny mite that feeds on bees and spreads viruses has moved across continents, carried in part by the trade in honeybee colonies. Weakened by poor nutrition, bees are less able to resist such infections. Changes in climate also play a part: if flowers bloom earlier than usual after a warm winter, bees may emerge too late to feed on them, and extreme heat and floods can destroy hives.The good news is that simple actions help. Farmers who leave strips of wild flowers along their fields often see better harvests, and even small town gardens planted with flowering herbs provide food for bees passing through.

1. (a) Summarise the threats to bees, according to Text B.You must use continuous writing (not note form). Use your own words as far as possible.Your summary should be no more than 150 words. [20]

Read Text B, then answer the question.Text B: Electric rickshaws: a mixed blessingThe familiar roar of the two-stroke rickshaw is slowly giving way to a quieter hum on the streets of Lahore. Electric rickshaws have been welcomed by many: they produce no exhaust fumes in the street, they are almost silent, and drivers spend far less on electricity than they once did on petrol. Passengers like the smoother ride.But the new vehicles have brought problems of their own. The biggest is the battery. Many cheaper rickshaws use lead-acid batteries that must be replaced every year or two, and these are often broken up in backyard workshops where lead leaks into the soil and harms the workers' health. Better lithium batteries last longer but are expensive, and many drivers cannot afford them without loans.Charging is another headache. There are few public charging points, so most drivers charge at home overnight, sometimes through illegal connections that overload local transformers and cause power cuts for whole streets. During the long power cuts of summer, drivers may be unable to charge at all and lose a day's earnings.The vehicles themselves have limits. A fully loaded electric rickshaw slows down noticeably on bridges and slopes, and its range falls sharply in extreme summer heat, when batteries work less efficiently and wear out faster. Some cheaply made models have weak brakes and frames. And because they are so quiet, pedestrians – especially elderly or visually impaired people – do not always hear them coming.Finally, the electricity itself is not always clean: much of it is still generated by burning oil and coal, so the pollution has partly moved from the street to the power station.

1. (a) Summarise the drawbacks of electric rickshaws, according to Text B.You must use continuous writing (not note form). Use your own words as far as possible.Your summary should be no more than 150 words. [20]

Read Text B, then answer the question.Text B: Cooling the cityHeatwaves are becoming longer and more frequent in South Asia. In cities, they are made worse by concrete and asphalt, which absorb heat during the day and release it at night, so that temperatures barely fall after sunset. For outdoor workers, the elderly and young children, this can be deadly: heatstroke can cause confusion, collapse and, without treatment, death. Power cuts that stop fans and air-conditioners add to the danger, and water shortages often follow.Some cities have begun to fight back. One of the simplest measures is an early-warning system: when forecasters predict extreme heat, warnings are sent by text message, radio and mosque loudspeakers, so that people can stay indoors at the hottest time of day and check on elderly neighbours. Hospitals prepare special cooling wards and stock extra fluids.Cities have also opened 'cooling centres' in schools and community halls, where people without fans can rest in the shade and drink clean water. Charities set up water stalls at bus stops and busy markets.Longer-term changes aim to make the city itself cooler. Roofs painted white reflect sunlight instead of absorbing it, lowering the temperature inside homes by several degrees. Tree-planting campaigns are creating shade along main roads, and parks are being protected from building. Some employers have changed working hours so that construction workers and street cleaners start earlier and rest during the hottest hours.Experts warn that heatwaves will keep getting worse, so these measures will need to expand quickly.

1. (a) Summarise the measures being taken to protect people from heatwaves in cities, according to Text B.You must use continuous writing (not note form). Use your own words as far as possible.Your summary should be no more than 150 words. [20]

Read Text B, then answer the question.Text B: Clearing up spaceSince the first satellite was launched in 1957, thousands of objects have been sent into orbit around the Earth. Many are now dead: old satellites, spent rocket stages and fragments from explosions and collisions. Travelling at several kilometres per second, even a piece the size of a marble can smash a working satellite, and every collision creates more debris. Scientists fear a chain reaction in which some orbits become unusable for generations, threatening the satellites we rely on for weather forecasts, navigation and communication.Engineers are developing several ways to deal with the problem. The cheapest is prevention: international guidelines now ask operators to move satellites out of busy orbits at the end of their lives, either by lowering them so that they burn up in the atmosphere or by pushing them into a distant 'graveyard' orbit. New satellites are being designed to carry extra fuel for this final move.Tracking also helps. Radar and telescopes on the ground follow tens of thousands of objects, so that satellite operators can be warned and steer away from a possible collision.Removing debris that is already up there is harder. Experimental spacecraft have tested nets and harpoons to capture old satellites, and others use robotic arms or magnets to grab objects fitted with special docking plates. Once captured, the debris is dragged down to burn up. Researchers are also studying ground-based lasers that could nudge small fragments into lower orbits.All of these methods are expensive, and no single country can solve the problem alone, which is why many experts argue for binding international rules.

1. (a) Summarise the solutions being developed to deal with space debris, according to Text B.You must use continuous writing (not note form). Use your own words as far as possible.Your summary should be no more than 150 words. [20]

Read Text B, then answer the question.Text B: The home officeWhen offices closed during the pandemic, millions of people discovered they could do their jobs from home. Many never went back. Working from home has obvious attractions: no exhausting commute, more time with family, the freedom to organise one's day and, for some, the chance to live in a cheaper town far from the office. Employers save on rent for office space.Yet a few years on, many home workers report that the reality is more complicated. Loneliness is one of the most common complaints. Without colleagues to chat to over tea, some people go whole days without a real conversation, and new employees in particular find it hard to build relationships or learn from experienced staff by watching them.The line between work and home life can disappear. When the laptop is always on the kitchen table, it is tempting to answer emails late at night, and many home workers say they work longer hours than they did in the office. Family members may not respect working time, and in small homes it can be impossible to find a quiet space for calls.There are physical costs too. Few people have a proper desk and chair at home, and hours hunched over a laptop on a sofa can cause back and neck pain. Some home workers move so little that they put on weight.Careers can suffer as well. Several surveys suggest that people who are seldom seen in the office are passed over for promotion, because managers notice those who are physically present. Home workers also pay more for electricity and internet, costs that employers do not always cover.

1. (a) Summarise the drawbacks of working from home, according to Text B.You must use continuous writing (not note form). Use your own words as far as possible.Your summary should be no more than 150 words. [20]

Read Text B, then answer the question.Text B: Four days or five?A growing number of schools around the world have experimented with a four-day week, adding time to each remaining day and giving students and staff a long weekend. Supporters say it saves money on transport and electricity, makes it easier to attract teachers, and gives students a day for rest, family or part-time work.Critics, however, see serious problems. The first concerns the youngest children. Longer school days can leave them exhausted by mid-afternoon, so that the extra time in class produces little learning. Teachers report that concentration falls sharply in the last hour.The fifth day itself creates difficulties for working parents. Someone must look after younger children, and families who cannot afford childcare may leave children alone or take them to work. Children who receive free meals at school lose one meal a week, which matters in poorer communities.There are worries about learning, too. Some studies of schools that switched have found that pupils' test results grew more slowly than in comparable five-day schools, especially in mathematics, perhaps because there is a longer gap between lessons. Students who already struggle may fall further behind without a day of contact with teachers.Critics also question the savings. Buildings still need security and maintenance, and the money saved on buses is often small compared with the total budget. Meanwhile, sports clubs and other activities that used Fridays may be squeezed into weekends, competing with family time.Supporters reply that the evidence is mixed and that the change works well when it is carefully planned.

1. (a) Summarise the arguments against a four-day school week, according to Text B.You must use continuous writing (not note form). Use your own words as far as possible.Your summary should be no more than 150 words. [20]

Read the passage, then answer the questions.Passage: Quetta's thirsty futureQuetta, the capital of Balochistan, sits in a dry valley surrounded by mountains. For centuries its people relied on karezes – underground channels that carried water from the foot of the hills – but today the city faces a serious water shortage.The population has grown many times over in the last fifty years, and every new home needs water. To meet this demand, thousands of tube wells have been drilled, pumping water from deep underground faster than rain and snow can refill it, so the water table has fallen dramatically. Long droughts in recent decades have reduced the snowfall on the surrounding mountains, which used to melt slowly and replace the groundwater. Many old karezes have dried up or been neglected, and a large share of the piped water leaks from old, broken pipes before it reaches homes.The effects are felt every day. Many households receive piped water only a few hours a week and must buy expensive water from tankers. Women and children in poorer areas spend hours collecting water, time that could be spent in school or earning money. Orchards of apples and grapes that once made the valley famous have withered, and farmers have lost their income. As wells are drilled ever deeper, the cost of pumping rises, and some water has become salty and unsafe. Experts warn that, without action, parts of the city could run out of usable groundwater altogether.

1. (a) Make short notes under the heading: Causes of Quetta's water shortageWrite one point per line; you may use words from the passage. [5]
2. (b) Make short notes under the heading: Effects of the water shortageWrite one point per line; you may use words from the passage. [5]

Read the passage, then answer the questions.Passage: Why every child should learn to swimIn a country crossed by rivers and canals, and with a long coastline, the ability to swim can save lives. Every year, many children drown in canals, ponds and the sea, often within sight of adults. Learning to swim is one of the best protections – but it brings other benefits too.Swimming is excellent exercise. Because water supports the body, it works the heart, lungs and almost every muscle without putting strain on the joints, which makes it suitable for people of all ages and for those recovering from injury. Regular swimmers often sleep better, and many find that the rhythm of swimming lengths calms the mind. Children who can swim also gain confidence and can join in with friends at beaches and pools, as well as sports such as water polo and rowing.Even good swimmers must follow safety rules. Never swim alone, and always swim where a lifeguard or responsible adult is watching. Canals and rivers are especially dangerous: the water may look calm, but strong currents and hidden rubbish can trap even strong swimmers, so they should be avoided. At the beach, pay attention to warning flags, as rip currents can pull swimmers out to sea; if caught in one, swim parallel to the shore rather than against it. Do not jump into water without checking its depth. Finally, if someone is in difficulty, do not jump in after them unless trained – throw something that floats and shout for help.

1. (a) Make short notes under the heading: Benefits of learning to swimWrite one point per line; you may use words from the passage. [4]
2. (b) Make short notes under the heading: Safety advice for swimmersWrite one point per line; you may use words from the passage. [5]

Read the passage, then answer the questions.Passage: Ships of the desertFor thousands of years, people living in the deserts of Pakistan, Arabia and North Africa have depended on camels. Few animals are so well suited to a harsh environment, and few have been so useful to human beings.Camels carry heavy loads across sand where vehicles get stuck, and in remote areas they are still used to carry water, firewood and goods to market. Their milk is rich and nutritious and can be drunk fresh or made into yoghurt, and camels keep producing it even when grazing is poor. Camel hair is woven into rugs and warm cloth, and leather is made from their hides. Camel dung, once dried, provides fuel for cooking fires. Camels are also a measure of wealth: they are given at weddings and sold in times of need, and camel races and festivals bring families together and attract visitors.Yet the herders' way of life is under pressure. As towns spread and land is fenced for farming, the open grazing routes that herders followed for generations are being closed. Droughts have reduced the plants camels feed on. Many young people from herding families move to cities, where jobs pay a regular wage, leaving older relatives to care for the animals. Trucks and motorbikes have replaced camels for many transport tasks, lowering demand for working animals. Diseases can spread quickly through herds, and veterinary help is often far away.

1. (a) Make short notes under the heading: Uses of camelsWrite one point per line; you may use words from the passage. [6]
2. (b) Make short notes under the heading: Threats to camel herdingWrite one point per line; you may use words from the passage. [5]

Read the passage, then answer the questions.Passage: The hidden danger in old phonesEvery year the world throws away tens of millions of tonnes of electronic waste – old phones, computers, televisions and chargers. Much of it ends up in countries where it is taken apart by hand to recover valuable metals.This work is dangerous. Circuit boards and screens contain lead, mercury and cadmium, which can damage the brain, kidneys and nervous system. In informal recycling yards, workers – sometimes children – burn plastic-coated wires in the open to reach the copper inside, breathing thick toxic smoke. Acids used to extract gold are poured onto the ground when finished, poisoning soil and water used by nearby farms and families. Old batteries can catch fire or explode. Because these workers rarely have gloves or masks, illnesses of the lungs and skin are common, and pollution can affect whole neighbourhoods.Efforts are under way to reduce the harm. Several countries have passed laws that make manufacturers responsible for collecting and recycling their products at the end of their lives. Collection points for old devices have been set up in shops and offices, so that equipment goes to licensed recyclers rather than scrap dealers. Some companies now design phones that are easier to repair and whose batteries can be replaced, so they last longer. Charities train informal recyclers to work more safely and provide protective equipment. And campaigns encourage consumers to keep their devices longer, donate working ones and never throw batteries into household rubbish.

1. (a) Make short notes under the heading: Dangers of informal e-waste recyclingWrite one point per line; you may use words from the passage. [5]
2. (b) Make short notes under the heading: Actions being takenWrite one point per line; you may use words from the passage. [4]
3. (c) Using your notes from (b), write a paragraph of no more than 70 words, in your own words, explaining how the harm from e-waste is being reduced. [4]

Read the passage, then answer the questions.Passage: The invisible plasticMicroplastics are pieces of plastic smaller than five millimetres – many so small they can be seen only under a microscope. Scientists have found them almost everywhere they have looked: in the deepest ocean trenches, in Arctic ice, in table salt and in the air of cities.They come from many sources. Larger plastic items such as bottles and bags break into smaller and smaller pieces as sunlight and waves wear them down. Clothes made from synthetic fabrics shed tiny fibres every time they are washed, and these pass through water treatment plants into rivers. Car tyres wear away on roads, and the dust is washed into drains by rain. Some cosmetics and cleaning products have contained tiny plastic beads, although many countries have now banned them. Paint flaking from buildings and ships adds more.The effects are still being studied, but there are reasons for concern. Small sea creatures such as plankton and shellfish eat microplastics, which can block their digestive systems and leave them less able to feed and grow. The particles then pass up the food chain to fish and to people who eat seafood. Microplastics can also absorb harmful chemicals from the water and carry them into the animals that swallow them. In soil, they may affect earthworms and the growth of crops. Scientists have detected microplastics in human blood and lungs, but they do not yet know what effect, if any, this has on health.

1. (a) Make short notes under the heading: Sources of microplasticsWrite one point per line; you may use words from the passage. [4]
2. (b) Make short notes under the heading: Harmful (or possibly harmful) effectsWrite one point per line; you may use words from the passage. [4]
3. (c) Using your notes from (a), write a paragraph of no more than 60 words, in your own words, explaining where microplastics come from. [4]

Read the passage, then answer the questions.Passage: When the stars go outTwo hundred years ago, almost everyone on Earth could look up on a clear night and see the Milky Way. Today, a large share of the world's population lives where artificial light hides it completely. Light pollution – excessive or badly directed artificial light – has spread so quietly that few people notice it.Its causes are easy to see once you look. Street lamps that shine sideways and upwards, rather than only down onto the road, send light into the sky where it is wasted. Advertising boards, shop signs and floodlit buildings are often left on all night when nobody is there to see them. Homes and offices use more outdoor lighting than ever, and modern white LED lamps, though they save energy, are often brighter and contain more blue light than the older orange lamps, which scatters more in the atmosphere. As cities grow, their glow spreads further into the countryside.The effects reach far beyond astronomy. Many animals depend on darkness. Newly hatched sea turtles find the sea by heading for the brightest horizon, and beach lights lead them inland, where they die. Migrating birds that navigate by the stars become confused by brightly lit towers and may circle until exhausted. Insects swarm around lamps instead of pollinating plants, and many die. People are affected too: light at night disturbs the body's natural clock, and some research links it with poor sleep. Wasted light also means wasted electricity and money – and more greenhouse gases from power stations. Finally, a whole generation of children is growing up without ever seeing a truly dark, star-filled sky.

1. (a) Make short notes under the heading: Causes of light pollutionWrite one point per line; you may use words from the passage. [4]
2. (b) Make short notes under the heading: Effects of light pollutionWrite one point per line; you may use words from the passage. [6]
3. (c) Using your notes from (b), write a paragraph of no more than 80 words, in your own words, explaining why light pollution matters. Do not include its causes. [5]

Read the passage, then answer the questions.Passage: Kites, strings and safetyKite flying has been a much-loved spring tradition in Punjab for generations. Rooftops fill with families, music and food, and the sky turns into a moving pattern of colour. In recent years, however, the festival has also become associated with injuries and deaths, leading authorities to restrict or ban it in several cities.The worst danger comes from the strings. To cut rivals' kites, some flyers use string coated with crushed glass or metal wire. Stretched across roads, these strings have slit the necks of motorcyclists, sometimes fatally. Metal strings that touch overhead power lines can electrocute the flyer and cause power cuts across whole neighbourhoods. Excited children chasing falling kites run onto busy roads or fall from unprotected rooftops. Celebratory gunfire, though illegal, has also injured people when bullets fall back to earth.Many people argue that the festival can be made safe rather than banned. Their proposals include strictly enforcing a ban on glass-coated and metal strings, with heavy fines for sellers as well as users, and allowing only cotton thread. Kite flying could be permitted only in designated open areas, such as parks and stadiums, away from roads and power lines. Motorcyclists can fit simple metal wire guards on the front of their bikes, which catch strings before they reach the rider. Parents can be urged to build or check railings on roofs, and police can patrol to stop aerial firing. Supporters say that, with these measures, families could again enjoy the festival without fear.

1. (a) Make short notes under the heading: Dangers linked to kite flyingWrite one point per line; you may use words from the passage. [4]
2. (b) Make short notes under the heading: Proposed safety measuresWrite one point per line; you may use words from the passage. [6]

Read the passage, then answer the questions.Passage: Lakes that burstHigh in the Karakoram and Hindu Kush, glaciers are melting faster than at any time in recorded history. As they retreat, meltwater collects in hollows behind walls of loose rock and ice left by the glacier, forming glacial lakes. Thousands of such lakes now exist in Pakistan's northern mountains, and some are growing quickly.These lakes form for several reasons. Rising temperatures make glaciers melt and shrink. As the glacier retreats, it leaves behind a dam of rock and debris, called a moraine, which traps the meltwater. Black carbon – soot from vehicles, factories and burning – settles on the ice, darkening it so that it absorbs more heat and melts faster. Heavy summer rains add even more water.The danger is that a lake may suddenly burst through its natural dam, sending a wall of water, mud and boulders down the valley. This is known as a glacial lake outburst flood, and it can destroy bridges, roads, homes and fields within minutes.Communities are preparing in several ways. Automatic weather stations and water-level sensors have been installed near some lakes, sending alarms to villages downstream if the level rises suddenly. Villagers have been trained in emergency drills and know which high ground to run to. Engineers have built protective walls and strengthened bridges, and in some places they have dug channels to drain water slowly from dangerous lakes. Communities are also planting trees on slopes to hold the soil, and local committees store emergency food and equipment.

1. (a) Make short notes under the heading: Reasons glacial lakes formWrite one point per line; you may use words from the passage. [4]
2. (b) Make short notes under the heading: How communities are preparing for outburst floodsWrite one point per line; you may use words from the passage. [6]
3. (c) Explain in your own words, in no more than 40 words, what a glacial lake outburst flood is and why it is so destructive. [3]