IGCSE Language A

Paper 1: Reading

Three texts. Four questions. Eighty marks. Paper 1 tests your ability to read closely, infer, analyse language and summarise effectively under timed pressure.

2 hours80 marks50% of qualification

Question-by-question breakdown

This is the paper for exams from 2027. If you sit Paper 1 in November 2026, your paper follows the older 2024-2026 syllabus: three questions worth 30, 25 and 25 marks, in the same 2 hours, so its question numbers and marks are not the ones below.

Question 1: Comprehension (Text A)

Skills focus - Reading

20 marks

A series of short questions on Text A. Some ask you to find a detail, some to explain a word or phrase in your own words, and some to explain what the writer suggests or why something happened. Each part is marked point by point.

Examiner tip: The marks for each part are printed in square brackets: a [3] part needs three separate points, so count them as you write.

Question 2: Summary task (Text B)

Skills focus - Reading 15 / Writing 5

20 marks

2(a): a summary of the points in Text B that fit the focus the question gives, in your own words and in continuous writing of no more than 120 words (reading 10, writing 5). 2(b): explain the writer's attitude in Text B, with details from the text (5).

Examiner tip: Underline every point that fits the focus, cross out repeats and examples, then combine related points into single sentences in fresh words.

Question 3: Short answers and language task (Text C)

Skills focus - Reading

20 marks

Short questions on words and phrases in Text C (10 marks), then a language task of about 200 to 250 words on how the writer's language creates effects in an extract the question names (10 marks).

Examiner tip: In the language task, choose a few striking words or phrases (three in the specimen paper) and explain what each suggests, including any images.

Question 4: Extended response to reading (Text C)

Skills focus - Reading 10 / Writing 10

20 marks

About 250 to 300 words based on Text C, in the form the question sets: a letter, report, journal, speech, interview or article. You use and develop ideas from the text to cover each bullet point.

Examiner tip: Note two or three ideas from Text C under each bullet, then add what each one suggests or leads to: that development is what the higher reading marks look for.

Study resources

Reading techniques

Skimming, scanning, close reading and annotation methods.

Language analysis (Q3)

Step-by-step method for the language task: word choice and imagery.

Summary writing (Q2)

How to write a focused summary of no more than 120 words.

Practice passages

Three full practice sets with model answers.

Suggested timing plan

15 min - read

Read all three texts once, lightly annotate.

25 min - Q1

Comprehension. Count the marks in brackets.

25 min - Q2

About 19 min on the summary, 6 on the writer's attitude.

25 min - Q3

About 12 min on short answers, 13 on the language task.

25 min - Q4

Extended response on Text C. Keep the last 5 min to check.

Aligns with Cambridge syllabus 0500

IGCSE Language A hub

IGCSE Language A

Paper 1: Reading

Three texts. Four questions. Eighty marks. Paper 1 tests your ability to read closely, infer, analyse language and summarise effectively under timed pressure.

2 hours80 marks50% of qualification

Question-by-question breakdown

Question 1: Comprehension (Text A)

Skills focus - Reading

20 marks

Examiner tip: The marks for each part are printed in square brackets: a [3] part needs three separate points, so count them as you write.

Question 2: Summary task (Text B)

Skills focus - Reading 15 / Writing 5

20 marks

Examiner tip: Underline every point that fits the focus, cross out repeats and examples, then combine related points into single sentences in fresh words.

Question 3: Short answers and language task (Text C)

Skills focus - Reading

20 marks

Short questions on words and phrases in Text C (10 marks), then a language task of about 200 to 250 words on how the writer's language creates effects in an extract the question names (10 marks).

Examiner tip: In the language task, choose a few striking words or phrases (three in the specimen paper) and explain what each suggests, including any images.

Question 4: Extended response to reading (Text C)

Skills focus - Reading 10 / Writing 10

20 marks

About 250 to 300 words based on Text C, in the form the question sets: a letter, report, journal, speech, interview or article. You use and develop ideas from the text to cover each bullet point.

Examiner tip: Note two or three ideas from Text C under each bullet, then add what each one suggests or leads to: that development is what the higher reading marks look for.

Study resources

Reading techniques

Skimming, scanning, close reading and annotation methods.

Language analysis (Q3)

Step-by-step method for the language task: word choice and imagery.

Summary writing (Q2)

How to write a focused summary of no more than 120 words.

Practice passages

Three full practice sets with model answers.

Suggested timing plan

15 min - read

Read all three texts once, lightly annotate.

25 min - Q1

Comprehension. Count the marks in brackets.

25 min - Q2

About 19 min on the summary, 6 on the writer's attitude.

25 min - Q3

About 12 min on short answers, 13 on the language task.

25 min - Q4

Extended response on Text C. Keep the last 5 min to check.

Aligns with Cambridge syllabus 0500

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Paper 1: Reading

Question-by-question breakdown

Study resources

Reading techniques

Language analysis (Q3)

Summary writing (Q2)

Practice passages

Suggested timing plan

Paper 1: Reading

Question-by-question breakdown

Study resources

Reading techniques

Language analysis (Q3)

Summary writing (Q2)

Practice passages

Suggested timing plan