Camping Under the Stars
Read Text C, and then answer Questions 2(a)-(d) and Question 3 on the question paper.
Camping Under the Stars
1
As the sun dipped beneath the horizon, casting a golden hue over the campsite, I felt a thrill of excitement. This was my first camping trip with friends, and the anticipation was palpable. The laughter of my friends echoed through the trees as we set up our tents, the scent of pine mingling with the crisp evening air.
2
“Do you think we’ll see any wildlife?” Sarah asked, her eyes wide with curiosity as she unfolded her sleeping bag.
3
“Maybe some monkeys or a deer,” I replied, trying to sound knowledgeable. “But we should keep our food stored away to avoid attracting them.” I remembered the tales my uncle had shared about his camping adventures, where raccoons had raided their supplies.
4
Once our tents were pitched, we gathered around the campfire, its warm glow contrasting with the cool night air. The crackling of the fire was soothing, and I found myself mesmerised by the dancing flames. “What's the first thing we should do?” I asked, eager to dive into our evening plans.
5
“Let's roast marshmallows!” exclaimed Tom, his face lighting up with enthusiasm. He reached into the cooler, pulling out a bag of marshmallows, and soon we were jabbing them onto sticks, ready to toast them to perfection.
6
As I held my marshmallow over the fire, I couldn't help but feel a sense of connection to nature. The stars began to twinkle overhead, and I stared in awe at the vast expanse of the night sky. “Look at all the stars!” I exclaimed, my voice barely above a whisper.
7
“It's beautiful,” Sarah agreed, her gaze fixed on the shimmering constellations. “I've never seen anything like it before.” Her appreciation for the moment made me smile; it was moments like these that made camping worthwhile.
8
After devouring our gooey treats, we settled back, sharing stories and laughter. “Remember that time we got lost on the school trip?” Tom chuckled, prompting a cascade of memories from our school days. The stories flowed easily, each one punctuated by bursts of laughter.
9
As the night wore on, the conversation shifted to our dreams and aspirations. “I want to travel the world,” I admitted, my heart racing at the thought. “To see new places and experience different cultures.” My friends nodded in agreement, their eyes sparkling with shared dreams.
10
“And maybe start a travel blog,” Sarah added excitedly. “We could document our adventures!” The idea ignited a spark of creativity among us, and we began brainstorming potential blog names, each suggestion more outrageous than the last.
11
Suddenly, a rustling in the bushes caught our attention. My heart raced as I turned to see a small deer cautiously stepping into the clearing. “Look!” I whispered, pointing towards the delicate creature. We all held our breath, not wanting to scare it away. The deer paused, its big eyes scanning the area before it slowly retreated into the shadows.
12
As the fire began to die down, I felt a wave of contentment wash over me. There was something magical about camping under the stars, surrounded by friends. The worries of everyday life seemed to fade away, replaced by a sense of freedom and adventure.
13
“Let's make a pact,” I proposed, my voice steady. “We should do this every year.” My friends nodded enthusiastically, their faces illuminated by the dying embers of the fire. It was a promise that we would cherish these moments, no matter where life took us.
14
As I crawled into my tent that night, the sounds of the forest lulled me to sleep. The rustling leaves, the distant hoot of an owl, and the gentle crackle of the dying fire created a symphony of nature. I closed my eyes, feeling grateful for the adventure we had shared, and I drifted off to sleep, dreaming of future camping trips and the memories yet to be made.
Question 2(a)
Identify a word or phrase from the text which suggests the same idea as the words in bold.
Identify a word or phrase from the text which suggests the same idea as the words in bold.
(i) As the sun began to set, the campsite was filled with a warm glow that made everything seem magical. [1 mark]
(ii) The sound of the fire crackling was very soothing, almost like a gentle lullaby. [1 mark]
(iii) The night sky was filled with countless twinkling lights that captured our attention. [1 mark]
(iv) We decided to make a promise to each other that we would always cherish these moments together. [1 mark]
Question 2(b)
Using your own words, explain what the writer means by the words in bold:
Using your own words, explain what the writer means by the words in bold:
“As I held my marshmallow over the fire, I couldn't help but feel a sense of connection to nature. The stars began to twinkle overhead, and I stared in awe at the vast expanse of the night sky. “Look at all the stars!” I exclaimed, my voice barely above a whisper.”
(i) connection [1 mark]
(ii) twinkle [1 mark]
(iii) expanse [1 mark]
Question 2(c)
Use one example from the text below to explain how the writer conveys a sense of adventure and excitement during the camping trip. [3 Marks]
Use one example from the text below to explain how the writer conveys a sense of adventure and excitement during the camping trip. [3 Marks]
As I held my marshmallow over the fire, I couldn't help but feel a sense of connection to nature. The stars began to twinkle overhead, and I stared in awe at the vast expanse of the night sky. “Look at all the stars!” I exclaimed, my voice barely above a whisper.
“It's beautiful,” Sarah agreed, her gaze fixed on the shimmering constellations. “I've never seen anything like it before.” Her appreciation for the moment made me smile; it was moments like these that made camping worthwhile.
Question 2(d)
Explain how the writer uses language to convey meaning and to create effect in the following paragraphs. Choose three examples of words or phrases from each paragraph to support your answer. Your choices should include the use of imagery. Write about 200 to 300 words. [15 Marks]
Explain how the writer uses language to convey meaning and to create effect in the following paragraphs. Choose three examples of words or phrases from each paragraph to support your answer. Your choices should include the use of imagery. Write about 200 to 300 words. [15 Marks]
Paragraph 1: “As the sun dipped beneath the horizon, casting a golden hue over the campsite, I felt a thrill of excitement.”
Paragraph 2: “Once our tents were pitched, we gathered around the campfire, its warm glow contrasting with the cool night air.”
Paragraph 2: “Once our tents were pitched, we gathered around the campfire, its warm glow contrasting with the cool night air.”
Question 3
You are giving a speech to your classmates about the benefits of camping trips based on your recent experience. In your speech, you should:
- Highlight the excitement and anticipation of camping with friends.
- Describe the memorable experiences shared during the trip.
- Encourage your classmates to consider going on a camping trip together.
Write the words of the speech.
Write about 250 to 300 words. (15 Marks)