Crossing the Horizon

Read Text 3, and then answer Questions 5 to Question 14 on the question paper.
Crossing the Horizon
The text below is about facing fears during an unplanned airplane journey.
1
“You know what they say about clouds, don’t you? Silver linings and all.” Jonathon's words resounded faintly over the roaring winds from the open door of the small twin-engine plane. The steel bird hummed and vibrated, cutting through swelling layers of turbulent clouds. And there sat Vera, clutching her seatbelt with knuckles white as frost.
2
Cascade after cascade of memories drenched her thoughts. Thirteen years earlier, back home in Ipswich, her father had taken her to see the first gliders soaring above vast open meadows. As a girl of five, she had marvelled at their majesty, but the moment the thought of sitting in one entered her mind, her heart sank like a stone in still water. That early fear of flying had trickled into her adult life, unobtrusive yet potent. It wasn't until two weeks ago, when her colleagues booked her seat for the company's annual retreat, complete with an aerial sightseeing trip, that her trepidations clawed their way to the surface.
3
"The first time I flew," Jonathon continued, "I was terrified. I mean proper clutch-the-seat terrified. But there's something about the horizon, Vera. It's always waiting just ahead of you, inviting but a little out of reach."
4
His voice pulled Vera into another remembrance. She was 16 years old then, perched on a coastal cliff in Cornwall. She had dared to challenge herself with parasailing but froze at the edge. Her older brother, Benjamin, nudged and coaxed her until she relented. The rush exhilarated her at first, then petrified her—tears streaked the wind-burned cheeks beneath her visor. Never again, she had vowed.
5
Now, courtesy of her firm's adventurous getaway programme, “never” felt neglected. Flashes of windbreaker-clad colleagues cheering upon the news played in her head—”Vera in the air! Can you believe it?” they had quipped. This wasn't leisure, she had told herself as she boarded—this was pure necessity, career advancement garbed as compliance.
6
“Hold onto that thought—‘horizon ahead',” Jonathon prompted, adjusting the breathing apparatus of his fellow passenger. "Imagine standing on one of those vistas." His words dissolved as the sturdy aircraft rattled through another unseen pocket of turbulence, pulling Vera's heart along with it.
7
She tried to focus on the details. The smooth surface of the armrest beneath her fingertips. Jonathon's voice—steady and calm, like a buoy in an endless sea. There was a kind of stillness interwoven with the chaos of air travel. It reminded her of those quiet mornings walking the cliffs in Wales, the wind rushing past her ears, and the aroma of salt clinging to her being.
8
“You know,” Jonathon added after a pause, his tone lighter now, “this is how it begins for most people. Facing what they think they can't handle, and discovering they're stronger than they imagined.” He smiled briefly but turned his focus back to the controls before he could see her response.
9
The plane began its descent, slicing through layers of clouds until the sprawling green of the countryside emerged below. It was breathtaking, literally—a rush of awe swept through Vera as shades of green renewed her senses. For a split second, her grip on the belt loosened, but it was enough. The relief was fleeting but transformative.
10
The landing was smooth, with sunlight breaking through as they touched down. The engines roared softly, then died down as the team disembarked. Vera placed her feet on the tarmac, feeling the ground's solidity resonate strength they'd borrowed mid-air. She didn't need to say much—her steps forward spoke of bravery newly kindled, a horizon newly crossed.

Question 5

From Paragraph 2, why did Vera feel fear when she thought of flying?

[1 Mark]

Question 6

__________

Relevant Paragraphs:

2. Cascade after cascade of memories drenched her thoughts. Thirteen years earlier, back home in Ipswich, her father had taken her to see the first gliders soaring above vast open meadows. As a girl of five, she had marvelled at their majesty, but the moment the thought of sitting in one entered her mind, her heart sank like a stone in still water. That early fear of flying had trickled into her adult life, unobtrusive yet potent. It wasn't until two weeks ago, when her colleagues booked her seat for the company's annual retreat, complete with an aerial sightseeing trip, that her trepidations clawed their way to the surface.

3. "The first time I flew," Jonathon continued, "I was terrified. I mean proper clutch-the-seat terrified. But there's something about the horizon, Vera. It's always waiting just ahead of you, inviting but a little out of reach."

__________

Identify the words or phrases from the extract given above that correspond with the idea of “fear and hesitation.”

[4 Marks]

Synonym Words Related to “Fear and Hesitation” Matching Words or Phrases from the Given Extract
Apprehension
Reluctance
Timidity
Uneasiness

Question 7

From Paragraph 3, what does the phrase “clutch-the-seat terrified” reveal about Jonathon’s experience of flying?

[1 Mark]

Question 8

From Paragraph 4, what does the phrase “tears streaked the wind-burned cheeks beneath her visor” suggest about Vera’s feelings during her parasailing experience?

[3 Mark]

Question 9

From Paragraph 6, what does the phrase “horizon ahead” refer to in the context of Jonathon’s dialogue?

[1 Mark]

Question 10

From Paragraphs 6 and 7, what does Vera's reaction to the turbulence show about her thoughts and feelings during the flight?

[2 Marks]

Question 11

__________

7. She tried to focus on the details. The smooth surface of the armrest beneath her fingertips. Jonathon's voice—steady and calm, like a buoy in an endless sea. There was a kind of stillness interwoven with the chaos of air travel. It reminded her of those quiet mornings walking the cliffs in Wales, the wind rushing past her ears, and the aroma of salt clinging to her being.


“Jonathon's voice—steady and calm, like a buoy in an endless sea.”


8. “You know,” Jonathon added after a pause, his tone lighter now, “this is how it begins for most people. Facing what they think they can't handle, and discovering they're stronger than they imagined.” He smiled briefly but turned his focus back to the controls before he could see her response.

__________

What does the following quote from Paragraph 7 suggest about Jonathon's role in the situation?

[2 Marks]

Based on the following quote What it suggests about Jonathon's role?
"Jonathon's voice—steady and calm, like a buoy in an endless sea."

Question 12

From Paragraph 8, identify three quotes that suggest Jonathon's statement motivates or comforts Vera during the flight. Explain how each quote contributes to this impression.

[3 Mark]

Based on the following quote What it suggests about Jonathon's statement

Question 13

According to Paragraphs 9 and 10, which phrases describe Vera's feelings as she lands? Tick two boxes only.

[2 Mark]

Question 14

With reference to Paragraph 9, what does the phrase “a rush of awe swept through Vera” suggest about her feelings during the plane’s descent?

[1 Mark]

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