First Day at School

Read Text C, and then answer Questions 2(a)-(d) and Question 3 on the question paper.
First Day at School
1
As the sun began to rise, casting a soft glow over the sleepy town, I felt a mixture of excitement and anxiety bubbling within me. Today was my first day at school, a fresh start in a new place, and I could hardly contain my thoughts. The journey to school was filled with the hum of traffic and the chatter of other students, each of us embarking on our own adventures.
2
Stepping through the school gates, I was greeted by a sea of unfamiliar faces. Some were laughing, others were huddled in groups, and a few were wandering about looking just as lost as I felt. I took a deep breath and reminded myself that everyone was in the same boat. “Just be yourself,” I whispered under my breath, hoping to calm my racing heart.
3
As I walked down the bustling corridor, the sound of lockers slamming and voices echoing filled the air. I spotted a girl sitting alone on a bench, her eyes glued to her phone. Gathering my courage, I approached her. “Hi, I'm Maya. Is this seat taken?” I asked, my voice barely above a whisper.
4
She looked up, surprised, and shook her head. “No, go ahead,” she replied with a smile. “I'm Sara. It's my first day too.” Instantly, I felt a wave of relief wash over me. We began chatting about our previous schools, our hopes for this new chapter, and the nerves that came with it. It was comforting to know I wasn't alone in feeling out of place.
5
Eventually, the bell rang, signalling the start of our first class. We hurried to our respective rooms, and I found myself in a bright classroom filled with colourful posters and eager faces. The teacher, Mr Tan, welcomed us warmly, his enthusiasm infectious. “Let's get to know each other,” he said, encouraging us to introduce ourselves. I felt my stomach churn as I prepared to speak.
6
“I'm Maya, and I love reading and playing basketball,” I said, trying to sound confident. The class responded with nods and smiles, and I could feel a sense of camaraderie beginning to form. As the lesson progressed, I found myself engaging more, sharing my thoughts and laughing at Mr Tan's jokes. The initial nervousness began to fade away.
7
During lunch, I joined Sara and a few others at a table outside under the shade of a large tree. The conversation flowed easily as we exchanged stories about our favourite books and movies. “Have you seen the latest superhero film?” one boy asked, his eyes sparkling with excitement. I jumped in, eager to share my thoughts. “Yes! I loved the action scenes, but I think the storyline could have been better.” Our laughter echoed in the air, and for the first time that day, I felt truly at ease.
8
As the day wore on, I experienced a whirlwind of emotions—happiness, nervousness, and a sense of belonging that I hadn't anticipated. The final bell rang, signalling the end of our first day. As I walked home, I reflected on the day's events. I had faced my fears, made new friends, and learned that stepping out of my comfort zone could lead to wonderful experiences.
9
Arriving home, I couldn't wait to tell my family about my day. “It was amazing! I met a girl named Sara, and we clicked right away,” I exclaimed, my excitement bubbling over. My parents smiled, proud of my bravery. I realised that while the first day at school had been daunting, it had also been a day of discovery and growth.
10
As I settled into bed that night, I felt grateful for the new beginnings that awaited me. I closed my eyes, dreaming of the adventures that lay ahead, ready to embrace whatever challenges came my way.

Question 2(a)
Identify a word or phrase from the text which suggests the same idea as the words in bold.

(i) I felt a mixture of excitement and nervousness bubbling within me. I was apprehensive about the new experience and my heart raced as I thought about the day ahead. My heart raced [1 mark]
(ii) Stepping through the school gates, I was greeted by a sea of unfamiliar faces. I felt lost among the crowd of new students. lost among the crowd [1 mark]
(iii) The teacher, Mr Tan, welcomed us warmly with enthusiasm. His friendly approach made us feel at ease. made us feel at ease [1 mark]
(iv) As the day wore on, I experienced a whirlwind of emotions—happiness, nervousness, and a sense of belonging. I felt a mix of feelings throughout the day. mix of feelings [1 mark]

PROMPT: I am a IGCSE student working on Comprehension. You are an English teacher. The text: {TEXT} Question 2a prompt: {QUESTION} My Answer 1 part (i) : {ANSWER1} My Answer 2 part (ii) : {ANSWER2} My Answer 3 part (iii) : {ANSWER3} My Answer 4 part (iv) : {ANSWER4} Suggested Answer: Suggested answer: "anxiety" (Paragraph 1)Suggested Answer: Suggested answer: "unfamiliar faces" (Paragraph 2)Suggested Answer: Suggested answer: "welcomed us warmly" (Paragraph 5)Suggested Answer: Suggested answer: "whirlwind of emotions" (Paragraph 6)

You are marking an English comprehension question. Evaluate if I have answered the question. Accept answers that are relevant, paraphrased and is the same meaning and logic of the suggested answers.

First check the total marks for all the parts in the question.

The suggested answers has various points. Each point is equal to one mark.

Check for ‘My Answer against the marking scheme: ‘Suggested Answer’. Do not add on to my answers.

Give me one mark and a green coloured tick symbol for each point that I am correct. Give me no marks and a red coloured cross symbol if i have missed out a point from the suggested answers.

If i am wrong, provide useful guidance but do not show me the suggested answers or the marking scheme.

If I am correct congratulate me.

At the end of your Output, provide me with the total marks for all questions using this format: ‘Total Marks: (marks)’

Use very simple language and be concise.

Question 2(b)
Using your own words, explain what the writer means by the words in bold:

As I walked down the bustling corridor, the sound of lockers slamming and voices echoing filled the air. I spotted a girl sitting alone on a bench, her eyes glued to her phone. Gathering my courage, I approached her. “Hi, I'm Maya. Is this seat taken?” I asked, my voice barely above a whisper. gathering my courage, I approached her. “Hi, I'm Maya. Is this seat taken?” I asked, my voice barely above a whisper.

(i) gathering [1 mark]
(ii) whisper [1 mark]
(iii) approached [1 mark]

PROMPT: I am a IGCSE student working on Comprehension. You are an English teacher. The text: {TEXT} Question 2a prompt: {QUESTION} My Answer 1 part (i) : {ANSWER1} My Answer 2 part (ii) : {ANSWER2} My Answer 3 part (iii) : {ANSWER3} Suggested Answer: Suggested answer: collecting or building up
Suggested Answer: Suggested answer: speaking very softly
Suggested Answer: Suggested answer: came closer to
Evaluate if I answered the question correctly. Output a green tick if correct or a red cross if incorrect. Explain if I am correct or wrong, Do not give me the answer. Use Markdown

Question 2(c)
Use one example from the text below to explain how the writer conveys the feeling of connection and comfort during the first day at school. [3 Marks]

She looked up, surprised, and shook her head. “No, go ahead,” she replied with a smile. “I'm Sara. It's my first day too.” Instantly, I felt a wave of relief wash over me. We began chatting about our previous schools, our hopes for this new chapter, and the nerves that came with it. It was comforting to know I wasn't alone in feeling out of place.

Eventually, the bell rang, signalling the start of our first class. We hurried to our respective rooms, and I found myself in a bright classroom filled with colourful posters and eager faces. The teacher, Mr Tan, welcomed us warmly, his enthusiasm infectious. “Let's get to know each other,” he said, encouraging us to introduce ourselves. I felt my stomach churn as I prepared to speak.

PROMPT: I am a IGCSE student working on Comprehension. You are an English teacher. The text: {TEXT} Question 2a prompt: {QUESTION} My Answer 1 : {ANSWER1} Suggested Answer: Suggested answer:
The interaction between Maya and Sara shows an immediate connection; both are experiencing their first day, which creates a shared understanding and comfort.
Maya's feeling of relief when Sara introduces herself indicates that forming a new friendship helps alleviate her anxiety about being alone.
Mr Tan's warm welcome and encouragement to share about themselves foster a supportive environment, making the students feel more at ease in their new classroom setting.Evaluate if I answered the question correctly. Output a green tick if correct or a red cross if incorrect. Explain if I am correct or wrong, Do not give me the answer. Use Markdown

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]

Paragraph 1: “As the sun began to rise, casting a soft glow over the sleepy town, I felt a mixture of excitement and anxiety bubbling within me.”

Paragraph 5: “During lunch, I joined Sara and a few others at a table outside under the shade of a large tree.”

PROMPT: I am a IGCSE student working on Comprehension. You are an English teacher. The text: {TEXT} Question 2a prompt: {QUESTION} My Answer 1 : {ANSWER1} Suggested Answer: Suggested answer:
In the first paragraph, the phrase "casting a soft glow" creates a vivid image of the morning light, suggesting warmth and new beginnings, which contrasts with the narrator's feelings of anxiety.

The term "sleepy town" evokes a sense of calm and tranquility, setting the scene for the narrator's internal turmoil, enhancing the contrast between the environment and her mixed emotions.

The phrase "a mixture of excitement and anxiety bubbling within me" uses the metaphor of bubbling to illustrate the intensity of her emotions, suggesting that her feelings are both overwhelming and alive.

In the fifth paragraph, "under the shade of a large tree" conveys a sense of safety and comfort, suggesting that the narrator has found a welcoming space amidst her new surroundings.

The phrase "the conversation flowed easily" implies a smooth and natural interaction, highlighting the ease with which the narrator connects with her new friends, reinforcing the theme of belonging.

Finally, the imagery of "a table outside" suggests an open and relaxed environment, contrasting with her earlier feelings of anxiety and illustrating her transition into a more comfortable social setting.Evaluate if I answered the question correctly. Output a green tick if correct or a red cross if incorrect. Explain if I am correct or wrong, Do not give me the answer. Use Markdown

Question 3

You are giving a speech to your school assembly about your first day at school. Share your experiences and feelings to inspire your fellow students who might be nervous about starting a new school year.

  • Describe the excitement and anxiety you felt on your first day.
  • Mention the journey to school and the atmosphere you encountered.
  • Talk about meeting new people and making friends.
  • Highlight the support from your teacher and classmates.
  • Reflect on the importance of stepping out of your comfort zone.

Write the words of your speech.

Write about 250 to 300 words. (15 Marks)

PROMPT: I am a IGCSE student working on Comprehension. You are an English teacher. The text: {TEXT} Question 2a prompt: {QUESTION} My Answer 1 : {ANSWER1} Evaluate if I answered the question correctly. Output a green tick if correct or a red cross if incorrect. Explain if I am correct or wrong, Do not give me the answer. Use Markdown