Week 5 · English Practice Paper

Reading Passage

Up in the Hills

After Aunt Cora had driven away, Grandpa Elias sat back down on the bench, drawing hard on his pipe. He said nothing, keeping his eyes fixed on the ground. Meanwhile Nell looked about her, and finding the tool shed, peeped inside. Nothing much could be seen there. Searching for something more interesting, she noticed the three old oak trees behind the cottage. Here the wind was rushing through the branches and the topmost leaves were swaying wildly. Nell stood still to listen. Once the wind had settled somewhat, she walked back round the cottage to her grandfather. She found him exactly as she'd left him, and planting herself in front of the old man, arms folded behind her back, she gazed at him. Grandpa Elias, looking up, saw the child standing motionless before him. (line 10) "What is it you want to do now?" he asked her.

"I want to see what's inside the cottage," replied Nell.

"Come along then," and with that the old man rose and went indoors.

"Bring your things with you," he instructed.

"I don't want them any more," answered Nell. (line 15)

The old man turned, throwing a searching look her way. The child's dark eyes sparkled with expectation of everything still to come. "She's sharper than she looks," he muttered to himself. Aloud he added, "Why don't you need them any more?"

"I want to run about like the mountain goats do!" (line 20)

"Very well, you may; but fetch your things first and we'll put them away in the cupboard." The child obeyed. The old man opened the door, and Nell followed him into a modest room that took in the whole space of the cottage at a glance. In one corner stood a table and two chairs, and in another, the grandfather's bed. Across the room a large pot hung suspended over the hearth, and opposite it a heavy door was set into the wall. (line 25) This the grandfather opened. It was the cupboard, where all his belongings were kept. On one shelf sat a few shirts and towels; on another, some plates and mugs; and on the top shelf Nell could make out a round loaf and a wedge of cheese. In this cupboard the grandfather kept everything he needed to get by. When he opened it, Nell pushed her things as far behind his belongings as she could reach. She did not want them found again in a hurry. (line 30) After looking carefully around the room, she asked, "Where am I sleeping, Grandpa?"

"Wherever you like," he replied. That suited Nell exactly. She peered into every corner of the room to find a cosy spot. Beside the old man's bed she spotted a ladder. Climbing up, she reached a loft, piled with fresh, sweet-smelling straw. Through a small round window she could see clear down into the valley below. (line 35)

Option 1: Write a short story titled: A Strange Meeting

• Plan your story before you begin writing.
• Make sure your story has a clear beginning, middle and end.

Option 2: Write a letter to a friend in which you describe moving to a new home.

• Use an appropriate letter format, including a greeting and sign-off.
• Include specific, vivid details rather than general statements.

Option 3: Write the text for a leaflet persuading children to spend more time outdoors.

• Use persuasive techniques such as rhetorical questions, direct address, and a strong opening.
• Organise your leaflet with clear sections or headings.