Writing — IGCSE English - First Language (0500) questions by topic

Writing tasks in IGCSE English - First Language respond to given source texts, asking you to write a letter about a bus-ride experience, a letter to city authorities on redesigning a neighbourhood as a city village, a magazine piece on appreciating a visit to an area of natural beauty, or an article on a volunteer scheme for older students.

Describe, write, evaluate and explain are the command words that recur, with marks running from 25 up to 40 depending on the task. This page gathers 17 questions, all from 2025 papers. Draft a full response matched to the given form and audience, then submit it for instant marking to see how register and structure are rewarded against the specific text type asked for.

May–June 2025, Paper 11

Question 3 · 25 marks

Reread Text C, The beach, in the insert and then answer Question 3 on the question paper. You are Charlie. Years later you work for an organisation which protects natural…

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May–June 2025, Paper 12

Question 3 · 25 marks

Read Text C, Our big red bus ride, in the insert and then answer this question. You are Vic. Shortly after the whole trip ends, you write a letter to a friend telling them about…

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May–June 2025, Paper 21

Question 1 · 40 marks

Read Text A and Text B in the insert and then answer this question. Write an article for your school or college magazine about whether or not a volunteer scheme for older students…

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Question 2 · 40 marks

Descriptive writing (EITHER): Write a description with the title, 'The shelter'. Write about 350 to 450 words. Up to 16 marks are available for the content and structure of your…

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Question 3 · 40 marks

Descriptive writing (OR): Describe a time when you had to wait for a delivery. Write about 350 to 450 words. Up to 16 marks are available for the content and structure of your…

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Question 4 · 40 marks

Narrative writing (OR): Write a story which includes the words, '... it could not be stopped ...'. Write about 350 to 450 words. Up to 16 marks are available for the content and…

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Question 5 · 40 marks

Narrative writing (OR): Write a story with the title, 'The path to success'. Write about 350 to 450 words. Up to 16 marks are available for the content and structure of your…

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May–June 2025, Paper 22

Question 1 · 40 marks

Read Text A and Text B in the insert. Imagine you live in a city which is considering redesigning your neighbourhood. Write a letter to the city authorities, giving your views on…

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Question 2 · 40 marks

EITHER (Descriptive writing) Describe a tense moment during a competition. Write about 350 to 450 words. Up to 16 marks are available for the content and structure of your answer…

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Question 3 · 40 marks

OR (Descriptive writing) Write a description with the title, 'The artist'. Write about 350 to 450 words. Up to 16 marks are available for the content and structure of your answer…

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Question 4 · 40 marks

OR (Narrative writing) Write a story which involves an extraordinary journey. Write about 350 to 450 words. Up to 16 marks are available for the content and structure of your…

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Question 5 · 40 marks

OR (Narrative writing) Write a story with the title, 'The switch'. Write about 350 to 450 words. Up to 16 marks are available for the content and structure of your answer and up…

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May–June 2025, Paper 23

Question 1 · 40 marks

Read Text A and Text B in the insert and then answer Section A, Question 1. Your school has organised a visit to an area of great natural beauty. To appreciate the experience more…

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Question 2 · 40 marks

Section B: Composition. Answer one question from Section B. Write about 350 to 450 words. Up to 16 marks are available for the content and structure of your answer and up to 24…

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Question 3 · 40 marks

Section B: Composition. Answer one question from Section B. Write about 350 to 450 words. Up to 16 marks are available for the content and structure of your answer and up to 24…

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Question 4 · 40 marks

Section B: Composition. Answer one question from Section B. Write about 350 to 450 words. Up to 16 marks are available for the content and structure of your answer and up to 24…

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Question 5 · 40 marks

Section B: Composition. Answer one question from Section B. Write about 350 to 450 words. Up to 16 marks are available for the content and structure of your answer and up to 24…

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Other IGCSE English - First Language topics

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