0510

Cambridge IGCSE English - Second Language (0510) - May-June 2023 Past Papers

Download 32 free IGCSE English - Second Language past papers, mark schemes, and examiner reports from the May-June 2023 Cambridge examination session. Includes question papers for all variants with full solutions.

About IGCSE English - Second Language (0510)

IGCSE English as a Second Language tests reading, writing, listening, and speaking for non-native speakers. Candidates must comprehend texts, complete forms, write reports, and respond to listening passages.

What this exam tests: Key skills include note-taking, email writing, summarizing information, and clear written expression.

Papers available in variants 11, 12, 13 for different time zones. All variants cover the same English - Second Language syllabus with equal difficulty.

Grade Thresholds

0510 May-June 2023 Papers

0510 Paper 1 - Reading and Writing (Core)

1 hr 30 min • 70 marks

Tests broad syllabus knowledge with 40 questions. Each question has four options (A-D). Core tier paper.

Select variant:

QP + MS QP + ER

All variants (different time zones):

QP:

MS:

View syllabus topics tested in Paper 1 (5 topics, 70 marks total)

This 0510 Paper 1 from May-June 2023 tests 5 different syllabus topics. The highest-weighted topic is Formal writing (Writing) worth 20 marks out of 70 total marks. Other significant topics include Summary writing (12 marks) and Informal writing (12 marks).

Mark distribution by topic:

Formal writing 20/70

Summary writing 12/70

Informal writing 12/70

Review writing 9/70

Retrieving and organising information 7/70

Understanding which topics carry the most marks helps you prioritize your English - Second Language revision. Practice questions from high-mark topics like Formal writing to maximize your score.

0510 Paper 2 - Reading and Writing (Extended)

2 hr • 90 marks

Extended tier multiple choice with more challenging questions covering the full syllabus. 40 questions, 45 minutes.

Select variant:

QP + MS QP + ER

All variants (different time zones):

QP:

MS:

View syllabus topics tested in Paper 2 (5 topics, 90 marks total)

This 0510 Paper 2 from May-June 2023 tests 5 different syllabus topics. The highest-weighted topic is Formal writing (Writing) worth 26 marks out of 90 total marks. Other significant topics include Summary writing (16 marks) and Informal writing (16 marks).

Mark distribution by topic:

Formal writing 26/90

Summary writing 16/90

Informal writing 16/90

Review writing 13/90

Retrieving and organising information 9/90

Understanding which topics carry the most marks helps you prioritize your English - Second Language revision. Practice questions from high-mark topics like Formal writing to maximize your score.

0510 Paper 3 - Listening (Core)

30-40 min • 30 marks

Structured and free-response questions testing understanding and application. Core tier, grades available C-G.

Select variant:

QP + MS QP + ER

All variants (different time zones):

QP:

MS:

View syllabus topics tested in Paper 3 (2 topics, 30 marks total)

This 0510 Paper 3 from May-June 2023 tests 2 different syllabus topics. The highest-weighted topic is Review writing (Writing) worth 8 marks out of 30 total marks. Other significant topics include Informal writing (8 marks)

Mark distribution by topic:

Review writing 8/30

Informal writing 8/30

Understanding which topics carry the most marks helps you prioritize your English - Second Language revision. Practice questions from high-mark topics like Review writing to maximize your score.

0510 Paper 4 - Listening (Extended)

45 min • 40 marks

Extended tier theory paper with more demanding questions. Full grade range A*-G available with this paper.

Select variant:

QP + MS QP + ER

All variants (different time zones):

QP:

MS:

View syllabus topics tested in Paper 4 (3 topics, 40 marks total)

This 0510 Paper 4 from May-June 2023 tests 3 different syllabus topics. The highest-weighted topic is Spoken communication (Speaking) worth 10 marks out of 40 total marks. Other significant topics include Review writing (8 marks) and Informal writing (8 marks).

Mark distribution by topic:

Spoken communication 10/40

Review writing 8/40

Informal writing 8/40

Understanding which topics carry the most marks helps you prioritize your English - Second Language revision. Practice questions from high-mark topics like Spoken communication to maximize your score.

Other Resources

Additional materials to help you prepare and understand how exams are marked.

Examiner Report

Insights from examiners on how students performed. Learn common mistakes to avoid and what examiners look for in top answers.

Other Files

0510 May-June 2023 - Topics Breakdown by Paper

Each Cambridge IGCSE English - Second Language (0510) paper tests specific syllabus topics. Below is a breakdown of topics for each paper in May-June 2023, showing how marks are distributed. Use this to focus your revision on topics relevant to your papers.

0510 Paper 1 (Reading and Writing (Core))

70 marks total

Formal writing (Writing)

20m

Summary writing (Reading)

12m

Informal writing (Writing)

12m

Review writing (Writing)

9m

Retrieving and organising information (Reading)

7m

0510 Paper 2 (Reading and Writing (Extended))

90 marks total

Formal writing (Writing)

26m

Summary writing (Reading)

16m

Informal writing (Writing)

16m

Review writing (Writing)

13m

Retrieving and organising information (Reading)

9m

0510 Paper 3 (Listening (Core))

30 marks total

Review writing (Writing)

8m

Informal writing (Writing)

8m

0510 Paper 4 (Listening (Extended))

40 marks total

Spoken communication (Speaking)

10m

Review writing (Writing)

8m

Informal writing (Writing)

8m

Study tip: If you're taking the Extended tier, focus on Papers 2, 4, and 6. For Core tier, prepare for Papers 1, 3, and 5/6. Review the topics above for your specific papers and practice past questions from those syllabus areas.

Examiner Insights - May-June 2023

Key feedback from Cambridge examiners on how students performed

Key Takeaways

• Read questions very carefully, underlining keywords, to ensure you understand what is being asked and avoid irrelevant details.
• Pay close attention to word limits in summary writing; avoid lengthy introductions and focus on including only the key points.
• Practice writing in both formal and informal registers to suit different tasks, especially for emails versus reports.
• In extended writing tasks, develop your own original ideas and go beyond the suggestions given in the prompts.
• Ensure you are always answering the question that is actually asked and do not go off topic.

Paper 11 - Reading and Writing (Core) 11

Overall, most candidates were correctly entered at this level and many responses were fully correct in Exercise 1. However, some responses included too much irrelevant detail and exceeded the suggested word length, risking lower marks.

Study Tips:

✓ Practice identifying key information and eliminating distracting details in reading comprehension exercises.
✓ Practice writing in both formal and informal registers to suit different tasks.
✓ Plan your writing carefully to stay within the word limit and include all required information.

Common Mistakes:

Q1 (Reading Comprehension)

✗ Selecting distracting information without focusing on the key requirement of the question.

→ Read the question carefully to identify the precise information needed. Ignore details that are related but not directly answering the question.

Q3 (Reading Comprehension)

✗ Focusing on a particular year instead of identifying the time of year requested.

→ Ensure your answer directly addresses the question. Pay close attention to the wording of the question (e.g. 'What time of year...') to guide your response.

Q5 (Reading Comprehension)

✗ Identifying benefits to writers instead of instructions given to them.

→ Pay attention to the precise wording of the question. 'Instructions' and 'benefits' are very different things.

Q6 (Reading Comprehension)

✗ Overlooking key phrases in the question like 'at the last minute' and focusing on irrelevant information like nationality.

→ Identify and underline key phrases in the question to guide your reading and ensure you find the most relevant information.

Paper 12 - Reading and Writing (Core) 12

This paper saw varying degrees of success, with the first exercise proving challenging for many. Candidates showed strength in questions related to extracting information from texts and in summarizing, but faced difficulties with precise reading and developing formal writing.

Study Tips:

✓ Practice writing in different styles (formal/informal) and registers.
✓ Focus on writing conciseness by summarizing texts without unnecessary content.
✓ Always plan ahead and make sure you are answering the question actually asked.

Common Mistakes:

Q1 (Reading Comprehension)

✗ Including distracting information when answering questions.

→ Focus on the specific information requested in the question and disregard any irrelevant details in the surrounding text.

QGeneral (Note Taking)

✗ Omitting key details from notes, affecting the mark awarded.

→ Ensure that your notes contain all the essential information and do not leave out details that are crucial to understanding the main idea.

QGeneral (Summary Writing)

✗ Exceeding the word range limit and reading rubric carefully.

→ Adhere to the word limit given in the instructions and read the writing instructions carefully to ensure your response corresponds to the task.

QGeneral (Email Writing)

✗ Writing about a trip that had already happened instead of a forthcoming visit.

→ Answer the question that is actually asked and do not go off topic.

Paper 21 - Reading and Writing (Extended) 21

Candidates generally performed well, demonstrating an understanding of the texts and the ability to extract relevant information. Success was seen particularly in shorter answer questions, but areas like summary writing and extended writing required a sharper focus on the specific demands of the task, word limits, and register.

Study Tips:

✓ Always try to stick to the prescribed word limits.
✓ In exercises such as email and essay writing, make sure each part of the question is adequately answered.

Common Mistakes:

Q7 (Reading Comprehension)

✗ Omitting key words, affecting the overall meaning of the sentence.

→ Make sure to incorporate key words and details when responding.

Q9 (Multiple Choice)

✗ Single word-spotting, which is matching the same words in both statement and text.

→ Be aware that single word spotting, which is matching the same words in both statement and text, is rarely successful.

Q10 (Note-taking)

✗ Omitting key detail when noting down points.

→ In notes the omission of comparative terms such as stronger can change the overall meaning of a point, so always make sure to note down all relevant information.

Q12 (Summary Writing)

✗ Wasting words on irrelevant details in the introduction. As well as this, many summaries went over the word count.

→ Be concise in your writing and stick to the word limits.

Paper 22 - Reading and Writing (Extended) 22

Overall, candidates demonstrated understanding, but areas such as precise reading, note-taking, and extended writing required improvement. Special attention needs to be paid to word limits.

Study Tips:

✓ Remember to paraphrase the text provided in the response
✓ Use the appropriate style and register for the task

Common Mistakes:

Q1 (Reading Comprehension)

✗ Providing things Luke had done before seeing the advert rather than on the day

→ Pay special attention to the precise meaning of the question

Q10 (Multiple Choice)

✗ Candidates selected sections that included references to the question without being directly related

→ Ensure that the answer directly relates to the text provided.

Q11 (Note-taking)

✗ Not recognising that similar information has been presented separately

→ If presented with similar information, only note one point to avoid repetition

Q12 (Summary Writing)

✗ Writing a long introduction that did not include essential information

→ Avoid lengthy introductions to maintain focus on the exercise.

Insights extracted from the official Cambridge Examiner Report for 0510 May-June 2023. View full report →

About Cambridge IGCSE English - Second Language (0510)

Cambridge IGCSE English - Second Language (0510) is one of the most popular qualifications taken by students worldwide. The May-June 2023 examination session included 4 paper components, each testing different skills and knowledge areas.

This page contains all 0510 past papers from May-June 2023, including question papers (QP), mark schemes (MS), and examiner reports (ER). Use these resources to practice under timed conditions and understand how examiners award marks.

View all 0510 past papers → | All 2023 sessions →

Get English - Second Language Study Tips

Join students preparing for 0510. Get weekly study tips, new past papers alerts, and exam reminders.

0510 Study Tips & FAQ

What are paper variants?

Cambridge releases multiple variants of each paper (e.g., Paper 11, 12, 13) to accommodate different time zones around the world and maintain exam security.

Variant 1 (e.g., 11, 21): Usually for Zone 1 (Americas)
Variant 2 (e.g., 12, 22): Usually for Zone 2 (Europe, Africa)
Variant 3 (e.g., 13, 23): Usually for Zone 3 (Asia, Oceania)

All variants cover the same syllabus and have similar difficulty. Practice with any variant to prepare effectively for your exam.

How to use Mark Schemes effectively

Mark schemes show exactly how examiners award marks for each question. Understanding them helps you write answers that earn full marks.

Example from a Physics mark scheme:

Q: Calculate the speed of a car that travels 150m in 5 seconds. [2]

Mark scheme answer:

• speed = distance / time [1 mark for formula]

• speed = 150 / 5 = 30 m/s [1 mark for correct answer with unit]

Tips:

Look for key words that must appear in your answer
Note how many points are needed for each mark
Check if units are required for the final mark
Understand the difference between "state" (brief) and "explain" (detailed)

Understanding Grade Thresholds

Grade thresholds show the minimum marks needed for each grade. They vary each session based on paper difficulty — harder papers have lower thresholds.

Example Grade Thresholds (out of 100 total):

A*

90+

A

80-89

B

70-79

C

60-69

* Actual thresholds vary by subject and session

How to use thresholds:

Set realistic target marks based on your goal grade
Track your practice paper scores against thresholds
Remember: you don't need 100% for an A* — aim for consistency
Compare thresholds across sessions to gauge difficulty trends

How is the topic breakdown calculated?

The "Topics Breakdown by Paper" section above shows which syllabus topics are tested in each paper and how many marks they carry. Here's how we calculate this:

Our methodology:

Extract questions: We analyze each question paper (QP) and identify individual questions and their mark allocations (shown in square brackets, e.g., [3]).
Match to syllabus: Each question is matched to the official Cambridge 0510 syllabus topics based on keywords, concepts, and question content.
Sum marks per topic: For each paper, we add up the marks for all questions testing the same topic. For example, if Q1 (4 marks) and Q5b (3 marks) both test "Enzymes", that topic shows as "7 marks" for that paper.

Example: If Paper 3 shows "Photosynthesis - 13 marks", it means questions worth a total of 13 marks (out of the paper's 30 marks) tested the Photosynthesis topic from the Plant Nutrition unit of the syllabus.

How to use this: Look at the paper(s) you'll be taking (e.g., Papers 2, 4, 6 for Extended tier). The topics with the highest marks in YOUR papers are where you should focus your revision. A topic worth 15 marks deserves more study time than one worth 3 marks.

Note: Our topic matching may be inaccurate for questions that span multiple topics. Use this as a guide alongside the official syllabus.

How to Use IGCSE English - Second Language Past Papers

📝 Timed Practice

Complete papers under exam conditions. 0510 Paper 4 is 45 min - practice finishing within this time to build exam stamina.

✅ Self-Marking

Use the mark scheme to score your answers. Look for marking points you missed and understand what examiners expect in English - Second Language responses.

📊 Examiner Reports

Read the 0510 examiner report to see common mistakes. Focus revision on topics where candidates typically lose marks.

🎯 Grade Targets

Check grade thresholds to see how many marks you need for your target grade. An A* in IGCSE English - Second Language typically requires 85-90%.

Frequently Asked Questions

Where can I download IGCSE English - Second Language May-June 2023 past papers?

You can download all IGCSE English - Second Language (0510) May-June 2023 past papers directly from this page. We provide 32 files including question papers, mark schemes, and examiner reports for all variants (11, 12, 13). Click "View" to open in browser or "Download" to save the PDF.

Are 0510 mark schemes included?

Yes, mark schemes for all 0510 May-June 2023 papers are included. Each question paper has a corresponding mark scheme showing expected answers and mark allocation.

What papers are available for IGCSE English - Second Language 0510?

IGCSE English - Second Language (0510) has 4 papers: Paper 1 (Reading and Writing (Core)), Paper 2 (Reading and Writing (Extended)), Paper 3 (Listening (Core)), Paper 4 (Listening (Extended)). Core tier students take Papers 1, 3, 5/6. Extended tier students take Papers 2, 4, 5/6.

What is the difference between paper variants 11, 12, and 13?

The three variants (11, 12, 13) are different versions of the same paper used in different time zones to prevent cheating. All variants test the same syllabus content at the same difficulty level. You can practice with any variant as they are equally valid for revision.

How can I practice these past papers effectively?

Use our free Exam Hub to practice past papers like real exams. It lets you view question papers and mark schemes side-by-side, so you can self-mark your answers. No sign-up required, works with any PDF, and your files stay completely private.

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We share these materials freely for educational purposes to help students prepare for their examinations. This platform is an independent study resource and is not affiliated with or endorsed by Cambridge International.

For official examination resources, registration, and support, please visit cambridgeinternational.org.