Red Plus B

Test 2
Lastly, the volunteer needs to be
strong. Like a sentry at their post,

Being a Volunteer at a Sporting Event the volunteer may be standing in

their position for ten-hour to twelve-
Being an athlete at a big international hour shifts, with few breaks. They
sports competition is an exciting must represent authority, safety and
dream for many. But what about the information, and they must be easily
people behind the scenes who make it identifiable. The volunteer often
all happen? Being a volunteer at a big cannot leave their post until they
international sporting event is almost are relieved by another volunteer
as thrilling as being an athlete! or, in special circumstances, given
permission by their team leader. And
Speed is paramount for a volunteer.
the volunteer needs to be hardy,
At the start of the day, the volunteer
as they may be standing outside
stands ready at the turnstile, hand
in all weather conditions, from hot
hovering over their scanner. The
sunshine to torrential rain. They
turnstiles are open. Razor-sharp reactions are required, as an avalanche of
also need to be made of tough stuff
excited spectators pours through the turnstiles. A smile is flashed at every
for some of their duties, which may
spectator and, with a lightning flick of the wrist, each ticket is checked and
include standing guard at doorways, checking passes and only allowing certain
scanned. Once inside, the spectators stampede into the arenas. Quick-thinking
people to enter. Would you be brave enough to tell the head of security that
volunteers answer a barrage of questions and guide the tumultuous crowd to
they can’t enter a room because they don’t have the correct pass?
their seats. At the end of the day, the crowds spill back out of the arenas and the
volunteers swiftly guide them towards the exits to avoid any bottlenecks. It’s hard work being a volunteer at a big sporting event. The work is intense,
there are lots of demands and the shifts are long, but the experience of meeting
At all times, a volunteer at a big event is expected to maintain the highest
so many happy and talented people from all over the world and working with a
standard of presentation and performance. Before the grand event, each
team of volunteers who are passionate about sport is an experience of a lifetime.
volunteer is issued with a crisp, clean, colour-coordinated kit. No detail is
By the end of the competition, you feel as if you have won a gold medal!
overlooked. Each item in the kit is emblazoned with the event logo. Sometimes
the volunteers even get a jacket that magically folds into a small pack that hooks If you are ever given the opportunity to participate as a volunteer at a major
onto a shoulder bag or belt. Genius! In addition to the uniform, volunteers can sporting event, grab it with both hands. You won’t regret it, and you’ll never
be provided with hats, umbrellas, water bottles, shoulder bags, notebook and forget it.
pens, and even a fashionable watch (good time-keeping is an essential skill for a
volunteer at a multi-sports event!). The kit ensures that the volunteer is prepared
for all situations. And, like an athlete, the volunteer also needs to train so they
can perform to the highest standard. Before the event, volunteers attend rigorous
training sessions where they learn about their role, and familiarize themselves
with the facilities of the venue and surrounding area.

2
 Red Plus B
Name: Test 2
5 a) From paragraph three, find and copy an example of where the author has
used contrasting sentence length to good effect.
Class: Date:

1 a) Which sentence in the first paragraph introduces the theme of the text? b) Explain the effect the author achieves.

b) Explain why the author might have chosen to introduce the theme using 6 Using information from the first three paragraphs, which of the following
this sentence. statements are fact, and which are opinions? Tick one box for each statement.

2 Fact Opinion
Being a volunteer at a big international sporting
event is almost as thrilling as being an athlete!

Razor-sharp reactions are required.

Quick-thinking volunteers answer a barrage of questions

2 Speed is paramount for a volunteer. 1
and guide the tumultuous crowd to their seats.
Find and copy four examples of figurative language or analogy in paragraph
two, which relate to the speed volunteers have to work at. Each volunteer is issued with a crisp, clean,
colour-coordinated kit.

1 7 In paragraph four, in which two respects is the volunteer ‘like a sentry’?

3 The word ‘tumultuous’ in paragraph two is closest in meaning to which of the

following? Tick one box.
1
Enormous Busy

8 Paragraph five lists some of the pros and cons of volunteering at a sporting
Angry Noisy
event. Complete the table using ideas from this paragraph.
1
Excited
Pros Cons

4 Why do you think volunteers are issued with colour-coordinated kit?

Give two reasons from the text.
3

2
9 What is the impact of the text being written mostly in the present tense? 14 a) Do you think the author has experienced being a volunteer at a major
sporting event? Tick one box.

Yes No
1
b) Explain your answer, with reference to the text.
10 Find four ways from the text in which being a volunteer is like being an athlete.
1

15 Find and copy examples of two ways (that have not yet been mentioned) in
2
which the author tries to manipulate the reader’s opinion. For each example,
evaluate whether or not you think they have been successful.
11 According to this text, what are the three key personality attributes needed by a
volunteer? Give one reason from the text why each is important.
Technique Example Evaluation

Personality attribute Reason

3
2

12 How would the impact on the reader have been changed if this had been written
as a first person recount?

For teacher use

1 Your mark out of 25

a) What is the main purpose of this text? Tick one box. What went well
13
To inform To entertain

To persuade To remember

b) Justify your answer, including at least two quotations from the text.
How to improve

3 4