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English paper 2020
english (Aves International Academy)
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English
Stage 6
Paper 2 Fiction 2023
Cambridge Primary Progression Test
Insert
3126_02_INS_RP
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Text for Section A, an extract from The House of One Hundred Clocks by A. M.
Howell
Helena grasped the bars of the domed birdcage resting on her lap until her
fingers ached. Mr Westcott was staring into the cage with an odd kind of intent
that danced a shiver across the back of her neck. His rake-thin frame leaned 5
forward across the desk, his eyes narrowing. ‘You omitted to say in your
acceptance letter that you were bringing...a...bird,’ he said, his cheeks tightening
as he glanced first at Helena’s father, and then at Helena.
Mr Westcott’s sister stood beside him in a high-waisted silk dress the colour of
peaches, her gloved hand resting on the back of his chair. They had the same 10
small sapphire blue eyes. Miss Westcott’s eyes were crinkling into a smile as
they looked at Helena. Mr Westcott’s were not.
Helena’s skin bristled as she glanced at her father, who was sitting bolt upright in
his chair, his shoulders taut.
‘Jack and Jill went up the hill. Pail of water. Snicker-squawk! ’ 15
Mr Westcott’s forehead furrowed at the bird.
‘Shush,’ Helena murmured, reaching through the brass bars and running a finger
down her parrot’s shimmery green-blue tail feathers. Mr Westcott had called her
mother’s parrot ‘a bird’. Except he wasn’t just any old bird. Orbit was a Blue-
fronted Amazon. It was important Mr Westcott knew that, but Helena sensed now 20
was not quite the right time to give him a lesson on exotic creatures.
Miss Westcott’s eyes twinkled. ‘What an amusing parrot,’ she said in a sing-song
voice.
‘My sincere apologies, Mr Westcott. And to you too, Miss Westcott,’ Helena’s
father said, throwing Helena a look which she interpreted to mean, Keep that 25
parrot quiet or else. He pulled at his close-clipped beard. ‘There was so little
time, and you made it clear in your correspondence that you were in urgent need
of a timekeeper and clock conservator. Wherever my daughter Helena goes, her
parrot goes too.’
Mr Westcott stood up to turn and face a large window, which overlooked 30
Trumpington Street and beyond, to a tapestry of colour blooming behind the
railed gardens of a university college. He folded his arms and a small huff
expelled from his mouth. Noises from outside carried through the glass. A horse
and cart rumbling. The pounding of children’s footsteps and peals of laughter.
Bicycle bells clamouring. Helena closed her eyes for little more than a blink – 35
long enough to imagine herself outside in the fresh air and out of the oppressive
wooden room, where everything seemed dull and dusty.
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‘Oh, brother dearest,’ Miss Westcott said lightly. ‘What harm will a parrot do?’
Helena frowned. Mr Westcott did not seem too fond of birds, but at least his
sister was a trifle more amenable. Memories of Orbit’s arrival four years ago 40
sprang into her head. Father had gladly spent more than a month’s wages on the
parrot as a birthday present for her mother. The shopkeeper had suggested a
fancier (and more expensive) parrot with golden plumage, but Mother would not
be dissuaded. ‘Thank you, sir, but I do not desire this parrot for his looks, it is his
voice and personality that amuses me. I have a feeling he will be the perfect 45
addition to our small family,’ her mother had said with a broad smile. And she
had been right.
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