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Example Candidate Responses
(Standards Booklet)
Cambridge IGCSE®
English as a Second Language
Cambridge Secondary 2
University of Cambridge International Examinations retains the copyright on all its publications. Registered
Centres are permitted to copy material from this booklet for their own internal use. However, we cannot
give permission to Centres to photocopy any material that is acknowledged to a third party even for internal
use within a Centre.
Introduction ........................................................................................................................... 2
Introduction
The main aim of this booklet is to exemplify standards for those teaching Cambridge IGCSE English as a
Second Language, and to show how different levels of candidates’ performance relate to the subject’s
curriculum and assessment objectives.
In this booklet a range of candidate responses has been chosen to exemplify grades C, E and F for Papers
1 and 3, and grades A, C and E for Papers 2 and 4. Each response is accompanied by a brief commentary
explaining the strengths and weaknesses of the answers.
For ease of reference the following format for each paper of the subject has been adopted:
Each question is followed by an extract of the mark scheme used by examiners. This, in turn, is followed by
examples of marked candidate responses, each with an examiner comment on performance. Comments are
given to indicate where and why marks were awarded, and how additional marks could have been obtained.
In this way, it is possible to understand what candidates have done to gain their marks and what they still
have to do to improve their grades.
Past papers, Principal Examiner Reports for Teachers and other teacher support materials are available on
our Teacher Support website at http://teachers.cie.org.uk
Assessment at a glance
Paper 1 Reading and writing (Core) Paper 2 Reading and writing (Extended)
1 hour 30 minutes 2 hours
Eligible for grades C–G Eligible for grades A*–E
70% of total marks 70% of total marks
Exercise 1
Mark scheme
Exercise 2
Mark scheme
Exercise 3
Mark scheme
Exercise 4
Mark scheme
Exercise 5
Mark scheme
Exercise 6
Mark scheme
Exercise 7
Mark scheme
Exercise 1
Mark scheme
Exercise 2
Mark scheme
There will always be one question in this exercise which tests the candidate’s ability to interpret the details
of a graph, map or chart. The candidate has successfully answered (f). The candidate has been imprecise
with the answer to (g) where the key word ‘almost’ has been omitted. In the final, more challenging (j), the
candidate has included detail under the first heading which has no connection to the idea of ‘appearance’.
The candidate was awarded 11 marks for this exercise.
Exercise 3
Mark scheme
In the final section, candidates must satisfy all the requirements of the marking criteria to be awarded the
maximum two marks. The candidate has written a brief answer but there are 13 words and this is enough
to satisfy the word length requirement. The candidate has changed the wording of the text and has not
provided a typical answer. It is recommended that candidates should closely follow the expressions used in
the text when writing the sentence. In this example, however, the candidate has conveyed the key ideas in
the answer in a totally correct sentence. The candidate was awarded maximum marks for the sentence.
In the final section, candidates must satisfy all the requirements of the marking criteria to be awarded the
maximum two marks. The candidate has conveyed the correct content and has observed the word length
but there is one punctuation error in the body of the sentence. The candidate was awarded one mark for the
sentence.
The candidate has selected the correct detail for the sentence in Section D and has conformed to the
word length requirements. There is one error in the incorrect use of the preposition after ‘interested’. The
candidate was awarded one mark for the sentence.
Exercise 4
Mark scheme
This exercise overall demonstrates that one of the key differences between more successful and less
successful candidates is the ability not only to understand the texts but also to read the wording of the
questions with precision.
Exercise 5
Mark scheme
Exercise 6
Mark scheme
had provided a longer and more personalised final paragraph to balance the introduction. The whole letter is
interesting to read. The piece was awarded six marks for content.
Language
The candidate has sometimes tried to use more unusual and complex phrases and expressions. The use
of vocabulary and expression are mainly precise, although there are some minor mistakes. The sentences
show some variety of structure and length and there is a good balance to the whole piece with paragraphs
separating the different ideas. The piece was awarded six marks for language.
the explanation of what was learnt from the experience have both been addressed but with very thin detail.
There are also digressions. The piece was awarded five marks for content.
Language
The candidate has attempted to use more sophisticated vocabulary and has varied the length of the
sentences. Phrasing and expressions contain several frustrating basic errors which are distracting to the
reader. The paragraphs are correctly used although the final one is a little brief. There are elements which
could be awarded six marks for language but equally there are details which would merit four marks. The
best fit for this candidate was considered to be at the top of the ‘Safe’ band and the piece was awarded five
marks for language.
Language
The candidate has used paragraphs to separate the introduction and conclusion from the main body of the
piece. There are examples of major errors, such as inconsistency with verb tenses, and there are several
single word errors where the spelling is imprecise. The use of punctuation is also erratic at times. These do
not interfere with communication and the meaning remains clear. The piece was awarded four marks for
language.
Exercise 7
Mark scheme
Language
The paragraphs have been used effectively to provide an introduction and conclusion as well as to separate
the ideas in the body of the piece. The meaning is clear and generally accurate apart from occasional
frustrating minor errors. The candidate has attempted to use more ambitious vocabulary and expression and
there is a variety of sentence length and structure, including direct speech, which adds to the interest. The
piece was awarded six marks for language.
such the candidate has not developed the requirements of the question effectively. The piece was awarded
five marks for content.
Language
The paragraphs have been used effectively to separate the ideas and there is a good balance to the piece.
The meaning is clear and the candidate has demonstrated a range of vocabulary connected to the topic
and has been able to write with specific terminology about health issues. There are significant grammatical
errors when more sophisticated expressions are attempted and there are elements of both six marks and
four marks throughout. Overall, the piece fitted best into the top of the ‘Safe’ band and it was awarded five
marks for language.
Language
Paragraphs have been used and the candidate has provided an introduction and conclusion. The question
inserted at the beginning of the piece shows good style. The meaning is clear although the overall argument
is not easy to follow. The vocabulary is simple and there are single word errors and several examples of
awkwardness of expression. The piece was awarded four marks for language.
Tapescript
Mark scheme
Question 7
Tapescript
Mark scheme
Question 8
Tapescript
Mark scheme
which does not make sense in the notes. Pre-reading the question should have indicated that the gap
needed the name of another substance or metal. The candidate’s first attempt suggests that he/she might
have been aware of this but was under pressure after first of all mistakenly repeating the word ‘aluminium’.
In Item 4 the candidate appears to latch onto the word ’speed’ in the question, and offers actual speeds. No
mark is awarded to Item 5: again the answer does not make proper sense in the context. The last two items
in this question are given full credit and the candidate’s efforts to listen closely and adjust the answers are
rewarded. For Item 7 ‘musiaum’ is acceptable as a reasonable phonetic attempt at ‘museum’, since the final
‘..eum’ sound is replicated.
Question 9
Tapescript
Mark scheme
Question 10
Tapescript
Mark scheme
Questions 1 – 6
Tapescript
Mark scheme
Question 7
Tapescript
Mark scheme
Question 8
Tapescript
Mark scheme
Question 9
Tapescript
Mark scheme
Question 10
Tapescript
Mark scheme
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