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CANDIDATE
NAME

FIRST LANGUAGE ENGLISH

Paper 2: Reading Passages 2 hours

Candidates answer on the Question Paper.

No additional materials are required.

READ THESE INSTRUCTIONS FIRST

Write your name on all the work you hand in.

Write in dark blue or black pen.
Do not use staples, paper clips, highlighters, glue or correction fluid.

Answer all questions in the space provided. If additional space is required, you should use the
lined pages at the end of this booklet. The question number(s) must be clearly shown.

Dictionaries are not allowed.

The Insert contains the reading passages for use with all questions on the Question Paper.

At the end of the examination, fasten all your work securely together.
The number of marks is given in brackets [ ] at the end of each question or part question.

For Examiner’s Use

Question 1 – Directed Reading /20

Question 2 – Writer’s Effects /10
Question 3 – Summary /20
TOTAL /50
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This document consists of 10 printed pages and 2 blank pages.

[Turn Over]
Read carefully Passage A, The Tailor of Panama, in the Reading Booklet Insert and then
answer Questions 1 and 2 on this Question Paper.

Question 1

You are Harry Pendel. Write a letter to a close friend in the UK.

In your letter you should:

 comment on your impressions of life in Panama city

 give an explanation of your financial problems
 describe your plans for trying to solve these problems

Base your letter on what you have read in Passage A, but be careful to use your own words.
Address each of the three bullets.

Write about 250 to 350 words.

Up to 15 marks are available for the content of your answer, and up to 5

marks for the quality of your writing.

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[Total : 20]
Question 2

Re-read the descriptions of

(a) the city and the people in it in paragraph 2, beginning ‘Onward through the…’

(b) Ramon Rudd in paragraph 5, beginning ‘Ramon Rudd’s room…’

Select four powerful words or phrases from each paragraph. Your choices should include
imagery. Explain how each word or phrase selected is used effectively in the context.

Write about 200 to 300 words.

Up to 10 marks are available for the content of your answer.

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[Turn to page 8 for Question 3]

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Read carefully Passage B, A Night in Dover, in the Reading Booklet Insert and then answer
Question 3(a) and (b) on this Question Paper.

Question 3

Answer the questions in the order set.

(a) Notes

What difficulties and problems did the writer encounter during his visit to Dover, according to
Passage B?

Write your answer using short notes.

You do not need to use your own words.

Up to 15 marks are available for the content of your answer.

Difficulties and problems the writer encountered during his visit to Dover

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(b) Summary

Now use your notes to write a summary of what Passage B tells you about the difficulties and
problems the writer encountered during his visit to Dover.

You must use continuous writing (not note form) and use your own words as far as possible.

Your summary should include all 15 of your points in Question 3(a) and must be 200 to 250
words.

Up to 5 marks are available for the quality of your writing.

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Additional Page
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If you use the following lined page to complete the answer(s) to any question(s), the question
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Additional Page

If you use the following lined page to complete the answer(s) to any question(s), the question
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Passage A adapted from Le Carré, J. (1997) The Tailor of Panama, Ballantine Books
Passage B adapted from Bryson, B. (2001) Notes from a Small Island, William Morrow Paperbacks
Exam set by R. Egerton, July 2014

FIRST LANGUAGE ENGLISH

Paper 2: Reading Passages
READING BOOKLET INSERT

READ THESE INSTRUCTIONS FIRST

This Reading Booklet Insert contains the reading passages for use with all the questions on the
Question Paper.

You may annotate this Reading Booklet Insert and use the blank spaces for planning.
This Reading Booklet Insert is not assessed by the Examiner.
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This document consists of 4 printed pages.

[Turn Over]
Passage A adapted from Le Carré, J. (1997) The Tailor of Panama, Ballantine Books
Passage B adapted from Bryson, B. (2001) Notes from a Small Island, William Morrow Paperbacks
Exam set by R. Egerton, July 2014
Passage A: The Tailor of Panama

Harry Pendel is a British tailor who lives and works in Spanish-speaking Panama City in Central America.
The day began prompt at six when Pendel woke with a jolt to the din of band saws and building work and
traffic in the valley. He had a sense of impending punishment but couldn't place it. Then he remembered
his eight-thirty appointment with his bank manager and sprang out of bed. Dressing quickly, though with
his customary care, he hastened to the kitchen to make breakfast. Poached egg on toast for Mark, bagel
and cream cheese for Hannah. Then a helter-skelter of farewells as his wife Louisa, dressed but late for
work, leaps for her Peugeot and Pendel and the kids take to the Toyota and set off on the school rat-run,
left, right, left down the steep hillside to the main road.
Onward through the frustrated shriek of police sirens, the grunt and grind of bulldozers and power drills, all
the mindless hooting, farting and protesting of a third world tropical city that can't wait to choke itself to
death, between the beggars and cripples and the sellers of hand towels, flowers, drinking mugs and
cookies, crowding you at every traffic light – Hannah, get your window down and where's that tin of coins?
– today it's the turn of the legless white-haired senator paddling himself sedately in his dogcart, and after
him the beautiful black mother with her happy baby on her hip, fifty cents for the mother and a wave for the
baby and here comes the weeping boy on crutches again, one leg bent under him like an over-ripe
banana. Does he weep all day or only in the rush hour? Hannah gives him a coin as well.
Then clear water for a moment as we race on up the hill at full speed to the school with its powdery-faced
nuns fussing around the yellow school buses in the forecourt. Plump Hannah gives her father a pulpy kiss
and wanders off. Mark strides after her, no demonstrations of affection allowed, not even a flap of the hand
lest it be misinterpreted by his peers as wistful longing.
After which Pendel rejoins the highway. A scorching sun leaps at him from behind yet another half-built
highrise, shadows blacken, the clatter of the city thickens. Rainbow washing appears amid the darkness of
the rickety tenements of the narrow streets he must negotiate. The road opens. Low tide and low lighting
on the Pacific. The dark grey islands across the bay are like far-off Chinese mountains suspended in the
dusky mist. Pendel has a great wish to go to them. Perhaps it's because he can already see straight ahead
of him the sharp silver tip of the bank's skyscraper jostling for who's-tallest among its equally hideous
fellows.
Ramon Rudd's room was huge and modern and sixteen floors up with tinted windows from floor to ceiling
looking onto the bay and a desk the size of a tennis court and Ramon Rudd clinging to the far end of it like
a very small rat clinging to a very big raft. He was chubby as well as short, with a dark blue jaw and slicked
dark hair with blue-black sideburns and greedy bright eyes. For practice he insisted on speaking English,
mainly through the nose. He had paid large sums to research his genealogy and claimed to be descended
from Scottish adventurers. Six weeks ago he had ordered a kilt so that he could take part in Scottish
dancing at the Club Union.
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Ramon Rudd owed Pendel ten thousand dollars for five suits. Pendel owed Rudd a hundred and fifty
thousand dollars from a loan he had taken out to buy an ill-fated rice farm that had since lost its water
supply when the river was diverted to a newer farm upstream.
“Peppermint?” Rudd enquired, pushing at a brass tray of wrapped green sweets.
“Thank you, Ramon,” Pendel said, but didn't take one. Ramon helped himself.
“Why are you paying a lawyer so much money?” Rudd asked after a two-minute silence in which he
sucked his peppermint and they separately grieved over the rice farm's latest account sheets.
“He said he was going to bribe the judge, Ramon,” Pendel explained with the humility of a culprit giving
evidence. “He said they were friends. He said he'd rather keep me out of it.”
“But why did the judge postpone the hearing if your lawyer bribed him?” Rudd reasoned. “Why did he not
award the water to you as he promised?”
“It was a different judge by then, Ramon, and the bribe wasn't transferable from the old one to the new
one, you see. Now the new judge is marking time to see which side comes up with the best offer.”
“Why don't you bribe someone at the Ministry of Agricultural Development?” he suggested, with a superior
forbearance.
“We did try, Ramon, but they're high-minded, you see. They say the other side has already bribed them
and it wouldn't be ethical for them to switch allegiance.”
Ramon Rudd frowned and looked at his watch, which was what he did with clients who had no money. The
day being Friday, they wished each other a nice weekend. And why not? It was still a beautiful day in
tropical Panama. A few clouds on his personal horizon perhaps but nothing Pendel hadn't coped with in his
time.
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Passage B: A Night in Dover

Bill Bryson, an American writer, recounts his first visit to England.
My first sight of England was on a foggy March night in 1973 when I arrived on the midnight ferry from
Calais. All was silence and I wandered through sleeping, low-lit streets threaded with fog. It was rather
wonderful having an English town all to myself. The only mildly dismaying thing was that all the hotels and
guesthouses appeared to be shut up for the night. I walked as far as the rail station, thinking I'd catch a
train to London, but the station, too, was dark and shuttered. I was standing wondering what to do when I
noticed a grey light of television filling an upstairs window of a guesthouse across the road. Hooray, I
thought, someone awake. The front path was pitch dark and in my eagerness and unfamiliarity with British
doorways, I tripped on a step, crashing face-first into the door and sending half a dozen empty milk bottles
clattering. Almost immediately the upstairs window opened.
“Who's that?” came a sharp voice.
I stepped back, rubbing my nose, and peered up at a silhouette with hair curlers. “Hello, I'm looking for a
room,” I said.
“We're shut. Try the Churchill. On the front.”
“On the front of what?” I asked, but the window was already banging closed.The Churchill was sumptuous
and well lit and appeared ready to receive visitors. Through a window I could see people in suits in a bar,
looking elegant. I hesitated in the shadows, feeling like a street urchin. I was socially and sartorially ill-
suited for such an establishment and anyway it was clearly beyond my meagre budget. So I turned
reluctantly from the Churchill's beckoning warmth and trudged off into the darkness.
Further along Marine Parade stood a shelter, open to the elements but roofed, and I decided that this was
as good as I was going to get. With my backpack for a pillow, I lay down and drew my jacket tight around
me. The bench was slatted and hard and studded with big roundheaded bolts that made reclining in
comfort an impossibility. I lay for a long time listening to the sea washing over the shingle below, and
eventually dropped off to a long, cold night of mumbled dreams. I awoke with a gasp about three, stiff all
over and quivering from cold. The fog had gone. The air was now still and clear, and the sky was bright
with stars. A beacon from the lighthouse at the far end of the breakwater swept endlessly over the sea. It
was all most fetching, but I was far too cold to appreciate it. I dug shiveringly through my backpack and
extracted every potentially warming item I could find: a flannel shirt, two sweaters, an extra pair of jeans. I
used some woollen socks as mittens and put a pair of flannel boxer shorts on my head as a kind of
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desperate headwarmer, then sank heavily back onto the bench and waited patiently for death's sweet kiss.
Instead, I fell asleep.
I was awakened again by an abrupt bellow of foghorn, which nearly knocked me from my narrow perch,
and sat up feeling wretched but fractionally less cold. The world was bathed in milky pre-dawn light. Gulls
wheeled and cried over the water. I took off my sock mittens and looked at my watch. It was 5.55 a.m. I
picked up my backpack and shuffled off down the prom, to get some circulation going.
Near the Churchill, now itself peacefully sleeping, I came across an old guy walking a little dog. The dog
was frantically trying to pee on every vertical surface and in consequence wasn't so much walking as being
dragged along on three legs. The man nodded a good-morning as I drew level. “Might turn out nice,” he
announced, gazing hopefully at a sky that looked like a pile of wet towels. I asked him if there was a
restaurant anywhere that might be open. He knew of a place not far away and directed me to it. “Best
transport caff in Kent,” he said.
“Transport calf?” I repeated uncertainly, and retreated a couple of paces as I'd noticed his dog was
straining desperately to moisten my leg.
“Very popular with the lorry drivers. They always know the best places, don't they?” He smiled amiably,
then lowered his voice a fraction and leaned towards me as if about to share a confidence. “You might
want to take them pants off your head before you go in.” I clutched my head and removed the forgotten
boxer shorts with a blush. I tried to think of a succinct explanation, but the man was scanning the sky
again.
“Definitely brightening up,” he decided, and dragged his dog off in search of new uprights. I watched them
go, then turned and walked off down the promenade as it began to spit with rain.

MARK SCHEME

FIRST LANGUAGE ENGLISH

Paper 2: Reading Passages

Note: Alternative correct answers and unexpected approaches in candidates’ scripts must be
given marks that fairly reflect the relevant knowledge and skills demonstrated. Nonetheless, the
content must be clearly related to and derived from the passage.

Question 1
This question tests reading assessment objectives R1 to R3 (15 marks):
 R1 demonstrate understanding of explicit meanings
 R2 demonstrate understanding of implicit meanings and attitudes
 R3 analyse, evaluate and develop facts, ideas and opinions
and writing assessment objectives W1 to W4 (5 marks):
 W1 articulate experience and express what is thought, felt and imagined
 W2 sequence facts, ideas and opinions
 W3 use a range of appropriate vocabulary
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 W4 use register appropriate to audience and context

You are Harry Pendel. Write a letter to a close friend in the UK.
In your letter you should comment on:
 your impressions of life in Panama city
 an explanation of your financial problems
 your plans for trying to solve these problems
Base your letter on what you have read in Passage A, but be careful to use your own words.
Address each of the three bullets.
Write about 250 to 350 words.
Up to 15 marks are available for the content of your answer, and up to 5 marks for the quality of
your writing. [20]

General notes
Candidates should select ideas from the passage and develop them relevantly, supporting what
they write with details from the passage. Look for an appropriate register for the genre, and a
clear and balanced response which covers the three areas of the question, is well sequenced,
and is in the candidate’s own words.

Responses might use the following ideas:

A1 Impressions of life in Panama City

Idea Detail Possible development
Loud and traffic: traffic noise, honking of horns, Credit responses which are in line with
constant sirens the tone of the passage. Possibilities
noise building: band saws, bulldozers, include:
power drills not needing an alarm clock; always
awoken by city noise
comparison to England
idea of city as an energetic place
travelling by taking children to school every day Credit responses which convey the
car in many fast turns and steep hills sense of loss of control in the passage,
Panama is travelling at high speed as if on a river
hectic, fast, negotiating narrow streets Exhilarating but slightly stressful or
challenging crowded with people at traffic lights frightening
frequently beautiful black mother with her baby slight sense of intimidation from being
see the old man with no legs on dogcart crowded
same details of specific items being sold wanting to help the beggars to the extent
beggars on weeping boy with the crippled leg that he keeps a tin of coins in the car
the street enjoying seeing them every day
salespeople sense of cynicism about the weeping boy
interesting unfinished buildings credit responses that identify the contrast
and dark, rickety tenements in the scenery
contrasting colourful washing hanging variety of views makes travelling
scenery narrow streets, wide open Pacific enjoyable
views with mountains in the distance it’s a shame that older buildings are
hideous skyscrapers being replaced by hideous skyscrapers
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develop the idea of wanting to escape

from the city to the mountains
hot scorching sun appreciation of car’s air conditioning
polluted the city trying to choke itself to death feeling sorry for the beggars on the
streets
even quite early in the morning it is hot

A2 Explanation of financial problems

Idea Detail Possible development
owes owes 150,000 dollars borrowed to reasons for buying the rice farm – to
Rudd / the buy the rice farm; Rudd owes him supplement income, for his family /
bank a lot of 10,000 dollars for suits children’s future
money perhaps Rudd persuaded him it was a
good investment
farm is a no water supply as river has been sense of frustration and that it is unfair
financial diverted that the river has been diverted
failure worrying account sheets worry about not being able to repay the
loan
money lawyer bribed the judge, but now sense of helplessness
spent there is a new judge so the bribe mistrust – did the lawyer keep the bribe?
unsuccess- was pointless. The new judge Did he know there would be a new
fully on postponed the trial and is waiting to judge?
lawyer see which side will pay a bigger
bribe
no way of Ministry of Agricultural Development credit responses that appreciate the
getting back has already been bribed by the other irony of the Ministry of Agricultural
the water side and think it would be inethical to Development being concerned about the
supply to change allegiance ethics of taking another bribe
the farm Overall, perhaps Pendel might regret
paying any bribes at all and even buying
the farm

A3 Plans for trying to solve financial problems

Idea Detail Possible development
attempt to Pendel is unable to solve water but perhaps someone else with more
sell farm supply problems money and better connections could.
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Pendel should cut his losses

ask Rudd Rudd makes a lot of suggestions so perhaps he can help find a solution.
for help He has local knowledge
negotiate So far he has tried to go through the perhaps a direct bribe to the new farm
directly with courts but has been unsuccessful would be a solution
the farm
upstream
borrow The new judge is waiting to see the judge might rule in his favour if he
more which side offers the most money. pays a large bribe. The ministry might
money The ministry won’t take his bribe get off their high horse if he offers them
enough money
give up he has spent a lot of money and As a foreigner in a corrupt country, any
tried a lot of things. He cannot trust continued attempts to solve the problems
people (e.g. the lawyer). The farm would be futile
has no water supply and is not
making money

The discriminator is the development of the writer’s plans for trying to solve the financial
problems, as this requires candidates to draw inferences. Ideas and opinions must be derived
from the passage, developing the implications.
Marking Criteria for Question 1

Table A, Reading:
Use the following table to give a mark out of 15 for Reading.

Band 1 The response reveals a thorough reading of the passage. A wide range of ideas is
13–15 applied. There is sustained use of supporting detail, which is well integrated into the
response, contributing to a strong sense of purpose and approach.
Developed ideas are well related to the passage. All three bullets are well covered.
Band 2 There is evidence of a competent reading of the passage. Some ideas are developed,
10–12 but the ability to sustain them may not be consistent. There is frequent supporting
detail. The response answers all three bullets, though perhaps not equally well.
Band 3 The passage has been read reasonably well, but the response may not reflect the
7–9 range or complexity of ideas in the original. There may be some mechanical use of the
passage. Supporting detail is used occasionally. Opportunities for development are
rarely taken and ideas are simply expressed. There is uneven focus on the bullets.
Band 4 Some brief, straightforward reference to the passage is made. There is some
4–6 evidence of general understanding of the main ideas, although the response may be
thin or in places lack focus on the passage or the question. One of the bullets may not
be addressed.
Band 5 The response is either very general, with little reference to the passage or the
1–3 question, or a reproduction of sections of the original. Content is insubstantial, or there
is little realisation of the need to modify material from the passage.
Band 6 There is very little or no relevance to the question or to the passage, or the response
0 copies unselectively or directly from the passage.

Table B, Writing: Structure and order, style of language:

Use the following table to give a mark out of 5 for Writing.
 21

Band 1 The language of the response sounds convincing and consistently appropriate.
5 Ideas are firmly expressed in a wide range of effective and/or interesting language.
Structure and sequence are sound throughout.
Band 2 Language is mostly fluent and there is clarity of expression. There is a sufficient range
4 of vocabulary to express ideas with subtlety and precision. The response is mainly
well structured and well sequenced.
Band 3 Language is clear but comparatively plain and/or factual, expressing little opinion.
3 Ideas are rarely extended, but explanations are adequate. Some sections are quite
well sequenced but there may be flaws in structure.
Band 4 There may be some awkwardness of expression and some inconsistency of style.
2 Language is too limited to express shades of meaning. There is structural weakness
and there may be some copying from the passage.
Band 5 Expression and structure lacks clarity. Language is weak and undeveloped.
1 There is very little attempt to explain ideas. There may be frequent copying from the
original.
Band 6 The response cannot be understood.
0

Question 2
This question tests reading assessment objective R4 (10 marks)
 R4 demonstrate understanding of how writers achieve effects

Re-read the descriptions of:

(a) the city and the people in it in paragraph 2, beginning ‘Onward through the…’
(b) Ramon Rudd in paragraph 5, beginning ‘Ramon Rudd’s room…’
Select four powerful words or phrases from each paragraph. Your choices should include
imagery. Explain how each word or phrase selected is used effectively in the context.
Write about 200 to 300 words.
Up to 10 marks are available for the content of your answer. [10]

General notes
This question is marked for the ability to select powerful or unusual words and for an
understanding of ways in which the language is effective. Expect responses to provide words
that carry connotations additional to general meaning.
Mark holistically for the overall quality of the response. It is the quality of the analysis that
attracts marks. Do not take marks off for inaccurate statements; simply ignore them.

The following notes are a guide to what good responses might say about the selections. They
can make any sensible comment, but only credit those that are relevant to the correct meanings
of the words in the context and that have some validity. Alternative acceptable explanations
should be credited. Credit comments on effects created by non-vocabulary choices such as
grammar/syntax and punctuation devices. They must be additional to comments on vocabulary.

(a) the city and the people in it in paragraph 2, beginning ‘Onward through the…’
 22

The overall effect is that the city is chaotic, noisy and disorientating, and a way which
contrasts with the beauty and dignity of some of its people.

 frustrated shriek of police sirens: the presence of many police sirens suggests chaos and
disorder. The police cars are personified as shrieking, which is a high pitched and
unpleasant sound which adds to the frenetic atmosphere. The shriek is frustrated, which
highlights the lack of peace in the city, the crowdedness, and the difficulty of getting around.
It also suggests that the police themselves are frustrated or angry, which makes the city
seem slightly unsafe
 the grunt and grind of bulldozers and power drills: the sound of the building machinery
is personified as a grunt, which continues the sense of frustration or anger. Grind brings to
mind the destruction brought about by the machinery, and perhaps suggests the sounds
uncomfortably “drilling” into one’s head. Grunt and grind together form an alliteration, and g
is a guttural and unpleasant sound which emphasises the unpleasantness of the sounds
themselves
 the mindless hooting, farting and protesting: further personification as the city itself is
described as farting and protesting. The personification of the city itself adds to the sense of
Pendel’s lack of control as he travels through it. Protesting further adds to the sense of
annoyance in the city. Farting perhaps relates to some of the drilling and other building
noises, as well as to traffic fumes and pollution. Hooting refers to car horns, but also creates
an image of aggravated monkeys hooting, building on the comparison between the city and
something alive developed through the use of personification elsewhere.
 a third world tropical city that can’t wait to choke itself to death: there is a bluntness to
the use of third world rather than developing. Panama City is personified as suicidal, and the
means of death emphasises the heat and pollution and the dysfunctional nature of the city.
The use of “can’t wait” is also suggestive of the impatience and hurried atmosphere in the
city.
 between the beggars and cripples and the sellers of hand towels, flowers, drinking
mugs and cookies: a continued use of blunt language in beggars and cripples emphasises
that the writer is presenting a realistic and unromantic view of the city. The overuse of and in
place of commas in the list serves to exaggerate the amount of people crowding around the
car. This effect is heightened by the long list of items on sale, creating a sense of disorder
and confusion.
 legless white-haired senator paddling himself sedately in his dogcart: a sense of
contrast is created on many levels between the man and the situation he is in. He is a
beggar, yet he is described as a senator, suggesting he looks like a politician. Sedately
contrasts with the frenetic atmosphere of the city and suggests that the man displays a
sense of dignity despite his pitiful situation. Paddling suggests being on a river, which fits the
idea of Pendel passing through the streets with no control.
 beautiful black mother with her happy baby on her hip: black has the same directness
as cripples and third world. This whole expression uses literal and innocent vocabulary
which contrasts with a lot of the other language in the passage. This again creates a
contrast between the city and the people in it, and suggests Pendel’s simple enjoyment in
seeing mother and baby. The beauty of the image is emphasises by the alliteration of b and
 23

h. The way the two people are described is positive, but also in a sense they are
dehumanised. They are described with detachment almost as if they are zoo animals.
Pendel enjoys the spectacle but doesn’t seem in any way moved by their plight.
 the weeping boy on crutches…, one leg bent under him like an over-ripe banana: the
simile used to describe the crippled boy’s leg suggests that the leg is disfigured and swollen,
and also that it is fragile. We imagine the leg could easily be painfully squashed

(b) Ramon Rudd in paragraph 5, beginning ‘Ramon Rudd’s room…’

The overall impression is that Rudd is humorously rat-like in appearance, and rather self-
important

 Ramon Rudd clinging to the far end of it like a very small rat clinging to a very big
raft: his alliterated name has a comic effect, and his surname sounds almost like a term of
offense. He has an enormous office which should make him seem rich and important, but it
has almost the opposite effect because of his small size. The image exaggerates his small
size. It is humorous and makes him seem ridiculous. The choice of animal is fitting not just
because of its size but because of the connotations of rat: sneaky, cunning, dangerous,
destructive, thriving in dark and dirty places. The image of Rudd clinging to his desk, as a
raft, conjours an image of a sinking ship which perhaps suggests that Rudd as a banker
thrives on other’s misfortune. The image also exaggerates how his office is too big for him.
 He was chubby as well as short: the use of “as well as” instead of “and” emphasises that
he is afflicted with two unfortunate negative characteristics which seem to exaggerate one
another. He comes across as a humorously unattractive man. The characteristics of
chubbiness and shortness also seem fitting for a rat as he was described earlier.
 a dark blue jaw and slicked dark hair and blue-black sideburns: his jaw and sideburns
are dark blue with stubble. His hair is slicked with gel. This succinctly gives us a clear image
of him. The dark colours fit the rat image, and the slicked hair seems wet as the fur of the rat
clinging to the raft. The darkness of his hair and face also adds to the sense of foreboding
we get about this character, and his slimy, greasy hair suggests a dishonest and slippery
character.
 greedy bright eyes: his eyes contrast with his face and hair, but not in a positive way, since
his eyes are greedy. It suggests he is always looking for things he can take. Again it fits the
rat image perfectly
 he insisted on speaking English, mainly through the nose: Spanish is considered as
sounding nasal by English speakers. The fact that he spoke it through his nose suggests his
English was difficult to understand. This is emphasised by his insistence on speaking
English, which suggests that Pendel’s Spanish is better than his English.
 claimed to be descended from Scottish adventurers: “claimed” suggests that it is an
unlikely claim, as does the fact that his appearance seems to contrast strongly with that of a
Scottish adventurer in terms of size, shape and colour. This makes him seem self-important,
boastful and dishonest
 24

Marking Criteria for Question 2

Table A, Reading: Language analysis:

Use the following table to give a mark out of 10 for Reading.

Band 1 Wide ranging and closely focused discussion of language with some high quality
9–10 comments that add associations to words in both parts of the question, and
demonstrate the writer’s reasons for using them. Tackles imagery with some precision
and imagination. There is clear evidence that the candidate understands how
language works.
Band 2 Explanations are given of appropriately selected words and phrases, and effects are
7–8 identified in both parts of the question. Images are recognised as such and the
response goes some way to explaining them. There is some evidence that the
candidate understands how language works.
Band 3 A satisfactory attempt is made to identify appropriate words and phrases. The
5–6 response mostly gives meanings of words and any attempt to suggest and explain
effects is basic, vague or very general. One half of the question may be better
answered than the other.
Band 4 The response provides a mixture of appropriate choices and words that communicate
3–4 less well. The response may correctly identify linguistic or literary devices but not
explain why they are used. Explanations of meaning may be few, general, slight or
only partially effective. They may repeat the language of the original or do not refer to
specific words.
Band 5 The choice of words is insufficient or rarely relevant. Any comments are inappropriate
1–2 and the response is very thin.
Band 6 The response does not relate to the question. Inappropriate words and phrases are
0 chosen or none are selected.
 25

Question 3
This question tests reading assessment objectives R1, R2 and R5 (15 marks)
 R1 demonstrate understanding of explicit meanings
 R2 demonstrate understanding of implicit meanings and attitudes
 R5 select for specific purposes
and writing assessment objectives W1 to W3 (5 marks)
 W1 articulate experience and express what is thought, felt and imagined
 W2 sequence facts, ideas and opinions
 W3 use a range of appropriate vocabulary

(a) Notes
What difficulties and problems did the writer encounter during his visit to Dover, according to
Passage B?
Write your answer using short notes.
You do not need to use your own words.
Up to 15 marks are available for the content of your answer. [15]
(b) Summary
Now use your notes to write a summary of what Passage B tells you about the difficulties and
problems the writer encountered during his visit to Dover.
You must use continuous writing (not note form) and use your own words as far as possible.
Your summary should include all 15 of your points in Question 3(a) and must be 200 to 250
words.
Up to 5 marks are available for the quality of your writing. [5]

Reading content for Question 3(a)

Give 1 mark per point listed below, up to a maximum of 15.

1. hotels and guesthouse shut 3. doorway of guesthouse was dark, so he

2. train station closed tripped
 26

4. trouble understanding locals (accept

examples)
5. unfriendly guesthouse owner, did not
answer question
6. felt awkward / inadequate to go into the
Churchhill
7. couldn’t afford Churchill
8. cold
9. uncomfortable bench
10. bad dreams
11. stiff from the cold
12. shivering
13. woke up during the night
14. inadequate clothes to keep warm
15. awoken y foghorn
16. dog tried to pee on him
17. embarrassed as he had forgotten to
take pants off head
18. rain
Note: Although lifting of words and phrases from the passage is acceptable it is important
that in such cases candidates show evidence of understanding by clearly focusing on the
key details; over-lengthy lifting which does not identify specific points should not be
rewarded.
Credit responses which attempt to use own words and convey the essence of the point.
Marking criteria for Question 3(b)

Table A, Writing (concision, focus, use of own words):

Use the following table to give a mark out of 5 for Writing.

Band 1 The response is well focused on the passage and the question. All points are
5 expressed clearly, concisely and fluently, and in the candidate’s own words (where
appropriate) throughout.
Band 2 Most points are made clearly and concisely. Own words (where appropriate) are
4 used consistently. The summary is mostly focused but may have a redundant
introduction or conclusion.
Band 3 There are some areas of conciseness. There may be occasional loss of focus or
3 clarity. Own words (where appropriate) are used for most of the summary.
Responses may be list-like or not well sequenced.
Band 4 The summary is sometimes focused, but it may include comment, repetition,
2 unnecessarily long explanation or lifted phrases.
Band 5 The summary is unfocused or wordy. It may be answered in the wrong form (e.g.
1 narrative, commentary or as notes). There may be frequent lifting of phrases and
sentences.
Band 6 Excessive lifting; no focus. The response cannot be understood or consists entirely
0 of the words of the passage.