Candidate Exemplar Material

Based on Specimen Question Papers

GCSE English/English Language ENG1H

Unit 1: Understanding and producing non fiction texts Higher Tier
Section A and B

Version 1.0 Date: 0410

CANDIDATE 1

Question 1 Candidate 1a

Lower Mark

Candidate 1a Question 1 Commentary The candidate shows some engagement with the text and understanding of some of the things Parry did. Quotation is relevant, although one quotation is very long. Reactions to Parrys experiences are noted. More to say: There is more to be said from the article about specific places and experiences. Band 2, mark3/ 4

Mark 4/8

CANDIDATE 1b

Question 1 Candidate 1b

Higher Mark

Candidate 1b Question 1

Commentary The candidate makes some perceptive remarks about what Parry has been doing, showing understanding of the purpose of his immersing himselfand being part of the community. Reference is also made to the TV series he is making and its purpose. But the answer lacks specific examples of things Parry did and how he reacted. More to say: specific detail. The answer is very close to 7 but the remarks, though perceptive remain generalso Band 3, mark, 6

Mark 6/8

CANDIDATE 2

Question 2

Candidate 2 Question 2 Commentary The candidate has offered a brief response but it is very focused on the purpose of the headline and picture and the links with the writing. Some detail is offered and understanding is shown of what New lifeand Rainforest of the deeprefer to. Effects are noted. More to say: there is more to say about the choice of actual words in the title New revealedand about the detail in the picture. Band 3, mark, 6 Mark 6/8

CANDIDATE 3

Question 3 Canddiate 3

Lower Mark

Candidate 3 Question 3

Commentary The candidate has shown some engagement with the character of Mansur and his thoughts and feelings and some appreciation of the context he is in. The change in his thoughts and feelings is noted and then that he cheers up looking for his mothers home. The feelings are related to the context - 'seeing all the destroyed homes References are made to the text rather than direct quotation. More to say: detail and variety of thoughts and feelings as shown in the Indicative Content section of the mark scheme. Band 2, mark, 3/4 Mark 4/8

CANDIDATE 4

Question 3 Candidate 4

Higher Mark

Candidate 4 Question 3 Commentary The candidate offers lots of thoughts and feelings and so shows engagement with Mansur and the situation he is in. References to the text are made rather than quotations. The response is Band 3 except for the perceptive idea which deals with the idealised description at the end of the piece which the candidate sees as ironic grief this lifts it just into Band 4. More to say: One or two points from Indicative Content may be noted. Band 4, mark 7 Mark 7/8

CANDIDATE 5

Question 4 Candidate 5

Candidate 5 Question 4 Commentary The candidate has focused on the effects of language use and comparison. There are appropriate quotations with comments on the language used very gruesome a sense of death and violence, makes us pity him for the pain. The remote places comparison is made a language point with reference to namesputting places to words More to say: more detail available-Mansurs excitement, Parrys descriptions as noted in the mark scheme Indicative Content. Band 4, 13/14, just 14 marks Mark 14/16

CANDIDATE 6 SECTION B

Question 5 Candidate 6

Lower Mark

Candidate 6 Question 5

Commentary The candidate has offered some clear ideas about why the visit might be special and engages the reader. The idea about practising French and her friend liking other cultures lifts the letter into Band 3. A variety of things to do is also offered. The salutation is in error and there are some sentence errors. AO3, i, ii: Band 3, 6 marks; AO3, iii: Band 2, 3 marks. Mark 9/16

CANDIDATE 7

Question 5 Candidate 7

Higher Mark

Candidate 7 Question 5

Commentary A successful and convincing letter showing an extended vocabulary, a sense of humour and evocative description. Well shaped, engaging and personal with just a couple of wrong word slips. Good use of varied sentences and punctuation. Attempted letter frame. Band 4, 9 marks, accuracy 5/6 marks; just 15 Mark 15/16

CANDIDATE 8

Question 6 Candidate 8

Candidate 8 Question 6

Commentary The candidate has presented an argument successfully and convincingly. The argument develops in a fluent and engaging way. A number of issues are explored including personal privacy, destruction of culture, environmental cost and the cost to us as consumers of the exploitation of primitive cultures. The article is Band 4, 14 or 15 and given 15 because of the effective use of devices. There are a few slips in accuracy, so the mark is 6. Total 21 Mark 21/24